Chapter 12 #2
Melo pulled the heavy door open so she could enter and took her hand in his as they checked in with the receptionist. Too stunned to speak, Kwinn took in her surroundings.
Casa Valora wasn’t a place you could simply walk into on a random Sunday afternoon, like they just had, and browse.
She’d heard of the showroom before, as most designers had, but Kwinn never thought she’d be standing inside of it.
The showroom carried exclusive bespoke furniture, textiles, lighting, stone, hardware, and custom pieces from designers all over the world.
Their private client and designer days were reserved for select interior designers and industry professionals, giving them access to collections that weren’t readily available elsewhere.
How Melo finessed them a day pass was none of her concern at the moment.
“Oh, my God,” Kwinn gasped the second she crossed the threshold.
Her eyes were moving quicker than she could take everything in. Doing a little jump and squeal, she was grateful for the comfy platform heel she had on. There was about to be a lot of walking.
“Nah. I definitely didn’t expect all this,” Melo mumbled, in awe just as much as she was.
Casa Valora was truly an interior designer’s playground.
Even if you weren’t in the field but loved timeless, one-of-a-kind decor pieces that made a statement in any room, this was the perfect place to be.
A bit dangerous, too, because Kwinn was definitely about to blow a bag and treat herself and her clients.
Walls were covered in textured textiles, samples of leather and fabric were arranged by color, and slabs of stone were displayed upright.
Rows of hardware in finishes she’d never seen offered together caught her attention.
Kwinn was in heaven. Everything was intentional, and nothing was mass-produced.
Even the smallest details let her know they took their time here.
In absolute love, Kwinn walked ahead of Melo, stopping to admire a set of plush upholstered chairs with silver rhinestones in a chocolate-cherry color she’d never seen before.
Her mind immediately went to a client who reached out about creating a Black Nouveau-inspired reading room. They would be perfect for the space.
“Gorgeous, aren’t they?” A male associate approached her.
Kwinn smiled. “Beyond gorgeous. Who’s the designer?”
“Neo Cevare. Have you heard of her? She’s an incredibly talented Black woman from the Midwest, but moved here not too long ago,” he explained.
Kwinn hadn’t heard of the woman, but she’d know her credentials before the day was over, that was for sure. “I haven't, but she has a fan in me. If I were to purchase these today, how long would they take to arrive?”
Unlocking his handheld device, he asked for Kwinn’s zip code and entered a few more things into the system.
What made Casa Valora even more special was that she didn’t have to stand there admiring everything she couldn’t have.
She could buy select pieces directly from the showroom and have them shipped wherever she needed them.
Kwinn could indulge in a little retail therapy without worrying about how the hell she’d get her beloved items back to Kansas City, and she was indulging.
Melo stood back watching as she perused the floor excitedly, smiling wide whenever she found something else to add to her shipping slip.
She was truly in her element. As Shane, her new friend, checked to make sure a certain item was available to ship, Kwinn walked over to Melo.
He stood coolly, a hand tucked in the pocket of his white linen pants.
Rocking a matching shirt, Melo looked so handsome and smelled even better.
“Babe, look at this,” she said, holding up a sculptural brass cabinet pull between her fingers. “This would look so good on the custom walnut vanity I showed you.”
Melo took it from her, turning the piece over in his hand before looking back at her. “You like this little thing?”
Kwinn giggled. “Yes. This one small detail may seem minor, but it can make an entire piece look like something or be bland as hell.”
Melo smirked. “Understood. You want ‘em?”
“Mhm. I’ll need about eight.”
“Do ya thang then. I’m just chilling, watching you ball out.”
Almost his height in her heels, Kwinn kissed his lips and hugged him around the waist. Pulling back, they stared at one another until Melo broke the silence seconds later.
“I love you, pretty girl.”
Kwinn blushed so hard. “I love you, too. Thank you, baby,” she said and kissed him again.
“Yeah, you better have said that shit with your chest. Make a nigga feel something,” he said, squeezing her booty with both hands.
Laughing, Kwinn wiggled out of his embrace. “Oh goodness. I don’ started something.”
“I’m glad you know that.”
Melo smiled as he watched her walk off, but he wasn’t too far away.
Seeing Kwinn happy fulfilled a part of him he hadn’t realized was waiting to be filled.
Melo’s list of things he was grateful for had her name on it, but he was going to double back and add it again, along with being grateful to be the one who made her smile.
Pulling out his phone, he snapped pictures of her, capturing one so breathtaking as she beamed his way. Melo couldn’t keep the masterpiece to himself. Outside of his interview, bloggers who posted pictures, and people close to them, no one really knew the deal between them except Kwinn and Melo.
Melo didn’t give a fuck about the public’s approval, how loud they were or weren’t rooting for them, or any outside validation.
He shared the picture of her to his story because he wanted to show them the real.
How his baby was living the absolute best life with a man who cherished and appreciated who the fuck she was as a woman.
Melo wasn’t about to pretend otherwise, especially after confessing his love.
Clearly, Kwinn was feeling the same way.
Since she hadn’t been on her phone for most of their trip, she had no clue Melo had shared the photo of her.
Later that night, while they posed and kissed in front of the sparkling Eiffel Tower, Kwinn shared a story of her own.
Only she added a cute caption and tagged Melo.
As he’d done during his interview, Kwinn stamped him, too.
& I’ma always choose you , the caption read.
Melo re-shared it, and of course, by the time people started their day, the image was posted everywhere. There was no more questioning whether Melo and Kwinn were a thing. They’d made it abundantly clear and hoped those who had trouble seeing now got the picture.