Joy lived just a stone's throw from the office.

After graduation, she snagged a job at Lyle Advertising Agency. With a salary that comfortably hit five figures, plus the occasional bonus, her financial situation was pretty solid. Beyond splurging on the occasional brunch or designer bag, she didn't have many extravagances.

Truth be told, Joy was a bit of a penny-pincher. She often mooched off her friend Leanne for free meals and the latest fashion accessories. Aside from the regular chunk of money she sent home, Joy didn't spend much on herself, allowing her to save up and put a down payment on a cozy two-bedroom house.

The place wasn't huge, but it was packed with quirky collectibles, its refrigerator door plastered with an eclectic assortment of magnets, and its walls adorned with shelves and paintings of various styles. The overall vibe was a riot of colors and maximalism, brimming with life.

At first glance, the place seemed kinda messy, yet it was apparent there was order in the chaos.

The sofa was mostly occupied by an assortment of plush pillows and stuffed animals, arranged just so, perfect for lounging. The bedroom door was ajar, revealing what looked like someone under the covers, which turned out to be a life-sized teddy bear.

The kitchen was sparsely equipped, as Joy wasn't fond of cooking or household chores. Clothes were hung rather than folded, and she left the cleaning to her robot vacuum.

Upon entering, Joy immediately rescued the trapped robot vacuum from beneath a chair, setting it back on its cleaning path.

They were in the living room, unboxing a lamp and its components.

on the floor, assembling the lamp methodically without even

lamp and was surprised by the complexity. She was strong and resilient but

him the wrong one, Austin sighed, "Take a break, you haven't got one

you need. How

chuckled, "You're more like a

leg, backed up,

sensor must be acting up, kind

"Just like

a flash, Joy shot back, "Just like you!" and nudged the robot away with her

now

described merely as a

a result of the flame's temperature,

seashell or

in and instructed Joy to turn off the lights, the house, now under night's veil, was plunged into darkness. Flicking the lamp on transformed the room, as if a galaxy had descended

music box, casting enchanting, shimmering mermaid hues around the

and on her way back, stumbled over Austin's leg. He steadied her,

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