Lifes Illusions

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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 31

In Madrid Juan had just ended a lengthy call to the Clinic in Miami where the Specialist who'd worked his particular brand of a miracle on both him and Pierre was now based.

He had news for Anton but it would keep until after he received a confirmation call.

Tonight was one of their joint dinner nights.

Monday through Thursday, Marcie, Arty, and the boys had dinner in their own apartment, primarily because Marcie preferred to get dinner over, then the boys were tasked with completing homework and showering before bedtime.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday they ate as one large family, dinner was prompt at seven in the evening, and always an enjoyable affair.

Juan had reserved a full four unit floor of office space in the newly completed Mall project, ACT-Esse Development now operated out of that address.

The four offices were interconnected, but essentially, Arty had one complete office, Anton had use of two of the office spaces, Concierge Services had the remaining office space, within which the Company Secretary had a private glass walled office.

Arty, as COO, had a large office with his desk plus a small conference table.

His Vice COO, had an identically set out office, also with conference table.

Between them were a bank of Secretaries.

Anton, having a growing staff of accountants, had opted for a similar setup to Arty, his office, and that of his assistant were glass walled sections of the large otherwise open plan office, both offices had a desk area and separate conference table, though mostly they ran their weekly department meetings on the main office floor, believing it important everyone had the opportunity of interacting.

Board meetings were still conducted in Juan and Ralph's office at the Penthouse Apartment.

At the last Board Meeting Arty had put forward a suggestion which Anton had agreed with.

He'd suggested they look at retaining and leasing, rather than selling, some of the redevelopment properties they were now turning around on a regular basis.

When Juan asked why, he'd deferred to Anton to explain.

"Initially there was a need to renovate and sell on, it was important to service and reduce the loan amount you extended to finance the start up costs, but now resale is not a critical issue, our revenue stream from the service apartments and commercial developments you invested in give us ample income to continue on a path of steadily reducing the initial loan debt".

He paused to pass around a two page sheet of figures which detailed what he was explaining.

"Retaining ownership of property, especially when it's in absolutely prime condition, as it always is after Ralph and Manny have worked their magic on it, is exactly the same as having money in the bank, we are able to borrow against its worth, though currently we have no need to borrow".

He'd gained beaming approval from both Ralph and Manny for his glowing praise of their work.

"I believe we should start to build a bank of properties which could be liquidated easily if the need arose, but more importantly, they would serve as collateral against any future borrowing needs, and I believe Juan you might have something to share with us on that subject".

Juan smiled.

"How do you do that?, you always seem to know everything".

Anton was also smiling.

"You'd be surprised what I hear, finance is a sector which thrives on gossip, for some out there, knowing what's going on can mean the difference between success and failure, investors now rate ACT-Esse Development's involvement as being a rubber stamp for success, hence why Arty and I get daily enquiries about projects we've no knowledge of, I would add, that's not a criticism, simply a fact, and we'd prefer it was kept that way, it's easier to answer in the negative if we don't have the facts".

Juan nodded before explaining.

"I've been approached by representatives of the Central Governments Commercial and Social Development Committees, it appears there are eight developments, on the fringes of Madrid, they were acquired by Central Government in order to protect them, they were started by private companies just before the last slump in property prices, all are attractive proposals, but four of them are really attractive, virtually new towns, they have all of the infrastructure laid out, public transport hubs, some buildings part completed, all abandoned when contractors and ownership companies realised the market was in free fall, the other four are satellite upmarket suburbs, which I can see would be immensely attractive to wealthier members of Spanish Society, but entirely reliant on the first four projects being completed to make them viable".

He paused to allow them to take in the information before going on.

"I've been offered the opportunity to acquire any or all of those projects, but I'm seriously nervous, are we growing too large too quickly?, the amount of borrowing we would have to enter into, around one Billion Euros, frightens me, I don't want any answers now, what I propose is that I give all of the facts and figures I have to Arty and Anton, then in two weeks we reconvene to review their findings, at that point I suggest we take a vote on moving forward and acquiring all or some of the projects, or we opt to decline to be involved, is that acceptable to everyone?".

A general nodding of heads gave Juan his answer, but he didn't see the thoughtful look on Ralph's face.

The following Monday Juan was flying out to Sydney for a meeting with Piers and Milo, he'd be gone for five days, and Ralph knew those five day's were critical to him.

Unbeknown to Juan he would leave the same day, but he had to fly commercial, to stay under the radar.

Ralph's first stop was Montclair where he met with Aly and Bo.

His second stop was a little easier because Aly and Bo insisted on making a jet available to him, so the trip to Torremolinas to meet with Jo and Carry was no more than a little hop, and travelling on to Rome for a meeting with Reece and Van was so easy, but what he learnt from his visits to Montclair, Torremolinas, and Gregous strengthened his resolve, he just hoped Juan wouldn't think he'd gone too far, but there was no denying, he was worried, and he confided as much to Carry.

The board meeting two weeks later commenced with Juan outlining why they were meeting, not that anyone needed reminding.

"So, we're here today to make a decision, and that decision will be final, we'll hear from Arty and Anton, with financial details which I fully expect to flesh out the position the company would be undertaking, I want everyone here to promise they will vote honestly, don't be concerned that you may be opposing your fellow board members, it is a massive deal we are debating, one I have already told you makes even me nervous, vote with your gut feeling, that should be what you trust".

Arty's and Anton's submission was explicit and backed up with a twenty page booklet of facts, but the final recommendation was that a one billion Euros investment was way above what the company could, or should expose itself to at this time, in fact it recommended a half billion Euros as the most the company could, or should be liable for".

Juan was about to speak, about to ask for a show of hands on turning down the opportunity of taking on the offered projects when Ralph stopped him.

"I apologise to the board, but I need to speak privately with Juan, and I'm praying I don't return to this table with my head under my arm".

They'd agreed to adjourn for an hour, Juan followed Ralph into the small lounge, closing the door behind them.

"Juan, I've done something I think you might be upset about, and now I'm really frightened, please don't judge what I've done without understanding why I did it, and please, consider seriously the responses I got, because I did it for you".

Ralph went on to explain about his visits whilst Juan had been away.

Only a few words into his explanation he could see the frown of disapproval on Juan's face, but he continued, finishing with.

"So they are all agreeable to forming a financial coalition, it would reduce our exposure to around two hundred and fifty million, half of what Anton suggested would be an acceptable risk level".

When Ralph stopped talking there was silence, until he said.

"Please, say something, I knew you wouldn't be happy, but I thought if I did it you might see the positive side and at least consider it, this is a fantastic opportunity for the company".

Juan finally spoke.

"I'm not just unhappy about what you've done, I'm angry and disappointed, you said yourself, you knew I wouldn't approve, but you still did it".

Walking toward the door he said angrily.

"I'm going out on the terrace for a cigarette, and to calm down, don't follow me".

The slamming of the door signalled Juan's departure, Ralph sat for around ten minutes, feeling completely deflated, then realising Juan wasn't coming back he left the small lounge and headed back into the office, where he was surprised to find everyone waiting for him, Juan included.

As he entered Juan spoke, and it was with clear animosity.

"At last, now we're finally all present we can revisit the options before us, I say options because, as you've already heard, Anton believes taking on so much alone would not be a good move for us at this time, and I fully agree however, I've just been made aware of an alternative proposal which I feel everyone should hear before we move to a vote".

Ralph was completely taken aback, he hadn't expected that Juan would allow his suggestion to go forward but Juan continued.

"Whilst I was away recently, Ralph sought out several members of our family, suffice it to say, he has secured an agreement to form a financial coalition where we, ACT-Esse, would be a one fourth partner in the full One Billion Euro project".

He paused, allowing them to take the information in.

"I have to say, and this is something of an understatement, Ralph and I don't see eye to eye on his actions, but I have to agree it is a relatively safe way for us to proceed without our being dangerously exposed financially, so with that knowledge I would like us to vote on whether we should move forward to exploring the possibilities of being able to cope with the expected workloads and timetables, I will stress this vote does not commit us to taking on the project, it only moves us one step forward, there would eventually be a final vote once we have covered all of the necessary bases, are we all ready to vote?".

Ralph was aware that Juan wasn't looking at him, that he'd told them he wasn't happy with what Ralph had done, it wasn't the outcome he'd hoped for, in fact, he wished he hadn't done it, he felt completely deflated, and his loud response to Juan's question brought him looks from everyone, except Juan.

"Yes, let's get it out of the way".

There were stunned looks around the room, noticeably Juan still didn't look at Ralph, but carried on.

"The proposal is that we agree to explore the possibility of entering into a financial coalition where we would expect to be a one fourth partner, and that we explore the feasibility of being able to undertake and complete the work involved, at this stage there is no need for a second, the proposal only requires a show of hands, all in favour".

Anton's and Manny's hands raised, but Arty was looking between Juan and Ralph, he could see things weren't right, Ralph hadn't raised his hand, he was voting against the proposal, Arty knew if he raised his hand the vote would be carried, against what Ralph was indicating he wanted, so he kept his hands firmly by his side.

Juan was surprised, he'd expected Ralph to be the first to vote in favour, now it was tied, he had the power to bring it in as yay, or nay, and it was not what he'd wanted, so he directed a question to Ralph.

"I thought you were in favour, not long ago you were extolling what a fantastic opportunity this would be for the company, it's being voted on because of your efforts to bring it about, why aren't you voting?".

Ralph looked up, they could all see the moist eyes as he answered.

"I was in favour, I'm not now, why question it, you can vote it down, score a point, perhaps it will make one of us happy, you have my vote, now excuse me, I have much more important things to do on site".

Ralph then stood and walked out of the office.

As soon as Ralph left Manny's hand dropped, and he said.

"I changed my mind, I don't want to vote".

Anton quickly echoed Manny's statement.

Juan slammed the ledger in front of him closed.

"Why is everyone being an arse?"

Surprisingly, it was Arty who answered him.

"Not everyone, just one person, if you'd care to look in that mirror over there you'll see him for yourself, now I believe the meeting is over, I'm going back to the office for a couple of hours".

Juan watched him leave then said out loud.

"So, that went well, not, if anyone is listening the vote is suspended".

Ralph didn't arrive home until around thirty minutes before dinner.

Juan had already showered and changed when Ralph walked into their suite.

"Wow you're cutting it fine, can I lay out some clothes for you?".

Ralph's reply had a cutting edge to it.

"I don't need your help, the same as you don't need mine, I'll manage alone thanks".

The slamming of the bathroom door ended any further chance for conversation.

Ralph arrived in the dining room just as the staff were bringing out their first course.

"Apologies for my lateness, I was distracted and didn't notice the time".

Turning to Marcie and Arty's sons Chris and Dan he asked.

"And how has school been this week boys?".

Chris replied.

"I made the football team, Dan's trying out for the rugby team, he doesn't think he'll get in, I've told him he's got nothing to worry about, he's better than most of the seniors, if they don't take him my coach wants him on the under twelves football team, he's like lightning with his moves".

Ralph spent most of the mealtime talking to the boys, not one word was exchanged between himself and Juan, and it didn't go unnoticed when Juan made a point of passing a dish of vegetables to Ralph, he glared and picked up an alternative dish, leaving Juan looking stupid.

As they left the dining room Juan asked Ralph if they could talk, the reply had everyone cringing.

"No, I'm going out onto the terrace for a cigarette, and at the risk of paraphrasing you, don't follow me".

They turned in opposite directions, Ralph toward the terrace, Juan toward his office.

Juan slept on the couch in his office that night, and awoke next morning feeling sore and cranky.

When he entered their suite he could hear Ralph's shower running in his ensuite bathroom, normally he'd have stripped and joined him, instead he stripped and went into the second bathroom, when he emerged some twenty minutes later Ralph was gone.

Juan took his time dressing before heading to the small dining room where breakfast was always served.

As he entered he was surprised to find, instead of the noisy morning gathering, only Ralph finishing his breakfast.

"Where is everyone?"

Ralph didn't answer, so Juan tried a different tack,

"Why are you acting like this Ralph?".

"That got him a caustic reply".

"It might surprise you to know you don't have a monopoly on disappointment, so deal with it, I had to".

Ralph got up to leave, but stopped as Juan replied.

"Wait, please, I'm sorry, I overreacted, can we at least be civil and talk about it?".

Ralph looked at him, his face showing no expression, but his reply said enough.

"No".

But Juan blocked the doorway, grabbing Ralph into a hug.

"Sorry, I can't accept that reply, now try again, positivity will gain your release, negativity means I'll just continue to do this every time.

At that he locked his lips onto a struggling Ralph's lips.

Ralph's struggling got noticeably less as the kiss continued, until Juan broke the lip lock.

"Now would you like to try that reply again?"

Ralph replied.

"No".

Juan's lips were back in place before he'd finished his reply.

Each could feel the urgent mound of flesh pushing out the front of the others pants.

When Juan broke the lip lock this time Ralph actually smiled, and said.

"I don't know".

Juan's lips were again in place before Ralph finished answering, but the punishment was now clearly being enjoyed by both parties.

A breathless Juan broke the lip lock and Ralph didn't wait for the question.

"Yes, if I can have another kiss".

Juan was only too willing to oblige.

This time when they parted lips Juan continued to hold him.

"I am really sorry, I shouldn't have reacted that way, I can see why you did it, it's a damn good plan, and I promise I'll try to stop and take a rain check before exploding like a rocket in future, now will you join me while I have some breakfast?".

Ralph's reply had him gulping.

"No, I'll be naked, spread eagled, face down on our bed when you finish breakfast, don't rush your food".

As Ralph left Juan grabbed a slice of toast, quickly buttering it he almost ran to their suite.

A couple of hours later, glowing from orgasm, and a hot steamy shower (in more ways than one), Juan received the call from the clinic in Miami.

"Okay, tell him thanks, just let me cut the call, then when you call back I'll let it go to voicemail, that way I can play it back for Anton, and thank you, you don't know how grateful we are".

Juan cut the call and a few seconds later it rang again, he let it go to voicemail whilst he and Ralph headed for the lounge.

They walked hand in hand into the lounge to find Anton sitting on Manny's lap cuddling.

Juan said.

"Anton, I have news from the Clinic in Miami, I didn't get to speak directly with him but he left a recorded message, to be passed on by the assistant who called me, I taped it, I'll let you draw your own conclusions from what he said, I haven't heard it yet"

"Juan, it's so good to hear from you, I was really sorry to hear about Pierre, I so loved that boy, such a fighter, I examined the medical notes you sent to me, I'd like him in for tests as soon as possible, this guy should be walking, whoever examined him and made a decision not to operate, either messed up writing these notes, or they're not right in the head, and I believe it's the latter because all of the X-rays and scans tell me it should be a breeze to get him back on his feet walking normally, in fact wait until I've done the tests and if I'm right, I'll support a malpractice suit against whoever made the decision not to treat him, speak soon, get him to me pronto".

Anton was crying and being hugged by an equally emotional Manny.

Juan and Ralph hugged each other then joined in a group hug.

When they'd calmed a little Juan called Carry.

"Hi Sister in Law, I need a favour in the next week, Anton has to go to Miami, the Specialist thinks it's possible to put him right, would you be able to supply a plane or do I need to charter one?, okay, that's cool, I'll let you know a definite date as soon as I have one, love you, love to Bro".

Turning to them all he explained.

"She'll know as soon as we can give her a definite date, but if she hasn't got one spare, she'll arrange a charter, she'll get a better rate than we would, now then Anton, call the clinic and get a definite date, then we'll set about making the arrangements to get you there".

Anton was clearly torn.

"I can't just drop everything, I need to be here right now, there'll be so much to do on this financial tie up, then there's working out with Ralph and Manny staffing, costings, it's just not possible".

Juan took him by the shoulders.

"Stop, you'll both brief your assistants on the normal day to day running, Manny's going with you, everything else is on hold until you're up and running, quite literally, now do as you're told, you're going to Miami and when you return I want you to walk back into this apartment, that's an order".

Three days later they all gathered to wave them off, with not a dry eye in sight, even young Chris and Dan were tearful.

The day before they left Juan had called another board meeting.

"The last time we met didn't quite go as planned, so before we send our boy off to Miami for a refit, I thought we could have another stab at getting it right, the fiasco last time was entirely my fault and I apologise to all of you, now, I'm proposing we consider in principle that we will, in due course, take positive steps toward accepting the full project of eight sites, if we agree, I'll inform the necessary authorities that we will be looking into it and will give them a final reply within six months, no sooner, if that's not acceptable, then we decline to be involved, so a show of hands please, all in favour".

The vote was carried unanimously.

When Juan communicated their decision to the Local Government Committees he was given the go ahead to take as long as he needed, they wanted the projects to be finished to a high standard, in particular they'd expressed a request that as much good quality affordable housing as possible, for younger first time buyers was incorporated, and Juan had assured them that would be a priority item.

Manny and Anton left on a Friday, and on Sunday morning a clearly agitated Arty came almost running in search of Juan and Ralph.

He found Ralph in the breakfast room.

"Ralph it's Marcie, she's in labour, the baby's coming, I need you to look after the boys for us".

Ralph had gone to find Juan and together they went to Arty's apartment where Juan took charge.

"Okay, there's a car waiting downstairs for you, no driving Arty you're too wound up, get a cab back, put it on the company account, the boys will be fine, I'll work from here for the next week, I'll get them off to school in the mornings, and I'll deal with any after school activities, don't worry we've got it covered, they can choose bedrooms in our corridor so they're close by during the night until you come home, now go, bring us home another little angel".

They'd kissed and hugged Marcie before sending them off to the hospital, apparently none too soon, Arty called a little over two hours later to say they had another son, both mother and baby were doing fine.

As it was only around eleven in the morning Juan told Arty they'd bring the boys in for visiting around four in the afternoon, giving Marcie time to rest.

As soon as they told the boys about their new little brother, they were chomping at the bit to go and see him and their Momma.

Juan had them move their things from the bedrooms they'd chosen near to his and Ralph's, back to their own bedrooms because Arty would be coming home later that evening.

Marcie was discharged from the maternity unit on the third day, the boys were allowed to miss school to welcome their Momma and little brother home.

It was an emotional week, the day after Marcie came home, Manny called to tell them Anton was being prepped for theatre, he was a complete emotional wreck, it was Marcie who calmed him down.

"Manny you need to hold it together, when he wakes up he needs to see you happy not sad, go now, before he slips under, tell him we send our love and we're all rooting for him".

Anton was placed in an induced coma for five days after his surgery, everything, every step was explained to a worried Manny, who was reassured it was normal procedure by Juan when he called them.

"They did it with Pierre and with me, it's to give the rejoined and newly formed connections time to heal before they suffer strain from the body moving around, don't be concerned, stay strong".

Five days later Manny called to say he was awake, groggy and sedated, but awake, and they would have the test results in another two days, Manny sounded completely worn out, and Juan had a thought.

"Manny, have you actually left the hospital since you both arrived?".

The reply was slow coming, but it was exactly what Juan suspected.

"No, I was too frightened to leave him, I still am".

Juan didn't argue, he knew the feeling, knew exactly how Manny was feeling, instead he sent a message to the Specialist.

'I, we, want to thank you, I have no reason to believe the outcome won't be so far in excess of anything we could have hoped for that once again we'll be looking to raise you to Saint status, but I need one more favour, we (Thorn Family) own the Grand Mansion which stands between you and the private beach, at Shell Key, arrange whatever medical and physio team Anton needs for the next however many weeks you deem necessary at the Grand Mansion, and I will get you written permission, plus the necessary pass codes to access the beach, which will be linked to your property deeds, (a definite saleable boost) all billable to me personally, I'll wait to hear from one of your staffers'.

The following day Juan received a personal text.

'Done deal, thank you, he'll be discharged in seven days, alert your staff at Grand Mansion to expect eight full time medical personnel on Friday morning, duration five weeks, intensive therapy, then he'll be good as new, contact me if you want to pursue a malpractice suit, this was truly scandalous behaviour, appalled, not bloody happy, xxx'.

Fortunately, in four weeks, the boys had a mid term break coming up, so with Marcie and Arty's approval, Juan, Ralph and the boys flew out to surprise Anton and Manny at the Shell Key Mansion, giving Marcie a well earned rest.

When they arrived Juan and Ralph were shocked by Anton's appearance, he looked haggard, but completely happy at the same time, and Juan remembered, this was exactly how Pierre had looked, and how he must have looked, the result of intense therapy, to get lazy unused muscles working again.

They'd spent Anton's final week of therapy helping him walk to the beach, with the boys spurring him on, and at the end of the week, they flew home together.

When they arrived home, Anton insisted they all go up before him, he would complete Juan's instruction, he intended to travel up in the elevator and exit alone, walking.

Manny was a complete wreck, until the elevator pinged his arrival, with sticks steadying him, he walked out into the apartment before wobbling and being scooped up by Manny.

That evening, resting on a couch with Manny in constant attendance, Anton told Juan about a project he'd had in mind to save them money and improve their performance.

"I want us to set up a landscaping division, it will save on buying landscaping services in, and we can set our own quality level, because what we buy in is unreliable and the quality is hit and miss, we can't afford that, our landscaping and maintenance requirements are growing, it's time to get it pegged down to manage the costs, but much more importantly it needs to mirror all of our other levels of excellence".

Juan actually burst out laughing and he was joined by everyone else when he replied.

"Bloody hell Anton, you've just come through life changing surgery, followed by weeks of punishing physio, and your concerned about landscaping, you really do need to get out more".

Anton finally saw the funny side of what he'd said and laughed along with them, but he still directed a question to Ralph and Manny.

"One of your teams did the landscaping at the Mall project, how did that come about because it was excellent?".

Ralph answered.

"That was our Refurb team, we were let down at the last minute and the Manager of the Refurb Team offered to deal with it, he really is quite talented, he's done several of our projects where we've had communal garden areas, he always makes a success of it".

Anton was enthusiastic now.

"I think he should have the opportunity to form a Landscaping Division, responsible for all new and existing landscaping, I feel we would save money, though I'm not so bothered about that, it's the quality I'm excited about, I know our clients would appreciate it, and that alone is worth it's weight in gold".

Life was good in Madrid.

TBC Allan

Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.

Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.