Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
“He’s going to turn it into a property someone has already paid eighty-two million dollars for,” Luca admits.
I feel my jaw drop. “What? I thought it wasn’t going on the market until the show was done. It’s kind of the point of the show. We’re supposed to rehab the place and then hope we can sell it.”
“And if I’ve learned anything in my time working in reality television, it is that reality is a word we play with,” Luca admits. “Banover Place has already been sold. At least in theory, though Anika trusts the buyer. This is the show that will hopefully fund the rest of our company. We’re new. We don’t have the capital to buy the building, pay for everything, and hope we can get the price we need. So this is how we’re working.”
My gut sinks. “And Reid is working with the buyer, isn’t he?”
Luca nods. “Not on everything. Just on the basics of design. We want it to be a surprise. The buyer won’t be visiting, but they will be making decisions on certain aspects of the design.”
“Then I’m not needed, am I? I was supposed to come in because preservation is my specialty.” I’m not sure why I’m here if they’re going to gut the place and turn it into…well, this. The apartment I’m standing in is gorgeous by modern standards, but there’s such beauty in the past, too. Do we have to change everything?
“Harper, do you have to have everything your way in order to work on this project?” Luca asks the question with a surprising lack of judgment. “This is likely my fault. I told Anika I wanted to film your real reactions and negotiations. Perhaps we should have brought you in on the entire process.”
But that isn’t how a contractor works. The truth is I’m here to work with the designers. I’m not supposed to argue whether the design is good, only to tell them if it can work and how much time and money it will take to see the thing through. I feel guilty because I’m turning this into something it’s not about. Me. “I’m sorry. Banover Place is special to me, and I might be doing exactly what Reid accused me of. I’m trying to control something that isn’t mine to control. If this was any other job, I would simply tell you whether I can make it happen. I certainly don’t argue with the dude who owns the big box store about where to put his aisles.”
“It’s special to Anika, too,” Luca replies softly. “This isn’t some retail store. We’re talking about a home. We’re talking about history. Do you think it’s not important to me? I fell in love with Anika in that house. I want it to shine. But I have to balance what I want with what the person paying us millions wants as well. We believe after all is said and done and we sell the house and the show, we could bring in over a hundred million. Do you know how many homes can be fixed in my country for that money? We can attract some contractors and get real work done. We’re a small country. We don’t have the professionals needed to deal with the overwhelming destruction we suffered. We still have people living in tents.”
Tears well. Yep. I suck. “I think it might be best if you got someone else.”
“And break my wife’s heart?” He’s right back to looking like a king. “Do you think she doesn’t feel the distance? She’s living in a foreign country, away from the women she views as sisters. She’s been looking forward to this for a long time. She’s worried you’ll drift apart, and working on this with you is one of her ways of keeping the connection.”
“But I don’t know that working with Reid is going to be a good thing for the project in the long run, and I am starting to suspect whoever bought the place wants him on board.”
He gives me a curt nod before leaning forward, placing his hands on the desk and staring at me like I suspect he would stare at one of the members of his cabinet who upset him. “Reid isn’t going anywhere. He’s doing the job we need him to do.”
“Then I understand.”
“No, you don’t. You’re not going anywhere either. Do you remember that contract I had you sign? The one you were so sure you didn’t need to read? Because you thought Anika had control. She did not. I did.”
Oh, I’m not sure I like this side of Luca. Except I kind of do. He’s always a gentleman. Like I’ve watched the man pick Ani up so her feet don’t get wet when it rains. I kind of thought he was a little soft. I worried he wouldn’t protect her if he had to choose between his office and his wife. I’m starting to understand the man won’t allow anything or anyone to harm Ani.