Mrs. Martin & Mr. Blohm Series - Episode Four:
I never expected this

Just a little recap if you’ve missed the first three episodes:

Regina Martin from Munich had a clear goal in life — to be married by 30. Her dream man? Italian, with silky black hair and sun-kissed Mediterranean skin. She imagined living in Miami, running her own culinary business, even though she had spent years in fashion with brands like Hugo Boss and Puma.

When she turned 30 in 2000, freshly heartbroken and newly single, she used her birthday money to buy a second-hand wedding dress — without even having a boyfriend. She was convinced real love would come soon.

Four years later, just six months before her 35th birthday, she found herself stuck in a relationship where she felt like the fifth wheel. And to make things worse, she suddenly lost her job — leaving her financially dependent on her boyfriend, Paul.

Meanwhile in Hamburg, Mr. Blohm was recovering from his own heartbreak. His marriage had ended after discovering his wife was pregnant by another man. The experience hardened him — Mr. Blohm was sure he would never, ever again fall in love or consider marriage again in his life!

The Spiral:

The relationship between Regina and Paul was already fragile, and her sudden job loss in October 2004 only deepened the cracks. Regina knew, even before she’d been fired, that Paul wasn’t the one. She was drained. Not just by heartbreak, but by being let go from Puma after she tried to build her own side business, despite her stellar performance in sales. Her side business, which she had hoped would already bring in enough income to live from, was the very reason Puma let her go. Even though her sales numbers at Puma were outstanding, and she had worked there for more than two years, the company acted strictly by the rules: no side business at Puma. It didn’t matter how successful she was.

Her confidence had been slowly chipped away, worsened by the fact that she had no car, no savings, and no emotional security. Paul, to his credit, never pressured her. He encouraged her to take her time — a blessing, but also a curse. Because deep down, she knew she wanted more.

Then came the first job offer after three months — from Tommy Hilfiger. A wholesale position in women’s outerwear, based in Munich. Finally, after years of selling only men’s collections, she’d be entering the world she truly loved: women’s fashion. A huge challenge, and it was about ladies’ outerwear. That was exactly what Regina had always wanted to do. At Puma and Hugo Boss she had only sold men’s collections, so finally she would enter the women’s world — a great chance to develop her career at Tommy Hilfiger, which at that time was just a rising star in Germany. Dressing women was her dream. Yes, La Perla had also offered her a position in their ladies’ collection, but their Pret-à-Porter line was still totally new to the European market back then. And lingerie — that was the area La Perla was known for, something she couldn’t imagine herself selling at all. That was not her forte.

So Tommy Hilfiger seemed meant to be. It wasn’t the salary she had hoped for, nor did it come with a luxurious Mercedes like at Hugo Boss or Puma — only a Volkswagen as company car. But it was a start, her own start. She knew she would work her way up at Tommy Hilfiger and soon surpass all her colleagues, aiming for the manager position in no time. Starting small but being independent from Paul already felt like a big relief.

The Call That Changed Everything:

On a Monday morning in the beginning of December, she received her contract, just as the company had promised, in the mailbox. Regina couldn’t wait to sign it. At that very moment, the telephone rang.

Henry: “Hello Regina, how are you? I heard you’re no longer at Puma.”

Regina: “That’s right — but I already found something new,” she replied, trying to sound firm.

Henry: “Hopefully you haven’t signed anything yet?”

She froze. The unsigned contract was in her hand. Henry always had a sixth sense for timing.

Regina: “Henry, what do you want?”

Regina was still holding the contract in her hands, the only thing missing being her signature. Somehow, she had the feeling Henry had installed cameras in Paul’s condo. She didn’t want to answer his question and went straight to the point — just like Henry always did.

Henry: “As I already mentioned during our lunch just a few weeks ago, I can offer you an incredible job opportunity at La Perla like I mentioned already during our Lunch. You will have your own showroom of 1,600 square feet and you will be the only person responsible for it. You will handle the key accounts for lingerie in Germany, plus you will lead the nationwide introduction of the La Perla Prêt-à-Porter collection. You will drive a Mercedes-Benz as your company car and receive a yearly salary plus commission and bonuses — put the Euro signs on it! It is up to you how much you want to earn, the possibilities are endless, my dear.

If this isn’t something truly special and outstanding, then what is?”

Regina was speechless on the other end. Yes, Henry was right — the offer was so much more lucrative compared to what Tommy Hilfiger had presented. Almost 70% more, with all the benefits on top.

Regina: “I know you really want to make it attractive for me, Henry. I know — it sounds terrific. And that is why I keep asking myself: what’s wrong with it? Tell me right away — where is the catch, Henry? There must be something. It sounds too good to be true!”

Henry hesitated for a moment.

Henry: “The only thing is… you would have to move from Munich.”

Regina: “To move? Why? The headquarters of La Perla are in Munich!”

Move? That was exactly what she didn’t want. Yes, Regina could imagine moving to Miami or even to Italy, but within Germany there was no better city to live in than Munich. Leaving her beloved city was unthinkable.

Although she had been born in Hamburg, she had always preferred the South. Regina had moved with her parents from Hamburg to Munich when she was five. Hamburg might have been written in her passport, but she had grown up in Munich. And as she always said, she was not her passport. There was no connection to Hamburg anymore. Even though her mother had shown her the best parts of the city during visits, and relatives had lived there for a while, those ties had faded long ago. Munich was her true home. The only other German city she ever felt a trace of warmth for — due to her heritage — was Hamburg.

Henry: “Yes, the move is necessary because of the Prêt-à-Porter kick-off. La Perla wants to keep this division strictly separate from lingerie. The company will even cover your relocation costs and provide a business apartment for the first three months. If that isn’t an offer, then what is?”

Regina could hardly believe what she was hearing. It was truly an unbelievable offer. Still, she couldn’t imagine leaving Munich. She was convinced that the launch of La Perla’s Prêt-à-Porter line would most likely be in Berlin. Back in 2004, many big fashion brands had relocated there, and Berlin was absolutely out of the question for her. So, she decided to gamble with Henry, certain this would settle it.

Regina :“Henry, I will accept the offer only if the move is to Hamburg. That is the only city besides Munich I can imagine living in.”

Henry’s voice suddenly grew excited.

Henry: “Bingo! Super — it is Hamburg. When do you want to sign the contract?”

Regina was stunned.

Regina: “What? Hamburg? Really? Henry, just a moment! I have to think about this. I have a relationship here in Munich, and you know how much I love this city!”

She was at a loss for words. Hamburg… suddenly?

Henry: “You’ve already committed. You can have a weekend relationship, and on top of that you’ll still come to Munich from time to time because of the lingerie business. You’ll be traveling a lot anyway.”

Regina still felt uneasy.

Regina: “I have to think about it. A weekend relationship is really not what I’m looking for, Henry.”

Henry, short and to the point as always, replied:

Henry: “You have two days to decide.”

Regina was puzzled.

Regina “Okay…” she answered, her voice trembling.

There she stood, being offered a perfect position in Hamburg while holding in her hands the unsigned contract from Tommy Hilfiger in Munich — a contract that now seemed miserable in comparison. She needed to call Paul to share the news. Deep down, she hoped he would give her the best advice, something to make her decision easier.

Paul answered with the voice that always made Regina melt. For her, a man’s voice carried a strong erotic effect, and Paul’s was perfect — deep and powerful, yet at the same time soft and tender.

Paul: “Hello Regina, I’ve missed you. What can I do for you?”

Regina tried her best not to be swept away by his voice and forced herself to stay focused.

Regina: “You won’t believe what just happened. I received another job offer from La Perla. They’re offering a tremendous yearly salary plus bonuses and commission — and best of all, my favorite car. I’d get a Mercedes-Benz C-Class as my company car. Compared to the Tommy Hilfiger offer, it’s ten times better.”

Paul’s voice sounded delighted.

Paul: “That’s great news! But why don’t you sound so happy about it? What’s wrong?”

Regina: “Because the position would be in Hamburg.”

Paul: “That’s a great city. I like Hamburg!”

This was exactly what Regina didn’t want to hear from Paul. How could a man who claimed to love his girlfriend say it was great that she would leave the city where they lived together? Where was the romance — the “Pretty Woman” moment she had secretly hoped for? The moment where Richard Gere climbs the stairs and declares he wants to be with the woman of his life, living together, not living apart.

For Regina, Paul’s reaction was incomprehensible — and yet, it confirmed the doubts she had always carried. There was never real commitment from his side. If she truly were the woman of his life, how could he react like this instead of saying: No, I don’t want you to move 613 kilometers away from Munich. That’s not just around the corner — it’s at least seven hours by car, or a 90-minute flight.

But because Regina knew Paul so well, she wasn’t truly surprised. Deep down, she almost expected this answer — maybe even hoped for it. It confirmed what she had always felt about their relationship: Paul wanted to live his own life during the week, and on weekends everything could be easygoing, without obligations, without change, and without effort. Paul could continue his glamorous life. That was exactly what he preferred — the easy, uncomplicated way.

Why start a new life with responsibility and depth? Why break the mask and build a real relationship with meaning, with a future? In the end, Regina had known it all along but hadn’t wanted to face the truth.

Regina (a little aggressively): “I know, Paul. I was born in Hamburg, maybe you’ve forgotten. I know this city very well, and next to Munich it’s one of the best places to live in Germany. But as you also know, I’m done with Germany anyway. I want to live in Miami!”

Paul answered smoothly, as always.

Paul: “Sweetheart, why do you always make life so complicated? Right now, Miami isn’t on the table. You have to make your decision — it’s your life. You can either stay in Munich with a not-so-great offer, or go to Hamburg, the city where you were born, with an amazing job offer at La Perla. Every man dreams of a woman working there — lingerie and Prêt-à-Porter, and you explained to me how fantastic the offer is.

Oh Regina, I see Karl Lagerfeld is calling. You know I wrote a book about him, I admire him like so many others, and I’ve had a special relationship with him for years. I have to take this call. I trust you’ll make the right decision. Kiss.”

Regina (ironically): “Of course. If Karl Lagerfeld is on the phone, then I understand you have to take this call.”

Paul: “Ciao, ciao bella!”

Regina needed no more from this call. It was clear: Karl Lagerfeld was more important than she was. That was exactly how she had felt many times with Paul. Everything in his life was always more important than Regina. Yet in her mind, she should have been first in a relationship — not second, and certainly not the fifth wheel on the car. That was how it had always been. Karl, Heidi Klum, the Pope, tennis stars, his ego — all of them came before Regina. Sometimes she even had the feeling that not even his daughter came before all these VIPs and events.

For Regina, it was crystal clear: Paul would never change. Even if she had told him she was moving to Miami, his reaction would have been the same: “Great city, go for it!”

What Now?

Feeling lost, Regina called Stephan, her gay best friend, to get advice.

And would you like to know what Mr. Blohm is doing in the meantime? After leaving the home where he had lived with his wife for seven years, his sister offered him a place to stay in her house in Blankenese — a charming and historic neighborhood located 20–30 minutes from Hamburg’s city center — until he finds a new condo in Hamburg, which has turned out to be quite a challenge. At almost 44, Mr. Blohm didn’t feel entirely comfortable moving in with his sister and her husband. But after all, what is family for, if not to support each other?

Do you want to know which offer Regina will decide to take? Then stay tuned for next Sunday — the last day of August, the 31st — and have a few bottles of SYLTBAR ready to enjoy while reading.