Life After Heart Break

Realization

Monday morning, I was up bright and early, trying to find the best outfit to wear when the raccoon that had made himself at home started playing in the mirror before me. It was cute, but the little monster needed to be out in the wild. He wasn’t a dog or a cat, and he was eating everything he could get his paws on. No matter how much I fed him, he wanted more. I couldn’t deal with it, which was why I called the wildlife rescue to pick him up today.

It was hard to do, especially since I had named him and gotten attached, but it was better for him. He needed to be around other raccoons, and I couldn’t afford the vet bills or the milk he needed — even though he ate everything in sight. I had to buy him a crate. His little butt was going to stay in there until I came home from work.

“Bandit, I have to go to work, which means you have to go into your new home until I’m back. You have food and water, so be good,” I said as I placed him in the crate. The moment the door shut, he started acting up. I wanted to take him back out, but I didn’t want my house destroyed again, so I didn’t look back as I left him crying.

However, I was nervous as hell. I hadn’t worked in years, and being back in an office felt strange. I took a deep breath before walking in with a smile. “Good morning, Becca, how are you?”

“You’re early, and I’m doing great. Jennifer’s in her office — you can go on back; she’s waiting for you.” That was good to hear, but I wasn’t sure how I felt. Part of me wanted to turn around and walk right back out the door, but instead, I walked to the back and knocked. She told me to come in.

“I like that you’re early. Most people don’t understand the words ‘be here at nine,’ especially my clients. Okay, over the weekend, I reviewed your background. A few years ago, you owned a real estate office with a friend, but you quit. You were one of the best in the game. Do you care to explain what happened? What made you want to come back now?”

I figured she would ask, and I had no problem answering, even though it didn’t have much to do with the job. “I had my first child at nineteen — it was around the time I got my real estate license and the time I got married. Long story short, my husband started working for a construction company that was left to him, and he convinced me to stop working and take care of the kids… until he threw a curveball at me two years later, leaving me with nothing to my name.”

“Well, that was his loss and someone else’s gain. Don’t let what he did weigh you down. So, I assume he has the kids, too? Jackass men — can’t live with them, can’t live without them. I tell you they’d be hopeless without us women.” She smirked, then nodded toward her desk. “Anyhow, I have a job for you on the upper side. I read you were the best at selling mansions. I want to see your work, and I won’t be tagging along. Show me why I need you.”

“Okay, but I don’t have a car.” Jennifer chuckled, handed me the keys to a Kia, and pointed toward the door. I truly didn’t expect her to send me out on my first job alone and on the upper side of the city. I might’ve looked the part, but I was rusty since it had been a while since I last worked.

Still, I wasn’t about to let that stop me. I reached the house and began setting up little props Jennifer had left to make the home feel more inviting. Buyers loved touches like flowers in the kitchen, open curtains, and the fresh smell of vanilla — which I never understood. By the time I was finished, the potential buyers were walking through the door.

“Hello, I’m Asia, and I’ll be your real estate agent today. We can start with a quick tour before I let you explore on your own. This is a spacious home — a great place to raise a family. There are six bedrooms in total, with the master downstairs and a nursery off to the side, whichever you prefer. I’m sorry, I’ve been rude — may I have your names?” I began politely, only to look up and see my ex-husband and his new wife.

I wanted to turn and walk out, but I took a deep breath and shook it off. It felt like Jennifer had planned this just to test how I would react under pressure. I couldn’t let them get to me — I needed this job. I wasn’t going to let anything stop me.

“Funny — I didn’t check the names before speaking. Hendrix and Mai, you’re free to walk around on your own. Feel free to ask questions. I’d also like to point out that the backyard is fenced in, with a built-in playset that’s great for children.”

“Mai, you can look around. I need to speak to her for a moment.” I sighed as his b***h muttered something I didn’t catch before walking away, leaving the two of us standing in the foyer. I hated to admit it, but living in a house like this had once been our dream, and he was supposed to be the one building it.

“How are my babies?”

“They’re great, but Junior’s been asking for you. That wasn’t why I wanted to talk to you. I warned you this would happen if we ended up in the same place again. I bet you took this job because you saw my name on the house and thought it’d bring you closer to me. When will it sink in that I don’t want you anymore? You were useless.”

“Respectfully, I’m here to sell a house. I didn’t know you were the buyer until I looked up and saw you. Trust me, if I had known, I would’ve turned the job down. And get over yourself, Henny — I stopped loving you the moment I realized how cruel you were. You took my money, my children, and my peace. I’m here to sell a house, as I said when you walked in. It’s spacious, good for a family, pets, whatever you like.”

Hendrix stood there silently as I turned to walk away, but then he grabbed me by the arm and pushed me against the wall until we were nose to nose. I didn’t know what was wrong with him, but I tried to shove him off as his hand slid up my skirt and under my dress.

“GET OFF ME! NOW!” What the hell was wrong with this man? If he thought he still had the right to touch me, he was wrong. I didn’t want him anymore, and he needed to understand that. I was done crying — done being that broken woman he tried to make me into.

“What’s going on? I thought I heard her yell.”

“We were having a heated argument about the kids. I also decided to let her have Princess since she’s her dog and you don’t like her. Get her from the car, and I think we’re going to buy the house.”

“We are? Goody, goody! Thanks, babe!” her stupid ass chirped. She had to have seen him fixing his pants when she came in. He probably bought the house just to get under my skin, but honestly, I was happy to make a sale.

“I need you two to sign here and here.”

“Do I look like an i***t? Why would I let her sign her name on the deed of something I’m buying? You don’t know me at all, do you?”

“Oh, I know you all right,” I said quietly. “But you’ll see in the end that women are not to be f****d with. You hurt me in ways I can’t describe, and I let that pain control me until I saw you with her last week. All I want now are my children, because my money won’t do you any good. Now, sign here and here. I’ll call you when the seller is ready to close.” I stepped away from the man I once loved just as his new lover walked in with my dog.

Princess was wagging her tail, excited to see me — but I knew it was his idea to get rid of her. He’d always hated that dog and had even tried to kill her more than once. Still, I had a new problem: a baby raccoon at home who’d be there for the next two days before the wildlife sanctuary could pick him up. I wasn’t sure how Princess would react to that, but I’d find out when I got home — after I finished work.

By the end of the day, I had sold my first two houses, but before I could return to the office, Jennifer sent me to a third.

“I’m so sorry I’m late. My dog had to use the bathroom, so we had to make a quick stop. I’m Asia Roberts, and you must be Mr. Martin. I want to start by telling you this house was built a few months ago with imported marble floors from China. Also, the chandelier — I love it. It brings out the true lighting of the foyer and staircase. As we step into the kitchen, you’ll notice how the marble and stainless-steel appliances complement each other. The house has three floors, an open basement, ten bedrooms, and eleven baths.”

I smiled and turned toward the man as he watched me. At first, I thought I had something on my face, but then I realized he was just looking — really looking — like he liked what he saw. I dressed the part, but my hair was slicked back into a small bun, I wore no makeup, and my nails hadn’t been done in months. To me, I was a total mess — but he seemed to like it.

“Um… do you not like the house? I can show you another one.”

“It’s not the house. I want it — and you can tell Jennifer I’ll pay in full tomorrow morning. I’ll add a bonus for you.”

“Oh, okay. Then all that’s left is for you to sign the papers, and we’ll be all set.” I smiled, signing my part while waiting for him to finish. He leaned close as he did, and the scent of his cologne almost drew me in — but I pulled back and smiled again.

“I Love the marble counters,” he murmured, “but I’d love them more if you were naked on them and spread wide for me.”

“Excuse me?!”

“You heard me, Shorty.” He chuckled and walked away, leaving me standing there stunned and in silence. It had been a while since anyone had flirted with me, and I couldn’t tell if that counted as flirting — or if he was just being a pig, maybe both.

Either way, it stayed on my mind the entire drive back to the office and then home, where I found my furry friend Bandit sitting on the counter — the crate I’d left him in was completely destroyed.