Open house

By four-seventeen, I had all the houses ready for its possible homeowner.

I placed cookies and sandwiches under glass displays, along with water and apple juice in the refrigerator of the last house.

I took a deep breath, smooth down my skirt, and put on a smile for my first client at five.

The morning air was crispy, biting into my already red cheeks.

At that moment, I cursed my high cheekbones, wishing for chubbier cheeks.

I could hear a car pulling up in the stone drive away. I plaster a smile back on my face, then went outside to greet the family of six and one on the way.

The children were the first out of the car, with the oldest being seventeen and the youngest eight.

"Wow, such a big house." The youngest clamoured before running to the front door.

"Alexandra, go get Leo before he breaks anything." Their mother orders.

Alexandra rolled her eyes, like the true teen she was, but did as she was told.

"Welcome," I smiled, shaking the Blakes' hands.

"Thank you for coming out so early. I hope it isn't any inconvenience to you." Mrs Blake apologised.

"Oh, it's not a bother. What do you say? Let's get inside and start the tour?" I tried to sound as cheerful as possible.

After looking at three of the six houses, they decide to settle on the second.

"I like the yard space, plus Leo will have enough room to run around and Alexandra will finally have her own room." Mrs Blake patted her swollen stomach.

"Yes, finally." Alexandra cheered from her seat on the stairs.

I gave a little laugh, "ok so all we need to do now is sign the papers and work out a payment plan."

I led them over to the kitchen where I gave the kids cookies and their parents refused the sandwiches.

"Ok, so we are not like other companies that give you a short period to pay, like a year. Instead, you have a payment plan of five years, where you can pay seven-hundred thousand dollars until the last payment." I inform them.

Mr Blake smiled and for the first time spoke, "there will be no need for that. We will buy it in full. All I want to know is how soon we can move in."

I tried to hide my smile, "as soon as possible, it is your house now after all."

I gave them the keys after they signed all the papers, and the payment had been made.

I made my way to the next house and freshen up in the bathroom, before greeting the newly married couple that was still in their honeymoon stage.

"Welcome, Mr and Mrs Smith." I greeted the newlyweds. 

They were too busy kissing to look at me.

"Ok."

I went inside the house, thinking of giving them space, but I heard the car door slamming, and them driving away.

I took a deep breath.

"It's alright, there are more clients to come." I told myself.

Even though I had to wait for twenty minutes before the elderly couple came.

Holding each other hand, the older woman smiled at me.

"Well, aren't you a sight? If my son wasn't married or if my grandson was a few years older, I would have put in a few words."

"Dear, don't burden the girl with that. I'm sure she already has enough men chasing her." Her husband said.

I gave a little laugh. "I'm not sure my boyfriend would appreciate me just leaving him like that." I lied, but it's not like they know that I don't have a boyfriend.

"Of course, I know that a beautiful and intelligent girl like you must be taken.'' Her lady gave a firm nod.

"Can we see the house?" The husband cut off whatever else his wife had to say.

"Yes, right this way. Mr and Mrs Wright."

"We are looking for something that can facilitate our grandkids. We have five and they are very energetic. But nothing with a pool." Mr Wright said.

"I think I have the perfect place." We walked the short distance to the house.

"I like how close the houses are. I always hate having to drive from here to there just to see a few houses."

"That was the mission of my father, offering convenience."

"He is a smart man."

I opened the door for the couple.

"Welcome to Wright manor." I said.

They both laughed.

"With six bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms. I think this will be the best place for you and your grandkids when they come to visit. It is the perfect home away from home."

"You think?" Mr Wright asked, looking up at the ceiling.

"Yes."

He then tapped a foot on the floor and looked around the foyer some more.

"Ok, sell the place to me without showing it to me."

"Yes, there is also a newly refurbished play ground outside. Completed with swings, a sandbox, two slides and a see-was." I told them.

The couple exchanged looks with each other.

"Ok, I am sold if this house has one more thing." Mr Wright said.

"The master bedroom has a jacuzzi, and a balcony that offers a wonderful view of the sound."

Mr Wright let out a laugh.

"You got me there." He smiled, something he didn't do much since we met.

"There is also enough yard space for Mrs Wright to do a little gardening."

"We'll take it."

"Lovely."

After signing the paper and working out a payment plan, the couple left so that they could start moving in as soon as possible.

Sadly, I didn't get to sell the other four houses because the others were a no show.

But the good news was that I got the most expensive houses off the market.

Just as I closed the door to the last house, I turned around to come face to face with Nessa.

"Hey bestie, here to buy a house?"

"Hell no, we are going to the carnival."

"No, we are not."

"It's not up for discussion. You need to get home and get out of those old lady clothes."

"These are Gucci and designer."

"Designer doesn't mean it looks good."

"I'm not coming. You know how I feel about those places."

"I know how you feel about everything, and you need to get out instead of being locked up in those houses."

"No."

Nessa gave me a smile, got into my car, and turned the radio on.

"How did you even get here?"

"I hitched a ride." Nessa said, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

"You should be more careful."

"It's fine. It was with a cable guy."

"So, Nessa, that is still dangerous."

"To your house, then?" Nessa gazed at me.

***

I don't know why I allowed Vanessa to drag me along with her to this weekend fair.

But here I am, not feeling happy like a normal person would at a fair.

I was never one that was a fan of such things. I hated the weird mirrors, clowns, and the rides that got my heart racing too much.

I rather the beach or the pool during the week, when kids were in school and only a few people were there just lounging around.

If anything, I only liked the food and the prizes you could win, and that's it.

I followed behind Vanessa's five-foot frame as she hurried through the crowd, making her way over to the carousel.

I had a drink in hand that I just couldn't get enough of.

"Let's go on that ride. I don't think you will hate it so much." Nessa pointed.

I sipped my blue berry blast, not saying anything, but walked to where she led me.

I shook the large plastic cup that was half full with the frozen blue drink, hoping that the girl tending to the ride would tell me I can't enter with it. To my dismay, she said nothing and let us in.

I took a seat on a blue horse that I found ugly, with its teeth and tongue showing as if it had been struggling under someone's weight.

After the last happy-go-lucky person got on, the low out of tune music came on and the horses spun slowly.

"This is nice, isn't it?" Vanessa leant over so she could touch me, her tan skin making mine seem pale.

"I guess." I shrugged.

"Just drink your damn slushie." She grumbled, setting her thick lips in a purse after.

"You know I'm more of a hiking, swimming, painting, picnic type of person."

"Yeah, just thought I could take your mind off things." She replied.

I lightly tap her shoulder, "thanks, it does help."

Vanessa gave a nod, held onto the pole and leant back.

"Nessa, don't do that. You might fall."

But she didn't listen, and soon enough she had all the children under twelve doing the same thing.

To my surprise, the ride attendant said nothing, instead she was busy checking out her nails with a bored look on her face.

I let out a breath, thinking that I might as well let loose and enjoy the evening.

I tried to mock Vanessa, but with my drink in one hand, I couldn't.

As if on instinct, my head shot up. I swore my pupils must have dilated or formed a heart shape, because there he was.

Standing right at the gate, waiting for his turn on the ride.

He was staring at me as well, this time without his smile.

I sucked in a breath between my pouty pink lips, thinking that maybe I could finally get the chance to talk to him.

I closed my eyes, trying to burn his face in my mind.

Today he was dressed casually, in a simply black sweatpants and white t-shirt that hugged his body. Unlike me, who was wearing a light blue, off the shoulder floral dress, white cardigan and blue flats. Looking as if I belonged in a classroom.

I didn't realize that Vanessa was calling my name until she gave the back of my hand a pinch.

"Welcome back to earth." 

I blinked a few times, with my eyes still on him.

Vanessa followed my gaze, then I heard her say. "Oh, Nicholas." She gave him a small wave. 

He waved back.

"You know him?" I couldn't help but ask.

Vanessa gave me a wide grin. "He's the new art teacher."

"Oh," was my only reply.