Sinner
It was midweek, and the weekend couldn’t come soon enough.
I loved my company and the work we did, but I wanted to spend more time with Anastasia.
On Sunday, after speaking to Iker, the shopping had gone well.
We found and bought a few pieces of furniture and decor to help meld our two styles.
While we were doing it, she brought up something that stunned me.
“Rei, have you ever thought of making the guest bedroom into a private shibari studio? I mean, how often does anyone come to visit that you need it for? As much as you love rope, I would think you’d prefer to be able to practice whenever the mood hits you.”
There it was, one of my deepest wishes.
“Sia, I’ve thought about one for the past few years.
I always thought I might have one if I got a house one day.
I keep the guest room for when Rowan would crash, which isn’t an issue anymore.
Or when a friend might need it, which is rare.
There is your mom and any of your friends that might want to stay, though. ”
She thought about it, then sighed. “Too bad you don’t have the option to expand it. That would be ideal. Even though we’re right in the middle of town, with the rooftop the way it is, you have a piece of the outdoors.”
Her words stuck with me. I wanted to make a call before talking to her about an idea that had popped into my head because of her words. I wanted to see what was possible.
Today, she’d taken the afternoon off and came to see Caldwell Catastrophes.
I wanted to show her what I built and introduce her to my people.
She arrived an hour and a half ago, and everyone had met her, and Anastasia had been given a tour.
We were now behind closed doors in my office. I had her on my lap behind my desk.
“You’ve truly built something amazing, Reign,” she said, snuggling into me.
“Thank you. I think so. And it seems so do others. Several investors have been pushing for Caldwell Catastrophes to expand and open more offices. People who would invest to help that happen. I’ve always wanted to keep it family-owned and controlled.
If I go public, then there’s a board of directors and all that to deal with.
However, if I expand and draft the contracts correctly, I can retain control, and the investors merely receive payouts for the use of their initial capital. ”
“You’re considering it?”
“I am. I have my legal team drafting the agreements and doing the due diligence before I decide. But I have a waiting list of investors. If it happens, I’d see a significant jump in revenue.”
“Wouldn’t that make Rowan's head spin? Does he know you were considering doing that?” she asked.
I shook my head. “No, I kept that top secret. But not only would it allow me to expand, but it would also make what I want us to consider doing even more secure.”
She gave me a puzzled look. “What do you want us to do?”
“Remember you said I needed a shibari studio and how it was too bad we couldn’t expand, so there was room for it and a guest room?”
“Of course.”
“Well, it got me thinking, and I went to the building’s owner. I spoke to him on Monday, and he got back to me this morning. He likes my proposal. All I need to know is if you do.”
“Reign, you’re killing me. Tell me,” she urged, pinching my ribs. I chuckled.
“Mr. O’Brien wants to sell the building.
He told me he’s ready to retire and enjoy life.
Yeah, it makes him money, but it can be a hassle sometimes.
His wife is ready for them to have peace.
I know what all properties I’m associated with are worth, Sia.
This building, the one where we live, isn’t cheap, but it’s worth the price.
I made him an offer. It’s more than fair.
Mr. O’Brien went to his lawyer to see what he thought.
When he called me this morning, he said he’d sell it at the offered price if I were still interested. ”
I paused and watched the astonishment sweep across her face. I continued.
“How it benefits us is that the penthouse next to us is empty. It’s been up for sale.
If we buy the building, we can have it opened up and incorporated into our current one.
Plenty of space for offices, spare bedrooms, and a shibari studio.
But we haven’t talked about whether you would like to remain there for a while or prefer to move somewhere else, maybe into an actual house. ”
Anastasia was sitting straight on my lap, with her mouth hanging open.
“Rei, are you serious? I know we’re together, but that should be your decision, don’t you think?”
“No, it’s ours,” I stated adamantly.
“Wow, okay, well, you know I love the penthouse and that rooftop. It gives us a sense of rural feeling in the middle of urban living. I hadn’t thought in terms of moving other than in with you.
When Mom no longer needs my townhome, I plan to sell it.
That money could go toward buying the building or making renovations.
It has to cost millions of dollars. I don’t have much I can contribute. Most of my profit goes into my office.”
“I’m not asking you to pay for any of it, Jaanu.
I have sufficient liquidity and investments to cover the cost of the building and renovations.
And with the company’s expansion, I’d rebuild that capital.
I want to know if you see us living there for a few years.
And if children start to come along, would you be willing to raise them there until we find another place?
I don’t see us living in the middle of Midtown forever.
It shouldn’t surprise you, but I want to marry you, Sia.
I’m just waiting for this drama we seem entangled in with our families to blow over. ”
Probably not the best way to say it, but when Anastasia wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me as if her life depended on it, I knew she hadn’t cared. Our kiss lasted a good sixty to ninety seconds before she broke away.
“I love you, and spending my life with you is my goal. As for where we live, maybe one day, living in a community or in the country in a house will appeal more, especially with kids in the mix. But as of right now, I love the penthouse and the expansion idea. If it’s doable, it sounds wonderful.
If you’re positive you can afford to buy the building, and it won’t affect the company or its financial stability, I’ll support you one hundred percent.
As for the renovations, I can help with those.
No arguing, because you won’t win,” she warned.
Letting out a muffled shout of glee, I was the one to kiss her this time. It was a long time until we surfaced. I didn’t waste time contacting Mr. O’Brien to discuss the deal.