This one

Arell made his way into the lobby of the real estate building where he approached the reception desk, a polished receptionist greeting him with a warm smile.

"Good morning. How can I assist you today?" she asked, her tone polite and professional.

"Hi, I'm here to meet with a real estate agent. My name is Arell, I have an appointment," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Ah, yes. Mr. Rose, welcome. Ms. Thompson is expecting you. Please follow me." she said, standing and leading him through a series of corridors.

They reached a door marked "Jessica Thompson, Senior Agent." The receptionist knocked briefly before opening the door and stepping aside.

"Ms. Thompson, Mr. Rose is here for his appointment."

Jessica Thompson looked up from her desk, a welcoming smile spreading across her face. She was a woman in her mid-forties, with sharp features softened by her warm demeanor and sharp business attire. "Mr. Arell, it's a pleasure to meet you." she said, standing to shake his hand.

"Please, call me Arell," he said, shaking her hand firmly. "And the pleasure is mine, Ms. Thompson."

"Jessica, please," she corrected with a smile, gesturing for him to sit. "Let's get started, shall we?"

Arell took a seat. "Geoffrey mentioned that you have some properties lined up for us to consider."

Jessica nodded, opening a portfolio on her desk. "Indeed, Geoffrey provided quite a comprehensive brief. We have several properties that fit your criteria. Let's start with the first one, located in Midtown. It's a modern townhouse, spacious and with great potential for both personal and business use."

She slid a set of photos and documents across the desk. Arell picked them up, flipping through the images of a sleek, stylish townhouse with large windows and an open floor plan. "This looks promising," he remarked, while inwardly he thought to himself. "There's no way anywhere close to ten people can live here."

"It's in a prime location," Jessica added. "Close to amenities, and the neighborhood is up-and-coming, which means property values are expected to rise."

They moved on to the next property, a historic brownstone in a more residential area. "This one has a lot of character," Jessica explained. "It's been recently renovated but retains its original charm. It's perfect if you're looking for something with a bit more personality and its on the lower end in terms of price and with the budget, given you're living arrangements, you can buy multiple within the same residental area."

Arell took a deep breath, his mind racing as he considered his options. He looked up at Jessica, his decision made. "Jessica, these are great, but I need something more private. Something where I can have peace and quiet. What was the budget limit Geoffrey gave you?"

Jessica glanced at her notes. "Geoffrey mentioned a budget of up to $700,000."

"Let's bump that up to $1 million," Arell said firmly.

Jessica nodded, her expression professional. "I understand. With that increased budget, we have a few more options. Let me show you a property that I think might be exactly what you're looking for."

She pulled out a different set of documents and photos, placing them in front of Arell. "This property is listed at $1.29 million, but it's been on the market for a while, and I believe we can negotiate the price down to around $1 million."

Arell's interest was piqued. "Tell me more about it."

Jessica smiled, clearly pleased with his response. "It's a classic Southern home, situated on nearly two acres of land, providing ample space and privacy. The house itself is around 7,000 square feet, featuring eight bedrooms and six bathrooms, though, it needs some renovating."

She flipped through the photos, pointing out key features. "The grand entryway has high ceilings and hardwood floors, leading into formal living and dining rooms with detailed millwork. The gourmet kitchen is equipped with professional-grade appliances and custom cabinetry."

Arell nodded, impressed. "Sounds perfect so far."

Jessica continued, "The master suite includes a sitting area, a fireplace, and a luxurious bathroom. The finished basement has a home theater, a game room, and additional guest suites. The outdoor living space includes a large patio, a garden, and plenty of room for a pool. Plus, there's a gated entrance with a security system."

Arell's eyes widened as he considered the features. "This sounds incredible. Why is it priced so low?"

Jessica leaned back slightly, adopting a more conversational tone. "The property is priced lower because the previous owner barely frequents the house and is motivated to sell quickly. Additionally, the house isn't exactly in excellent condition and the market in this area has been a bit slow."

Arell smiled, this was the one he wanted, condition aside, it was practically perfect. "This sounds like exactly what I need. Let's move forward with this one."

Jessica's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Great choice, Arell. Let me just check if it's available for viewing right now." She picked up the phone and quickly dialed a number, speaking softly to the person on the other end. After a brief conversation, she hung up and smiled at Arell. "Good news, the property is available for a viewing right now. Would you like to go see it?"

Arell nodded eagerly. "Sure, let's do it."

As Jessica gathered the necessary documents, Arell pulled out his phone and sent a quick message to Becalis. "Will come by soon."

Jessica glanced up, her paperwork in order. "All set. Do you have a vehicle, or would you need a ride?"

"I have my own, thanks," Arell replied.

"Perfect. Just follow me, and I'll lead the way," Jessica said, standing up and leading him out of the office.

They made their way through the corridors and out to the parking lot. Arell followed Jessica to her car, then got into his own vehicle, He started the engine and fell in line behind Jessica, who led the way through the city streets and out towards the more suburban area where the property was located.

As Arell followed Jessica's car down the tree-lined driveway, his anticipation grew. When the house came into view, he couldn't help but be impressed. The home stood majestic with its southern architecture, large white columns framing the grand entrance, and a warm, inviting yellow exterior that stood out against the lush greenery.

He parked his car and stepped out, taking in the sight of the sprawling front lawn and the flower beds. Jessica walked up to him, a smile on her face as she saw his reaction.

"It's stunning, isn't it?" she said.

Arell nodded, his eyes still on the house. "It's incredible. The design, the colours—everything."

Jessica chuckled softly. "This is one of the gems in Buckhead, a very secluded area known for its luxury homes and peaceful surroundings. The previous owner was a prominent business figure and as I said they hardly visit."

She glanced at her notes. "The neighborhood is known for its privacy and security, and the property itself is equipped with a great security system, weatherproof night vision cameras, an alarm system, smart lights and even laser sensors."

Arell followed Jessica to the front door, and she unlocked it, pushing it open to reveal the grand entryway. The high ceilings immediately drew Arell's gaze upwards, and he admired the elegant light fixture that hung there, casting a warm glow over the space. The hardwood floors were a rich, dark wood, complementing the light, neutral walls.

"This entryway sets the tone for the rest of the house," Jessica said. "The high ceilings make the space feel even larger, and the hardwood floors add a touch of classic elegance. If you wanted to, you could add a runner rug to soften the space and add a personal touch."

Arell nodded, appreciating the suggestion as he followed her into the formal living room. Large windows filled the room with natural light, highlighting the detailed millwork on the walls and ceiling. The room was spacious, with a cozy fireplace as the focal point.

"This living room is perfect for entertaining," Jessica said. "The fireplace adds warmth and charm, and the millwork gives the room a sophisticated feel. If you ever wanted to update it, you could consider adding some built-in bookshelves or even modernizing the fireplace surround."

Next, they moved into the formal dining room, which was equally impressive. The room featured a large chandelier above where a dining table would go, and the walls were adorned with elegant wainscoting.

"This room can comfortably host large dinner parties," Jessica noted. "The chandelier is a nice touch, but if you're into a more contemporary look, you could swap it out for a more modern fixture."

They continued to the gourmet kitchen, which left Arell speechless. Professional-grade appliances, custom cabinetry, and a large island with a granite countertop made the kitchen both functional and beautiful.

"Wow," Arell said, running his hand along the smooth countertop.

"The kitchen is definitely one of the highlights," Jessica agreed. "It's designed for someone who loves to cook and entertain."

They moved on to the master suite, which was as luxurious as promised. It featured a sitting area with a fireplace, large windows, and a spacious bathroom with a soaking tub and walk-in shower.

"The master suite is a sanctuary," Jessica said. "The sitting area is perfect for relaxing, and the bathroom feels like a spa."

Finally, they headed to the finished basement. "This basement is perfect for entertainment and guests," Jessica said. "The home theater is ready for movie nights, and the game room is great for parties. If you wanted to, you could also use part of this space as a home gym or office."

They ended the tour in the outdoor living area, where a large patio overlooked a beautifully landscaped garden. "There's plenty of room here for a pool, as I mentioned," Jessica said. "And the garden is lovely, but you could also add some more seating areas or even a fire pit for outdoor gatherings."

Arell was thoroughly impressed. The privacy and serenity of the location were exactly what he needed. It had everything he could possibly want, and more.

"It's really nice," he said, turning to Jessica. "It has plenty of space for everyone I'm going to be living with, and there's even room to add more bedrooms if needed."

Jessica smiled, clearly pleased with his reaction. "So, what do you think? Is this the one?"

Arell nodded, his decision firm. "Yes, I want it."

"Great," Jessica said, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "I'll prepare the paperwork and contact you as soon as possible."

"And what about the price?" Arell asked.

"Don't worry," Jessica reassured him. "I'll negotiate it down as low as I possibly can, just for you."

"Thank you," Arell said, appreciating her dedication.

Jessica smiled warmly. "You're welcome. Now, let me finalize everything, and I'll be in touch shortly."

As they made their way back to the cars, Arell couldn't help but think about how absurd it was that he was buying such an incredible property. Just three months ago, he had nothing to his name, and now he was about to own a million-dollar home.

He sent another quick message to Becalis: "Heading over to meet you now."

Jessica waved as they parted ways. "I'll be in touch soon, Arell. Have a wonderful day!"

"You too, Jessica," he replied, getting into his car.

<> 

He pulled up to the hotel, parked, and made his way to Becalis' room. The hallway was eerily silent as he knocked on the door and waited. After a brief pause, the door swung open, revealing Becalis with a warm smile on her face.

"Hey," Arell greeted her, his voice echoing slightly in the quiet corridor.

"Hey, come on in," she invited, moving aside to allow him entry. "Geoffrey asked me to give you this," Arell added, extending a folder towards her.

"Thanks," Becalis responded, accepting the folder. "Make yourself at home."

Arell kicked off his shoes and entered, the sound of running water catching his attention. He scanned the room and inquired, "Where are your friends staying?"

Becalis lifted her gaze from the folder. "They're in different rooms, courtesy of your manager."

"Got it," Arell acknowledged with a nod.

As Becalis delved into the contents of the folder, she exclaimed, "Wow, twenty-thousand-dollar advance, another forty grand once my first track hits a million streams..."

Arell found himself taken aback; he hadn't thoroughly reviewed those details. Geoffrey was offering her a lot of money.

Suddenly, the bathroom door creaked open, and Hennessy emerged, her body glistening with water droplets beneath a translucent robe that left little to the imagination. Arell's eyes grew wide, his words momentarily escaping him.

"Hello, Arell," Hennessy greeted, her smile hinting at mischief.

"I... uh, should I give you some space?" Arell stammered, attempting to collect himself.

"Not at all," Hennessy assured him, beginning to towel-dry her hair.

Becalis exchanged a quick glance with Hennessy saying, "I need to grab something really quick. Arell, just hang tight."

With a cryptic smile aimed at Hennessy, she exited the room. Arell coughed lightly, striving to compose himself. The atmosphere shifted to a companionable silence as Hennessy continued her grooming routine.

"How's everything been treating you lately?" Hennessy eventually asked, piercing the quiet.

Arell cleared his throat, trying to maintain his composure amidst the awkward tension. "I'm fine, I went house viewing today actually," he shared, his eyes darting away from Hennessy's partially visible form under the sheer fabric of her robe. Her playful smile seemed to taunt him, making it difficult to focus on the conversation.

Hennessy paused her hair drying, tilting her head curiously. "Oh? And how did that go?"

Arell managed to find his voice again, "It went well, surprisingly. Found a place that seems perfect. A big, southern type of home with lots of land and privacy. Exactly what I was looking for."

"That sounds lovely," Hennessy commented, her tone genuine. She wrapped the towel around her head, securing it in place. "Privacy is underrated, don't you think?"

Hennessy moved closer, her proximity causing Arell's heart to race. "Especially now," she added, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. She placed a hand on his arm, her touch sending a jolt through him. Arell tried his best to maintain eye contact, fighting the urge to glance downward.

His voice caught in his throat, his mind racing to process the situation. "Are you alright?" he finally managed to ask, his gaze locked onto hers, searching for any sign of discomfort or hesitation.

Hennessy met his concern with a reassuring smile, her eyes never leaving his. "Yes, I am," she replied.

Hennessy's hand moved from his arm, gliding down to rest on his thigh, her touch firm and deliberate.

Arell swallowed hard, his mind frantically searching for a reason to reject her advances, to assert some semblance of control over the situation. Yet, every argument he conjured up seemed to dissolve in the face of her unwavering gaze and the undeniable chemistry between them.

"Your sister..." he began, his voice shaky.

Hennessy's smile was slow, almost predatory, as she leaned in closer. "She won't be coming back anytime soon," she said, her fingers gently kneading his thigh through the thin fabric of his pants.

Arell felt the heat rising within him, a battle between his instincts and his better judgment. He wanted to push her away, to insist on maintaining a professional relationship. Yet, the words refused to come out, trapped somewhere between his throat and his brain.

"Alright," he finally managed to say, his voice barely more than a whisper. The admission was reluctant, tinged with resignation and a hint of excitement.

"Well, I hope I live up to your expectations." Without giving him a chance to respond, she gracefully sank to her knees before him, her eyes never leaving his.