Adrian hadn’t planned to host a meeting at home—it wasn’t exactly the environment he imagined for buttoned-up colleagues in crisp suits and perfectly polished shoes. But when the company’s conference room tech failed at the worst possible moment, and with deadlines pressing, he didn’t see another option.

“Gentlemen, this way,” Adrian said calmly, unlocking the front door and stepping aside to allow his guests in first.

The moment the door opened, the shift in atmosphere was impossible to ignore.

From the outside, it was just another suburban home, neat and unassuming. But inside… it was something else entirely.

The entryway flowed into a dark, striking space. Black-painted walls contrasted with crisp white trim, while ornate gothic frames and artwork adorned the walls. To the left, the open-plan kitchen gleamed—sleek countertops the shade of storm clouds, with deep black cabinets and silver fixtures polished to perfection. Greenery trailed from high shelves and framed the archways, adding an oddly whimsical yet elegant touch.

In the dining space, a marble-gray island stood at the center, decorated with fresh roses and lush topiary plants in black vases. The chairs, upholstered in black velvet with studded trim, gave the whole room an air of quiet opulence.

One of the men exchanged a glance with the other. Adrian caught it but ignored it.

He led them further inside, where the living room walls were lined with shadowy art and ornate black accents, softened by plush rugs and warm candlelight. Down the hallway, the edge of a doorframe revealed a bedroom, where a tufted black velvet bedframe with high, winged sides stood like a throne, the bedding all midnight tones. Even the faint glimpse of a crib—painted black with delicate details—spoke volumes about the household’s aesthetic. Only the few toys sticking out of a large black box were brightly colored.

It was elegant. It was bold. And it was utterly unexpected.

Adrian’s colleagues, though too polite to comment outright, couldn’t hide their curious glances as they settled awkwardly into the living room. This wasn’t the sterile, minimalist décor they were used to from business partners. This was personality, creativity, and unapologetic self-expression woven into every detail.

Adrian, for his part, was unbothered. He shed his suit jacket, draping it neatly over the back of a chair, and began pulling out documents from his briefcase with practiced ease.

“This will do,” he said simply, his voice calm and assured, as if he hosted professional meetings in this dramatic, gothic sanctuary every day.

For a moment, silence hung in the air, broken only by the faint jingling of the dogs’ collars as they trotted in from another room, curious about the guests.

And then— The sound of keys turning in the lock echoed through the entryway.

The door creaked open.