Page 55 of (UN)Bounded

“Welcome, Mister…” the woman behind the counter says, and I reply, “Godoy.”

She smiles at me and says, “Welcome, Mister Godoy. Is there anything in particular you are looking for?”

I smile at her as I start looking around for blue stones. “I want something for my girlfriend. She has the most beautiful azure eyes, and I want something that matches.”

The woman nods as she motions for me to follow her. “Right this way, sir.”

We get to a display of sapphires: rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, hairpins. Everything is beautiful, but I need to find something that screams Bella the moment I see it. I start looking more closely at each piece until I spot a set that makes my heart skip a beat.

“Can I see this one?” I point to it, and the woman immediately places it in a velvet tray for me. The moment I grab it in my hands, I know this is what I want to gift Bella. It’s unique, exquisite, one of a kind. Just like her. “I’ll take it. Please wrap it up.”

“Right away, sir. How would you like to pay?” I take out my black card, and her smile widens.

I can’t wait to get back to Bologna and see Bella wearing this. It’s perfect.

Last night, by the time I arrived, Bella was already in bed. I decided to pull an all-nighter and finish the initial draft of my design. I had the basic idea already on my design app, and after seeing the location in person, I made a few changes to the design and the materials I want to use. As Bella had once described my style, I decided on a very intricate yet modern flare for the sheikh’s palace.

Finally, around five in the morning, after showering, I get into bed with Bella. Her soft breathing immediately changes when I pull her closer to me.

“What time is it?” she murmurs, still asleep.

“Not time to wake up, yet. Keep sleeping, principessa,” I whisper in her ear. She wiggles her ass against my dick, and it jerks like it’s finally home.

In the morning, Bella surprises me by waking at the same time I always do. After we shower together, I prepare acai bowls for breakfast.

“I’m done with the first draft for the palace. I’m turning it in today,” I tell her as I pour two glasses of orange juice.

“Can I see it? Or is it top secret?” she asks with a smirk.

“Here, tell me your professional opinion.”

I fire up the tablet for her and show her the blueprint. Bella grabs the tablet and starts going through the design. She pauses at certain spots, making me curious about what she’s focusing on, but then she continues scanning. I love how much attention she’s paying to every detail.

After almost half an hour, she passes the tablet back.

“I love it, but it doesn’t scream sheikh to me. Maybe you need to add a few more touches,” she says this timidly, almost afraid of my reaction. I was expecting her to praise my design, but I can’t deny I’m intrigued to learn her feedback.

“What would you add?” I ask her honestly, and she seems surprised by my response.

“Do you really want my opinion? I’m not an architect.”

“No, but you’re an artist. Maybe you could help me improve my design.” She smiles brightly as she goes to her bag and grabs a pencil and her sketchbook.

“I’d make all the windows look like mirrors so that the palace would be a mirage in the middle of the desert. The heat that the windows collect, because you know they’re going to get hot, could be used to power at least part of the palace. It would be amazing if it could be a self-sufficient building. I would also add some other colors besides those mimicking the sand. Maybe the light that passes through the windows could be heat-activated, so the hotter it is outside, the darker it becomes inside, saving on cooling costs.

“Also, you could create an indoor Eden Garden. Imagine being able to visit a tropical forest in the middle of the desert or take a book and sit by the luscious plants while having tea. Finally, I don’t think there’s anything cooler than an indoor pool with a slow river connecting it to the outdoors. Fit for a sheikh.” She finishes with a flourish, and I give her a standing ovation.

“Are you sure you don’t want to join my team permanently? These are great ideas, Bella,” I tell her as I place a kiss on her hair.

“Thanks, G. But no, I’d rather continue my work. I’d love to be your personal consultant, though. You can pay me with orgasms.” A grunt escapes me as she lunges to run away, giggling all the way to our room. I’d chase her to the ends of the universe if necessary.

After arriving at the office way too late, I get an inquisitive look from Dom.

“What?” I ask him as I fire up my computer in my office and see him closing the door behind him.

“I’ve known you since college, Fra. And this is the first time you didn’t get to work on time. What the fuck is going on?”

“Good thing it’s my name on the building. Did someone die?” I ask him without looking at him; I’m not sure what he’s trying to get at.

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