Chapter 3 Blossom
“Hey, I’m a little busy right now. Can I call you back?” I placed the phone on my shoulder as I walked over toward the counter and wiped away invisible dust. “Open house starts in about thirty minutes.”
It had been over a month since we began working on this home in Grove Heights, and even though my brother gave me a lot of backlash about it, he and his team did an exceptional job.
This home had undergone a complete transformation, and I had no one but Rowan to thank for it.
I was on a high tonight, and I refused to let TJ ruin that for me.
“Shit, I forgot you had to show that little-ass house today.” He groaned on the other end of the receiver.
I could hear the faint voices speaking in the background.
“I was hoping we could spend a little time together. It seems like work functions and family dinners are the only time I see you these days.”
“The audacity…” I simpered humorlessly. Since the night he left me hanging at Prime and Platter, I had put zero effort into us spending time together.
Now, we only saw each other when he initiated.
“Tomorrow is Sunday, and I’m off like I am every single week,” I spoke sarcastically.
“Do with that information what you will.”
“You and this attitude, man.” His work radio went off, causing him to get quiet. “Hey, I just got dispatched to an accident near Sunset Valley. Call me when you leave there. I love you.”
“You too.” I disconnected the call in a hurry.
With each passing minute, I was growing nervous about the showing.
I needed to make sure everything was in place.
Taking one final walkthrough, I was pleased with the final assessment.
While I loved selling newly built and previously owned homes, I loved flipping houses even more.
Seeing the happiness on my client’s faces once it’s showcased and sold makes all the headaches worth it.
Fluffing the pillows on the couch, I stood and admired how homely the setup was.
With the natural sunlight shining through the windows, and the smell of it being freshly cleaned, I just knew someone was going to enjoy the scene set in here today.
Hearing the doorbell chime, I turned and smiled.
Straightening my silk blouse, I ran my hand down my pencil skirt to smooth any wrinkles.
All that could be heard were my heels clacking against the freshly tiled floors as I walked to the door and greeted my first set of guests.
“Hey, guys!” I smiled brightly as I opened the screen door. “Come in and join me. There’s a tablet on the counter, so please sign in. Have a look around, and if you have any questions, I’m here.”
With the sounds of soft jazz playing throughout the house, I stood back and watched as the guests gave themselves a self-tour.
I’d found that people took things in better when you didn’t hover and pester them.
Set on the kitchen island were refreshments, if they wanted to have a snack while they looked.
My goal was to always make sure the house was as realistic as possible.
“This house looks amazing.” An older lady walked over with her husband. “Being from the area, I would have never imagined this house would be transformed into something like this.”
Grinning from her words, I looked around the room with pride.
The three-bedroom, two-bath family home sat near the edge of Grove Heights, causing agents not to touch it because of the location.
A lot of homes in the area had the potential to be nicer than what they were, and that was where I stepped in.
Whether it was to sell to a first-time buyer or to someone wanting to purchase a rental property, there was no reason why someone shouldn’t own a comfortable home.
Some programs allowed the people in the city to get help if they qualified for housing, and to me, that didn’t mean they should be given anything just because they were dealt a bad hand in life.
I didn’t just sell to the well-off people.
I had made a commitment to seek out people who were looking for a better opportunity too.
“Thank you.” I walked her over to the kitchen since she wanted to take a better look.
” The newly installed, state-of-the-art appliances were sold with the house, as well as the furniture.
“This kitchen…” I gestured toward the counters and flat-top stove.
“The maintenance closet was knocked out, giving you more space for a bigger kitchen table in case you have a big family.”
After speaking with her for a few minutes, I made my way down the hall to the bedrooms. A mother and her baby boy were sitting on the bed discussing the house.
“So what do you think about the home, baby?” She smiled down at him as he played with his Spider-Man toy. “You think you can see yourself living here?”
“I saw a park on the way over.” He looked up at her and smiled. “Can we go there if we stay here?”
“Yes, love.” She picked him up in her arms when she noticed I was in the room. “Whatever you want.”
“As you know, there’s a newly built park a few blocks over, as well as the indoor playground, Kiddie Kingdom.
The MARTA has several stops throughout the neighborhood.
” I handed her a small pamphlet with more details on the community.
“For added safety, there are several officers who live nearby as well.”
After she thanked me, I excused myself and allowed her some space. I knew a single mother when I saw one, and I wanted to be respectful as she made a crucial decision for her and her son.
“Excuse me, but this house is amazing.” Glancing over my shoulder, I locked eyes with a very handsome gentleman. “What’s the asking price?”
“One twenty.” I gave a polite smile. “I’m not trying to break the bank. Plus, with the reputation this area has, I think it’s fairly reasonable. It’s a rare find.”
“Rare indeed.” He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth, running his eyes over my body. “Where are my manners?” Holding his hand out for me to shake, he smiled when I accepted. “I’m Damien.”
“Blossom.” I shook his hand before pulling back, which he reluctantly let go. “Thank you for coming out today. If you need anything—”
“How about your number?” He placed his hand on my waist, stopping me as I was walking away. “I would love to take you out sometime.”
Stepping back from his personal space, I ran my hand down the back of my fresh pixie cut.
Being hit on by men was nothing new, but that didn’t mean it was any less uncomfortable.
I knew I was a pretty woman with a nice build, but the attention that came with being attractive was something that I never liked.
“While I appreciate the offer, I’m taken.” I held up my finger and showed him my engagement ring. The light in his eyes as he stared seemed to dim, and his smile began to fade. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to attend to the others. Again, thank you for coming.”
For four hours, I entertained and met several new faces.
I had lived in the city my entire life, but I wasn’t familiar with a lot of the townspeople.
My life was very sheltered, and it was as if I was in a new place for the first time.
After receiving a few inquiries and a couple of offers, I deemed the day a successful one.
Even Damien stuck around and put in a bid for the home.
Surprisingly, his presence didn’t make things awkward.
Most men would have caused a scene when turned down, and being that he didn’t, I was thankful.
He had even offered to help me clean, but I declined.
It was late, and I needed to get home. After I discarded the rest of the snacks, I locked up and called it a night.
I would just have the cleaning company come and do the heavier cleaning tomorrow.
Unlocking the doors to my truck, it seemed as if the air shifted, causing the hairs on my neck to stand.
For the past month, I felt as if I was being watched.
My mind would always go back to the night I was leaving the final walkthrough of this home, and I locked in on the coldest eyes I’d ever seen.
Although it was dark, his unnatural glare and the shine of his machete couldn’t be missed.
I didn’t know what had gone on in that house, but it wasn’t for me to figure out.
As I looked around, I noticed the kids playing as the sun began to set.
Hurriedly, I got inside my truck, wasting no time locking my doors.
I gripped the steering wheel tightly as I started my vehicle, putting it in drive immediately.
Glancing from the road to my rearview mirror, there was no one following me or anything out of the ordinary.
Sighing in relief, I eased off the gas and cruised toward my home near Highland Meadows.
After telling myself I was being overly paranoid, I decided to make my way over to my favorite coffee shop.
“Well, well… Look at who it is,” my favorite barista, Scotlyn, greeted me as I stepped inside. The place was empty, being as though it was about to close. “The usual? If I know nothing else—”
“Girl, you don’t know me.” I waved her off. Scanning the menu, I dragged my eyes back to hers as she looked at me with a raised brow. “Ok, fine. Give me the usual.”
Sharing a laugh, I stood off to the side and waited for her to fix my favorite iced coffee. The Reapers had a preseason game at home tonight, so the streets were scarce, being as though everyone was at the stadium. That was better for me because crowds made me antsy.
“Thanks, my girl.” I tipped her and winked before walking out. “Next time, I’m going to surprise you.”
Leaving the café and stepping onto the sidewalk, I could have sworn I saw someone duck through the alley once I peered in that direction. Against all the voices that screamed at me, I speed-walked in the direction I saw them go.