"Very welcoming people," Susan started as they finally stepped into the one-story duplex structure — four bedrooms in total, according to Ewan’s text on that day.
"Yes. A good atmosphere and good people," Athena agreed, relieving Rodney of some platters and placing them on the dining table, her gaze drifting around to take in the surroundings.
The space was far smaller than the Thornes’ mansion, but it was warm, homely — the sort of place that invited you to breathe, to relax.
A good place for raising kids too, she thought. It was just... different.
The sitting room greeted them first, a tasteful blend of cozy and elegant. Soft cream walls met deep walnut floors, the gleam of the polished wood catching the afternoon light that streamed through sheer curtains. A low, plush sofa set in muted grey sat in the middle, the kind that seemed to invite you to sink in and never leave.
A patterned rug in earthy tones anchored the seating area, while a glass-topped coffee table reflected the warm glow from a corner lamp. There was a faint scent of lemon polish and fresh flowers; a vase of lilies stood proudly on a side table.
To the left, the dining area was open and inviting — a polished oak table with eight high-back chairs, the fabric a gentle beige that complemented the surrounding décor. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ No(ᴠ)ᴇlFire.nᴇt
Beyond, the kitchen was neat and modern — white marble countertops, spotless chrome appliances, and an island in the center topped with a small basket of fresh fruit.
They explored the rooms one by one. The first downstairs room was modest but charming — a single bed with crisp white sheets, a reading desk near the window, and pale blue walls that gave the space a calm, airy feel.
Upstairs, three bedrooms waited, each with its own personality. One was done in warm amber and deep brown, another in light lavender with delicate curtains, and the third — larger than the rest — carried a soft neutral palette, a queen-sized bed, and an en suite bathroom tiled in pristine white.
Returning to the sitting room, Athena broke the silence. "Rodney, please put these platters inside the refrigerator and wait here. You can have some for yourself if you’re hungry. Susan, come with me."
Without further ado, Athena walked toward the first and only room downstairs, Susan trailing behind.
"What’s the problem?" Susan asked, noting the uncertain expression on Athena’s face after they’d re-watched the room.
"Is something not adding up?" she continued, stepping closer to Athena, whose brows were still slightly drawn.
"Yes. The lab. I was thinking it would be in one of the rooms..."
Susan’s eyes widened as she remembered exactly why they had come here in the first place. "Where is the lab?" she breathed. It was her turn to swim in confusion. But not for long.
"You should call Ewan," she said, as though it were the most obvious solution in the world.
Athena agreed, pulling out her phone and dialing his number without hesitation. Business, she reminded herself — this was just part of business.
Still, two seconds felt too long when she was already slightly on edge, and when Ewan finally picked up, she had the odd sense that he’d let it ring on purpose, as if to remind her of who was in control.
"Athena. Is there a problem?"
"Not really," she replied curtly. "I’m at the house — the location of my new lab — but I can’t find my lab essentials in any of the rooms."
A pause on the other end. "You really think I would put your important essentials into one of the rooms on the surface?"
The surface... The word clicked. Damn! Why hadn’t it crossed her mind?
"It’s underground," she stated flatly.
"Of course it is," Ewan replied, a hint of amusement in his voice, before giving her the directions. When he wished her well and ended the call, Athena felt oddly bereft.
She hated that. Maybe she should have ended the call first.
"Where’s the underground passage?" Susan asked, excitement clear in her voice and in her quickened steps as she followed Athena’s gaze around the room. Athena’s eyes finally stopped on a red button on the wall, disguised as an ordinary light switch.
It was a light switch, as Susan noticed when she saw the small blinking light. But at Athena’s fourth press, a deep rumbling rose from beneath their feet.
Susan instinctively stepped back, watching Athena do the same as the ground before them split open to reveal a staircase leading into darkness.
"How?" Susan’s voice was tinged with awe and disbelief.
"It’s so seamless with the floor panels," Athena murmured, equally impressed. She hadn’t even noticed the hollow in the boards. It looked... normal.
An excellent hideout, she decided, a small smile tugging at her lips. Petty grievances against Ewan were, for now, forgiven.
With a deep breath, she turned on her phone’s flashlight and began the descent, Susan close behind. At the base of the stairs, to the right, another red switch awaited. Athena hesitated for a heartbeat, weighing possible outcomes, then pressed it.
Light flooded the underground passageway in an instant — bright but soft, illuminating a vast hall that stretched farther than she expected. The air was cool and fresh, proof of a good ventilation system.
Sleek metal shelves lined one side, stocked neatly with her lab essentials. She spotted several new pieces of apparatus she hadn’t owned before—Ewan’s doing, no doubt:workbenches gleaming under the bright white lights, state-of-the-art centrifuges, a digital microscope with magnification she’d only dreamed of, and a biosafety cabinet so pristine she could see her reflection in its glass.
A quiet, reluctant gratitude bloomed in her chest.
Along one wall stood a tall cupboard, the doors slightly ajar to reveal her research papers, organized and safe. A comfortable resting chair and sturdy worktable sat near a corner, and beside them, an inflatable bed neatly folded, as if waiting for long nights of work.
She moved to the far corner, where a compact kitchenette was tucked in—a small refrigerator, a coffee maker, a single-burner stove, and shelves stocked with basics. The ventilation was subtle yet effective; she could feel a soft current of air, fresh without being cold.
Her hand flew to her phone. Without overthinking, she typed a short message to Ewan— a single image of the space, and ’thanks much, Ewan.’
They lingered for a while, Susan moving from one piece of equipment to another, muttering an occasional "Wow" under her breath.
As they made their way back toward the staircase, Susan glanced over. "Are you sure you both can’t work out your differences?" Her voice was still laced with awe.
Athena snorted. "Because he bought me things?" The question felt hollow even to her own ears.
"Not exactly," Susan replied. "I think it’s his thoughtfulness that gets to you every time. You don’t see that every day."