Painting A Lost Heart novel Chapter 9

My mouth dropped in awe. I didn't know which part of the contract astounded me more- the massive construction of what Denise claimed to be a "humble abode" or the fact that this broken down house would cost Denise's boss a million dollars.

Yup. Section 2, paragraph 8 was no joke. I had to support Erin's back before she fell unconscious after seeing the amount herself.

I scoffed. There was nothing humble about buying the whole neighborhood just for a "humble abode"- it was a mansion. He or she had to be insane to pay that much for an old house.

I remembered the conversation Nana and I shared before I left Vancouver. Yes, the fact that she had waited for the right time for the house to be sold in the market indicated that she didn't need the house anymore. But for me, this was a newfound place, somewhere where I felt alive and inspired. I felt a little closer to my deceased father by living under the same roof, where he grew up in.

Erin nudged me to the elbow, making me snap out of my reverie. I leveled my eye contact to the slim woman who was patiently waiting for me to sign the contract.

I cleared my throat and swallowed hard. "I'm terribly sorry Miss Denise but this property is not for sale." My words stung Denise like bees that it only led her looking flabbergasted.

"In fact, I don't think it'll ever be." Without waiting for her to reply, I grabbed Erin's arm and dragged her inside the house. The moment I closed the door behind me, I was pretty damn sure that I made it very clear that I didn't want this house to be sold to whoever.

I gave it a good minute before I peeked through the window. Finally, Denise and her gang were clear from my peripherals. I limped in the couch as soon as I realized how much deep shit I just got into.

"Holy crap, Em! Are you sure about this? This is serious stuff- D.V. Aircraft is not a small business, you know." Erin emphasized as she put a hand on her hips.

The beat of my heart stabilized now. A million dollars. I couldn't help but shake my head in disbelief. "What's the big deal about this company anyway?"

Erin shot up an eyebrow. "They are the reason why you are able to fly from Vancouver to Toronto."

I paused and thought about it for a second. "A ticketing company?"

Erin snorted and dropped her body on the other couch. "No, silly. They manufacture aircraft parts for any airline around the globe. Did you know that the family has a net worth that is in par with the Prince of Dubai?"

I groaned. Formidable opponent indeed, but let it be the Prime Minister or even the richest man in the face of the earth, the sentiment and attachment that built up for this home would never overweigh any amount.

After many days of renovating, revamping, and hours of decorating Nana's very old house, Erin and I finally had the chance to go out and enjoy the Toronto sun. The warm May weather in the city felt different compare to my hometown- the fierce sun was aggressive yet the wind countered the heat.