Lucky Mr. Peters
Chapter 13
The house was relatively isolated and, like our current one, located at the end of a private road. We could only see the top of the house as it seemed to be enclosed by a 2.5-meter-high wall. The agent was again waiting for us.
He told us he was sorry, but the agency didn't currently have the opener for the car gate. It was a sturdy all metal gate, that I assumed would roll to one side.
After going through a double door in the wall, we entered a large flagstone covered courtyard. The agent explained that the property had three separate units and suggested we'd start with the main house first.
The ground floor consisted of a huge kitchen, a formal dining room, with a table that could easily seat 10 people, a large living room with a 'breakfast corner', a study, that looked more like a small library, a television room, a utility room and what the agent called a 'guest toilet'.
The cellar had a well-equipped gym, a climate controlled room for wine, a huge leisure room that had a bar and a pool table and a media room that looked more like a small cinema, with four rows of four seats each.
The two upper floors each had four en-suite bedrooms, but the layout was different for each floor. Each room though was large enough to easily fit a king-size bed. All floors were accessible by stairs as well as a small elevator that could hold four people.
The elevator, in particular, had the boys smiling.
At the back of the house was a huge garden with a large pool as well as different covered seating areas. At the back of the garden there was even a fenced private tennis court.
The 'guest quarters' were two smaller buildings in the same style as the main house. The smallest had a living and small kitchen on the ground floor and a bedroom with bathroom on the first floor. The larger one had a bigger living and kitchen as well as a toilet on the ground floor. The second floor held two bedrooms with a shared bathroom.
Walking back to the courtyard around the side of the main house, there was a garage that could easily fit 3 or 4 cars. Of course, the courtyard itself could provide additional parking space, if needed.
Suffice to say I was very impressed and the boys were likewise. They insisted however to go back in to the main house, wanting to 'check something out'. I told them they could as long as they weren't going to goof around with the elevator. This left just me and the agent standing in the courtyard.
"I feel I must warn you that this property isn't cheap. The current asking price is 4.4 million," he said.
This actually pleasantly surprised me, as I had expected it to be over 5 million. So, I told him it wouldn't be a problem. I was definitely interested, but the boys would have the final say in the matter.
He asked if the boys were all still going to school and when I affirmed they did, he started to whisper.
"I assume you will need someone to help you keep this place in order. I was wondering if you'd be willing to give my nephew, Pietro, a chance. I think he'd fit right in."
"Why would you think he'd fit right in?" I asked, also whispering.
"Ah, well ... you see ... eeeh. He's 20 years old and gay. He's also a bit of a nudist and loves to swim naked," he said, closely gauging my reaction.
I started to laugh and told him that those qualities probably would make him fit right in.
"But I would like to meet and talk to him first. Preferably without the boys being present."
The agent nodded quite enthusiastically.
"I assume all the boys will be in school Monday morning, so if he could come by the house then ...."
The agent asked me to just give him a few minutes. He got out his cell phone and started dialing as he strolled away. Shortly he walked back to me, smiling.
"He'll be at your house Monday morning at 9 am, if that's ok with you."
I told him it would be. It would give me plenty of time to drop off Carlos and get back home before he'd arrive.
Then the boys burst out of the house, wide smiles on their faces. Allejandro walked over to me and whispered in my ear, "It's perfect. You can't hear anything from one room to the next."
"So, do you guys think we should buy this place?" I asked all three of them.
After getting their full approval, I turned towards the agent and stuck out my hand.
"It looks like it's unanimous."
The agent shook my hand and asked if we still wanted to see the other property he had lined up. The boys and I agreed it would likely be a waste of time and wouldn't change our decision.
I asked the agent when he thought the purchase could be finalized. He said that if the money was there and assuming I'd use the same lawyer, it could be done in four to six weeks.
"Well, you'd better get to work then and earn some of that money you're bound to make on this. Have the lawyer call me with the exact figure, so I can take care of the financial part."
We left the property and said our goodbyes. The agent promising he'd call me if there were any delays. He would in any case contact me Monday afternoon in regards to 'that other thing we had discussed'.
On the way home, the boys were talking in rapid Spanish. Their enthusiasm about the new house was boiling over. From what little I could pick up, they'd already decided on the respective bedrooms.
Later that night, after Allejandro and I had retired to our bedroom, I asked him which bedroom would be ours. He smiled when he told me and I concurred that he'd made the right choice. He also told me which one the other two had chosen and I thought it was a good one too.
Friday morning, we got up early. Over breakfast, the boys still appeared to be quite bubbly. Truth be told, I was a bit giddy myself.
At 8 we all trooped into the car once more. We dropped off Carlos at his school and then made our way to the International School. As Rafael was clearly getting a bit apprehensive, Allejandro told him he shouldn't worry. He thought the test was mainly there to determine what class they'd be put in. It didn't put Rafael completely at ease, but he did become less fidgety.
After I announced our arrival at the administration's office, Rafael was quickly whisked away to take his test. The secretary handed us Allejandro's class schedule and told us where we could pick up his books. We could wait in the school cafeteria for Rafael to finish his test, which would take about an hour.
We picked up Allejandro's books at a storage room. As the box they came in was quite big, we put it into the trunk of the car, before going into the cafeteria. We got ourselves some coffee and settled in to wait. There weren't many students around, but they all looked smashing in their identical uniforms. I could even notice Allejandro eyeballing some of the boys. When he caught my eyes, he started to smile sheepishly.
"There's no harm in looking, is there?" he whispered to me. His comment made me laugh.
About an hour later, Rafael was guided into the cafeteria by what I presumed was one of the teachers. He told us it would only take another 10 or 15 minutes for the test results to be known and that someone would come to fetch us. All three of us had another cup of coffee.
After finishing our coffee, we were quickly fetched and led back to the administration's office. The boys were asked to wait, while I was led into the principal's room. He shook my hand and we introduced ourselves.
As it turned out, Rafael had done quite well and would be placed in second grade. I was also reminded that the boys were to be properly attired, both for regular as well as gym classes. Of course, I assured him that would be taken care off.
The principal accompanied me out and shook hands with both boys.
"We look forward to seeing you both bright and early on Monday," he said, making both boys blush a little.
The secretary gave Rafael his schedule and we were off to pick up his books. We were handed a box similar to the one Allejandro had gotten and made for the car.
As it was still early, the boys opted to go shopping for their uniforms and other school stuff they needed. We drove to the clothing store the school cooperated with and both boys were fitted out. I elected to get two sets of uniforms and gym clothes for both, so we wouldn't have to worry about not having any clean ones.
We then headed to one of the larger department stores, where we picked up stuff like pens, pencils and notebooks. We ended up with quite a load as the boys also got some nick-nacks they thought might come in handy.
Back home I told the boys to put away their new stuff as I went into the study. I made a call to Rafael's school, informing them about the switch. They told me how sorry they were to see him go, but would forward his file to the new school.
Over lunch we checked out the boys' schedules and it turned out they both had to start every day at 8:30. The times they got off school were quite mixed though, so they wouldn't be able to ride home together except on Wednesday, when they would both be off at 2.40 pm.
After lunch, the boys went swimming and I decided to make one more call.
Julia Peralez was surprised to hear from me and immediately questioned if something was wrong with Rafael. I assured her everything was fine, but that I'd like her and her husband to come over to the house that evening. Of course, she asked me what it was about, but I held off.
"It's just something that I'd like to discuss with the two of you in person."
She half-heartedly agreed and told me they'd be here between 7.30 and 8 pm.
Later I got a call from the agent to let me know he'd been in contact with the owners. They had accepted the offer and I should expect a call from my lawyer soon. He did call and filled me in on what I needed to do.
When it was time to pick up Carlos, the other two were still frolicking in the pool. I called out to them and told them I'd be back in about half an hour.
On the way back from school, Carlos again broached the subject of Pedro sleeping over.
"Don't you think it would be better to wait until we're at the new house? That way Allejandro and I can get some sleep, while you three are at it."
My little hint quickly sank in and he began to smile. "Ok, but you have to promise me he can come over the first weekend we're there!"
"I'll do my best, but Pedro's mother also has a say in this."
"Don't worry about that. If Pedro really wants something, his mother always gives in."
I just shook my head at that last remark. It was probably quite true.
Back at the house, Carlos quickly joined the boys in the pool as I took care of some business in the study.
After we had cleared up from dinner, the three boys went down to the game room. I just sat down on the couch to do some reading.
It was a little passed 7.30 when the doorbell rang and I got up to welcome our guests. They had just entered the hall when the three boys thundered up the stairs. As soon as Rafael saw his sister he walked over to her and hugged her.
Carlos looked puzzled, walked over to me and put his arms around my middle.
"You're not going to send Rafael away, are you?" he asked, barely audible.
Only after I assured him that wasn't the case he let go of me and greeted our guests too.
I invited everyone into the living and after pouring our drinks we settled around the dining table.
"Rafael just told me you're buying a new house?" Julia started.
"Yes, and I've already been informed that our offer has been accepted."
The boys started cheering as Julia and Ronaldo congratulated me.
"That's actually the reason I've asked you two to come over."
"Do you need help when you're moving?" Ronaldo asked.
"I think we'll be able to manage when the time comes. But once we've moved, this house will be left empty."
"I'm sure you'll be able to sell it." Julia stated.
"I've contemplated that, but I thought that maybe you two would like to rent it."
Both Julia and Ronaldo looked at me incredulously, before they started to object.
It took me some time to convince them, but after about half an hour of discussion they started to relent. The boys mostly followed the debate smiling, only incidently adding their few cents worth. Then Rafael said something to his sister and brother-in-law in Spanish. It made both Carlos and Allejandro burst out laughing, causing tears to leak on their cheeks.
I looked puzzled and when Allejandro had calmed down a bit, he pointed at Rafael.
"He told them that they must have thick skulls, not understanding yet that we are rich."
Then it hit me, and I had to laugh too. It was the exact same thing Allejandro had told Rafael, back in the restaurant parking lot.
In the end, it was agreed they would rent the house for € 950 per month. It was a little less than they currently paid, but their other bills would likely be higher. After the decision was made we were all in good spirits and chatted for a while longer.
It was past 10 PM when they left, and this time we received hugs from both of them, Julia adding her usual kisses. It quickly became clear that the events of the day had worn us out, so we soon retired to our respective bedrooms.
The weekend went by smoothly. Allejandro and Rafael checked out their new books and I kept Carlos busy in the pool. Actually, Carlos kept me busy, but that's just semantics. I even managed to get some laundry done, that had the uncanny propensity to pile up. The agent had been right, I would need some help in running the household.
TBC