I Woke Up 314 by M.P. Arsent
Copyright to this story remains strictly that of the author. No other publication or use of this story is allowed without the author's consent. This story contains male-on-male sexual content both implied and explicit. If this offends you please do not continue. All characters and implied situations are strictly those of the author and are not based on real-life events or characters. If you are under 18 years of age please exit this story now. I welcome all responses to my stories. Please ensure you list the story's name in the email line. If your email is to alert me of misspelled words or improper punctuation or grammar save your time because it will be deleted. I hope you enjoy my vivid imagination. Please let me know what you think at mparsent@gmail.com and remember to donate to Nifty as they do an amazing job.
"We have breaking news from the Gulf region. Oil is once again flowing through the pipelines. It is being reported that the shutdown was the result of a safety system. A sensor detected a drop in the line pressure and interpreted that as a leak and tripped a safety valve.
The sensor has been replaced, the valve opened, and the flow has been restored."
Stan had obviously caught this as well.
"Looks like we have nothing to really worry about now."
"Yeah, but looks can be deceiving. This could be a cover story for something more serious."
"Could be, but I'm doubting it, Dennis. Take it for what it is and be grateful, it could have been a hell of a lot worse. I'm going home and relax."
"Well, I'll head home and take the relaxing under advisement."
Karl was already home when I got there.
"Guess we can breathe easy again."
"Maybe. I've got a feeling there's more to this whole thing."
"Damn it Dennis, why do you always have to think that the worst is always coming?"
"Because it usually is where the Middle East is concerned. But there really isn't a hell of a lot I can do about it."
"So take a deep breath and try to relax. If it happens it happens and if it doesn't so much the better."
"I suppose."
We had our supper and then I went to the workout room for about an hour. By the time I was finished, I thought I wouldn't have any trouble sleeping tonight.
Karl had the TV on when I went back into the house.
"Any other news?"
"Nothing from the Middle East and just the usual stuff otherwise."
We watched TV for a bit and caught the 10 PM early news before we called it a night.
Wednesday and we were at it again. Once laps were run, we got ourselves back to the house and got ready for the day.
"So, what are you expecting to happen today Den?"
"I'm hoping that the oil prices start to go down if only a little bit."
"And a pretty quiet day otherwise?"
"Well, if the oil prices start to go down, it might just start a bit of an uptick in other things. A little more confidence in the market overall."
"So one way or the other a busy day?"
"I'm thinking so."
"Well have a good one lover."
Shortly after I was off to work. The company lot was pretty well full when I got there. I went and found Stan.
"Oil started to come down ever so slowly in the aftermarket last night, and Europe seems to be breathing easier as the energy market has gone back to about normal activity."
"So the word for the day is still conservative?"
"Yeah I'd say so, but even at that I'm expecting it to be busy."
Which is exactly what we told the troops just before the bell rang.
I was in my office just watching things in general, and looking to whom I might pitch the gym idea to. I made a few calls trying to set up appointments to discuss it with people. The overall response was that I wasn't a known quantity to these bankers and therefore they weren't interested in speaking with me.
It was almost closing time when Stan came into my office.
"You've been burning up the phone lines Dennis, and from the look on your face I'm guessing you had little luck."
"How about no luck whatsoever? If it were Dad bringing this to them they might have listened, but they don't know ME from a hole in the ground."
"How badly do you want this Dennis?"
"Fairly badly why?"
"You could always present it to your biological dad."
"I could but I won't. I told them all that I had no interest in his money. I'd look pretty two-faced if I went to him with my hand out. I think that would destroy any trust that I might have built up at this point."
"That's about what I figured you would say. Now what would you say if I told you there was a group of people who were willing to listen to you?"
"I'd first off want to know who these people are. Then, just what would they expect out of it other than their investment returned with interest?"
"They aren't well known. The Chance group are several entrepreneurs who believe in giving someone a chance who might otherwise never get one. As to what they expect back, nothing other than their investment and interest. They will however reserve the right to take things over if they see that the venture is in any real danger of failing."
"Sounds like something Andros would do and that alone, as far as I'm concerned, makes them a last-ditch option. Any other suggestions?"
"At the moment, no, but I do intend to keep looking."
"So do I, but I'm leaving it for tomorrow. It's almost time to go home."
So home it was and I beat Karl today. Mrs Ohanlon was running a bit late on things today, so I took the time for a quick swim.
I was drying off when Karl finally came through the gate from his house.
"So, what kind of day?"
"We were busy but not hectic. Seems things have started to even themselves out as far as the oil is concerned."
"And what about the "Y"?
"So far nobody wants to talk to me."
"Options?"
"Will be explored tomorrow."
"There is an obvious one Den."
"Yeah, and I'm not going there."
"I think I understand."
"Then let me make it clear. It's the same situation as I had with Dirk. After professing to have no interest in Daniel's money, it would be damn hypocritical of me to go asking him to invest."
At that point, we were given the 15-minute warning to supper, and I went in and changed.
Once supper was eaten, we spent the evening in front of the TV until we crashed out.
Thursday morning and it was lightly raining, so there was no jogging this morning. Karl and I took our time in the shower this morning, and in due course were off to work.
"Nothing shocking in the overnights boss."
"Then let's just get to it."
Once the opening bell sounded, I had the terminal set to alert me to certain things and then I started searching for other investment groups.
By noontime, I had a list and I started contacting people. Several of them asked for a copy of my business plan and proposal. I made sure that those were ready to go for the next mail pick-up in the morning.
Mid-afternoon and Stan came into my office.
"I've tracked down a few possibilities other than the Chance group."
"I've got a few copies of the proposal left. Guess I'd better call the printer and have some more done up."
"If I were you, I'd have quite a few more done up. Any one of these guys, if they are interested, will likely want to see you ASAP and will expect you to be prepared."
I made a quick call to the printers and ordered up another 100 copies, just to be really prepared.
We compared lists and there were only a couple that Stan had that I didn't.
"So who do you think is most likely to want to see me?"
"They're all good possibilities Dennis, but I'm thinking that Bogda Investment may be the one most likely to be willing to take this on."
"Why them?"
"It falls within their investment range and they aren't afraid to take a little risk, but mainly they have never seen fit to try and interfere in running things once the loan is made. For them, it's simple pay the loan or we take it all, and they'd much rather see you pay the loan."
"Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see who responds to it. I'm thinking that will take the better part of a month at least."
"Sounds about right to me Dennis."
"Anything happening I should be aware of?"
"No looks like a pretty regular day so far."
"Let's hope it stays that way."
"I've got an appointment coming in a few minutes, so I need to go prepare."
I got back to looking over the markets on my own again and eventually, the closing bell sounded. Shortly after that, everyone was on their way home.
I was soon enough home and after Karl and I ate, it was pretty much a quiet night. We called it a night a little after 10.
Friday morning and we were up and at it again. It was a nice morning so it was out to run with the guys and then back to the house to get ready for the day.
Once I got to the office and got things going for the day I figured if Stan thought the Bogda group was the best fit, and the most likely to call back, that I had better know something about them.
I went to their website to find out just who I might be dealing with.
I was working my way through the members of the group and then one name stuck out.