Lifes Illusions

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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 36

It was the first of the month, and Josef had just outlined the plans for Vinny to spend time in Sydney, Christchurch, London, and Rome, he'd be reconfiguring their work practices and installing his automated scanning program at each location.

"Is it what you want to do?, it's a simple question, I, we, want you to be happy, we want you to be invested in the company".

Vinny could be seen to be thinking about it.

"Yes".

Josef seriously wanted to scream.

"That's it, 'Yes', you don't think you should give us just a little more than a one word answer?".

Vinny was confused, he could see his answer obviously didn't please his father in law, but he didn't understand why, and after all, not much that Vinny did ever pleased him.

Juan was sitting opposite his brother, and he knew he was doing nothing to help Josef's steadily mounting frustration by trying, and failing miserably, to hide his amusement at Vinny's forthright, though annoying answers, but he loved his nephews innocence.

Josef was at a loss.

In all of his years as head of Guardian, he'd never encountered a situation like this, an employee, so gifted he would agree to move heaven and earth to ensure their happiness, just to keep them onboard, and this was his son in law, it should have been simple, but it wasn't, this was some strange species of employee, the like of which he'd never encountered before, and he was struggling, the boy irritated him terribly for some reason, he just couldn't put his finger on why, and that's when he made a fatal mistake, believing his bullying power would work, he almost bellowed.

"Fucking hell boy, I gave you a job, free accommodation, a plum management position, and all you can say is yes".

Well that got a response, oh boy did it get a response, but it was far, far, from anything Josef had been hoping for, and Juan looked terrified, trying desperately to understand how a situation he'd been chuckling about moments ago, had suddenly turned completely on its head.

Vinny had been chilled, he was pleased with being sent to Australia, it meant he, and his little family could spend time with his Poppas, his brothers, and his little sister, he wasn't really paying attention to his father in law, in all honesty he'd been daydreaming, until that last statement, but now his father in law had Vinny's full undivided attention.

Vinny was suddenly very pissed, and his reply made it abundantly clear.

"You gave me a job, because I showed you what I could do, it's true you give me free accommodation, but let's just clarify that point shall we, you begged me to live with you, to keep your daughter and grandchild close, and you gave me a management position because you knew I would improve the process and earn money for you, and as far as I'm aware I haven't let you down on any of those points, so you want an expanded answer do you, well try this for size, how the fuck do you dare to suggest you've given me anything which I haven't earned, you sanctimonious prick?".

Josef was shocked and made an attempt to answer, to backpedal, but Vinny's hand stopped him.

"Don't, there's no point, I've struggled with trying to understand what it is I do to upset you, but I give up, I can't work it out, it seems I just can't win, whatever I do it's never enough, I get that you don't like me, you've made that abundantly clear, but I won't be labelled as some charity case, I quit, you can shove your charitable job, and your charitable accommodation up your uncharitable arse, I'm out of here".

And the sound of the door slamming was the point where reality set in for Josef, whilst Juan just sat there looking stunned.

At 'The Nest' Paulette was playing with their son, Carry was watching and interacting when Vinny arrived home clearly upset, he didn't acknowledge them and went straight to their suite.

Paulette left little Andy under Carry's watchful eye whilst she attempted to find out what had upset her husband, but even she was incensed by what she heard.

"He made me feel like some vagrant he'd taken pity on, like he gave me a job and accommodation out of a sense of charity, I don't understand what I've done that gives him reason to treat me like that, I quit, I'm sorry, I know he's your Poppa, but I bloody hate him".

And she'd pulled him into a hug.

"Don't be sorry Vinny, you're a wonderful man, and you're a fool at the same time, you have no idea how clever and valuable you are, and I won't see anyone put you down, including my Poppa, he'll grovel and apologise to you before I'm finished with him, but tell me honestly, what do you want to do, what will make you happy right now?".

Vinny looked into her eyes and he could see she was being genuine.

"I want to go back to Sydney, I want you and Andy to know my family, because it's not been how I understood family should be here, I'm disappointed".

Paulette had been saddened, but she loved him.

"Okay, we'll leave tomorrow, I'll make it happen, you're mine and Andy's world Vinny, and you will be happy, or I'll make people pay for your unhappiness, now I need to explain to Momma, you just concentrate on getting your stuff together".

Returning to the lounge she'd explained to Carry the reason they'd be leaving the next day, setting the stage for Josef's tenancy in the dog house.

Josef had been startled by Vinny's outburst, but he still didn't understand what he'd done, unlike Juan, who was mortified by what his brother had achieved, so much so he vented his anger.

"Tell me you understand how badly you just handled that?, because I'm supposed to be the loose cannon, and you're supposed to be the diplomatic genius, so why the fuck would you antagonise him like that?, he's a good kid, he's done something Rick couldn't, and you made him feel like a charity case who should be grateful for whatever crumbs we throw him, I think we've just lost him, so you need to explain it to me, because he's not the only one who doesn't understand you right now".

If Josef thought his brothers wrath was bad, he certainly wasn't prepared for the call he received from Carry, which signalled his status from the outset.

"Josef Caswel-Thorn, tell me why you upset our son in law so badly that our daughter is packing to leave tomorrow, but in answering that question, you seriously need to tell me why he feels he is a charity case, and why his confidence in family life here is so badly damaged our daughter is gunning for you?, and believe me, she's not the only one, because I don't understand why you would do this to him either, you've destroyed his confidence in us Josef, and that's unforgivable".

When Josef arrived home he headed straight towards Vinny and Paulette's suite, but he came face to face with his daughter in the corridor, and her expression told him he was in for a rough time.

"Don't bother going any further, he doesn't want to speak to you".

Vinny heard the exchange clearly, they were right outside the door.

Josef sighed and said.

"I want to apologise, I went too far, he wound me up, what I said came out all wrong, please Paulette, ask him to speak to me".

Her face was a picture of complete anger, her reply only one word.

"No".

Josef didn't give up.

"Please Paulette, I have to apologise, tell him how grateful I am, for everything he's done, not just for Guardian".

And in that moment Paulette understood.

"That's it isn't it?, you think Vinny trapped me, married me to save me, and you think I married him to save face".

She was searching his face, watching for a reaction to what she'd said.

Vinny was also listening in their suite as she went on.

"Oh Poppa, you bloody fool, Vinny married me because he loves me, I've never had even the faintest doubt of that, and I married him because I love him, I always have and I always will, I wouldn't have said yes just to save face, but you really thought he'd trapped me didn't you?".

Josef nodded as she continued with clear amazement in her voice.

"You really don't know him, it's not so much that he wouldn't do that, it's that he couldn't, it's just not in him, it would be going completely against the values he holds dear, values I know he'll instil in our children, I used to think you were so alike, but I see now you're not, he's clearly the better man, and I'm not surprised now by what he said about family here not being like he'd hoped it would be, it's why he wants to go back to his family in Sydney, anyway, I have things to do".

She was surprised by her Poppas reply.

"Take my plane, but do one thing for me, ask him to give me the chance to apologise, I don't want you leaving like this".

She stared at him for several moments, as if trying to make her mind up, then she nodded.

"I'll ask, but that's all, you have to remember, this isn't the first time you've hurt him without cause, you apologised last time, and a fat lot of good that did, it didn't stop you hurting him again did it?"

Vinny had been nervous about dinner that evening but he needn't have been, hardly a word was spoken, except between Carry and Paulette.

Then, as coffee was being served, Josef said.

"I'm sorry Vinny, I got so much wrong, and you were right, I resented you, I don't want you to leave thinking that's how I still feel about you, because it's not".

Vinny looked up, he could feel all eyes were on him.

"You thought I'd trapped Paulette into marrying me?".

Josef nodded.

"I'm sorry, that was a mistake, I've had that explained to me, it's why I always gave you such a hard time, I can make you a promise, it won't ever happen again, but stay with Guardian Vinny, we need you, you're a remarkable young man, so far ahead of the game, we're truly lucky to have you".

Vinny nodded.

"Okay".

Josef couldn't help ribbing him, something which initially shocked Carry and Paulette.

"Just one word again?"

Vinny smiled.

"Yep".

And they both laughed, to the relief of their wives.

They hadn't left for Sydney the next day, they'd departed three months later, as had been the original plan, but to Josef and Juan's amazement, before he left Vinny tweaked their process yet again.

Josef had listened intently as Vinny outlined his plan, before saying.

"I like it, I really like it, hang on, let's see if Juan, Rick, and Carry are available, no time like the present.

He set up a conference call with Juan in Madrid, and Carry at The Nest, Rick came up from the office he was using to plan out the Data Save operational setup.

"Sorry for the interruption of your day guys, but you need to blame our little resident genius, he has a plan I want you to hear, I will tell you I'm already massively in favour, but I need to know if anyone has any reservations, can you see any drawbacks, okay Vinny go for it".

Vinny said his hello's and started explaining.

"You are all aware we've reached capacity in the current office space, so the dilemma facing us is, commit to extra space and an increased staffing level, or, as I've been doing, look for a way of reducing our workload, whilst retaining the revenue stream, and I think I've come up with a plan that does exactly that".

When he paused Carry chipped in.

"You definitely have our attention Vinny".

He smiled at Josef, thinking briefly, this is how it should have been from the start.

"I want to run the auto check on our Principals system, give them license, for a fee of course, to use our software, scan their new files overnight in their offices as we do, and only send us the files that have generated a red flag, it saves us all the time wasted loading files that are of no interest to us, but best of all, it allows us to free up capacity for new business, I predict we could operate with the current office space and workforce for a further two years, but we would have potential to effectively increase our throughput, and subsequently, Divisional earnings, by approximately one third".

Juan jumped back in now.

"You little fuckin Christmas cracker, that's an ingenious plan, I'm definitely onboard, I don't see any downside".

Carry's response was almost a mirror of Juan's.

"Fantastic idea Vinny, I'm okay with selling it Jo".

Rick had them all roaring with laughter.

"Could you maybe stop making me look like a Sloth, no seriously Vinny, a brilliant idea, I agree Jo, go for it".

Josef ended the calls with.

"Okay guys, thanks for the input, I'm going to approach our clients and test their interest, but to be honest I don't see them objecting, well done Vinny, yet another fantastic advance in process, thanks entirely to your expertise, I'm proud of you son".

By the time they left Torremolinas Vinny was genuinely sorry to be going, but it didn't compare with the sense of excitement he felt about going home, he couldn't wait to see his family.

Landing in Sydney they were exhausted, but all of that vanished the moment they came through the FBO offices into the arrival lounge, the faces waiting to greet them said it all.

The welcome hugs took so long they were crowding the lounge as other arriving aircraft disgorged VIP passengers.

Paulette had her first insight into what Vinny had suffered in leaving his life there, knowing the initial crap he'd exchanged it for in Torremolinas, and she would be tearful later that night as she talked about it.

Little Andy was a year and a half old, a toddler who loved everyone, and if they invested time into making him laugh he rewarded them with his trust.

Baz, Pil, and Jez had almost come to battle over who would carry him to the car, but Andy settled it by extending his arms out to Jez, he gave his trust to Jez straight away and giggled nonstop as Jez blew raspberries into his neck constantly.

Gracie had hugged Vinny, in turn crying, telling him she couldn't believe her big brother was really back.

Vinny had marvelled at how she'd grown, now nearly ten, going on eighteen.

But his attention had been focused on his brothers, he almost grilled them, had they kept up their school work, what were their stats, did they have a focus on where they were heading, until Baz stopped him.

"We're all on track Vin, so stop it, you didn't let us down, you gave us a shining example to aim for, Jez and I graduate in two days so you'll get to see how we did, but I can tell you, Pil has been top of his year ever since you left, and he's got it in the bag for this year as well, he's a good kid Vinny, you'll be proud of him".

At the house they settled in quickly, with Paulette marvelling at how Andy was entertained by his uncle's and aunt non stop, they seemed to revel in a younger family member, he wasn't an inconvenience to them, when their friends dropped in, he was still there in their midst, and their friends understood, he was an important part of their family, he was included in activities, until Paulette saw Pil talking to his friends, with a sleeping Andy in his arms.

She swooped in, scooping Andy up and kissing Pil on the cheek.

"Thank you Pil, I'll put him down for a nap, you go and enjoy the rest of the afternoon with your friends".

Paulette and Vinny had sat in the shade with Milo and Piers, and she understood completely what he'd given up to leave this place.

When they went to bed that night, they'd gone through the usual bathroom rituals, were about to get into bed when she'd enveloped him in a hug.

"I'm in awe now, because I know what you gave up for me, I always knew you loved me, but until today I didn't know how much they all loved you, what you had to give up, I'm not sure I would have been able to do it, they worship you Vinny, and you got such a shitty life in return, I feel so guilty, you deserved so much better than what we gave you".

Vinny smiled and drew her in for a kiss.

"I'll agree, I hated leaving them, but they had my Poppas, I knew they'd be good, and I loved you, so I knew I'd be okay, and you proved me right, I heard you, that day when you faced off with your Poppa, I heard everything you said about us, I sat behind the door and cried, you knew how much I loved you, and you confirmed something I knew anyway, how much you loved me, that's when I really knew, no one could beat us, we were strong, but I wanted you to see these guys as I do, they take love to another level, I never worried about bringing Andy here because I always knew, they'd almost fight to be the one who looked after him, it's how we are".

Two days later Vinny was up early on Monday morning, ready to start work, he was catching a ride into the city with Milo.

On the drive in Milo asked.

"So, we've been hearing some pretty mixed reports on how your time in Spain went, would you care to elaborate?"

Vinny visibly tensed up, and even whilst driving, Milo saw it.

"You surely didn't think we wouldn't know what was going on, but you never asked for help, so we stayed out of it, but I do have a question, and I trust you to give me an honest answer, has it been resolved, because if not, you aren't going back?".

Vinny sighed.

"I honestly didn't think you knew anything, but I can tell you with hand on heart, it's definitely been resolved, we're good now, in fact I was genuinely sorry to leave".

Milo nodded his head whilst keeping his eyes on traffic.

"Do you want to tell me what happened, or would you rather not?".

Milo knew Vinny wasn't the sort of person who felt the need to talk about a problem once it was resolved, and his answer confirmed that.

"Not really Poppa, I'll tell you if you insist, but it's water under the bridge, no good can come from rehashing it, and to be honest, I think it could unnecessarily affect your future behaviour towards certain individuals, which wouldn't be to anyone's advantage, does that make sense?".

Milo smiled.

"Yes it makes perfect sense, and I won't push you, but I can't vouch for your Poppa Piers being so easily placated, I suspect he already knows a lot more than I do, and certainly more than you think he does".

Vinny was baffled.

"How could he?".

Milo answered honestly.

"It's the nature of our business, there's very little that can be hidden from us, we couldn't let you go that far alone without we had some eyes on you, we knew there came a time where Josef's plane was on standby to bring you home, then it was stood down, your Poppa was about fit to burst at that point, I suspect he called either Carry, Josef, or both, and you know your Poppa, he wouldn't have been fobbed off, not where you were concerned, he would have threatened to descend on Torremolinas with all guns blazing unless he got answers, I'm not certain that's what happened, but I'd put money on it, so just be aware".

Milo could tell their conversation had saddened his son, so he changed the subject.

"Okay enough of gossip, explain what you're intending to do to my operation?".

It was enough to lift Vinny's spirits.

"I'm going to dramatically reduce your workload whilst giving you space for increased capacity, and, as a bonus, increase your revenue stream".

Milo was impressed.

"My boy, the conquering hero, returns triumphant".

Vinny cringed.

"A wee bit over the top Poppa".

Milo just laughed.

It took nearly three months to implement the changes into the Australian and NZ setups, then, all too soon, Vinny, Paulette, and little Andy were saying goodbye to their Australian family as they headed first to London, then Rome, and finally back to Torremolinas.

When they arrived back in Torremolinas, Carry was overjoyed to see Andy, remarking on how much he'd grown whilst they'd been away.

Carry told Vinny that Josef and Juan were in the office, and they'd asked for him to join them as soon as he arrived.

Knocking and entering he caught the later part of Josef's phone conversation, though he had no idea who he was speaking to, it certainly didn't sound pleasant.

' ...................... I've already assured you we are working on a solution for you, I don't know if we can cure it, ................ Do I need to remind you this is your own doing, a result of using cheap under qualified contractors, you should have come to Guardian, ........... Yes I'll get back to you shortly'.

Josef slammed the handset down to disconnect the call and turned to Vinny.

"Thank the lord you're back we have a problem, not of our making, but we've been asked to help and Rick admits he doesn't understand what's wrong, let me get him on the line and he can explain it to you".

It only took a few minutes before Rick started explaining the problem to Vinny.

"It's one of our major Principles, they commissioned a program to collect data by text and automatically enter it into their system, but the company they commissioned has gone into liquidation, and the program is disrupting their whole system, I just don't understand it, have you seen anything like it?".

Vinny groaned before answering.

"Why on earth do they always think cheapest is the best option, yes I know what it is, and you saying you don't understand it should say volumes, it's not something a two bit under qualified company should be handling, it's called TDT, Text Data Transfer, and it's hellishly complicated, I'd need access to their complete system, and I'd need you with me, can you give me around four nights, we'll have to shut them down whilst we work so overnights will be an essential?"

Rick replied enthusiastically straight away.

"I knew you'd get it, yes I can do that, I'm assuming you want to start this evening?".

Vinny replied.

"Yes, the sooner the better, if it's allowed to continue it will shut down their whole system".

Rick then asked Juan.

"Could we borrow your plane Juan?".

Before Juan could answer Vinny asked.

"Where are we going?".

Juan answered both questions.

"London, and yes you can, I'll travel with Jo for the time you're away".

Vinny stood up, as Rick said.

"I'll collect you from The Nest in about an hour Vinny, Jo can you tell them we're on the way and to have their senior IT guys on site when we get there, and tell them to expect to work through the night".

Vinny excused himself to explain his abrupt departure to Paulette.

Two hours later Vinny and Rick were airborne on the way to London.

Mid flight they got a call from Josef to update them and he had something to say to Vinny.

"I didn't get chance to say thanks for picking this up Vinny, it's a feather in our cap if we can solve their problem, Rick said if anyone could solve it you'd be the one, I really appreciate it, take care, see you when you get back, oh bye the way, we're taking Paulette and Andy up to Madrid for a few days".

Vinny said.

"Okay".

And they both laughed, as Josef cut the call and they heard.

"One fucking word".

Vinny and Rick worked non stop overnight for three nights to correct the faults in the programming, but by dawn on the fourth morning, the system was working properly.

The were on hand during the morning of that business day in case of any minor snags, but none were detected.

Vinny explained how he'd refined the program to allow it to be shut down without affecting the main operations, if they had to shut it down he showed them where all incoming data would be stored separately until a fix was implemented, and what to do if they needed to shut it down manually, he also promised a printed 'step by step' guide as soon as he returned to his HQ,

They arrived back in Torremolinas late afternoon, both looked completely exhausted having worked overnight and then throughout the day before flying home.

Josef congratulated Vinny the moment he arrived, telling him he'd taken a call from the Client CEO singing Vinny's praises, Vinny again reflected on how they'd been only a short time before, when Josef wouldn't even have acknowledged that Vinny was in the building, to now where he went out of his way to heap praise, but in the back of his mind there was a niggling worry, and Vinny knew he'd have to address it.

Early next morning from his office Vinny called Control.

"Would you locate Aus two for me please, I'd like a one on one, unrecorded please, if he has time to spare".

It was nine thirty in the morning,Torremolinas time, six thirty in the evening, Sydney time.

His desk phone buzzed.

"I have Aus two on the line for you, wait for the buzzer to signal recording is disconnected, you're connected now".

The Controller cut off and Vinny waited until the buzzer sounded a couple of seconds later.

"Poppa, sorry to disturb you so late in your evening but I need to know something, and it's a somewhat delicate subject".

He heard Piers sigh, and instead of the expected gushing greetings, he heard.

"Okay son, let's get straight into it, I suppose I was expecting this call, but it doesn't mean I haven't been dreading it".

Vinny ignored what his Poppa had said.

"You knew I was having problems when I first came to Torremolinas, I know you got involved, I want to know what threats you laid down, and I want to know them specifically, because I have a feeling they're the reason I'm being treated like royalty, and if I'm right I need to correct the situation, so please Poppa, tell me everything".

When Piers stopped speaking there was a noticeable silence before Vinny said.

"Thank you Poppa, I think I might need to amend your terms slightly, but I love you for looking out for me".

The surprise was easy to hear in Piers voice.

"You're not angry with me?".

Vinny smiled.

"No Poppa, how could I be, I'll speak soon, enjoy your evening, love to the family".

Vinny sat for a few minutes debating with himself, should he confront his father in law, or just let it lay there, and he decided it needed putting to bed, so he went looking for Josef.

He found both Josef and Juan in Josef's office, they welcomed him warmly, and he started out with a faltering voice, addressing just Josef.

"I wanted to speak to you in private, I'll come back another time, sorry I disturbed you".

Josef could see there was something on Vinny's mind.

"Wait, you can speak in front of Juan, what's on your mind?".

Vinny was torn, how to hint at what he wanted to talk about without giving it away to Juan, and yet still give Josef the option to shut him down until they were alone.

"It concerns a conversation you had with one of my Poppas, after I said I was leaving, shall we leave it until another time?".

Vinny was shocked when Juan, not Josef answered.

"Would that be the conference call to both of us where, apart from receiving several unbending conditions, Jo and I were each threatened with Eunuch status if he ever again got wind of you being unhappy because of the treatment either of us were responsible for, would that be the one you're referring to?".

Vinny could only say.

"You as well, I didn't know that".

Jo now asked.

"So what did you want to ask Vinny?".

Vinny looked at both of them, he hesitated, but he had to know.

"I apologise if this comes over in a way that upsets you, but I need to know................".

Josef stopped him.

"You want to know if it's all an act?".

Vinny nodded.

Josef turned to Juan, who sighed loudly, answering his brothers unasked question.

"I said this would happen, but he's got a right to ask, from his point of view it could be the case".

Turning to Vinny Josef said.

"Can you remember the date we had that argument, the day I apologised to you after dinner?".

Vinny nodded.

"The first of June".

Josef picked up his desk phone.

"Could you scan all inbound calls for two weeks either side of first of June this year, I'm looking for the recording of a conference call, it would be inbound from Aus two, and the recipients would be myself and Juan, call me back when you locate it".

Josef looked at Vinny.

"Once we clear this up, I can assure you, it will be forgotten, you had every right to ask, I would have done the same thing".

Josef's phone buzzed.

"Hi, yes okay, I'm going to pass the phone to someone else, I want you to repeat what you just said to me".

Vinny took the receiver and heard, 'There was only one conference call originating from Aus two during the specified period where Guardian one and two were the receiving parties, and that happened on the fourth of June this year, do you wish to listen to the content of the call?', Vinny passed the receiver back to Josef, saying.

"Tell him no, I don't need to listen to the call".

Josef thanked the operator and said no they didn't want to listen to the call, then cut the call.

Vinny spoke.

"It was three days after you apologised, I'm sorry I doubted you, I feel like a complete idiot now".

Josef smiled.

"Please don't, just remember who started it, that was me, thankfully you accepted my apology, and hopefully we now have a good relationship, we do have a good relationship don't we?".

Vinny half smiled, still a little embarrassed, but he nodded.

"Yes".

And Josef gritted his teeth, muttering.

"One fuckin word, how did I know it would be".

And they all three burst into laughter.

TBC Allan

Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.

Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.