Fiction: Group 4
The estate is undeniably as grand as it sounds. All the houses have a pale exterior, the architecture a fine
blend of traditions, culture and innovation. Spacious yet convivial. 10 beautiful houses face the West Lake. I
walk to the house located at the end of the lane; I unlock the door but not before smoothing my hand
against fine robust Mahogany. I make my way to the master bedroom on the second floor. I look out and
see the calm water with an occasional ripple. Surrounding the lake is a beautiful plethora of trees. I see a few
houses peeking out here and there. A couple of people on the peddle-paddle boats travel past. The trees on
the far side of the lake were mirrored on the lake, with it being fall, the leaves were in full color, and as the
lake ripple, and they seem to dance with a life of their own.
The silent buzzing of my phone draws me out of my thoughts. Andy is calling to tell me he has arrived. I
quickly walk down the stairs and leave the house to meet him. Just as I walk out, I see a powerful Jaguar
pulling driving in to the estate and parking. Andy comes out of the car and to my surprise, opens the back
door where 2 beautiful little girls jump out. A lady who I assume is his wife comes out of the car. She is
dressed modestly and classically, and motherly. She goes around the car and takes the hands of the little girls.
How enchanting, I think as I admire them. I don’t notice Andy walking to me until he calls out my name.
“Polly!”
“Oh how nice to see you, Andrew, it has really been a while” I say as I embrace him.
“Don’t be so formal now, you can switch off your professional features.”
“Well, I am here to sell you this house so I guess I’m working now”
“Come on now, we’re old buddies! Now, show me this gorgeous residence you’ve been on about.”
He introduces me to his family as we make our way to the house located near the gate. Not long after we
start walking his two little cherubs run up and start eyeing me with their curiosity. They twirl around in
their petite dresses and play around with their neat plaits. I open the door for them, Andy steps in first with
his wife. They seemed impressed and allured. I bring the two little girls in the house, they immediately
spring from my hand when they spot a large sofa covered in white suede.
“Wow”, exclaims Andy’s wife. She face is beaming just as brightly as her little girls, which gives me a
twinge of pride. I show them the kitchen which is fully equipped with the best appliances. Then, the 2
nd
floor bedrooms with the sensational view of the West Lake. We make our way back downstairs where the
two little ones are still rolling around. I see their parents exchange a glance that seem to say “Oh what
treasures” The girls notice us and follow us as we walk to view the garden and the pool.
“Hey Polly, could you take care of Annie and Grace while I discuss with my wife?” asks Richard
Sensing a successful deal about to be closed, I turn around to find the two little girls.
Would you like to see your bedrooms?” I ask the girls. Their angelic little faces lit up like I had just baked
them a big cake. I gesture to the staircase in the house and they immediately dash in the house and run up
the stairs. Their two rooms stand together side by sand. We enter the room on the left first. The kids gasped
as they saw the pale pink wallpaper and the bed in the middle of the room.
“It is soooooo pretty!” uttered the younger one who I assume is Annie. Grace is usually the older one’s
name according to the countless TV dramas I’ve watched. Grace quickly proclaimed the room hers and goes
from corner to corner to canvass the room. I watch as she tries to push with all her might to sit up on the
window ledge. A smile blossoms on her face as she finally makes it on the ledge and observes the view
outside the window. Annie tugs on my skirt and urges me to take her to the other room. I call out to Grace
and tell her to come along when the impatient little Annie laces her delicate fingers through mines and drags
me to the other room.
“Waaaaaaaoh” says Annie, once again delighted and excited at the magnificence of the room. No doubt
summoned by her curiosity, Grace walks in the room. Her eyes light up, half because of she is amazed and
half because she may have realized that she made too rash a decision. Perhaps it is their charming innocence
or perhaps their adorable relationship that makes me smile. My heart just warms and a smile erupts on my
face. Annie takes notice of this and begins bursting into laughter. Soon the room is a house of giggling, red-
faced girls. I hear footsteps on the staircase and see Andy coming up with his wife, grinning, arm-in-arm.
She bends down and reaches for Annie and Grace’s hands.
“Kids, you like the rooms? Well you better, because these are going to be your new rooms,” says Andy’s
wife. With that, the house became a candy store, filled with thrill and cheerfulness. Andy comes to me and
says that he’ll visit my office the next few days for the paperwork.
“Thank you for all your help Polly, it’s really a great place, I’m certain now that my family has a wonderful
home”
“I must thank you Andy, you just saved my company!” I say.
