Mrs. Martin & Mr. Blohm, Episode 27: Pay attention to the hidden beauty

After Regina had been seriously ill on the day Mr. Blohm surprised her with lemons, vitamin C, a bouquet of forget-me-nots, tea, and eucalyptus bath powder — all carried in his baseball cap — while her friend Evelyn was visiting on her way from Denmark to Stuttgart, Evelyn lovingly prepared a bath for her once Mr. Blohm left for his run around the Alster.

As the warm eucalyptus water filled the tub, Regina slowly began to feel better. The steam, the scent, the quiet — it all helped her recover.

Still, Regina didn’t like the idea of having dinner with Mr. Blohm and Evelyn on the very same day at his favorite Italian restaurant in Hamburg — a place not widely known, a true hidden gem called La Tana. It sounded lovely, but Regina had wanted to have dinner with Evelyn alone, not together with Mr. Blohm. Yet Evelyn almost pushed her into it, and Regina was still so weak that she couldn’t really react the way she normally would have if she had been at full strength.

After the bath, Regina felt refreshed. She dressed beautifully to impress Mr. Blohm and suddenly found herself looking forward to the evening. She was curious — curious about the restaurant, curious about how the dinner with Mr. Blohm would unfold. And it felt reassuring to know that Evelyn would be there, quietly observing, helping her decide whether Mr. Blohm was truly someone worth pursuing.

Because Regina was still completely unsure about these past three months of knowing Mr. Blohm as her neighbor — a man who had needed support in some very strange situations, but who had also supported and surprised her in unexpected ways.

The past three months with Mr. Blohm had been a mixture of confusion and fascination. At times he surprised her in the most wonderful ways — thoughtful, attentive, full of unexpected gestures. And then again, there were moments when she simply couldn’t read him at all.

That mystery made him even more intriguing in Regina’s eyes.

Even though — if she were honest — outwardly he wasn’t her type at all.

And maybe that was exactly the issue. She didn’t truly feel attracted to him — aside from that one unforgettable moment in the white bathrobe a few months ago.

The Queen and the Neighbor

Punctually at 7:30 p.m., exactly as agreed, the bell of Regina’s studio rang.

You have to know — Regina doesn’t like people who are overly punctual. Mostly because she isn’t. She always needs at least ten extra minutes. And that was another thing about Mr. Blohm that unsettled her — he was always so perfectly on time. Why is he always so punctual? she thought.

Mr. Blohm had come to pick up both ladies and drive them to the restaurant in his car.

Evelyn hadn’t dressed up particularly — for her, it was simply a normal dinner arrangement.

The two stepped out into the front yard of Rondeel 31, where Mr. Blohm was waiting beside his Mercedes. Regina carefully inspected him. He was wearing a gray coat and a white-and-blue tailored shirt. Nothing special. No scarf — which disappointed Regina slightly, since she had always found men in scarves particularly attractive, especially with the late-March temperatures still calling for one.

In other words, Mr. Blohm did not exactly look irresistible that evening — unfortunately, Regina thought.

A brief “Hello” was exchanged. Mr. Blohm turned to Regina and asked, “Do you feel better, Mrs. Martin? Did the medicine I brought you help?”

Regina replied briefly, “Yes, thank you. I’m feeling better, Mr. Blohm.”

But inwardly she thought, Don’t show any weakness.

Mr. Blohm responded warmly, “Oh, that makes me very happy. I’m glad I could help. I’m truly looking forward to the evening with both of you.”

Mr. Blohm opened both car doors — one for the back seat and one for the passenger seat — charming as ever. Regina deliberately chose to sit in the back seat, just like her friend Evelyn, because she wanted to keep as much distance from Mr. Blohm as possible. From an outside perspective, Mr. Blohm looked very much like their chauffeur — which, somehow, made the whole scene rather amusing.

It was only a ten-minute drive from Rondeel. Mr. Blohm drove confidently and smoothly to the restaurant and found a parking spot immediately. The restaurant was tucked away in a quiet courtyard — difficult to find, but undeniably romantic.

On that last weekend in March, it was still a bit chilly, and Evelyn and Regina could hardly wait to step inside after getting out of the car.

Carlo, the restaurant owner, stood at the entrance and greeted them warmly — he knew Claus, of course.

“Ciao, Claus! I haven’t seen you in a while!”

Claus smiled. “You know me, Carlo — I only come to you when it’s something special.”

Carlo’s smile turned slightly mischievous.

Claus introduced Evelyn and then said, “Carlo, this is Evelyn — and this is Mrs. Martin.”

Carlo looked slightly astonished. Being Italian, he greeted Evelyn warmly — but when he heard “Mrs. Martin,” he raised his eyebrows ever so subtly.

Claus added casually, “You should know, Carlo — Mrs. Martin is actually my neighbor!”

Regina glanced at Carlo, feeling slightly embarrassed that Mr. Blohm had introduced her so formally as Mrs. Martin — and at the same time so publicly as merely “the neighbor.”

She turned toward the attractive Italian and said with a smile, “My name is Regina,” extending her hand.

Carlo took her hand and greeted it with a charming hand kiss.

Regina thought to herself, The Italians… they simply know how to do it. That effortless way of making a woman feel like a real woman.

Carlo looked straight into Regina’s eyes and said, “Regina! It’s a Latin name — it means ‘the queen.’”

Then he added warmly, “It’s an honor for me. I’m so glad I have a table for a queen.”

Carlo guided them to a table in a quiet corner. The place was absolutely packed, yet beautifully romantic, with countless candles flickering throughout the room — small, charming, and intimate. The atmosphere was incredible, especially with the soft music playing in the background.

Carlo, the owner, clearly had exceptional taste in music, Regina thought — it was exactly her kind of restaurant, the type she would immediately call her favorite. Evelyn was equally impressed, and both women felt at home right away.

Not Ready Yet

While Mr. Blohm and Evelyn were always on a first-name basis—Claus discussing the wine selection as if they had known each other for years—he continued to address Regina as “Mrs. Martin.”

To Regina, it made no sense. Evelyn had only just met Mr. Blohm that afternoon, and yet they were already on a first-name basis. Regina, on the other hand, had known him for three months, and they were still stuck in this formal “Sie.” Especially strange, since he and her friend had used first names from the very beginning.

When the first bottle of wine was opened, Regina gathered all her courage. She told herself she had to step over her own shadow now. Maybe this was the right moment to offer him the “du,” after she had rejected it a few months earlier when Mr. Blohm had first suggested it at his apartment.

Now felt right.
The first sip of wine.
A toast.
A new beginning.

As the three of them raised their glasses, Regina said calmly,
“Mr. Blohm, I believe now is the right time for us to use first names—my name is Regina.”

She was absolutely certain he would accept.

The glasses clinked. Evelyn looked delighted, proud that her friend had finally decided to drop this silly formality.

And then Mr. Blohm replied dryly,
“I’m not ready yet.”

Regina slowly put her glass down. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Evelyn nearly spit out her wine laughing—because after nearly three months, it seemed obvious that they should finally move to first names.

But Regina was shocked. It was not funny, as Evelyn seemed to think. In Regina’s opinion, it felt arrogant. She had not expected this answer. For her, it suddenly felt like a game again—and she was done with games. At 35, she was no longer willing to play childish emotional chess. She said nothing. Mr. Blohm acted as if nothing had happened.

The first course arrived.

Mr. Blohm ordered a rather uninspired burrata mozzarella. Regina had vitello tonnato, and Evelyn chose the octopus. Regina could hardly enjoy her food after Mr. Blohm’s rejection.

Evelyn and Claus were deep in conversation. Evelyn told him how she and Regina had met at Hugo Boss, having started almost at the same time in the company as sales representatives—Regina for Bavaria and Evelyn for Baden-Württemberg. Mr. Blohm shared that before working for a Swedish uniform producer, he had worked at Sony and had always been deeply interested in music.

Meanwhile, Carlo turned up the volume and played Mario Biondi’s “This Is What You Are.”

Regina thought to herself, Exactly, Mr. Blohm—that’s what you are. A man one cannot quite figure out. Loving music and now working for a uniform company—so contrary.

For the main course, Evelyn and Claus both ordered dorade. Regina chose lamb chops. Mr. Blohm casually mentioned that he didn’t like lamb chops—they tasted “too much like animal.” Regina loved lamb chops. She, on the other hand, disliked dorade; to her, it tasted like a dead fish.

Dessert was on Carlo: a classic Italian tiramisu, rich with cream and coffee. The three of them shared it, although Regina hardly touched it. Suddenly, the entire restaurant began to dance after Carlo transformed from restaurant owner into DJ. It felt more like a club than a restaurant. The atmosphere was electric.

The Mystery of Mr. Blohm

Regina had to admit—it was a wonderful evening in terms of atmosphere, food quality, service, and of course the music, even if it had not brought her any closer to Mr. Blohm. They were still “Sie.” Mr. Blohm and Mrs. Martin.

After dessert, Mr. Blohm mentioned a fantastic rooftop bar he would love to show them—the best view over Hamburg, directly by the Alster. Evelyn winked at Regina.

“Let’s do it, Regina.”

Regina still felt a little unsettled and did not really want to go, but Evelyn convinced her. After a big “Ciao,” “Arrivederci,” and “Buona notte,” they left. Mr. Blohm drove through the quiet, still-cold night in his Mercedes, and both Evelyn and Regina were sitting in the back seat.

They arrived at the Radisson Blu Hotel, on the 26th floor. Sweet old Europe—26 floors already felt incredibly high back then.

It was a great idea, Regina had to admit. The view was breathtaking. The three of them ordered a glass of Prosecco and enjoyed the skyline directly by the window. Mr. Blohm explained every building to them. Regina could feel how deeply connected he was to Hamburg—his city.

When the last drop of Prosecco—certainly not Regina’s favorite—was finished and the bar closed, it was time to leave. A friendly receptionist took a photo of the three of them. We are speaking of 2005—it was still taken with a camera.

They walked to the car. And somehow, Regina no longer felt like sitting in the back seat. Instead, she chose the passenger seat next to Mr. Blohm. Evelyn took the back seat. It no longer looked as if Mr. Blohm were the chauffeur.

As Mr. Blohm started the engine and shifted into reverse, their little fingers touched—completely accidentally.

Or was it?

Is coincidence something that simply happens…
or something that happens to you?

Are We Playing or Are We Falling?

So Mr. Blohm parked his car on the sidewalk because no other spot was available. The only parking space in the building was reserved for Regina’s Mercedes.

Evelyn and Regina stepped out of the car, and Mr. Blohm escorted them to Regina’s side entrance, where her studio was located.

“Good night, Mrs. Martin. Good night, Evelyn,” he said, giving Evelyn a warm hug before walking toward the main entrance to his condo.

Evelyn thanked Claus for the wonderful evening, and Regina did the same—only much more formally. She offered Mr. Blohm her hand. He took it, and they shook hands.

“Thank you, Mr. Blohm, for this nice evening and the invitation.”

Mr. Blohm simply replied,
“I enjoyed it very much.”

And he was still holding Mrs. Martin’s hand for a second longer than necessary.

Then he let go.

Regina and Evelyn walked to the side entrance of Regina’s building. Evelyn could hardly wait. The moment Regina opened the door to her studio, Evelyn burst out:

“So… are you falling for him, Regina?”

Evelyn had sensed it all evening—that Regina was slowly falling for Mr. Blohm.

But Regina replied firmly,
“No, not at all, Evelyn. He might be interesting and charming, but the fact that he refused the first-name basis again just shows me that Mr. Blohm isn’t serious. He’s playing his games and finds it entertaining to act that way. But I’m looking for something entirely different. And on top of that, he’s not my type at all. I’m really being honest with myself here, Evelyn.”

Evelyn shook her head.

“Regina, I see it completely differently. Claus—Mr. Blohm, or whatever you call each other—is totally falling for you. You just have to be more open and really get to know him. Claus is a good man. I can feel that.”

Regina looked at her.

“What does that even mean—‘a good man’?”

And so, as it typically happens between close friends, the two of them debated back and forth until they finally fell into bed—completely exhausted—at three o’clock in the morning.

The next day, Regina and Evelyn woke up late, around eleven. Regina lay there thinking about the evening again.

It had been beautiful—that small Italian restaurant that slowly transformed into a club, the cool music, the atmosphere. And perhaps… when she met Mr. Blohm for the lunch they had planned in three weeks, maybe it would lead to a different outcome. Maybe Mr. Blohm actually was looking for something serious—and not just fun.

That morning, she felt a little excited about the lunch with Mr. Blohm.

Before Evelyn left to return to Stuttgart, they had breakfast together in Regina’s apartment.

Evelyn advised her,
“Regina, just be yourself when you meet Mr. Blohm for lunch. Because now even you are starting to play games. It’s called ‘hard to get’! Let’s see how the lunch goes. I’m very curious to hear what you’ll tell me afterward.”

Regina smiled.

“Evelyn, you know how much I dislike lunches! Lunch is for wimps.”

Evelyn laughed and countered,
“We’re not on Wall Street here, Regina!”

And this is where we end Episode 27.

Will that lunch with Mr. Blohm in three weeks change everything?
Or will Mr. Blohm and Mrs. Martin meet earlier—since they are neighbors?

Are you already curious?

A lunch… even though Regina believes lunch is for wimps.

Let’s see.

And make sure your case of Mr. and Mrs. SYLTBAR is ready. 🥂