Genre: Romance
Rating: NC 17
Disclaimer : Standard disclaimers apply. The characters belong to Shalz R.
Chapter 12: Part Two : Just Friends!
Ian saw the elaborate designs that lay on her working table, as she fished out the Maxwell Manor file. As she showed them to him, Ian was most surprised that even back then she had known what exactly he wanted, even though he had never co-operated. One by one she showed all the designs to him, as they sat with their coffee. It was over three hours before she had explained all and they realized that it was so late. Ian started to get ready to go.
“These really are wonderful!” he said as they walked out towards the sitting area.
“I had made some more designs but I did not implement those.”
“Why? What were those?”
“They were for your attic. There is a lot of furniture there I wanted to incorporate into the house. I did get many of the family pictures from there. There are lots of others there.”
“So what did you want to do? What did you have in mind?”
“I made some designs. I wanted to make that into a kind of family photo gallery. Like the one there is in your New York house. Mr. McKenzie told me about it. I wanted to use the furniture. Most of it is in such good condition! I did not understand why it had been dumped. Why did you dump them?”
Ian tried an uncomfortable smile, “The same reason the fireplaces were closed!’
Sonya also smiled a bit embarrassed. “I didn’t do it because I thought you wanted the things dumped!”
“No. No. You could’ve used them. It would have made me happy.”
“Well, maybe next time!” she smiled.
Ian smiled too, “I say, you said your project will finish in the next two days. Why don’t you start working on the attic after that?”
“I can’t say. It’s for Mr. McKenzie to decide that. If you want that done you will have to speak to him.”
“Ok. I will. The idea sounds good – I would want it to be implemented soon. And now I must be going.” He said as they reached the backyard door.
“I do not know when it will be possible. I believe that Mr. McKenzie has another two projects or so lined up for me. I guess he’ll assign someone else, or if I am to do it, it will have to wait for a while.”
Ian was a bit disappointed, “Anyhow, I will talk with him. Let’s see. Now I’ll be off.” as he opened the door, “Make sure you lock all the doors.”
He went out and she followed him to lock the gate. ”G’nite Sonya!” but then turned around again “Do I see you tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow I have to go on site. I have to finish it on time. I’ll have to be there early. I just need to finish this in the two days. I don’t want to delay this.”
“Oh! I see! Ok then.” He answered disappointed, “Oh yeah! Give me your number. I don’t have it.”
“Tyler has it.”
“Yeah ... but ... give it to me too!” he didn’t want to ask Tyler for her number.
“Ok... 334 5757.”
“Ok Thanks. G’nite.”
“G’nite Ian.” She said and returned to the house after locking the doors. She was still feeling bad about Ian waiting for her all day. She was amazed that he had waited for her and then come to see her as well. His behavior for the past two days had her absolutely astonished. “Looks like he really means being friends!”
* * *
Ian walked back home quietly and in thought. He knew after this project another one would start for her. This was his only week at home. He had wanted to be home, wanted to be with her for the week. But now it looked like it would not be possible. He had hoped she would again come home to do the attic, but even that did not seem possible in the near future. He walked home, wondering how he could get to see Sonya more often, than he would be able to.
He entered the gates and had almost walked up to his balcony door when he noticed that the lights of the family room were on. “They all are still up.” He smiled and went down again. He hadn’t seen his family all day. He went down to find that even the children were awake and all were having a great time.
“I thought you had slept!” Mrs. Maxwell exclaimed, surprised to see him there, still in his day clothes.
“I went for a walk. It’s a good night.” He smiled as he picked up Sera and took his place with the family; Evan came running up to him and he gathered the children about him.
“Uncle you promised to take me on a camping trip. When will you take me, Uncle?” Evan reminded him.
“Camping! Let’s see! Yes I can take you camping this week. I’m home this week. We can go camping!” he said enthusiastically.
“Oh Yes! Oh Yes! When will we go? When will we go?” he jumped up and down with excitement “Tomorrow, can we go tomorrow? Please please please uncle!”
“Hey tomorrow’s going to be difficult. I’ve got work tomorrow!” Tyler cut in.
“Yeah, me too!” Adrian joined in.
“You guys want to go too!” Ian laughed. “I thought it was only Evan I had to take camping!”
“I want to, if its not too much trouble!” Tyler said, “How can you even think of leaving me here!”
“Yeah and me too! How can I be here with you going out?” Adrian asked.
“Only problem is that I promised Lauren that this week I’d be home. She’s going to be mad if tell her I’m going camping with you guys.” Tyler remembered.
“Which reminds me, Ashley is going to be mad too! She’s made plans, now how am I going to tell her I’m going to be off!”
Ian looked at Evan; the poor boy was looking like his camping trip was again going to be cancelled. Ian really wanted to take the boy out. But he couldn’t leave without Tyler and Adrian; especially without Adrian. Even if he wanted, he couldn’t. Besides if he did take Evan out camping now, he wouldn’t be able to meet Sonya either! Already there was problem seeing her often! Then suddenly an idea hit him.
“Hey! Why don’t you bring the girls along!” If they did, he could ask Sonya to come along too!
“Girls too?” Tyler asked, a twinkle in his eyes.
“On camping!” Adrian smiled wide!
“Girls on camping?” Evan said, highly disgusted with the idea. He was still going through the phase when boys hate girls!
“Yeah! Why not! Umm ... maybe I could ask if Sonya if she would like to come!” hoping she would! But then he remembered, “But she is doing a project that will go on for the next two days! Hmm I’ll see if she can get leave after that ... for a few days and join us on the trip.” Ian was excited. At last he had found a way of being with Sonya during this week. His family was dumbfounded, staring at him ranting to himself!
Everybody stared at him for a while.
“Yeah! Okay! I’ll ask Lauren and Adrian, you ask Ashley! See if they can arrange for a few days’ leaves starting Wednesday.” Tyler said quietly, looking at Adrian.
“Yeah! Okay!” said Adrian. Both of them feeling something fishy!
“Fine! I’ll talk with Sonya and fix it up. Okay Evan, we’re going camping!” he said to a very happy Evan, though he was still confused as to what girls would do on a camping trip!
* * *
Ian went up to his room, happy that he was finally going to be with Sonya over the week. A camping trip with her would be perfect. He picked up the phone to call her up and happened to notice the table clock placed next to it. One in the morning! He smiled.
“Hmmm … maybe its too early in the morning to call. I think I’ll let her sleep late today. Call her around sunrise! What do you say!” he said to his reflection in the window!
* * *