“Thank you for coming to say that. I really appreciate it. I was planning to call you today, and I wanted to apologize too. Maybe I shouldn’t have reacted so strongly. I’m sorry for ending the meeting so abruptly,” I say honestly. The tension in his face eases, replaced by visible relief. Seeing it causes relief to wash over me too. “If you're still interested, we could schedule another meeting to view the property together. I can show you the rest,” I say hopefully. I have a feeling he hasn’t come all this way just to apologize.
“I assume the house is in pristine condition? No hidden flaws?” he asks, his tone turning businesslike.
“Uh, yes, of course. The villa is in perfect condition. Everything was double-checked before the listing.” I’m not quite following.
“Then I’d rather not waste any time and I'd like to make an offer right away. I’ve seen what I needed to see, so I’ll sign an offer and a purchase agreement under the usual contingencies for inspection. This can be a cash deal, so we can move quickly. Is your seller available for negotiations?”
His straightforwardness catches me off guard. Luckily, he’s not unfriendly—just a man who knows what he wants and doesn’t beat around the bush. I’m practically dancing inside, knowing I’m about to close this deal. Sure, I’m not thrilled about including contingencies in the purchase agreement, but with a price tag this high, it’s understandable. And since I know the villa is flawless, I have no reason to worry. I can’t help but think: things at B-Tech must be going even better than I’d assumed.
“Mr. De Graeve, that sounds perfect! I think I can convince my seller to act quickly. I’d be happy to arrange everything for you, but we’ll need some time for the price negotiations. Unfortunately, I have another appointment in half an hour. The necessary paperwork also needs to be prepared. Can we meet later today?” Please, say yes.
“Fine. Come to my office tonight, and we can finalize everything there.”
“Sounds perfect, but uh, I don’t have your contact details yet. Could you send me the address?”
“May I have your number then?” he asks in return.
Of course, it makes perfect sense for him to ask for my number. I mean, we need to coordinate the meeting. And yet, those few words carry a weight that immediately drags my mind back to the dream I had last night. I turn quickly to reach for a business card, hoping my move hides the blush creeping up my cheeks.
“Here you go. Just let me know where and when you want me.”
Oh no, did I seriously just say that?
So much for trying to hide my blush. I feel the heat flood my face and dare not move an inch. Andreas holds my gaze and lets me squirm in silence for what feels like an eternity—three excruciatingly long seconds.
“I’ll let you know where and when, Nora. See you tonight.” He starts to leave but just as he reaches the door, he pauses and glances back at me. “Oh, and Nora?”
“Yes?” I squeak.
“You can drop the ‘Mr. De Graeve’ and just call me Andreas.”
He smiles, and I melt. All I can do is nod dumbly. It’s ridiculous. He gives a small nod in return, then turns and shuts the door behind him.
I let out a sigh of relief. Why can’t we exchange even three sentences without me turning into a total mess? He seems so calm and composed, while I stand here trembling like a leaf and blushing like a ripe tomato. Why does he have this effect on me? It’s not like I’ve never seen an attractive man before. I’ll admit, Andreas is breathtakingly handsome, I knew that from the moment I first saw him. But he’s also—let’s not forget—a jerk who enjoys playing games with women. The type of guy who’s gone before breakfast and ghosts you when he finds someone younger and hotter. I know I’m thinking in stereotypes without really knowing him, but it seems like the most obvious character sketch.
Unconsciously, it’s probably also the safest way to protect my heart. The quick judgment is part of the wall I’ve built since David cheated on me. Maybe that wall has always been there. I don’t let men mess with me anymore; I’ve had enough of it. Besides, it’s pointless to waste brainpower on this. It’s not like Andreas is thinking about me or would ever notice me. I’m projecting my dreams—literally—and the attraction I feel for him, onto him, perhaps unfairly. I’m not exactly in the same league when it comes to attractiveness. Honestly, I can’t think of a single league where we’d be on the same level. He just wants to buy a house, and here I am acting like a fifteen-year-old with a hopeless crush. I make a truce with my rational side, agreeing to focus on work and nothing else. I finish the rest of my sandwich, grab my things, and hurry to my next appointment.
* * *
It’s eight in the evening when I step into Andreas’s building. Right on time. It’s a premium location, with a beautiful blend of old and new inside. This is how it should be when you renovate a property. If I wasn’t so nervous, I could feel quite at ease here. A friendly woman at the reception desk escorts me to Andreas’s office. She asks me to wait for a moment and then signals that I can go in. Andreas is standing by the window, still on the phone. He gestures for me to sit on the couch. His office is large and exudes luxury and importance. I see white walls with high wainscoting, built-in shelves, high ceilings, stately windows, and dark wooden floors. A large antique desk stands in the center of the room. Two modern designer chairs and a Chesterfield sofa for guests are placed in front of it. I take a seat on the Chesterfield and let my eyes wander. It’s a beautifully designed office. What strikes me most is how immaculate and orderly everything is. Even the items on his desk are perfectly aligned with the edge. I wonder if this meticulousness is his doing or if someone takes care of it for him. I don’t have much time to ponder.
“For now, we’ve agreed on the key points. Call me next week for a new update, and we’ll see if any adjustments need to be made.” Andreas ends his call and turns his attention to me. “Nora, welcome, thank you for coming here. It’s been a hectic day. We shouldn’t be disturbed now, so we can get started.”
Andreas always looks so serious, but now he graces me with a brief, modest smile. I have to work hard to focus on his words.
“Of course. By the way, your office is beautifully designed, so stately yet cozy at the same time. This seems like a wonderful space to work in,” I say as I look around admiringly.
“Thank you. Renovating this historic building was, and still is, a big challenge, but I’m fortunate to have a fantastic architect and a design team that’s no stranger to success. I’m glad someone like you noticed.”
Someone like me? I almost turned around to see who he was talking to. I don’t know how he picked up so quickly that design and interior architecture are my passions, but I do know the compliment feels good. “Someone like me” sounded particularly respectful in this context, highlighting my expertise. I’d like to think I do more than just sell houses, and I’m glad Andreas noticed that. Or is this just typical smooth talk to charm women? I’m inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt here, but I don’t dare hope for it.
“What a space, and what an incredible luxury to be able to work here in the heart of the city. Is the entire building occupied by B-Tech’s offices?” I ask.
“It’s not quite finished yet. Half of the third floor is still under renovation. Due to water damage, we practically had to start over. And the top floor is my apartment, so I live and work here simultaneously. That’s actually one of the reasons I’m looking for a separate home outside the city center,” Andreas explains as he moves to stand right next to the Chesterfield.
“Oh, I completely understand. Living and working in the same building definitely has its perks, but also its challenges, I can vouch for that. By the way, will Bertrand be joining us for the negotiations?” I suddenly wonder aloud.
“Bertrand may have found the villa, but I prefer to handle the negotiations myself. I’ve agreed to keep him informed and let him know how things turn out tonight.”
