Mrs. Martin & Mr. Blohm – Episode Seven: I Was Ready to Walk Away

Regina Martin often said later in life that there are moments when a decision seems to break free from inside you, almost against your own hesitation. One day you are torn, unsure, questioning every possible outcome; and then suddenly, without warning, you know. Something in your chest shifts, a door opens inside you, and the path is clear.

For Regina, that moment came at the end of October 2004, when Claudia confronted her, direct as always:

“Do you want things to stay the same—or do you want to truly change your life?”

It was not the first time someone had asked Regina that, but this time it landed differently.

Regina had been wavering for weeks between two worlds: staying in Munich with Paul, her boyfriend of four years, or leaving everything behind for the opportunity at La Perla in Hamburg. Munich was safe, familiar, the city where she had built her career in fashion. She knew every corner too well, and the circle of people around her was always the same.

That day at the Hotel Bayrischer Hof  she felt it clearly: she had to go and move on with her life in a new city.

By the time she walked out of the hotel lobby, she was counting the days until she could fly to Hamburg—not just for a new job or a new city, but because it promised an entirely new chapter.

Urgent Packing

November 1, 2004, was set as her official start date. That gave her only a few days to pack and prepare, but those few days seemed to take forever. Somehow, she felt; I just want to get out of Munich.

She rushed through Paul’s condo in Munich, throwing essentials into suitcases: a few favorite dresses; her beloved, worn brown leather diary with notes and plans, and a favorite bottle of Prosecco she wanted to bring to Hamburg to hopefully celebrate her new beginning. While packing, she suddenly looked down at her clothes and saw a white cake box, her wedding dress. Tears came to her eyes. Deep inside, she felt she would never wear this dress. She wondered whether to take it to Hamburg, but for what? She was still together with Paul, so she decided to leave it there.

Still, Regina could hardly believe it, that she would now move to Hamburg. The dream had been Miami. It seemed that everything she dreamed about was not being fulfilled. Were her expectations too high?

Inside, Regina felt something she had not felt in a long time: wings. Invisible wings, fragile but real, ready to carry her into the unknown.

Paul, meanwhile, seemed almost relieved by her decision. Their relationship had been rocky for years, living together for a while, then apart again—always circling the same unresolved issue: Regina didn’t feel like a priority in Paul’s life; she felt like the fifth wheel. He supported her choice to move to Hamburg, “The offer is amazing,” he said—and told her he would support her in every way. He even planned to visit after three weeks.

“A weekend relationship is no big deal,” he said casually. “I love you. Supporting you in your decision—that’s love too.”

Regina forced a smile, but inside, the words unsettled her. For him, love was convenience, schedules, and not something to interfere with his daily routine. For her, love was Richard Gere climbing the fire escape in Pretty Woman, roses in his mouth, fear of heights forgotten, to prove his devotion. That was the language of love Regina was looking for, not a weekend arrangement.

Still, she told herself, if you don’t try, you’ll never know, maybe a weekend relationship would work better for her too, so let’s see how it goes with Paul.

First Impressions of Hamburg

When her plane touched down at Hamburg Airport at 8 a.m. on that crisp Monday, November 1, the city surprised her. Hamburg was famous for rain, grey skies, and that northern chill that seeped into your bones. But that day, the sun was shining, golden light glistening on rooftops, in November no less.

Regina looked out of the taxi window as they drove past the Binnenalster and Außenalster, the twin lakes in the heart of the city. A few sailboats still dotted the water like white paper cutouts; swans glided along the banks; grand villas lined the shores.

If I can live here on the Alster she thought, if I can build a new life here, everything will have been worth it.

La Perla had arranged a temporary apartment for her in the Clipper Boardinghouse at the harbor—modern, functional—booked for three months. That felt like more than enough time to find a new home, her dream home on the Alster. From there, she went directly to the La Perla showroom on Rothenbaumchaussee, one of Hamburg’s most elegant streets.

The building was tall—four floors, no elevator. The showroom was on the first floor. She rang the bell and was greeted by Mrs. Florschütz, the woman she was to replace. Mrs. Florschütz had resigned to build her own fashion agency. Although her contract had officially ended, Henry Schmidt had asked her to stay a few more days to show Regina everything related to the role. Physically, she was the opposite of Regina—short, very slim, with long brown hair.

The Cold Welcome

From the first moment, Mrs. Florschütz radiated cool superiority. She had been with La Perla for 15 years and clearly did not enjoy handing her clients over to someone new, especially someone from Munich.

“Good morning, Mrs. Martin,” she said formally, addressing Regina with Sie, the German formality that creates distance. “I have heard a lot about you from Mr. Schmidt”—she always used Sie with Henry Schmidt. “Let me be clear: this will be very tough for you. My clients are not happy that I am leaving. And to be frank, you are from Munich. Hamburg and Munich are worlds apart. You have no idea how different the mentality is here.”

Her words dropped like ice cubes into Regina’s stomach.

But Regina kept her composure. “Thank you for the introduction. I think it’s more important now to focus on the handover.”

The showroom itself was breathtaking: 1,600 square feet of polished wooden floors, stucco on the ceiling, delicate lingerie displayed on acrylic hangers, lace shimmering in the sunlight that was pouring through the tall windows—the space was bathed in a magical November light. A large terrace stretched out at the back, a place Regina could already imagine hosting clients. And parked below was the silver Mercedes company car that would soon be hers.

Still, the frosty tone of Mrs. Florschütz lingered.

When she asked Regina where she planned to live, Regina replied confidently, “La Perla has arranged the Clipper Boardinghouse for the first three months. After that, I will find a condo on the Alster.”

The reaction was almost comical. Mrs. Florschütz nearly choked on her carrot juice.

“On the Alster? Everyone here dreams of that, and almost no one succeeds. Do you even know what a one-bedroom there costs? I don’t know what you negotiated with Mr. Schmidt, but I doubt it will be enough. Sales are down, commissions are unreliable. Don’t count on it.”

Again, Regina smiled politely, though inside she was boiling. This woman can say what she likes. I will go my own way.

A Toast to Herself

By the end of the day, the handover was complete—Regina pushed to finish it in a single day because she couldn’t stand the constant negativity. She shook Mrs. Florschütz’s hand, ignoring the smug little smile and the sarcastic, “Good luck with your Alster condo.”

Alone in the showroom, she finally exhaled. She stepped out onto the terrace and opened the bottle of her favorite Prosecco she had brought from Munich. Holding the glass high, she toasted herself.

“To new beginnings,” she whispered.

For the first time in months, she felt proud. Proud that she had left Munich. Proud that she had chosen courage over comfort. Proud that she was standing here as the sole manager for La Perla in Germany, reporting directly to CEO Henry Schmidt. She was her own boss now. This was the life she had dreamed of, had she accepted the Tommy Hilfiger offer, she would be sharing a showroom with at least ten others and reporting to a manager there.

The only piece missing: her condo on the Alster.

The Apartment Hunt

Finding that condo became her obsession.

After long days in the showroom, convincing skeptical clients that the new collections was worth their attention, she spent evenings buried in real estate listings. Contrary to Mrs. Florschütz’s dire predictions, the clients did accept her. Yes, Hamburg and Munich were different, but not to the dramatic extent that had been prophesied. Where Mrs. Florschütz was correct, however, was in the property market: Regina had no luck at all.

There were hardly any condos available on the Alster. The few that came onto the market were astronomically expensive, or far too big. For weeks she toured apartments, forty-three in total, and none felt right. Usually it was the price; often it was the location, not on the Alster.

Each time she walked back into her temporary harbor apartment, the dream of an Alster condo seemed further away.

The Call with Paul

One evening, after another exhausting day, Paul called. His voice carried that typical ironic humor she had grown tired of, though she had to admit he had the most erotic voice—she felt immediately hooked.

“How does it feel up there with the fishheads?” he joked, using the Munich slang for Hamburg locals.

Regina forced a laugh. “Everything is in order here. The work is intense, but I’m managing pretty well. How are you?”

“Super. The sun is shining in Munich. Lunch outside with my colleagues today. How’s the weather in Hamburg?”

Again, the subtle sting. He hadn’t said he missed her. He hadn’t asked how she was feeling. Just weather and small talk—that was Paul’s forte.

“It’s sunny here too,” Regina said carefully. “I take it as a welcome sign from Hamburg.”

Then came the unexpected turn. “Have you found an apartment yet?” he asked.

“Not yet,” she admitted. “Everything on the Alster is too expensive. But when I already left my beloved Munich, I want the best. No compromises, and I hope you understand, Paul.”

Paul paused. Then he said something that shocked her. “I can pay the difference. Isn’t that a good solution? When I visit, I’d also enjoy the Alster view.”

Regina froze. Paul, the man known for being careful with money—was offering to subsidize her dream apartment. For a moment, it sounded generous. But then she felt it: the knot tightening in her stomach. This wasn’t love. This was control. This was dependency, exactly what she was fighting to escape.

She spoke softly. “Paul, that’s a kind offer. But I want to pay for my life myself.”

“Regina, we’re together. Why can’t I help? It will be our apartment.”

The word “our” pressed heavily on her chest. She remembered the wings she had felt boarding the plane. Independence. Freedom. Regina wouldn’t let that slip away, she had already taken the first necessary steps.

“Let’s see,” she said quietly. “I’ll keep looking.”

Paul could hardly hear her, noises came from the background. “Regina, I just arrived at the tennis center, off to play tennis.”

“Oh, I see,” Regina said. “Bye, Paul.”

“Kiss, Regina, take care of yourself.”

And in that moment, she thought fiercely: Hamburg will be Paul-free.

A Different Kind of Loneliness

Weeks passed. No Alster apartment. No proposal from Paul. No fire-escape romance. Just the brutal reality. Next week, Paul would visit her in Hamburg.

By the end of November, she was exhausted and desolate, convinced that the dream of the Alster condo wouldn’t work. She was almost thirty-five, too old for fairy tales, she told herself. The dream of Pretty Woman faded into the background, and so did the condo on the Alster. The next weekend Paul planned to visit her in Hamburg; she wondered whether it would be a desirable weekend, just the two of them in the boardinghouse. Would there be temptation for Paul? Somehow, she didn’t even miss him, and she had the feeling he didn’t miss her.

Maybe she would simply pour all her energy into La Perla, which she was already doing. Maybe success would be her new partner? No, of course not. Regina couldn’t deny the feeling deep inside: she still longed for much more.

Parallel Lives

While Regina searched in vain, Mr. Blohm was making his own move.

After months of living with his sister Gabi, comfortably, perhaps too comfortably, he finally accepted a friend’s offer: a condo on the Alster. Rondeel 31, was a prime address in Hamburg.

Even though his view didn’t face the water but rather the busy Sierichstraße, he didn’t care. What mattered was the location, and his independence.

Mr. Blohm looked forward to having his own place again, and at such a prestigious address. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He was already excited to have his own space to invite women again, something that hadn’t been possible at his sister’s home.

Two people, in the same city, circling the same lake, both searching for freedom and a new chapter,  yet neither aware of the other.