— I really don't have any motivation for that, plus it needs to fit within my budget. - I said, taking a sip of my water.
— Well, can I make a suggestion?
— Go ahead, I'm all ears.
— Do you want to live with me?
As soon as I heard and processed what he had proposed, I choked on the water, and it even came out of my nose due to the carbonation. What a horrible sensation! I grabbed a paper napkin and dried myself off.
— Are you okay? - I saw Dante's concerned face as he stood up and came closer to me, holding my face with his hands to check if everything was alright.
— I'm better now, thank you. No need to worry. - I said, removing his hands from my face and holding them.
— Are you sure? Do you want anything?
— I'm sure, I'm fine. - I said, smiling at him.
The waiter interrupted us, announcing the arrival of our orders. I was delighted by the smell of the excellent food and the restaurant's service.
We thanked the waiter, who smiled and bid us goodbye, saying that if we wanted anything else, we just had to call him.
We started eating in silence, savoring the wonderful food that had arrived. It's amazing how people who possess the gift of cooking can take us on a journey. I love tasting new foods, juices, sweets... It brings me immense joy.
While I was savoring the food and getting lost in its flavors, Dante decided to break the silence.
— Kyra, I don't want to push you. I'm sorry for proposing this so suddenly; I know I startled you.
— I must admit, you caught me completely off guard, and I wasn't prepared for this.
— I just want what's best for you. Granted, I still have traces of an unrequited love, but that's all it is. - He said, trying to lighten the mood.
— Unrequited love? You know better than anyone that back then I had feelings for you.
— I don't know, that's what you say, but you vanished from my life in the blink of an eye.
— You deserved that. - I pouted.
— I love it when you play hard to get! - Dante burst into laughter.
— You've got some nerve. - I said, laughing.
— Me? How dare you accuse me... Surely you're talking about someone else. - He said, winking at me.
— Now, seriously, did you propose this without much thought?
— Yes, there's no reason to overthink it. I saw how you were, I know you, and I know how caring you were with me in the past. Should I have thought more?
— Yes, especially since I don't know if your girlfriend would approve of this...
Dante sighed, crossed his hands, and rested his elbows on the table, supporting his chin. I could tell that what I had just said had bothered him.
— Kyra, I'll explain things to you... I don't have a girlfriend, I've never lived with any other woman besides the time I spent at your apartment. So, you're the only one I've proposed this to.
I blushed at his explanation. My heart was almost leaping out of my chest... How was I going to live with that man without going crazy?
— Are you still living in that apartment I visited back then?
— No, I'm living closer to the publishing house now. I decided to settle permanently in the city and got tired of moving from place to place.
— Did you stop giving lectures?
— Yes...
— What happened to you? - I asked, surprised.
— I lost interest... After everything that happened between us, I didn't want anything to do with the hectic life I used to have.
— Was it because of me? - I furrowed my brow.
— Let's just say that when you left my life, you took my joy with you, but it wasn't your fault, it was mine.
— I didn't realize I had such a profound impact on your life, just as you impacted mine.
— I did?
— Yes, but in a negative way...
— I'm sorry for that.
— I hold no resentment, not anymore. I even managed to date a couple of times.
— And why didn't they work out?
— I was the problem; I couldn't connect emotionally. They said I was too absorbed in my work and didn't leave room for love. You know, I really focused on my dream of becoming a writer, and they might be right.
— Or maybe it just wasn't meant to be. When someone we like has a dream, it's natural to want to support instead of criticize or demand.
— I think so too, and after being the cause of the breakups, I decided not to get involved with anyone and I've been that way ever since.
— Did your relationships last long? - Dante asked curiously.
— Three months.
— So, our fake relationship lasted longer... Interesting. - He said with a grin from ear to ear.
— Yes, but that doesn't mean anything. - I defended myself, even though I knew I could come up with a thousand excuses, none of which would justify it.
— I see... Do you want to come visit my apartment to see if you like it?
— Yes. - I agreed without even thinking... It just slipped out.
— Perfect! - He said, looking pleased.
We finished dinner, Dante went to the cashier to pay the bill, and we left the restaurant. We got into the car, and Dante drove for 15 minutes until we arrived at the building where he was living.
The building was as sophisticated as the one he used to live in, but it seemed more inviting, more like a home.
The exterior had a facade made entirely of smoked glass (balconies, doors, and windows) with white walls. It had 8 floors (fewer than the other building) and an underground parking garage.
Dante had two parking spots, and he parked the car in one of them.
— You'll be able to park your car here without any issues in the future.
— I don't have a car at the moment. - I said, a bit embarrassed.
— Are you using taxis all the time? - He asked, surprised.
— Yes, but think of it this way: in the past, it was buses, and now I've upgraded to taxis. - I said, winking at him and sticking my tongue out.
— Looking at it that way, it's definitely an upgrade. We have to focus on the positive side.
— So, my rationale was that I was saving up to buy the apartment I'm living in, and that's why I didn't buy a car. Now I see I should have.
— Everything in its own time; now, if you want, you can buy one, and you'll already have a parking spot.
— True. Shall we go up? - I said, stepping out of the car.
— Yes, I'll show you everything. Follow me. - He said, heading towards the elevator.
I followed him.
— What floor do you live on?
He smiled.
— I'll let you guess... On which floor do you think I live?
— The 8th floor?
— Bingo! The penthouse... I love looking at the city from up there.
— I figured; the other place you lived in was also on the top floor, a penthouse.
— You still remember the details? You've got a good memory.
We rode the elevator up to the 8th floor, and there was the same security system as in his previous apartment, with a card swipe and a passcode.
Dante swiped the card, and the door opened instantly. We entered, and my mind froze (the infamous blue screen, hehe) at what I saw. Everything had changed compared to his previous apartment, and for some reason, I was making comparisons.
Previously, the apartment was large, sparsely furnished, gray and more gray, with a hint of white... Now, we could say the apartment had his personality.
Dante noticed my surprised expression.
— Kyra, I know what you're thinking right now, and yes, my apartment now reflects some of my personality.
— Well, I'm quite surprised.
The entrance hall had abstract black and white paintings, the living room had a gray 3-seater reclining sofa, a 48-inch TV on a sophisticated dark gray panel, and rugs of the same color. The walls were all white, the floor was white porcelain with gray accents. The kitchen was entirely gray, from the cabinets to the appliances, with a white quartz island, and the walls and ceiling were white.
— Come on, I'll show you the rest of the apartment. - Dante said.
I followed him down the hallway that led to the bedrooms; there seemed to be three bedrooms, one office, a combined living and kitchen area, and four bathrooms: one master ensuite, one shared bathroom, and two more, one for each bedroom.
— This is my combined office and library. Two people can work here comfortably.
The room was beautiful. There was a desk with a laptop, mouse, screen, mousepad, and keyboard neatly arranged on the left side of the room. A large smoked glass window behind it provided a view of the city, and on the right side, there were shelves with books, a reading table, and a black armchair. Honestly, I already felt at home. There was still a lot of gray, but now the apartment had life in it.
The bedrooms were stunning; it felt like I was living in a fairy tale. The decor was inviting, with light beige curtains, bedspreads, and pillowcases. The bed was a dark gray box bed, centrally positioned in the room, with a small table on the right side of the room next to a large smoked glass window. There was a furry rug by the bed, so you didn't have to put your feet on the floor when you got up. I loved everything; I just didn't see Dante's room.
— Dante, it's really beautiful... Now your apartment truly seems to have life.
— I'm glad you like it... Now you just need to decide if you want to live here or not.
— Won't I be a bother? - I looked at him intently, trying to figure out what he was thinking.
— Of course not, that way on the days you need to go to the publishing house, you can hitch a ride with me and not spend money on a taxi.
— I really want to thank you for helping me.
— Just accept it, that way you can treat me to a dinner, and we'll be even.
— Deal! I've made up my mind.
— And what have you decided?
— I'm sorry, but... You'll have to put up with me every day!