276: TIMING

TIMING

I SNAPPED out of my reverie. Wait, is he..?0

"Oh, hi... Mr.?" I didn't notice that my eyes were too big for my usual stare because it was unbelievable. We were just casually talking yesterday, and he appeared to be not that interested, and here he is now, looking… rich?

"Mr. Howard. Cl- Vince Howard." The man replied.

"Uh, Mr. Howard, how can I help you?" I asked. The man in front of me handed me the flyer I gave him yesterday.

"I will buy this property." He said confidently, which made me pause and slightly narrow my eyes and then subtly eyed him from head to toe. He looked pretty decent today comparing yesterday.

"Uh, you have money?" I blurted without thinking, and then my eyes grew wide when I realized what I had just said. "I- I mean, are you sure?" oh! What a foolish question again. "Um…" that made me tightlipped for a moment, and I swallowed hard.

"Yes, I am sure, and I have saved money for that. From my own sweat and blood." Then he flashed a charming smile. But I don't know why I felt something strange when he smiled. Was it a sarcastic smile? Sinister, even?

'Oh my gosh!' So I just smiled at him shyly, but I wanted to smack my head deep inside. If I fail this… wait, will he really buy despite that it's…

"So when do you plan to show the property to me?" He asked.

"You're going to buy it now?" I asked shockingly, again. Then he looked at me like I was a puzzle and his eyes looked so confused at what I was saying. In his eyes, I'm sure I am the most stupid creature he has ever met. And for the first time, I hear crickets around us. What on earth is wrong with me?

'Stupid!' I shouted in my mind. 'You're doomed!' with that thought, my shoulders dropped, heads down when I realized what a stupid thing I had just said.

At that moment, I heard someone clear throat.

"Uh, will you allow me to buy it?" I immediately looked up to him and saw him flash another smile, full of amusement.

"Yeah, okay… but uh.. wait.. I'll just ask for a company car to drive us there."

The man was about to say something, but I left immediately so that he could not change his mind. I didn't even bother to ask if he had a car or none. I just assumed that he hasn't. Because all I could think at that moment was not to let myself blurt other foolish questions repeatedly.

I checked him from time to time and noticed that he was sitting patiently in front of my table, and his eyes wandered around. Some of the ladies were whispering with each other. Some kept glancing at his side, which caused me to roll my eyes.

When I finished arranging everything, I went to his side, "Ah, let's go Mr. Howard."

He then stood up and walked with me. Then I looked over my shoulder to faintly see the ladies' reaction, and they all went upset when they saw us walking together, and I almost giggled at their response.

"Is there something wrong?" the man beside me asked. I almost jerked at his question.

"Uh, none. This way please." Unconvinced with my answer, he looked around before he continued walking.

Unfortunately, after that silliness I did there, my nervousness started to kick in on our way to the property. And it clouded my mind what I was about to say, how to sell the property to him, how to convince him to buy it despite its run-down state. I was fidgeting during the whole trip, and it didn't help that we were in the middle of the traffic. The long drive added agony to my being.

"So, do you have any meetings besides this, Mr. Howard?" I tried so hard to act so calmly and collected.

"There's none. I want to settle everything today. I have plenty of things to do tomorrow." And that made me more tightlipped because I felt more pressured than earlier. I don't know if I'll take that statement positively or as a warning.

"Y-yeah, I am positive that we will all settle everything today." Lies! I sighed, gritted my teeth, and spoke silently, "I just hope against all hope you'll even like property."

Upon our arrival, my stress skyrocketed, and I felt like I was about to be burned alive. So, I breathed deeply before I got out of the car.

"This is it! Oh, God! Help me!" then I turned around and ushered Mr. Howard inside the property. The property is a mess! Litters everywhere, nasty paintings on the walls. Uh! My career was over before it began. RIP self.

Despite that, I pretended that there was nothing wrong around us as hard as possible. I continued explaining to him the status of the property. Its potential in the nearest future, the renovation needed there, the expenses, and the total cost. I wanted to puke every minute of it as I looked at his reaction or any negative response because he was silent and kept on looking around. There are times he would touch the wall, the door frames, and look up at the ceiling and every corner of the house. What is he thinking now?

"That's it," I said. "Any questions or clarifications?"

I was on edge as I watched him rubbing his chin, and his long pause created more anxiety. As much as I wanted to use my poor-me-help-me card, I couldn't. It's just that I need to stand there and appear to him with dignity even though I'm starting to crumble inside. Pride is the only thing I have now.

"Hmm… how much will it cost me again? With all the renovations needed? Is the interior design included, too?"

'Was he not listening to me all along?' I just sighed deeply.

As if he had read my mind, he said, "Sorry, I was checking on the building structure, and I halfheartedly listened to you." And that calmed me.

"It's okay, Mr. Howard, I perfectly understand. This building has been checked regularly by our best engineers, not wanting any client to decline this property. To answer your question, this will cost you at least five thousand dollars, excluding the interior design." I almost flinched at the white lie that I said when no one was interested in buying it except him.

"Okay, I'll take it."

"Really?!" I almost jumped at him when he said that, and he stared at me like I was a new specimen.

"You are fond of the extreme reaction, I must say, Miss." He said with a cute smirk on his face.

"I apologize, Mr. Howard, this is my first project and if in case you won't-"

"Oh.. is that so? Well, lucky you, my interest was already picked yesterday, at the mall." And that made me stare at him incredulously. Then he chuckled.

"Oh, no, no, no, not 'that' kind of interest, though. Sorry, if you get it wrong. When you handed me the flyer, it was the best timing because I was looking for a place where I could invest in and start a new life. Though this would bleed my savings but I can get by. So, shall we now sign the papers?" I gulped. Oops!

"Oh, that! We'll need to go back to the office to do that. Thank you so much for this opportunity, sir. I'll see to it that everything will be taken care of." I said confidently as I flashed him a smile.

"Very well, then."

Without delay, after he signed the papers, we started the renovation, and just within two weeks, the house's restoration was already finished. As I looked at it, I felt so relieved and proud because I knew I'd done my very best, and I was just waiting for him to arrive to personally hand him the keys to his new home. I hope he will be satisfied with the outcome.

Just when I was about to go inside and check the house for the nth time, I heard someone call me softly…

"Karyle…"

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