**Chapter 7: A Glimpse of Ian's World**

As they finished their dessert, Ian stood up, his eyes locked on Maria's. "Would you like to see my penthouse apartment?" he asked, his voice low and inviting. "I'd love to give you a tour." Maria nodded, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I'd love to," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Ian smiled, feeling a sense of pleasure. He led Maria out of the dining room, into the spacious living area of his penthouse apartment. The room was filled with natural light, pouring in through the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered breathtaking views of the city. As they walked through the room, Maria couldn't help but notice the beautiful artwork that adorned the walls. "Ian, your art collection is incredible," she said, her eyes wide with admiration. "I see you have a particular fondness for modern art." Ian nodded, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "Yes, I do," he said. "I find it fascinating, the way it challenges traditional notions of beauty and form. I have a few pieces by Warhol, and some excellent works by Picasso." Maria smiled, her eyes sparkling with interest. "I can see why," she said. "Your collection is truly impressive. But tell me, Ian, what inspired you to start collecting art?" Ian leaned against the windowsill, his eyes gazing out at the city below. "I've always been fascinated by art," he said. "As a young man, I used to spend hours in museums, looking at the old masters. I think it's because my parents were both art lovers, and they encouraged me to develop my own interests and tastes." Maria nodded, her eyes locked on Ian's. "I can see that," she said. "Your apartment is a reflection of your personality, Ian. It's elegant, sophisticated, and yet, there's a sense of warmth and comfort here too." Ian smiled, feeling a sense of pleasure. "I'm glad you think so," he said. "I've always tried to create a space that reflects my own personality and style. But I think it's also a space that says something about me, about who I am as a person." As they continued to talk, Ian took Maria on a tour of his penthouse apartment, showing her his library, his music room, and his private gym. Maria was impressed by the sheer scale and luxury of the apartment, but she was also drawn to the warmth and personality that Ian had brought to the space. As they walked through the apartment, Ian couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and ownership. He loved showing Maria around his home, loved sharing his passions and interests with her. And as they stood in front of a stunning view of the city, Ian felt a sense of connection with Maria that he hadn't felt with anyone in a long time. "I'm so glad you could see my home," Ian said, his voice low and sincere. "It means a lot to me to share this with you." Maria smiled, her eyes sparkling with affection. "I'm glad I could see it," she said. "It's beautiful, Ian. And I think it's a reflection of the kind of person you are." Ian's eyes locked on Maria's, and for a moment, they just stood there, looking at each other. Ian felt a sense of excitement, a sense of possibility, and he knew that he wanted to spend more time with Maria, to get to know her better. As they stood there, Ian's eyes roved over Maria's face, taking in the curves of her cheeks, the sparkle of her eyes. He felt a sense of attraction, a sense of connection, and he knew that he wanted to explore this further. "Ian?" Maria said, her voice barely above a whisper. Ian's eyes snapped back to hers, and he smiled. "Yes?" he said, his voice low and inviting. Maria's eyes sparkled with amusement. "I think I'm ready for a coffee," she said. "Would you like one too?" Ian nodded, feeling a sense of pleasure. "I'd love one," he said. "Let's go to the kitchen, and I'll make us a cup." As they walked into the kitchen, Ian couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. He knew that this was just the beginning of a beautiful relationship, and he couldn't wait to see what the future held.