The moment the door to Charles Kosonen's apartment closed behind them, Kaija felt like she had stepped into an entirely different world.
A soft amber glow washed over the room from hidden lights tucked beneath shelves and behind dark wooden panels. The air smelled faintly of cedar, expensive cologne, and something warm she couldn't identify. Jazz hummed quietly somewhere in the background, low enough to blend into the atmosphere rather than dominate it.
"Would you be okay with wine instead of boba tea for tonight?" Charles asked as he loosened the cuffs of his shirt with smooth, practiced movements.
"Wine is fine," Kaija replied, slipping off her shoes near the entrance. "Though I don't really know what it tastes like, to be honest with you."
Her sleepy blue eyes drifted slowly around the apartment.
Though the layout mirrored her own unit exactly, the difference between them felt almost absurd.
