Kiernan opened another door. “This room is yours to use for an office or anyway you see fit.” The room contained a beautiful pecan wood desk with a polished surface holding a computer and telecom system. A matching bookcase stood against one wall.
From there they walked to the far end of the hall to see a spacious gym area complete with all the latest exercise equipment and a sauna room.
The tour of the downstairs completed, Kiernan led her upstairs and showed her four spacious guestrooms.
Ariel followed her down the hall to another door which Kiernan opened. “This will be your suite of rooms. Come on in and I’ll show you where everything is located.” She entered into what was apparently a sitting room with a moderate-size fireplace. Light blue trim accented cream walls hung with various nature prints. A blue and cream sofa sat to one side of the fireplace. In front of the sofa was a coffee table of rich, tan wood that matched the end tables on each side of the sofa. An EM sat upon it. Across from the coffee table, a light blue recliner angled toward the fireplace. Against one wall was a half-moon console table with a wall mirror over it, and a door set to the left. On the opposite side were a bar and a desk with a computer and telecom.
“You’re free to change the décor and purchase whatever you want in the furniture line,” Kiernan said.
“No. It’s very lovely.”
“Thank you. I chose the theme and the furniture.”
She led Ariel through another door. Ariel had never seen such a big bedroom except in magazine pictures.
It was light and airy due to the view window on one wall. A queen-size bed with a headboard made from light-colored wood had been positioned close by the window. A patchwork quilt, in various colors, covered the bed. One corner of the room held a love seat upholstered in various shades of blue velvet. Against one wall sat a chest of drawers and a dresser in a color matching the headboard.
Kiernan opened a door in one corner of the room. “This is your dressing room and closet.” Ariel walked in and saw a vanity on the wall with a lighted mirror. On one side of the wall a full-length mirror was mounted. This room led to a walk-in closet with hangers and shelves on each side, as well as a shoe rack. The closet alone was almost as big as her bedroom at home. Ariel knew she could never fill a closet this size.
They toured the spacious bathroom next and Ariel was impressed with the floor of sky blue marble swirled with lighter and darker colors of blue. An enormous sunken tub backdropped by a full-length window with a view of the mountains caught Ariel’s attention. “Ah—no one can see in, can they?”
“Not at all. The windows have a special tint allowing you to see out, but they’re impossible to see through from outdoors. If you don’t want a view of the outside, you can darken them. Computer, darken window.”
Ariel watched the window gradually darken. “Is the computer system active throughout the house?”
“Yes, but don’t worry, there are no hidden vid or audio devices to spy on you. I have the computer programmed to do ordinary things like turn lights and appliances off and on. It also controls the EM, which has emitters in every room, even in here so you can watch your favorite shows while relaxing in a hot tub or listen to your favorite music. EM on. Video on.” A 3-D image appeared high on the wall, over the tub. “EM off. There is a separate intercom system on the night stand by your bed in case you need to contact Mrs. Belfort.”
They walked back out into the bedroom, and Ariel followed Kiernan over to the one remaining door. Kiernan opened the door and moved back to allow Ariel to peer in. “This is the nursery. Most of the furnishings are mine from when I was a baby, so we’ll need to refurnish it with more modern items—when the time comes.”
Ariel swallowed hard, feeling her stomach flutter nervously. She didn’t comment and noticed Kiernan was watching her.
Kiernan must have seen her unease, because she closed the door behind her and headed back out into the sitting room. She opened another door next to the console table and Ariel followed her into a sitting room very similar to the one she was to have, except the colors were muted blues and grays.
“This is my suite. The main entrance is next to yours out in the hall.” Kiernan led her into the bedroom. Seeing the bed with its slender cherry wood pillars at each corner caused Ariel some embarrassment at being in such a personal place. The other furniture in the room matched the bed. “This bedroom suite is a family heirloom and dates from the beginning of the twentieth century.”
Kiernan had provided a commentary on every room they entered, much as she did on Celeste. Ariel couldn’t imagine living in a house this grandiose, and she seriously doubted she would ever feel Crestview was home.
THE MELLOW CHIMING of the grandfather clock downstairs in the living room marked the midday hour.
Kiernan said, “I hope you’re as hungry as I am.”
“Yes, I am,” Ariel admitted, surprised that during such a stressful day she could even think of something as mundane as food.
“We’ll take lunch in the garden room.”
Once downstairs, Kiernan led Ariel through the dining room and into a light and airy room. A table sitting in front of a window provided a lovely view of the garden. Robert stood waiting by the table and pulled the chairs out for them to take their seats. Kiernan settled back into her chair, noticing Ariel observing the garden where two squat garden bots were attending to the profusion of various fall flowers.
Robert waited a few seconds, before saying, “Ms. Thorsen, Ricardo has prepared seasoned chicken breast on a sourdough roll. To accompany this, there is a garden salad, and for dessert, homemade apple pie. May I inquire as to the condiments you would like on your sandwich and the dressing for your salad?”
“Mayonnaise, please. For the salad, I’d like oil and vinegar.”
“Our selections of beverages are hot tea, iced sweet tea, white wine, various colas, or coffee.”
“Do you have milk?”
“Yes, ma’am, we do. Skim milk and whole milk.”
Ariel appeared confused before asking, “You mean—dairy milk? From cows?”
“Yes, ma’am, from cows.”
“I’ll have a glass of whole dairy milk, please,” she said, sounding a tad eager and wearing a pleased expression.
Kiernan smiled indulgently when she heard Ariel’s order. By Ariel’s pleased manner, she could tell dairy milk wasn’t on the menu at the Thorsen residence. It was a rare commodity these days, and expensive, most people able only to afford the soymilk substitute.
The bovine species nearly went extinct with the spread of a devastating virus in the late 2020’s. It wasn’t until the early 2050’s that an effective anti-viral was discovered. Dairy and beef cattle herds were rebuilt, so to speak, from frozen bovine embryos, semen, and ovum, but a few more decades would pass before the dairy and beef herds reached the numbers where real dairy products and beef would be plentiful and affordable enough for the average citizens of the world to include in their weekly diet.
Robert asked, “Ma’am, what will you have with your sandwich and salad?”
“I’ll have mayonnaise on my sandwich, Caesar dressing for the salad, and a glass of sweet tea.”
He departed, and Ariel returned her attention to the garden while Kiernan studied her bride-to-be, thinking she would like to see Ariel sitting at this table everyday taking lunch with her. Of course, that would happen only on the weekends and holidays when she was home from the office.
On many days, Kiernan took her breakfast in her suite, and she let her thoughts wander to imagining Ariel joining her. An image unexpectedly flashed in her mind of Ariel in a blue silk robe sitting across from her at the table in her sitting room. This brought to mind another image of waking up in the morning with Ariel sleeping next to her in bed. Robert interrupted those thoughts by bringing in their lunch and placing it before them.
As they ate, Kiernan relayed to Ariel the history of Crestview, then covered the story of her grandmother’s life and the founding o
f Stellardyne. Kiernan could tell Ariel was intrigued to learn Shanna O’Shay started out manufacturing her unique design for atomic thrust engines for the military and branched out into spaceship manufacturing sixty years ago.
Ariel even managed to ask questions without sounding surly. Kiernan thought that at least they had two things in common: an interest in spaceships and theories on light-speed travel. Perhaps these common interests were enough to create a friendship, if nothing else.
ARIEL HAD TO admit the lunch was delicious. The apple pie she was finishing up was to die for, as was the glass of real milk. Kiernan had informed her the apples were from Crestview’s own apple orchard that had existed on the property before Crestview’s construction. The orchard had originally been part of a holding from around the mid-twentieth century.
Ariel was finishing her milk when Kiernan said, “I’ve made arrangements with Christiana Sinclair to have you fitted for an outfit for the wedding, as well as other clothing you’ll require for our trip. I’ll pick you up Monday morning at eight.”
The latest fashions never interested Ariel, but she did know Christiana Sinclair was the owner of Christiana’s, located in Atlanta, which was one of the most exclusive and expensive dress boutiques in the South.
Ariel asked uncertainly, “You mean—a wedding dress?” She found herself envisioning something traditional in white. She should show up for the wedding in a pair of ratty jeans and her black biker jacket. She didn’t much like the idea of a wedding dress or of Kiernan helping her pick out clothes and paying for them. This seemed too familiar to her.
“Not your traditional wedding dress, but a nice dress or pantsuit. I also need to select an outfit. Jack is taking pictures of the occasion, and we’ll want a memento.”
An awkward silence followed, lasting almost a minute, before Kiernan brought up another subject. “There is something of importance we need to discuss. After we’re married, you’ll need to be careful where you go and how you conduct yourself in public. Believe me, when the paparazzi find out you’re my wife, they’ll be searching for you, following you. I’m going to have Jack talk to you concerning measures you can take that will discourage them.”
“About the paparazzi—my family, I don’t want them hounded.”
“I’ll have Jack inform your mother about the paparazzi and how to discourage them. He, of course, will assist her in doing this. The media won’t approach only your family, but also your neighbors and coworkers to fish for stories and information. In a few weeks, this will be yesterday’s news, and your family won’t be bothered—as much.”
“That’s certainly not very reassuring.”
“Unfortunately, that’s one of the disadvantages of being who I am and who you will be as my wife. You’ll have celebrity status now. Your name will be in the gossip columns, on the news, and in the tabloids. Some of what you’ll see in the media will be fabrications and can be hurtful, so you’ll need to learn to have a tough skin and ignore it.”
“I don’t care what they say about me as long as it doesn’t hurt my family, and they leave them alone.”
“I want you to know—I’ll protect you, and your family, to my fullest capability.”
“How will you do that?”
“If things become out of hand, I’ll throw a few libel suits in their laps. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll buy out any tabloid, news network, or newspaper, and fire everyone involved. And I’ll make damn sure all those involved will only find employment bussing tables.”
A cold determination glinted in Kiernan’s eyes leaving Ariel no doubt that Kiernan would do as she said.
Chapter Twelve
“K.D., DO YOU want to tell me who that delicious morsel is and where you’ve been hiding her?” Christiana asked as she took the seat next to Kiernan and regarded her smugly. They were in a private viewing room at Christiana’s boutique for customers like Kiernan who wished to remain out of sight of any other customers.
Kiernan watched Ariel disappear into the dressing room with one of Christiana’s shop assistants. Narrowing her eyes, she pinned Christiana with a measuring stare and said, “She’s not what you’re thinking.” She and Christiana had been friends since rooming together at Foxcroft Preparatory School. Kiernan had fronted the capital to help her open her boutique.
“Oh? You call to arrange a private showing room, inform me you’re bringing someone who you refused to identify, and everything she wants is to go on your account. So, enlighten me as to who I’m supposed to think she is,” Christiana said suggestively, and then gave Kiernan a leering wink.
“Christy, we’ve been friends for a long time. What I’m going to tell you must remain between us. At least until Sunday morning and then you can broadcast it throughout the entire solar system.”
“K.D., hello, this is Christy. When have I ever betrayed a confidence of yours?”
“Not even to Clifton.” Clifton Melton was Christiana’s husband and the mayor of Atlanta.
“I could tell Clifton the moon fell into the Atlantic Ocean, and all he would say is ‘that’s wonderful dear.’” Christiana smirked and added, “So, let me have the juice—every last drop.”
Kiernan felt a certain amount of pride. “That, my dear, is my fiancée.”
Christiana’s mouth fell open, her eyes popping wide. She stared at Kiernan in bewildered shock, as if she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“Aren’t you going to say anything? The cat got your tongue?” Kiernan leaned over and waved her hand in front of Christiana’s eyes.
Christiana blinked a few times before exclaiming, “You’re pulling my leg! I don’t believe it!”
“Believe it, because it’s true. We’re getting married in a private ceremony, family only, on Saturday morning. Ariel Thorsen will soon be Ariel Thorsen O’Shay.”
A slightly dazed expression remained on Christiana’s face. “K.D., when did all this happen?”
“Recently, and that’s all you’re getting from me. Aren’t you going to do the best wishes thing and tell me how lucky I am?”
Christiana hugged Kiernan. “This is wonderful, still unbelievable, but wonderful. I’m happy for you. She’s beautiful. Who is she?”
Kiernan knew what Christiana was asking. She wanted to know whether Ariel held any social standing anywhere in the world. “She’s a wonderful person who’s loyal to her family, unselfish, not shallow, and has integrity.” Kiernan leveled a serious look at Christiana that relayed a message, as did her words when she declared, “She’s an O’Shay.”
HEATHER, THE WILLOWY blonde boutique assistant, surveyed Ariel appraisingly. “That’s an excellent choice for you. The blue makes your eyes appear a shade darker and goes very well with your hair color and complexion. It is also flattering to your figure.”
Heather’s gaze strayed to Ariel’s breasts, giving them a brief but appreciative inspection. Ariel wanted to roll her eyes. It never failed. Every time she went out in public, her generous and well-shaped breasts drew attention from both males and females. She owned a t-shirt a friend made for her, emblazoned across the front with My IQ is 178, and she wore it a few times until she realized it only directed more attention to her breasts.
Heather rotated Ariel by her shoulders to face the floor length mirror so she could get a view of her appearance. Ariel admitted the royal blue dress was very becoming with its slim skirt reaching to her ankles and slit on the sides to three inches above the knees. The sleeveless bodice crisscrossed in the front and circled around her neck, which left it backless. It definitely wasn’t a wedding dress, but Ariel really didn’t care what she wore. Kiernan was buying it so she would let her decide.
Heather handed her a pair of matching shoes with three-inch heels. Ariel slipped them on and walked around the room a few times to get the feel. She stopped in front of Heather and said, “Let’s get this show on the road.”
“You mean let’s strut your stuff out on the catwalk.”
Ariel snickered at the comment and fo
llowed Heather through the dressing room curtain and out into the viewing area. Kiernan was in conversation with a dark-haired woman.
Kiernan peered up, her eyes widening. “Oh, yes. You’re absolutely—” Words seemed to fail her for a few moments. “That dress is gorgeous. Turn around and let me see the back.”
Ariel did so, feeling self-conscious, but relieved her blushes never extended to her back.
Kiernan said, “Walk around some.”
Ariel had the sudden urge to do what she termed the ‘butch stomp’ she sometimes affected when she was decked out in her full biker regalia of black Teflahide jacket, black Teflahide pants, and black boots. Refraining, she instead did a sedate amble in a circle.
“Christy, add it to the purchase order,” Kiernan said. “Now, bring out some outfits appropriate for the event we discussed earlier, and have Ariel try them on. Then we’ll see what you have in casual clothes. Ariel, come over here and let me introduce you to Christy. She’ll help you select anything you want.”
Letting a sigh of exasperation escape through her nose, Ariel knew it was going to be a long day.
ARIEL GAZED OUT the limo’s window at the nineteenth and early twentieth century buildings of Atlanta’s older downtown district. She thought about how they reflected a charm not seen in the modern malls. It was close to noon when they finished selecting and ordering clothes. Christiana invited them to go to a new Indian restaurant but Kiernan declined, saying she had one more stop to make and, afterward, she and Ariel would lunch at a bistro she knew.
The limo pulled up in front of a quaint brownstone building with two green and white awnings stretched over two picture windows on each side of the glass door. Ariel read the sign above the door, painted with gold lettering: Barnett Jewelers.
“I made arrangements with Mr. Barnett for a private showing of wedding rings,” Kiernan stated and glanced at Ariel as if to gauge her reaction.
Linda S. North - The Dreamer, Her Angel and the Stars Page 11