Chapter 21: A Shocking Video Call

However, when Abigail read the price she had to pay, she was stunned; it was not monthly but yearly.

Instead of paying $400 monthly, she only needed to pay $2000 yearly. That price already included the ten percent realtor agent f*e.

’Can’t Mr Peters or Caleb do math? How does $400 a month become $2000 a year?’ Abigail wondered as she glanced at him, only to be surprised to see Peters staring intently at her.

"Is there anything that makes you reluctant to sign the contract, Miss Abigail?" Peters asked calmly, but Abigail could see impatience growing in his gaze.

"Sir, it looks like you entered the wrong number. I thought it was $400 per month. And if I pay yearly, it should be $4800, right? But in this contract, the amount is only $2000."

Her concern was the total payment. If this man had entered the wrong number, she would likely have lost this house because she didn’t have that much money in her bank account.

"Well, I didn’t put the wrong number there. That’s my offer to you, Miss Abigail." He responds calmly.

Abigail was taken aback by his words. Her suspicion arose again, and she began to wonder if this man knew her bank account’s balance. That’s why he had deliberately asked for only $2000 and left her $1000 to survive until her paycheck from the café arrived.

"Sir, I’m sorry to ask, but why are you giving me such a huge discount? From $4800 down to $2000 is not a small amount." She voiced her genuine concern.

Even though Abigail desperately needed this place, she didn’t want to exploit his kindness or his ignorance if he mistakenly put the number. She needed to know his reasoning firmly to avoid misunderstandings in the future because she would stay here for at least a year or more, not just a month.

The man chuckled for the first time, surprising Abigail as she noticed he was handsome.

"Miss Abigail, to be honest with you, I don’t need your money," Peters sighed deeply before giving her a long explanation.

"If I leave this place empty, I must hire someone to clean it five days a week. Cleaning this place each year will cost me at least a little more than $4000. So, I’m grateful I don’t have to spend a penny on cleaning and instead get $2000 from the rent."

Once again, Abigail was stunned. He was right. This man was wise and kind, and it seemed money wasn’t a big deal for him. She was overjoyed to meet such a wealthy person.

Before Abigail could say anything, Peters spoke again. "Miss Abigail, is $2000 not suitable? We could lower the price—just write the amount you wanted or—"

"Sir, I’m satisfied with the number." Abigail hurriedly interrupted him, worried he might raise the amount, and immediately signed the house rental contract.

Peters smiled as he watched Abigail put her name on the paper. However, when she finished and looked at him again, his smile faded, replaced by his calm expression.

"Alright, Sir. Now, I’ve signed it. I agree to $2000," Abigail said, showing him the contract before placing it in the folder and returning it to him—keeping one copy for herself.

"Okay. You can transfer the money to the bank details in the contract, and please reread the rest of the terms you’ll need to follow while staying here," Peters said.

"Yes, sir, I have read it and will reread it just to be sure," Abigail said.

She was overjoyed and didn’t care much about the other rules. All she cared about was the price. Instead of $4800, she paid only $2000 for the entire year. She felt relieved that housing was no longer an issue. Now, she could focus on her Grandma’s medical bills.

After the signing process finished, Peters finally excused himself.

Abigail walked him to the door, noticing a black metal door beside the one they had entered through.

"Mr. Peters, what is that other door for?" she asked.

Peters stopped and turned to look at her.

"The door leads to the main house. But don’t worry. The tenant of the room behind that door rarely comes to this floor, and he rarely stays here, either. Just a few staff members might come to clean the garden and use that door."

Abigail was surprised. She had forgotten to ask about the tenant below. As if reading her mind, Peters continued to explain:

"Fewer than ten people guard and care for the house and garden. You might see them from time to time. But you don’t have to talk to them if you don’t want to. Oh, one more thing, the house you rent has a fridge. I haven’t checked what’s inside it, but take it if you want it, throw it away if you don’t. Make sure to keep the fridge clean."

"Okay, duly noted, sir," Abigail said nonchalantly. She didn’t ask him further.

She went inside to check what she needed to buy to stock the fridge and other necessities before returning to her Airbnb to bring all her belongings. But she was surprised to find the fridge full of raw and ready-to-eat food.

"Wow, Mister Peters, why did you leave so much food in the fridge? I thought it would be gross when you said something was inside! But these are fresh, newly purchased foods and drinks! You’re so generous!" Abigail murmured while checking another kitchen cabinet. She found everything she needed.

Looking at all the supplies there, she predicted she wouldn’t have to go to the supermarket for three months.

Not long after, Abigail left the house to return to her Airbnb.

However, before heading to the stairs, Abigail stopped when her cell phone buzzed and saw a video call from her Grandma.

A happy smile graced her lips as she walked to the garden veranda. Sitting there, she picked up the video call.

"Grandma—" Abigail’s voice trailed off. Her smile instantly faded when she saw that it wasn’t Grandma’s face on her screen; instead, it was Ryland’s.

Abigail’s heart raced a mile a minute, seeing Ryland use her Grandma’s cell phone.