Genre: Romance
Rating: NC 17
Disclaimer : Standard disclaimers apply. The characters belong to Shalz R.
Chapter 7: Revamping Completes
Tyler saw Ian actually smiling as he sat and next to his room window. He seemed to be at peace with himself; quietly reading a book.
Tyler looked at Adrian. Ian was looking changed ever since he returned from the trip to home. What happened! Adrian smiled knowingly. Tyler came over to Adrian and asked him about it. Adrian, who knew nothing of the incident, shrugged his shoulders.
"C'mon, man! You were with him. You must know what happened!"
"Tyler, I'm as clueless as you."
"Look. You both went home. He was unhappy when he went. You both came back. He came back changed a bit. You were with him. Now tell me, what is it."
"Really I don't know. And I was not with him all the time. When we were in California, he had dropped me at Ashley's. I spent the night there. When I got home in the morning he was already changed."
"You mean one night he spent at home and it worked!"
"I do not know what worked. Something must have happened in the night. But what happened, remains a mystery to me."
"I wish we could know."
"Me too. But I am happy that it has happened. Whoever or whatever is responsible for it!"
"I agree. Do you think we should inform Mrs. Maxwell of this? She would be somewhat relieved."
"I think so. Come on, let's call her up."
They went and dialed home and informed a very happy Mrs. Maxwell of the change.
"Really Tyler. Are you sure? Well I'm very happy. I think he is on his way back. Give him some more time and he will be the same Ian we all know and love so much."
None of them knew the cause of this change, none including Ian. Mrs. Maxwell had known that when he had left N. Y for California that change hadn't happened. Maybe seeing his house returning to normal had worked for him! She could only guess!
* * *
Meanwhile, Stephens continued with her work. Nobody knew the little episode of the night when she had lost all track of time. The work was so increased that she was afraid that she might not be able to complete it before Ian came back. However, there was news from Ian's office that because he'd been off for almost five days, his schedule was a little messed up. He just might have to stay longer than the original date.
This was good news for Stephens for she was really keen on finishing the work before Ian got back. Her biggest achievement would be to complete the massive renovation in one of the biggest estates in record time.
Ian's shooting went off well, and the slight change in his attitude was a welcome relief to all on the unit. He still would keep to himself, but at least he was not avoiding people altogether, just because they happened to be women.
Six weeks after Ian left, the revamping came to a completion, and just about at that time, Ian finished his project. Stephens had time for all the planned finishing touches to her splendid work, which she had completed with perfection. She put the last touches to her work, said her goodbyes to Ashley, Lauren, Carlton and rest of the staff and left. The accounts between McKenzie Creations and Maxwells were settled.
* * *
Two days after Stephens left, Ian arrived. Although this time he had not forgotten that his house was under renovation, little did he expect the number of surprises that awaited him in his own house.
The small area before the hall, which had a small door, now had a huge arch, with intricate work on it. All the pictures had been removed from the hall. Instead, a small round table stood next to the arch that had the photographs of his family members placed along its edges. The family picture adorned the wall just above the fireplace. The dining hall had a similar arch opening and the kitchen had been converted from a square area to a beautifully done round one. Ian was impressed with the creativity.
Moving onto the left, he found what he had always wanted. His office had been moved to this side of the house.
How did she know?
It was now a spacious room that had its door placed in the middle of its right wall. Facing the door was the window where his glass picture was placed. It was now of course complete, and reminded Ian of the night he had found Stephens working on it. On the left of the door was Ian's new huge desk. The desktop was very well organized. Stephens had studied how he kept and wanted his stuff on his office table and remembered that when she organized his office. Each and every thing was placed just where he wanted.
How did she know?
On the right to the door was Tyler's desk, and just opposite it, was Adrian's. This was a special surprise for Adrian.
Next to Tyler's desk was a door that opened to a room that was not present earlier. It was a new construction. Ian was eager to see it. Carlton opened the door to show a gallery consisting of the pictures and awards of Ian, in a rightful place for them. Ian loved this bit. The gallery was pretty long, and decorated with plants and fountains. The left wall of the gallery was all glass, and faced the gardens meant for the parties.
They continued the tour to the family room. Ian saw that a sit out had been extended around the family area and the study. He had always wanted this.
How did she know?
They moved on to the next floor where the bedrooms of Tyler and Adrian had been renovated according to the details given by Ashley and Lauren. Ian was pleased that the girls had been consulted for these were going to be their rooms one day.
Ian moved towards his bedroom. The bedroom size had increased by twice as much. The extended sit out of the family room and study had provided floor space around Ian's room. Earlier his bed was placed facing the door, the bathroom door on the right, with a little more furniture. He had a simple bed, which he found a little too high for comfort. Now it looked as if, he was in some other area of the house.
Facing the door was a small sitting area, with a couch, small settees, cabinets where his books and his television, etc, was placed; beyond it was an extension of the room, a small round recess, that was a step higher, with a small bench, running under the windows, the curtains on which were now closed. On the right, a wide arch that gave way to another broad domed recess, also a step higher. It was in here that his new semi-circular bed was placed, affixed to the curve in the wall, just beneath the long window that ran along the side of the bed. On the dome was a small skylight. From the window, Ian could see the waterfall in the distance and the stream meandering into a pond midway and into stream again; two bridges on it's either side, and a small boat in the pond. He stood there bewitched for a moment by the beautiful view pictured in his window.
Carlton got his attention again, "If Sir would look here he would see that a new balcony has been created."
Balcony! He had always wanted one! Carlton opened the curtains on the left wall and it showed not just a balcony, but a beautiful garden created in it. Most of the left wall was of glass, and as Carlton unclosed the curtains, Ian could see more of the splendid garden.
"Velvety grass, lots of plants, Ian. Just the way you like it!" wide-eyes Adrian spoke up.
Tyler cut in, "What is that? A small fishpond in the balcony?"
Ian did not know which side of the room bewitched him more.
Just then Carlton started to unfold the curtains on the smaller recess. This wall faced the right gates of the house and showed the woods beyond. When Carlton opened the curtains, it seemed that the woods had encroached the estate territory for a bit. The right gates were lined by the trees of the same kind as in the woods, on each side for a distance and then where they ended a rosebush was planted.
Even his bathroom had been re-modeled. It now accommodated his dressing area with huge mirrors on all sides and the rest of the area taken up by his wardrobe. A door in the dressing area opened to his personal swimming pool and a staircase from the swimming pool took him to his new balcony.
Ian had never known his house to be more beautiful as it did now! On all sides that he could see from his room beauty stared at him.
How did she know?
Throughout the house, color of the walls, the kind of furniture, paintings, the kind of curtains, even linen, was just the way he liked.
How did she know?
Carlton smiled as he saw the astonished looks on the faces of the three men, and asked Ian how did he feel about it!
Ian sighed, smiled and said, "Feels like home!"
* * *