Chapter 9 - A Place to Call Home... (1/2)

Finland immediately dialed the number written on the room listing. She had a feeling that it was too good to be true, but she wanted to give it a try. She was aware of the many scammers in Singapore who target innocent newcomers looking for cheap housing.

Therefore, if her call were answered, she would ask to look at the property first before transferring money to anyone.

A middle-aged woman answered Finland's call and gave her an address so she could come and inspect the room for rent. The location was in the city center, close to Fort Canning Park. Without wasting time Finland went immediately.

She wanted to make sure that the room did exist and would not be taken by someone else. The property was a little bit far from the office, but she could take the bus.

Finland was dropped off by the Grab driver at the front of the gate of a beautiful house. She was stunned and for several minutes, she was unable to move. The house she was staring at was a real landed house, not an HDB (cheap apartment) or apartment.

Flats and apartments in Singapore were already very expensive to buy. However in front of her stood a large and beautiful landed house with a big yard visible from outside the fence. Ivies grew lush and healthy on the walls surrounding the house and she could see big colorful roses in the courtyard.

”This house must be haunted...” Finland thought to herself.

In a house like this, even the worst room would cost more than 500 dollars per month to rent, unless there was something very very wrong with it.

She took a deep breath and ventured to press the bell. She was not afraid of ghosts. She was more afraid of poverty and being homeless.

A middle-aged woman with a friendly face came out to open the gate.

”Miss Finland? Please come in.”

Finland followed the woman inside, gasping in admiration when she saw the house and garden from the inside. The garden was far more beautiful than expected. The house itself was built in colonial style: white walls, high ceilings, and many large pillars to support the building. The large windows and doors gave the impression of magnificence and space.

If Finland were to win the lottery tomorrow, this was exactly the kind of house she would buy to live in.

What a perfect home!

”This house is big and too quiet. The gardener, the cook, and I are the only ones who live here. Our Master travels a lot and because we are all getting old, the Master finally asked me to find a tenant to accompany us to live in this house.” The old woman suddenly patted her chest while smiling shyly,

”Ah, yeah... pleased to meet you, my name is Ms Law. Would you like something to drink?”

”Oh, thank you, Ms. Law,. Just water, please.”

Finland followed Ms. Law as they walked through the magnificent and spacious living room into the beautiful classic kitchen at the back. Ms. Law poured a glass of water and handed it to Finland. An old woman appeared from behind the fridge and smiled at them.

”This is Ms. Katrin, she is our cook here and John, her husband, is our gardener. We have worked here for the Master for about 40 years. We are very happy to live in this house. You will definitely like it too.”

Ms. Katrin nodded while smiling in agreement to Ms. Law.

”Oh... Does the house owner go abroad often? Does his family live abroad?” Finland began to wonder.

”His relatives are mostly in Europe, Germany to be precise. But Master himself has no family.”

”Don't forget Miss Katia,” said Ms. Katrin suddenly. ”They were engaged, but never married.”

Ms. Law nodded.