**A man rented out his flat to a lovely elderly couple – when they moved out, he was amazed at what he found inside.
When I first rented my flat to Ivan and Greta, a lovely elderly couple with warm smiles and charming accents, I thought I had found the perfect tenants. But when they moved out, I found myself embroiled in a mystery that shook my confidence and led to an unbelievable turn of events.
Ivan and Greta seemed like the sweetest couple I’d ever met. Late seventies, polite manners and warm smiles that could melt even the coldest heart.
Ivan had a neat silver moustache that twitched when he laughed, and Greta had that kind, motherly manner. They spoke with a curious accent that I had no way of identifying-a mixture of something European and ancient.
I hope this flat will suit you,’ I said, showing them the place.
It’s perfect,’ Greta said with a smile. – Just like home.
They moved in without any problems, and for the year they lived there, there were no complications. They paid their rent on time, kept the flat in immaculate order and even left little thank-you notes when I came to check on the place.
They often invited me over for tea and shared stories of their adventures as young adults. It was hard to imagine a more ideal situation.
Thank you so much for letting us live here, Mark,’ Ivan once said. – You’ve been a great landlord.
And you are the best tenants. If only everyone were like you,’ I replied, sipping the tea Greta had made. It was chamomile tea – fragrant and soothing.
Do you remember how we got lost in the Black Forest? – Greta asked Ivan, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Oh, yes, it was a real adventure! – laughed Ivan. – We were young and foolish and thought we could do without a map.
We ended up sleeping in a shepherd’s hut,’ Greta added, shaking her head.
However, as their lease was coming to an end, something strange happened. Ivan and Greta, usually so calm and poised, seemed in a rush.
They kept rushing around, packing boxes and vigorously organising something. When I asked if everything was okay, they assured me with their warm smiles that everything was fine.
Just family stuff,’ Greta explained. – It’s no big deal.
Are you sure? You both look very worried,’ I insisted, concerned.
It’s fine, Mark. It’s just an urgent family matter. We’ll miss this place,’ Ivan said, patting my shoulder reassuringly.
On the day of their departure, they shook my hand firmly and apologised for their sudden departure. I wished them well, feeling a slight sadness at their departure.
Thanks for everything, Mark. We hope to see you again someday,’ Greta said, hugging me gently.
Take care,’ I replied, waving goodbye to them.
The next day I went to check on the flat, expecting to find it in the same immaculate condition they had kept it in. I opened the door and stepped inside, but what I saw made me gasp in surprise.
There was no floor. The wooden planks that had been there were completely gone, leaving only bare concrete. I stood there, stunned, trying to figure out what had happened.
Where the hell is the floor? – I muttered to myself, pacing around the empty rooms.
I pulled out my phone and took a picture of the empty floor and sent them a text.
What happened to the floor? – I asked, attaching the picture.
A few minutes later, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Ivan.
Oh dear Mark, we are so sorry for the misunderstanding! In the Netherlands, there is a tradition of taking your floor with you when you move. We assumed it was the same here. We were in such a hurry because our granddaughter had just given birth and needed help with the baby urgently. We didn’t have time to explain ourselves. We hope this has not caused you much trouble. Please let us make it up to you. Come to the Netherlands and we will show you our beautiful country. Love, Ivan and Greta.
I reread the message several times, my bewilderment gradually replaced by a surprised smile. It was such a strange tradition, but it was starting to make sense. They meant no harm, they were just following the customs of their country.
I laughed and replied:
I appreciate the explanation. I will have to replace the floor here, but no hard feelings. Perhaps I will accept your invitation and come over. All the best to you and your family.
But something still bothered me. The tradition of taking away the floor? Is it? I decided to find out more. I went to a friend of mine who was a private investigator and told him the whole story. He agreed to look into it.
A week later, he rang me with the shocking news.
Mark, you’re not going to believe this,’ he said. – Ivan and Greta are not who they say they are. They’re part of an elaborate fraud scheme that targets landlords by stealing valuable items and giving the impression of an innocent mistake. These floorboards? They’re worth a fortune.
What? I was surprised. – How is that possible? I checked their details thoroughly, everything was perfect. They had valid visas, good credit histories, and no criminal records.
They’re professionals,’ my friend continued. – ‘They move from city to city, picking out good-natured landlords like you. Their scheme is to pick up valuable items that can easily be sold.
I was shocked. – I couldn’t believe it. They seemed so genuine, so… kind.
That’s what attracts them. They build trust and then they take advantage of it,’ he said.
We found them,’ he added. – They’re going to sell the stolen floorboards on the high-end antique market. We can organise an operation to catch them red-handed.
Let’s do it,’ I replied, determined to get justice.
The plan was simple. We had to catch them selling the stolen goods. My friend, acting as a buyer, approached Ivan and Greta, who were already laying out their goods, including my floorboards.
Excuse me,’ my friend said. – I’m interested in these boards. They look great.
Ivan smiled. – Ah, yes. Real Dutch craftsmanship. We know because we are from the Netherlands ourselves. It’s a very rare and valuable wood.
How much do you want for them? – my friend asked.
A special price for you,’ Ivan replied, giving an amount that made my friend’s eyes widen.
When the deal was almost finalised, the police surrounded the counter as planned.
Hands up! You are under arrest for theft and fraud,’ one of the officers ordered loudly.
Ivan and Greta looked shocked but didn’t resist as they were handcuffed and led away. I watched from a distance, feeling both satisfaction and sadness. How could I have been so wrong about people?
The floorboards were returned and it turned out that they were indeed made of expensive imported wood. In the weeks that followed, I replaced the floor and returned to normal life. But I often thought about Ivan and Greta, about the strange made-up tradition they had tricked me with, and about their seemingly genuine kindness.
A month later I got a letter. It was from the real Ivan and Greta from the Netherlands. Their identities had been stolen by a criminal gang who had hired actors to impersonate them. The real Ivan and Greta had already been notified by Interpol and informed of the crime.
They have invited me to come to the Netherlands and see real Dutch hospitality.
Dear Mark, we are very sorry that this has happened to you. We hope you will find the strength to come and visit us to see the real Netherlands and meet its sincere inhabitants. Love, Ivan and Greta.
I leaned back, holding the letter in my hands, reflecting on the whole experience. Trust is a fragile thing, I thought, but also incredibly powerful when given to the right people. Perhaps one day I would actually visit the real Ivan and Greta and restore my faith in trust and humanity.
