V O L U P T U A R Y
noun [vuh-luhp-choo-er-ee]

A person whose life is devoted to the pursuit and enjoyment of luxury and sensual pleasure.

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Barry inserted the rough sketches for the event location layout into his folder then unplugged his laptop charge from the main socket. He wrapped it up then placed it inside his laptop bag, along with the folder.

"Alright Tracy, I will see you later!" He said and waved at the woman sitting at the desk near the entrance into the office, "Enjoy your holidays-"

Barry's gaze stops at a shoebox sitting at the top of a table where a colleague sat. He walked over and read the label stuck on top saying 'FASHION EXPO RESEARCH. Property of [y/n] [y/l/n]'.

He frowned then drummed his fingers on top of the box lid. Barry realised that you wouldn't be able to work on the upcoming project over the holiday break, and he needs your research and drawings to continue his work.

Despite not having much of an acquaintance with you other than the formal work-related 'hello' and 'how are you?', he picked up the box then walked to the office exit, choosing to drop it by your place as a courtesy.

*****

Barry drove slowly down the street, peering through the windshield at the tall buildings he passed, illuminated by street lights and shops below. A few windows were lit up and Barry looked about for your building, called 'La Estrella'.

He pressed down on the breaks abruptly once he spotted the building. He bent forward and looked up to it with his eyebrows raised. Barry could almost not see the top from sitting inside his car.

The building was covered in pristine glass panes, with almost every other window illuminated with lights switched on inside.

Barry found an empty parking spot then stepped outside, gazing over the building that stood tall and resolute. He looked around for another building that could be named 'La Estrella' as well but he found none on the block. He even double checked the street with the address he got from the reception at work.

He placed a hand in his hoodie pocket while the other held onto the box, and walked into the building's reception.

*****

He exited the elevator at the top floor, looking around with a slight feeling of acrophobia. The building has twenty floors. Barry walked down the corridor, noticing that theee are only three apartments on this floor. He kept his attention on location apartment '2002'.

He took a deep breath after standing on the door mat that said 'DOOR BELL BROKEN. Yell 'Ding Dong' really loudly'.

He furrowed his eyebrows with confusion then shrugged his shoulders. Barry raised a first to the door then knocked it with his knuckles, followed by him calling out, "Ding dong!"

His voice echoed in the corridor, startling him, and he looked around cautiously. He stepped closer to the door and knocked once more and repeated his previous statement.

CLICK!

The door opened a moment later, and peeping from the other side was [y/n]. You scanned him from top to bottom then undid the chain on the door and opened it widely.

You glanced at the doormat and smiled nervously, "I should probably change that. It's not actually broken, I thought the mat was quirky."

Barry smiled then rocked on his feet. "What brings you here Barry? Nice to see you," You greeted and he drifted back from his thoughts.

"Oh yes um, here," He held the box out for you to take, "You left this at work, I think you forgot it. It says that's it's got documents for the current project?"

You face-palmed quickly and smiled brightly. "Right yeah, thanks for bringing it! I completely forgot about the deadline. I wouldn't want you to wait on my work," You said and took the box from his grasp.

You both stood in awkward silence then you shook your head. "Hey why don't you come in?" You offered and he smiled softly.

"Thank you but I-I should be going-"

"Nonsense! You can at least have a drink, maybe some coffee or tea, or hot chocolate," You smirked, "I know how much you like hot chocolate."

He rubbed the back of his neck shyly then nodded his head, "Alright I can maybe have a cup."

You opened the door wide and switched on the corridor light, inviting him inside your home.

As Barry rubbed his shoes on the door mat before entering inside, he commented, "This place seems pretty high class, I don't usually come..."

While he walked through the corridor into the main living room, he was lost for words. Barry was unable to continue his dialogue, completely taken aback by the house he was standing in.

You walked by him and placed the box on the dining table, smiling softly at his expression.

You lived in a huge penthouse, with windows that scaled from the ceiling to the floor, glorifying a view of the city and its night-lights. It was breathtaking. The decor was minimalistic and everything followed a colour scheme. Nothing looked over-the-top nor extra... everything had its place and purpose. The stairs that led to the second floor had a metallic railing that gave it a grunge-like feel though it fit the rest of the theme of the house. It was the right combination of furnishings and plant-life too, with potted plants and flowers scattered across the area without overcrowding, and the wooden floor tied everything together.

The house... it was an art piece.

"Wow..." Barry raised his head up to look ag the matte-coloured, dome chandelier that wasn't showy and sparkly but brightened the entire room.

"So do you want that hot chocolate now?" You grinned and he nodded his head quickly.

*****

An hour later...

"... And that's my bedroom," You gestured to the master bedroom, refraining from opening the door too wide, "It's a little messy and I don't want the image in your mind of me to disintegrate."

He chuckled and shook his head, "Don't worry, I have a completely new image of you now compared to before."

You held your hands together and frowned, and Barry noticed. He stepped closer to you and looked at you apologetically, "Hey, I don't mean that in a bad way... not at all!"

You started walking towards the staircase as Barrg followed. "What did you mean new?" You asked curiously and he rubbed his neck, fidgeting with his jacket sleeved afterwards.

"It's just that you're so introverted and quiet at work. You appear to be very simple with the clothes you wear and you look so... natural all the time," He explained, "All that for years of knowing you as a colleague and now... I'm just surprised that you live in this beautiful house and-"

"So a simple person can't live in a beautiful house?" You turned around quickly at the bottom of the stairs when Barry was right behind you and it frightened him.

"N-No I'm not saying that," He responded after regaining his breath, "I'm just saying... stereotypically you make an image of someone based on what you see every day. I never expected all this."

You looked to the floor with a smile. "Clothes... sure. Shoes... sure. Makeup... yeah maybe," You shrugged your shoulders then spread your arms out, "But I prioritise a nice house first. I love interior designing and you know how some people buy the classy cars? Well, I like investing in houses."

You walked over to the record player sitting beside the gaming consoles on a sideboard by the television and placed a record on top.

"I've been living here for the last five years. I have a pretty big family with my parents, my three siblings, not including me, and their families too," You counted on your fingers, "And my aunts and uncles too. That's why I have the four bedrooms."

You threw yourself onto the couch and Barry took a seat on the ottoman. "My brother used to live here while he studied, he paid rent, but now he's engaged so I have the whole house to myself," You smiled smugly, "Until holiday season."

Barry still gazed about the furniture and decorations. "I still can't get over this house. It's amazing, I'd love to live in a place like this," He said in awe then stood up and watched the view from the window.

You walked up to him then unlocked the balcony door, "Care to step outside?" He beamed with happiness then made his way onto the balcony, holding onto the railing tightly and admiring the view.

The sounds of cars driving by and honking, along with the subtle street bustle filled the ambience. Barry sat on top of a bar stool and you did as well.

"Did you know, the word 'penthouse' is derived from the Latin word 'appendere' which means 'hang on'?" Barry asked and you chuckled.

"No I did not know that Barry," You stared at him with a smile, a hand rested under your chin.

"In the 16th century, it then changed to be associated with the French 'pente' which is 'slope', followed by house," He continued.

"Oh really?" You raised a brow and smirked.

"Forgive my pronunciations, it's not my strong suit," He smiled nervously. You sat up straight then took a deep breath.

"I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship, Barry," You said and he bit his lip and squinted his eyes.

"... Casablanca?"

You looked at him with pure confusion,"What's that?" He immediately covered his moth with his hand and widened his eyes in shock.

You nudged him lightly and laughed, "I'm joking! Of course I know it... but I haven't watched it."

He shook his head in disappointment and stood up suddenly. "Okay, we are going to spend the evening watching this classic and you have no way of getting out of it," He placed his hands on his hips and stared at you while you laughed till your stomach ached.