by Gigi Marlowe
“Alexandra,” the voice of a man said quickly. AJ’s own voice caught in her throat. Almost no one called her Alexandra, but just the way he said her name reminded her that it was him. “It’s Patrick,” he said.
AJ tried hard to not sound too enthusiastic.”Right. How could I forget you, Patrick.”
“Listen, I don’t have much time, but I wanted to talk to you.” In the background, AJ could hear the echo of people talking excitedly in a crowded place.
“I’ve actually been wanting to talk to you too,” she admitted.”I’ve been meaning to say thank you for the tip.” It always made her nervous to have to thank someone else for her work, but she thought that he deserved it. His idea was the crowning glory of her design, after all.
“What tip?” Patrick sounded even more confused than he had before. In the background, AJ thought she heard the sound of two people yelling at each other. She wondered what in the world was happening where he was.
“About Sue and Henry’s kitchen.” AJ was beginning to question if he even remembered what had happened when they ran into each other. Had he not been thinking about her as much as she been thinking about him? “You were right, by the way. They loved it,” AJ continued.
AJ could hear the recognition dawn on Patrick as he said, “I'm sure you would’ve thought of it too. They told me that you are good, but I never would've expected-” suddenly Patrick was interrupted. AJ could hear someone talking to him frantically on the other side of the phone. To her, it sounded like they were complaining to him about something. “Sorry about that,” he said after a long pause, “What I wanted to ask you was if you could design a house.” Disappointment coursed through AJ. She had wanted to know just what he had expected and how she had exceeded that expectation for him. For the second time, AJ wondered just what in the world Patrick could be doing. From what she could gather, it was the type of environment that could quickly fill a person with more tension then they might be able to handle. Knowing that it wasn’t her place to ask, but still wanting to help, AJ decided that she would try and break Patrick’s growing tension.
“Yes, I’ve designed houses before. It kind of comes with the territory of being an architect.” She pressed her lips together as she waited for his response. She hadn't talked to Patrick very long, but she hoped she had been right in her assumption that he enjoyed witty banter.
AJ’s efforts were rewarded with a light chuckle. “I mean, could you design my house?” Patrick asked.
“Oh,” she replied lightly. AJ sat straight up in her chair. She had not expected this. She felt honored that the same man who had made her designs for the Chow kitchen flawless would ask for her help in designing his own home.
“Yeah,” Patrick added distractedly. AJ wasn't sure if Patrick's distraction came from whatever he was doing or from the fact that AJ had sounded so hesitant to take the job. It wasn’t that she was hesitant, really, it was only that she was nervous. She was nervous to work with the man who confused her so much. What if she couldn’t get to the heart of what he wanted his house to look like? What if she let him down? AJ had never faced these feelings for another person before. She never had to consider if she’d been wrong in reading someone or she could do her job well. This was new territory for her, and she wasn’t sure if she liked it.
“On one condition,” she finally said. “You have to trust me.” But do I trust myself to give Patrick the home that he wants and needs? AJ thought to herself. Regardless of her insecurities, she knew that if Patrick couldn't trust her and there was no way she could do her job well. “I’m very good at what I do, Patrick,” she added when he still made no move to respond to her.
“I know,” Patrick chimed in quickly.
“You have to trust my methods.” It suddenly dawned on AJ that this was her perfect opportunity. This was the moment she'd been waiting for when she could get to know this man's heart a little bit better. She wasn’t sure if she would like what she found, but she was sure that it was not what he pretended to be.
“I’ll be keeping close tabs on you,” Patrick reluctantly grumbled.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from you,” AJ smiled. “We’ll have to start off by letting me see where you live you now.” AJ shook her hands to try and get rid of some of her nervous energy. This wasn't her normal routine. Typically she would have her clients come to her office and then she would interview them about the home that they wanted. But this man was different. She needed to know exactly what he was like behind closed doors.
“Fine,” Patrick answered, exasperated as AJ heard another person yelling his name in the background. Today was clearly not Patrick’s day. “I’ll email you my address.”
As AJ hung up the phone, she could hear Patrick turning around to snap at whoever was arguing near him. Whatever his job was, she knew that it caused him an unearthly amount of stress. She wondered what the home of a man whose job created that amount of stress looked like. She hoped that it was a place that he could relax. It seemed like Patrick needed someplace that could be his refuge from the stresses and strains of his everyday life. Chewing on the top of her pen, AJ wondered again just what kind of home this man could have.
Patrick walked anxiously back and forth in front of his front door. Alexandra had said that she would be there at 5 o’clock, and checking his watch, Patrick realized that it was 5:10.
“She’s late,” he said to Bear. Talking with Bear was one of the few things that could calm and soothe Patrick. He still wasn’t sure why he was so nervous. It wasn’t like he expected anything other than professionalism from Alexandra. It was just that it had been so long since he had had a stranger in his home.
His house, he corrected himself. The place that he currently lived in did not feel like home to him. In fact, it felt like a place where he just continued his work. He studied the stacks of files and papers that surrounded his desk. Yes, this was not a place that he could relax. This was not a fortress from the constant worries of his life. It was a place that just continued to weigh him down. He hoped that AJ would be able to design him a new home that better suited what he needed. Solitude.
Patrick had been running an extensive background check on Alexandra for the past several weeks. Everything that he found out about her told him that she was someone to be trusted to build his new home. He thought back to the woman who was singing to “You Can Call Me Al” in the middle of a half-destroyed kitchen. That kind of woman, with a free spirit and a natural ability to be herself, might not understand who he really was. He was a man who liked solitude. No, not liked it, craved solitude.
“Bear, if you could only have met her. She's feisty. She had a fire in her eyes that told me she knew exactly who she was and what she wanted.” Patrick led his dog to the backyard. “Even I don't know that about myself.”
Bear licked Patrick’s hand reassuringly. It didn't ease Patrick's anxiety that Henry and Sue gave her glowing recommendations, or that everyone on her reference list said she was terrific to work with. “What if she's not amazing for me to work with?” Patrick said to Bear. “You know how difficult it is for me to open up to people, Bear. You're the only one I can trust unconditionally.” Patrick bent down to pat Bear lovingly on the head.
The more Patrick thought about Alexandra, he noticed that his heart would race inside his chest. He questioned if his heart was racing because of his nerves or if there was some other reason. Right as he began to convince himself that it was just his typical nervousness when meeting new people, Patrick thought about the way that Alexandra off-key voice had brought a smile to his face. He thought about the confident way she had handed him her reference sheet. He wondered if perhaps Alexandra herself could be the reason he was nervous? He barely knew her and yet he was fascinated by her, or at least the idea of her. Patrick put Bear out in the backyard and headed back to the front door.
Glancing out the window, he noticed a car pulling to his driveway. Finally, Alexandra had arrived. Patrick willed himself not to throw th
e door open as she got out of her car. He noted that Alexandra wore a black pencil skirt that fell around her knees and a white blouse. She was the picture of professionalism, and yet was also the very image of beauty. He wondered if he’d ever met a woman who was so capable of looking that beautiful without dripping herself in the most expensive clothing and jewelry.
“Sorry I'm late,” Alexandra said as Patrick opened the door. Patrick breathed a sigh of relief. Not many people would've considered 10 minutes late worthy of an apology. He wondered if Alexandra could see the concern that was riddled all over his face.
Wordlessly, Patrick gestured for her to come in. He stepped behind Alexandra and watched her take in everything. Then, without an invitation, she began to slowly walk around his house. He watched her study his home office, kitchen, family room, and even all of his closets. She was concentrating significantly on everything that she saw. She didn't hesitate to open every door and look around. This had to be the strangest thing he’d ever seen.
He had assumed that she would come in and ask him what he wanted. He even prepared for it. On his coffee table, he had magazine pages that he clipped. They were prime examples of exactly what kind of house he wanted. They were gorgeous photos of fortresses, Spanish style castles, and large estate manors.
“Your house,” Alexandra began, “seems like a contradiction.” She turned around and faced him. Her face was open, honest, and kind.
“Why do you say that?” Patrick often felt like some rooms in his current house were more comfortable than others, but he had never thought of it as a contradiction.
“Well, some of the rooms are open and friendly with tons of natural light. I can see that you purposely moved the furniture in your family room to really highlight that fact. You have a super comfortable sofa facing a large television with a stack of movies next to it. You have a plush blanket over the sofa, and that tells me that you love to be comfortable while you watch TV.”
Patrick tried not to raise one eyebrow as he listened to her assessment of his personality. She was absolutely right. Patrick did love to be comfortable especially while he watched movies. He was actually a collector of movies and the fact that Alexandra had found this out about him by simply glancing over his family room shocked and amazed him. He wondered what other things she had assumed about his personality as she toured his house.
“But other rooms,” Alexandra continued, “are just cold and distant. Those rooms seem like places that no one would like to spend time in. Especially not the man who loves to sit comfortably on his sofa and watch movies.”
“I always envisioned myself in a place that was cold and distant to other people,” Patrick admitted “I don't want to be in some place that other people feel the need to constantly come over. I don't want my house to be a place where others are comfortable, it’s a place for me to feel comfortable. And the only way that I feel real comfort is when I'm alone.” Patrick was surprised to see Alexandra shake her head slowly. It was clear that she did not agree with him. He just was not sure why.
“I’m not so sure about that, Patrick.” Alexandra smiled at him as he looked at her doubtfully. “You did hire me to do my job, a job I do very well.” Alexandra let her eyes travel over Patrick very slowly. He felt his heart beat wildly. It felt like she was looking straight into his soul and taking note of everything she saw there.
“I think what you really want, is a place that you could take refuge in. A place that is your peace from the storms of life.”
“That's exactly what I want,” agreed Patrick. “I want to have a thick, imposing, front door and a few windows on the front of the house. I like gray stones and high walls.” Patrick noted that Alexandra made a face like a toddler who had just eaten one too many vegetables. “Well, you don't have to make that face,” Patrick grunted. “What would you suggest?”
“If what you really want is peace,” Alexandra said, “You should have a large garden in the front that creates distance between your home and the street. It won't be imposing, but it will be peaceful for you. Inside you should have a plethora of natural light and neutral colors. That will help create a calming environment for you. When you walk to the front door, it should feel like you’re leaving all of your trouble from the day out of your house. And then when you walk inside, you’ll feel like you're in a completely separate world.”
“See, you do understand! That’s exactly what I want.” Just then, Patrick heard Bear barking furiously from the yard. He watched as Alexandra's face lit up.
“You have a dog?” Patrick could hear her excitement as Alexandra’s eyes searched the space around her. The unexpected rush of emotion made her eyes seem to sparkle. He couldn’t take his eyes away from hers.
“Yes,” Patrick said hesitantly. “But she’s a pretty big dog. It’s okay if you’re a little afraid.”
“I'm not afraid.” Alexandra fixed a challenging gaze at Patrick. He doubted that she had ever been afraid of anything. “Dogs like me,” she insisted. Standing quickly, he walked confidently over to the backyard door and opened it. Patrick watched nervously as Bear came walking across the yard and into the house.
The hair on Bear’s back bristled as she caught sight of Alexandra. He had tried to warn Alexandra that Bear really did not take well to strangers. Maybe it was because Patrick himself didn’t take well to strangers. To his amazement, however, he saw that Bear instantly took a liking to Alexandra. She had one hand offered to Bear and was speaking softly to her. In response, Bear sniffed her hand and then began to fervently lick it. He watched his massively imposing German Shepherd turn into an eager-to-please puppy.
“She’s beautiful,” AJ remarked under her breath. “Come to think of it,” she said as she scratched Bear’s ear, “she reminds me of Henry and Sue’s dog, Su Su.”
Patrick smiled. “Su Su is Bear’s mom,” he said proudly. “She takes after her mom in her color and her friendly demeanor.” Patrick had often noted that Bear looked and acted very similar to Su Su. They both had strikingly dark coats with an undercoat of light brown and gray. When the two dogs were together, the only thing that really differed between the two dogs was Bear’s slightly longer coat.
As Patrick stood transfixed watching Bear and Alexandra, she continued, “Everything that you described would end up being a beautiful home. But,” Alexandra stopped petting Bear and turned to face Patrick. She stared at him with considering eyes and, for the first time, Patrick noticed that her eyes were brilliant blue. As blue as the ocean. “What you described just doesn’t seem like a place that you’d be able to call home,” she finished.
Taken aback by her quick judgment, Patrick insisted that she was wrong. With a shrug, Alexandra suggested that she drop off some sample sketches. Then she offered to take him to see some homes that matched his description. Patrick agreed and walked her out. Before she left, she asked him to call her AJ. Patrick had said the nickname over and over to himself. He liked the sound of it. As she left, he couldn't help but wonder what if maybe, just maybe, she was right about what he needed.
Chapter 5
AJ gazed out of the convertible window. When she had suggested to Patrick that they visit some of the homes that she had designed, she never expected him to want to drive together. She was even more surprised when he wanted to take his convertible. AJ was beginning to suspect that working with Patrick would hold a lot of surprises.
Her first surprise had come when she had discovered he was a billionaire. The knowledge had initially shocked her. She couldn’t understand why he would choose her, of all the designers in San Francisco, to design his house. She knew that she was one of the best in the business, but none of her designs were flashy. She had a tendency to design minimalistic homes that focused on highlighting the clients' desires rather than showcasing how much money they made. AJ thought about the designs that she and Patrick had already discussed. She had tried to show him large mansions, but he always drifted towards more simplistic plans. AJ considered the possibility that
even though Patrick was a billionaire, maybe he wasn’t as concerned with his money as she would expect him to be. She glanced over at him. He sure doesn’t act like a self-important billionaire, she thought.
“Are you okay if we put the top down?” Patrick asked. Whether she was ready for it or not, Patrick lowered the top of his convertible as a huge smile plastered his face. While the wind whipped through her hair, AJ watched Patrick slide a CD in. Out of the radio, she heard words about being at ease in the arms of a woman pop out. Much to her delight, Patrick began to sing along with the music. Patrick’s voice was a sweet baritone as he sang. Suddenly, the wind pulled AJ’s hair completely loose from its tight bun, just like Patrick’s spontaneity was loosening her up.
Patrick flipped open his visor and pulled out two pairs of sunglasses. “Everyone needs shades when they ride in a convertible. It makes you look way cooler,” he said as he handed the second pair to her. AJ laughed out loud it at his silliness. She would never have expected the straightlaced man that had hired her to design his house to also have such a fun-loving, easy-going spirit. Accepting his sunglasses, AJ pulled out her directions.
“This house is located right on the sea,” she raised her voice to be heard over the rush of the wind and the serenade of Amos Lee.
“I've always loved the sea,” Patrick replied. As they drove down the winding road, AJ could see the ocean slipping into sight on their left. She knew that she was supposed to get to know Patrick primarily for the project, but her own curiosity also needed to be satisfied.
“Why do you love the sea so much?” she asked.
“There’s just something about it, something dark and mysterious.” AJ considered what he’d said. It did seem likely that he of all people would love the mystery behind the ocean. “But, what I really love about it is that it’s adventure waiting to happen. You never know what could happen under that glossy smooth surface. There could be a myriad of life swimming right below your nose and you would never know.” Patrick turned and looked at her enthusiastically, “isn’t that just exciting!” His excitement was contagious, AJ who normally was at least a little interested in the environment was now fascinated. She imagined being a sailor on the ocean and looking down at what seemed to be empty blue-black waters, but knowing that, underneath, there was a symphony of life happening. “My love of the ocean and sea life is what inspired me to research Clean Water Projects,” he added.