Snapping myself back into reality, I replied, “Did you expect me to cancel?” as I stepped in.
“No. It’s just that I’m happy to see you. Can I take your things?” he asked exhibiting manners. I handed him my purse, jacket, and a gift bag with a bottle of wine and a fresh baguette roll. He opened the bag.
“Merlot?” His furrowed eyebrows didn’t eclipse his hidden smirk. “Are you trying to take advantage of me?”
The expression little does he know ran through my mind. I didn’t respond as I was admiring his posh apartment. In complete awe I breathed, “Wow, Azmir.”
He nodded and smiled gracefully.
“Do you mind if I take a look around? I’d like to get inspired while I’m still at the point of decorating my new place.” My senses were on overload at the fine art that hung from the broad walls of the high cathedral ceilings, the boastful colors—hues of blue, gray and tan. The floors were black antique bamboo wood that ran long throughout the foyer, living room and the hall leading to the back of the apartment. The motif was like something out of Elegant Residences. It…the elegance, the ambiance, the modishness all spoke of A.D. Jacobs.
“By all means. I’ll go check on the food before I burn the building down,” Azmir granted and I turned to pace towards the back of the apartment.
“Damnnnnn!” he sang like a D-boy.
“What?” I jumped.
“You look…really…nice.” He eyed my lower torso shaking his head while his eyes danced in delight. I wore a white loosely fit, off the shoulder belly shirt with a pair of fitting high-waist curtail cut jean shorts and sandals. I playfully hissed him away and continued my journey.
The place was massive! The ceiling was so high and the windows were colossal throughout the entire apartment, I couldn’t decide which room had the better view. The view of the Marina vista was spectacular. His living room had all white furniture including the legs of the coffee table and end tables. It was so contemporary. The white animal fur throw-blanket tossed over the back of the leather sofa was a touch of class. The formal dining room was dark tones trimmed in mahogany wood. The paintings on the walls consisted of colors that masterfully blended with the themes of each room. I counted the number of bedrooms; there were four but five and half bathrooms. As I counted them, I looked for signs of women and children. After all, he said he didn’t have any this would’ve been confirmation.
There was even an office with wall-to-wall built-in bookcases. The wood of his desk was as rich with antiquity similar to the ones I used to see on television as a child. It was that authentic wood with the age markings from years of wear and tear to prove it. There were two conference chairs in front that sat on a gorgeous Oriental rug. Off to the side was a small meeting desk in the corner, not dissimilar to his offices at the rec center and in Cobalt. There were pieces of décor that I couldn’t reference and others I couldn’t pronounce. All of this was too much for me to take in.
I made my way to the master bedroom—correction—master suite. When I walked through the door, I was startled by my own reflection in the wall-length mirror that was trimmed in gold. The floor was hardwood and from what I could see off in the distance, a massive, rich, thick cream color rug encompassed the bed that I could only see a portion of from the foyer. I removed my sandals to enter.