Fate and More

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That weekend was the first of many. During the week we were both so busy with our professional activities that we didn't have a lot of time to see each other. We talked a lot over the phone when we had some free minutes, but we both admitted we missed each other. I had learned that when Kyle reached the monthly deadline of the magazine, he would be fourteen to sixteen hours in his office. Since the incident with Alberta I he was even more careful and checked the sources of all the reporters. They were all asked to provide their information sources and even though his personal assistant checked it before handling it to him, he still double-checked everything. He was so professional and responsible! Those weeks, where he was more in his office than in his own apartment, I took the opportunity to go on with the design of the limousine till the day came that the design as finished and that we would start the actual building.

Charles, who previously was just one of the workers in the body shop, was now the manager of the team that was assembling the ordered Alberta I. When I told him that there was a new model to be created from my design, he got excited like a teen-ager. He organized a meeting with all of his crew, where the design of the limousine would be presented. I had my computer connected to the high- definition projector and when the first slide appeared on the wall-sized screen, there was a sudden and high consumption of oxygen in the room. Even I, used to see it on my computer screen, looked with awe to the big image. This was going to be innovative and unseen on the roads. The lines of the car were fluid and resulted in grace and elegance. There was nothing that even had a remote resemblance to the uncouth and gross appearance of what the current market offered. With each slide I gave them some technical details and I saw Charles scribbling down furiously. I had seen him doing that before. I could give him all the details he wanted, but he confided in his own notes.

It was only when I started to present the interior of the car that the Ohhs and the Ahhs came from all sides. All the guys, without any exception, looked at the screen in total admiration. I tried to explain in the most efficient way what the car had and why. I had made a few close-up slides about some details like the double seams in contrasting color and the dashboard instruments.

When the presentation I had prepared came to an end, I switched off the projector and switched on the lights in the room.

• Ok guys. That is our new project. Charles here will select a few of you to build the first prototype of this limousine. Not everybody will be working on it because we have a list of customers for the Alberta I to please. It is not because you go on doing what you are doing now that you are less important in the company. If Charles choses one over the other, it will be because he has his reasons to do so. I don't want any jealousy because there is no reason to. With time, if the limousine has the same kind of success as the Alberta I, you will all get higher responsibilities to train new people that we will have to hire.

I gave the guys time to ask their questions. From all their questions there were two that asked for special attention. I had used a black color for the outside body of the limousine and one of the guys asked me why. As I said it was the most common color that most of the customer would ask for, I had made the presentation in that color.

• It will look like a hearse, he said, and elegant hearse, but a hearse all the same.

There was a sudden silence. All his co-workers, including Charles, looked at him and even if he blushed for such an unexpected remark, I thought for a split second. I switched the projector back on and the lights out. I brought up the image of the outside of the limousine and looked at it with a very careful attention. I had to admit that, in certain way, the guy was right. In fact, if I wanted to be consequent with myself and bring something new, innovative and exclusive on the market, there was no reason to follow a certain pattern of habits. I asked the guys to have a very close look at the projected image and sincerely say if they agreed that it looked like an elegant hearse. Nobody made any comment. I switched on the lights again and looked at them.

• Come on guys, you should know by now that you can say what you think. I even appreciate your comments and it helps us to bring something unseen on the roads. If you don't tell me what you think, there is no reason for you to sit here. So, let's vote. Those who think it looks like an elegant hearse, lift you hand...

A few hands came up.

• Those who think it is fine in black, lift your hands...

Again a few hands came up. The result was that we had a fifty-fifty.

• Ok, I said and turned to the guy who had made the comment. What color would you suggest?

He was taken aback for a moment, but then spoke up.

• I know that what I am going to say is a little bit too easy, but I would say that any color, except black would do fine, but ... The elegance of this car makes me think of oldies of the late fifties to the early sixties. In those days you could see a lot of cars in two colors.

He asked to approach the screen and I said yes, of course.

• You see, he said, if you draw a line from here to there (and he showed us where) you could have the top in a darker color and the lower part in a lighter one. The two halves could then be separated by a contrasting color. For example: the upper part in a dark navy blue and the lower part in a very light grey metallic color. The separating line could be a very fine line of bright red that would accentuate the general elegance of the car. It is just an idea. There are a lot of combinations possible. But I stick to my first remarks: completely black and you have an elegant hearse. The separating line could be used as well as color for the seams of the interior.

• That is a very good suggestion you are making. We could keep the option of a complete black car for the very conservative clients, if they want it, but the presentation of the prototype will not be black.

The second question was about the name of the car. I almost automatically said Alberta II. From the other side of the table I got a new remark about it.

• Alberta I sounds absolutely perfect for a sports car. Calling a limousine Alberta makes me think of an obese woman. Don't ask me why, it just feels like that.

Just at that moment, there was a knock on the door of the conference room. It was Jessie, telling me that Kyle was waiting for me in my office. I told her to get him and bring him in here. A few moments later he came in and I introduced him to the guys.

• Guys, I guess you all have heard of Kyle Atkinson, the chief editor of the magazine we were featured in. He will be the first to be able to reveal the limousine to the outside world.

Kyle looked at the screen and saw the finished image of the limousine. To say he was flabbergasted would be an understatement. Even though he had seen sketches on my computer and even helped me with a few very accurate comments, the finished product took his breath away. I invited him to have a seat and went on with what we were discussing: the name of the car. I updated Kyle with the latest remark. To my surprise he nodded and agreed with the guy. He even made a suggestion.

• I can agree that Alberta sounds heavy and uncouth for a car like this. If my memory is correct you named the first car after your father, but thought a feminine name was better and I admit that Alberta I is the perfect name for the sport car. Why don't you name the limousine after your mother, Jacqueline, isn't it?

I loved the idea. I looked at the guys and saw most of the heads nodding. It seemed most of the guys agreed with Kyle's idea. After that, we finished the meeting and I received a round of applause. It made me blush. The guys left the conference room and went back to work. I said to Charles that we would meet in the morning to decide who was going to work on the Jacqueline.

Once we were alone, I closed the door and took Kyle in my arms and kissed him.

• What a pleasant surprise, I said, I didn't expect you at all.

• I know, but I had to see you. Do you know how it's been since we were in each other's arms? It is not a reproach. We have both a lot of work and dedicate it a lot of time. We are both perfectionists and professionals. But... we sometimes forget we have a private life as well. We almost see each other less than before we decided we were an item!

He was right. With his deadlines and my Jacqueline, we had even skipped a few weekends together. We urgently had to talk about that face-to-face. Ok, we talked everyday over the phone, but that was not enough anymore. Nor Kyle neither me wanted this situation to go in the same way any longer. We loved each other, but more, we needed each other. We didn't realize it at first, but we were more than friends and lovers. We were each other's support and mainstay. After a hard day of work we knew how to relax together and being each other's security valve. We had reached the point that on a professional basis, we were the listening outsiders, who analyzed what was said and gave a neutral opinion. More than once new ideas came up during our conversations because we knew what the other was doing and understood the burdens and benefits. All that made our separations even harder.

There was however a solution that presented itself totally unexpectedly a few weeks later. Kyle's landlord had decided to move in into his own apartment and had given Kyle his notice. Kyle admitted (later) that he didn't know how to bring up the subject, as he didn't want to pressure me in anyway. He actually wanted us to live together, as a married couple. At the same time he didn't want to invade my personal space. He thought of finding a new home for both of us, but wasn't sure at all I would want to leave my parental house. When he brought up the subject, he was almost as nervous as when he confessed he loved me. When he finally could talk, it was a lot easier!

• The fact is that I would like us to be together a lot more. The times we are not together are just awful. We both try to find some consolation throwing ourselves into work, and the more we work, the less we see each other. It is a vicious circle! As my landlord has given me my notice, I thought it was maybe a good time to bring up the subject of living together. What do you think?

I got up, went to hug him and kiss him.

• I guess this means you think it would be a good idea to live together.

I nodded.

• The question is: where?

• My dear Kyle! Why is it that sometimes you don't see the obvious?

He looked quizzically at me. He didn't seem to understand.

• Kyle, you don't need a GPS and your car is almost on automatic pilot to reach home, meaning to come here! You just move in and that's it! Don't tell me there is not enough space in this house! Or is it that you don't like this Victorian beauty?

• I love this house Junior, and you know it! But I have the feeling I am invading your space. This is your house and even though I spend a lot of time here, I have always been a guest.

• Well, let me tell you: You don't invade my space because I love it to have you around me all the time. Stop thinking about being a guest. It can be your house as much as mine. We can make it our home! Home is where you feel at ease and at peace. Home is where you feel welcome and where you want to run to when the outside world is working on your nerves. Why do you make a problem out of something that is so obvious? If needed be, we will adapt a few things so that you can give your personal touch to the house and feel at home. Over the years we have found out we have a lot of friends in common and you know that your friends will always be welcome. If there are friends of yours who can't stand me, you will always be able to see them at their place if they don't want to come.

• Don't be ridiculous Junior. All my friends love you. There is no reason to see them elsewhere.

• Well then? What prevents you to fill your suitcases and boxes and move in?

• Maybe the financial aspect of it all. I have paid my rent since I left my parent's house. I have always supported myself a hundred percent. You should know by now that I am quite an independent man.

• If you want, we'll try to make out how much it costs to live here both and we'll divide the bill in two. Jeez Kyle! You sure can look for problems where there are none. We were friends and now we are lovers. If we could, I would marry you tomorrow. Everything we lived was based on Feelings, Trust and Respect. Why on earth would that change when you live here on a permanent basis? Up till now, when we had any kind of disagreement, we talked about it and found the golden midway.

• Yes, you're right. The only thing was to talk about it. You can't expect me to arrive here one day with my suitcase, telling you I move in, without talking about it before! And that's what we are doing.

We kissed and I felt him relax. We were once again on the verge of starting something new. We would have to advise the other when we had delays of any kind, being it for supper or something else. It was just a question of respect. We would have to consult the other at the moment to accept an invitation. We would have to consult with the other for important decisions in and around the house. All these things seemed like "obligations" at first, but when thinking about it a little further it increased the joy of being together. We were convinced that the real liberty is the shared one. If you don't have anybody to share your liberty, it is a fake liberty, because you depend on too much people to do what you want.

The following weekend we gathered a few friends and I got the van from the dealership to move Kyle's things. Even though he left a furnished apartment, he still had quite a lot of boxes to move, but everything was done in the beginning of the afternoon. Kyle prepared a huge Spanish paella to thank our friends for their help. The unpacking of some boxes would have to wait till we made some specific space in the appropriate cupboards, drawers and closets. I didn't mind because it brought new life in the house.

In the following weeks I discovered with joy the small changes that were directly related to Kyle's moving in. I ate in a more healthy way. Instead of warming up something Elizabeth had prepared, I had home-cooked meals. I first thought I would gain weight, but nothing of the sort happened. Kyle knew how to cook and taught me quite a lot of things. Even though he loved to cook, I couldn't accept that he would do all of it. He was not my housekeeper and not my servant. We were together on an equal base.

Another small thing was that our daily phone calls were now having other subjects, such as what we were going to eat or ask the other to collect some clothes at the dry-cleaners. We called to say that we were help-up at work and would arrive later. We called to say we would have visitors or guests for dinner. I loved that kind of calls.

The most beautiful change was of course the fact we went to sleep and woke-up together. The feeling of having Kyle's body pressed against mine was absolutely divine. Before he came to live with me, it was always the alarm clock that woke me. Now I woke earlier (was it subconscious?) just to rejoice in feeling him, hearing him slightly snore or even watching him sleep. I wondered if he sensed it because it would never last long before he would open his eyes and inevitably smile. Just that smile in the morning would make my day a fantastic one. From day one we showered together and we even had set the alarm clock (although unnecessary) about fifteen minutes earlier so we could enjoy it without having to hurry. As Kyle was never clean-shaven, he trimmed his beard and moustache in the evening so he could leave the place for me to shave in the morning.

During the week, breakfast was basic. A much needed cup or mug of coffee and a bagel of some kind. At eight sharp we were out of the house, getting each in his car and blowing a kiss to the other. Depending on the amount of work or meetings, around ten, we would sent or receive a message of love and the usual question if the other had time for lunch. Sometimes it was a yes, sometimes it was a no and we adapted our lunch according to the answer.

Kyle came up with the idea of having coverage of the building of the limousine. The construction of it would take several months and he thought of having a reporter and photographer coming over at least once a week and showing what we were doing. Each month he would dedicate a double page to it, with picture and explanations. I had to think about it as the construction of a new model or a new car was always something most makers tried to keep secret till the last moment. Each new presentation was more a revelation and a surprise than anything else. His comment was logic.

• This car is so exclusive and so uncommon that you can afford to let the people know what you are doing. You don't have competition whatsoever, except maybe the Rolls Royce. We could leave out some details or innovation from the report so that you would still have some surprises to disclose at the moment of the real presentation to press and public. It would be like a mini-series where each week the readers would receive a bit more of information.

I couldn't deny the idea was appealing. If the construction of the limousine was going to schedule, we would need about six months to completion. That meant twenty-six visits of the reporter and photographer and six published reports in Kyle's magazine. The finished product would not been showed as I had already planned to be present on the Motor Show in early autumn. We had already reserved a stand for the dealership and had rented an extra space to have the Alberta I on display and the Jacqueline as world premiere. I had even contracted a specialized stand designer to create something that would have the absolute and ultimate WOW effect. For the cars of the dealership I had to stick to the general colors of the car brand, but for my own models I was of course free to do what I wanted. I wanted that WOW effect, yes, but according to elegance and good taste.

I agreed with Kyle for covering the construction of the Jacqueline. I knew this was going to give the magazine a good boost. In our days the sales of magazines had dropped because of the Internet. Giving exclusivity to Kyle to publish the reports on paper but NOT on the Internet was surely going to improve the sales a lot. This was something new and had never been done before. As the car would be revealed on the Motor Show, I couldn't give him exclusivity for that.

The first report was completely dedicated to my work. The design of the outside and the inside were on display although never a full picture, as to keep a few things secret. Other pictures were such close-ups that it was difficult to imagine it in a general view. The reporter had passed the test with Kyle, who supervised the text. I had given him carte blanche for it. When the new monthly magazine came out, announcing the series and showing some of my sketches, it was immediately a huge success. After just one day of sales, several bookstores had called the magazine to order more.

Meanwhile, Charles and his chosen crew did a marvelous job. As Charles had now some experience with working the carbon fiber, there wasn't that much loss on it. He was marvelous with the younger guys in his team, teaching them meticulously how to work the carbon fiber and finish the piece off with sandpaper. The guys he had chosen for the Jacqueline were grateful and understood from day one the opportunity they received to learn something that was not taught in schools anymore. They worked more hours than asked. I told Charles to keep track of those hours, as I didn't want anybody to work for free. He said none of his guys minded to throw in a few free hours because they were so proud to be part of the project, but that was not enough for me. I wanted them to be paid every minute they worked on the Jacqueline.

As none of those guys had any experience whatsoever about knitting leather, I had to hire a specialist. He was damn hard to find, but when I did we reached an agreement and it was a win-win situation. I was happy to have found a specialist for the interior of the car and Miguel was happy to be part of such a huge project. Miguel, just as Charles, was a very patient man and was always happy to teach younger guys how to do things properly.

The final decision had been made about the colors. The Jacqueline that would be presented at the Motor Show would be dark navy blue on top and light grey below, separated by a bright and fine line of red, Just as had been suggested by one of the guys. As for the interior we went for very light grey leather and red seams. As for the chassis, just like for the Alberta I, I contacted the same chassis builder. Once again I had let the software draw out the chassis and my man of the chassis brought in a few minor modifications. He was more than happy to help me out as he was constructing chassis almost exclusively for us with the orders we had for the Alberta.

While Charles' guys were making the different parts of the limousine, the second number of the magazine came out. Our guys were like kids when they saw the published pictures. I had asked Kyle to provide enough copies so that each of them could have a collection of all the magazines featuring their work.

The two first Alberta cars had been delivered, one in Dubai and the other one in Los Angeles. All the models leaving our workshop were numbered. My prototype was Alberta I. The car delivered in Dubai was Alberta II and the one in Los Angeles was Alberta III. We were good to reach Alberta L (=fifty). By then I hoped to come up with a newer model of the sports car. I supervised each delivery personally. Kyle went with me to Dubai and would see if the coverage would be interesting enough. The car was traveling by container and we arrived in Dubai the day before the boat arrived. The Sheik, who had ordered it. invited us and made us discover the beauty of the United Arab Emirates. He made it a point to show us everything his country and in particular Dubai, had to offer. We had a typical Arab dinner and after that sumptuous meal, I took the opportunity to show the project of the Jacqueline to the Sheik. To say he was over the moon with it is a total and complete understatement. He asked thousands of questions about the car and I was flabbergasted when at the end he just ordered two of them. Both the cars were to be in the colors of the national flag (black, green, red and white). One would be used as his office and the other one was for his wife and children, more a family car. He wrote out a substantial check as deposit for his purchase.

The very next day we all gathered at the harbor. The custom papers were soon seen as a minor detail. The Sheik had his connections and his own influence in the country.

The second Alberta in Los Angeles was a leisure car for a businessman. He appreciated as well the personal touch of the delivery. Just as with the Sheik, I showed him the project of the Jacqueline. I received the same reaction as in Dubai: an enthusiasm beyond belief. The businessman admitted it was a diamond! This car was the ultimate example of grace and elegance and when he found out all the features present in the limousine, he just couldn't believe it. He said he almost regretted that he had the latest model of Bentley delivered just a month previously. He owned his own company, but couldn't possibly justify the purchase of the Jacqueline. It would have to wait till he received the green light from his accountant, but he said that as soon as he would receive it, the order would be placed. He asked for the delivery time for the limousine and made a quick calculation. Being the salesman I am after all, I indicated that the construction was hand-made and the number of cars would be limited. It would be a good thing he didn't wait too long to make his decision.

Kyle was over the moon with the sales of the magazine. It seemed the word spread very fast about the series about the building of the limousine. Bookstores ordered more and more copies each month. Some customers even ordered and paid for the magazine before it was even in the bookstore, so they would be sure to have it. Kyle even received requests from other car builders to be featured in his magazine. The owner was more than happy with the sales results and the evolution of his magazine. Kyle even received an extra bonus for his brilliant idea. During one of their meetings Kyle even made a suggestion.

• You see, the main part of our clients buy the magazine for the general information we provide. The ones who are really interested in seeing how a car is build buy the magazine just for that one article. It maybe time to think about splitting up the magazine in two. The first would be what we have done up till now. The second magazine would be dedicated to pure car building. We could contact quite a few companies, which are making spare parts, bodywork, engine builders and so on. We have enough car designers in our country who would be more than happy to have a chance of publishing their work. It could be an open window to something that has been kept secret for decades.

• Let me think about it and make rough calculation of costs, said the owner. It is very likely that your idea had a future. It is not necessary to have only very expensive cars shown in our pages. I am sure there are a lot of constructors with more humble budgets who would certainly need a helping hand. I'll get back to you when I have a financial plan for a new magazine.

When Kyle told me the conversation he had with his boss, he was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning opening the presents that lay under the three. He had had the idea and nonetheless he was thanking me! I asked him why he thanked me.

• You don't realize this is all pure fate. I should hire back the reporter I fired for publishing wrong information! If he hadn't done it, we wouldn't be sitting here right now discussing it. If that reporter had not made the terrible mistake to write something completely wrong, you wouldn't have contacted your lawyer, who wouldn't have contacted me and we would never have met. Our coming together is the best thing that ever happened in my life. It is not only on a personal level, but also on a professional one. Since we met that first time in your office, everything has gone better and better. We are not only a couple and lovers. We are also a team on the professional level. Fate has brought us together and shown us the way to make it better every single day.

He leaned over and kissed me with an ever-growing passion. His professional achievements gave him rushes of adrenaline, just like when he drove the Alberta I for the first time or when he started to make love to me. His kiss was intense and his hands were feverishly undressing me although we were in the living room. I sensed his urges and participated in the undressing department, making sure I could touch his skin and feel the electrifying jolts in my whole body. His excitement was contagious. I couldn't resist ripping off his shirt and making the buttons fly all over the place. He couldn't prevent tearing my zipper to pieces to reach my cock in my briefs faster. We were naked in seconds and with rock-hard shafts dueling between our stomachs that were pressed together. This was one of those times where preliminaries were superfluous. He was excited enough to sit on my manhood without artificial lubrication. A lot of spit was enough for him to accept my invading weapon. He rode me as fast as driving the car, bringing me to the edge in less time than is necessary to describe it. I filled his insides without warning and when he felt the throbbing pulses in his love tunnel, he unloaded on my stomach. The whole scene had lasted less than ten minutes, but was evenly satisfying as when we made love for hours.

The last magazine before the Motor Show was delivered. James' e-mail inbox was overflowing with requests for information and prices. We had agreed to have a standard reply to say the Jacqueline would be presented at the Motor Show where all information would be provided. It the amount of e- mails was any indication, the stand would be full the whole week. The stand of the Alberta I and the Jacqueline would be delimited by a heavy cordon and only a few selected people would be invited on the stand itself. We sent out personal invitation to all the Alberta I customers as well as the local people appearing on the Forbes' list. A few other celebrities were invited as well, although we were not sure they would appear.

The week before the Motor Show was busier than a beehive! There were so many things to think about and to foresee. Charles and his crew had done many extra hours to have the limousine ready. We transported it on a trailer. It was completely covered by a hand-made cover so that there still was a little suspense before the actual revealing of the car. On the way from the dealership to the venue where the Motor Show was held, there were quite some paparazzi's, trying to have a glance of what was already known as the high-light of the show. They were not lucky, as the cover didn't move an inch.

The guy who designed the stand had done a wonderful job. It was exactly what I expected and even better! The colors were elegant and had class. The spotlights were discreet and efficient. There was enough space around the two cars to walk around and even take some distance to appreciate the fluid lines of them. We didn't hire any hostesses, but had several well-selected and good-looking men in tuxedos going around with trays with Champagne and snacks. James had updated his sales team. Most of them would be on the stand of our current brand, and just he and I were going to give information to potential customers of my brand. I had asked Charles to be present as well in case more technical details were asked. It was a habit to have your personnel dressed in a kind of uniform in those occasions, and I had opted for everybody to have light grey pants, dark navy blue jacket, white shirt and bright red tie... the colors of the Jacqueline.

The organizer of it, accompanied by the Prime Minister and a few other important people, opened the Motor Show. It was agreed that we would take off the cover of the Jacqueline at the moment they were in front of our stand. Four of the hires guys had rehearsed during more than two hours to take off the cover like I wanted. Vangelis' music of "1492, the Conquest of Paradise" was put on quite loud. The four guys were at each corner of the car and lifted the cover ever so slowly, revealing the car bit- by-bit. Hundreds of flashlights from the photographers captured the moment for eternity.

The cordon was lifted to let through the VIP's who were offered a glass of Champagne. I was expected to give those VIP's the most important part of the information. On the back-wall of the stand we had printed out the six reports that had been published in Kyle's magazine, but enhanced to a bigger size without any loss of printing quality. The Prime Minister was really interested in the whole process from designing to the finished car. He apologized for not being able to stay longer on our stand, but he had to see all the stands. Nonetheless he asked if there was a possibility to have a private meeting and see all the details of both cars. I handed him my business card and he put it in his wallet, promising that I would hear from him again.

Kyle and I were beaming with pride. He was part of this as well, as he had helped me a lot, but most of all because he was such an important part of my life now. This show was a tremendous success and I couldn't be happier to share the event and the experience with him.

When the opening ceremony was almost over, we had the visit of the chairman of the brand we were dealing. He had nothing to do with the Alberta or the Jacqueline. The two stands were clearly delimited. He congratulated me for the two cars of my own brand, although he didn't have a happy face. I could sense there was something coming up and immediately searched for Kyle with my eyes. I found him and when he looked up at me and saw my face, his smile disappeared and he came over, standing next to me. The chairman asked who this intruder was and I had to put him back on his own place.

• Please, let me introduce you to Mr. Kyle Atkinson, my partner in life.

The chairman didn't even stretch out his hand to acknowledge Kyle's presence. I thought that was quite rude for a person being in charge for a worldwide known brand of cars. I was suddenly happy I hadn't mentioned what Kyle did as a job. The chairman had a disgraceful look on his face. When he started to speak I had a sudden disgust about the man.

• I think Mr. Statham, that you should read your contract with us carefully. We want only exclusive dealerships and do not accept any competition in the showrooms where our brand is exposed. I should advise you to not expose those cars next to ours. I hope I made myself clear.

I was flabbergasted and fuming with rage. He was right about the contract, but there were other ways to make it clear. We were the best dealership they had ever had. Our figures surpassed all the other dealerships sales numbers. We had, over the years, received more than one award for good service and professional approach. The way the chairman acted was totally unacceptable in rudeness and lack of diplomacy. It was so obvious that his remark was impulse by pure jealousy and envy, but also by hatred towards gay people. Just the fact he had refused to shake Kyle's hand was crystal clear about it. I couldn't help myself.

• Mr. Chairman, thank you for your perspicacious remark. Let me put a few facts on a row. I am the owner of the dealership that makes the best sales and best after-sales of our brand. Your rudeness and lack of politeness is at a level I will never be able to reach. You will be informed in due time and by the appropriate people of what I think about your behavior here in less than five minutes and... just as a matter of information, your direct boss, the CEO of the manufacturer of our brand, is a personal friend and customer of the Alberta I. I think he will be most interested in what I have to tell him, and having Mr. Atkinson here at my side, I even have a witness. Now, if you don't mind, I would really appreciate that you leave the stand end even the Motor Show. Don't doubt that we will be in contact.

With that, I looked at Kyle, smiling, and we turned heels and left the chairman there like a pig in a mud pond. It took me just enough time to be out of the chairman's hearing distance when I pulled out my phone and called the CEO. We were indeed friend since he had ordered the Alberta I. He appreciated that I was following a dream and almost a promise to my father. He was proud that one of his dealers was showing his real love for cars. When I told him what had happened on the stand, he didn't even seemed surprised. He said to not worry and that the exclusivity clause in the contract had been removed years ago. It was not the first time he had received some odd complains about the chairman but had never been able to prove anything. He asked me if I would be prepared to testify if it would get so far. There was no doubt in my head: I accepted. We had a few minutes more of small talk, me asking him how his wife was and he asking me how Kyle was. We hung up agreeing that he would come and visit the stand on the Motor Show in the following days.

• I guess George was not too happy about your call, Kyle said.

• No, he wasn't, but he was not really surprised either. It seems to be he received some complains in the past about his chairman. He said to not worry. Knowing George, it won't take a lot of time before the necessary actions will take place.

In the corner of my eye I could see the chairman was still on the stand, talking to some of my sales team. I couldn't believe it! I stormed towards him and repeated, in an ice-cold but polite way, to leave the stand. I was just about to warn him I would have security take him out when his phone rang. He looked at the caller's ID and had a smile. He answered and I knew without the shadow of a doubt that it was George. The chairman's smile faded fast. The red color in his face turned to pink and than to white. He tried to say something, but was cut off by a tirade that he surely didn't expect. If his eyes could kill, I was dead! He left the stand after hanging up saying I hadn't heard the last of him.

My sales team looked at me with eyes bigger than saucers. I called them all together and explained in a few words what had happened. I knew my team was loyal to me and didn't fear any negative reaction. Charles, who had known the chairman for years, told me then that he didn't like the guy, as he was full of himself. He had even heard so homophobic remarks in the past, but never paid particular attention to it. I prepared my self asking Charles if he as well would testify if it came that far. I was not surprised he said yes immediately.

The chairman's visit was a little black cloud in the blue sky of the opening of the Motor Show, but it couldn't take the sun away! When the PA system announced that the Motor Show was closing its doors for that day, I left the guys doing their job and went home with Kyle. We were exhausted, not so much from a physical effort, but more because we had been on the edge the previous week. We reached home and had a bite thanks to Elizabeth who had left a few of her specialties in the fridge. Kyle didn't like to use the microwave and warmed it up in a more traditional way. We ate and had a glass of wine. When the kitchen was tidied up, we went to bed. I thought we would be asleep before our heads hit the pillows, but Kyle was in a very romantic mood. When he pressed his body against mine and nibbled at my earlobes, I knew I was in for some tender lovemaking. We fell asleep about two hours later, content and fulfilled.

To be continues É

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