Chapter 3
three
Lily
Mornings are when I am most alive.
Well, except for this morning.
“You are going to break your neck,” Mel calls, as I stumble down the hallway.
I had just stepped out of the shower when I got a call from one of the senior agents at my office.
She asked if I would want to co-list a large new listing with her.
It’s a fantastic opportunity, as the building is a multi-story structure that was just renovated.
Of course, I said yes, but that meant I had to rush through my morning routine to get across Sunnyvale in under an hour.
“I don’t have time to slow down,” I yell back, as I slip on my black heels.
Mel moves in front of me, and I slide to a halt. She hands me a cup of steaming hot coffee in my favorite purple Tumblr with skulls and black bows decorating it. Weird, I know, but I absolutely love it.
“First, you have your shirt on backward. Second, you are going to fall if you don’t take a breath,” she states.
I look down at the white silk blouse I selected to go with my lucky black pencil skirt.
I got my first sale wearing this skirt, so hence, why it’s lucky.
I quickly remove my shirt and put it on correctly, and finish putting on my stiletto heels.
My wardrobe looks like two different people live in my closet.
I have sexy, professional skirts and dress pants that Mel forced me to purchase when I became a realtor.
Then, I have my jeans, leggings, and comfy t-shirts that I wish I could wear every day.
I take a sip of my coffee and glance in our hallway mirror. My hair is up in a sleek ponytail, and my red lipstick complements the light makeup that I'm wearing.
Sighing, I offer a smile. “You are right. I need just to slow down and breathe.”
“You are going to do great,” Mel encourages.
Once I’m in my small SUV, I begin my drive to the newly renovated industrial area of Sunnyvale. Years ago, it was a run-down place where no one dared to venture. Now, it’s a trendy location that lots of tech start-up companies are vying to get into.
I made it in record time, driving more like a race-car driver than a normal person, but I don’t have time to spare today.
I park in the construction lot and spot Jennifer, my boss and senior agent. She waves me along as she heads right into the building.
“Lily, I’m so happy that you could make it,” she says.
“Thank you so much for the opportunity," I beam back at her.
“So, all I know about the potential buyer is that he is looking for a large building to use for either business offices or to rent out. He’s very secretive.
” She nods toward a black Range Rover parked there.
The windows are tinted, and I can’t see inside.
“Come on, let’s go inside and wait. I want you to take the lead on this.
I will just be here for support in case you need anything. ”
Stepping into the vast, vacant new construction building, I am immediately struck by its clean lines and polished surfaces, a stark reminder of the life I’m expected to lead.
The silence wraps around me like a thin veil, whispering promises of something more, something darker.
I smooth my blouse, the fabric feeling both comforting and suffocating, a reminder of the expectations stitched into the seams of my professional life.
The architecture is striking, all angular corners and sweeping spaces, but my mind drifts as this isn’t just a building; it’s a canvas for potential.
I imagine the future inhabitants filling these spaces with laughter, warmth, and stories yet untold.
Part of me longs for the excitement of that life, to escape the polished shell I’ve been carefully crafting day in and day out.
I pull myself back from daydreaming just as I catch sight of a man entering, the tall, dark man who commands attention without uttering a word.
He stands at the threshold, taking in the space with an intensity that sends a shiver racing down my spine.
Those deep-set eyes scan me, drinking in my presence like a man parched for water, and I can’t help but feel as if I’m being sized up.
His all-black suit makes him seem even more mysterious.
“Hello, welcome,” Jennifer calls out enthusiastically.
The man nods and walks over to us. Jennifer extends her hand and shakes his, then turns to introduce me. “This is my associate, Lily.”
“Thank you for setting up this meeting, Jennifer,” he states.
He turns to me, still no sign of a smile on his face.
“Lily?” His voice rolls over me, smooth like silk and laced with an undercurrent of something dangerous.
“Y-yes,” I stammer, mentally cursing myself. I steady my voice as I continue, “I’m the listing agent for this property. Let me show you around.” With a wave of my hand, I gesture for him to follow me, though I can feel my heart pounding loudly in my chest.
The cool air inside the building swirls around us as we begin the tour.
Each step echoes off the bare walls, amplifying the thick tension that hangs between us.
I struggle to focus on the selling points which are the expansive windows that bathe the living areas in natural light, the open concept perfect for entertaining, but my thoughts keep drifting to the man’s presence, tall and imposing, with an air of authority that makes me acutely aware of my own stature.
He moves closer, and I can feel the heat radiating off him, the scent of his cologne is a warm, intoxicating blend that distracts me from the task at hand.
As I point out the features of the space, I catch his gaze roaming over me, a predator observing its prey, and my breath hitches.
It’s thrilling yet unnerving, making my stomach flutter, and my palms grow damp.
“This could be a great investment,” I say, forcing confidence into my tone, but there’s a slight tremor in my voice that betrays me. “The location is ideal for a young professional.” He nods, listening but not entirely focused, as if I’m just an afterthought against the backdrop of the property.
Our footsteps lead us deeper into the building, the hallways becoming narrower, enclosing us in a space that feels charged with an electric tension. I find myself hyper-aware of my body, each step measured, the sway of my hips drawing his eyes are dark, captivating, and dangerously magnetic.
“Do you see it?” he asks suddenly, his voice a low murmur that vibrates through me. His eyes hold a storm, swirling with intensity, and I barely catch my breath. It’s like he’s pulling me into his orbit, and I’m powerless to resist.
“I… um…yes. I see the potential,” I respond, though I’m less certain of what I see now.
The man’s magnetic energy is overwhelming, tugging at hidden parts of me, those desires buried beneath the layers of my professional persona.
I grapple with the duality of the situation, trying to maintain composure while something inside me dances dangerously close to the edge.
Our tour culminates in the grand, space meant for a living room, its potential vast yet haunting. I turn to look at him, and in that moment, the air crackles like electricity. We share a glance that stretches across the silence, unspoken tension humming between us like a palpable force.
His eyes hold mine, and time seems to stall. I stand frozen, caught in a moment that feels intimate and risky, feeling the rush of anticipation mingling with trepidation. Finally, he breaks our gaze, pulling away, the moment dissipating like a mist on a warm day.
“I’ll think about it,” he says, the deep timbre of his voice echoing in the vast space as he steps back toward the exit. I nod, the adrenaline still coursing through me, and even though he’s leaving, I can feel the warmth of his presence lingering behind.
As I step outside into the daylight, the sun’s rays dance against my skin, but they can’t banish the thrill from my heart.
The encounter with him leaves me questioning everything.
My mundane life pulls at me, but as I watch him walk away, I sense the shift, the flicker of something in the air and the whisper of a desire that will not be ignored.
As I step out of the pristine building, the world outside feels charged, my heartbeat a rapid tattoo in my chest. I can still feel his gaze on me, haunting and electrifying as it lingers in the air like a spell I can’t shake off.
The sun blares overhead, but my mind races with thoughts of the tall, dark man—his presence leaving an indelible mark on my consciousness.
Sliding into my car, I clutch the steering wheel tightly, still buzzing with adrenaline from the encounter.
I crank up the engine, letting the vibrations soothe the lingering tension in my shoulders as I pull out of the parking lot.
The road stretches before me, but my thoughts remain tangled in that vast, empty building and the intimate weight of his gaze.
I should be on cloud nine after Jennifer praised me for giving such a stellar tour. Even though the man didn’t indicate whether he was reading to place an offer, I was very professional throughout the tour. However, all I can think about is him.
What was it about him? The way he watched me, like I held a secret worth discovering sends shivers down my spine.
There’s something exhilarating about being observed in such a way, but I can’t ignore the gnawing anxiety spiraling within me.
The thrill of the unknown beckons, igniting a desperate craving I’ve kept hidden for so long.
Could this man represent a new beginning, a divergence from the ordinary?