Genre: Romance
Rating: NC 17
Disclaimer : Standard disclaimers apply. The characters belong to Shalz R.
Chapter 6: Surprise Visit!
Spring was gone and summer was in its full sway. Stephens was completing her work with speed. Yet, her work showed great talent and skills. It was little more than three weeks. The whole house was right now deep in the middle of renovation. None of the things were in place except for Ian's library. Carlton was greatly distressed by the mayhem the house lay in right now.
Stephens always had something or the other to trouble him with. She wanted to change things in his pantry, his kitchen, and his cellar! He never had a quiet place to sit and rest. He loved the girl but she was really running havoc in the house.
Right now, she was working at the glass window of Ian's new office. She started working on it in the morning and planned to complete it in one sitting, even if it took the whole day. She had chosen his life size picture of from one of his movies. It was one of her favorite pictures of him. The picture was broken into small two square inch glass pieces, which had to be joined together. It required her to cover the left window, which was the only window in the room, with a dark cloth on the outside to avoid getting the sun in her eyes, in order to be able to fix the pieces accurately. It was delicate work and needed a lot of concentration and hard work.
She started working on it early in the day and planned to spend the whole day doing it so she took sandwiches and other articles of use with her in the office.
"Carlton, I'm going to be working in the office all day on that window today. I intend to finish it today itself, no matter how long it takes. Please make sure no one disturbs me, unless it is something really important, like the house is on fire!" she joked.
"Ma'am I do not feel very well myself. All this mess disturbs me. I intend to go and rest for the day today. I would, however, instruct everybody that no one is to disturb you. If you need anything please ask whoever if available in place of me here. I will give instructions for someone to be always in place here."
"Oh sure! No problem. By the way, what is the time? I find that I have forgotten my watch at home today!"
Carlton told her time was ten-thirty and then left. She had intended to start her work at nine but thanks to the people responsible for delivering the window pieces, she was late.
The office furniture had been removed, and all it contained was a small table for her paperwork, and a couple of chairs. The window was a huge one, since it was the only one in the big office room. It covered almost the complete wall height and measured seven feet in height and five feet in width; a lot of area to be covered if progress had to be made two inches at a time. And all the pieces didn't fit right in the first attempt. Some needed special care.
She stayed in the room all day working on the window working her way upwards.
* * *
Ian, according to Mrs. Maxwell's wishes and Adrian's request, had started for home. On the way, he dropped Adrian at Ashley's place where he intended to spend the night and reached home at six-thirty in the evening. He asked for Carlton and found that he was feeling unwell; he immediately went to see him. The next hour was spent talking of his shooting, the attack on Mr. Maxwell and the ongoing renovation. Carlton informed that his room was right now in no shape to be stayed in and he would have to occupy one of the guest bedrooms.
"I know. I could see that, Carlton. Ms. Stephens seems to have turned my house upside down. I saw the hall and thought for a moment that probably an earthquake had hit it." He remarked.
Carlton instructed the staff to prepare one of the guest bedrooms for Ian. Ian left Carlton's quarters and to the guest bedroom to freshen himself and relax.
* * *
Stephens just finished the sandwiches she was carrying and drinking some water, she got working again. The window still had a lot to be completed. She was determined to complete it today itself. Schedule didn't allow her to carry it on to the next day. And she could not afford the delay.
So, she carried on working. She enjoyed the work so much that the fact that her back had started to pain was not affecting her. After drinking some more water, she again was immersed in her delicate work.
* * *
Ian had long back changed into his nightclothes, because all he wanted to do was sleep. The servant had placed his food in his room as the dining area was also in no condition to be used. He had taken some refreshment in the airplane and did not feel hungry, and so did not eat.
He thought about the woods, but he was too tired to go for a walk. He kept tossing and turning in his bed for a while before he decided he could not sleep in this room. He turned on the lights and saw the time. It was one in the night. He got out of his bed. He was wearing black slacks, with a black t-shirt, he pulled on his long black robe that reached his feet, and left it open, the belt hanging untied by his sides. He searched for a book in his bag, and the one he found he did not feel like reading. He thought about his library, and then recalled all the mess in the way to it.
But he just couldn't stay up all night doing nothing! He decided to go. He went down the stairs from the left wing, to the library on the right. He opened the library door, hoping to find a mess in there but was happily surprised that his books had not been touched. Ms. Stephens had had the sense to leave his books alone. He picked his book after searching for sometime. He turned off the lights, firmly closed the door, before making his way back to his temporary room.
At the far end of the corridor, a light appeared under a door. He looked at his watch. One-fifteen. "Who is there at this time of the night? Hmm..." he wondered, "Probably one of workers left the lights on." but still to be sure that it was only a mistake and not a thief, he quietly made his way to the door.
* * *
Very quietly, he walked towards the door. As he neared it, he heard the unmistakable sound of someone humming something! A woman humming! He could not make out what was being hummed, but to be sure, it was a woman humming. "What is a woman doing humming in my house after midnight?" he thought.
He was now standing outside the door listening carefully and then slowly opened the door.
A girl with long black beautiful hair, tied in a French braid was working away at an incomplete window, that was covered with a dark cloth on the outside, and she was humming!
"Ms. Stephens!" he thought standing there stunned into silence.
She wore a tight black jeans and a long loose white shirt that was not tucked in the jeans, full sleeves rolled up till her elbows, with black sports shoes. How very different from when he had first met her!
He saw what she was working at. His picture. She was fitting it into a window. He was surprised that she was at it even past mid-night. Carlton had not told her that she worked so late in the nights.
He saw the way she worked; picked a piece, applied glue to it, and so very delicately and accurately placed it next to another piece onto the thin glass sheet; applying just enough pressure and giving just enough push, then delicately removing the excess glue off the edges of the piece, so as to not to move the piece off its place.
He was so amazed at the hard work she was putting into it. Totally spellbound by the beauty and grace of her hands and fingers as they worked upon his picture. He slowly walked across the room and noiselessly sank into a chair.
He quietly watched her work; a slight smile on his face.
Something about her had captivated his attention. Maybe it was her working, maybe it was her velvety voice as she hummed, maybe it was her hands, or the lovely long hair, or the way she moved from one corner of the window to another fixing the pieces, and then stepping back to see her work. Now and then, she had to get onto a small step stool to reach the higher part of the window.
She had worked her way from bottom up, and now she had finished the complete upper portion of the window, which in the picture was the area above his head. The head in the picture was partially complete. He watched as she fixed the pieces for the eyes. And they fit so perfectly. But the piece that had the lips seemed to be giving some problems! She tried to place it repeatedly but it did not seem to fit properly. He felt a tingle run through his body each time she tried to push that piece in place. After a lot of effort, it finally was in place. Ian felt his fingers touching his own lips, and suddenly became aware of what he was doing.
The face finally completed, even though the window was not, Stephens stepped off the step stool. She stepped back, looked at the window admiring her work; stretched a bit, her arms over her head, as she tried to comfort her tired body.
Stretching so, she turned and saw Ian sitting on the chair in the same room. But as if she hadn't seen him, she turned back to face the window, and placed her hands on her sides, exercising her neck, moving it from one side to the other. Ian smiled. It was then that she realized what she had seen sitting there. Ian! Ian Maxwell! He is here! She slowly turned around again, and yes, Ian Maxwell, was indeed in the same room, sitting behind her on a chair, watching her!
She stayed standing like that, shocked, unable to utter anything.
Ian smiled and got up from his chair. "I must say, Ms. Stephens, wonderful work."
She just looked at this man standing in front of her, surprised to see him in his nightclothes! Already?
She swallowed and managed to thank him roughly. "Sir, I'm sorry I had no idea you were here. When did you arrive?"
"Oh some time back. Ms Stephens, I really did not know either that you were here." She looked a bit surprised. "He doesn't expect me to be here?" she thought.
"You work till such late hours?"
"Late hours? I'm sorry I don't have my watch today! What time is it? I wonder if I'll catch the bus back to my office?"
Ian looked amused. "Your bus, I'm afraid you will not be able to catch, Ms. Stephens. The driver might be asleep. Its one forty-five."
Stephens was not sure she had heard him correctly. "I beg your pardon, sir!"
"Its one forty-five, in the morning, Ms. Stephens."
Her eyes widened as she said a silent, "Oh my God!"
She looked at him again, now slightly scared. She was alone in his house, in the dead of the night! This man who was in his nightclothes, had been watching her for sometime! She did not like this!
"I suppose you have not taken any dinner."
"I do not want any dinner, Sir. If you would please excuse me, I would like to go home."
"I agree with that, Ms. Stephens, but you must take some dinner first. Please wait here, I'll be right back." saying so he left.
She stared at the door for some time, and then realized that she just had to go home. This man, who did not like even talking to her, was offering her dinner, and why in the world was he acting so charming now!
She began to pack her things, got her jacket and was about to start for the door, when Ian walked in carrying the food trolley from his room. He placed it next to the small table and invited her to come and join him. He placed two plates on the table and waited for her to come on. Now She had no choice but to have dinner with him! She sat down reluctantly. He sat down too, and began to serve. She saw that he was not good at this, he had never served food for himself, or anyone else in his life, how was he to know! Partly on impulse and partly to hurry things up, she took the serving spoon and bowl from his hand and began serving. Ian was surprised to see her do that, but not unhappy, rather thankful, and impressed. She served food for both of them and they ate in silence. During the meal, Ian found himself looking at her several times; her hands, her hair, her lips as she ate. She did not eat much for she was a bit scared.
After they had eaten he said, "Ms. Stephens it is a bit late for you to go home now. It is already two-fifteen. Please stay here for tonight. I will escort you to a bedroom, and you can stay the night there."
Without waiting for an answer, he started walking towards the door, and she followed quietly, she had not much choice. He took her to a bedroom, opened the door, and led her in, "You can stay here tonight. In the morning my chauffeur will take you home."
"Thank you, Sir." she said, looking around the splendid guest bedroom.
He could see that she was feeling uncomfortable in the situation, so he decided to depart quickly.
"Good night, Ms Stephens." He said. Looking relieved that he was finally leaving, she said good night as he closed the door behind him.
* * *
He smiled as he returned to his room. No. He wanted to see that picture once more. He went downstairs and saw it, admiring it for sometime. Even though the window was not complete, the picture was. She had done it so perfectly. He turned to go and saw his book lying on the table. He had forgotten to pick it up. He took it, and went up to his room but he did not need it now. He lay in the bed, and smiled thinking over the recent meeting. He did not even know when he drifted to sleep.
Stephens could not sleep a wink the whole night. New room, new bed never worked for her. Especially when she has been so shocked as she was now! She spent a sleepless night.
Come morning, Ian woke up to find that he was late and that he had to catch his flight in an hour. He hurriedly got ready and rushed downstairs to get his breakfast. He saw Carlton and told him to send breakfast to Ms. Stephens, who had stayed there the night before. Carlton looked surprised. Ian told him of the bedroom she was in, when one of the servants spoke up and informed them that she had got up early at six-thirty in the morning and left. And right now she was back at work, working near the stables area.
Ian was surprised. He wanted to go and see her, but if he did, he would miss his flight. Adrian arrived and they left the house in a hurry. Ian did not tell Adrian of the night before, but Adrian noticed a slight change in Ian. He finally seemed to have lost the lost look! He was lost, but apparently in something else, much more pleasant. Adrian was happy but did not ask him anything. Ian would not tell, he knew that. Besides, he did not want to remind him of anything. If it was gone, let it remain gone. He still talked less, and hardly smiled, but seemingly his mind had found solace in something.
* * *