being on the phone it is over the Internet.”
She couldn’t believe how casual and friendly he spoke. He even looked more relaxed, wearing slacks and a shirt but no tie or jacket. It reminded her of the Anthony she met in Atlanta. “It is okay. I’m really not hungry. I’m more excited to get the tour.” She put on her shoes and sipped a little coffee.
He began by explaining the shape of the house, a main section which housed the dining room, formal living room, sitting room, kitchen, and the grand foyer. The foyer contained the main stairway. Two large wings projected off from the main section. Stairways were also found at the end of each of those wings. The staff had access to an elevator for transporting carts and larger items to the second and lower level.
He continued to explain Claire’s suite was located on the second floor of the southeast wing as they stepped out of the suite. Claire looked slowly down the great expanse of the hallway at many other doors. She hadn’t heard anyone or anything her entire stay. Anthony moved five steps ahead before she remembered to walk. The sensation of stepping out of the suite was frightening, like leaving the security of a nest.
She quickly caught him and did her best to walk at his fast pace. At times he wouldn’t say a word, just walk. Other times he spoke at great length about this piece of art or that antique.
Along the tour he showed her a library adorned with beautiful cherry woodwork and book-lined shelves. It occupied two stories and contained a back wall with a sliding ladder like you see in movies. She could get lost in there for days. She looked around for a computer. Didn’t all libraries have computers? “Is there a computer in here, some way to find books?”
“I think it would be best for you to not have access to computers, the Internet, or telephones.” Anthony’s statement wasn’t an answer to Claire’s question, it was a proclamation.
The tour of his magnificent house held so many treasures that Claire momentarily forgot why she was there. His declaration brought the reason rushing back. She knew all forms of communication were absent from her suite, but assumed that outside the door there would be Wi-Fi. Even though she hadn’t seen her Blackberry for over two weeks, she hoped she would once again be connected to the real world. He looked at her with his dark eyes as he spoke. She did her best to maintain his gaze, swallowed, and nodded in response.
Next he took her to an exercise room in the lower level, complete with all kinds of weight equipment, as well as a treadmill, elliptical, and stepper. Attached to the workout room was an indoor pool. Though not full sized, it was big enough to swim laps in. When she saw the pool, the stunning mosaic tiles that covered the walls and floor, the windows that allowed sunlight to penetrate, and smelled the familiar chlorine, she let out a gasp. “Do you like to swim?” he asked.
“Oh yes. This is amazing.” Claire’s eyes glowed.
“You shall have bathing suits tomorrow.” His words surprised her; she hadn’t asked. However, he was offering, and she did like to swim.
“Thank you.”
The formal dining room was exquisite. The table currently set for ten but the room seemed as though it could seat at least three times as many. The intricate woodwork accented light yellow walls and included hand-carved trim, molding, and built-in cabinetry. The ceiling was divided into sections separated by wood trim, each section embellished with different designs and some sort of gold flaking that created a shimmer in the light of the sun. The cabinetry held what Claire believed to be very lavish crystal and china. The height of the ceiling allowed the windows and French doors to be taller than most, at least ten feet, and adorned by exquisite flowing draperies. “We will eat in here when I decide. If I am not home, you will eat in your suite.”
Down the west corridor just off the main section was a set of grand double doors. “This is my office. Your services will be required in here on days I work from home, like today. My office is strictly forbidden without my permission. Is that clear?” Claire nodded. Anthony turned to look at her, standing very close. “Claire, I want verbal responses to my questions. Do not make me tell you that again.”
“I