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Chapter 19
Days flew past as we were thrown back in to the swing of our daily lives. I was too soon off to New York to get up to speed as to where our expansion plan was. It was good to catch up with both Steven and Klaus who was now semi-permanent in the USA. Our choice of office space was vast as occupancy rates in the post pandemic world were high, and we could pick and choose what we wanted. Our initial plan was to be down in the financial district, but to me that was copying what everyone else did, and my thought was, lets be different, lets think out side the square. An agent showed us a massive ex-warehouse in the Soho district that I instantly fell in love with. It had a sunny out look, tree lined streets and a stones throw from the River. I just loved the aged brick, and it reminded me of the area we lived in Sydney's inner city. Within hours the deal was settled, and now to engage an architect to bring my vision to life. I was excited.
I excused myself for the rest of the afternoon as I was meeting with a prominent New York Realtor to show me some houses for us to have a base. Whilst I was excited, I was daunted by the fact that I needed to make this decision by myself with out Jacksons advice. The first three were instant No's. No light, to small, to dark, to tight, to noisy. You name it I had an excuse for not liking them. As were entering the 4th property, Jackson facetimed me and I felt so relieved to see his smile. As I walked up the entry stairs, Jackson asked me to stay on the line so he could see what I was up against. Whilst this place, at $40m, was way more than I wanted to spend, the agent told me it was a steal and had everything I was looking for.
Walking in I was dead silent. The breathtakingly beautiful flooring in hardwood, was done using Australian Jarrah and had instant feel to home. The light shining in from the rear windows, added a spectacular feel to overall ambience that was bouncing off the walls. Downstairs there was a caretakers apartment, the main level had massive reception rooms a kitchen with eat in meals area overlooking a beautiful manicured garden. It was picture postcard perfect.
The sweeping stair case that wound its way up seven floors, with an elevator from the 19th Century going down the centre. It had managed to incorporate modern, traditional and historical elements everywhere you looked. There were 10 bedrooms, each with ensuite, sitting rooms, and the master suite took up the whole floor, with two bathrooms, dressing rooms, and office, and to finish it off it was complete with rooftop terrace with spa, outdoor kitchen and cottage greenery to make it so enchanted. To say our Relator had hit the brief was an understatement.
At the rear of the property there was an 1850's carriage house that had been converted to staff quarters, with a multi car garage. A rarity in NYC these days and it was that, knowing our security could be accommodated, was the bit that sealed the deal. I offered $30m straight up, knowing it had been on the market some months and the seller was eager. I spent the next two days playing back and forth before we agreed to $34.5m with a quick settlement. As it was empty possession I asked the realtor if we could organise a decorator to go over the property to furnish it as I wanted it ready ASAP.
The rest of the week was spent sitting down with advisors and going over the Plan for the America's and also meeting with some Ambassadors in central America where we wanted to open up our community banking arm to help foster small businesses and grow local economies. Fully aware of some of the less than savory political climates in some countries, it was agreed that we would start in Puerto Rico, being a US territory with a high poverty rate, and also the island nation of Belize, another country on good terms with Europe and the US.
Before returning late on Sunday, I left instructions with the team to have candidates sourced to lead these projects and I would be back in 3 weeks to commence the interviewing process. I knew I was pushing people hard, but they were paid extremely well to deliver on these projects and I wanted to keep the ball rolling.
Tired, exhausted, sweaty from the New York summer, I just wanted to get on the jet and return home. It had been a long week, and I had so much to do in Munich with Jackson and his project scheduled to open on Tuesday. I am the type of person if I make a commitment, I keep it. Unless something out of my control stops it. And this is what appeared to happen.
Upon readying the jet, Capt Hendrickson had several warning lights go off. As the Jet was relatively new, the few mechanics at Newark were not sure how best to fix it, and they had to request assistance from Gulfstream to repair. My only option was commercial if I wanted to get home in time. Ringing around, I had missed all last flights, but I could jump on a KLM flight at 6am to Amsterdam, then jump to Munich and be home early evening. So it was back to the hotel for another night. Whilst Jackson was disappointed, I still promised I would not miss his big night.
As I laid in bed having showered, the Air Conditioning bushed across my naked body leaving a nice chill on my body. It was also making my cock twitch and at the same time hardening it to its full length. I started to slowly fantasise about Jacksons solid meat pounding in to my hole as I stoked my hard cock. Cum was leaking out and all I could do was taste my own seed as it landed on my hand. I could feel my balls tense up knowing I was getting close to shooting, but the feeling was so intense I was edging myself to savour the moment longer. I had moved my hand to my arse and was starting to use my cum to make my hole wet and slowly I inserted my fingers. I had my eyes rolled back, moaning, preparing to shoot when I just about reached the moment Michael came barging in unannounced. It was at this exact moment I shot like a canon all over my chest and face.
"What the fuck do you want." I yelled at him. I think I was more embarrassed than him. But obviously there was an issue for him to barge in.
"The Munich Project is on fire. The whole thing is up in flames. Jackson has been trying to call you. He's pretty shook up."
I rolled over and looked at my phone, 9 missed calls. It was on silent, and I hadn't noticed it during my wank session. Fuck. I felt terrible.
I motioned to Michael to throw me a towel so I could clean myself up. I threw on some sweats and hit the phone. "Babe, whats happened. Slow down and tell me everything you know. Who's with you, are you safe."
"It appears a homophobic hate group is behind it, based on the slogans that are visable on the outside, but the police cant do anything until the fire is under control. The Chief has told me it doesn't look at all like being salvaged. I am so upset, and you're not here and I have no one, and I cant cope."
It was appearing that the cracks from the past few weeks were starting to show, and I was feeling like an arsehole not being there when he needed me most. It was 8:30pm in NYC and 2:30am in Munich. I got Sam on the phone, "Sam, get me a fucking private jet now. I need to be in Munich ASAP. Fuck costs, just get me there, I need to leave NOW."
It took Sam 15 mins to get a jet ready to leave in 45 mins. I had grabbed a quick shower, and we headed for Newark again, as I needed to be home. I rang Jackson and let him know I would be there as soon as I could. He and Jo were with our lawyer giving statements to police. The devastation I could sense in his voice was breaking me in half. I knew it would take a good 8hrs before I'd be home, but I was doing what I could.
Settling back in the wide leather seats, Michael grabbed me a Vodka, and himself a water. We are 40,000 ft mate, why not join me for a drink, it's not as if I am getting shot at up here." I laughed. He poured himself a wine and kicked back and took his tie off. "Cheers, it's our little secret." He grinned.
"Well if you're talking about secrets, can I just say, watching you shoot your load was so fucking hot." He threw back at me as he laughed hard.
I didn't really know Michael that well, and I was playing my cards close. Had it of been James or Chris, I would have thrown back a retort. Instead I grinned and put it in the memory to use later.
Our flight seemed to drag on, but it was a good time to get to know Michael, as he would be around until I had James back. He was Bi, liked the occasional swim in both ponds were his words, kept fit, had a military background with UK forces in Afghanistan, meditated a lot for self reflection, and loved what he did. Whilst a very good looking guy, he was a bit too clean cut for me and still had a baby face at 35. I would say he had broken many hearts during the years, and would continue to do so for a lot longer.
I liked his sense of humour and the prospective and outlook he had on life. He seemed a genuine good fit to our team, and I was happy he was here. But, still, I missed James and our banter and arguments we enjoyed everyday. I made a note in my diary to make sure he was retained in some role after James returned to active duty.
Landing in Munich just before Lunch local time, I was fucking spent. I had not slept in over 24hrs, I had a killer headache, and I knew the day would just get longer. Jackson was at the airport with Jo waiting when I arrived. Michael insisted that he drive, as he was primary detail, and my driver wasn't there. Jackson handed over the key fob, and jumped in the back with me as we made our way into the city. A few blocks away I could see the smouldering ruins and it was a sad sight as we pulled up at the police line. As usual, media presence was strong, and no one had spoken to the Media as at this stage, whilst they were awaiting me. I looked at Jackson and Jo, and said, "Well I better hit this one on the head. I will just say a few words." As I walked up to the Media, Jackson grabbed my hand and whispered in my ear. "I got this one bub."
I went to move to the side, but his grip on my hand was not letting go. We were in this together. As the media started yelling questions directed at me, I raised my hand to gather silence. "This is my husband's project, and he will be making a statement."
"I grew up in orphanages around rural Australia. I was raped by clergy who were supposed to protect me. My life prior to Germany was not what you might expect it to have been. I was given the great opportunity to build a place that would protect people like me from the evil's of people that I have encountered. Last night those evil's returned. The people responsible for this will be tracked down. If not by the Police, but by me, my husband, and the power that we wield, both financially and morally. I will not allow this to go unpunished. And I will not allow this to be forgotten. Imagine if your son or daughter was asleep in this building and it was torched by fire. Imagine if we were full and 200 LGBTIQA youth were murdered. Would you be reporting it the same way? No I tell you. No you wouldn't. Because some people in this city only see a good Fag as a dead Fag. As long as the people of Munich are happy to live off the wealth of my family, as the largest employer in this city, I will make sure that if things don't change, we will. We will leave and take everything with us."
As the anger spewed out of Jackson, I could hardly feel my fingers. I had never seen him so worked up over anything like this before. He had faced his abusers in court over the years, but this was a whole new level of anger for him and I was concerned. I needed to jump in before things got more heated.
"As you can see my husband is extremely upset as to what has happened. Our goodwill and work has been struck down by hate groups. Thankfully no one has been hurt. I will be meeting with the Mayor and Police Chief this afternoon and will be instructing them that we will have a full team of independent investigators working along side them until we get to the bottom of this. I will also pledge now, that we will rebuild, bigger and better than the original. We will not let hate win."
With that the three of us turned and walked back towards the ruins. Jackson was an emotional trainwreck and I just placed my hand on his back and rubbed him to give him some comfort. As we approached the wreckage, a group of fire fighters were milling around in a circle. It was strange, but as we approached, one stopped us. In broken English he spoke. "You can't go any further. We have found a body under the rubble. We are not sure who it is, or why they were inside the building. The Police will keep you informed."
We decided to head to Police HQ for an updated. The Chief of Police who I had met a few times, personally came to update us. Whilst the body retrieved was fairly charred, some identifying marks could be made and the person found belonged to a Neo-Nazi hate group which was on the rise in Europe at the moment. Preliminary indicators revealed that the fire was lit with an accelerant and that it was deliberate. We were hardly surprised. I thanked the Chief and we left. We drove back to the Villa in pretty munch silence. Jo was coming back to hide out for a few days until we had more information as to what had happened. Had it been an attack against us, the charity, the building? We weren't sure, so we were taking many precautions in the interim.
Chapter 20
With the opening now cancelled I had a few hours free and it was a relief to actually breath for a change. I walked over to Sam's cottage to check on James who I think by this stage had moved in. He was in pain I could see. The screws in his leg were causing him discomfort and he couldn't sit still. He was also really on edge and I had come to see James as the stable influence around here and it made me slightly on edge to see him like this. Talking with him and about his recovery plans, he was all over the place. He wasn't making sense. I stopped him talking.
"James, what is it. What's eating at you." I asked in a direct tone.
"I'm finished. The company called and based on my injuries, I can't resume normal duties. They are planning on pensioning me off."
"Well, that's a crock of shit if I ever heard it. I pay them a lot of money to make sure we are kept safe. You are my security brains, and I will not be letting that happen. As of now, you work for me. You are my head of security. We will build our own team, and we will start by poaching those currently placed with us." James just looked at me as if I was crazy. I knew what I was paying his company per month to keep my alive, I am sure I could pay the current detail double what they are on now, and still be in front.
"but....but....but..." was all James could say.
"oh, shut up you old homo." I said with a grin on my face, "It's my money and my decision. You've kept me alive so far, now you just have to keep us all alive. I am sure Michael and Chris will stay if I double their salary."
"You can work out of the Munich office, or I am happy to convert one of the workers cottages here in to a full office for you and the team if you would prefer. You tell me what you want, and I will make it happen. You're stuck with me, mate, don't you forget it."
He stood up as best he could and hugged me. "Thanks Boss." Was all he could muster, but for James, that was a lot.
I spent the next few weeks mainly in skype, zoom and teams talking with people around the world, going about planning various strategies, and also looking at the daily growth we were starting to experience as stage one of our digital strategy was placed in the market. It was amazing the feedback we were getting and the amount of new and returning customers we were having opening accounts. We had targeted our launch around different branding for different generation so they all felt apart of the change for the future. It was an exciting achievement and something we were being congratulated on in the media and the greater banking community. I used my full career in Marketing to lead the launch, and it was the first time a Managing Director had personally shaped something like this.
The changes and achievements we had made, as well as the setbacks encountered, was growing daily. The achievements were bigger than the setbacks. Yet there was so much I wanted to do, but I wanted to do it probably, not half arsed and rushed leading to failure.
I was due to head back to New York for interviews and whilst I could have done them via video, I felt for such important roles, I needed to be in person. Jackson was still down, so I got him to come with me on the promise I would spend some time in galleries looking at the Town House garden designs he had drawn up, and spending our evenings eating fattening New York fast food. The last part worried me, as Jackson never put on weight, were as I only looked at food to be putting it on.
Whilst the Jet was still out of Action, we choose to fly commercial and just relax. We flew Singapore Airlines from Frankfurt as they had first class suites on their A380 and we always had it on our bucket list to do. The service was out of this world, and the trip started with Caviar and Champagne before moving on to a 5-course dinner, which we sat at the same table in my personal suite on board. It was just a wonderful way to fly and as we landed in New York, we were saddened that it ended so quick, although I promised Jackson we would do it again, soon.
Michael and Chris accompanied us, in business class, and as we hopped of the plane a lImo was waiting to take us to our hotel. Hopefully the Town House would be settled this week, but at this stage we were back at the Plaza Hotel up in the same Suite where Michael had caught my solo act. We started to map out our week, when reception buzzed to say that Steven was in the lobby. He was joining us for Dinner and I was pleased that our relationship was building stronger everyday.
We went downstairs to the Restaurant where Steven was already seated and we caught up on where everything was at. From the building, to the people, to the strategies, to the implementation. As dessert was finishing up, Steven and I were deep in conversation and Jackson turned to us and said, "Excuse me Moguls, this is boring me senseless. I am going shopping for Art." He hopped up, turned on his heal, kissed my forehead, and walked out with Chris. I could tell by his huge grin that he was loving the idea of having a limitless Ebony American Express card to shop for what ever he wanted. So far he had not gone overboard, but I knew this trip was going to cost me money, especially as he was meeting up with Dianne our decorator.
As Jackson departed, Steven looked at me in a way I knew something was not right.
"Mother is sick. She is dying. She has cancer. She has asked to see you." He said with a look that was both uncomfortable and unnerving to me in the least. It took me as both a shock and surprise. Whilst I had always respected her, and I guess looked up to her, as a child does his parent, I was still angry from nearly 52 years of deceit, lies and being taken advantage of.
"I didn't want to raise it in front of Jackson as I knew what his reaction would be, but I needed to tell you, and let you do what you wanted or needed to do."
I wasn't sure what or how I should be feeling. One part of me wanted to rush back and see her, the other was to banish her from my memory. Confusion was settling in and I would need some time to think it through.
"Thanks for telling me." I responded in a monotone. "I need time to process this, and I am not sure what I want to do."
"I need to head there ASAP, so if you want to travel with me, I will support you through it."
"Thanks Steven, as I said, let me think it through."
We got back to our business at hand, but my mind had drifted off thinking about my upbringing, and me trying to pinpoint a time of happiness in my childhood. I was struggling to find the good. What was over clouding me was the argument we had had as I left Australia. My life had moved on, mostly for the better, but I guess I needed closure on the past as well.
That evening as we lay in bed hating, I bought up Steven's comments and the issue surrounding my adoptive mother. Jackson laid there for a few minutes after I had spelt out my Pro's/Con's and turned to be and said, "I'll never stop you doing what you think is right, I may disagree with you, but stop you I won't. Pack your bags Babycakes, you need to head downunder."
I laid there in his arms for a good half hour, each of us alone in our thoughts as I pondered what I was walking in to, and him alone in his thoughts. The irony was we were probably thinking about the same thing, only from different angles.
Chapter 21
Three days later Steven & I along with two of my security detail boarded the plane at JFK for the long trek south. We had a fairly long wait in LAX before boarding the A380 to take us directly to Sydney where we would then hop to Canberra, before a shorter drive to the coast. The whole trip would take us over 30 hrs and I was glad to be seconded in first class for the trip along with my laptop to keep my mind occupied on everything and anything besides what I was heading to. We arrived early morning in to Sydney, and the short transit and flight to Canberra had us on the ground finally at 8.30am local time
Whilst it was 8:30am Thursday in Australia. It was 6.30pm in New York Wednesday and 12.30am Thursday in Munich, my body was not coping with the unset body clock and Jet Lag which was certainly playing havoc on me. Michael grabbed the hire car from the rental desk, and we set off on the last 150KM to my parents' property, not knowing what to expect.
Arriving before lunch, I was surprised to see the cars of my other siblings parked out the front. In fact, they were all there and I can't remember a time all 5 of us were together in the same location in the past 20 years, as I had purposefully avoided the house around holidays, as it always ended up with me losing my cool, and being blamed for ruining Christmas, Easter, Birthdays.....Just add an event and it was my fault there was an argument.
A few of my nieces were sitting out the front the front as I was let out of the rear of the large SUV we were travelling in. They were what I called my "friendly nieces" who had ignored their parents and were always polite and genuine, and I was always greeted with a hug and kiss of them. Right on queue they jumped up and welcomed me, and were pretty over joyed to see I had come with Steven, the favourite child returning from afar. I kinda hung back from the gathering, as more siblings started to come out front to see what the commotion was. As usually happened I was largely ignored except for one sister in law who had always been friendly towards me, and was also the mother of the nieces I was so warmly met by.
I had pretty much shut down emotionally by this stage and was just wanting to leave. I was deep in conversation with Michael when my Adopted father came to the porch.
"Grant, your mother wants to see you, now." He bellowed in his gravelly and always angry tone he used when he spoke to me.
"I'm not 15, I've not done anything wrong, I have nothing to be guilty of" Was the mantra circulated around in my head as I walked inside, leaving Michael at the door. I walked through to my Mothers bedroom, which I had not been in for some 30yrs, and just observed the frailty of her laying there with the covers pulled up tight, slightly drugged, but certainly sharp enough to take in the surrounds and who and what was being said. It was just her and I. I had no feelings, I was void of any emotion as I watched her lying there.
"What do you want. What was so important that you needed me here? Humiliation? Anger? Jealousy? Why now? What do you want?"
With a voice just above a whisper she said to me, "I just wanted to let you know, that I can still make you jump when I say jump, right up until the end."
"You pathetic, evil, horrible woman. You disgust me. Just go. The world would be a better place with out you in it."
I turned on my heal and walked directly in to Steven, who neither my Adopted mother or I realised was standing there listening in.
"Grant, stay." He motioned to me, "this won't take a minute." As he said that I watched him walk close to my mother, and loud enough for all to hear he said, " You are disgusting. If you weren't dying, I would disown you as well. The way you have treated Grant his whole life is the reason I left. I could not watch you abuse him. He has become so much more than you could ever hope to be, and it's not because of Money, it's because of you. You showed him what hate was, he has done the complete opposite his whole life. Die you selfish horrible woman, just die."
Almost like a wish being granted, her eyes closed as she drew her last breath. It was over. Steven and I walked out the door, told the others she had passed and simply hopped in the car and drove off. The last time I would step foot in that house. Regardless the circumstance.
As tired as we all were, I told Michael I was driving. Driving was something I did when I needed to relax. It was a way of me shutting down, plus I knew these roads better than most. I decided to head back to Canberra rather than Sydney so I could enjoy a bit of peace and quiet to gather my thoughts. Steven and I had both attended Uni there back in the day, and had a close network of friends we could catch up, and hide out a few days. As my I connected my phone to the car, I dialled Jackson who would be waiting my call regardless of the time. As he answered, I could here that I had woken him. It was 11pm in New York and I knew he would have had an early night with me away.
"Hey sleepy" I said in a soft tone. " Heading back to Canberra for a few days, she's dead."
The silence down the phone indicated he was lost for words. There was nothing to say.
"let me know if you want to stay in New York or head back to Germany, and I will plan accordingly. Get some sleep and I will call you later. Love you, bub." I said as I ended the call.
Steven sitting in the back piped up after a period of quiet. "I am so sorry you had to go through that your whole life. I felt guilty that I left you there all those years knowing what she did, and how you were treated. No one should have to live like that. I am sorry I made you come out here."
I didn't respond as I had no words. He then went further....
"hearing what she said to you when she thought you were alone with her made me realise how hard your life has been. No family, no support, no big brother to protect you. I will never let that happen to you again. We may not be blood, but you are and always will be my brother."
I dare not speak as the tears started to flow down my face as I concentrated on keeping the car on the road. We were driving towards the mountain range we needed to cross and the road was getting winding, I want to get to Canberra in one piece and I need a mood change, so I popped on some music to break the ice.
Pulling up at the Hyatt Hotel, Michael got out first, checked the surrounds then he and the other detail, Corey, walked in front and behind me as we entered the hotel. As I approached the reception, I pulled out my Black AmEx and business card and said to the young guy behind the counter, Can I please have your best suite, a room on either side for my friends here, and another suite close by for my brother. This last comment bought a smile to Stevens face.
"Certainly Mr Von Garbner, just give me a moment and I will have our porters take you through to your rooms. Can I please get your car keys so we can collect your luggage. And how many days will you be joining us for? "
"That I cannot answer at this stage, but once I know I will let you know."
The door from behind the reception quickly opened where an older gentleman immaculately dressed in a suit appeared next to the young man attending us.
"Ah Mr Von Garbner, lovely to meet you. I am Garrick, the Hotel Manager, please, allow me to take you to your suites."
"Thank you." Was all I could muster as by this stage, through both emotionally and physical exhaustion I had nothing left to say, as polite as he was.
Chapter 22
Canberra, The Nation's Capital, The Bush Capital. The seat of Govt is actually a beautiful city, and during my frequent visits here dating back almost 40 years I had fallen in love with aspects of it. Whilst I did know a few people who were close to the epicentre of power here, it was something that really didn't phase me that much. I preferred the dining, the galleries, the institutions, the museum's, cycling around the lake. Being free. To me it was the city that gave me my independence during my University days, and allowed me to discover my true identity, an explore my sexuality for the first time. A lot of memories, all good, come back to this city, so to be back was a refresh I needed.
Upon entering my suite, The Ambassador's Suite, no less, I hit the shower and bed. Steven told me he would make plans and if I needed him, just buzz his cell. I also reminded him that as he was travelling with me, just to let Michael and Corey know his plans in case of an emergency. "Yes Dad" he scolded as he walked away laughing.
Laying in bed I ruminated on my past. My upbringing, my adopted parents, everything I could think of to see if I had missed a hint of who I really was, and there was nothing I could pin down, and my over active brain and fizzled and I slept for about 5 hours until the phone rang.
"Hi Dad" my daughter Maggie said down the phone. "Dada just told us about Granny dying. Are you OK?" So sweet my big girl was. I was blessed to have such wonderful girls who always knew what to say.
"I am fine sweetheart, and I can actually say that and be 100% truthful with you. For me it was closure, and it's what I needed. Can I call you back shortly, I need to call Dada back" I asked politely. "Fine Dad, don't say I didn't call hahahaha" she said in her sassy tone.
"Love you to the moon and back, Monkeybum." As I liked to call her when teasing.
"Ugh you're such a Dad."
"Bye Sweetheart."
We both ended the call feeling good.
Phoning Jackson back I had the time to explain everything that happened, how it played out, the frosty reception and Stevens words. He just let me talk for a good 20 mins dropping in the occasional "mmm" or "aha" as he let me ramble on. When I had finally finished, he just said, "Fuck I'm so in love with you. You make me wanna be a better person everyday."
"Babycakes, you are the reason I am a good person, I got it from you, you don't need to change a bit."
"Ditto, Daddy" which was our running joke, considering our daughters called me that.
Wide awake and hungry I started to pick at the fruit basket the manager had had delived whilst I was asleep. I picked the phone and dialled a number I hadn't rung in some time.
"Got time for a drink with your old roommate, ya cheap drunk" I said down the line.
"Well fuck me, it's the global superstar, who has orgies in Oslo!" Came the quick retort down the line.
Simon and I had roomed together for 4 years in college and he was the first person I came out to. Well, I really didn't have a choice considering the rugby captain was balls deep in me Simon returned back early one weekend. We laughed about it for hours. He always new, or had suspicions but never said anything out of respect.
I had been best man at two of his three weddings, and again I knew he was single. We agreed to meet at a bar and catch up, which I was really looking forward to.
Upon arrival, I entered with Michael and Corey. Telling them to give me space, I found Simon tucked away in the corner with his usual bottle of Cabernet and a couple of glasses.
"Who are the goons with you" he asked, knowing he was trying to get a rise out of me.
"Oh them? Well the one on the right holds my cock whilst I piss, and the other wipes my arse after I have finished." I replied, knowing I could give it back just as well.
After I explained that I can't go anywhere without them, something to do with my life insurance policy etc, we relaxed, drank and caught up on each other lives. Whilst mine had changed dramatically, I was just as interested in his life, and happenings and going's on.
He was working up at the Parliament, and I was explaining to him what we were doing in Central America and how we were trying to empower people from impoverished backgrounds and he was genuinely interested in how we were going about it. We talked and ate and drunk until the bar closed at 1am, with me allowing Michael to drive considering I could hardly see the car let alone drive it.
Chapter 23
I awoke at 6am feeling life death. Weather it was the wine or the jet lag I was feeling like crap. I stod in the shower for a good 20 mins and prayed like hell someone knew I was up as I needed coffee. Leaving the bathroom naked and dried. I was surprised to see Michael standing in the main sitting room looking fresh and rested.
"Shut up, I feel like shit, one word from you and you're fired" I shot off with a cheeky grin.
"Looking good there boss man! I've had coffee delivered and if you're ready I will pour you a mug. Sam has been on the phone, you need to call him as he needs your approval ASAP on some things."
"Thanks Michael, give me 2mins and I will be out, and stop looking at my cock you pervert."
This deserved a reply and Michael just shot back, "Don't flatter yourself old man or I'll pull mine out and embarrass you." The cheekiness in his tone made me laugh. I loved the banter I had with my team, and it helped when moments were tough.
I spent the next two hours on the phone to Sam who had now set up shop in his cottage so he could be there for James who still was too light on his feet to do anything. We had a heap to go through, and I was amazed at how organised he was for someone who'd only just graduated University at 23 and was doing his MBA whilst working with me 24/7. I'd be lost without him I reminded myself daily.
As I hung up, my phone rang straight away with an "unknown Number" displayed on the screen. "Ugh" not again. I Thought. I answered it with caution to be surprised by a female caller on the end. "Good morning, Mr Von Garbner, This is Felicity from the Parliament House Switchboard office, I have a Mr Simon Logan on the phone for you."
"Oh, yeah, thanks, please, put him through."
"Hey bonehead" he yelled down the phone. "So this morning when I got in, I spoke to the boss about what you are doing in Central America, and he liked the idea. He was hoping to grab 10 mins of your time today, before he leaves to go overseas, to discuss something with you."
In all our catch-up last night, and Simon telling me he worked in Government, boring, blah blah, in policy, blah blah blah, I neglected to ask with which department he worked in.
"I was trying to avoid meetings whilst I was here. Who's your boss, meathead"
"The Prime Minister" was all he responded.
"What he fuck, are you serious? You neglected that little bit of information last night."
"Oh, my bad" He laughed. "No seriously he would like to talk with you if you can swing by in about an hour." He gave directions on how to enter Parliament House etc and to have him paged and he would allow us access to the PM.
Whilst I hadn't really followed Politics at home, I was impressed by the current PM, after many years of conservative governments ripping out welfare programs, marginalising the poor and needy, we had a government that was making a lot of progressive decisions and advancing the country and rebuilding the nation after years of miss management.
Feeling a little starstruck, we arrived and were met by Federal Police officers. Theyd noticed Michael's gun in his jacket, and whilst licensed to carry as a protective agent, he'd have to leave them out. As he and Corey unclipped, I smirked at their predicament of 6 burly Feds with semi-automatic rifles asking them questions.
We got through security and I asked for Simon and in minutes he was at reception.
"Hey buddy, glad you could make it, Hey Bevis and Butthead" he joked to Michael and Corey who just smiled. Everyone loved Simon, myself included.
Walking towards the executive suite and the PM's office, the plush blue carpet was like walking on sponge. The Art work was world class and the buzz electric. We approached a large set of Jarrah doors and what I thought was to be an outer office, was actually the PM's office.
Simon faced me, "Grant Morgan, please meet Prime Minister Clare"
"Sir, Honoured to meet you, but it's actually Von Garbner these days. But Grant is fine."
"Please Call me Jason. I'm not a huge fan of formalities in my office, can I get you a coffee"
"Please, just black is fine,"
We discussed the many achievements of his first 18 months in office and some of the work we were doing in Central America, Germany and other parts of the world working with marginalised people, or charities and our support of the LGBTQIA+ communities in Germany. He seemed impressed that when we made the decision to commit, we dived in and delivered what we promised.
"I'd like you to considering opening your banking division here in Australia to bring in more competition to the sector. And, whilst you are doing that, I would like you to consider a joint venture with our government to open up your "banking better lives" program in to our indigenous communities to help them achieve greater outcomes in life. The Govt would fund a multi-faceted education and training program and you would facilitate the banking needs etc as you do in Central America.
Wow, whilst flattered an honoured, I was not prepared for this, and for once I fairly speechless.
I gave the PM a solid commitment that we would consider it, and I would like to catch up with him again, hopefully next month whilst he is in Europe on a State Visit to the UK for a wedding of some royal.
We shook hands and I departed. I was excited.