New Beginnings

Chelsea

I woke up to the sound of my alarm, practically jumping out of bed in excitement. I was more than ready for the first day of my new job. I love what I do, and this was, finally, my new beginning.

Two months ago, I packed up my life and moved to the other side of the country. Before I moved, I had no idea where I wanted to go, but I traveled the country on an open ended road-trip. While exploring Chicago, I stumbled upon this gorgeous colonial house, in a suburb close to the lake. I put down an offer, and six weeks later, I moved in!

I walked into the bathroom, feeling like a giddy teenager. After a quick shower, I sat down in front of my vanity, ready to do my makeup. I’ve always been into glam, and making myself look good, but today I go for a more natural look, enhancing my features.

After doing my hair, I took a good look at myself in the mirror. My soft brown eyes are surrounded by long, thick eyelashes. My lips are plump, and my high cheekbones are a perfect match with my narrow jaw. My blonde hair reaches my mid back, falling in soft waves. I look good.

I’ve always loved giving off girl boss vibes, and I feel like I’m currently pulling it off perfectly.

I walked into my wardrobe, putting on the outfit I picked out for my first day. Moving from Miami to Chicago, I had to buy an almost entirely new wardrobe. The climate here is so different from what I’m used to.

For my first day, I’d chosen a white, ribbed body cone dress, with gold buttons details. After slipping into the dress, I step into my favorite nude pumps, and checking myself out in the floor length mirror, I love the way I look.

Thankfully it’s still summer, so I won’t need a coat today.

Quickly making my way downstairs, I got myself a cup of coffee in a travel mug, not wanting to waste any more time. I’m too eager to get to work.

I grabbed my Tory Burch tote bag that I use for work, my laptop and portfolio inside, and head out the front door. Jumping into my silver Mercedes GLE, I take a look at my house and smile.

It’s a gorgeous white colonial, with dark blue shutters and front door. The house is big, much more than I really need, but I do hope to have a family again some day. It’s a two story house with five bedrooms, a home office, a small library/reading room and a large, brand new kitchen.

When I lived in Miami, my house was new and modern, and that’s probably why I fell in love with this gorgeous old house. It was so different from anywhere I’d lived before, and different was exactly what I needed.

I backed out of my driveway and headed into the city for work. I was the newest real estate agent at Lockwood Real Estate, a large firm run by Anne Lockwood, a true powerhouse of a woman. She was seriously goals!

She had absolutely nothing after her divorce ten years ago, so she got her real estate lisence, and started her own business. She’d grown from being just her that first year, to a large corporation with 15 real estate agents and 5 assistants, working with properties all over the city. Oh, and she only hired women.

When I arrived at work, I parked in the underground garage, and took the elevator up to the 11th floor, where I would be working. I’d been here a couple times before, and greeted the receptionist, Kelly when I arrived. I’d already met everyone working here, and I had been assigned an office.

The space was big and open, with offices along both sides, with a few meeting rooms in between. In the middle, there was an open space with desks for the assistants, no one had a private one, we just used whomever was available when we needed help. There was also a large lounge area, with big comfy sofas.

Behind the reception there was a kitchen where we could store and make food, and thank God, a starte of the art coffeemaker. I’m a coffee girl, can you tell?

At the far end was Ms. Lockwood’s office and the big meeting room that we used for our Monday morning meeting. I’d go there in a minute.

All the offices had big windows overlooking the city, and glass walls facing the office space, so it was light all around us. I absolutely loved it.

I went to my office and set down my bag. Grabbing my iPad and Apple pencil, I headed to the meeting room, ready for my first Monday meeting. As I arrived, the other women were also coming into the room, and the atmosphere felt powerful.

I found an empty seat and sat down. All the chairs in the office were these beautiful white leather office chairs, that were super comfortable. Anne Lockwood entered the room, and the buzzing of light chatter stopped. Like I said, powerhouse.

“Good morning, ladies,” she greeted us. We greeted her back, and she started the meeting. She spoke about the new properties coming up for sale, and the other agents told everyone about projects they’d landed the last week, or sales that had gone through. Everyone was completely updated on everything around here.

“And lastly, I’d like to welcome our newest addition, Chelsea Tanner, to the team,” Anne finished, and everyone clapped. I smiled and nodded at everyone, thanking them for the warm welcome.

Anne called the meeting adjourned, and asked me to join her in her office.

Sitting down in her large, immaculately decorated office, I felt almost small. I’m good at what I do, and I absolutely love it. But in Miami, I worked for my fathers firm, where I was one of four employees in a cozy little office. We did good and managed both big and small clients, but it was still a little different.

“So, Chelsea, how are you liking it in Chicago so far?” Anne asked.

“Oh, I love it. It’s so different from what I’m used to, but in the best way,” I smiled at my boss.

“Good, I’m glad,” Anne smiled back. “I called you in here to talk about a new project coming up. I know you haven’t built a property portfolio here yet, and I thought I’d help you get started in a big way.

“There’s a developer we want to sign. They’ve built half the skyline in Manhattan, and now the son has come to Chicago to develop a few new skyscrapers, both commercial and residential. I’d like you to meet with him and sign them as a client.”

I was stunned. This was a huge project, bigger than anything I’d done before.

“Are you sure you want me to do it?”

“Absolutely. You’re new in town, he’s new in town, so you already have that in common. And I do believe you’re the same age, so you probably have several things in common. I’ve looked at the portfolio of the projects you managed in Miami, and I really do believe you’re the best fit for this job, Chelsea!”

“Thank you, Ms. Lockwood, I’m honored.”

“Please, call me Anne. I’ll email you his contact information so you can set up a meeting as soon as possible.”

“Ok, thank you.”

I left Annes office, walking back to my own. Just as I sat down at my desk, an email popped up on my computer.

Not one to waste time, I opened the mail and found the developers number. He’s name was Alec Oberlin, Senior Vice President of Oberlin Enterprises. I called the number, and he picked up at the third ring.

“Alec Oberlin,” he said through the phone. His voice was smooth and sexy, with just a hint of roughness to it.

“Hello, Mr. Oberlin, my name is Chelsea Tanner. I work for Lockwood Real Estate.”

“Good morning, Ms. Tanner. How can I help you?” His voice sounded so sexy, I could barely think, but I was a woman with a mission, so I took a deep breath and dove in.

“Ms. Lockwood told me you are developing some new properties here in Chicago. I’d like to schedule a meeting with you, to discuss the possibility of us handling the sales of your project.”

He was quiet for a moment, and I was afraid I’d lost him.

“Well, Ms. Tanner, I’m intrigued. How about we meet for lunch today? I’m at the Marriott, meet me at the Florentine at noon.”

“I’ll see you then,” I answered and he hung up.

I opened the browser on my laptop, having only about an hour to do research before I had to leave. I looked up Oberlin Enterprises, and when I looked at the pictures of the owners and VPs I had to pick my jaw up off the floor.

Staring at the picture of the senior VP, I almost started drooling. From the picture he looked tall, and he was extremely well dressed. He had dark, neatly styled hair, and a clean shaven jaw. His features looked like they’d been chiseled by a God, and I just knew that meeting this amazing creature could be dangerous.

I was not in a place to date, and I wasn’t interested in anyone right now. But remembering his velvet voice, and seeing his sexy picture, I started getting all hot and bothered. How was I supposed to work with this man, let alone survive lunch?

I googled him personally and saw him on the cover of plenty of magazines. He was always elegantly styled and put together, wearing obviously expensive clothes. But on almost every picture, he had a different girl on his arm. Alec was a playboy, and that made things a little easier for me. I had no desire to be another notch on someones belt.

I spent my time researching their properties and what kind of work the usually did. I looked at some possible spaces that could be suitable for the new project, and made a short presentation. I really wanted to land this project. If I did, I’d be set for a long time, and have a massive portfolio right from the get go.

Gathering all my things, iPad, portfolio and presentation, I headed to the elevators and made my way back down to my car. I still had thirty minutes to spare, and hopefully traffic wouldn’t be bad, and I’d be there in twenty.