“She is.” I acknowledge then stare out of the window. “Gladys put it onto a tape, so it played over and over all through the night, so if I woke, it would sooth me back to sleep.” I close my eyes for a moment, letting its soothing tune relax me.
“You used to have problems sleeping?” He asks. Still do honey! I decide not to get into that one; we could be here all day!
“I really like this tune too.” Tristan says, ignoring the fact that I haven’t answered him. “Very relaxing,” he adds.
I smile weakly at him then close my eyes again. Out of nowhere, I get an image of Tristan and I dancing. I'm safely cocooned in his arms as he swishes us slowly around, my idea of heaven – How odd?
I open my eyes and look out of the window, I’m drawn to a couple strolling along with their baby in a pushchair, the woman is laughing heartily at her man, and then he places his arm around her shoulders and kisses her on the lips.
I quickly look away. I can't help feeling bitter when I see happy families, makes me so mad to think my parents couldn’t keep their shit together and make it work.
CHAPTER TWELVE
STUART STARTLES ME BY GETTING back in the car, just as another car pulls up behind us. I look behind me and see a short balding man jump out. He looks flustered, and I can see from his pale pink, short-sleeved shirt; he’s sweating buckets. I instantly don’t like him – he looks slimy.
“Showtime.” Tristan says, smiling wickedly at me. I smile back at him then he exits the car. I watch him talking to the man. Then I watch the sweaty man punch a code into a security system and the gates swing open. Tristan gets back in the car and Stuart cruises down the short sweeping driveway, the estate agent following, and brings the car to a stop.
I turn in my seat and see the house. I’m instantly blown away. It looks brand new, standing two stories high. And for some reason I think it’s much smaller than what I thought Tristan would have gone for, but it is beautiful. The house is white with a beautiful dark grey slate surround that encases the first floor, including the front door, creating a kind of open porch with enough space for a seating area, yet the owners have chosen several potted ferns instead, it looks lovely.
“Ready?” Tristan asks.
I beam at him. “It looks beautiful,” I gush.
Tristan jumps out of the car races round to my side, and opens the door for me. I momentarily compare him to Justin, who never opened car doors for me or any kind of doors come to think of it.
I take Tristan’s hand to get out of the car thinking he’ll let me go but he doesn’t. I frown again, this feels so nice – I should be freaking out about it? We walk over to the agent, Tristan shakes his hand then he reaches out for mine, but I pretend not to notice and turn to take in my surroundings.
The small, but quaint driveway is surrounded by tall oak trees, and a high brick wall, and of course, there’s the wrought iron gates; all giving the house maximum privacy. The driveway looks brand new and has been laid with a beautiful choice of brickwork paving, and has enough room for at least four cars. Then I notice a double garage set back at the right hand side of the house, again the garage is white with a black slated front. So much room! Does one man really need all this space?
I’m suddenly drawn to what the agent is saying about the place...
“As you know from the brochure Mr Freeman, the house has been completely transformed by the present owner into a contemporary style home, which has been finished to an exceptionally high specification, both internally and externally. White Italian porcelain flooring downstairs and walnut flooring in the bedrooms, giving it an absolutely stunning; unique finish.” He smiles purposefully at me. Maybe he thinks I'm buying this place?
I have to stifle a giggle, he continues...
“The property boasts five bedrooms all with en-suite, three reception rooms, open plan kitchen-diner and living area, utility room with downstairs W.C, games room, indoor pool, cinema room, gym, bespoke outdoor dining area; and landscaped gardens to rear.”
My mouth pops open in shock. “An indoor pool?” I squeak looking up at Tristan, he squeezes my hand and grins so widely, I think his face is about to crack in two; he looks so happy.
“Like it so far?” He whispers.
“Yes.” I choke, half laughing. What’s not to like?
I'm really trying hard to hold back my glee that I’m going to be walking around this place with him, and that he wants my opinion, I’m so excited – I’ve never walked around a big house before. This is miles away from my world, especially when I think back to all the dark and dingy places I looked at when I was buying.
“Ready to take a look inside?” Tristan asks; his smile still wide.
I smile and nod frantically at him. This is so cool! Tristan squeezes my hand and we walk the few steps towards the front door.
“Shall we?” The agent drawls in a posh accent, which I’m sure is put on. Tristan nods, so the agent pulls a set of keys from his pocket and opens the front door, which is unique in itself, and three times the size of any normal front door – I think it’s walnut? It has a very long, narrow window running down the centre of it. The door opens with the grace that only a heavy door can allow and we follow the agent into a huge entrance hallway - Oh wow! This place is huge. How have they done that? It looks so much smaller from outside.
The agent continues…
“Entrance hallway leading into the social centre of the house, utility room with small W.C to your right, then into the beautiful bespoke fitted kitchen & dining area, glass doors leading to rear terrace providing panoramic views of the coast...” Whoa!
The first thing I notice is how light and open it is, high ceilings, white walls, very contemporary; I’m already in love with it. The second thing – this place is ginormus!
The large entrance hall expands several feet in front of us then opens out into a large, open-plan living space – I guess you could call it the living-room? Right in the centre of the room is a huge, white column that houses a large fireplace – it’s new, white and silver, very contemporary, and totally gorgeous. Surrounding that is a large white u shaped sofa – it’s so big you could fit twenty of me on it. It hugs and surrounds the column in a really cosy way, which I wouldn’t have thought possible with how big it is, and I can just about make out what I think is a breakfast bar, just off to the right of the fireplace.
The entire back wall is ceiling height windows. I can see right out to the coast, the sun sparkling against the sea, the boats way out, no doubt soaking up the beautiful weather. I stand completely immobilized. The view is extraordinary, breathtaking. I think my chin has hit the floor?
I hear Tristan chuckle and look up at him. “Like it?” He asks beaming widely at me.
“Yes.” I choke out. I manage to pull my gaze away and take in the rest of my surroundings.
To my left, is a wall that runs right along the length of the huge room. I see a door behind the sofa and another right behind me. The other reception rooms? To my right, is a small square shaped room. I guess that’s the utility room? Beyond that is a short hallway that leads to a wooden slated staircase, surrounded by beautiful glass panelling, but they head downstairs, not up - I wonder where they lead to? Then I remember the swimming pool, that probably where they lead to. I have to stop myself from jumping up and down with excitement, this place is amazing! I take a deep breath trying to take it all in and slowly blow it out; it’s such a huge expanse.
“State of the art alarm system...” The agent drawls pulling me out of my musing, he points to a large white box on the wall to my left. Tristan nods in approval then the agent turns to his left and opens the first door.
Tristan and I follow him inside. Ok, this room is huge, bigger than my studio.
“And here, we enter into the first reception room, the smallest of the three. As you can see the current owners use it as a study/home office.”
Tristan looks around the space nodding in approval. We follow the agent out and walk diagonal
ly over to the door that was to my right.
“Utility room, and W.C.” He says. Tristan pops his head inside and nods, he seems bored with this room. Typical! I think it’s awesome, but I don't even have space for a washing machine! We head down the hall towards the living-room, when suddenly it opens out to the right – and there it is – the huge, bespoke kitchen. Wow!
White walls, black slate surfaces, chrome cooker and burners; I am in heaven. They are the exact colours I would choose for a kitchen; if I were to ever have the money to buy a bigger place. I smile inwardly, this kitchen is so big, I could cook up a storm in here. Oh, it’s so beautiful.
“Completely refurbished, double cooker, warming drawer, large fridge-freezer, dishwasher, centre console with extra hobs and sink, surrounded by a beautiful bespoke breakfast bar. As you can see, the current owners prefer to dine here, looking out over the magnificent sea views.”
I look down and set in front of the large breakfast bar is a small, round, very quaint looking antique table with six chairs. Yes – I think I would prefer the table to the breakfast bar – Coral, what are you talking about, you’re never going to live here? I can pretend – I argue back at myself.
The agent turns, and heads back towards the living area, we walk around the sofa and he opens the door behind it. “Second reception room.” He steps back to let us through.
As I walk in with Tristan, my mouth gapes open in awe, the owners have turned this room into a library, a beautiful, cosy library. All the walls bar the one to my right – which is floor to ceiling height windows – have floor to ceiling bookshelves, and are completely over-stocked with books, there’s even a stylish ladder to reach the ones at the top. Then set in the centre of the back wall, is a very large fireplace, it looks very old and suits the room perfectly.
There are several small, very squidgy looking sofas and four leather recliners, each of them have a reading lamp next to them. I instantly imagine myself curled up on one of the chairs, book in hand, fire blazing, feeling warm and snugly on a cold, wet winters day. I can't believe how cosy it feels, considering how big the room is.
“Current owners use this room for relaxing and reading, they like to think of it as their own mini library.” He starts laughing at his own joke, his nose making a funny snorty noise as he does.
“Very good,” Tristan muses, turning to me with a look that says, don't- laugh-or-you’ll-start-me-off. I tighten my lips, fighting back the smile.
“If you would like to follow me sir,” the agent says. We follow the agent out of the room, pass the huge sofa, and straight past the kitchen towards another door. Just as we reach it, I notice a carpeted stairway to my right.
“Stairs to the bedrooms.” The agent points to the right. “And door leading into the largest reception room.” He opens the door and we follow inside.
If I thought the other rooms were big, well I was kidding myself, you could land a jet in here. The owners have placed a long walnut table in the centre of the room and there’s at least thirty chairs comfortably seated around it. I shake my head in mock horror. This room is big enough to hold a banquet. I can't help chuckling sarcastically to myself.
Tristan cottons on and cocks his head to the side.
“Would you like some time to peruse this level?” The agent asks Tristan.
“Yes, thank you.” The agent nods politely, smiles at me, and turns to walk away. The moment he is out of view, Tristan turns and gazes down at me with dark, worried eyes. “You don't like this room?” He asks.
I snort sarcastically. “What’s not to like?”
He frowns at me. “But you looked horrified and then you laughed,” he says. Jeez, he hardly knows me, yet he has my facial expressions pegged already!
“Well it’s just...very grandiose,” I murmur.
“I suppose,” he smirks. I smile back at him. “And the rest of the house?” he asks.
“Gorgeous.” I say.
Tristan smiles enigmatically at me, making my heart skip a beat. Then tugs gently on my hand, we walk back out and into the kitchen. I turn and look out at the views again, then I decide I want a closer look. Moving forward, Tristan releases my hand and leisurely follows me as I skip towards the window. I feel like I’m on cloud nine, like I’m in some sort of dream. I turn and giggle at him, he shakes his head at me his smile widening.
When I reach the patio doors, I see a large balcony that juts out with tables and chairs. I instantly imagine myself sitting outside with a glass of chardonnay watching the sun setting across the sea. I turn to Tristan and puff out my cheeks, exhaling all the air slowly.
I walk back over to him and as I reach him, I know I have to ask, it’s been bugging me since the door was opened, actually before that...
“Tristan,” I whisper just in-case the agent is close by. “How much is this place?” I ask in wide eyed awe.
“It’s rude to ask.” He softly scolds, but I can tell he’s teasing me.
“I know. I’m just intrigued. Maybe I can buy it?” I chuckle.
“It’s on the market for one, seven, seven five.” I look up at him in confusion. That’s way too cheap; somebody must have put it up wrong. “One million, seven hundred and seventy five,” he clarifies. Whoa!
I swallow hard and cross my arms. “Guess I won’t be buying it,” I grumble as I walk over to the large bespoke kitchen, Tristan follows me. “But I’ll be dreaming about this place for weeks, I’ve never walked around a house so big. Maybe the rich really are happy if they’re living in huge places like this?” I mumble to myself.
“What does that mean?” He half chuckles. I moan, instantly wishing I hadn’t said anything.
“Nothing, just ignore me.” I say wafting my hand, staring up in wonder at the spotlighting above the centre console.
“That’s impossible,” he whispers. My mouth pops open in shock. I stare back at him with wide eyes. I can't believe he just said that! Maybe Rob is right?
We gaze at each other for the longest time; the room seems to charge with something electrical. I feel it buzzing through my veins, heating my blood. I feel like I’ve been electrocuted? I suddenly feel very hot and flustered.
The agent walks back in catching us unawares. “Shall we move on?” he asks.
“Coral.” Tristan holds out his hand to me again, I take it without thinking about it this time and we head towards the stairs leading to the bedrooms. As we make our way up, I subtly shake my head and smile internally, not one of the stairs creak, not like my place; I guess it’s all about the finishing touches.
As we reach the open-plan landing, the agent takes us to the left, showing us the first bedroom with en-suite, which is just breathtaking, floor to ceiling tiling, bespoke furnishings. Then back out in the hallway, he leads us forward and shows us two further bedrooms with en-suites. Both these rooms are bigger than the first, but in all honesty, all of these bedrooms are bigger than my little studio. Oh, to have this much space!
I’m going to feel so claustrophobic when I get home tonight. I wonder if I should stay with Gladys instead? We move on to the next bedroom which is the largest, so I’m guessing this must be the master bedroom? Then my mind confirms it. It has to be, it has a walk-in closet/dressing area.
Then the agent brings us back out into the hallway and we climb another set of stairs I hadn’t even noticed were there.
As we reach the top floor the agent opens the door. “Master bedroom, large en-suite bathroom, ceiling height patio doors, leading onto balcony...” I gasp in shock – It has ceiling height windows too, and the view....Wow, it’s even more breathtaking up here.
I turn around and take in the huge room, set back against the wall so you would wake up to this magnificent view is the huge bed, and either side of the bed are two doors.
The agent walks over and opens one up. “Separate walk in closets.” He closes the door, walks diagonally across the room and opens a door to my left. “Master en-suite, comprising of double shower, bespoke bath, double sin
ks, W.C and bidet.”
Tristan lets go of my hand and follows the agent into the en-suite, I turn and stare out at the view. I’m starting to feel very overwhelmed – So this is what money can buy?
I take a step forward and I’m lost in a magical world. I feel like a princess in a fairy tale who’s just found out she owns a beautiful, elegant, house at the top of a hill – “Coral,” I hear his footsteps approaching me, pulling me out of my secret little fantasy.
“Yes,” I whisper staring out to sea.
“That has to be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” he says.
“Yes, the views are just...stunning,” I whisper, agreeing completely.
“I wasn’t talking about the view,” he softly says.
My breath hitches hearing him say that. I close my eyes for a moment – Me? He was talking about me? No, surely not? He must have blinkers on or something? I swallow hard and slowly turn to stare at him with wide, cautious eyes. He’s casually leaning up against the wall with his hands in his pockets, gazing at me, looking every inch, the millionaire mogul – Man, he’s sexy...
I swallow hard against the lump in my throat and look away, trying my best to fix my gaze out to sea. In my peripheral vision I see him walk towards me – Oh God, what does he want? As he reaches me, he stands directly aside me, just staring down at me. I can hear him breathing, he’s that close. He leans down towards me, and as he does, I hear his breath catch. What’s he doing?
I keep my frozen, wide eyed gaze, fixed firmly ahead. If I look at him, I swear I’ll just become putty in his hands.
“Mr Freeman?” The agent calls out. Tristan sighs heavily, I feel like I have no choice but to look up at him. He closes his eyes briefly in annoyance then looks down at me; his look is heated, hot - Oh Crap!
“Excuse me,” he says, gently touching my elbow then walking off to find the agent. I exhale slowly, not realising I’d been holding my breath and try to gather my scattered thoughts.
In a daze, I head into the large en-suite. Wow it’s huge, and the furnishings...they look so nice, so new. I walk over and stare down at the huge, egg shaped bath, oh what I wouldn’t give to have a place with a bath. I close my eyes and imagine I'm taking a long hot soak, on cold winters night, candles surrounding me, music softly playing in the background – I sigh inwardly, feeling melancholy.
CORAL (A Romance Trilogy, Book 1) Page 13