New Home

Chapter 23: Losing Home

I jumped off the car as we reach the side of the subdivision where our old house is rooted.

I can't help the smile drawn on my face as I saw the house fully great and seems like a very new house still. There's nothing changed at all. It is actually more taken care of. The paint had been a great masterpiece. The plants circling the whole house seems very much fertile. The house really is alive as I'm examining it right now.

I'm just hoping though, I had my parents and Josh waiting for me to come inside. They were happily filling the whole house, doing the things they usually do. I just hope I can hear their voices right now.

The beautiful voice of Mom who's smilingly singing to her orchids. The masculine and baritone sound of Dad who's instructing the boxer what to do on the boxing ring when he's watching few of some fights. And the irritated voice of Josh who's a pretty much distressed singer. Just imagining how would he sound like makes me want to cover my ears already.

But then... well... I just hope though.

"Riley!" he called me. I turned to face him still wearing that expectant smile about the whole house. He came near me and brought my bag. "Sure you're okay here? Our home is open for you, you don't have to live here alone."

I shook my head as I took my bag away from his hold. "I'm sure is fine, sir. I've been living in this house for more than a decade of my life, I'm sure I can deal with it all alone."

He sighed and just gave me the warmest smile he could ever give.

After that, I hurriedly went into the gate. It's locked and so I tried with the doorbell. Maybe there is a caretaker who's been making sure of the safety of the house. I guess I should've thanked him then. it's about a year he did it without even receiving any payment at all. What a generous and concerned man he is!

I waited for the gate to open and as it opens, I exchanged a smile to a short and young woman who's holding a broom at that moment.

"Hi!" I greeted her. She likewise did the same. 

"May I know what you want?" she further asked. There's something in her voice that made me frown. She's like any moment, needs to talk of something I don't want to hear. Like a bad news or whatsoever.

"I'm Riley." I tried to reach for her hands, lost of her question and offered her a shake. Gladly, she take it. As I finished, I continued with my introduction. "I have once lived here. I have spent about a year now on a province. I'm just going back after that vacation."

Her forced smile is constant, however, her face reflects all the question about what I'm saying. "Sorry, you must have mistaken. This is already our house, we bought it five months ago. Are you not aware that your house had already been sold?"

I parted my lips as I heard the news. "No." I whispered. I turn back at her and just gave her a convincing smile that I hope would look like one. "It had been for sale?"

"Yes." she answered guiltily. She tried to find my face as she answered for more. "The broker told us it had been in auction of a businessman. It's a beautiful house that's why we bought it right then. Is there something wrong?"

I stared at her blankly, trying to process things on my brain. Even this house, they took it from me?

"Miss?" I think I'm gonna faint. I just heard Sir Magno at my back covering the query of the woman.

"Sorry. We haven't inform about that. Thanks for your minute though."

The next thing I know, I have my tears falling on my cheeks and my bag fallen drastically on the road's floor. And as the gate closes, I had lost my balance.

"Riley, let's take you home."

Unknowingly, I followed his demand. I slide myself on the passenger seat and tears just keep escaping my eyes while I'm still looking at our house. Our once house.

He's just quiet for the rest of the drive. I just keep on crying and silence filled the whole atmosphere. All the bad memories just came back all along. Right from the start.

Our trip ended up in front of their house. We stayed inside the car for more minutes before he finally decided to talk. "You need a rest, Riley. Let me have our home for you to stay at."

I didn't say anything nor respond by giving him gestures of my acknowledgement. I remained peaceful.

"We'll find your good place by tomorrow. For now, you have to give yourself, a sleep. You have been into so many things today, your body needs to rest. Like we said, our home is open for you. Just take a shot on entering your feet inside."

With that last sentence, I immediately looked at him and confronted his hopeful eyes.

He's right. Maybe I need a rest. A lot of news came in today, I have to relax for all these.

I nodded as I gave him a smile. Shortly after, he opened the door on his side and went directly onto mine to open it. I still managed to say 'thank you' when it's all just air coming from my mouth.

Before he could open the house's door, Mrs. Madeline and Justin are already infront of us, welcoming with a wide smile and all clear faces.

"Welcome home, Riley!" she wrapped me in her arms and that's where I just thought:

Could this be my new home now? 

Could they be my new family?

Or...

I will just be their new Trisha?