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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 19
It had been over three months since Juan and Josef had brought Anton to the apartment, he'd made remarkable progress with Manny's help and encouragement, from the dark, troubled young man, back to being an outgoing, more confident, upbeat individual.
Anton had offered to keep the books for Juan and Ralph's company, ACT-Esse Development, until they appointed a company of accountants, his reasoning was sensible.
"It's been a long time since my mind was usefully occupied, it will get me back into the swim of things, and it gives me a sense of thanking you, in some small way, for everything you've done for me".
In fact Ralph, Juan, and Manny, had been really impressed, Juan most of all, the monthly reports Anton produced contained all of the relevant information for financial and tax reporting, but Anton had a knack of highlighting key areas, actual against budget, income against spend, making it easy to pick out trends and how particular areas were performing.
As they'd approached completion of the four buildings currently under renovation, Juan suggested they offer Anton an official role as Company Financial Accountant, and have him deal with everything in that area.
Ralph agreed but asked Juan to deal with discussing it, as he didn't like financial matters, he preferred overseeing the construction/renovation side of the business.
Juan knew Anton had been applying for employment positions, he was also aware, a large number had been returned as 'unsuccessful in this instance', translation, 'you're disabled', just as many had rudely received no response, but Anton had taken it all in his stride, refusing to be disheartened.
Manny found him reading another two rejection letters on the terrace when he returned from work one evening.
"Hi sexy, Juan's looking for you, said to tell you to spin those wheels into his office pronto".
Anton laughed, then headed for Juan's office, wondering what he needed.
Seeing him laugh was something which still gave Manny an unbelievable thrill.
Knocking on the door post because Juan had left the door open, he heard Juan shout from somewhere inside for him to come in.
Juan was sitting in the lounge area of the office, he beckoned for Anton to join him.
"Thanks for rushing but Manny was supposed to say whenever you get chance, I have a question for you, have you got any positive replies back from your job hunting?"
Anton didn't understand where Juan was going with this, but he answered.
"No, not a single positive reply, but I'm not going to be put off, somewhere out there, someone needs me, they just don't know it yet".
Juan's smiling reply really threw him.
"Yes they do, and they are officially asking you to consider a position as Director of Finance and Accounting".
Anton looked completely confused, asking.
"Who is, I've not heard anything, what company is it?".
Juan was smiling.
"It's an up and coming company called ACT-Esse Development, you must have heard of them".
He looked baffled, as if searching his memory for facts about the company Juan had named, thinking why do I know that name, and Juan was almost at the point of laughing as he saw realisation dawn.
Anton snapped upright in his wheelchair.
"That's you, that's your company, I do your books".
Juan was openly laughing now.
"So it is, and so you do, and I, we, want you to quit looking for any other position".
Anton looked completely shell shocked, so Juan expanded.
I'm going to address something which occurred to me when I decided to put this offer to you, so be very clear, nepotism does not feature in my world, you either cut it, or you don't, this is not a charity offer, nor is it a sympathy offer, it's a genuine offer to someone who has already proved his worth, so remember that when making your decision".
Anton didn't answer he just nodded.
The company is growing fast, and it will continue to grow at an alarming rate, so either we place our accountancy needs now with an outside company, in which case we still need to employ someone, possibly more than one person, within the company to administer the day to day purchases, sales, receipts, wages, etc, or we do what Ralph and I believe is the most sensible and practical thing, have all financial matters dealt with in house, create a department to deal with it, headed up by someone we already have complete faith in, well we've chosen the later, hence the job offer, if you accept I'll talk through my ideas on location, now is there anything else you want to ask me, if not, scoot, talk it over with Manny, and get back to me".
Anton had stammered through saying no, he didn't need to ask anything else, but as he left Juan reminded him, he hadn't asked the salary, when Anton heard what it was, he left wide eyed, running his wheelchair smack into the door frame twice, muttering an apology, but also saying to himself.
"Get a fuckin grip you tit, it's a doorway".
Back on the terrace, after hearing the news, Manny had lifted him bodily from his wheelchair, whirling him around until he was dizzy, and they were both laughing hysterically.
After dinner that evening, Juan asked Arty if he could have a word in his office, and he asked if Marcie would come too, he wanted to talk about something he and Ralph had discussed, with Ralph agreeing but asking Juan to deal with it as usual.
In his office Juan delivered another shock, this time to Arty and Marcie.
"Marcie, I'm principally talking to Arty but, as you're ultimately going to be making a decision together, I thought it better you sit in, to get the facts first hand".
They both nodded, having no idea where this was going.
Juan set off addressing Arty.
"The company is set to grow at a pretty alarming rate, you're already aware, in the next week we will have a further four buildings on line, at a rate of four per quarter, by the end of our first financial year, there will be seventeen buildings on line, and we currently have a further twenty buildings in our property bank, I don't need to tell you we are constantly adding to that bank, but I also have plans to diversify in the not too distant future, into upmarket office and commercial space".
Arty was nodding, he understood what Juan was saying, but couldn't understand how this affected him, other than to let him know how many buildings there were going to be eventually, something he was already aware of.
"I've been discussing the structure of the company with Ralph, and we're agreed it needs serious changes made now, before we get ourselves into a position of not having anyone steering the ship, I've already offered a position of Director of Finance and Accounting to Anton, I'm hopeful he will accept, that will secure all elements of the financial side of the company.
Arty nodded and commented that it was an excellent choice.
"But there is more we want to do, Ralph hates the day to day running, so he doesn't want to take it on, he prefers to occupy a role overseeing renovation and construction, I have my role at Guardian which takes up a great deal of my time, so neither do I, therefore, we want to offer you the position of COO, Chief Operations Officer, you would basically run the company on a day to day basis, you would also be tasked immediately, with the job of recruiting a Company Secretary to keep us abreast of, and on the right side of, current regulations and legislation.
As he paused they were both looking stunned.
"Hence, why I wanted you here Marcie, I suspect Arty will question his ability to take on this role, which would be nothing more than nerves, I've been watching him these last few months, and I feel he could do it with his eyes shut, the salary would be double your current salary, with the same sliding scale we discussed before over the next two years, have you any questions?".
Arty asked where he would be based, Juan's answer was the same as he'd said to Anton, make your decision and I'll tell you what I have in mind, he did tell them they could discuss it with Anton if they wanted to, as they would be working closely together, there were no secrets, he also reminded Arty that he would need to prime his assistant to take over his present role which would carry an increased salary up to Arty's current salary.
So, two more stunned people left his office.
The coming week was the date of the Ball in honour of HRH Prince Harry and Megan Markle's marriage announcement, it was being held at Thorn House in London.
Juan and Ralph flew out next day bound for London.
They, plus Berto, Maria, and their boys, Eduardo and Carlo, plus Josef, Carry, and their daughter Paulette, originally had reservations to stay at The Dorchester, because Thorn House was bursting with incoming family, but Juan had received a call earlier in the week which had been a complete and pleasant surprise.
"Uncle Juan, it's Dillon, silly of me, you already know it's me, why do I do that?, Aunt Jacqueline said you and Uncle Jo are staying at The Dorchester, I wondered if you would consider staying with me at Strelloe House?, I have eight bedrooms free, and I'm literally walking distance around the corner from Thorn House, please, I'd so like it if you said yes".
Juan hadn't bothered checking with Jo, he'd agreed straight away, sending a message to Jo later which read, 'Cancelled reservations at Dorchester, Dillon extended an invitation to stay at Strelloe House, I've accepted for our whole party, hope you agree, love Bro'.
He'd received a reply which read, 'Agreed, that will be nice, see you tomorrow, we'll pick you up at Madrid around midday, need a hug'.
On the morning they were leaving, Anton spoke to Juan.
"I don't want to take up too much of your time, I just wanted to say thank you, and yes, I'll take up your offer, I hope I can be what you think I can, but if you think I can, that's good enough for me, I'll work my balls off for you, now go, enjoy your weekend".
Juan leaned down to his wheelchair level, and dragged him into a hug.
"Thank you, I know I'm right, trust me, you'll ace it, but those balls, I believe they're working hard enough for Manny, I wouldn't want to overtax them".
Anton blushed and laughed.
A few minutes later, Arty cornered him.
"I won't keep you, but we think we should trust your judgement, so yes, I'll do it, now, have a wonderful weekend, we can talk when you get back".
Arty got the same hug, and the same authentic response.
"Thank you, Anton just told me the same, I know I'm right, trust me, you'll both ace it".
The reunion at Madrid airport was a typical Thorn hugathon, there were so many it took nearly half an hour to get everyone settled for take off.
Carry noticed Ralph sat alone during the flight, whilst Juan was chatting with his grandsons.
She nodded to Josef.
"He looks as though he has some serious worry going on, and I think we both know what it is, Piers, go talk to him my love, reassure him".
Josef collected a couple of drinks and made his way to where Ralph was seated.
"I used my measures, brandy with soda, I would have let you get them but I'm not sure I could suffer the after effects".
He dropped down into the seat next to Ralph.
"So, care to tell me what's worrying you, as if I couldn't guess?".
Ralph sort of half smiled, it was easily seen by Josef as a fake smile.
"Is it that obvious, what if he hates me?, it will be a wedge between Juan and I, if Juan has to choose between us, I'd have to force him to not choose me, it would be the only way I could live with myself, I'd have to force him to give me up, how am I supposed to deal with that?, it would be like I'd ripped my own heart out, I know you think I'm getting it all out of proportion, but it's out there, it's not settled, I can't stop it from running around in my head, and the closer we get to a meeting, the more frightened I'm getting".
Juan put his arm around him, unknown to him, Juan saw him do it, he excused himself from his grandsons and made a beeline for Josef and Ralph.
"I knew it, the minute I'm distracted you're making a move on my man, hop it buster, or I'll put the make on your wife".
Unseen by Ralph, Juan and Josef swopped nods, Josef knew his brother understood the situation, saying jokingly.
"Bro, your a meat and two veg guy, you wouldn't know what to do with a fish supper".
Getting up, Josef patted Ralph on the arm and left them alone.
Juan took Ralph's hand.
"Come with me".
He led them into one of the two bedrooms, closing the door behind them and pulling Ralph into a hug.
"I suspected you were hiding this, but you shielded it really well, so come on, tell me, and I mean everything that's worrying you, it's what you're supposed to do, we're a couple, we solve problems together, we don't shoulder them alone, it's Piers isn't it?".
Whilst he'd been talking, he hadn't realised Ralph was crying, until he stopped talking, then he could feel the shuddering.
"Hey, stop, it's only a meeting, it's going to be okay, you'll be best of friends, I guarantee it, don't get upset".
He couldn't help it, Ralph blurted out.
"And if he hates me, how do we deal with that, it's okay for you to tell me everything is okay, but you're not in my head, when I'm imagining the time when I might have to let you go for my own peace of mind".
Juan was surprised, but he took it in his stride.
"Not going to happen, that I can categorically promise you, I love Piers, I always will, he's my brother in law, but I'm in love with you, and that love trumps my love for him, just as my love for his brother trumped my love for him, he is never going to be in a position of first place, I want Piers in my life, but I can't force him to be in my life, if he chooses not to be, then so be it, and I'm not stupid, I know you would try to force me to choose him, it would never happen, my life now is with you, it would break my heart to lose you, so drop that threat from your scenarios, I love you, I'm going to show you that, if he chose to leave my life, it would sadden me, but it would be his decision not mine, and I would welcome him back at any time, without recrimination, so long as he accepted you, and only on those terms, do you understand?."
Ralph nodded, clinging to Juan.
"Good, now you've thrown my schedule out considerably, let's go back to the main cabin.
As they entered the main cabin, the steward was announcing that they would be starting their decent into London City Airport in the next twenty minutes, everyone needed to be seated and belted in.
Juan settled Ralph and went to speak with the steward.
The steward disappeared, coming back to the cabin and nodding to Juan.
Unknown to any of the passengers, the pilot had just made a request to London's Flight Control.
'It would appear we have an imminent marriage proposal amongst our passengers, would you put us into a holding pattern, we will advise the outcome in due course'.
As he got the nod from the steward, Juan stood and asked for everyones attention.
"Sorry guys, I've just delayed our landing because I thought I had everything planned with military precision, only to be thrown off track by someone who cares for me so much he worries about outside forces affecting our relationship, well I hope I've convinced him how the future is going down, but just in case I didn't make it plain enough, here and now, in front of my closest family".
He turned to Ralph and went down to one knee.
"Ralph Esse, I need you, I want you, you are number one in my life, will you be my husband, please say yes, I love you?".
Ralph could be heard to say only four words, mainly because everyone was silent, hanging, waiting for his reply.
"Oh shit, yes, yes".
Then there was pandemonium, and the pilot had to tell Flight Control.
'It appears we have an acceptance, we are now on celebratory champagne, keep us in holding, I'll get back to you after the toasts, hopefully the bubbly will run out before the ruddy fuel'.
Carry sent a text to Jacqueline.
'I'm crying, Juan just proposed to Ralph, it's a yes, don't say anything, Ralph is terrified about meeting Piers, we need to manage that meeting, I'm going to throw it at you, we'll manage it together, if either of us gets stumped, hopefully the other will know what to do when it happens, okay?'.
Jacqueline's reply told Carry it was okay.
'Understood, we'll give it our best shot".
They'd finally landed with most of the adults tipsy, and raring to continue the celebrations.
When they'd arrived at Strelloe House, Albert, Dillon, Trevor, and Phil were waiting to greet them.
Albert had champagne poured and staff stood ready to circulate with it, along with soft drinks for the youngsters.
Their bags were whisked off to be unpacked whilst they were guided into the massive drawing room, to be greeted by well over half of the family, who Jacqueline had told, despite Carry's request she keep it a secret.
Jacqueline saw Carry's questioning look, gliding in beside her she whispered.
"Trust me, I know what I'm doing".
They'd been in the throes of hugs, kisses, and general congratulations, when a sort of hush descended on the room.
Piers and Milo had entered.
Ralph turned to look where everyone was staring, and he felt physically sick, the boy, and he still looked like a boy, was staring directly at him, he knew immediately, it was him.
Ralph was aware he'd dropped his glass, and he was glancing alternately, down at the broken glass, and back to the boy walking towards him, when he became aware of Carry on one side of him, and Jacqueline on the other side.
As Piers got close, Jacqueline opened her arms.
"Piers, my love, it's so lovely to see you again, isn't it truly wonderful, Ralph and Juan are engaged to be married, I knew you'd want to congratulate them".
Jacqueline had given Carry a nod, then moved on to engulf Milo, deliberately separating him from Piers.
Carry, grabbed the baton from Jacqueline, pulling Piers into a Thorn family hug, before saying.
"Piers, I don't believe you've met Ralph, let me do the introductions, Piers, Ralph, Ralph, Piers".
She may as well have been talking to the wall, because neither Piers nor Ralph were listening to her, instead Piers stepped up close to Ralph, and opened his arms.
Ralph could never say why he did it, but he almost fell gratefully into Piers arms, and he knew he was crying.
Piers pulled him in close, whispering.
"Let it go, I'm really sorry, I caused you worry and pain, I understand now, and I want to be your friend, I don't deserve it, but I'd like it if we were friends".
Ralph was so relieved, he drew back, looked directly into Piers eyes.
"I'd really like that, I was so worried you'd hate me, I don't want to replace him, I couldn't, I'm not even close to what everyone tells me he was, but I want to know about him, because without him, I wouldn't have the future I have now, I so wish I'd known him".
Piers almost giggled, this day had been threatening to see him hating Ralph, but here and now, he realised, this was someone who just loved Juan, no agenda, just the love of two men, and it was refreshing after the weeks of dark thoughts he'd been having.
As they broke the hug, Piers reached out to grab two glasses from a passing tray, offering one to Ralph, and saying loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Here, you'll need this, because I want to propose a toast, everyone, a toast to Juan and Ralph, health, wealth, and happiness in their life together".
Then he touched glasses with Ralph, and it was over.
Carry cornered Jacqueline later.
"I think I might actually hate you, you turned it around, left me in control, I was almost shitting myself".
Jacqueline's reply shocked her, left her with an open mouth.
"I knew you could manage it, and you did, I'm not going to be around forever, it's time you stepped up, you're going to be me one of these days, possibly sooner than you think, just like when I accepted the reigns from Lenny".
The exchange concerned Carry, Jacqueline had brushed off her concerns, but it had planted a seed in Carry's brain.
The following day was the ball at Thorn House.
It was Dillon who'd said at breakfast.
"Guys, Thorn House is about five hundred yards from our front door, why not walk it tonight, it will be nice, we can have cocktails here first, then a leisurely stroll around the corner to Thorn House, if we use cars we'll be stuck in a traffic jam of arrivals for about an hour".
Everyone agreed, a nice stroll would be preferable.
The Ball was a fantastic success, the Royal party had arrived at nine on the dot.
By tradition, first into sight as they ascended the stairs from the Mews entrance was, HRH Prince William, Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge, accompanied by his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
Behind them, HRH Prince Harry, Prince of Wales, accompanied by his fiancee, Ms Megan Markle.
There were several other members of the Royal Family still arriving up from the Mews as Junior moved in to welcome the Royals, he spoke almost in a whisper at first.
"It's so good to see you, if we hadn't got all these bloody eyes on us I'd give you all a hug".
Then his voice went up several levels as he said.
"Your Royal Highnesses, Ladies, Gentlemen, welcome to Thorn House, to a Ball in celebration of the betrothal, and forthcoming marriage of HRH Prince Henry of Wales, to Ms Megan Markle, and at last he's finally off the shelf".
There was uproarious laughter, with Red wagging a finger at Junior, it was a couple of minutes before he could continue.
"I would take this opportunity to thank my Aunt Jacqueline Montclair-Thorn, for organising this Ball, and now I would ask you all to raise your glasses in a toast, To His Royal Highness Prince Harry, and Ms Markle, we wish you health, happiness, and a long life, God save the Queen".
Introductions and toast over, everyone mingled freely.
Juan took a nervous Ralph to introduce him to the Royals, and wasn't surprised when first Red, then Wills, dragged him into a hug, with Red saying.
"A little birdie tells me we're not the only couple here tonight celebrating an engagement, so let's meet this poor, doomed man".
Juan was openly laughing as he reach for Ralph's hand.
"Why am I not surprised you know before I have a chance to tell you, Your Royal Highnesses, Ladies, may I introduce Ralphe Esse, who graciously accepted my proposal of marriage only yesterday".
Red grabbed him, then Wills did the same followed by Kate and Megan, Ralph was in complete shock, Juan was almost rolling around laughing at the look on Ralph's face.
Harry whispered to Junior, asking that he make an announcement of Juan and Ralph's engagement, so that they could join in toasting them.
Junior called for attention.
"Your Royal Highnesses, Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, if I might seek your indulgence, we have another engagement to celebrate this evening, I would ask that everyone join me in wishing a long and happy married life to my dear Poppa, Juan Alonso-Caswel-Thorn, and Mr Ralph Esse, God save the Queen".
When the toast was done, Junior continued.
"I would now ask if you could all retire to the fringes of the room and make space in the centre for four people a certain young lady has been wanting to meet, I give you, my Chicago cousins, 'None Missing' performing for the very first time ever, with my Gramps, 'Van Gregous'".
As he finished speaking, the music to the boys latest single started and they entered from a hidden door in the back wall of the ballroom.
Their second song was one of Van's hits, a fast paced track, and Van entered the ballroom through the same door the boys had used, joining them.
Only a couple of bars into the song, Ary and Bobby handed their mic's to roadies, leaving Van and Trevor singing as they made there way across to the Royal party.
Ary bowed and extended a hand to Catherine, Bobby followed suit, extending a hand to Megan, then they were in centre floor, whirling the girls around to the amusement of the Princes.
When the song ended both Ary and Bobby bowed to the Ladies, leading them back, placing their hand into that of their respective partner, then bowing again before skipping back to join Trevor and Van.
Ary spoke.
"Your Royal Highnesses, Ladies and Gentlemen, tonight is a quintuple celebration, we add our best wishes to the couples celebrating their engagements, and include our own Trevor Coulson, who is engaged to marry mine and Bobby's little brother Dillon Strelloe".
As the room gave a round of applause, Bobby came forward.
"And our cousin Junior, who I suspect out of modesty, forgot to mention he's engaged to marry Daniel Worthington, love and best wishes to you guys, and ladies, we urge you to remember, Ary and I are still very much available on the now dwindling desirable bachelor list, don't hold back, throw yourselves at us, I'm sure we'll cope".
As everyone roared with laughter, Ary nodded to Van, who started the lyrics to the next number, one of 'None Missing's' most well known hits, but he was doing it, A cappella, his voice beautifully clear and strong, after the first verse, the boys joined him, and they brought it home together.
They performed a total of six numbers before wishing everyone a good evening and, after joining the Royal party for a few minutes, dispersing into the assembled guests.
It was around eleven thirty when the Royal party said their farewells, Junior seeing them down to the Mews entrance and into their cars.
Wills and Harry grabbed him into a hug as soon as they were out of sight, with Will saying.
"Invitations please to yours, and your Poppas weddings, all four of us are coming, and tell your Poppa, Granny is over the moon, she said to tell him it's well overdue that he found happiness again, I didn't get the opportunity to speak privately with him, pass it on for me, and thank you, tell the boys Megan is bubbling that she and Kate got to dance with them, goodnight my friend".
And they were gone.
Upstairs, after security was handed back to Guardian, Junior joined Daniel and asked for a large Gin and tonic, finally able to relax.
Together they went off in search of his Aunt Jacqueline, Junior was intending to praise her skills in organisation, but as they approached her, he was immediately on alert.
Jacqueline knew something was seriously wrong, but didn't want to cause a scene, she was leaning against a wall, but things were becoming cloudy.
Junior saw her face, he knew immediately something was amiss, and before his eyes she started to sink.
His glass dropped, shattering loudly, as he bolted to catch her, and he did, jolting against Carry who'd been talking to a group right next to Jacqueline.
As Carry turned, she saw Junior scoop Jacqueline up, with Daniel helping support her, but Jacqueline's face was ashen, her eyes closed, she'd clearly passed out, and Carry went suddenly cold, remembering Jacqueline's words the previous day, 'you're going to be me one of these days, possibly sooner than you think'.
TBC Allan
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Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.