PHILANTHROPIST
Maria was left flabbergasted after she went to check out the apartment Reid had offered her on platter of gold. It was hard to think that he’s so rich he could give away generous gifts like that.
Yes she knew he was wealthy but this was the first time she had experienced it firsthand. Reid’s condo was bigger than she had imagined, leaving her agape and filling her with a feeling of intimidation.
The apartment he had offered her which was a sub section of his Condo was a two bedroom apartment which easily twartled her expectations. It was painted grey and white and had a few appliances already set in. Although she still had to get things like curtains, rugs, mattress and common furniture.
Athina jumped to assistance as expected, she was so happy about the offer Reid had made, only squinting her eyes in suspicion before deciding there was nothing to worry about. Athina considered that Reid had never been stingy to her, not like she ever needed his help financially but he didn’t hesitate to spend whenever a need arose.
She remembered Colton mentioned something to her about Reid being his go-to person if he ever had a problem with his business or finances. The next day had Athina whining about how her best friend was going to leave her soon. Maria assured Athina she would stop by anytime she could with her favourite home made pie. Athina was getting fresher by the day, pregnancy sure looked good on her.
Her skin was flawless, shining with a beautiful tone she had never seem on Athina before. In addition to that, her cheeks were rounder and her baby bump had begun to show a little. Colton was obsessed with rubbing Athina’s tummy at every chance he got.
Maria had told Athina about her date with Kyros the other day and Athina supported her decision not to get too physical with him yet. She rolled her eyes and titted lowly, muttering something about guys being a bit too hasty.
Nevertheless the past few days found Maria waking up in the late hours of the morning and spending the rest of the day binging movies with Athina in the absence of her husband. Of course they quarrelled a million times over what movie to pick, Athina enjoyed sappy romance themes way too much for her own good and Maria was having none of it. Considering Athina’s pregnancy, it was even worse when an emotional scene came up, athina would burst into tears, crying so much you’d think she was being directly disadvantaged because of a movie scene!
However, today she and Athina had decided to go shopping for her new apartment. If there was something Maria loved doing with her best friend amongst other things, it was definitely decoration.
Back when she had established her restaurant newly, she and Athina would remodel every once in a while seeing to it themselves that the restaurant had a new look that was pleasing to the customers.
Maria was dressed in a casual sundress since the weather was a bit hot, paring it with a black sun hat and boots. Athina mirrored her fashion sense, following in the same suit and they both skipped to the car where the driver waited patiently for them.
Earlier in the week, she had ordered some furnitures to be sent to the address. She and athina had decided to go with black sofas with a touch of deep blue. The sitting room was painted in neutral colors and the chair seemed perfect for the color tone. The bect thing she got was a beautiful wall clock almost half her height. It was well ornated with shiny stones and it’s gold tone seemed to give the right touch of classy.
Next was a glass dining table with the accompanying dining chairs. The only things left were drapes for the windows, rugs and kitchen appliances. A mattress had been delivered to the house already alongside a few new bed spreads.
For today, she and athina would be getting things for the room decor and then a few things that would go in her almost empty kitchen. As soon as they stepped into the shopping mall, Athina gushed in adoration at all the beautiful home decor around them. Maria was a it overwhelmed too. There was something Maria hated about getting new things for herself and that was the decision making process. You’d see so many beautiful options that you become indecisive at a point. She honestly preferred having someone else with a great taste do her decor shopping for her, that way she wouldn’t have to compare so many beautiful things to settle on just one. It was a difficult feat for her.
After Maria broke out of her thoughts, she was surprised to see Athina at the far end squealing at some more things just like she had done for the ones before them and the ones before those ones too. Maria rolled her eyes before taking steps towards Athina. From the corner of her eyes, she saw a mirror hanging on the wall alongside other mirrors. She gasped.
It was a full length mirror but that wasn’t what made her eyes glint in awe, no. It was a full length mirror, silver rimmed and just above it was a moderately sized bow, carved intricately. Like moth to flame her feet moved of their own accord until she found herself standing in front of the mirror, hand on its hard yet delicate surface.
“Still haven’t gotten over your obsession with bows have you? I knew it” Athina spat in an accusatory tone and Maria laughed at how much athina loved to tease her about her obsession with bows.
“At least it isn’t pink though so you have to admit it has significantly reduced over the years” Maria quipped, still admiring the mirror.
“Actually it has lights installed so when you plug it in, the lights come on and the lights are pink”
An employee piped in coming to stand close to Maria and athina having overheard their conversation. She was beaming with a smile as she bent to plug the wire into a nearby socket.
True to what she said, the mirror came to life, the once silver rim now changing changing a vibrant pink. Maria stepped back a few feet, trying her best not to scream in excitement. Athina huffed at her shaking her head from side to side.
“I’ll get this please!” Maria squealed whipping out her debit card and waving it excitedly and tge chirpy employee.
The rest of their shopping was left to Athina who was glad to pick out fantastic products and make sure Maria didn’t pick another bow designed thing. Of course it was all part of a cruise, athina would never stop Maria from getting whatever she wanted even if it had a million bows on it but Maria knew Athina would never let her live it down. Athina teasing you was equal to q0 normal persons teasing you.
Once they were done Maria asked the driver to take somethings to the car while the ones that were rather big, they made plans to have it delivered at the home address. As they stood waiting for the driver to be done, Maria spotted someone who looked too much like kyros walking towards their car. She panicked, ducking a little to avoid eye contact.
She and kyros had been texting since the night of the date and awkward almost-kiss but Maria couldn’t decide if she was ready to see him. He kept apologising for it so much that at some point, chatting with him made her feel uneasy.
After he was sure that she didn’t hold a grudge against him about what happened, he then proceeded to ask what her reasons were for choosing not to get physical.
Maria felt like a part of him ridiculed her actions hence she told him it was a private reason and stopped any further conversation about that night.
Before Kong, things had returned back ti normal and he was his usual goofy self but she wasn’t ready to see him yet and as if sensing it, he hadn’t asked to meet up even once.
Athina was too busy texting Colton to notice Maria. Thankfully, kyros strode past the car not not even glancing at it twice. Maria sighed, resting her back on the car and cleaning the imaginary sweat on her forehead like she had seen cartoon characters do after escaping from someone or a situation.
Soon enough, they matched into the car and started the rather long drive to her new apartment. Atgina chattered on and on about ideas on how to decorate the baby nursery. It was all she and Colton could talk about these days and Maria was genuinely happy seeing them make plans for their yet to be born child. It was adorable.
Some of the excitement had begun to seep into her too and she couldn’t wait to be an aunt. Thy had decided not to do a gender test when the time was due. Alas the car pulled up in front of Reid’s condo which was still overwhelming to her and they both stepped down, letting the driver haul everything to the apartment she led him to. She opened the door to see the palace just how she left it the last time she dropped by. The furnitures were perfectly arranged with some throw pillows sitted idly on the sofas.
She flicked on the lights and a warm strawberry scent greeted her as soon as she stepped into the sitting room. She had installed some home scents too. She and Athina got right to it, unboxing what she got and putting them in the right places.
Finally it was time for her to take her to place the mirror in the room which was the last piece of her room decor. She placed it by the wall opposite her bed and plugged it in a nearby socket sighing contentedly when the pink lights flicked on and it’s reflection danced on the walls happily.
Today had been a good day overall, she decided. Now thinking about it, she was thankful she didn’t bump into Reid on her way upstairs. Every once in a while she just got into this phase where she appreciated being alone. Of course Athina was never an overbearing presence in her life so she was exempted.
Maria had told her parents about the apartment and also sent pictures of it to them which they really appreciated. Her mother gave her a few suggestions on things to get, as usual, her motherly love could not be quelled by distance.
Maria realised that she actually appreciated having a place so much that she couldn’t imagine how she was ever comfortable with staying with Athina for so long. Not like Athina ever made it uncomfortable but Maria loved being in her own space so much and she had missed the feeling of having her own place, like before she travelled to Greece.
For the umpteenth time this week she found herself mentally thanking Reid for his generosity. Maybe she had misjudged him too harshly afterall. Maybe she was even the problem to start with? Athina often described Maria as a very serious looking person, prim and tending to look rather rude. Taking this into consideration, Maria recalled how many guys jad felt intimidated by her, she couldn’t understand it however. She was barely 5’5. Something in her just commanded some form of authority.
Once they were done with arrangements, she and Athina filed out of the apartment, locking the door firmly behind her. They drove back to Colton’s mansion, bickering about what they would have for dinner that evening.
“You’ll prepare it of course!” Athina chirped, doing a mini victory dance like she just won a lottery.
Athina did not love cooking as much as Maria did.
“Okay ma’am” Maria consented choosing to let her go just this time since Athina had afterall helped her with shopping today.