“For fuck-... it’s Dave!”
“The price has to be right. I mean, really right. And by ‘really right’, I mean below the floor. Offer them no more than five-hundred thousand less than what they’re selling it for.”
“Are you serious? We’ll never acquire the property that way. We’ll lose out on all that money.”
“Right now, no money’s on the line. The investors haven’t invested, and I still don’t know if I’m on board. If I’m gonna be forced to do something like this because I’m surrounded by money hungry lazy ass men, then I’m gonna do it at a bargain-hunting price. We’ll redo the condos and sell them off as property, just like you said. If they accept the offer, the agents can begin their negotiating process.”
“It’s got a few guaranteed sales, too. Some of the tenants living there are already interested in purchasing their place once it’s newly renovated.”
“That’s good news, Drake!”
“Oh, sweet fuck,” he said.
“Put in the bid and let me know how it goes. If it goes well, set up the first tenant meeting.”
“That’s also this afternoon,” Dave said.
“Well, then you better put that bid in quicker than that,” I said, grinning. “And don’t worry about sending anyone out there to meet with the residents. I’ll go shake their hands. Get a feel for the layout and see what we can do to better their lives with this renovation. I need the distraction anyway.”
“Rough night?” someone asked.
“Nah, just itching for something to do. Is that it, Diego?”
“I hate you.”
“I pay you, so you love me. Now, get on with your job.”
I stood up and buttoned my coat before I went to grab the paperwork from Dave. He was fuming, and it was hilarious, but it only stopped my mind whirling about Ella for a few minutes. I was hoping I could use this pathetic project as a way to really distract myself, so I took the paperwork and headed on towards the piece of property we were about to acquire.
Doing anything at this point was better than sitting in my office and thinking about how wonderful my fingers would’ve filled those divots on the backs of her thighs.
6
Ella
I was glad I’d snagged the job at the club because that meant I could kick my roommates out. Now that I no longer needed their help paying rent, I could dream about the new venture that was about to happen for the complex. Apparently, someone was buying out the entire building and renovating them into luxury apartments. They would repaint and knock out some walls. They’d install a jet bath tub and add terraces to all the bigger suites. My one-bedroom studio would be fused with the room n
ext door to make a massive two-bedroom two-bathroom home with a marvelous view, and the best part was I would be able to afford to buy it.
I would have my perfect home, and I wouldn’t even have to move to purchase it.
Yeah, it would require me to find a temporary living space for a few months, but I could figure that out later. Right then, all I wanted to focus on was the fact that my last roommate left for good at four this morning. Right then, all I wanted to focus on was the fact that I could sing in my shower without bothering someone.
Right then, all I wanted to focus on were all the beautiful things I’d fill my new home with.
I would have to get new furniture, that much was for certain. The ratty furniture we were using was stuff I found on the street and cleaned. My roommates had been slobs, and I was definitely not spending money for furniture they’d smoke and spill their shit on. I was excited to go walk around and price furniture today. I’d get lots of color palettes going until I knew exactly how this new owner was going to remodel, then I’d start saving up my paychecks to replace everything at once.
With the remodel taking a few months, I’d be able to save up enough money to completely furnish my home while still staying in a cheap extended stay hotel. I could walk to the club and save on cab fare, eat at the diner across the road to save money on food. I could implement lots of tactics I’d learned over the years to save money just so I could have what I wanted.
And I would have it all within the year.
Suddenly, there was a knock on my door. I quickly pulled some clothes on while I continued to towel-dry my hair. Whoever it was would simply have to suffer seeing me without makeup or a bra. I wasn’t expecting company, so they would have to take me as-is.
But, the moment I opened the door, all I wanted to do was slam it back shut.
The man from the club-- Mr. Dobson-- was standing at my door. He looked just as shocked as I was as his eyes roamed my body, and I couldn’t help but notice the fact that they stopped briefly at my chest. I took my towel and put it up in front of my body, suddenly embarrassed at how I looked. What the hell was he doing here? How the fuck did he know where I lived?
Did he follow me from the club that night?