Chapter 93
Whilst not being too cocky about our favourable press, it did have the whole team on a high, which is what we needed to get through this saga. I was aware that it was just beginning, and the end was nowhere in sight yet, but starting out strong was a good position to be in. The team were hard at work, and I was buzzing through my morning. Jackson rang to say that he would airborne shortly, followed by the rest of the gang. He was currently sitting on the jet with Karl, as the larger plane had already left for New York.
He was not looking forward to spending spring in Autumn as it derailed a few of his plans for summer in New York, but he understood the reasoning, and was happy that I would be there for the majority of the time.
Heading home at noon was a nice feeling, even better knowing I would be spending the afternoon with Jules. Whilst I wasn't big on shopping, it was the outing I was more looking forward to, and spoiling her in the process. I knew I wouldn't have as many opportunities in the future.
As the car pulled up, Jules walked straight out an hopped in. I will say she was looking so much better than this morning, and her smile lit up the sidewalk as she bounced down those stairs.
"You're a lot chirpier than this morning." I exclaimed as she slid in next to me.
"Yep, A shower and extra sleep do me wonders!" she added. "Plus I spoke to Marcus."
"Ah, young love" I smiled.
"No, actually, he rang me to thank you for you did with his dad." She corrected me.
"He could have rung me." I thought out loud.
"Yeah, I guess he could have, but he was saving money by just making the one call."
"LOL, whatever Jules" I laughed at her.
After a quick lunch at Bar Pitti, we headed out to do some serious shopping. I was the designated bag handler for the afternoon, as Jules kept piling on the clothes for each stage of her pregnancy.
"Settle down, you're only one person" I joked.
"Dad, in case you haven't noticed, we have been snapped at least half a dozen times today already. I need something new every time I go out"
"Shit, Jules, I hadn't even realised, I didn't even see them. Where are they?"
"There's one over there," she said pointing to a non-descript guy carrying a small backpack, there is another over that way" she continued on pointing out these guys everywhere. My paparazzi radar was just as broken as my gaydar, I joked with Jules.
By 4:30pm Jules was tired. Personally, I was exhausted, but to spend the time with Jules was just great. As e were walking out of Saks, we were surrounded by 8-9 happy snappers yelling questions with their Camera's clicking away furiously. I still wasn't used to it, but with the training Jasper had provided us all, we just kept walking, ignoring them and hoping the car as our detail shielded us as much as possible.
"Sorry Boss!" said Mitchell from the front.
"Shit happens. Don't stress it" I wasn't angry at him, it was true, shit happens, and my crew were more aware of the ones they couldn't see, rather than the ones they could.
Some where over Saudi Arabia, Jackson was one of four passengers on a twin prop Dash-8/400 bound for Munich, via Tel Aviv and Rome.
"Damn this fucker is noisy." He said to Chris who was trying to find some comfort in the non-reclining seats, that barely fitted his bulk.
"you're not wrong Jackson, if one of those bastards on the Jet complain about their trip I will personally snap them in half" He said, with Jackson not knowing if he was joking or not.
"Sorry I had to put you through this" Jackson again apologising.
`It's all good man. In the heat of the moment, we just all forgot. I gotta look after you, otherwise I will be out of a job" He grinned. "Anyway, where's that Doctor, your obs are due, it has been an hour"
Chris signalled down the back for the doctor to come do Jackson's observations. He was all good, and only a slight headache. The plane was flying lower than usual to avoid cabin pressure, and the noise from the twin probs, was unbearable at best. As the plane was generally used as a commuter plane, there were no screens to watch anything, hardly any decent food, and two of the three crew spoke no English, only Arabic. So to say it was an interesting trip so far was an understatement.
Back in New York, I was sorting out what I wanted to keep here and take back to Munich. Clothing didn't really matter as we had that many in both houses, I only needed personal items. I was impatient to get over there, and sort out the issues, but I was going to miss New York, and I knew exactly what Jackson meant about it being "our Home" more so than Munich.
Over the last 48hrs I was toying with getting rid of Munich, or completely gutting it and rebuilding, or even bulldozing the whole place. I wanted to erase the memories of those past, that had caused such harm to many people. The thing that stopped me at the moment was it offered a secure environment for us, and Munich would always be the base for the bank, and therefore, us.
It did get me thinking thou, that perhaps we could build a house on the grounds and then when it was completed, we could bulldoze the Villa? Would that work? Hmmm, food for thought as I grabbed bits and pieces and threw them in to my new Louis Vuitton travel bag Jules had convinced me I had to have.
I kept receiving random hilarious meme's and tweets from Jackson as he flew back to Munich. I could tell just how bored he was, and so wanted to be there when he arrived. I knew I'd be there soon enough, but the A330 would at least be 48hrs before we could leave here.
`Fuck it' I said out loud. "Sam," I yelled out. He appeared in a second. "Get me on the 8:30pm Lufthansa direct out of Newark to Munich" I instructed him. "I will leave here in 10mins, have one of the guards escort me to the Airport. I won't need anyone on flight."
"Damn, can't you just relax for 5 mins" Sam asked looking flustered.
"Nah, I will be in Munich at 10am in the morning local time. I am just a little concerned with him after his headaches, plus I want to check in on Michael" I added.
"Fair call, did you still want us to leave here as planned? He questioned.
"Yeah, that's fine. Gives you all a few days to wrap everything up. Just work with Captain Hendrickson on times etc. Crew rest times cannot be broken" I detailed, making sure he was aware.
I grabbed my bag and headed into let Maggie and Jules know I was heading off. I hated leaving them, especially Maggie, but I had to do what I needed to do.
"Hey Kiddo, 3 weeks max before you visit. This is not a negotiation, clear" I said, as she was working away.
"Yes dad, promise. I will let Sam know so he can arrange" She said, not really paying attention to me.
"Come here and give me a kiss"
"Ugh, you are such a pain in the arse dad!" she joked as she hugged me goodbye.
"See you in a few days Jules." I said, kissing her cheek and walking down the stairs.
Arriving at Newark Airport, I walked straight through the gates, and boarded the plane with perfect timing. I didn't mind flying commercial at times, I loved the romance of air travel, especially in Business class. The Cabin Crew obviously knew who I was, as the Captain came to my seat to personally welcome me on board. A pleasant touch, but sometimes you just want to be anonymous. After that there was a bit of finger pointing, before we were up in the sky and heading east to Munich.
Pulling out my laptop, I managed to compose a heap of emails, and read the ones that had been downloaded. I missed having WiFi like we did on our own Jets, but this gave me the time I needed to play catch up. After a very good meal of Salmon with an amazing German Riesling, I kicked the seat back and got a few hours' sleep, before being awoken with coffee and breakfast 90mins out from landing.
Walking off the plane, I was greeted by Marcus who had arrived earlier in the morning. As he walked me to the car, he asked all about Jules, how she was feeling and if she was ok.
"Hey Marcus, you're like a love sick puppy" I joked.
"Yeah, I am, I am just worried that she may over do it."
"Well, if you count the damage she did to my AmEx yesterday, we could say has very much over done it." I laughed back at him.
"Oh, thanks for what you did with my Dad. I don't think you know how much he appreciated it. He's been trying, with very limited funds, to help those holocaust survivors and their families for years, now he actually will be directly."
"We had a good talk about it. It made sense. You never know, I may even convince him to fly here one day"
"Good Luck with that. He is very much a New Yorker who never travels far at all."
"Oh, we will see!" I winked at him as he opened the door for me to slide in the car.
"Where's Jackson I enquired" thinking he would have been here to meet me.
"We didn't tell him you were coming, because Chris wanted him to grab some sleep"
"Ah, smart thinking" I acknowledged.
"Apparently it was a long, loud, uncomfortable flight. Chris is pretty hammered too"
Arriving at the Villa in Spring the gardens were in bloom, the foliage on the trees a striking green. The grass had life, and the hedges had been trimmed. It really was a stunning sanctuary to be in. Every time I drove up the birch lined drive, I would notice something different that I hadn't seen before. The villa itself was stunning, but held a lot of secrets and pain for many, and that was the biggest issue I faced being here.
It was strange to be greeted at the door by Karl, and not Paul as we pulled up out the front.
"Well hello stranger!" I said walking up the stairs. "how's the patient doing?"
"Considering I am working, that should tell you he is driving me insane." He laughed. "No, jokes aside, he's a little out of it still, so I thought I would help out here for a few days until Paul returns. Things were a little off point when I walked in. They weren't expecting anyone this week."
"Fair enough, I will catch up with Jackson first, then I will go see Michael if he's upto it."
"He's looking forward to seeing you."
I squeezed his shoulder on my past, "We are all lucky to see him I think" letting the reality of the past few days sink in.
My man was curled up in bed sleeping soundly, whilst I just wanted to hug him, I quietly exited the bedroom, and made my way to Michaels room. He was sitting up watching TV, having a late breakfast Karl had organised for him.
"Romeo, how's the head" I asked trying to keep things light.
"Hey, I didn't expect you here." He said surprised by my arrival.
"My two favourite men were doing that crash hot, so I thought I better be here."
"I'm ok. A little tender in parts, but I have dealt with worse."
"Wanna talk about it?" I asked leaving it completely up to him.
"If it's ok, not yet. I am still processing a lot, but please do not think I am keeping anything from you. I told the police and James everything I know."
"Ok, all in good time. No rush" I added as I hoped on the bed next to him, and buzzing down for a fresh coffee. Something I had missed was the blend they used here at the villa, and the smell and taste was out of this world.
As he was flicking through the channel, a replay of the interview I had given came up.
"Oh, Mr TV star, look what we have here" Michael joked as grinned and and laughed as we watched.
I Had never really watched any of the interviews I had been on as I never felt the need, but watching myself on replay was strange.
Is that how I sounded? Did I really say that? Or my favourite was, where did that word come from, I never use that word. I thought to myself as I listen to the interview with really bad German voiceover interpreters.
"So, what I should be asking, is how are you doing? It's not as if any of us make it easy for you" Michael asked me turning to his side.
"you know, I am good. I really am. People come in to our lives for a reason. They make up a family. They don't need to be blood related, they are what we make it. I have Jackson, Jules, Maggie, but I've had James, Sam, now Marcus, Karl, and even you, that we consider family."
"Me?" Michael asked with the innocence of a 5 year old.
"Yeah you. You're family. That why I was sending you off to get help. Not because you work for me, but because we care."
"Wow, I never thought of that."
"Can I ask you a personal question?" I said softly trying to open him a bit.
"You never talk about your parents, or any siblings, ever. Can I ask why?"
Michael turned his head and looked back at the TV. Now was the time for me to be silent and wait. If I knew Michael as well as I thought, I knew it wouldn't be too long before he spoke.
It took a couple of minutes, but I knew he was processing the answer.
"I don't have any parents or siblings." His voice just above a whisper. The sound of his voice told me he was cracking, and tears were not far away.
"Ah, OK, I'm sorry to pry" I said leaving it alone.
"No, I probably need to get it out and I have never really spoken about it. Do you have your phone on you at all?"
Reaching in to my pocket as my coffee arrived, I excused the maid, and returned my focus to Michael who was tapping away on my phone. Handing it too me, I was left slighty shocked as I looked at the headline on the screen.
`Family of four killed in a case of mistaken identity' The headline read dated 15 October 2015.
As I read the article, it told the story of how a home invasion in suburban California had gone pear shape, and Michael's father tried to protect his mother and two younger brothers, before they were all murdered by gunshot. To me, it explained a lot. It told me so much as to how Michael was shaped.
Putting down my phone and taking a gulp of my coffee, I looked at a viably upset Michael.
Why weren't you home? Did you still live there?
"I found them boss" He said looking stoic but also vulnerable.
I decided to not speak, but let him lead the narrative.
"I was home from first tour. I wanted to see my buddies, but mum wanted me to stay home. We had a massive argument with my dad telling me I treated the place like a half-way house. Anyways, I stormed out, and went to a mate's house, and just hung till I cooled down. About 11:30 I pulled up and thought it was odd that the lights were still on, and the door was ajar. As I approached, I could hear the TV on in the living room. So, I opened the door and the place had been ransacked. As I went to my folk's room, there was no one there, and kept going from room to room, until I walked in to my little brothers room and found them all on top of each other, shot in the head and close range."
I was stunned at the detail he gave as he spoke about the find. He almost became clinical from the moment he discovered the bodies, as opposed to before. It was a painful measure, and he was dealing with it in his own special way and I wasn't about to stop him. This had been brewing a long while, and I needed him to get it out.
"I Sat holding my mum in my hands for about half an hour before I called the police. I was scared, I didn't know what to do. I was scared they would think I had done it because Mum and I had fought before going out."
His body was wracked with sobs as he tried to continue speak. I grabbed him a tissue off the night stand and let him clean up before continuing.
"The police arrived and I called out, and I was sitting there covered in blood. They grabbed me and cuffed me. I couldn't speak, I had no one to talk to. When we got to the Police Station I rang my mate's dad, he was the smartest man I knew. He came down to the police station and said I was at there at their place all night. So the Police released me"
Watching him talk about this was certainly painful. I wished I could take all the hurt away, but I couldn't. All I could do is listen to him get it all out.
"Eventually they found that their time of death was three hours before I arrived. Then finger prints revealed that there were others involved, before neighbourhood CCTV showed people arriving. The police said mistaken identity was the reason for the break in. No one was ever charged."
"So what did you do?" I asked patiently
"I returned to my base and shipped out again. And just got on with life"
"Have you ever spoken about it with anyone? Have you ever sought any professional help to deal with grief? What about the funeral? The house?"
"I shipped out so I didn't attend the funeral. The house was cleaned and it's been empty since. I have never been back."
"Michael, I've just told you, you are a part of our family, and that stands. But, I think we need to get you some support and closure. Maybe now is the time to do it. I don't want to interfere, and I certainly will never force you, but, perhaps it may help lift the burden of guilt you have sitting on your shoulders."
"Boss, I'd manage to put it all behind me. Then, when I was taken at the Airport in Dubai, it all came flooding back. You know, a lot of my squad suffer PTSD as a result of what we saw overseas. For me, it was that night. I don't know how to fix it."
"OK, we are going to be here for a few months. You were already on scheduled leave, so how about we start now. I will come with you the first few times to support you, and I am sure Jackson and Karl would too."
"NO" he demanded in a strong authoritative voice. "I do not want Karl there. Not yet. I haven't told him, you are the first person. And I until I am ready, it stays that way."
"That's fine big boy, but, Jackson will know, I don't keep things from him. I would also be inclined to tell James, for obvious reasons. You don't have to discuss it with them, but I need them to know so we can best support you" I finished.
His child like face told me he was ok with this, it also told me he had a sense of relief to have it out. I pulled him in for hug and held him tight whilst he let it all out. The poor guy was carrying to much baggage, and had been for too long.
It was at this time that Jackson walked. In to Michaels room.
"Oh, this looks fun." He said, not knowing what had just transpired. As Michael lifted his head, Jackson could see his swollen puffy red eyes and tear stained cheeks.
"Is everything OK."
"Yeah, I will fill you in later, Just my big strong guy has a few things on his mind." I said down playing the enormity of what Michael had just disclosed.
"Well, you and I are in sick bay for the next few days. If you need me I am here." Jackson directed his comment at Michael.
"You could always lay on the other side me and squeeze me in the middle." He said, needing all the support he could get at the moment.
"Certainly!" Jackson said as he laid behind Michael spooning his massive frame.
"See, I told you he is good at this" I added as Michael snuggled down between us. Eventually he drifted off to sleep and Jackson and I left him to get some rest.
Chapter 94
"What the fuck was that all about" Jackson asked as we walked to my office.
Sitting on the sofa in my office, I went through the details of what Michael had told me.
"No wonder he's a l little fucked up. It is also probably why he is so overprotective of you. Think about it, you are probably the same age as his dad, he worships the ground you walk on, he basically wraps you in cotton wool where ever you go, and he turns to you for everything"
"I'd never really thought about it, until now." There was probably every reason Jackson was right. There was probably ever reason that that attributed to Michael's protection to me. Maybe he did it self-consciously, maybe knowingly.
"Right now I need to get him help. But, can I ask you to find someone? I'd need a non-disclosure signed before anything. I do not want this public in any way."
"Actually, Cath maybe the perfect start"
"Cath?" I asked puzzled by the name.
"Yeah, Cath, phycologist we employed for the centre. She is doing very little. If she can't help Michael directly, maybe she can triage him, and find him the best she can"
"Excellent. Have her come to the Villa tomorrow. I'll think of a reason for Karl to think it is related to the Dubai incident. Michael wants no one knowing about it at this stage, and I have given him our word."
"Deal. So, what bought you home early." He asked
"You, Michael. My two favourite men were not doing 100%, and that daddy in me need to rush to check in on you."
"Yeah about that, I am so sorry, I just simply forgot in the moment that everything was happening so fast."
"I understand, I forgot too. I will say I did freak out a little when Chris told me you were having cramping headaches"
"Ha-ha. Meet too! But you will be pleased to know, I am seeing the doctor today, just for a full check-up. You can come with me, if it will make you feel better."
"I'd love too, but I need to shower, I need to get in to some work. It is after midday and I need to check a few things."
"That's fine. Dinner for two tonight on the terrace?"
"It's a date my love" I said as he leaned in to kiss me before heading off.
Catching up on emails, returning calls made up the majority of my day. I was swamped by the amount of well-wishers, many I had never met, had reached out to offer support to me, and assistance if needed. It was a good feeling. The president of a competing bank offered an invitation for Lunch tomorrow which I had accepted, mainly because it was a generous offer, and a good move to have peers on our side. I knew the media in Germany would be shining a spotlight on just about our every move, so playing the long game would be important for us.
Sam rang me later in the day, letting me know that the German police would like to go over the secret office here at the Villa. I returned his call personally, letting him know I was fine with it, but I wanted numbers kept to a minimum, and it was not an invitation to turn our home upside down. He was fine with this, and asked if he and 3 others could attend.
As I looked out my window, I saw Chris and Jackson walking around the grounds. They seemed relaxed and I was happy that Jackson was getting some exercise. I would have loved to have joined them, but it wasn't an option as kept pushing on with my day.
Around 5 Karl came in to my office with a wine. "I thought you could use this" he said placing the glass on the edge of my desk.
"I sure do. How you doing?" I asked.
"I'm really good now. I know Michael is dealing with a lot, and I am glad I am here with him, so thank you for bringing me here."
"Just make sure you work in with Paul we he returns. He may find it a little strange at first you being here."
"I have already thought of that. If it is ok with you, I was thinking I will take my directions off him. He is the master of this house, and I am a visitor."
"Thanks, that's a good way of looking at it. You will probably notice that things here are a lot more formal. Just work in where you can"
"Yeah, I kinda got that vibe when they made you coffee in a silver pot, on a tray etc. And the table setting out on the terrace is like a 5 star silver service restaurant" he added in.
"Yeah, old school, tradition, all those things. The things we don't do in New York. But, they work hard and do an excellent job, and if Paul found out they weren't maintaining those same standards, all hell would break loose" I laughed.
"There is something else I wanted to talk to you about too. Michael. Whilst he has only minor damage, I know that it shook him up a little too. So, without you letting on you know, I have asked Jackson to organise a trauma counsellor to work with him a bit. He may need some space, so I don't want you to take it personally. If it gets hard on you, let me know ASAP."
"Thanks, I will. Well, best I get back to work" He rose and walked out, leaving me with my wine and my emails, as I started to wind down my day.
Chapter 95
I walked out to the terrace just before 6pm. The sun was just setting, a pink glow radiated across the sky. It was the perfect spring evening, as Jackson and Chris came up on the terrace from their walk.
"Evening gentlemen" I said as I stood looking at the small boats on the lake.
"Hi Boss. Thanks for the walk Jackson, I will catch you both later"
"Thanks Chris." I said as I approached Jackson.
"How you doing sexy"
"I am good. I am so glad you are here."
"Well, get used to it, we are here for at least 2 months, even though I might have to make the occasional trip. No flying for you!" I added to press the point home.
"I know, and it's ok. As long as you are here the majority of time."
As we sat for dinner, we were served some wine, as the food started to flow. From fresh fish, to roasted veal, gorgeous salads made from our garden, through to an amazing torte home made by our amazing chef. Who could ask for more I said allowed as Jackson pushed back from his seat to catch his breath. We sat outside till late, drinking our coffee, and having a liquor. It felt so good to feel reconnected with my husband and just talk about anything except drama and business. It was our time alone.
Wondering inside and up to our bedroom, I jumped in the shower to wash off the day. It was only minutes before a naked Jackson joined me in there, scrubbing my body all over, and bring my cock to attention. I knew he was horny, as he gets a look of the devil when he is, but tonight, his rocket was ready for lift off, the moment he saw me naked.
"Turn around" he instructed, "I want to be in you so badly"
Feeling the same way, I spun around and braced myself against the shower wall, spreading my legs to open my arse a little wider for him to admire.
"Oh baby, I so want to fuck you!"
"Do it, force it in me" I started beg.
I could feel the swollen head of his big cock start to push at my hole, and as I relaxed, I could feel him enter. I was expecting him to rush and force, but tonight, he was taking his time, pleasuring both of our needs as we came together as one.
The intensity of his long cock sliding slowly in and out of me was a knee trembling sensation and I indicated to him I could stand much longer. As he shut the water off we dried and made our way to the bed.
With him on his back and hard 9" pointing skywards, I hopped on top and let him enter me slowly and lovingly. As I rocked back and forth on him, my hard cock was starting to leak the most enormous amounts of pre-cum I have seen. Jackson start to buck harder, pushing me to the edge, as I shot my cum over his chest and face, with him licking and swallowing me seed from his fingers.
As I sat on his cock in a state of euphoria, I could feel his cock push against my prostate leading my to cum a second time, albeit without the massive load flying everywhere. My cock was ultra-sensitive as it slapped against Jacksons lower torso, as he grabbed my hips and let out a massive grunt, forcing me down further and harder on his cock, as he filled me with his load, shot after shot after shot.
It was slow, longing lovemaking, which I know we both preferred, and I could tell by the glazed expression on Jacksons face, he was also just as happy as I was.
"You are amazing" Jackson said as he pulled me in close as I hopped off his cock. It was nights like this, and the passionate connection we retained, that had kept us so content for a quarter of a century. It was just called love.
Post sex I always slept well, and tonight was no different. I drifted off quickly and deeply to be awoken at 6am sharp by Karl.
"Morning Gents. One of you has to get your arse out of bed and into the shower." He commanded as Jackson threw a pillow at him.
"Here, I have Coffee!"
"You're such a sweet talker. I will be down soon once I shower and dress. Give me 20 mins and send Jarrod up to sort out my wardrobe" I instructed. My cock was hard and I wasn't getting out of bed until I blew my load again.
"Baby, Take me from behind quick and hard. I am so fucking horny this morning."
Jackson never needed any extra encouragement when it came to sex. As he spat on his cock, it was seconds before he was balls deep giving me the crazy morning fuck I desired.
"Fuck me baby, fill me fast" I instructed as smashed my hole whilst I jerked on my cock. It didn't take long before my balls retracted and I shot all over the sheets, and Jackson held tight as I clamped down on his cock whilst he filled me up.
"Damn baby. That was good. I feel amazing. But, I need to get my arse into the shower, and Jarrod will be walking in the door any minute" I said as I bolted for the shower.
Stepping out feeling refreshed, Jarrod was sorting my wardrobe for the day as he handed me some jocks.
"I believe we should be starting with these" he said with a smirk on his face.
"Sorry Jarrod, I hope my nakedness doesn't offend.
"Sir, in this role I have seen a lot of naked men. You and your husband are hardly offensive. I think of it as a perk." He joked.
"Well than, what am in today."
"You have a busy day, and a lunch appointment. The single breasted Armani in Navy, White Oxford shirt, a pink tie with brown belt and your Gucci loafers I was thinking.
"Perfect as usual. I need some basic clothes. T-Shirts, Crew shirts, shorts, casual gear. Can you please see to it for me. I hardly have any here, and I am here for a few months, so I want to be casual at times. Oh, and some jeans. Levi 501, button ups. I have no jeans here at all"
"Yes sir. I will head out today."
Jarrod's role was strange. He dressed me every day, he was our personal shopper. He took care of odd personal tasks for us, and anything we needed attended to in Germany, that was not business related. I guess he was left over excess of days gone by, but he was good at what he did, and I liked the guy. The bonus was I could afford the occasional extravagance like Jarrod, and Seamus, who looked after Jackson in a similar way.
Heading downstairs dressed and ready, I told Karl to skip breakfast, " just bring me a coffee to go, and have Marcus bring the car around."
Within minutes, Marcus was out the front with the car door open. It was good to see our old driver in the hot seat. Sliding in to the back of the locally produced large BMW 7 Series, the rich smell of leather and the massaging seat, made a welcome trip to the office.
Marcus in the seat next to me in the rear. "You have to love this car" I said. "Did you know it is actually bullet and bomb proof? Did you know it is made not far from here?" I said as I waffled all of the things about the car I had learnt on several trips with Peter, our driver.
It had been specially ordered by Grandmother weeks before she died, and delivered not long after we had arrived. I loved riding in it, and I felt a great deal of privilege having it in our garage.
"I prefer the Mercedes" Marcus said. Finally getting a word in.
"Well, in this town, for someone like me, it is not an option. Many employees of BMW bank with us. We have a small branch inside their tower building downtown. They support us, we support them. That's how it works, plus, I do like their Large X7 we recently got too."
"Fair point boss. So today is pretty standard. Our support team will double check the restaurant 20 mins before you arrive, just a temporary measure, as I am sure you understand. A part from that, I will be in your outer office all day with you, and if anything changes, just let me know."
"Thanks Marcus. Whilst we are alone, did Jules say why she wouldn't marry you?" I was curious.
"she said she is too young. Which I guess I understand. But who knows"
"Well, one thing I do know is, that she is crazy head over heels for you. So, I would give her time, and let her adjust to the baby coming. Jules isn't a fan of change, so this is a lot."
"Thanks. I do love her, and I don't want her to feel I am forcing her."
Marcus, and Jules, for that matter, were both young. I could now only offer advice. If Jules wanted to Marry Marcus I would support her 100%. But I needed to know it was her decision and not one pushed on her by anyone else.
Arriving at the office, I leapt out of the car, past the waiting media and into the elevator. I knew there would be an uncomfortable reception in my office, as I had not faced Inga since the revelations had come to light.
Walking in she was standing by my office door with folders and notes.
"Morning Grant" she said curtly as I opened my door and walked in.
"Morning Inga, can we talk for a bit before anything else." I said motioning her to the chair opposite my desk.
"Inga, I don't want this to be uncomfortable, but I have some questions I need answering." I started off.
"You have been here over 40 years. You started when my Great grandfather sat in this office, and you have served both my Grandfather and Grandmother as well. I need to know the truth about Sebastian, and why your name was on his paperwork."
She sat sitting very stoic. Her demeanour was stiff and unmoving. I knew this would be difficult for her, but I didn't want her breaking down before I got my answers.
"I just don't know where to start. When Sebbie was born, my mother was working at the villa as the head house keeper, and we lived in a cottage on the grounds. Sebby was a little younger than me, but, we played with each other sometimes. One day he just disappeared and we were never allowed to mention it again. When I was 16, I came to work for your Great-Grandfather here in his office, just filing and errands. It was hard period in Munich and not a lot of jobs. I didn't know that my Mother had had an affair with your great-grandfather, and when she retired she was given an apartment here in town, way above a single woman of her stature. Money was never tight, we lived a life full of luxury. I started to explore how my mother could afford it, and discovered that your grandfather left it to her, and a great deal of money, in his will. What I also discovered was that Sebby had been given our last name, to keep away any nosy people who might ask questions. As far as how or who paid for his care, I have never known until your media conference. You see he wasn't named after me, so to speak, but my mother. That's how long this has gone on. I should have told you, but I didn't know you well enough. It had been playing on mind over the last year, to the point I was scared you would sack me. I love my work, it is the only thing I have in life. I never married. I guess you could say I made the decision many years ago to become married to my job. My girls here are my family." By this stage she had slumped in her chair. A huge weight had been lifted from her.
"Inga, I will say I am disappointed you never said anything to me. I am probably more disappointed that no one ever mentioned it to me, but there are also parts of me that totally understand. For you to say you were concerned I would fire you, I wouldn't. Initally we had our ups and downs, but over all we now have what I think is a good relationship." She nodded in agreement with me.
"But, now I need you to do something that takes priority over anything else you are doing. Can you do that"
"I can try sir, I am not sure what it is though"
"I need you to find the best possible care facility in the country to look after Sebastian, or Sebby, as you call him. I need him to be given the best possible comfort he can have, and I need him monitored on a regular basis, and his personal care maintained. The man I saw last week was unkept, unwashed, almost hermit like in appearance. It was absolutely heart breaking to see another human kept in such inhumane conditions. Can you do that for me"
"yes Sir, I would be honoured to do such."
"There is one more thing I want. His name is Sebastian Von Garbner. That is the name he is to be registered under."
"I'd like that too sir. I would like to visit him too one day if that would be ok."
"I think he would like that" I added as a smile returned to her face.
"Ok, now, what do you have for me today." I said changing the subject to something less confrontational.
"You have a 10am with IT, you have an 11am with the HR GM, she needs to go over the bonus structure with you. Lunch is at 12, 2pm you have one on one with local news outlet, Jasper arranged that, and at 3pm you have a follow up with the head of property on European acquisitions that will take you through to about 5pm." She was so organised in managing my time when I was in the office.
"Great, please give Marcus a copy for me so he is aware."
"By the way, Gerald Bergen, your lunch date, he has always been in war with the Von Garbners. Keep your cards close at first. He's a sneaky one."
"Thanks for the heads up, any thing else I should know?"
"Not for now. Just be careful" came her words as she stood and headed for the door.
As she reached for the door, she turned to me with a look of innocence. "Thank you Grant. Thank you for the talk. I do trust you."
"Not a problem Inga, any time"
Chapter 96
As lunch time approached Inga's words stuck in the back of my head. It was interesting that a year had passed and it was only now that I was hearing from our biggest competitor in the industry. But, I had an open mind.
Arriving at the restaurant I was pleased to see he had also arrived at the same time, and as we were shown to our table, we ordered a drink, whilst making small talk.
We ordered lunch and our general conversation was slowing, and without missing a beat, I dived in.
"So, what do I owe the pleasure of the invite." I asked in a non-phased manner.
"Well, to cut to the chase, we would like to buy your bank. The whole operation."
"That sounds great in principle, but, our organisation is not for sale. Sorry to disappoint you, but where ever you got the impression it was, you've been missed lead."
"Listen son......" OK, pull your head in mate, I am not your son, I thought to myself.
"Your grandmother and I had discussed this for some time before you arrived here, so I would suggest you honour agreement."
"Well, as you would be well aware, my grandmother died over a year ago. Let me repeat, our organisation is not for sale, not now, nor in the foreseeable future. Now, if that is all you wish to discuss, I think we are done here. Oh, and one last thing. I am not your son. I am not now, or ever, be in the same boat as you. I have more power and wealth than you could ever dream of, and unlike you, I can't be replaced by a board at any given moment."
Gerald stood and exited the restaurant as quickly as the last words left my mouth, just as our meals arrived. I signalled to Marcus to come in.
"Join me for lunch won't you, our host had to leave in rather a hurry." I grinned as Marcus sat down.
" I gather that wasn't planned. The old bugger walked out muttering in German as he hopped in his car"
"Yeah, he thought he could bully me. It's not going to happen."
Marcus and I enjoyed our lunch, and I even allowed him a glass of wine with his steak. It was good, but in the back of mind the conversation kept whirling around in my head. It didn't make sense that my grandmother would consider selling out to him, after what Inga had told me. Maybe it was bluff using my grandmother, knowing she wasn't there to back up his words. Either way, I was dedicated to making the banking industry more ethical than it had been before. I wasn't about to be a sell-out.
We swung by the building site of out LGBTQIA+ foundation to check on the works, and as I walked into the site office, I was surprised to see Jackson there.
"And what do you think you are doing? You are supposed to be resting."
"I promise I just came for a looks see." He said with a grin. "Plus I had another reason. Grant, this Cath I was telling you about."
"Ah, of course. I think we have met before, lovely to see you again." I said offering my hand.
"It's great to see you to sir"
"Please, its Grant. How's everything going."
"Well I should be able to move in to my office in the next week or so, but the accommodation still has about a month to go. I can start some sessions, but it will be a slow take up whilst the site is still a construction hub"
"That's great, and touch wood, nothing goes wrong this time." I added.
Jackson popped into the conversation, "I have spoken about Michael, and Cath would be glad to help. She has great experience in trauma related therapy, and skills I think could really help Michael."
"Fantastic, but, he is a little bit of a closed book. It may take you time to open him up. I did offer to come to his first few session if he needed it"
"I'd rather you didn't. And there is many reasons. I need to build trust and rapport with Michael. It won't happen whilst there's a third in the room." She explained, and it made perfect sense.
"Any chance you could start in the next week or so?"
"Actually your adorable and persistent husband has persuaded me to call out shortly with him"
"Damn, he is good. Maybe he should work for me."
"He is what we need here, so keep your hands off him, except when at home" Cath laughed.
"OK OK, he's all yours. I am just glad to have him back in one piece"
"So are we. And what you are doing here, I have spent the last 20 years trying to establish with my wife."
"Well, maybe you should join us for dinner sometime, I would love to hear about your work." I said, genuinely interested in her past work, and that of her wife.
"Well, maybe, your wife could join us tonight, after you have finished with Michael?" Jackson pipped up. "There is no issue in seeing him after you have finished your session as he has moved out to one of the cottages in the grounds this morning"
"Well, we have nothing planned. I will ring here now."
"Excellent!" I said. "Jackson, just make sure cook is prepared. It will be wonderful to have you over. We have very few real friends here in Germany, and it is something we miss from our life back in Sydney. I look forward to tonight, but right now, if I don't go, my Assistant will be screaming at me if I am late for my 2pm"
Giving Jackson a kiss on the cheek, Marcus and I were out and, on our way, back to the office. My phone rang, and the ID showed and Australian number. Answering it, it was the office of the Prime Minster, inviting us to an indigenous art showing at the Embassy in Berlin, and would we like to attend. Having a love for Australia's Indigenous People, I jumped at the chance. Hanging up I realised that Jackson couldn't fly the almost 600km, but his appreciation on the subject was just as big as mine. A shared passion we both held near.
Well, road trip it would be. In Australia travelling long distances by road is fairly common. The distance between Sydney and Melbourne or Brisbane and Sydney were just less than 1000KM and a common thing to drive between the two on the freeways. This would be our chance to road trip on the famed Autobahns we'd yet to experience since living in Germany, and besides our trip to Frankfurt, in a helicopter to the hospital, had not really explored the country that was offering us so much.
Back in the office, I asked Inga to come through with me.
"You were right," I said acknowledging her previous statement. "The old bastard tried to use my grandmother's death as leverage to buy us out. He said they had agreed on a sale prior to her death."
She looked at me with a grin. "Oh, that old thing. He said the same thing to her when your Grandfather died. I forgot all about that. I hope you gave him a piece of your mind"
"As politely as I could, Inga"
"Well done Sir. I see the old dog hasn't learnt any new tricks in 11 years" she quipped.
"Next time I meet someone like that, can you do a full memory search before I go in blind" I said jokingly before she left.
"You have a 2pm, get going. You hate keeping people waiting" As right as she was I left my office for the conference room. I arrived just before the journalist walked in. She was pleasant and after skimming across the recent news, she focused on our community engagement and social contributions to the city, which were applauded around town, especially by a lot of the big businesses that were trying to emulate our work. I could have talked for hours, but, as time was pushing, I had to cut her off.
"I would love to chat for hours about these things, but I am just flat out today. Perhaps see Inga on your way out and let's set up a lunch in say, two weeks there abouts. She will let you know when I am free."
"That's very generous of you." She replied as we shock hands. "You know, your grandparents were never this giving. The city saw them as modern day scrooges, if I could be so bold."
"You know, every day I learn something new about them, and the more I know, the less inclined I am to follow tradition. No matter how long it's been in place."
"Careful there, or I will quote you on that." He laughed.
"Maybe not this time, but who knows when"
I had run over time, and our head of Property was waiting for me.
"Inga, I yelled out, can I please get some fresh coffee in here."
"Hans, so sorry to keep you waiting. It's been a busy day."
"Sir, its been a busy week from what I have seen and read. I do not know how you keep the pace."
"It's the people around me that guide me through that gets me there each day. So, where are we at my friend."
We spent the next few hours talking about acquisitions and expansion into some former eastern block countries that held some less than desirable banking options. Whilst the Americas were growing from a base of Zero, I want to make sure we became more European than just German centric. We had the capital to invest. In fact, our balance sheet was one of the healthiest in the world when it came to institutions of our size. We were well set to face tomorrow and beyond.
I was really excited by our prospects.