Surprises part 3 -- Obsessive Endeavors from The Chair

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Date Posted: 21:28:37 06/02/02 Sun
Author: SirensSong
Subject: Surprises part 3
In reply to: SirensSong 's message, "Surprises" on 21:21:03 06/02/02 Sun

You approach the door to Kenneth Irons mansion slowly. Nervously smoothing the front of your jacket, you raise your hand to knock. The door swings open the moment before you come into contact with it. You jump backwards, startled. Your guide from earlier, Ian, stands in the doorway. You think you see the ghost of a smile on his face, but you can't tell for sure. He holds the door open, obviously waiting for you to enter. You do, cautiously. Ian takes his position ahead of you, once again leading you to your destination. You follow him in silence. But you wish he would say something. Instead, you concentrate on the hallways you're passing through. Very plush and elegant. Of course, you're sure a man such as Irons would have nothing BUT the best. I'm going to have to do some amazing paintings, for them to fit in here... you think. It's a daunting thought, and you hope you're up to the task.

He has quite a collection, from what you can see. Now you wonder why he wants to commission you. Out of any artist he could have contacted, he's chosen you. Your curiosity is growing. Also, you wonder what he wants the subject of the paintings to be. You mentally revise your earlier thought. You KNOW that your life has gotten a lot more interesting. And it's all because of him. Your new... well, you could say employer. Temporary employer, but your employer nonetheless. And current dinner date. That is a strangely thrilling thought.

You grow chagrined as you realize that once again you've reached your destination without realizing it. That's getting to be a bad habit... You're not usually this distractible. Ian opens the door once more for you, and you step inside. He walks on your right, as you continue into the room. The first thing you notice about the room is the opulent decor. One thing that stands out for you is an oddly throne like chair, near the back. The second thing you notice is Irons himself. He is dressed in a wine colored silk shirt, and is leaning against the back of the chair, gazing into the fire blazing in the fireplace. The first thought to cross you mind is God, he's sexy. You feel your cheeks flame. Probably best not to go there.

"May I take your coat?" You almost jump at the sound of Ian's voice.

"Um-sure, I guess," you stammer, sort of fumbling with the buttons. He takes your coat, and begins to leave. "Thank you," you murmur softly after him. He turns and casts a glance back at you, before leaving without another word. You're now alone in the room with Irons. It's a bit unnerving, even though this is business. Very enjoyable business at that. You take a few steps forward. He turns to face you, coming around the chair. You feel your face flush under his gaze. But you don't look away.

"Good, you're here," he says with a smile. Irons approaches you, offering his hand. "Shall we?"

You nod, and take his hand. He soon moves his hand from yours, and places it on your back, as you two walk to the table. You can feel the warmth of his hand through the silk of your dress. Irons guides you to your seat. As he pulls it out for you he leans down near your right ear.

"You look lovely." You look at him in surprise, which isn't hard because his cheek is practically right next to yours. You can smell his cologne again. He moves away and takes his own seat, which is directly across from you. It's a truly intimate setup. Which, if you're completely honest with yourself, doesn't really bother you at all. "Wine?" he asks. You nod, and Irons pours a glass for you, as well as himself. He raises his glass, and you follow suit.

"To..." Irons pauses, thinking.

"Unexpected opportunities," you supply softly.

"Indeed. To unexpected opportunities," he continues. The two of you clink glasses, and you take a sip.

Dinner is brought to the table. You can't quite place the dish, but you're not going to say a word. It's actually quite good, you decide, taking a bite. The two of you sit in silence for a few moments.

"I'm glad you were able to join me," he tells you. You look up at him.

"So am I," you reply. After another moment, you steel yourself to ask the question that's been on your mind.

"Are you sure you want to commission me as your painter?" you ask.

"Did you think I wasn't?"

"Well, quite honestly? I wasn't sure why you would want to commission me, an almost unknown artist, for a series of paintings, when you could more than likely have any artist you want for your paintings."

"I have. You are, despite what you may believe, the artist I wanted."

He catches you completely off guard. Setting your wineglass down before you drop in, you gaze at him, your amazement plain on your face. A smirk quirking his lips, he sets down his glass as well, steepling his fingers in front of him. "You are a very good artist. I wouldn't be commissioning you if you weren't."

"How did you ever see any of my work?"

"I happened to see a few pieces at an gallery opening in the area. I was impressed."

Your eyebrows lift. That wasn't something you expected to hear. Kenneth Irons had been impressed. By your work. You think you can place the pieces he saw. There were three. One had been of the mythical Amazons (you've always been a history buff. Especially the old stuff). How you had pictured them in battle. The other was a landscape, involving a castle on a hill. The last... was a musketeer thing.

"So... what are you looking for, as far as the subject goes?"

"Surprise me," he answers. You laugh out loud this time. This is getting more and more amazing!

"You are going to pay me, to paint whatever I feel is fitting, for you?"

"Exactly."

Something occurs to you. "If you were planning on this being the deal, then why did you invite me to dinner?"

"Perhaps I simply wanted the pleasure of your company." A surprisingly pleased and embarrassed smile blooms on your face. You take another sip of wine to try and hide the blush you know is turning your cheeks red.

"Is it turning out to be what you hoped?" you find yourself asking.

"Immeasurably." Wiping his lips with a napkin, Irons gets to his feet. "Would you care to take a look around?"

"Of course," you answer immediately. He once again offers you his hand, and helps you to your feet. Taking your arm in his, he escorts you from the room...

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Replies:

Surprises part 4 -- SirensSong, 21:30:36 06/02/02 Sun