Dorothy was flabbergasted, "You bought the entire Valleyton Plaza?" "I sent you the property list. Didn't you check?" "..." She had never thought about claiming any of his assets, so she hadn't bothered to look.
Everett pondered for a moment before speaking in a deep tone, "There was a partnership deal here before. Ran into sissues with the settlement, so they ended up transferring the entire eighth floor to me. The space is just right, not too big. Perfect for your new startup." If anyone other than Everett had said that, it would have sounded like they were showing off.
Valleyton Plaza, of all places! Who starts a finance firm and immediately takes over an entire floor of Valleyton Plaza? Most would struggle just to cover the rent for a year.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"I don't want it! It's too expensive, I'll look elsewhere." "Dorothy, my place is sitting empty, and you won't use it? Who else's are you planning to use?" Everett immediately frowned in displeasure.
He found this tactic quite effective.
"...your comment makes it sound like I'm planning to cheat," Dorothy couldn't help but laugh, "Of course, I'd choose a place that suits me. Who else could I possibly use?" "Mine." "No, it's too expensive." "I won't charge you." Dorothy pouted, "I knew you'd say that, which is exactly why I won't use it." She had talked about breaking away and starting her own thing. But launching her business in Everett's building? That didn't seem like starting on her own at all.
"Let's do this; it won't be free. I want 20% of your company's annual revenue as rent. How about that?" Everett had anticipated her refusal, so he had his argument ready.
He truly understood Dorothy through and through.
Yet, even so, Dorothy didn't immediately agree.
"My company's just starting. 20% of the revenue probably wouldn't even cover a fifth of the rent for the eighth floor! Everett, stop joking." "I'm not joking! Do you even know how much 20% of your first year's revenue will be?" Dorothy blinked and then shook her head, "No clue." But she knew it wouldn't be much! "If you don't know, why not think positively? Maybe your firm will take off, everyone will want to partner with you, and you might even surpass the Lopez Corporation." "...Now that's a stretch." Dorothy's laugh was dry.
Everett, however, seemed confident, "See, you decide to start a business but then doubt yourself. Are you starting a company just to lose money?" || "You have to believe in yourself." He gently stroked her hair, his voice soft, "And you've gotbacking you up. Don't hesitate, don't be afraid!" "But you're also a businessman! You could easily lease out the entire Valleyton Plaza and make a steady
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmincome. Why go out of your way to lease it toin this manner Priot to givean advantage?" Dorothy felt this arrangement, if known, might raise eyebrows-
"I'm your man, what's wrong withgiving you an bage? Who can say anything about it?" || "Don't just talk about leasing. Even if
I transferred to your name, who could object?" Everett's face was a picture of sincerity and and seriousness, O T "Dorothy, please, don't separate yourself fromtoo much. It makesfeel like I've never truly had you." Looking into his deep, earnest eyes, Dorothy almost felt herself getting lost in them.
Everett always did this, speaking as if he was the one feeling insecure...
"I am yours." He smiled, "Everything I own is yours, as long as you are mine."