Ethilia's POV:
Even though I was still sulking because she had ignored me earlier, I couldn't stop myself from being impressed by how beautiful her house was. Sulking was my right… but that didn't mean I wouldn't appreciate her taste.
I held her hand as I stepped out of the car and looked around.
The driveway was spotless, lined with neat stone tiles that led straight to the entrance. The garden on both sides was filled with different flowers and small trees, all trimmed perfectly.
She gave my hand a tiny shake, pulling my attention back to her. "Didn't you like it?" Her voice was soft and a little nervous, though hope was shining clearly in her eyes.
I nodded and squeezed her hand gently. "It's beautiful, Ana."
She smiled widely and nodded before walking toward the car door. She opened it and picked Alena up in one arm, then reached her free hand out to me. "Come… let's get inside?"
I nodded, but glanced back at the car. "Wait, won't you park the car? I mean the garage? Or… parking?"
She smiled, shaking her head. "I have people who can do that for me. Don't worry, just come."
I slipped my hand into hers again, and we started walking. When we reached the main entrance, she pressed the doorbell. A middle-aged woman opened the door and greeted us politely.
I smiled back even though I had no idea how I was supposed to behave here. She also looked at Liana with a bit of curiosity, which only made me more nervous.
By then, my hands had already gone cold, and I was sure Liana felt it because she gently squeezed my hand before stepping inside with me.
The moment I entered, my breath almost stopped. The inside was even more beautiful than the outside.
The living room was wide and well decorated. A large, soft-looking couch sat in the middle, facing a glass wall that showed the garden at the back.
Soft warm lights filled the room, reflecting gently off the glass wall and giving the whole place a cozy glow.
On the right were glass stairs, the soft lights reflecting off each step as they led to the first floor.
I had no idea what the first floor looked like… but if the living room was this beautiful, the rest of the house must be just as amazing.
Liana rubbed Alena's back, and Alena blinked her eyes open grumpily. "Umm… Angel…"
I raised a brow and crossed my arms. This girl never reacted when I held her, but the moment it was Liana, she knew instantly. How?
Liana smirked at me before walking toward the couch. She set Alena down gently and ran her fingers through her hair. "Cutie, look around. We're home."
Alena's eyes shot wide open, and she sat up straight. Her gaze darted around the room, shining in wonder. She wiggled happily on the couch. "It's so beautiful, Angel… I love it!"
Liana chuckled and sat beside her, then looked at the woman standing awkwardly just a few steps behind me. "This is Alena… and that is Ethilia. The room I told you to decorate was for Alena. I hope you did everything the way I asked?"
The woman smiled softly and nodded, "The room is on the right side of the first floor, just across the hallway from your room."
Liana nodded and then patted the space beside her. "Lia…" She tilted her head toward me.
I walked over awkwardly. The woman's narrowed eyes followed me the whole way, making me even more self-conscious.
As soon as I got close enough, Liana grabbed my arm and tugged me down beside her. I gasped when I landed on the soft couch, and she smiled before looking at the woman again.
"Maria, treat her just as well as you treat me. And remember every time you look at her, she's my girlfriend."
Maria's eyes widened a little, but she nodded politely. "I'm glad you finally decided to settle."
I tilted my head at Liana, who only chuckled and narrowed her eyes at Maria playfully. "She's the jealous kind, so don't say anything that might make me end up sleeping on this couch."
Maria, yes, I guess that was her name, chuckled and shook her head."I'll serve dinner for you then?"
Liana nodded, and Alena tugged her sleeve, "You have a room for me?"
Liana smiled and pulled her onto her lap. "Yes, cutie. Why? You don't want one?"
Alena nodded but pouted slightly, "I won't sleep with Mommy and you?"
Liana stood up with her still in her arms and started walking toward the stairs. "You surely will, my cutie. Whenever you feel like it, just come to our room, okay?"
Alena grinned and nuzzled against her neck. But my heart stopped for a second... our room?
Did she just call her room our room? I'm not hearing things, right? Someone pinch me...
I took a slow breath to calm myself and smiled before standing up and trailing behind them.
"You both always make me feel like the third wheel, you know?" I said, rolling my eyes dramatically.
Both Alena and Liana laughed, though at least they spared me from more teasing.
When we reached the first floor, I finally got a proper look around. The hallway was wide, lit softly with warm wall lamps. The floor was smooth wood, matching the gentle glow of the glass stairs we'd just climbed.
A room stood close to the staircase, and two more were spaced a bit farther down the hallway.
I assumed the one closest to the stairs was the master bedroom, and the other two were… Alena's room and the guest room.
As we walked, I noticed one door painted a soft blue between the others. Liana stopped there and turned the knob.
As we entered the room, I smiled and looked around. The whole place felt like stepping into the ocean.
The walls were painted in soft shades of blue, with colorful fish and sea creatures dancing across them. Even the plushies were ocean-themed... a shark, a dolphin.
The bed felt like a little island in the ocean, with blue blankets flowing like water and starfish-shaped pillows resting on it.
The couch itself was shaped like an open oyster, soft and inviting. I chuckled softly, but Alena let out a loud gasp and slid down from Liana's hold.
"It's so beautiful, Angel!" she exclaimed with sparkling eyes.
Liana crouched to her level and placed her hands gently on Alena's shoulders. "You love it?" she asked.
Alena nodded vigorously and threw her arms around Liana. "Thank you, Angel. I love you!"
Liana chuckled and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Now go and open that door," she said softly and gestured toward a small door inside the room.
I frowned and leaned against the doorframe. Seriously, it felt like I didn't even exist whenever it was just the two of them together. I hated it… and loved it at the same time.