𝟏𝟐- 𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐋𝐔𝐗𝐔𝐑𝐘

CHAPTER TWELVE

Taste of Luxury.

❂

ARIA had just made it back from Barnes and Noble, a new book tucked underneath her arm.

Today was an easy day— her shift at the book store only lasted three hours and the club was closed on Wednesday nights.

The redhead made no rush getting home, massaging her head with one hand while the other steered her wheel.

The moment she turned the corner to her apartment, she had spotted flowers decorated in brown wrapping on her welcome mat.

A card with the cursive words From Ki adorned the thin paper that sat in the lily bouquet.

Aria bit down on her bottom lip as she gathered the bouquet in her hand, opening her apartment door with them cradled to her chest.

She avoided the fragile flowers staining her top by angling them upwards, carefully lying them down onto her kitchen counter.

She peeled open the card once settled in, immediately smiling at the words that were neatly written inside.

'I can't get you out of my head. Dinner at 7?'

It'd been two weeks since the small hangout at Parker and Ethan's home.

Parker had rushed the two out once receiving news that her fiancé was on his way back to her. One thing about the blonde model: she was utterly smitten to her man.

Aria and Kiera left their friend with farewell cheek kisses and hugs, doing the same to one another before parting ways.

Aria has spent her past few weeks working. She went from organizing books in a quiet store to sliding down a pole in a lingerie set.

Some days it was one or the other while most were spent job after job.

The only thing keeping the woman motivated was the fat wad of cash that she left with after every session with Memphis.

The money that she gained started to empower the redhead even more. She felt truly lavish. She went on shopping trips to upgrade her wardrobe, bought new books for her shelves, and even spent a good band or two on Sade.

What wasn't used to cater to self preferences was put away for safekeeping.

She knew when to stop.

Aria had decided to seize any conversation with Memphis after their last encounter.

She simply did her job and left after.

No side remarks, glares, or eye rolls.

Memphis didn't seem to care— or at least she showed well that she didn't.

Their situation was still very confusing to Aria but it was simple.

Their interactions were limited. It was simply business and that's the way Aria wanted it to stay.

She wasn't interested in Memphis' life in the slightest.

In fact, Aria was more fascinated with another woman's company.

The redhead pulled her phone out of her pocket, patiently tapping a few buttons before holding it up to her ear.

The line rang for a few seconds before the low voice of Kiera flooded the other end.

"Hi, Ari." she spoke softly, the faint sound of music in her background.

"Hi." Aria smiled into her phone, "What's our destination?"

Kiera laughed, "You got the flowers."

"I got the flowers." Aria nodded to herself, unwrapping the orange bouquet with gentle movements.

"I was thinking somewhere more uptown. Classy and expensive." Kiera chuckled lightly.

Aria rolled her eyes as if the woman was standing in front of her, "Oh, so you want an extravagant night?"

"Something like that." the brunette hummed, her voice rising in pitch as if stretching out her limbs.

"I'm not opposed. How fancy are we thinking? You know I have to dress the part properly." Aria questioned while sticking the orange lilies into a vase full of water.

"Dress your best, gorgeous." Kiera spoke with sincerity laced in her tone.

"Then it's settled." Aria confirmed their date.

"I'll pick you up at 7, yeah?"

Aria glanced up at her microwave to take notice of the time.

4:43pm.

She had more than enough time.

"I'll see you then." she breathed out, tossing the brown wrappings into her trash.

And with a simple digital kiss and goodbye, the women separated.

The redhead decided to take a nap before their plans later on in the day. She slid off her knitted cardigan, leaving her in a pair of jeans and a white top. Her hair was let down from the claw clip, the delicate accessory now tossed onto her wooden coffee table.

Her body felt lighter as she threw it onto her plush couch, reveling in the comfort it offered. It didn't take long for her eyes to flutter shut as she welcomed a quick slumber.

Sade had found himself snuggled up in Aria's side midway through her nap, his soft purrs vibrating the surface beneath them.

As always, the two napped together in serenity.

It wasn't til around five thirty-ish that the redhead began getting ready for her date with Kiera.

Freshly showered, the redhead sat in front of her vanity. Solange's voice filled the empty space of her room as she took her time perfecting hair curls.

Her makeup was light, the only bold thing about it all being her crimson painted lips. Her body fit snugly into a dark brown, haltered mermaid dress. The straps were embroidered with lace and sat pleasantly on her collarbone, drawing attention to the brand new Cartier necklace on her chest.

Three firm knocks echoed through the apartment just as Aria finished dousing herself in a vanilla scented perfume.

She scurried out of her bedroom in Jimmy Choo pumps, another new addition to her closet, opening the door with a soft smile.

"I'll never get used to this." Kiera spoke as the redhead stood in the open doorway, "You're so beautiful."

Aria smiled bigger, "You're too kind, Ki."

Kiera took her hands from her pockets, reaching for Aria's soft hands, "Ready?"

"Absolutely." Aria confirmed, watching the brunette place a kiss on the back of her palm.

❂