As I've said before, while in this story I will be referencing some real world events, I WILL NOT write about horrible tragedies. In France, people have been killed in a senseless act of terrorism and I will not take the pain of those families that have lost loved ones and use it as a plot in any of my stories. It's not the time, it's not the place.
That's all I have to say on the matter. At least, that's all I have to say about the matter here.
Much love to you all!
Sarah, xx
~*~*~
"Am I allowed to have a man cave?"
"Jesus Christ. Why are you even asking me?"
"Because husbands having man caves have led to divorce."
"Seriously?"
"I'm a divorce lawyer. I've seen couples separate for weirder things."
"Such as?"
"One woman petitioned because her husband didn't answer her calls when he was on a night out with friends."
"Were there any underlying issues?"
"Nope. Nothing. She said that she had enough of calling her husband for two hours and him not answering."
"Nah, not believing that bullshit. There's something more to this story."
"Well, it might have something to do with the fact that he was a little older and you know, rich."
"She was in it for the money, wasn't she?"
"I can neither confirm nor deny. She did, however, look very pleased with herself when she was awarded a hefty sum in the divorce."
"Was she your client or was the husband your client?"
"The husband."
"So, you lost your case?"
"If by 'lost' you mean I saved him a hundred million, then yes, I lost."
"A hundred million?!"
"I represent some of the wealthiest people in the world, not just the UK. A lot of wives like to file for divorce here because the laws are more favourable to them."
"Well, hell."
"Back to my man cave, though. Can I have one?"
"As long as it's in the basement, you can do whatever you want."
"Done! Any requests in return?"
"A home cinema."
"Wish granted. Anything else?"
"Nothing specific that I can think of right now."
"The master bedroom- are we having it on the first floor or the second?"
"First?"
"Sure?"
"Not any longer, I'm not!"
"Here's what I was thinking- basement we have the man cave, the home cinema, and a gym-"
"Do we really need a gym?"
"A playroom?"
"Here's what I'm thinking-"
"Ah, in other words, this is what we're doing."
"No, this is what I was thinking. After, we discuss and compromise."
"Ok,let's hear it then."
"You can have your gym."
"Wait a second, this doesn't sound so much like a compromise but you giving me what I wanted."
"That's because I haven't gotten to what I want yet. On the lower ground floor, I want to convert the front vault into a dining room because it has that vaulted ceiling which will be perfect for a chandelier. Then, the room off the kitchen by the stair hallway, we can have that as a family sitting room, and the room off there as a playroom. The vault beyond the playroom could be used as a secret room. We could put closet doors up and it'll be like Narnia."
"..."
"You don't like the plan?"
"No, the plan sounds great. It's just... is this Narnia idea more for our future children, or for you?"
"..."
"I knew it!"
"Whatever. Do you agree to my compromise or not?"
"I'll agree to those terms."
"Ok, and the ground floor?"
"Front room will be a formal dining room, and then the backroom can be a lounge room. Off from the lounge room, a study."
"A study?"
"Mhm."
"No offence, babe, but I am not sharing a study with you."
"That's sweet of you."
"I did say 'no offence.'"
"Offence taken, nevertheless. You'll be happy to know that I won't be sharing a study with you. I'm going to have one down in the basement next to the man cave."
"Oh, thank God!"
"First floor will be the master bedroom. En-suite and walk-in closet included. Second floor, any thoughts?"
"A guest room and a second master?"
"And the top floor?"
"Two bedrooms and a family bathroom."
"Ok, just one problem with this all."
"Which would be?"
"Our bedroom will be too far away from the family bedrooms."
"Right. Suggestions?"
"Master on the second floor and then two bedrooms up on the top floor. The first floor we could have a guest room and the large room at the front could be a formal living room. That way, the lounge room downstairs can be the library because I know how you've always wanted one. Plus, it'll be close to your study."
"..."
"You hate the plan?"
"I like the plan."
"You do?"
"I do. Did you come up with it, or was it the architect?"
"What do you mean?"
"Evelyn said that you had a lunch meeting with our architect, so I'm wondering who exactly came up with this plan?"
"I hate it when all the women in my life gang up against me."
"Get used to it, because between, Evelyn, Connie and I, we're going to be Hell to deal with."
"I don't doubt that. Since my lovely sister decided to rat me out, it was the architect that decided most of it, but I had significant input."
"My hero."
"So, you're happy with those ideas?"
"Yeah, I'm happy."
"Good, because I'm about to press 'send' on this e-mail."
"What e-mail?"
"The one with the PDF attachment for you to look over. Ok, I've sent it to you."
"Yeah, just seen it pop up."
"Take a look, jot down any changes you want to make. Once the architect makes the changes, I'll get the company to mock up some designs for the interior."
"You're seriously going for this, aren't you?"
"Sophie, this is our first home together. I want it to be ready for October so we can move in after you've come back."
"October? That's ambitious."
"But do-able."
"What about the fundraiser? I thought you were supposed to be planning that."
"I was, but then Samuel and Camille decided that I wasn't... what was the word they used? I wasn't 'creative enough to organise a fashion based fundraiser.' I've been relegated to simply having my name on the invite and that's it. I don't even get a say in what the invite even looks like!"
"Haha, sounds like my mother."
"That's why all my energy is going into planning the house instead. All I need for the fundraiser is a tux."
"Mhm... On this plan you sent-"
"Really, a change already?"
"This architect of yours has taken out the fireplace from the room that will be the master bedroom."
"Yes."
"Put it back."
"Back? You want a fireplace in the bedroom?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Ever had sex in front of a fireplace in the middle of winter?"
"No, but now that you've said that, I'll tell the architect to put the fireplace back in."
"One track mind, Whitaker."
"When it comes to you, you bet I do."
"Pervert. I'm going to look over these plans a little more. I'll e-mail them back to you later."
"Alright."
"Hey, Daniel?"
"Yeah?"
"The plans... they don't look so bad, you know."
"High praise indeed. Still, take your time in scrutinising them. In the meantime, I love you, Soph."
"I love you too, Daniel."