Alpha of Dahael - ONC2024

Chapter 3 - Falling into place

 One quick shower and toothbrush session later, she made her way to breakfast and to chat with the owners. They seemed like lovely people as they gave her sights and small adventures she could have while staying with them.

She had breakfast and returned to her room, aiming to make today a productive day. She opened her laptop and started working until lunchtime and her host called her down to lunch. She thanked God that these were all-inclusive because getting up to go search for lunch was the last thing on her mind today.

Everything they made was lovely, their hands were blessed to have such a warm, welcoming place of rest. Somehow they reminded her of her grandparents when she was younger. She liked the happy feeling that filled her chest, she almost missed the family that she used to have. They were but a distant memory now, she smiled to herself.

She messaged Trish to find out how it was going. The seller's realtor was taking a bit of time to get back to her but she would try her best to give her a definite answer tomorrow, she also suggested that they could go view another house in the meantime while they waited for the seller to respond.

She took Trisha up on her offer, it wasn't like she had anything planned either way. She let Trish drive her out to the place, she didn't feel like driving today. She listened as Trish talked excitedly about Daysville and their little events and get-togethers. She was content to just listen and let Trish do all the talking since it seemed to make her happy. They pulled into the cobblestone driveway and immediately Sayde was awestruck.

It felt very much like the modernised version of a cottage house, there was a flower garden at the front of the house which was very well tended to. When Trish opened the door, Sayde was greeted by warm and welcoming colours. Her heart fluttered at the meticulous interior design as Trish walked her around the house. She opened the porch door from the master bedroom and she was greeted with a vast field followed by the tree line creating a border between forest and grassland.

She closed her eyes as the breeze welcomed her and gave her small cool pecks against her cheeks and eyelashes. She smiled as the breeze gently caressed her curls and she felt at peace.

"I knew you would love it, I can see it on your face," Trish said softly, a small smile plastered on her face. She turned and continued to show her the in-room bathroom and then the attic space as well as the guest bedroom on the ground floor. There was also an in-room bathroom in that room as well making it convenient to the person staying there not to disturb anybody else in the house.

She showed off the quaint kitchen with its darkened wood and marble counters, bringing the tour to an end on the back porch. They took a seat on lounge chairs and enjoyed the cool breeze for a bit before Trish said, "Would you like to take it off the market?"

Sayde slowly turned to Trish confused, "What happened to the other one?"

Trish met her gaze and responded, "Nothing's wrong with the other one." She turned and looked at the place and then back at Sayde.

"This one is willing to sell ASAP and their pricing is around your budget and may save you some cash as well. It comes with everything in it and the owners want it gone ASAP since they've found a new place to live and want to start their lease."

"Any reason why they left?"

Trish shook her head looking somewhat disappointed. "No they just put the house on the market and left the very same day, they've been staying at their parent's house until they found a house but now that they've found it, they're willing to part ways with less just so they could get the money quicker."

"Can I get back to you on this, I need to think."

"Sure no problem, let me take you out to dinner since it's getting a bit late and you are the last viewer."

She gave her the key to the car, "You can go rest in the car while I lock up and get back to you okay?"

"Do you give all your viewers this special treatment?" Sayde asked curiously.

Trish chuckled and shook her head, "I told you I feel as if we're friends already and that's how I treat my friends, now hurry along the quicker I lock this place up the quicker we eat okay?"

Sayde nodded while eying her suspiciously and went to sit in the car. She made a quick call to the Inn she was staying at to let them know that she would be eating dinner out but she would still appreciate something light to take to her room when she arrived in case she got snackish during the night.

The hosts were very understanding and wished her safe travels to and from her destination, she smiled to herself. She somehow found herself smiling fondly at the thought of them, if she could choose her grandparents based on how they treated her so far she would most probably choose them.

The driver's side of the car opened and Sayde quickly passed the key over to Trish and they were off. They went to a small restaurant that was called "Family House". They were shown to a table and Trish started giving Sayde a little bit of backstory about the restaurant. It used to be a fast food place till they became bankrupt and abandoned this place. To prevent another fast food place from taking over the community banded together and bought it.

They then put together to buy the necessary items and by a vote chose who they thought would be best to run the new restaurant. That's why it's called Family House because everyone came together and chipped in to get this place going and that's why the prices are affordable as well. Some of the farmers drop a bit of produce and sometimes the butcher drops off some meat and kids 7 and below get free meals so nobody stays hungry here.

Sayde looked around in awe, she had a newfound respect for that town no wonder everyone seemed to know each other or be super friendly.

The server came over and took their order, bringing them a glass of water and giving Sayde a quick once-over before heading over to the kitchen to place their orders.

Trish made small talk about the different places to get what here and who had the cheapest items etc. Sayde soaked in the information with renewed gusto as she realised she liked this little town a lot more than she let on.

She imagined herself opening a little shop or even helping the elderly couple at the inn take care of the place, maybe even get a job at the restaurant if she could.

She smiled as the waiter brought them their appetisers and drinks and she quickly dug in not realising how hungry she had been. While they waited on the main course Trish told her a bit about herself, she was 28 years old married and had a Great Dane named Dash. Her husband and her lived a little on the outskirts but were still welcomed because of how well-known they were. Her husband was a truck driver who was gone days at a time sometimes and that's why she keeps busy in this town and doing real estate.

Sayde smiled warmly at her, she understood that behind that warm bubble sunshine exterior was someone looking to keep herself from being lonely in her husband's absence. She decided to be less sceptical of her from now on and be a little nicer. After all, they were around the same age as well, she thrived in solitude but she understood that others did not.

They ate their food in silence and Sayde had offered nothing about herself to the girl who was somewhat desperately trying to make friends with a stranger. 'She would have to work on that,' she thought to herself.

After their meal and small talk they said goodbye to the restaurant owners and workers and made their way back to the car. Wrapped up in their thoughts it was a quiet drive home, Trish dropped her back at the bed and breakfast with a promise to get back to her as soon as possible.