Dreams Can Come True

28. Online search

The kitchen was filled with the soft bubbling of the coffee machine as I nervously stared at the table. Elise was busy showing various apartments on her laptop, and I could feel the rising nervousness at the thought of her living alone. Her decision to find her own place was incomprehensible to me but admirable, and it also brought a certain degree of uncertainty.
Meanwhile, the other Elise's apartment had been cleaned up by a cleaning service and was available for rent again. The thought that David might find out her new place sent a slight shiver down my spine. I didn't even want to think about it.
Elise began showing the first apartment. My eyes scrolled over the screen, and at first glance, it seemed cozy. The space was large enough and had a modern feel to it. My thoughts wandered to the possibilities of how we could decorate the space, but then my eyes fell on the location. The apartment was just outside the city, which would mean I'd be at least an hour away if I wanted to visit her.
"Hmm," I grumbled thoughtfully, shaking my head. Elise looked up from her laptop, gauging my reaction.
"Do you not like it?" she asked cautiously.
I nodded gently and bit my lip. "It's at least an hour away," I finally said.
"Do you mind?" Elise asked, and I noticed a concerned look in her eyes.
I sighed and met her gaze. "Yes, of course. I'd really prefer something closer. So I can see you more quickly," I confessed.
"Okay," she agreed, and I could see she understood my concerns. The thought of an apartment out of reach left a knot in my stomach, but I didn't want to be selfish. It was important for Elise to find a place that made her happy and was practical for both of us.

Elise clicked on, her fingers gracefully dancing over the laptop keyboard as she conjured up the next apartment on the screen. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she spoke, "This one is at most fifteen minutes from here."
The new apartment, now displayed on the screen, was noticeably smaller than its predecessor. Still, we carefully went through each photo as if we were trying to taste the atmosphere of the rooms. A small sigh escaped my lips, not out of disappointment but rather thoughtfulness.
"What's wrong?" Elise asked, her gaze concerned on me.
"I'd like you to find an apartment where I can step outside, on a balcony or something," I confessed. "If I want to smoke, I don't want to be standing on the street. Otherwise, everyone in Berlin will know I'm there regularly, and the paparazzi will always be there."
Elise sighed understandingly, a smile of agreement on her face. "Yes, you're right. Then I'll scratch this one off the list," she said with a slight tone of determination. "Or," she continued.
"Then you'll have to quit smoking," she teased me, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
I responded with a gentle punch, a smile on my face. "Maybe someday," I retorted with a wink. Elise looked at me, her eyes full of affection, and said, "Hey, you know I don't mind that, right?" My response was a tender kiss on her cheek.
"I love you just the way you are, Bill Kaulitz, and I wouldn't want to change anything about you," she whispered with loving sincerity, and my heart melted at her words. Butterflies fluttered wildly in my stomach, fueled by the warmth of her words.
"So, the next one?" she asked, without waiting for my answer.

Elise showed me the next apartment, and I could barely hide my disappointment. It seemed like time had stood still in that space. The kitchen was almost falling apart, and the wallpaper on the walls resembled that of my grandmother's. "What does this apartment look like now, Elise?" I complained, furrowing my eyebrows.
"I'm sure I can make something beautiful out of it," she defended her choice with a smile. My sigh deepened, knowing that with such an old infrastructure, problems would arise sooner or later, and she'd be on the phone with the landlord more often than anyone else.
"You can't say no to everything, Bill. Otherwise, I'll never find anything," she said, a bit frustrated.
"Give me the laptop," I said and turned the screen to me. I clicked on an apartment that met my expectations. It had a modern feel, wasn't too big but certainly not too small, and it had a spacious terrace. What I also found very important was that it was only 10 minutes away from my apartment.
"What do you think of this?" I asked Elise, hoping for a positive reaction. However, she started talking about the price before even looking at the apartment. "Bill, have you checked the price? I still have to be able to afford it, you know!"
"Then I'll pay for it for you," I replied immediately. I saw Elise rolling her eyes. "No, I don't want that," she hissed.
I was about to argue further when Tom entered the room. "I don't want to interrupt your cozy chat, but Bill, I really think we need to leave soon if we want to be on time," said Tom. Elise closed her laptop and muttered, "Oh shit, I have to leave too."
Elise suddenly got up, her movements hurried and purposeful. On impulse, I briefly touched her arm, causing her to turn to me. "We'll find the right apartment for you!" I tried to reassure her. A smile spread across her face, and her eyes sparkled gratefully.
"Yes," she affirmed with a soft tone in her voice. Her hand slid over my shoulder and tenderly rested in my neck. A brief but intense kiss followed, her lips touching mine. "See you later, Bill Kaulitz," she whispered with a promising glance.
I watched her as she walked to the front door, her contours elegantly outlined against the light. Her stride, full of confidence and grace, left an indelible impression. The space still breathed her presence, a mixture of perfume and the warmth she left behind. Thoughts of her departure filled my mind, and I couldn't help but admire her – what a woman.