Chapter 707 - Leasing office space (1)

~ Los Angeles, Mediterranean villa ~

Sophia and Felix woke up early morning. Jeff and JoAnna are on the island to celebrate JoAnna's birthday, so Sophia and Felix have the whole villa for themselves.

"Why don't you sleep longer?", Felix asked Sophia while cradling her in his arms.

"I'm awake. I don't think I can sleep more now. Maybe because it's a new bed?"

"Maybe you just want to go to the beach.", Felix teased.

Sophia smiled. "Maaaaybeee? The pool will do just fine as well… But you are correct in assuming that I want to go somewhere. I would like to go and see that property one more time before calling Leah to kick off negotiations for leasing the space."

"I thought you like it."

"I do. But that agent we met yesterday was following me all the time and talking so much that I couldn't focus enough to observe the property and the view. I don't think I will change my mind about getting it, but I want to confirm that I love it and that it will serve its purpose."

It's not that Felix does not want to go, but he wants to make sure that it will be a productive outing, so he asked: "If we go again, what will be different?"

Sophia thought about it, so she was ready to answer: "We can ask that they give us a different agent for the tour."

"Sounds like a plan. Let me make the call, and you rest."

Felix stepped out to make the phone call and returned after few minutes.

"An agent will wait for us at eleven in the morning. They didn't say who it will be, but it will be someone other than who we met yesterday." Felix informed Sophia.

"Perfect!" Sophia was happy with this news. But different agent does not guarantee that it will be a less chatty one. They are basically sales-people and they feel the need to talk in order to keep the customer engaged. "Felix, honey, if this agent is chatty as well, can you talk with him? That will allow me to check out the place in peace."

"Sure, no problem."

~ Los Angeles ~

Sophia and Felix reached the building where space is being leased and observed the surrounding.

Sophia noted that it looks good even from the street. In front of the building entrance is a large fountain with concrete benches, and the area is decorated with number of sculptures and palm trees matching the overall design of the surrounding area, which includes White corp. HQ as well.

They were heading to the top five floors of a 30 floor tall building.

"Good morning, Mister Martin!", woman in her early thirties greeted Felix as soon as they exited the elevator on 30th floor. "We spoke on the phone, I'm Beverly."

Felix looked at the woman, and he mentally confirmed that is the same woman with whom he spoke over the phone when he called and asked for another appointment to see this property.

"Good morning, Beverly." Felix greeted her and turned to Sophia to introduce her, but she was faster.

"Hi Beverly, I'm Sophia." Sophia shook hands with woman and went toward the window to see the view, leaving the two behind. She was already planning where her office will be.

Felix remembered that Sophia said she wants to check out the place in peace, and that he should talk to the agent.

"Thank you for accommodating our schedule." Felix told Beverly.

"Oh, not at all, Mr. Martin. That is my job, after all." Beverly answered with a big smile.

Felix called to schedule the appointment, and he spoke with her, so Beverly assumed that he is the person in charge, and that Sophia might be his assistant, or a secretary… office designer, maybe. She confirmed her guess as correct when she saw Sophia with a notepad, taking notes while looking at the space.

Sophia was looking at the vast, mostly open space while planning in her mind what to do with it. After few minutes, she realized that Beverly thought that Felix is in charge, and Sophia didn't mind it at all because that means that she gets her peace and she can accomplish her task faster, without being interrupted.

Top floor will be reserved for her office, offices of directors as well as their respective secretaries and a board room. Based on the square footage, there will be space for few additional offices as well, or an additional conference room.

One floor will be for Felix's department: half of it will be his lab and other half will be for offices and shared spaces. She needs to see which floor will suit this purpose the best because other floors are not such a blank canvas and they have some walls and furniture in place. If they can reuse that, it will save them time and money.

She checked the property listing and read that on five floors which are available for leasing, three have kitchen areas already equipped with microwaves, refrigerators and a wet bar. Each floor has lounging spaces with built-in seating.

The lighting and the overall décor is modern with industrial vibe. She likes it.

Sophia walked toward the opposite side and was pleased that she can see White corp. HQ building from there. She would be able to see from where her sisters are working. Maybe they can coordinate to wave at each other. Sophia giggled at that thought.

"Do you mind if I go and see other floors?" Sophia asked Beverly.

"No, no. It's not a problem at all. Feel free to see whatever you want.", Beverly was happy that Sophia took the initiative to leave. Now she can talk with this handsome French-accented man in private.

"Why don't you take the elevator?", Felix asked when he saw that Sophia is going for the stairs.

Beverly was thinking if she should say that one of three elevators is marked as closed for maintenance, but she decided not to.

She arrived one hour early to make sure space is not messy and was surprised to see that elevator #3 which covers floors from fifteen to thirty was marked as closed for maintenance. Seeing those signs can leave a bad impression on potential customers, so Beverly decided to remove them with a reasoning that Mr. Martin is interested in floors 26 to 30 and he will not take elevator unless he is heading back, in which case he will take the express elevator which goes all the way to the lobby. And Sophia is taking the stairs anyway. So, no harm done.