After school, once the teacher left the classroom, Dylan tidied the books and stationery on his desk, then put them into his bag. Ellie approached Dylan.
"Are you working today, honey?" Ellie asked.
"Yeah, I have to go to the bookstore. Why?" Dylan asked.
"I need to go home for a bit (showing her smartphone). Someone wants to see my house. The realtor just messaged me, and I already said yes," Ellie answered.
Dylan read the email displayed on Ellie's smartphone screen while Ellie explained to him. It turned out Ellie was selling a house in her name, which her grandfather had given her before he passed away, knowing Ellie would be living in this city for school. Her divorced father was staying with her temporarily and was currently out of town.
"So the bottom line is, you're selling your house now that you're 18 and while your dad is out of town?" Dylan asked, surprised.
"Yeah, I have to be fast because if I'm not, my dad will demand a cut since he thinks the house is his, given to him by his father. He's never bothered to check whose name is on the deed," Ellie replied.
"Hmm... when did your grandfather pass away, exactly?" Dylan asked.
"About six months ago. Before that, he also lived with me and Dad... that's why Dad couldn't pull any crap while Grandpa was around. And when he passed away, his lawyer, Mr. Robert, immediately processed the name change on the deed to mine. Now the paperwork is complete, and there's a realtor bringing a customer to see the house," Ellie replied.
"Huh... wait a minute. Your grandfather's lawyer's name is Robert? Robert Harrison?" Dylan asked.
"Yes, and he's your grandfather's lawyer too, right? You mentioned you were going to meet him that morning," Ellie answered.
"Hmm... well, okay. Want me to go with you?" Dylan asked.
"Oh... but you have work, right? I can go by myself. I'm coming back a little later this afternoon, I'll call to ask permission," Ellie replied.
"It's fine, I can go with you. I'm actually free at the bookstore," Dylan said. "Ever since I got the hypnosis skill and made the owner think I'm always there," Dylan mumbled in his head.
[You are quite excessive, sir. That is why you are a good match for me.]
"Shut up. The bookstore owner is notoriously cheap and easily angered even though he doesn't do any work himself. I am punishing a bad person," Dylan replied in his head.
[Whatever you say, sir.]
"Are you sure, honey?" Ellie asked.
"Yes, let's go to your house," Dylan replied, standing up.
"Aku boleh ikut ?" Amy asked suddenly.
Dylan turned to look at Amy behind him, then he looked at Ellie, who was also looking at Amy.
"Can she come?" Dylan asked.
"She can, I guess, but isn't Clara at home? And who's watching Fiona and Iris? Maya has to work, and Lena has already left for the dentist's clinic to hand over duties so next month will be easy, right?" Ellie asked.
"Sigh... fine, I'm going home," Amy replied resignedly.
"Just come along. Aaron is at home. I'll text him that all of us are going out for a bit," Dylan replied, not wanting to see Amy sad.
"Really? Okay... I'm coming," Amy replied, suddenly lifting her head and smiling faintly despite her face remaining cool.
"Me too... I already told my supervisor and asked to switch shifts," Maya said suddenly.
Dylan, Ellie, and Amy turned to look at Maya, who was standing near them, smiling. Dylan looked back at Ellie, then he saw Amy looking happy and Maya happy too.
"Alright, let's go, but we're only escorting Ellie, okay?" Dylan said.
"Okay," Maya replied cheerfully.
"Let's move," Dylan replied.
"Hah... finally, ramen," Ellie muttered.
Then Dylan, Ellie, Maya, and Amy walked toward the exit. But just as Dylan stepped out, "thud," "ouch," Lena suddenly bumped into him and fell, but Dylan immediately caught Lena and helped her stand up again.
"Hehe... thanks and sorry. Are you guys leaving? Let's go together. I got a call saying not to come to the clinic yet; there's an AC repair, and the clinic is temporarily closed, so we'll reschedule for tomorrow," Lena said.
"Haaah... come on, you're joining us too," Dylan said.
"Huh... where are we going?" Lena asked, confused.
"To my place. I have an errand," Ellie replied briefly.
"Okay, all of us are going? That sounds like fun," Lena replied.
"Yep... it is fun," Maya replied.
"Let's go, babe, move it," Amy replied.
They then walked back toward the school building's exit. Dylan hailed an online taxi so none of his girls would get tired. A few moments later, they arrived at an older-style housing complex in the west of the city. The car stopped in front of an old but very well-maintained and nice two-story house. It was quite wide and long, had a small front yard, and a carport that could fit two cars side-by-side, without a fence. After getting out, Ellie walked up to the porch, took a key from her bag, and unlocked the door. Then Ellie invited everyone inside.
Dylan immediately looked over the entire house. All the furniture looked very nice though antique and a little dusty because Ellie hadn't been there for a week. There was a dining table made of sturdy-looking wood, old-fashioned but comfortable-looking and neat sofas, a marble coffee table, and sturdy wooden cabinets.
"Your house is nice, Ellie," Dylan said, looking around.
"Thanks. This is your first time here, right?" Ellie replied.
"Yeah. Do the others come often?" Dylan asked.
"Just look," Ellie answered, pointing toward the living room.
Dylan turned and saw Lena, Maya, and Amy already sitting comfortably on the sofa as if they were in their own home. They were even going back and forth to the kitchen, grabbing drinks and snacks.
"Wow... looks like they already treat it like their own home," Dylan said.
"Pretty much. For the past year, the four of us have been gathering here often," Ellie replied.
"Hmm... so you guys plan to corner me here?" Dylan asked, smiling and glancing at Ellie.
"Grr... you make it sound like we're conspiring to hurt you... it makes our image look bad," Ellie replied, pouting.
"I'm only kidding, don't be mad," Dylan said, smiling and putting an arm around Ellie. "Huh... so this is where they made their plans. My guess was right, after all," Dylan mumbled in his head.
Suddenly, the sound of two cars pulling into the carport out front was heard. Dylan turned to look behind him, then Ellie and Dylan walked outside. But Ellie's face immediately turned deathly pale when she saw the customer brought by the female real estate agent walking onto the porch after getting out of their respective cars. Ellie immediately stood behind Dylan, trembling. Dylan turned to look at Ellie, who seemed small, trembling, and terrified behind him.
"What is it?" Dylan whispered.
"Dad... the client is my dad," Ellie replied, scared and hiding behind Dylan.
Lena, Maya, and Amy immediately came over to Ellie and Dylan. Then Dylan saw the female real estate agent talking to a middle-aged, thin yet sturdy man, probably the same age as his own father if he were still alive. He had a handsome face but looked arrogant and seemed like someone who talked a lot without action.
"Oh, so he's Ellie's dad, huh... I've forgotten his face, but I think I have met him before at Mom and Dad's funeral. So he's the one who's been making me and my siblings miserable all this time by taking all the money my late father earned. Alright, let's play. Ready, CATS?" Dylan asked in his head.
[Of course, sir, I am ready.]