Chapter 21.1: The Tour

“Wohoo!” Jam shouted as she ran straight into the bedroom of the hotel room and threw herself on the soft mattress that bounced after her weight was out in it.

“Calm down. You'll drain your energy if you keep on being so active like that.” Grace frowned at her.

It's already six in the morning and we just arrived at the hotel room that they booked. The place where we're going to stay during this academic tour isn't included in the travel fee that we paid our school so we really needed to find someplace to stay while out for seven days.

All of us woke up at four in the morning just to make sure we’ll be able to check in at our hotel and be present during the call time in the meeting place. Coming here might be useless if we show up late because the professor who's overseeing this tour is especially strict on time. She might not allow us to join if we come later than the designated time.

“We’ve got two beds but we're five people.” Sophia stared at the beds laid in front of us.

“I can sleep on the floor.” I immediately said. “I’m sure I can ask the reception for an extra mattress.”

They looked at me, unbelievably. “You know what? You're silly.” Iris commented in a sarcastic way.

“Let's move these two beds closer to each other until they become one. We’ll all fit in there that way.” Jam said on a command and the four girls went straight into action.

Jam and Grace pushed the bed on the right while Sophia and Iris pushed the bed on the other side until there was no longer a space between them. I stood still as I watched them succeed on their mission. My mouth slightly parted as I saw them grunt from the amount of force they exerted on moving the wooden furniture.

Iris gently stretched and patted the white bed sheets that were slightly disheveled from the moving.

“See.” Grace extended her arms showing the two joined beds.

I chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, I can see.” I agreed.

“Oh! I forgot to tell you guys, I won't be joining you for lunch later.” Iris said while unpacking the clothes she's going to wear to our first tour destination this afternoon.

“Why?” Jam looked at her.

“The Engineering department is also here for their academic tour. My cousin who's an engineering student asked me if I could join her for lunch.” Iris shrugged, “I can't refuse her thinking how introverted she is that she might get lost in this city rather than asking strangers for directions.” We gave her a reward smile and didn't ask further.


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After meeting with our professor and other classmates, we headed to our first destination. We took the bus to get there and it was a five minute ride.

With a ballpen and a small notebook in my hand. I followed our professor’s steps inside an antique house. Our eyes were all wide as we took in every bit of the architecture visible in the residence. We were still outside, in its front yard but we already had plenty to admire.

As soon as we arrived, I was instantly struck by its unique beauty. As I stepped out of the bus onto the cobblestone driveway, the antique house stands before me, exuding an aura of timeless elegance. The exterior is a masterpiece of Victorian architecture, with intricate carvings adorning the wooden panels. The roof, adorned with copper accents, catches the sunlight, casting a warm glow over the facade.

“There's a lot of myths that surround this house.” Our professor started as we stepped inside the infrastructure. The wooden floor creaked beneath our feet.

As we entered through the grand double doors, we were greeted by a spacious foyer. The walls are adorned with oil paintings depicting scenes of love and nature, adding a touch of romance to the atmosphere. A grand staircase with a polished wooden banister leads to the upper floors, each step creaking slightly underfoot.

Moving through the house, we found ourself in the living room, where a grand fireplace takes center stage, its mantelpiece adorned with antique trinkets and family portraits. The furniture is plush and ornate, with velvet upholstery and intricate wood carvings.

“This house is owned by a certain woman named Cristina Alonzo. No one knows wether to address her as a Miss or Missus because apparently, no one have ever seen the man that she claims to be her husband.” Moving through the house, we found ourselves in the living room, where a grand fireplace takes center stage, its mantelpiece adorned with antique trinkets and family portraits. The furniture is plush and ornate, with velvet upholstery and intricate wood carvings.