Joy lived just a stone's throw from the office.
After graduation, she snagged a job at Lyle Advertising Agency. With a salary that comfortably hit five figures, plus the occasional bonus, her financial situation was pretty solid. Beyond splurging on the occasional brunch or designer bag, she didn't have many extravagances.
Truth be told, Joy was a bit of a penny-pincher. She often mooched off her friend Leanne for free meals and the latest fashion accessories. Aside from the regular chunk of money she sent home, Joy didn't spend much on herself, allowing her to save up and put a down payment on a cozy two-bedroom house.
The place wasn't huge, but it was packed with quirky collectibles, its refrigerator door plastered with an eclectic assortment of magnets, and its walls adorned with shelves and paintings of various styles. The overall vibe was a riot of colors and maximalism, brimming with life.
At first glance, the place seemed kinda messy, yet it was apparent there was order in the chaos.
The sofa was mostly occupied by an assortment of plush pillows and stuffed animals, arranged just so, perfect for lounging. The bedroom door was ajar, revealing what looked like someone under the covers, which turned out to be a life-sized teddy bear.
The kitchen was sparsely equipped, as Joy wasn't fond of cooking or household chores. Clothes were hung rather than folded, and she left the cleaning to her robot vacuum.
Upon entering, Joy immediately rescued the trapped robot vacuum from beneath a chair, setting it back on its cleaning path.
They were in the living room, unboxing a lamp and its components.
Austin sat cross-legged on the floor, assembling the lamp methodically without even glancing at the instructions.
Joy had assumed it was a ready-made lamp and was surprised by the complexity. She was strong and resilient but lacked patience for such tasks.
She squatted beside him, offering tools, but after the third time she handed him the wrong one, Austin sighed, "Take a break, you haven't got one right."
Joy retorted confidently, "Well, you could say what you need. How am I supposed to know otherwise?"
Austin chuckled, "You're more like a dude."
The robot vacuum slowly bumped into Austin's leg, backed up, and bumped into him again.
"Its sensor must be acting up, kind of clumsy."
Austin remarked, "Just like you."
Quick as a flash, Joy shot back, "Just like you!" and nudged the robot away with her foot, giving Austin a clue about the sensor's possible mishap.
The lamp, now assembled, was hard
to be described merely as a lamp
Made of glass, its colors were a result of the flame's temperature, oxygen level, angle, and manufacturing duration.
It resembled a colorful seashell or a mermaid's tail.
Once Austin plugged it in and instructed Joy to turn off the lights, the house, now under night's veil, was plunged into darkness. Flicking the lamp on transformed the room, as if a galaxy had descended bathing it in a swirl of colors.
Hitting another button, the lampshade began to rotate like a music box, casting enchanting, shimmering mermaid hues around the room. Joy couldn't help but exclaim in awe.
She gazed upward, and on her way back, stumbled over Austin's leg. He steadied her, guiding her to sit down.
Joy lay down on the carpet, mesmerized by the kaleidoscope of lights dancing across the ceiling and walls.
Austin lay down beside her.
With the gentle tinkle of music
accompanying the magical display,
Joy thought if she had known the lamp was this mesmerizing, she would have skipped dinner without a second thought. She could lie there all night.
"Do you like it?" Austin asked.
"Yeah, I love it!" Joy's response was quick and firm. "Where'd you get it?"
Resting his head on his hands, Austin teased, "Why? Planning to snag one for someone else?"
Joy huffed, "Why do you have to be so petty? Can't I want to get something nice for my best friend?"
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