Through another large arch carved of the same material as the exposed beams was a master bath. A mirrored wall was centered by double sinks. Walking deeper inside, Troy found an enormous rain shower, a sunken tub and a private water closet. The floors and walls were done in mosaic tile in shades of blue and green.
The toilet area alone was larger than his bathroom in his old apartment when he lived in DC. He retraced his steps to the front door, admiring the blue marble floors on the way. To the left of the front door was an office set up to accommodate four occupants.
“For your guests. And this is a powder room,” Owen chirped from behind him, reaching for a door. “Tim said the beautiful woman is fast asleep.”
Troy nodded. “The place is beyond words.”
As he continued forward down the central hall, Owen walked beside him, his hand held out like a gameshow prize presenter. The area opened to a round room topped by a circular, domed ceiling filled with a cut glass mosaic in shades of blue and green with four sets of arches. Console tables and chairs filled the walls.
He’d walked the north corridor. Heading south led him to the master suite, and beyond that was the daisy room. At the end of the south corridor were three more bedrooms with full baths.
Owen took him down the east corridor, which contained an enormous eat-in kitchen across from a dining room fit for twenty. Further down the hall was a formal living room furnished like a picture from a Greek villa with large white sofas, matching chairs, an acrylic coffee table, and multiple end tables lit with ceramic blue and white lamps. Turquoise pillows matching the blue in the lamps set the stage.
They continued down the corridor. “Swipe your hand.” Owen pointed to the electronic pad outside the door.
Troy stood still, his breath sitting in his throat. As the door opened, straight ahead, he faced an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling bookcases in a light wood that blended into the floor. To his left was a stone fireplace that backed a large Mediterranean-style desk with a generously proportioned rolling chair. To his right, perpendicular to his desk, was a smaller desk and chair backed by floor-to-ceiling windows.
Owen walked toward the bookcase. Sliding his hand against one book, shelves dropped, revealing a monitor showing four time zones. A similar book on the other side revealed a second set of monitors.
The final reveal, Owen waved Troy over to the center of the wall. “Retina then palm.” Owen pulled out two books to reveal a scanner.
The bookcase rotated away from him, revealing a large room. A safe room. The space had a small kitchen and eating area for four. A queen bed pulled down from the wall as well as twin bunk beds off to one side. The final touches included a communications area and a satellite link.
“Now, handsome, there’s one of those newfangled gun safes inside. You can play with those toys later.”
Troy laughed. “Okay.”
“Now the fun part. The west hall.” They headed back down the east hall. “Before we cross over…you’re going to love this.” He led them into an enormous kitchen with polished stainless steel appliances.
Troy raised a brow. “They are all shiny and silver.”
“Well, handsome, I’m hoping that beautiful woman knows her way around a kitchen,” Owen teased. “Come on, everybody. Eat those sandwiches in this exquisite dining room, and then I'll show you more.
Owen leaned into Troy. “The vivacious Verna warned me that your momma could be a little demanding. Her guest room, finished inherdesign recommendations, is the farthest room from the master bedroom.” Owen's eyes twinkled.
“Owen, you are too much, but thank you. I’m sure it will amuse Gwendolen.” Troy sighed. “Come eat with us.”
“Let me show you the last wing.”
“Take it away.” Troy followed him.
“Two more guest rooms. This one is your momma’s.”
Troy smiled. “She’ll love it.”
“We go through these doors—when closed, the sound won’t carry. I imagine you’ll spend a lot of time here.” Owen revealed a workout room that included a massage table, a den with an enormous television and video games, and at the end, doors opened to a lanai. The windowed room on a slate floor overlooked a lap pool.
Troy estimated the pool was enormous at fifty feet long by ten feet wide. He imagined Gwen’s powerful body slicing through the water. “Owen, you worked miracles.”
“My pleasure. If you don’t like anything, especially the blue in the lanai, I will change it. Tomorrow we can look at the pretty horseys and the guest house. I know your plan was to let Gwendolen stay in the guest house. I was thinking, there is more than enough room in the main house for her, and I can easily knock down the wall between the master and her room. The guest house would be nice for families. The bedrooms are large enough to be split. Three bedrooms for Mom and your sisters and their plus ones. And the general can stay there or have a guest room. Hmm, maybe a double family. Your momma and the general, and you and Miss Gwendolen.”
Troy choked. “Owen…I think you should stick with decorating. You put an image in my head I’ll never forget.”
The designer put his hands on his hips. “Don’t doubt the great Owen.”
Troy, his face bright red, recovered enough to speak. “Come have some lunch.”
Glenn North was sitting with the large group when his phone rang, and he excused himself. Returning to the room, he waved Troy over. “Son, I need to head out. I’m sorry; I wanted to spend more time with Gwendolen and you.”
