The Bad Boy Next Room (Charlie and Taylor)

"Wow!"noveldrama

"Amazing!"

"Wait, is that a pool?" Charlie exclaimed after walking out of the ground floor's patio.

Inner Devil: 'Did I tell you you had hit the jackpot, Charlie?'

Guardian Angel simply pouted her lips.

A maid had earlier informed her that breakfast would be at the estate's backyard, the same one that overlooked the orchards, but before making her way, she opted to do a little exploration.

She loved the huge open windows, the white curtains, the fresh air and sunlight coming into the house, and the overall light colors. It felt like the estate was a wonderful escape from city life for Charlie.

To think Luxford wasn't entirely urbanized-it still retained a hint of the countryside. But this farm? It was pure, unspoiled rural beauty!

To her, it was grand. Charlie was accustomed to luxury, but this was different.

There were no towering chandeliers or polished marble floors, yet the estate exuded a charm that was just as grand in its own way. The air smelled of earth and ripened nuts. Instead of the hum of traffic, she heard birds chirping and the distant rustle of leaves as the wind swept through the plantation.

"Like it, Charlie?"

Charlie had just reached the house's backyard door. She turned to find Savannah smiling at her.

"Yes, Mrs. West, I like it very much," Charlie said cheerfully. Her eyes sparkled as she described, "It's very different - so refreshing, so beautiful!"

Savannah chuckled and suggested, "You can call me Aunt. Mrs. West is too formal, especially since my son seemed determined to tie you down."

While Charlie flushed, Savannah stood beside her, watching the farmland. She said, "Whenever I'm here, I feel like the world is beyond me. I feel so small compared to the wonders of nature. Out here, the world is built on patience. Almond trees take three to five years to grow and bear fruit. It's longer for pistachios, and don't even get me started on macadamia nuts!"

Savannah shook her head, saying, "It takes seven years, on average, to get full production."

Rolling her eyes, Savannah complained, "And people complain that nuts are expensive."

Charlie chuckled. She could not explain her happiness just by looking at the orchards. Tears unknowingly welled in her eyes. She said, "I love it. I just love it."

"Great!" Savannah said, turning to Charlie. "I can see that you'll fit just right in."

"Come on, let's meet the rest of the family," Savannah said, motioning to another part of the backyard.

Under a very huge tree, there was a long picnic table. Charlie saw Tristan helping set the table while two other ladies were arranging the food. An older woman, seemingly in her early seventies, sat on one end.

"This must be Charlie," the older woman said.

Savannah approached, introducing, "Mom, this is Charlie, Taylor's girlfriend."

Turning to Charlie, Savannah said, "Charlie, this is my mom, Samara Carrington."

"Hello, Charlie. It's nice to meet you." Samara smiled brightly. She stood up, reaching out to Charlie, saying, "Come here, child."

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Carrington," Charlie greeted, feeling a little nervous.

Samara maintained her smile as she

cupped Charlie's face. She

remarked, "What a beautiful girl. I

-

heard so much about you - from my

husband!" She chuckled, adding, "I think we are lucky that you ended up being roommates with Taylor."

Taylor's grandmother was elegantly composed, with fair skin and well-kept brown hair. She was clad in an oversized floral tunic. She wore no makeup, but anyone could tell she had taken care of her skin.

"And that was because of me!"

Charlie turned to find Tanya, Taylor's cousin. Charlie perfectly remembered her golden brown hair and sophisticated looks.

"Ah -" Charlie flushed, greeting. "Hello, Tanya."

"Thank god for the misunderstanding about the rent. Now our Taylor has a good girl like Charlie!" Tanya announced, and everyone laughed.

Savannah pointed to another woman with darker hair, saying, "Charlie, this is my sister, Serena Dawson. She is Tanya's mother. She and her husband run the nut plantation for the whole family."

"It's nice to meet you, Charlie," Serena greeted. She pointed to a man looking like he was in his late twenties and said, "That's Tanya's fiance. Dante. Dante? This is Taylor's girlfriend."

"Hi, Charlie," Dante greeted.

"Dante's Italian, and the main reason why I'm always traveling abroad," Tanya explained, beaming at Charlie. "We are going to get married next year in Sicily and you are invited Charlie."