Tour Host

Chapter Sixty

"Our field supervisor wanted to put you on the spot. Four couples were interested in looking at the newly-built houses, and a businessman was interested in a big house. You will be the first to tour this businessman to the mansion."

It was Saturday morning, and Rielle was preparing for her first tour of the high-end subdivision with her new team of real estate agents, and Phoebe belonged to her group. She was waiting for a bus at the bus stop shed when a call came from her cell phone, and it was Phoebe.

"Rielle, are you coming? Where are you?" Phoebe asked anxiously.

"I am waiting for the bus," Rielle answered.

"I'm still on my way to the Office; it would be better if I passed by that bus stop and picked you up instead, or else the team would leave without us." Phoebe was telling her in a worried tone.

"Okay, I'll wait for you since no bus is still in sight. Oh, I see you now, Phoebe." Rielle was waving her hand. Phoebe stopped before her, and both were happy to know they belonged to the same group.

"Our field supervisor wanted to put you on the spot. Four couples were interested in looking at the newly-built houses, and a businessman was interested in a big house. You will be the first to tour this businessman to the mansion and then the four couples to the newly-built houses. So be yourself, don't be nervous, or else the prospective buyers will discontinue, thinking that you do not know what you are offering them, so be calm and focused, Rielle. We are counting on you. This subdivision is new, and if these people decided to live in that place, it would be a great success for us, and good income is coming!" Phoebe feels excited and thrilled.

They saw the van ready to leave, so Rielle flailed her arms to wait for them while Phoebe parked her car.

"What took you both so long? It is a shame to keep our prospects waiting." The field supervisor, Mrs. Rosales, impatiently said, glowering at them.

"We feel sorry for our tardiness, ma'am, and this will not happen again," apologized Phoebe.

They reached the subdivision, and it was indeed a magnificent sight. It embraces the magnificence of Mother Nature amidst lush greens and breathes in the fresh air as one tread along with the splendor and simplicity of natural surroundings. Rielle felt so inspired by the beauty of its surroundings and wished that one day, she would have her place in this newest lifestyle destination.

The field supervisor told Rielle to wait for the businessman since he was coming alone in his car. She was assigned to tour this businessman while Phoebe and the rest took care of the four couples. Her team will accompany her to her first hosting, while the other prospective clients would also like to see and tour the mansion with her.

The van made its first stop at an expansive property five meters from the Multipurpose Hall. Rielle's stint as the property tour host for this one thousand-square-meter luxurious mansion from the north to the east of the subdivision.

While waiting for the businessman, Rielle toured around to familiarize herself with the mansion, then began and introduced herself first. As she was starting her talk, the businessman arrived with his wife. She flinched and dropped from her hand the paper she was holding. The businessman they were expecting was none other than Han Shin Dae. Both were shocked, and they were both speechless, which led Phoebe to pat her shoulders.

"What is it, Rielle? It looked like you'd seen a ghost! Do you know the man?" asked Phoebe, puzzled. Rielle ran away from the crowd and started to calm herself. Phoebe followed, and as she looked at Rielle, she was upset.

"I think I cannot do this, Phoebe. I won't mind if you take this tour with the businessman and his wife." Rielle suggested. The Supervisor who followed them heard Rielle and said,

"No, Rielle, you have to take this. Tour hosting is one opportunity that you should not give away. Go on, stay calm and focused." Advised Mrs. Rosales.

In the meantime, Han Shin Dae stood with the other clients, chatting while they waited. They thought Rielle got nervous because one of the clients commented that it was her first time to tour.

Rielle calmed herself, wanted to finish this, and asked Phoebe to walk along as she did the touring. She went back and began to talk, describing the property's size.

"This property stands a one thousand square meters with its great massive backyard with the extension of a garden. And below was a stonewall swimming pool with natural stone wall cladding that acts like a waterfall coming from the infinity pool above the upper level of the backyard."

And as she walked along guiding Shin Dae and his companion, she held on to Phoebe.

"Footlights were guiding along the way, and the best feature of the house was like a rare gem with its finishes and fixtures where the size of the pool area shows a heated tub, commonly called a jacuzzi." Shin Dae silently assisted her as she was about to push the door open.

"The door from the jacuzzi led first to the laundry and utility area, which also houses three rooms that comprise all eight bedrooms. The first floor showed shower areas for the swimming pool, a fully equipped gym room, then a sauna room that could fit five people." Shin Dae followed her, staring and listening intently while the woman with him kept her arms clung to Shin Dae, feeling insecure. Rielle's eyes were to the hands of the woman sticking to Shin Dae. Rielle continued, leading them to the garage.

"This is the four-car covered garage where the mansion provided two rooms for the drivers and a car storage area leading to the main driveway, gate, and main entry." Rielle continued opening doors while Shin Dae was assisting her.

"The house had a powder room, a kitchen, and the private bar was next. The house soundproofed the chat room in the bar, but as you look outside the window, you will see the pool and greens." The woman, who happened to be Ae-Ri, spoke in Korean, "Shin, I like the kitchen. It is wide and spacious, where I can furnish everything I need, and that bar was cool; I saw a wine chiller by the door, then we could put all our favorite expensive wines around the private bar. Isn't it cool, Shin?" she exclaimed, making Rielle cough. Shin Dae stared at Rielle, then beamed. Then Rielle led them to the dining area by the pool. "This dining area is a perfect spot for the family while swimming." Looking straight at Shin Dae. Rielle seemed to gain her confidence and courage. She thought to herself, why would she be bothered? Her relationship with his cousin, Hyun-Ki, was so over that she didn't care anymore. Moreso, he had no more intention of coming back to her. She led them to the upper level of the mansion.

"This upper level was surrounded by imposing columns covered with travertine tiles where you can view the pool area and the massive garden. There was also this viewing deck where you could see the city's gorgeous skyline and the green garden of the mansion itself. The main double entry door of the estate was of solid Nara with a bit of finished accent that added drama and character to the entryway and met with a grand foyer. Ae-Ri was so excited about the place and was touching the walls dreamily.

"This gorgeous living area had double height ceiling that adds up to the hominess of the house, and then a wide dining area provided a Nara cabinet and then a kitchen with a countertop made of granite and a stainless-steel sink with a movable faucet head and a cooktop with range hood, and then a spacious walk-in pantry." Shin Dae was tapping the countertop and opening the faucet as if making sure of its sturdiness. Rielle ascended the stairs.

"The second floor also has a landing area if one seeks quiet time alone or with the family. There was also a spacious study room with bookshelves, cabinets, and a bathroom. The bedrooms have air conditioning units and a bathroom with an enclosed shower area. All the bedrooms' doors had a smart lock system, and each bedroom had a study, vanity area, a walk-in closet, and bathroom. And the main bedroom has access to the personal balcony with a panoramic view of the entire city." Ae-Ri continued to express her excitement to Shin Dae as Rielle observed them both.

"This mansion is truly perfect, don't you think, Shin?" exclaimed Ae-ri feeling thrilled about the mansion. "You have to make him buy this, Shin; it's perfect!" suggested Ae-Ri in a whisper. Shin remained quiet.

After the tour, Rielle told them they could all leave the mansion now so her team could secure the place before proceeding to the following houses the four couples wished to see. Shin Dae approached Phoebe and asked for a calling card.

"I have here my calling card, or do you need Miss Rielle's since she was your tour guide?" asked Phoebe, staring at Shin Dae's bright expression. "Can I have both of your calling cards?" Shin Dae took both from Phoebe's hands and waited.

Rielle heaved her breath after the tour, grateful it was over. Mrs. Rosales congratulated her, and she hoped the businessman would reach out about the house.

"I think the wife is more interested, for she was fascinated by the beauty of the entire mansion." Said Phoebe, and Rielle remained quiet.

"It has been a big question mark for me, Rielle, when you saw Mr. Han Shin Dae. Do you know him? If not, what made you upset?" Phoebe asked, wondering. Shin Dae approached Rielle then Phoebe left her alone with him. Shin Dae asked questions that puzzled him.

"Why did you not come to Korea with Hyun-Ki, Rielle? It has been more than a year since we have never heard from you; what happened to both of you?" As Rielle was about to speak, Ae-Ri approached them. Han Shin Dae then bid Rielle goodbye and told her he would call. Ae-Ri then asked Shin if he knew Miss Calma. Shin Dae only answered, a long time ago,' then both left.

Rielle was so upset about meeting Shin Dae at the most unexpected place. She does not want to hear anything about Hyun-Ki anymore, and she is considering closing her book with Hyun-Ki's memories; then, Han Shin Dae comes. It seemed to her that she could not escape from Hans.

Meanwhile, Shin Dae dashed to Hyun-Ki's Office directly. Still, before Shin Dae attended the house tour of Rielle, Hyun-Ki had been back a month ago because he received news again of Rielle's whereabouts from the private detective he hired a year ago.

"Yes, this is Han Hyun-Ki. Who is this?" asked the caller over his cell phone.

"This is Detective Ramos, Sir. I want to inform you that I found your wife, Gabrielle. According to a source, she was working in a real estate company here in the Metropolis, so I lost my radar because she moved out from the city where I thought she went abroad. I am sorry I made a mistake, so I am making up for this shortcoming which is why I am giving you this information." Hyun-Ki could not speak about this news; he felt shocked and disbelieving.

"Hello, Mr. Han, are you still with me?" the detective paused, then he continued, "I am sending you through text the name of the real estate company she was with." the call ended.

Hyun-Ki started pacing the floor, thinking of his next step. Then he called for Hwan Chul.

"Hwan, let us go back to the Philippines. I decided to look into the two subsidiaries and see how we could work on the suggestion of Mr. Hinode." Rielle enlivened Hyun-Ki, and his feeling elevated to hope.

"I'm so happy to reach that decision. I'll have to prepare everything, and then how soon are we going to fly back there, Hyeong?" asked Hwan, feeling ecstatic.

"Can we do it this week, Hwan? I can't seem to think straight," Hyun-Ki was restless but thrilled.

During the night with Ae-Ri, Hyun-Ki confronted her about his leaving and that it would probably take a week before returning. Ae-Ri would not believe Hyun-Ki and insisted on coming with him.

"I still have to fix our old place to settle because it took me a long time before returning to the Metropolis." Said Hyun-Ki defensively.

"Then you can rent an apartment first; I am used to living even in a small apartment, so it will not be a problem for me," insisted Ae-Ri.

"Look, Ae-Ri, I am not sure yet what awaits me there because it was almost less than two years since I left. Just let me settle first, then I'll let you know." Hyun-Ki stressed.

"If by a week there's no news from you, I'll go there myself to find you," Ae-Ri warned him.