In Love With The Bad Boy

Chapter 3: The Big House

❤ Kat's POV ❤

WE arrived at our destination after more than three hours. I slept the whole time, and Leopold just woke me up when we were pulling into the driveway of the house.

House might be a modest term to refer to our ancestral home. Most people in town refer to it as a mansion. It is quite big and mansion-like, but I guess I was just so used to it that I don't even notice how big it is anymore.

The house has more than 10 rooms, including the master suite, my bedroom, a home office, a library, an entertainment room, and a home gym. My parents stay in the master suite is where my parents stay when they are around, which is not very often. Even when I was a child, I was mostly left at the house by my parents, but I had plenty of nannies and house helpers to keep me company.

Each bedroom in the house has a bathroom and a spacious closet. My bedroom has a walk-in closet, and it was full of clothes, shoes, and other accessories I wanted.

Aside from the rooms, there are also two living areas and a visitor's lounge. There are three kitchens, including the one at the back, which the house helpers call the dirty kitchen. It wasn't really dirty, it's just a common term used for kitchens that they commonly used for cooking. I think the kitchens inside the house are only for show, but I've rarely seen them get used.

There is a dining room with a table that seats around 20 guests, and we use it when my parents invite special guests, like politicians, other business people, celebrities, and the like. I was too young to remember who these guests were. I wasn't allowed to sit at the table with them anyway. I usually sit at the kid's table with the children of the adult guests. It was during one of these dinners that I met and got close to Jason.

On a normal day, we eat in the 'smaller' dining room. The table there is smaller and seats eight. It feels big whenever I eat because I usually eat here alone. I asked my nannies and house helpers to eat with me sometimes but they always refused. I think my parents forbade them to sit at the same table as me.

Because I didn't want to eat alone, I usually ate at the dining table where the house helpers eat. Initially, they refused to let me sit with them, but I was a stubborn little girl, and they couldn't really do anything about it. When I left the house to study, I felt sad because I had to say goodbye to the house helpers who had become my friend. My mom let one of the house helpers, Evelyn, accompany me to the city and take care of my needs. I was 12 years old at the time, so I can't really be left alone yet. One would think my parents would want to take care of me, but they had too much going on in their lives, so I have just become an afterthought. I remember spending more time with the help than with my parents.

I felt a little excited about coming back to the house. Since I left for the city, I've come home only twice. I felt guilty about that, but as much as I would have wanted to come home more frequently, my mom didn't allow me to. I think she doesn't like that I have a close relationship with the house helpers.

Since I slept for the entire drive, I wasn't really tired. When I got to the house, I was welcomed by Ate Myrna and the other house helpers. Ate Myrna has worked at the house even before I was born, and I've known her all my life.

As soon as she saw me, she cried as she hugged an said "Katrina, it's so good to see you. You're more beautiful than ever!"

It's been years since I've seen Ate Myrna, so the hug felt awkward. I managed a smiled and said "Thanks. It's good to see you too, Ate Myrna."

She must have noticed my lukewarm tone. She moved away from me and asked "Would you like some breakfast?"

Kat: "Uhm, no. I'm not hungry yet."

Ate Myrna: "Of course. Silly me. You must be tired from the travel? Why don't you settle in to your room and rest for a bit? I'm going to have your favorite dishes prepared for lunch."

I just nodded and said "Okay, thanks," before turning away and heading upstairs. I wasn't really tired, but I'm not in the mood to talk or socialize with anyone right now. I felt anxious with Ate Myrna and the other house helpers behind her smiling as if expecting me to acknowledge each of them.

When I got to my room, I let the two house helpers carrying my luggage bring them in. Before they got the chance to say anything, I asked them to leave. They looked surprised because they were ready to unpack my luggage for me, but since I wanted to be alone right now, I decided to just do it myself. I've become more independent since I moved out of the house. I can unpack my own luggage.

I looked around my room and noticed that it was the same as I remembered it. It was kept clean and tidy, maybe just in case I came home. I lived in this house for 12 years, but somehow it didn't feel like home. Not anymore.

I laid down in bed, but somehow, I felt restless, so I got up again and decided to get up and explore the area outside the house. There's a pool in the grounds, and a pool house adjacent to it. Maybe I could take a quick swim before lunch. I would have to pass by the garden to get to the pool, and I am curious to see what the garden looks like now. Aside from the library, the garden was one of my favorite places to hang out in. Jason and I used to meet there and make out.

I changed into my bikini, and put on a sleeveless shirt and jean shorts on top. I put on slippers before leaving my room.