"I need to head to the office for a couple of hours," Alexander swiftly adjusted his tie while walking. "I'll try to be back as soon as possible. The interior designers are scheduled to come and see you. Are you okay with that, or should I reschedule?"

"I'll meet with them," Daniel finished his coffee and placed the cup on the tray table, humming uncertainly as he observed the wet bottom leaving streaks on the beautiful mosaic inlay. A table like this should be showcased in a museum as a piece of art, not stained with food and drink. He pushed the table aside and rose lazily, turning toward the panoramic window. In the sea-inspired hues of the bedroom, the morning's gray light filtering through the awakening city appeared more poetic - like a dawn on a rugged Scottish rocky shore. "What's the big deal?"

"It's not a big deal, just checking," Alexander approached silently. "Considering you've just experienced a nervous breakdown, Danny, I don't want to worsen things with unnecessary details," Alexander whispered as he approached. "I intended to accompany you when they arrive, to provide support in an unfamiliar environment."

"To be more precise, to oversee," Daniel replied dryly, shrugging off a kiss on his right shoulder. "I can manage it, I won't cause a scene - it's just completing a room, not a significant challenge. Go to the office."

"When I return, we'll go for a walk and have lunch out. If you feel hungry before then, have a light snack, okay?" Alexander, without waiting for a response, turned him around. His eyes gleamed as he leaned in for a kiss. Daniel didn't pull away, softly reciprocating the gesture, feeling Alexander's restless hands on his back. After a moment, he turned his head toward the window.

"When can I start working?"

"When your doctors give the green light," Alexander kissed his temple one last time, rubbing his nose contentedly. "Not before. I'm firm on this, Danny, so please don't push it," he added tenderly. "Did you know you have a mole on your temple that looks like a bird?"

Daniel, who had geared up for an argument, felt thrown off - what bird? What nonsense. It was a clumsy attempt to change the subject without allowing him to finish his previous point.

"I want to get back to work in the next few days," Daniel stated stubbornly, pushing Alexander's chest to get him to let go. "And you should consider seeing a psychiatrist, Sasha! Seeing a bird in a mole – holy shit!"

"It's in the shape of a tiny tick," Alexander hummed with wild delight, tracing his finger in the air. "Like a seagull over the sea. It's very beautiful, I like it."

"You like everything," Daniel remarked as he headed to the bathroom, throwing a frown in farewell. "I'll start work in the next few days. Get the project ready, or I'll think you've lied to me."

"No lies, Danny! I'll give you everything we agreed on," Alexander followed him fearfully, but Daniel sped up - he didn't want to talk at all, especially since he still had to shower and get ready before the designers came.

In the bathroom, Daniel clicked the lock, grinning when the doorknob jerked - he'd made it! He immediately cringed at the sight of the luxurious black-and-white marble-and-mirror-and-crystal grotto that served as the bathtub. His doppelgangers slid on the mirrored walls, dumping clothes into the gaping yawn of a laundry basket shaped like a twisted mother-of-pearl shell - there was no doubt that the mother-of-pearl in this basket was real.

After stripping naked, Daniel stood at the largest mirror, which reflected numerous copies of smaller mirrors. Yes, Alexander was right about something: his natural colors matched the colors of the interior - white skin, dark hair, blue eyes. It was a strange coincidence to live carelessly, unaware that one was conforming to someone else's fastidious taste, someone else's favorite colors and images. Daniel slapped the mirror with annoyance and made his way to the shower stall. Nonsense! The main point was that Alexander's natural colors weren't what he'd dreamed of.

The designers were drinking coffee as he waited and rose hurriedly as soon as he ran downstairs. Daniel was embarrassed - he thought he was just a few minutes late, but judging by the coffee they drank and the ruined platter of cakes, they had been waiting for him much longer.

"Hello, Mr. King," the tall, thin blonde woman began melodiously. "My name is Julia, I'm leading the project of your house. And this is my team: Svetlana and Egor."

"Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Daniel. You can address me by my first name," Daniel shook hands and smiled. "I have absolutely no knowledge of decorating rooms, all my experience is limited to Ikea, which suits me perfectly."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, too," Julia replied politely with a smile, her well-mannered minions echoing. "Great, you can think of us as a customized Ikea. Do you like brevity and minimalism in your interiors, Daniel?"

"Yes, I do," Daniel agreed, gesturing for her to follow him up the stairs. She ascended gracefully, her slender frame swaying slightly as she looked him trustingly in the eye. Her narrow, pale face seemed almost ethereal: thin, light arches of brow, blue eyes framed by equally light lashes, lips untouched by lipstick - and yet it left an impression. Julia was either confident enough not to rely on cosmetics as a means of influence, or she professionally occupied her niche, careful not to divert attention away from the client.

"Do the colors of Scandinavian minimalism appeal to you as well?" Julia asked with a slight smile, and after a moment's hesitation, Daniel glanced at her pale pink lips and answered.

"Yes, I typically prefer light, understated backgrounds with subtle accents that don't dominate the room's tone and character. But overall, I'm quite unpretentious, so I wouldn't want to spend a fortune on furnishings."

"I understand," Julia nodded, making a gracefully delicate gesture with her hand. "Something subtle, not ostentatious, like a good melody. What kind of music do you enjoy, Daniel? What do you listen to when you're lost in thought?"

"Well..." Daniel hesitated, feeling a bit flustered. "Miles Davis, 'So What'; Nina Simone, 'The Look of Love'; Muddy Waters, 'Mannish Boy'."

"'The look of love is in your eyes, the look your eyes can't disguise...'" Julia unexpectedly purred, completing the lyrics. "And for the more energetic moments?"

"Hilltop Hoods, 'Sell It All, Run Away,'" Daniel grinned, starting to catch on to where she was leading the conversation. "I'm quite eclectic when it comes to music, to be honest. Most of the time, I listen to random selections on music streaming services and create playlists of my favorites, but I don't consider myself to have refined taste. For running, I just choose a selection with 175 bpm. As for clothing and accessories, I don't have any strong preferences. My work wardrobe has always been dictated by the dress code, and in my daily life, I opt for simple, comfortable clothes - T-shirts, jeans, hoodies. I might enjoy hooligan prints like those from Kooples or Moschino, but mainly because they break the monotony of the dress code. If I were a freelancer, I probably wouldn't wear hooligan prints either. In general, I don't believe that interiors should conform to me; rather, I adapt to them. I'm not Alexander."

"The key is not to let the interior overwhelm you," Julia smiled as she entered the room, spreading her hands apart. "Take a look at the room, feel its charm right now, when there's nothing in it, when it's a blank canvas."

"Well, not exactly blank," Daniel remarked skeptically, eyeing the black marble floor with gold and white veins. "I'd say it's already stained with ink."

"It's Nero Portoro marble from Portovenere, Italy," Julia said gracefully, squatting down to touch the glossy surface with the tips of her long fingers. "We advised Mr. Bystritsky not to use the first layer - the 'scalino' or 'staircase step,' which has a black background with thinner gold veins. Instead, we suggested using the 'portoro macchia fina' or 'beautiful spot,' valued above the others. It's more suited to the second layer, the 'banco' or 'bench,' where the veins are wider and curl into golden curls - like his hair," she looked up at Daniel, who felt a bit shocked, as if she were kneeling before him. "I would recommend using Tanzanian onyx for the floor in this room - it's warm, bright, layered, and versatile," Julia smiled as she rose.

"It sounds excessively luxurious," Daniel shivered. "I prefer something simpler. I'd rather not touch the floor at all, but carpet it to eliminate the darkness. Minimal furniture: a desk, a work chair, a bookcase, a bed..."

"As I understand, this room was intended to be a study," Julia extended her hand imperiously, and Svetlana handed her the tablet. "So, a bed in the study would seem out of place. Perhaps you'll take a look at the catalog and a few layouts?"

Daniel clenched his teeth - typical Alexander, leaving no room for negotiation, afraid Daniel would insist on separate bedrooms. Well, he'd make do with an office. There was no point in arguing with the designers, especially since he wasn't the one footing the bill.

"Thank you," Daniel dismissed the first few layouts, which were overly bright and heavy in content, and examined with interest the unusual desk with two massive legs made up of irregular cubes. "I like this one. At least there's no gold in it. Is that wood?"

"Jati tree from the Indonesian jungle," Julia confirmed, glancing at the tablet. "This model is from the Bonsai collection by Boca de Lobo. Are you satisfied with the color?"

"The Indonesian jungle," Daniel repeated thoughtfully. "Yes, I want this model, but in a natural wood color without any alterations. Let me also select a sofa for this room, and you can coordinate the rest of the furniture to complement these two pieces."

"Excellent idea," Julia said, running her fingers across the screen, revealing an array of different sofas. Daniel felt overwhelmed as she asked, "What kind of upholstery surface do you prefer, Daniel: textured, rugged, smooth, velvety, or tufted?"

"Velvety?" Daniel asked uncertainly, scanning the selection of sofas with thin legs, bulky couches on large golden bases, and curved ottomans. With a hint of despair, he pointed to an oddly shaped sofa resting on either a crystal or glass base. "It's tough to decide! I'd like something similar to that, but without the gold or crystal base. And there aren't diamonds in the base, are there?"

"Swarovski rhinestones," Julia corrected casually, "but in a Tiffany cut. I suggest Capri silk velvet from Beaumont & Fletcher for the upholstery. We'll send you samples so you can feel the texture. Would you like built-in speakers in the headboard?"

"Oh, no," Daniel shook his head incredulously. "Do you want the sofa to serenade me to sleep?"

"Perhaps Rammstein," Julia wrinkled her nose slightly, smiling wryly. "Whatever you prefer, Daniel. Now, let's decide on the main color and wall covering," she took a weighty layout with fabric wallpaper samples from Egor and opened it with a deft flick. "How about tapestry silk?"

Daniel sighed in horror as he examined the assortment of samples. The decision-making process was going to be lengthy. How had Alexander managed to decide on the design of the entire house?

"Maybe we should move to the living room and take a break from standing," Daniel suggested, grimacing as he pointed towards the door. Julia led her team into the living room.

After a grueling three hours, Daniel discovered that even humble hummingbirds were incorporated into some decor accessories, not to mention other, larger endangered species; reproductions of famous artworks could be crafted from gemstones, with customizable cuts; and speakers could be integrated into lamps to synchronize music with the light's brightness...

He mentally vetoed a vast array of options and settled on only a few decor elements, starting to suspect that Alexander had intentionally tasked him with decorating his own room to his preferences - at this pace, he could be decorating indefinitely.

Alexander entered the scene with a cheerful and attentive air. Taking in the exhausted Daniel and the energetic designers, he offered a knowing grunt.

"Hello, everyone! I think we've done enough for today. I'll take Danny with me."

"Hello, Mr. Bystritsky," Julia acknowledged her assistants with a faint nod, prompting them to swiftly pack up all the samples and catalogs into their cases. "We've had a productive session. By this evening, we'll send you five ready-made layouts with selected interior items. Thank you, Daniel. See you later," she concluded, shaking their hands and heading towards the exit.

"Thank you," Daniel dodged Alexander's attempt at a bear hug and hurriedly asked, "I still feel uneasy not knowing the prices. Could you please give me an idea, at least for understanding? Is the decor for the room comparable to a student loan of about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars?"

Julia flashed a cheerful smirk. "If you consider one furniture item, then yes," she replied, and made her exit.

"What?! Damn..." Daniel's jaw dropped in disbelief. "We need to scale it down! Sasha, this is way too much for just one room."

"If it's a room for my prince, then nothing is excessive," Alexander whispered affectionately, intercepting Daniel, who was rushing to catch up with the designers. "Danny, forget about it, it's just a drop in the bucket for me. By the way, I've instructed to add more lighting everywhere and replace the wall decor with something brighter and more calming. I want you to feel comfortable and content here."

"Are you out of your mind?" Daniel twiddled his thumb incredulously. "You love your house, you designed it for yourself. Why spend money on a place for someone who's only here temporarily?"

"Well, perhaps you might want to stay longer eventually," Alexander evaded the question. "It's not wise to anticipate too much. And there's nothing more permanent than the temporary. Life is short, my dear, and every moment of it should be cherished. You were distressed in my apartment, and I want you to find happiness here. Money is not a concern for you."

"Isn't it?" Daniel hissed, forcefully pushing him away. "If I recall correctly, money was the root of all our problems! Losing it drove you to madness! And now you're willing to throw millions of dollars at me? You're one irrational asshole!"

"Danny," Alexander turned pale, swallowing hard and whispered, "these are unrelated things... Please, don't..."

"Fuck you!" Daniel snorted angrily. "I won't like this place, even if it's covered in gold! It's a lousy apartment, and you're lousy!"

He took long strides across the unfortunate room, snapped the lock behind him, and instinctively rushed to the stairs, hearing heavy footsteps behind him - Alexander didn't lag behind for long, silently racing to catch up.

On the first floor, Daniel dashed into one of the rooms, sprinted through its somber grandeur to the adjoining room. There was no point in fleeing in a confined space, but he didn't want to be alone with the jerk. He reached for the locked doors in front of him, pulled the handles, dashed into the room - everything in this damned apartment was interconnected by numerous passages like in Guillermo del Toro's labyrinth. And once again, he hit a dead end, beginning to lose patience - his agitation evident in his voice.

"Danny! Come on, please, that's enough! Let's talk calmly! Danny, damn it, why are you running?! Open the door! I'll find the master key, and we'll talk anyway, you hear me? Danny! Open the door, I'm telling you!"

"Die, asshole! Get away from me! I don't want to see you! Go to work, go anywhere, just stay away from me!" Daniel fiercely yelled back. "And shove your money up your ass, along with your hummingbird feathers and diamonds! I wish you were dead, you asshole!"

His anger boiled over with each word, with each furious leap, and finally, Daniel burst into the living room with a blatant desire to punch the insolent bastard who dared to offer him pathetic handouts. His fists itched to make contact with the lips, to smash them until they wouldn't dare utter any more stupid words of comfort. There was an indeterminate noise behind the wall, and Daniel tiptoed toward it, trembling, ready to strike. The door opened, Daniel swung wildly, and... froze at the last moment.

A stout elderly woman in a white kerchief emerged and dropped a large tray of dishes to the floor with a startled cry, covering her head with her hands in a protective gesture. There was a clinking and clattering sound that drowned out the quiet scream of the frightened woman.

"I'm sorry..." The rage instantly subsided under the weight of guilt. "I didn't mean to hit you. I'm sorry, please."

The woman, clearly disbelieving, continued to shield herself and retreated into the kitchen. Unaware of his profound embarrassment, Daniel followed her.

"So, you've met!" Alexander, breathless, approached from behind and enveloped him in his arms. "Gyuzel, we were just joking, don't be afraid. This is Danny, Daniel. Danny doesn't beat women, come on. Danny, meet Gyuzel, my longtime housekeeper. She's been with me since I was a child. I adore her, and she adores me, right, Gyuzel?"

Gyuzel straightened up at his arrival, removed her hands from her face, still eyeing Daniel warily, and said uncertainly, "I-it's nice to meet you, Daniel. Please don't scare me like that again, my heart is weak."

"I won't, I'm sorry, please," Daniel mumbled weakly, attempting to extricate himself, but Alexander tightened his grip and whispered imploringly into his ear.

"Please, Danechka, let's save the discussion for later. You shouldn't be upset, and besides, it's time for lunch and a walk. Staying home will only make you more agitated. Shall we go?"

"Let's go," Daniel replied tersely. "Let go of me. I'm already calm."