Dreams Can Come True

64. The big day

The morning sun streamed through the windows of our kitchen, and I sat at the breakfast table, my hands hurriedly rummaging through the fruit basket on the countertop. My eyes fell upon a ripe banana, nestled enticingly among the other fruits, its yellow peel gleaming in the soft light. Oversleeping had left me with no time for a proper breakfast, so I quickly grabbed the banana as a swift energy boost for the day ahead.
The banana felt firm and juicy in my hand as I plucked it from the bunch. With a sigh, I clumsily began putting on my coat as I ate the banana, the sweet scent of the fruit filling my nose and bringing back memories of summer days from my childhood.
As I donned my coat, I glanced up at Bill, who stood hurriedly on the other side of the table, a piece of fruit in his mouth. His gaze was distracted as he searched for his keys, his face illuminated by a faint smile hinting at the thoughts running through his mind.
"See you at the real estate office tonight, right?" I asked, my voice a mix of excitement and anticipation as I looked at him.
"Yeah yeah, big day today," he mumbled with a full mouth, his words almost unintelligible through the piece of fruit he had stuffed in his mouth. But the twinkle in his eyes betrayed the excitement he felt for the events unfolding that day.
"Okay, see you later," I said, rising to my feet and walking over to give him a kiss. His lips were soft against mine, a final moment of tenderness before we would part ways for the day.
"See you later, darling!" he called after me as I stood in the hallway, my bag over my shoulder and my mind full of the exciting day ahead. With a smile on my face, I stepped out the door, ready for whatever the day would bring.

The day dragged on like a slow, meandering river, each minute seeming endless as I completed my tasks and impatiently awaited the moment when I could pack up and head to the real estate office. My heart pounded with excitement and nervousness for the next step in my life.
As I tidied up my desk in the music studio, Bas approached me with a small succulent plant in his hand. The green leaves stood out cheerfully against the drab office environment. "Here, this is for you," he said with a broad smile. His kind eyes radiated warmth as he handed over the gift. "A present for your new apartment. A little greenery to brighten up your new home."
I gratefully accepted the pot, my fingers gently stroking the soft leaves as I smiled at Bas. His thoughtfulness touched me deeply, and I felt grateful for the friendship we shared. "Thank you, Bas," I said sincerely, my voice soft with emotion. "This means a lot to me."
With the pot securely in my hands, I bid farewell to the rest of our crew, wishing them all a pleasant day off tomorrow.
When I finally closed the office door behind me, I felt the tension in my body increase. The sunbeams caressed my face as I walked outside, the fresh air filling my lungs and filling me with renewed energy. It was time to embrace my new life, to forge my own path and pursue my dreams.
But just as I was about to turn the corner, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. With a quick motion, I retrieved it and read the message from Bill. My heart skipped a beat as I read that he had to work late after all and couldn't join me at the real estate office to pick up the key.
A feeling of disappointment washed over me, but I knew I had to show understanding. Some things were just unavoidable. With a sigh of mixed emotions, I typed back a message: "No problem. See you later. X"
Despite the disappointment, I still felt the excitement for what the evening would bring. I looked forward to exploring my new home, to creating my own space, even if it would be without Bill by my side.

With a nervous flutter in my chest, I stepped into the real estate office. The bells above the door tinkled softly as I entered, and immediately my eyes fell on Julie, seated behind her desk. An uneasy feeling crept over me as I saw her sitting there, her eyes curious upon me.
When she noticed me, she conjured up a smile. "Ah, there you are," she greeted me kindly. "Didn't you bring Bill?" Her curiosity was evident, but I tried not to show my irritation. Instead, I smiled back kindly and replied, "No, it's just me."
At that moment, a door on the side of the office opened, and Charlotte appeared in the doorway. Her friendly demeanor brought a sigh of relief, and I immediately felt at ease in her presence.
"Elise! So nice to see you!" she greeted me with a radiant smile. "Come on in to my office, let's have a chat before we proceed with the paperwork."
I nodded gratefully and followed her inside, glad for the chance to escape the tension between me and Julie. With Charlotte by my side, I felt strengthened and ready to take the next step in the process of finding my new home.