Page 49 of Trust Fall
The call connected on the third ring, and Alice’s brash voice shouted down the line, “Cleo, I’m so glad you called back. I can’t talk long so I’m just going to give you the address, basic details, and the price and let you go, but I’ll follow up tomorrow and see if you want to arrange a viewing, ok?”
“Thanks Alice, if this works out, I owe you one,” Cleo replied.
“If this works out, you owe me the name of your first-born!” Alice chuckled.
Cleo heard Alice rustling papers, and she grabbed a pen and notepad which lay open on her desk, ready to jot down the details. She had written the first line of the address down when Jackson Copeland walked into her office and stood opposite her,typing on his phone as always. She held her finger up to him to indicate she would be with him in a minute, as she wrote down the rest of the address details and costs.
“Exposed brick and pipework, floor-to-ceiling windows, lots of foot traffic,” Cleo said softly as she wrote the details down on the piece of paper, before underlining the address, circling the price, and sitting her pen down.
“That’s great Alice, thanks for this. I’ll speak with Ivy shortly and see if she wants to arrange a viewing, but I think it’s likely as that address is exactly the area that she’s looking to set the franchise up in. I’ll call you later today if she does instead of waiting until tomorrow so you can list it if she isn’t interested.” Cleo said and hung up the phone.
Taking a deep breath, she looked up the man in front of her expectantly. “Mr. Copeland, I wasn’t aware that we had a meeting scheduled for today. To what do I owe this pleasure?” She knew she was pushing it slightly by adding the last part, but today, she didn’t care in the slightest.
Without taking his eyes off his phone screen, he replied, “I was in the area and decided to see if there was a reason why I have yet to receive any listings information from you in the last ten days. I am paying you more than an adequate amount to ensure that Copeland Conglomerate increases the asset listings for commercial spaces.”
Cleo stood up briskly to avoid giving him the power of standing over her or talking down to her. With the speed at which she stood, she didn’t notice the paper with the address details on it floating off her desk, landing at his feet.
“As I have already explained on numerous occasions, I do not work in real estate, I am an architect. If you need me to design a new build or review existing buildings to create modifications, then I am more than willing to complete either of those tasks under contract. I have sent you details for several highlyqualified and greatly competent contacts whom I have worked with for years who excel at the task you are asking of me,” Cleo stated, with every ounce of patience she could muster.
“And as I have informed you before, Ms. Foster, you are the person I have selected to do this generously compensated task, and for very good reason.” He bent down and picked up the sheet of paper, briefly glancing at the details. He raised his eyes and locked onto hers. “You have proven yourself to be trustworthy, and in business it is always about who you can and cannot trust.” He narrowed his eyes. “You would do well to remember that.” He sat the piece of paper on her desk then turned on his heels and left.
Cleo sat, something about the look on his face when he spoke about trust didn’t sit well with her, but she couldn’t put her finger on what it was.
Lana appeared at the door. “Can youpleasereconsider the access change to the office? I honestly don’t mind pressing a little button at my desk every hour to let clients in, if it means I don’t have to look up and seehislooming shadow over my desk unexpectedly.”
Cleo laughed at the exaggerated pleading in Lana’s voice. “You know what? I might actually start to look into that.”
An hour later, Ivy arrived carrying a bag of sandwiches, pastries, and a carrier with three coffees. Cleo hoped she never got over the feeling that rushed through her body at just the sight of Ivy.
“Hey you,” Ivy said with a smile as she walked over to sit the bag and cup holder on Cleo’s desk.
“Hey yourself,” Cleo replied warmly as she walked around her desk to take one of Ivy’s hands and lean down to kiss her. “I have a possible shop space for you.”
“Really?” Ivy’s eyes danced excitedly. Cleo couldn’t help her smile spread to a grin at the enthusiasm on her girlfriend’s face.
“Yes, it’s in the area you wanted, the price point you hoped for, and it’s not yet on the market.” Cleo staggered back against her desk as Ivy all but launched herself at Cleo, throwing her arms around her neck with a squeal, and pulling her in for an enthusiastic kiss.
“Get a room,” Lana said as she rolled her eyes and laughed as she walked over to sit on Cleo’s chair, leaving the two client chairs on the other side of the desk for Ivy and Cleo to sit in.
“Oh shush, don’t get me started on the way you threw yourself at Connor when he rocked up to surprise you last week,” Cleo retorted.
“Fair enough,” Lana admitted with a blush.
“When can I see it?” Ivy asked.
“If you’re interested, I’ll let my contact know after lunch and she said you can see it tomorrow before it gets listed. So, you’re effectively getting first refusal. Whichneverhappens,” Cleo said.
“It’s true,” Lana said, as she started setting the food and drinks out on Cleo’s desk while the others took their seats, moving the chairs closer together. “First refusal in the city is rarely heard of. Your girl done good, Ivy.”
Ivy turned to Cleo with a dreamy look in her eyes. “She always does.”
“So? What do you say?” Cleo asked, reaching for her lunch off the table.
“Yes! Please, can you set it up?” Ivy’s face was full of excitement and hope. Cleo was delighted to have been even a small part of the reason for it.
“Absolutely,” Cleo said, reaching for her phone and sending a message to Alice before continuing with her lunch.
Less than five minutes later and Cleo’s phone pinged, Alice confirmed the viewing. “Tomorrow at 11 a.m. suit you for a viewing?” She asked her girlfriend.
