The Howards

Chapter 2

I am in awe with S.Angel.

If not for the privacy of the Howards, I will whip my phone out to take down the scenery. As I got to the security gate, I was buzzed in after confirming my identity.

S.Angel is huge. I have to drive through the garden for another few minutes to get to the villa. I was greeted by a fountain as I find a spot to park my truck. This villa is ten times bigger than my house. My truck is looking very out of place.

Gemma showed up by the door with a warm smile on her face, "I am very surprised when my boys told me you're coming over to work on the art project. They are so lucky to have you as their group mate. How are you?"

"Great," I returned the warm smile, "My mum said five words to me yesterday,"

Gemma gasped, placed a hand on mine, "Was it book related?"

"Nope, she said 'Chinese please, use my card',"

Gemma beaming as she guide me into her house, "That's a good progress. Anyway, I know my boys doesn't have the best teamwork, but I know for sure they definitely need your talented artistic hands. When it comes to art, Rick wants nothing with it. But Randall, he is quite artistic,"

Randall? Does Gemma know what she is talking about? Randall just said art is bullshit like 24 hours ago. I watched Gemma reaching out for an intercom and she announced, "Boys, Eleanor is here to put some artistic touch into your dense brain. Don't keep our guest waiting,"

I chuckled, feeling amused.While waiting for the boys, Gemma showed me around the living area. The house smell like I've just walked into a museum. It has modern rustic feel, using dark tones. I brushed my fingers on a dark marble table, marvelling at the beauty of this house, "I've always wanted to look at your house. It's beautiful,"

"I've been contemplating to ask you if you'll like to hang out with my kids someday. But you had a handful with struggling between school and your mum." Gemma said, passing me a glass of water.

I wondered how huge is this house that it's almost five minutes since Gemma announced my arrival, none of the Howard boys show up yet. Gemma showed me the backyard and I fell in love with the view. Their backyard is facing the sea, there is a huge plot of land covered with trees.

"There is a lake behind the trees," Gemma said, "I'll ask my kids to show you around. I can see how much you love this place,"

"It's a very beautiful place," I smiled, looking at the photos hanging by the stairwell. I heard someone pounding down the steps, Rick is the first one to show up, "You are here,"

"Of course she is here," Gemma rolled her eyes, "Took y'all long enough,"

Karina Howard, sporting a similar dirty blonde hair, she is an exact replica of Randall. She smiled, "Hi Eleanor, I'm Karina. I've heard a lot about you from my mum."

"That's true," Gemma nodded in agreement, "I told my kids to learn from you. You've been surviving on your own without getting any help from others and yet, you are doing so well in your studies as well."

I smiled in embarrassment.

Randall finally sauntered down, joining us by the living area. Karina began talking about how Rick ruining her drawing and told me how she love fashion designing. Then, I'm finally meeting the famous Ray Howard.

Ray Howard is the one who designed S.Angel. Out of all his works, S.Angel has never been shown to the world. S.Angel remained as a mystery in Ray Howard's work.

"Eleanor," Ray held his hand out, "Thank you for tolerating this two monkeys."

"Sir, nice to meet you." I smiled, "Love your work,"

Randall snorted, looking unamused. Karina elbowed her brother and Rick sending disapproving looks. When all the Howards are in a room together, I noticed the similarities in them, except for Rick. Rick is the only person in Howard with brown hair and green eyes.

Gemma stood up, brushing away the awkwardness I'm feeling, "Alright kids, show Eleanor around the house then work on your project. Eleanor, if you can't work with this two monkeys, let me know."

••••

"How many rooms are there?" I asked, out of nowhere as we walked to the second floor. Karina shrugged, "About fifteen?"

"We have entertainment room, a movie theatre, a library, a game room, gym. Basically we have whatever we need in this house," Rick said.

"We also have weapon room," Randall smirked. I raised my eyebrow, "Weapon room?"

Karina rolled her eyebrow, "A room for their hunting equipment. Randall, stop scaring her,"

"Does she look like she's scared?" Randall pointed at me as we stepped into a room filled with fashion designs. I looked around and heard Randall asking Karina, "You're not part of our group, so get out,"

"Stop being mean! I want to hang out too," Karina pouted, "Plus, you are using my room!"

Rick sighed and said to them, "It will make everything easier if both of you stop picking on each other. Randall, can we get started on this project?"

I turned to Rick, silently thanking him with a genuine smile. Rick returned my gesture with a wink. Karina went to a corner to resume whatever she left on her desk while Randall got comfortable by the window sill, playing with his phone. I laid my art reference books in front of me as Rick seated beside me.

"Gemma told me you are artistic too," I nudged Randall. Randall looked up from his phone, "Er, I guess?"

"He can design buildings, like our dad," Rick said, "Does that help?"

"Of course," I said, "I can draw scenic art but I'm not really good in architecture."

Randall sighed, placed his phone away, "I've got an idea, but I don't know if this works,"

Rick nodded encouragingly. I stared at Randall, surprised that he is actually making an effort. Randall saw the look on my face and he smirked, "You know I can read you very well, right? Your emotions are all written on your face,"

"Um, I'm just surprised you're actually contributing something. Sorry, please continue," I said, with an amused smile.

Rick chuckled and Randall continued, "So, because of our family privacy rules, we cannot use S.Angel as reference."

"Okay..." I trailed off, not sure where is this going. Rick raised his brows and Randall said, "So, we draw Eleanor's house,"

Karina burst into fits of laughter.

Rick trying to hold his laughter. And, I pinched my nose bridge, "Here I thought you were going to give something constructive!"

"This is constructive!" Randall exclaimed with a smile, throwing cushions at his siblings. "I mean, what is so difficult? The title is house. So we draw a house!"

"Art, brother, art!" Karina laughed.

I smiled, looking out from the window and from the window's vantage point, I spotted the lake that Gemma told me. The afternoon sun is shining into the clear water, creating a magnificent view.

"Eleanor!" Rick called out, "Been trying to get you back on earth,"

The three of them joined me by the window. Randall raised his brows, "What did you see?"

"We don't have to use anywhere for reference," I said, pointing out of the window, "You lucky Howard kids, got a perfect view everyday. We can always create a brand new painting,"

"A cottage," Randall said, looking at the lake, "Modern cottage by the lake."

We spend the next five hours, drafting out the perfect cottage house. Within that five hours, it felt like I've been welcomed with open arms by the Howards as we laugh and pick up fights with each other. After all the miserable times I've been through, I realised all I needed was friends.

And, I met the Howards.