Early the next morning, Reese pulled into the exposed aggregate driveway of the 15,200-square-foot potential listing on Melrose. The property was a sight to behold, even more breathtaking in person than in the glossy photographs she had studied. The expansive lawn was meticulously maintained, with rows of trees crowned in crimson leaves swaying gently in the early autumn breeze. The vibrant colors of the foliage contrasted beautifully against the home's sleek, modern exterior, which was a harmonious blend of stone and glass. As she stepped out of her car, Reese felt a surge of excitement. A house like this would sell fast, a gem in the already high-end market. However, it was also a risk—listing and selling a property of this magnitude with the limited time she had left at the Redwood Realty Group was no small feat.
She approached the open front door, her heels clicking against the stone walkway, and was immediately struck by the welcoming atmosphere that seemed to emanate from within. The house had an undeniable charm, with its open layout and seamless flow between the living areas on all four floors. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow on the calacatta marble floors. Reese could easily imagine hosting an open house here, the potential buyers mingling in the spacious rooms, admiring the high ceilings and modern finishes.
Just as she was about to step further inside, a deep, resonant voice echoed through the massive halls, catching her off guard. "Can I help you?"
Reese spun on her heels, her heart skipping a beat as she turned to face the source of the voice. Standing in the doorway was a tall, muscular man, his arms crossed over his broad chest, his brow furrowed in confusion. He had the kind of face that could stop anyone dead in their tracks—perfectly sun-kissed skin, thick tousled dark brown hair, and deep blue eyes that seemed to hold a world of secrets. His angular cheekbones, well-defined nose, and strong jawline, accentuated by a hint of stubble, made him look like he had stepped out of a magazine. Reese felt a flush of warmth creep up her neck, embarrassed by the sudden intrusion on what she assumed was an empty property.
"If you're here for the rest of Ana's things, I've moved them to the guest house," he said firmly, his voice carrying an edge of impatience.
"Oh, no. I'm sorry," Reese stammered, quickly walking over to him, her heels echoing in the half-empty house. "My name is Reese Sutherlin. I'm with the Redwood Realty Group."
The man's stern expression softened slightly as he extended his hand. "I didn't realize the property was already listed," he said, shaking her hand with a grip that was both firm and warm.
"It's not," Reese clarified, offering a polite smile. "I was just coming by to check out the property so that I can sell the idea to my broker and hopefully get the listing. I was just passing by. I wasn't expecting anyone to be here."
The man raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth. "Oh, so you were breaking and entering?"
Reese let out a nervous chuckle. "Just entering," she corrected with a sheepish grin. "The front door was open."
"And it still is," he remarked, his tone serious but not unkind.
Realizing she had overstayed her welcome, Reese nodded apologetically. "I apologize. I'll let myself out."
She turned to leave, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. As she made her way towards the open front door, she could hear the man's footsteps echoing softly behind her, pacing on the calacatta marble floor. He was following her, making sure she actually left. Reese quickened her pace down the long driveway, eager to escape the intense situation. Before backing out of the driveway, she took one last glance at the house, marveling at its beauty. But her admiration was quickly overshadowed by the memory of the intense glare from the ruggedly handsome yet undeniably rude man who had interrupted her visit.
Wavy lines of traffic overflowed down the hill as Reese joined the morning commute, and with each passing moment, it became increasingly obvious that she wasn't going to make it to work on time. Reese's phone vibrated loudly in her purse, jolting her from her thoughts. She knew it was Naomi checking her ETA. Reese waited for a good stopping point to rummage through her bag for her cell phone.
8:15 AM Naomi: Hey, where are you?! Victor and Vincent are ready to get started.
8:17 AM Naomi: Reese, you better not be in bed.
Reese rolled her eyes, quickly typing a reply while tapping her fingers against the steering wheel.
8:21 AM Reese: Hey, I went to that Melrose property this morning. I'm literally sitting in traffic.
8:23 AM Naomi: Oh yeah! I totally forgot about that. How did it go?
Reese hesitated for a moment before responding, her mind flashing back to the encounter with the mysterious man.
8:24 AM Reese: Stunning property. Creepy guy...in a hot way.
8:27 AM Naomi: Hot creepy guy?
8:32 AM Reese: Pulling in now. I'll give you the deets at lunch.
Reese rushed into the office, her heels clicking briskly against the polished floor as she interrupted the morning meeting. All eyes turned to her as she awkwardly made her way to her office, her face flushing slightly under the weight of their stares. All she wanted was to avoid being a spectacle, but it seemed she had no such luck.
"And congratulations to Reese!" Victor, one of the senior partners, announced loudly, his voice booming across the room. "We got a call this morning from a Christian Grey, Owner of Grey Enterprises Holdings, and he wants us to set up a listing appointment for his place on Melrose."
Reese's heart skipped a beat at the name. Christian Grey? Was that the same man she had encountered earlier that morning?
"Great job, Reese!" Vincent, another partner, chimed in, beginning a round of applause. "I love when you all take the initiative to seek out potential listings."
Reese forced a smile, still processing the information. "Thanks," she said shyly, her voice slightly wavering. "I'm going to get settled in, and then if I can touch base with you, Victor, that would be great."
"Absolutely," Victor replied with a smile before turning his attention back to the rest of the group.
Reese quickly made her way to her office and shut the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment as she tried to calm her racing thoughts. She was already exhausted, and it wasn't even 9:00 AM. She took a deep breath and crossed the room, sitting down at her desk as she pulled out the crumpled manilla folder containing the information for the Melrose listing. With a sigh, she powered up her laptop and typed in the name "Christian Grey" into the search bar.
As the search results populated, Reese's eyes widened. Christian Grey was indeed the man she had met earlier, but he was so much more than just a rude, albeit attractive, homeowner. He was the enigmatic and powerful CEO of Grey Enterprises Holdings, a business magnate with a reputation as intimidating as his presence. The more she read, the more Reese realized just how significant this listing could be. This wasn't just any property—this was a career-defining opportunity.
Reese leaned back in her chair, her thoughts swirling with a mix of excitement and anxiety. This morning's encounter had just become the most important moment of her career, and she knew she needed to handle it with the utmost care. As she stared at her laptop screen, her mind raced with possibilities. There was so much to do, so much to prepare for, and the clock was already ticking.