4 January 2019 – Gronau Notary Office
The sound of the pen scratching over paper was the only thing that broke the silence.
Lucas signed the last page, straightened it carefully, and handed the folder back to the notary.
"That should be everything," she said with a polite smile. "Congratulations, Mr. van den Berg. The house is officially yours."
He exhaled slowly. "Thank you."
The words felt heavier than expected. Three years of constant work had led to this single moment — a key that didn't belong to the park.
Outside, the air was bright and cold. He stood for a moment at the steps of the office, the key in his hand, turning it slowly between his fingers.
It wasn't just metal. It was space. Freedom.
---
Later that afternoon – Lake House
The first sunlight of the new year cut across the glass walls as he opened the door again.
Empty rooms, bare floors, but the silence already felt different. His.
Markus had left a folder on the kitchen counter — contacts for designers, furniture suppliers, and renovation teams.
Lucas opened it slowly, scanning the names until one stood out:
Sofia Lenz – Interior & Architectural Design. Düsseldorf.
Her style description read "Modern warmth with narrative design."
He called immediately.
A calm voice answered. "Sofia Lenz speaking."
"Hello, this is Lucas van den Berg from Elysion Park. Markus Schneider gave me your name."
"Oh, the house by the lake," she said, recognition in her tone. "Yes, I heard about that one. Beautiful structure. What can I help you with?"
"I'd like to make it mine. Not rebuild it, just… finish it. Something that feels calm, not empty."
"I understand. I can visit next week to see the space myself. We'll talk colors, layout, atmosphere."
"That would be perfect," Lucas said.
When the call ended, he stayed quiet for a while, phone still in hand.
Outside, the lake shimmered faintly under the low winter sun.
It felt like the start of a new rhythm — slower, deliberate, his own.
He sat down on the floor in the living room, legs crossed, and looked around.
Soon, there would be furniture, light, sound. But for now, the emptiness was enough.
A reminder that after years of building for others, he was finally building something for himself.
10 January 2019 – Lake House, Gronau
A soft knock echoed through the hallway.
Lucas opened the door to find a woman in a long beige coat, a leather sketch roll under her arm.
"Sofia Lenz," she said with a small smile. "You must be Lucas."
He nodded. "Come in. Watch your step, there's still nothing to trip over but air."
The house felt even larger now that another voice filled it.
Sofia looked around slowly, taking in the structure before speaking.
"It's rare," she said. "The proportions are perfect. Whoever built it understood balance."
Lucas smiled faintly. "That's what I liked about it. I don't want to change much. Just make it feel alive."
She unrolled a sheet of tracing paper over the kitchen island.
"I studied the floor plans last night," she said. "Your rooms already have strong geometry, so warmth will need to come from materials, not clutter. Wood, bronze, and natural fabric.
No chrome. No gloss."
He nodded. "Dark tones, yes. I don't want it to feel like a showroom."
"Good," she replied. "We'll use deep walnut floors and soft gray walls. I'd like to build the lighting around low ambient sources — floor lamps, hidden LEDs. Not bright, but comforting."
"Perfect."
They walked together from room to room.
In the living area, she stood by the window overlooking the lake.
"Here," she said, "we'll leave it open. One large sofa, long enough to face both the water and the fireplace. You'll want quiet here."
He nodded again. "It's where I'll end most days."
In the hallway, Sofia paused. "And the garage you mentioned — still planning to extend?"
"Yes. Later this year. Three spaces minimum."
"Then I'll leave that zone raw. Concrete and steel can look beautiful if done right."
As they reached the final room upstairs, sunlight fell across the walls in narrow stripes.
She smiled. "You know, this doesn't feel like a new owner moving in. It feels like the house has been waiting for you."
Lucas looked around, hands in his pockets. "Maybe it has."
They returned to the kitchen where she packed her sketches.
"I'll send the full concept and material board next week," she said. "Once you approve, we can order everything. Installation by early February."
"That's perfect," Lucas said. "And thank you — I know exactly what I want, but it helps when someone understands it."
Sofia smiled softly. "I understand more than you think."
When she left, the house fell silent again.
But it no longer felt empty.
For the first time, it had a pulse.
20 January 2019 – Lake House
The house was quiet again. The installers had finished the last lamps that morning, leaving behind nothing but the faint smell of warm metal and new fabric.
Lucas stood by the window, coffee in hand, watching the snow melt off the edge of the terrace.
He felt strange — not restless, but aware.
Everything was finally in place, and yet his thoughts kept circling back to the same idea: maybe it was time to look for something new.
Not for the park, not for the system. For himself.
He turned toward the small office corner he'd set up near the kitchen. The car magazines he'd bought a few days ago were still stacked there, untouched.
He flipped one open. Audi. BMW. Porsche. Pages of polished metal and soft words about power, precision, sound.
He wasn't looking for luxury. He wanted something that felt alive — a car that said you've earned this.
But he didn't know where to start.
Maybe he'd just take a day off and visit a few places. No appointments, no planning. Just walk in, see what called to him.
It had been a long time since he'd done something that wasn't tied to a schedule or deadline.
He smiled quietly and looked outside again.
The lake was still frozen, sunlight stretching over the thin layer of ice.
"Tomorrow," he murmured. "Tomorrow, I'll go see what's out there."