"Kerri, you haven't even been inside the office yet."
"I don't care. I don't like it."
Kerri stood at the bottom of the steps, staring up at the reality building. Her arms were crossed, and it was obvious she was going to be stubborn.
"What don't you like about it?"
"It's too big."
"It's an office!"
"It looks stuck up."
"A building cannot be stuck up."
Kerri made a face. "You know what I mean."
"Just come inside with me." Erik pulled on Kerri's hand.
"Why? I don't know anything about architecture or design."
"To keep me company."
He pulled her through the doors, keeping her hand firmly in his. She begrudgingly followed, at least appreciating the decorative taste.
Erik approached the secretary's desk, which was the only thing in the entry way. The man looked up from what he was doing like it was the most important thing in the world.
"May I help you?" He sighed impatiently.
"We're here to see Monsieur O'Neal?"
The man rolled his eyes.
"Follow me please."
The secretary led them down a long hallway to a pair of oak doors.
The office was lavishly decorated with oriental rugs and exquisite paintings. There were models of all sorts of buildings and houses.
The realtor himself was modestly dressed, at least in comparison to his work place.
"Ah, bonjour to you both! I trust that you are Monsieur and Madame Delacroix?"
He shook Erik's hands, and Kissed Kerri's. She resisted the urge to pull away.
"So, you are looking for a house, I presume?"
"Our second, actually. Hopefully something in Versailles."
"Ah, yes, Versailles. Wonderful city. Beautiful city. Hardly compares to Paris in culture, but wonderful to look at. How big are you asking?"
"No more than 150, did you say?" Erik looked at Kerri, who nodded.
"Ah, on the smaller side. Lovely. Everyone who moves there wants big! Big like the royal palace. We don't get a lot of requests for smaller lots."
"Well, actually, we were hoping what the house lacked in size it made up for in acreage."
Kerri crossed her ankles, fidgeting with her hands. She wanted to move!
"Acreage, you say? Well, that will be difficult. What for, if I may I ask?"
"I like to ride."
The realtor seemed to be deeply amused by this statement. Erik squeezed her leg and gave her as look as if to say 'let me talk'.
"Horses! Well this does put a damper on things. Animals, especially large ones, never do well in the city."
"Well we don't have to be neighbors with the palace. But if at all possible, a commute of less than an hour to Paris would be wonderful."
"Well, if you'll be working in the city, I'd be more than happy to find you suitable property here."
Erik looked at Kerri, shrugging with his eyes.
"We have family in Versailles, and we would prefer to stay there."
The realtor shrugged.
"Alright, I'll see what we can find in our records. Excuse me for one moment."
The man left, and Kerri pursed her lips.
"Would you like to say something, Kerri?" Erik prompted.
"He's stuck up."
"Jesus woman, you are determined to be right, aren't you?"
"No. He is stuck up. And so is his secretary."
"Do you want to stop by the Opera House today?" Erik sighed, changing the subject.
"Why?"
"I need to pick up some things."
"Sure, I guess. I've never really been there without throngs of other people."
"Nothing's going to get you, I promise." He teased, and he laughed as Kerri hit him playfully.
Monsieur O'Neal returned carrying a thick leather bound notebook.
"We have four properties listed; all of them have more than ten acres. Take a look at them, decide which ones you are interested in. We can plan to meet sometime next week to view them…."
"Are you free tomorrow?" Erik looked up from the book.
"Well, yes, but usually…"
"We'd like to view these two. The ones on Route de Mal and Rue de Paris." Erik turned the book around and pointed appropriately.
« You don't need more time to make a decision ? »
"Do you like them?" Erik turned to Kerri.
"Sure." Both properties were pretty in picture and on paper, so it made sense in Kerri's mind to see them in person.
"No." Erik shook his head.
"Well then, when is an appropriate time for us to meet? I am free until two in the afternoon."
"Eleven would be fine. That should give us enough time to view both properties."
Monsieur O'Neal nodded, although Kerri suspected he was a little unhappy with their urgency.
"We can view the plot on Rue de Paris first, since it is closer."
Erik stood after Kerri, who was grateful she could move her feet. The men shook hands, and Kerri all but high-tailed out into the open air.