The Grumpy Sloth

Well, I thought I was looking at the most beautiful and elegant place to ever exist when I was sitting in the conference hall of the Serene Escapes Hotel, but I just cannot seem to close my hanging jaw as I enter this magnificent colony.

From the moment I step through the entrance of this Edencrest Gardens Colony, the sprawling gardens, and the grand houses, everything is so magnificent and beautiful that they have taken my breath away.

As I walk through the well-manicured gardens, the fragrance of blooming flowers fills the air, and the sight of colorful blooms in every corner creates a captivating scene. Tall, majestic trees tower above, providing shade and adding a touch of tranquility to the surroundings.

The architecture of the houses is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Each building exhibits a unique design, with intricate details that showcase the craftsmanship and artistry of the construction.

The use of natural materials, like stone and wood, blends seamlessly with the lush surroundings, giving the entire colony a harmonious and inviting atmosphere.

It feels like I've stepped into a fairytale, where every corner holds a new surprise and every moment is filled with wonder. The air is filled with a sense of tranquility and contentment, as if time itself has slowed down to let visitors savor the beauty of this remarkable place.

But this house stands out like a regal gem, exuding an air of elegance and superiority that sets it apart from everything else in the colony. Positioned right in front of the entrance of the colony but set back a bit, it commands attention with its sheer presence. It's as if all the beauty and amenities of Edencrest Gardens have converged to create this masterpiece of architecture.

Celestial Villa, the name beautifully inscribed on its ornate nameplate. I had to squint my eyes to read that as I walked ahead. I accidentally packed my glasses in the luggage, making it difficult to read, but my myopia can't stop me from embracing all this beauty.

It has been a little over a week since my father's funeral, and my grandmother has been persistent in her requests for me to go live with her. At first, I was hesitant, unsure of what this new chapter in my life would entail.

However, she was relentless in her pursuit, even staying two nights straight in my tiny studio apartment, reminding me that we are now each other's only family. Her words tugged at my heartstrings, and I couldn't refuse her any longer.

Finally, I acquiesced and agreed to move to Celestial Villa, my grandmother's majestic residence. She had offered to send Mr. Adams, the head butler of the Whitaker household, to fetch me, but I declined the offer.

I wanted some time to process everything and make my decision on my own terms. Instead, I asked her to provide me with the address, promising that I would arrive once I had made up my mind.

Now, as I stand at the entrance of Celestial Villa, I take in a deep breath. It all feels surreal, like stepping into a different dimension of life. I am about to step into a new page of my life, one that is vastly different from everything I have known until now.

I can't help but wonder if this new life will be something I will come to embrace, or if I will find myself longing for the simplicity of my old life, just as my father did.

Yet, despite the fear and doubts that swirl within me, I also feel a glimmer of hope. Perhaps, amidst the unfamiliarity, I might find a sense of belonging, a place where I can heal from the loss of my father.

As I am about to take another step towards Celestial Villa, my progress is unexpectedly halted by the sight of two familiar figures standing before me.

My heart skips a beat as I come face to face with the boy with jet-black hair and blue-gray eyes—and our past encounter was anything but pleasant. His cold gaze pierces through me, and the contempt in his eyes is palpable as he exclaims, "You!"

"You!" I repeat the word, my voice pitched with a mix of anger and pain. I stare at his arrogant face and I am reminded of that day.

It was a scorching summer day, the air thick with heat, when my father's stern voice interrupted my daydreaming. "Lila, I've told you a thousand times that you should pay more attention to your entrance exam," he scolded, his eyes locked on mine with a mixture of concern and frustration. His attempt at a stern glare did nothing to deter my innocent smile.

I had been accompanying my father to the snack shop regularly, offering to help him out while juggling my preparations for the entrance exam. "Dad, I've got this, so no worries. Just relax," I reassured him, but he huffed and shook his head in disagreement.

Deep down, I knew he was not concerned with my entrance exam. Well, I am that smart, it comes with genetics. He just didn't approve of me taking on chores in the house or the snack shop. But being his daughter, I was just as stubborn as he was.

Suppressing a giggle, I playfully pondered his own stubborn nature, and in response, he squinted his eyes, as if trying to read my mischievous thoughts. Before the moment could escalate into a playful banter, the door's chimes echoed through the shop, signaling the arrival of a customer.

Seizing the opportunity to divert his attention, I quickly ushered my father to the counter, successfully detaching him from his worries, at least for a while. With a slight side-eye, he retreated behind the counter to attend to the customer's needs.

The quaint snack shop was enveloped in the delightful aroma of freshly baked pastries.

"Hello! Welcome to our little snack shop," Dad greeted the two customers, as was his habit, with a warm smile that radiated genuine hospitality.

"Hey, we've heard great things about your pastries. My cousin studies at this high school, and he never shuts up about it," said the enthusiastic-looking guy, who appeared to be around my age. His big glasses and thick frames couldn't hide the intelligent sparkle in his brown eyes, which complemented his wide, infectious smile.

On the other hand, his companion, with blue-gray eyes, seemed rather impatient and irritable. "Hurry up, I don't have all day," he snapped, his impatience palpable as if he were on the verge of catching a flight. He looked like just a grumpy sloth.

Despite the rude remark, I managed to retain my politeness. "Sure, coming right up!" I volunteered to fetch the pastries, we had recently added them to our shop menu to bring about more sales.

"You boys are in for a treat. Our pastries are the best in town," Dad chimed in, his enthusiasm for the baked goods evident in his words. He had always loved baking.

"Ugh, just hurry up," grumbled the sloth again, causing my smile to falter slightly. My father seemed uneasy about the customer's demeanor, but he kept his calm and carried on.

As I wrapped the pastries, the grumpy sloth's demeanor only worsened. "Is there anything else you would like?" I asked for the courtesy and I was not even looking at the grumpy sloth as I faced the glasses boy who was nervously chuckling as he kept glancing at his rude friend.

"Just hurry up with those pastries!" he barked again, making me want to react fiercely, but I knew better than to cause a scene in the shop.

Summoning my calmest tone, I spoke up, "If you're going to be rude, you should leave. We don't need customers like you." My words were direct, and the grumpy sloth appeared taken aback, his eyes scrutinizing my audacity.

"Oh, to kick your customer out, just shows the level of this place," he sneered, attempting to provoke me further. My peripheral vision caught my dad's worried expression, and I chose to refrain from jumping at this dude.

"If you can't show respect, then yes," I replied firmly, standing my ground against the disrespectful behavior.

The glasses boy intervened, attempting to defuse the tension. "Hey, let's not make a scene, okay?" he said as he gently placed his hand on his friend's shoulder, urging him to calm down.

The grumpy sloth only got triggered by the fact that his friend corrected him so he reluctantly returned the pastries, his frustration evident, and then stormed out of the shop, leaving me feeling relieved that the situation didn't escalate further.

"I can't believe that people like that even exist in this world," I muttered under my breath, still bothered by the encounter.

The glasses boy apologized multiple times and made excuses for his friend's behavior that he was just having a bad day before hurrying outside after paying for the pastries.

Now that I stand in front of that grumpy sloth again, every fiber of my being wants to smack my fist into his arrogant face, but my attention is quickly diverted by the other guy, who smiles cheerfully at me.