Chapter 41 - Alexander

**ALEXANDER**

Alexander Fitzpatrick stepped out of his sleek car and took in the expansive mansion that rose before him. A mansion like this was not uncommon in Los Angeles, especially in the exclusive neighborhoods where the rich and famous lived. But this one, with its gleaming marble columns and delicate landscaping, had a special glow. Today he had an appointment with one of the city’s most sought-after movie producers, who had hired Alexander to design the nursery for his soon-to-be-born child.
„Mr. Fitzpatrick, welcome. Mr. Lancaster is expecting you,“ the housekeeper greeted him with a polite smile and led him through the imposing entrance into the heart of the mansion. The spacious hall was impressive: high ceilings with ornate plasterwork, gleaming marble floors that shimmered in the distance, and carefully selected works of art. But for Alexander, who worked with such luxurious details every day, it was the calm before the creative challenge that awaited him.
„Alexander, it’s great you made it,“ Marcus Lancaster greeted him, a man whose success was reflected in every detail of his appearance. In his perfectly fitting designer suit, and with a beaming Hollywood smile, he looked like the ideal movie producer. „Come, let’s go straight to the nursery. Our little princess will be here in a few months and I want her room to be perfect.“
Alexander nodded and followed Marcus up the wide staircase, thinking about the project ahead. Designing a nursery was a special challenge, one he loved. It offered room for creativity, for dreams, and for a blend of functionality and beauty. It was not just about designing a pretty room, but an environment in which a child could grow up, surrounded by inspiration and warmth.
As they entered the room, which still seemed empty and untouched, Alexander closed his eyes for a moment. He allowed himself to be guided by the silence of the room as his thoughts began to form. For him, this wordless time to take in the room was the true beginning of any project. It was as if the room itself was speaking to him, telling him its stories, revealing its needs. He could feel where the energy flowed and where it stalled, where technical perfection was lacking and needed to be improved.
This intuitive sense, deeply rooted in him, gave his designs that special touch that set him apart from other designers. It was not only the aesthetics that he perceived, but also the soul of the space. To Alexander, every space was more than just four walls - it was a canvas waiting for his vision to come to life.
„So, what do you have in mind for my little princess’s room?“ Marcus asked, leaning casually against the doorframe and watching Alexander intently.
Alexander took a deep breath, glanced around the empty room and opened his folder. With gentle strokes, he began to draw a few lines, sharing his vision. „The room should radiate a feeling of security, for the first years of your daughter’s life. There should be a sleeping area on the floor next to the crib, large enough for you as parents to snuggle with your princess. The colors should be soothing - soft pastels, maybe something like sky blue or a warm pink. Not too garish, but not too dignified.“ He approached his client and showed him the initial sketches. „Here’s what I have in mind. Do you want your child to have a separate dressing room? Or would you like to integrate the changing table and the wardrobe into this room?“
Marcus raised his hands in defense. „A changing table in the nursery? I don’t want the room to become a toilet!“
Alexander laughed. „Perhaps I can allay your fears a little. When the little one wakes up, it’s a great relief to be able to lift her onto the changing table just a few feet from the bed instead of carrying her through several rooms or even down a hallway.“ He looked serious again. „By the way, I recommend having multiple changing tables anyway, so you can move more quickly in the event of an unforeseen mishap. Remember, Marcus, your mansion is huge. You don’t want to confine your child to this room for the first three years.“
Marcus looked pensive. „Hm, you’re probably right. I trust you, you certainly have more experience in designing and placing children’s furniture than I do. All right, then, in this room we’ll have not only a bed and a sleeping den, but also a changing table with all the accessories. And what about the play area?“
„It will be integrated into the sleeping den. Because very young children get tired very quickly when they’ve played a lot. In the beginning, it should be soft toys or very large toys made of unsprayed wood with natural colors that are saliva-proof. Perhaps a subtle touch of fairy tale theme. Not the classic princesses, but elements of nature - like an enchanted garden. Trees with branches draped along the walls, twinkling lights that mimic the night sky, and soft greens and pinks that bring the room to life without being overwhelming. It was to be a room of calm, but also of fantasy.“
The men walked around the room while Alexander sketched his ideas in the air with his hands.
„Sounds brilliant,“ Marcus said, nodding in agreement. „But you do realize, Alexander, that my daughter will need a perfectly tailored room for each stage of her life.“
Alexander raised an eyebrow. „Does that mean you’re hiring me for the next twenty years?“
Marcus laughed. „You could say that. If you deliver a new design every few years, my daughter will have a growing Alexander-Fitzpatrick-collection. Who knows, maybe she’ll be the first to grow up with your furniture to match every stage of her life.“
Alexander smiled. „Sounds like a plan. Maybe I’ll deliberately choose something for the first pieces of furniture that can be easily replaced or added to. For example, I could design a bed that could be used as a crib at first and then converted into a larger bed with a few simple steps. If the furniture is modular, it’s easy to change the room as the child grows.“
„Yes, that could work,“ Marcus said approvingly, nodding in satisfaction. „Good, then we’ll do that. But now I’ll leave you to work your magic. We’re curious to see what you conjure up.“
After Marcus left, Alexander took his time to walk around the room again. He could already picture it - the soft colors, the warm atmosphere, the luxurious details that enhanced the room without making it look ostentatious. It was this blend of style and functionality that made his work so unique. To him, it wasn’t just a job - it was art, and he loved creating art for people who could truly appreciate it.
A satisfied smile played on his lips as he finally left the house. As he got into his car, his cell phone vibrated. He looked at it: DarEnd-Agency. He hadn’t heard from them since yesterday. Were they calling to tell him that the meeting with Emily wasn’t going to happen?
He snarled as he answered the call. „Fitzpatrick.“