As soon as Noah stepped foot onto the driveway of Oliver's house, his breath caught in his throat. The mansion was enormous, far beyond anything he could have imagined. The grand facade, the intricate architecture—it was like something out of a dream. His eyes widened as he gazed up at the towering walls, the sprawling yard, and the perfectly manicured gardens. When Oliver opened the front door and gestured for him to enter, Noah felt a sense of disbelief wash over him.
Inside, the grandeur of the house hit him even harder. A stunning chandelier hung from the high ceiling, casting soft, golden light across the room. Noah stood there, frozen, before dropping to his knees, overwhelmed by the sheer opulence of it all.
"Is this real?" Noah whispered, his voice barely audible. "Or am I dreaming?"
Oliver chuckled, gently pulling him to his feet. "It's real, Noah. Welcome to my home. Let me show you around."
He carefully guided Noah through the mansion, room by room. Noah's awe deepened with every step they took. He marveled at the massive backyard, which felt more like a private park, complete with blooming flowers and a fountain. Then there was the garage—Noah's jaw nearly hit the floor when he saw the line of cars, sleek and pristine, ready for when Oliver was old enough to drive them all.
But the real showstopper was the pool. It stretched across the backyard, shimmering under the sun, easily bigger than Noah's entire apartment. It looked like it belonged to a luxury resort, not someone's private home. He couldn't believe he was about to live here.
After the tour, they settled down on a plush sofa in the living room. The mood shifted as they discussed the terms of this new living arrangement. Oliver, trying to keep things light but serious, laid out the most important rule.
"No one must know you're staying here," Oliver said firmly. "If anyone asks, you're living with a friend. My family isn't around much, and I'd rather keep things private."
Noah nodded. "Of course. I understand."
"And," Oliver added with a smile, "there's one other thing. I have this... routine. When I'm drawing or studying, it's really important that I'm not disturbed. It can mess with my inspiration, and once I lose an idea, it's hard to get it back."
Noah agreed immediately. "I can do that. You'll hardly notice I'm here when you're working."
Relieved that Noah understood, Oliver smiled. But before they wrapped up the conversation, Noah had one small request.
"There's something I wanted to ask, though," Noah said, a bit shyly. "I was wondering if you'd be willing to hang some of your paintings at the cafe? I... I really find them beautiful, and I think they'd bring such a unique vibe to the space."
Oliver blinked, surprised at the request. His heart warmed at the thought of his art being displayed somewhere so personal to Noah. He grinned widely, nodding. "I'd love that. Really."
With that, their agreement was sealed, and Noah finally felt ready to start this new chapter. Living in a mansion like this was beyond anything he could've ever dreamed of, but it wasn't just the house—it was the connection he was building with Oliver, a connection that was only growing stronger.