Page 188 of Five Summers

The driver pulls up and parks in front of a pair of impressive black metal gates. Xander’s window smoothly slides down, and I watch as he enters a security code, causing the gates to swing open, granting us passage. We continue down a long driveway.

As we approach, my eyes widen at the sight of three grand double-story houses side by side, no fences separating them.

“That one over there is Nate and Theo’s,” Xander says, pointing to the farmhouse-style double-story house on the left, complete with spacious front patios. It truly is a sight to behold.

“And that one over there is Ace’s,” he points to the right, indicating a magnificent two-story house made of dark brick. It’s adorned with tall white pillars that extend up to the second floor. It’s grand, exceeding my expectations of what I thought Ace would have chosen for himself.

“And this one is ours,” he points to the one in the middle.

“This is your home,” I ask.

“Our home,” he says, correcting me.

As we drive up the circular driveway, everything goes silent. The view through the front window is absolutely stunning.

Before us stands a two-story house, painted in pristine white with elegant black iron accents. The front porch, which wraps around the entire house, immediately catches my attention, complete with a generously sized swing. In my mind, I can already imagine myself leisurely swaying on that swing, enjoying the beauty of the setting sun. The house exudes aformal charm, yet it also has the cozy essence of a farmhouse, incorporating simple elements. Surrounded by meticulously maintained gardens, its allure is truly captivating. I can sense Xander’s subtle touch in the design of this house, a testament to his refined taste.

"Is this our new home?" Alex asks, his voice filled with unmistakable excitement.

The driver brings the car to a halt and carefully parks it in the spacious, circular driveway encircling the trio of houses. Xander assists Alex in getting out of his car seat, while the driver kindly opens my door, allowing me to step out.

“I’ll get our bags,” Xander informs the driver, considering that we only have one medium-sized overnight bag with essential items until our belongings are delivered tomorrow. "You can bring the car seat and place it by the front door," Xander says, his hand disappearing into his pocket as he takes out some cash and hands it to the driver.

Meanwhile, Alex joins me and stands by my side as I look up at the house. While I knew he made a lot of money from his music, I never imagined it would be enough to afford such an impressive place like this. I am genuinely thrilled for him. It brings me joy to know that he did all the things he said he would.

“Come on,” Xander urges, taking my hand and guiding me towards the house. “Come see your new home.”

When Xander opens the front door, he places our overnight bag in the spacious foyer.

The interior of the house is just as breathtaking as its exterior. The walls are a gorgeous shade of gray with fancy black iron decorations. Adding to the overall elegance, the tiled floors glisten and reflect the light. The twelve-foot ceilings further enhance the feeling of spaciousness in this grand house. I am truly at a loss for words.

Xander leads us into the house, and that's when I immediately notice the magnificent grand piano positioned in the center of the room. This thing screams luxury and money.

The urge to play intensifies, as I recall the vibrant atmosphere of the piano bar in Adelaide, urging me to run my fingers across the keys. Releasing Xander’s hand, I eagerly move towards it, my fingers itching to caress the velvety smoothness of its glossy surface.

With each touch of the keys, I’m filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation, knowing that the music will soon come alive under my fingertips once more.

Raising my head, I pause to survey the room, and my gaze lands on the couch that Xander had mentioned earlier. Positioned perfectly, it offers an ideal vantage point to observe me playing the piano.

As my gaze moves towards Xander, I can’t help but notice the way his lips curl into a smile, mirroring my own in awe of the piano.

“It’s beautiful,” I comment.

“I thought you’d like it,” he says, smiling at me before shifting his attention to Alex who stands beside him. “Are you ready to see your room?”

"Yep," Alex replies excitedly, beaming with joy.

“Come on, I’ll give you the grand tour,” Xander says, grabbing my hand.

As we stroll through the big, fancy kitchen, I notice the sleek white countertops and black accents that add a touch of elegance. Moving forward, we come across an elegant dining room. Inside, there is a long, black table set for twelve guests, exuding an air of sophistication.

We make our way up the grand wooden staircase, feeling the polished handrail beneath our fingertips. The full-length windows offer awe-inspiring panoramic views, showcasing thebeauty of the surroundings. Xander then gestures to a bathroom located just across the hallway. He then comes to a halt in front of a closed door.

“Are you ready to see your room?” he asks Alex.

With a nod from Alex, Xander opens the door. The astonishing sight of a massive blue shark with its mouth open greets us, revealing a mattress. This is Alex’s bed. It is an impressive spectacle, unlike anything I have ever seen.

“Cool, Dad,” Alex yells, racing forward. He leaps into the shark's mouth and lands on the mattress.

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