The Property Brokers by Sandi Lynn

Chapter 6

Bella

“He could explain my ass,” I spoke out loud as I organized my kitchen. “Revenge?” I laughed. Revenge wasn’t my style.

I thought seeing Grant again wouldn’t affect me, but it did. Hurt had consumed me after I returned home from Hawaii. I’d felt used, angry, and betrayed when I didn’t hear from him as he promised. I’d sent him a few text messages the first month after, but they never went through. I was nothing but the stupid, naive young girl who gave her virginity up to a boy she believed. But from that experience came inner strength and also the inability to trust guys, which led to many self-sabotaged relationships.

Now that my bedroom and kitchen were organized, I still had more boxes to go through. Opening the one labeled: pictures, I took out the 5x7 photo of me, my dad, and my stepmom. I missed them both so much, and I was still healing from their tragic death. Wiping the tear that fell from my eye, I placed the frame on the end table next to the couch. I was too tired to unpack anything else, so the rest would have to wait.

“Welcome to the next chapter of your life, Bella.”

* * *

Iwas up at five a.m. and went for my daily morning run. When I was in California, I’d start at the Santa Monica Pier and run towards the Venice Boardwalk. Surfers would run by with their surfboards tucked under their arms, others would skate by on their rollerblades, and then there were those who would ride by on their bikes, going for their morning bike rides before starting their day. Now, I’d run through Hudson River Park and take in the beauty of the Hudson River and the New Jersey skyline every morning.

Just as I walked into the 325 Fifth Avenue building, I saw Grant standing at the elevator.

“Good morning,” I spoke as I stood next to him.

“Morning,” he mumbled without even looking at me.

“You’re still mad?” I asked as we stepped inside the elevator.

“I was up all night thanks to you.”

“I honestly don’t understand why you’re so upset.”

“Really, Bella? You come to my open house out of nowhere and demand to speak to my client. You don’t know this guy. He’s a real asshole and he’s going to rip you to shreds.”

“I can handle, Pete. Trust me.”

“Well, I don’t.” He shook his head as we stepped off the elevator and into the foyer.

I walked over to the window and stared out at the city. Neither one of us said another word. A few moments later, the elevator dinged. Turning around, an older man with salt and pepper hair, dressed in a dark gray Versace suit, walked in holding a cup of coffee.

“You must be Bella,” he spoke in a snide tone.

“And you must be Pete.” I smiled. “For me?” I grabbed the cup of coffee from his hand. “Thank you.”

“I’m sure Grant told you that I don’t like people wasting my time. The only reason I’m here is because I wanted to meet the overbearing woman who had the nerve to speak to me in such a demanding voice.”

“It got you here, didn’t it?” I smirked and Grant shifted his weight in a nervous manner.

“What’s the damn offer?” Pete asked.

“$11.5.” I brought the cup up to my mouth.

Pete stood there with his hands tucked in his pockets, shaking his head.

“You can tell your buyer I’m not accepting their ridiculous offer. And you, Grant!” He shook his finger at him.

“Come on, Pete. What is this really about?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“What is this really about? I put $1.5 million in renovations. That’s what this is about.”

“I see. You purchased this place five years ago for $9.3 million, and put in $1.5 million into it, bringing the total price up to $10.8 million. You’re asking $13.5, expecting to make $2.7 million dollar profit. I get it. I really do. And two years ago, you would probably have got it. But right now, the market is down. I can tell you’re a smart businessman. You’re tough and you’re a no bullshit kind of guy. This is no bullshit, Pete. Based on the current market, this place is worth $11.42 max. I’m offering you $11.5 cash. No mortgage, no contingencies and an immediate closing. My clients are relocating from Germany, and they want a place secured to come back to.

He stood there with such anger on his face as if he was going to rip me to shreds.

“Are you married, Pete?”

“Why are you asking? Are you interested?” A smirk crossed his lips.

“Why did you buy this place?”

“Because the moment my wife saw it, she fell in love with it.”

“If she fell in love with it, why did you put $1.5 million into renovations?”

“It needed some updating and I wanted to make it exactly how she wanted it. She deserved only the best. We were going to retire in this apartment.”

“Were?” I cocked my head.

“She passed away a year and a half ago from cancer.”

“Gee, Pete. I’m sorry. I had no idea,” Grant spoke.

“I don’t like to talk about it, and it’s nobody’s business.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.” I placed my hand on his shoulder. “You don’t want to sell, do you?”

He took in a deep breath. “I do and I don’t. I don’t want to sell it because it was our home and there are a lot of memories here. But I couldn’t stay either because it was too painful. So, I put it up for sale and bought a new penthouse across town.”

“That’s why you priced it so high. Because you knew if it sold, another piece of her would be gone.”

He looked down and nodded his head.

I set my coffee cup down and gave him a hug as I looked at Grant and noticed the horrified look on his face.

“It’s okay, Pete. Life happens and it can really suck sometimes. You had amazing memories here and selling this place isn’t going to take those memories away. Those memories will always be with you regardless of where you’re at. It’s time you let another couple come in and make their own memories in this beautiful home.” I broke our embrace. “Isn’t that what your wife would have wanted? For another couple so in love to make what the two of you had in this beautiful home?”

He paced around the room for a moment as Grant stared at me with a look of panic on his face.

“You’re right, Bella. My wife probably would have wanted that. It’s time I let go. I’ll accept the offer of $11.5.”

“Really, Pete?” Grant asked with excitement.

“Yes. Really.” He shook Grant’s hand and then mine. “You’re quite a lady.” He smiled. “I have a building I want you to take a look at.”

“Me?” I pushed my finger into my chest.

“Yes. You.” He smiled. “She is working for you, right?” He turned and looked at Grant.

“Uh. Yes. Yes, she is.” A grin crossed his lips.

“Good. I’ll be in touch.” He walked to the elevator and stepped inside.

“Yes!” Grant did a little dance. “I can’t believe you did it! I could kiss you right now.”

“That’s okay.” I put my hand up. “You’re welcome.”

“I’m taking you to dinner tonight and we’re celebrating. We have a lot to discuss. Especially if you’re going to join my firm.”

“I didn’t do this to get a job working for you, Grant. I did it because of the money and the fact that it’s going to take me a while to build up some real clientele here.”

“I know, and I can help you with that. Part of this deal was that the agent or broker who closed the deal would come work for me. We’ll discuss it tonight. Text me your address and I’ll pick you up around eight. Plus, we have a lot of catching up to do.”

“Fine,” I spoke as we walked out of the building.

“Do you need a ride somewhere?” he asked.

“No thanks. I have a couple errands to run.”