"Yay"
Five years ago, If you had told Mira she would be spending £2 million on a house in Woking, Surrey, she'd have laughed you out of the room.
Five years ago, she imagined living in a small cottage in the middle of nowhere, perhaps within a short drive of the coast so she could see the waves. Mira loved the ocean and everything it offered her, the noise of the waves and the blue ripples heading towards her. She imagined having more cats than just Loki, all named after Marvel characters.
She hadn't wanted a big house at all. In fact, she despised the idea of being alone in a house bigger than she wanted. The problem was that Mira also had a list of 'must have's' and for the most part, they came with bigger houses. In the end, she found the perfect one.
It was a Victoria-style, gated-off house with a large garden and pool (not that it was ever hot enough to use outside of July and August), but the area was surrounded by trees. Away from the city centre, it was a resident-only road so she knew she would feel safe there. Being away from the main town meant getting to work too less time due to less traffic. Most importantly, a safe garage to store her McLaren. It was perfect.
Mira didn't think it was quite worth £2 million but it was the downside to living in the many places south of the country.
She had yet to tell her brother's about it.
Esme went the opposite route. She liked being surrounded by a community so she could talk to people on a daily and get into town more easily. Mira assured her not to worry about money but Esme promised that the small semi-detached house was enough for her. She just wanted a clean place that she felt safe in so Mira respected that.
Of course, they had to wait for all the legal to go through so the best friends were still living together for another few weeks. Mira was also keeping the apartment until the houses were fully decorated because she wouldn't be able to stand being in a dust-filled, messy house. She knew she was being privileged but her sensory issues just didn't allow it.
"Hey Mira!" Luke smiled as he embraced his sister. "How are you?"
"Good," Mira nodded. "I have news."
"You do?" Luke raised an eyebrow. "You better come in then. "
"Mira, Ciao!" The Italian accent echoed through the London flat as Marco saw Mira.
"Ciao," Mira greeted.
Marco, who knew Mira wasn't fond of hugs, gave her a fist bump. Apparently, she was developing quite a reputation for that.
"How have you been?" Marco questioned kindly as he cooked by the stove.
"Really good actually!" Mira beamed. "Things are looking good for me. I'm learning business skills and I just brought a house—"
"You brought a house?" Luke gasped. "When?"
"A few days ago," Mira replied. "It's my own, you know? Bigger than I wanted but it has everything on my list."
"How much did you pay?" Luke
"Just over two million," Mira answered. "Don't give me that look—"
"It's just unlike you!" Luke argued. "I'm happy for you, really! You deserve it after everything you've given away to charity. You need this."
"I will help you design the perfect kitchen!" Marco clapped. "Italian style, no?"
Mira laughed at him with a pointed look.
"I'm afraid I like the one in there already, it's marble," Mira stated honestly.
Marco pouted as he stirred his Thai fried rice, paying close attention to it. Luke cast his gaze over at him when he smelt it, a delighted look on his face. Mira knew that Luke's favourite food was Thai fried rice and so did Marco.
"If you need help decorating, we're here to help," Luke insisted.
"I brought a house that was styled how Iiked," Mira explained. "Of course, I need to buy furniture because I'm giving Esme ours, she picked most of it anyway...but I really want to decorate my room and a games room."
"Well we're here when you need us," Luke nodded. "Have you told Mike?"
"No," Mira blurted.
Marco raised an eyebrow.
"Is that because he's an egotistical man-child who thinks that raising you means he can chose every single thing you do with your life?" The Italian commented smoothly. "Or is it jealously because you are more successful?"
While Mira's eyes widen in surprise, Luke appeared smug with his partner's words. Mira wasn't aware that Marco felt that way towards her brother and despite the fact his words were partly true, it was strange hearing it from the Italian.
"I haven't told him because...okay Marco, you're right," Mira complained
Marco let out a small, "Yay" as he cooked.
"Mira, was buying a house an impulse? I don't doubt your decisions but I also know you?" Luke questioned.
"No, I've been thinking about it for months but I was too scared to do it," Mira admitted. "Then one day, my neighbourhoods were being so loud that I just snapped."
Before Luke could reply, Mira's phone began to vibrate. It was resting on the table in front of them both and Luke could clearly see the name Lando Norris :) on screen. Luke smiled softly.
"Go on," He nodded.
Mira picked up the phone as bit her lip, accepting the face time. Lando's face appeared on the screen with a familiar Spaniard behind him. Carlos groaned and Mira began to wonder if she did something wrong.
"Ha Carlos! You lose, told you she'd answer!" Lando laughed as Carlos pouted. "Hey, Mira!"
"Hello, Lando," Mira greeted. "Hello, Carlos."
"Hola, Mira!" Carlos waved. "What are you doing?"
"I'm with my brother, Luke, as his boyfriend Marco," Mira replied as she turned her phone camera around to face Marco and Luke. "What are you doing?"
"We're doing a McLaren challenge to see how many people would pick up and you helped me win," Lando replied.
"Oh...that's great!" Mira grinned. "How was qualifying? I didn't manage to watch it because I was driving here."
"Lando got P8 and I am P10," Carlos answered. "You are racing online next week, no?"
Mira nodded.
"Okay, Mira, thanks for answering!" Lando grinned childishly. "I'll see you when I'm back?"
"If you want to," Mira nodded.
"Bye Mira!" Carlos waved. "Lando says—"
"Bye Mira!" Lando interrupted before ending the call.
Luke was snickering to himself as Marco handed him the place of food. He knew Mira wouldn't eat it and it would only make her feel awkward if he offered it to her.
"Those two are children," Luke commented. "But that guy likes you Mira."
"Not you too!" Mira groaned. "Luke, you're just like Mira! I'm not sixteen years old who need her friends and brother to tell her who has a crush on me or not."
Marco shrugged.
"Embrace life, Mira. Embrace it."