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In the elevator we laughed and shared stories of the day’s custoether, Rafiq insisted ind down the night in a celebratory fashion

After whipping up a batch of delicious cocktails, he took me out on the penthouse patio for the first ti, it arm and quiet, and the view took my breath away The city sounds floated far away, muffled by distance and the soft summer breeze

Even out here, Rafiq had comfortable, stylish furniture He sat down on the cushy black loveseat and gestured for me to join him with a smile I sat down close to him

“To a successful day,” said Rafiq, holding up his glass

Clinking ainst his, I said, “To a most successful day”

He smiled at me as we sipped our drinks The alcohol warmed my throat and relaxed my muscles

“You really did an aainst the loveseat “Thank you for that I’ve ether”

“You deserve every penny, and more, Evie You’re very talented,” said Rafiq “I never paid lip service to your work, I hope you know that Despite this arrangement and all its… complications, please know your art stands above all that I wouldn’t ”

I smiled softly at him “It’s nice to feel so supported So out here on my own I mean, not all on my own, I have my parents back hoht I carry by myself”

“You’re braver than h to head out into the world on your own ter uncomfortably You should never sell that short”

“Is that what you’re afraid of, Rafiq?” I asked “Losing all this luxury and comfort?”

Rafiq looked down at me for a moment before he put his arm around my shoulder “Would you think less of me if I said yes?”

My knee-jerk reaction was to say yes, but I didn’t Instead I asked him, “Why are you afraid of that? You know most people live their lives without it every day, and still live happy, right?”

Rafiq sighed and looked out toward the city skyline The sound of the busy streets beloafted up like soft background music Somewhere distant, a siren sounded “I don’t know, Evie I suppose it’s just perspective, really I’ve never known anything else but this life, so to live without it seems”