Chapter 4 - Claire’s Dream
Three days later, Claire was unemployed.
Her landlord had left a notice beneath her door.
Her savings account showed £4,218.
Enough for rent.
Not enough to reopen her grandmother’s shop.
The old storefront still existed on Hanover Street.
A narrow brick building with faded green trim and dust-covered windows.
Claire stood outside it that afternoon.
A paper sign remained taped inside.
FOR LEASE.
She stared at it.
“Planning to buy the building with four thousand pounds?”
Claire turned.
Roman De Luca stood behind her.
Black coat.
Dark shirt.
No tie.
The tattoos across his hands were more visible today.
Claire sighed.
“Do you always appear without warning?”
“Usually people notice the cars.”
She looked toward the curb.
One SUV.
“Downsizing?”
“Elena complained.”
“That’s probably wise.”
Roman looked through the storefront window.
“What is this place?”
“My grandmother’s.”
“She owned it?”
“Bookshop downstairs. Coffee counter in the back.”
“What happened?”
“She died.”
Roman waited.
Claire continued.
“Martin’s café was supposed to be temporary. I was saving to reopen this place.”
“How much?”
Claire looked at him.
“No.”
“I asked a question.”
“And I know where it goes.”
Roman almost smiled.
“You think I’m going to hand you money.”
“You tried that already.”
“What if I’m offering an investment?”
“No.”
“You haven’t heard the terms.”
“Your last proposal involved an envelope thick enough to stop a door.”
Roman stepped closer to the window.
“My family owns this building.”
Claire stared at him.
“What?”
“We bought the block six years ago.”
“You’re joking.”
“No.”
Claire looked at the FOR LEASE sign.
“Of course you own it.”
Roman glanced at her.
“Is that an insult?”
“I haven’t decided.”
A second voice came from behind them.
“I told you she wouldn’t make this easy.”
Elena approached with her cane.
Claire smiled.
“Hi.”
Roman frowned.
“You planned this.”
Elena ignored him.
“Claire, Roman has a proposal.”
Claire groaned.
“Elena.”
“Listen first.”
They entered the dusty storefront.
Claire stopped in the middle of the room.
The old shelves remained.
So did the long wooden counter her grandfather had built.
Elena ran her fingertips lightly across its edge.
“You love this place.”
Claire nodded before remembering Elena could not see her.
“Yes.”
Roman opened a folder.
“The space requires repairs. Plumbing, electrical work, kitchen certification.”
Claire crossed her arms.
“I know.”
“I’ll cover renovation expenses.”
“No.”
“As a business investment.”
“No.”
“Claire.”
“What does your family get?”
Roman looked at her.
“Twenty percent until the investment is repaid. After that, five percent for ten years.”
Claire blinked.
“That’s it?”
“That’s it.”
“No control over hiring?”
“No.”
“Menu?”
“No.”
“Books?”
“No.”
“Staffing?”
“No.”
“Name?”
Roman closed the folder.
“It’s your business.”
Claire studied him.
“Why?”
Elena answered.
“Because I asked him.”
Roman looked offended.
“That isn’t entirely true.”
“It is mostly true.”
Claire laughed.
Roman sighed.
“My family operates commercial property. Investing in a tenant is not unusual.”
Claire stared at him.
“You’re pretending this is a normal business decision.”
“I’m excellent at pretending.”
Elena smiled.
“Terrible, actually.”
Claire looked around the empty shop.
Then at the contract.
“I’ll have a lawyer review it.”
Roman nodded.
“Good.”
“And if there’s hidden nonsense, I walk.”
“Good.”
“And I choose the name.”
Roman extended his hand.
Claire looked at it.
Then shook.
His grip was warm but brief.
“What will you call it?” Elena asked.
Claire looked toward the faded wall where her grandmother’s sign used to hang.
“Dawson & Page.”
Elena smiled.
“I like it.”
Roman released Claire’s hand.
“So do I.”
Claire narrowed her eyes.
“You don’t get a vote.”
Roman smiled.
May you like
“I know.”
---
