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Life's Illusions - Book Five - Chapter 4
The second day had been more successful than the first, if that were even possible.
Every artist received praise, but the press were raving about DJ, predicting he was the next big thing, 'The boy with the velvet voice', was what they dubbed him, some even said together he and Pil were a sensation, the likes of which had never before been seen.
Pil was giggling as he read the articles at breakfast the morning after the concerts.
"The boy with the velvet voice".
Leaning in close to whisper he'd said.
"They'd be saying the boy with the velvet throat if they knew what you were doing to my cock last night".
At that point Baz coughed violently, spitting his coffee across the table, and Pil realised he'd not whispered as quietly as he'd thought.
As he got his coughing fit under control Baz looked at Pil.
"Jeez bro, it's breakfast, what you had for supper is not a topic I want to hear about".
The rest of the family looked mystified, Pil and DJ were both red faced, and Baz was now laughing uncontrollably.
The previous night had been almost a rerun of the night before, they'd got back from the stadium to be greeted by even more family, and another fabulous buffet.
But hardly anyone was in a hurry to get to bed.
DJ had traveled home with the family, leaving Ary, Trevor and Pil to do their visit to the greeting room.
He noticed a girl in the lounge when they got back that he hadn't seen the previous day, she was sitting alone looking decidedly nervous, he'd gone over to say hello, but as he approached she saw him coming and spoke first.
"You're DJ, Ary's told me all about you, he's been raving about your voice, after hearing you today I understand why, I'm Erin, Ary's girlfriend".
DJ liked her immediately.
"Thanks, if you knew how much I was shaking before Pil literally dragged me out onto stage you would have doubted I could sing at all, you look nervous are you okay, I know it gets overwhelming sometimes, I don't think I ever believed a family could be as close and loving as these guys, Ary shouldn't be long now, they were doing the meet and greets when I left, can I get you anything?".
Erin warmed to him immediately.
"No I'm fine thanks, we're leaving as soon as Ary gets here, he and Trevor have radio and TV interviews lined up for the morning from about six o'clock".
Ary and Trevor had actually departed around eleven thirty, the rest of the family carried on partying.
Pil and DJ had drunk several beers when DJ said he was tired.
Walking together toward their bedrooms Pil had stopped outside DJ's door as he'd opened it.
Before they knew it they were locked in another passionate session of kissing, it wasn't until he heard the door slamming that Pil realised DJ had slowly eased them into the room.
They'd carried on kissing, and moving slowly across the room toward the bed, finally feeling the bed behind his legs DJ fell backwards, pulling Pil down on top of him.
That was the point where the stopped kissing, Pil was looking down at DJ.
"Damn, you are one beautiful boy, I could definitely fall for you".
DJ started to giggle saying.
"I think you just did, you also kneed me in the nuts".
Pil was chuckling as well now.
"Well that's what you get for leading me astray, but perhaps I can be of assistance and kiss your nuts better, it would be my pleasure, and yours, I guarantee".
DJ was openly laughing now, but as the laughter slowed he was looking directly into Pil's eyes.
"I feel so safe, and yet so excited when I'm with you, I get this insane urge just to touch you, it gives me, ..................I don't know what, ............. confidence, ............. it's like I could conquer the world, ..... If I tell you something, promise you won't get spooked, or laugh".
Pil raised his hand to his chest.
"Cross my heart".
DJ was looking at him with glistening eyes.
"I don't understand how, or even why I feel like I do, it's only been two days, I've never even been with another person, male or female, I'm a virgin in everything, but I think this is love, it's what I always imagined it would be, my stomach does cartwheels when I see you, I'm panicking, then you touch me and it's like a calm settles over me, a warm wonderful glow that I never want to lose, so now I've told you, it's your cue to make your excuses, run like crazy, hide from the freak".
DJ had slowly dipped his head, he was no longer looking at Pil's face, he was to frightened of what he might see.
If he'd actually looked up he would have seen a look of absolute euphoria, Pil's heart was soaring, he'd lifted DJ's head.
"You're supposed to be the nervous one, the shy one, I'm supposed to be the one looking out for you, the strong one, and yet it's you who has the balls to bare your sole, to say what we both feel, yes, I feel the same, I see you and I'm instantly smiling, I didn't want to frighten you off, but now I know how you feel, you have to know, I think it's love too, but you're not the only virgin in the room, I've never done anything with anyone either, unless of course you count my hand, so let's discover this thing called love together, stay with me, perform with me, until you feel confident enough to make your own way in the industry, but promise you'll always come home to me and I'll be content".
They'd kissed, slowly undressed, explored every part of each other's bodies, they hadn't done the deed as DJ referred to it, that felt way too soon for both of them, but by morning, they were no longer just friends, they were definitely more.
After breakfast Pil and DJ were sat chatting in the lounge when Baz found them.
"Bro, I'm going back home tomorrow I've snagged a ride with the Poppas, I have masses of work piling up, and I'm pining for my gal, any idea what your plans are?".
Pil looked a little sheepish.
"I know what I want to do but I need to discuss it with DJ first".
DJ was puzzled and said as much.
"What do you need to discuss with me?".
Pil looked at Baz, who took the hint and left them alone to talk.
"I had planned to travel back home with Baz and my Poppas, I have a concert tour starting in just over a week, but I wanted you to come with me, would you consider it?".
DJ looked nervous as he answered.
"It's a big step Pil, I don't really have anything keeping me here but I can't pay my way, and I can't just sponge off you, what if you get tired of me, I'm frightened Pil".
Pil pulled him in close.
"Don't be frightened, I'll never tire of you, and I don't want you to feel you're sponging off me, I want you to have independence, it's a two way street DJ, you might be the one who gets tired of me, and I understand, you need to be secure if that happens, so I've made an arrangement with my Poppas, they'll explain it if you feel ready to sit down with them".
DJ was confused but agreed, so they'd gone in search of Piers and Milo.
Finding them in the conservatory Pil had said.
"Poppas, that thing we talked about for DJ, I'm going to leave him with you so you can explain it, I don't want to be here when you do it, because however DJ reacts doesn't need to be influenced by my presence, is that okay with you?".
Milo answered.
"Yes that's fine son, DJ, come sit, we have stuff to suggest, but I will stress, it's only a suggestion".
DJ sat opposite Piers and Milo as Pil left.
Piers opened the conversation.
"Pil confided in us that he was rather sweet on you, and if my radar is working well, I think you share those same feelings, anyway, he would like you to come back to Aus with us, but he was concerned about you not having a sense of independence which is where we come in".
DJ looked puzzled as Piers took a break and Milo continued.
"Pil felt if he offered you finance to give you independence it would mean you feeling beholden to him, spoil your relationship, so he asked if we would do it, and we'd be happy to do that".
DJ blurted out as soon as Milo stopped talking.
"I couldn't let you do that sir, I don't know if I'll ever have the means to repay you, it's very kind of you, but I won't be coming to Australia with you, will you excuse me please, I need to find Pil and explain".
Piers and Milo were left gazing after him as he left them to go in search of Pil.
Pil saw him coming and knew from DJ's expression, it wasn't going to be good news.
"Pil, I'm sorry but I can't accept your Poppas kind offer, it wouldn't be right, don't be mad at me please".
Pil was disheartened but he smiled when he replied.
"Come sit with me, I'm not mad at you, if anything I'm proud of you, but I am sad, you're not coming back to Aus with me are you?".
DJ looked sheepish.
"No Pil I'm not, but it doesn't mean I don't want to, if I were able I'd never leave your side, I'm going to try to earn a living here, your aunt Mel has told me I'll be living here and Ary has arranged for me to sign with TF Management, he wants me to do a series of supporting artist roles on concerts, I'm hoping that doesn't mean we lose touch Pil?".
Pil pulled him in close.
"Not a chance pretty boy, I want daily updates, we can Skype, then in six weeks when I finish my concert tour in Aus and NZ I've got a two month break, you'll be sick of the sight of me before you know it, but are you sure about this, nothing would make me happier than having you with me, the next six weeks are going to be awful".
Baz came back at that point.
"Have you decided guys?"
Pil answered him.
"Yes, I'm coming home with you guys tomorrow, DJ's staying here and starting his career, he's going to be working with TF, so I know he'll be alright".
Baz was surprised, but he looked thoughtful.
"DJ if you're serious let me hand pick you a manager, hang on".
He'd pulled out his cell phone and hit a contact number".
"Ollie, ........ I'm great thanks pal, listen, I need a favour, well really it's me doing you a favour, I want you to manage someone for me, ................. do you remember the young guy the press were raving about, ................ yeah DJ, I had thought he would be coming back to Aus with us and I'd sort his management, but he wants to stay here, so I need to make sure he's being looked after by the best in the business, ............ that's great, I'll bring him over to meet with you this afternoon, Oh and Ary's lining up some supporting artist roles, ............... great, if he's in the building have a chat with him, we'll see you later today".
As he cut the call Baz turned to DJ.
"Okay that's you sorted, now all I have to cope with is the moaning I'll get from Pil's management about my grumpy brother's mood for six weeks, I'll give you a shout later about nipping into the city to meet with Ollie, you'll like him, he's the most easy going person I've ever come across, until someone threatens his artists, then he turns into Rambo".
As Baz left them DJ said.
"I need to go and speak to your Poppas, I have to apologise for not taking them up on their offer, I cut them off rather abruptly to come and explain to you why I wasn't coming with you".
Pil was almost laughing.
"You don't need to do that, they'll understand".
But DJ was adamant.
"Yes I do, they were prepared to look after me just on your say so, I need to thank them for being prepared to take a chance on me, and apologise for not taking up their kind and generous offer".
Piers and Milo had waved him off with Piers saying.
"We admire your determination, but remember, you have a standing invitation to come out to Sydney, we'd love to have you".
Turning to Pil he said.
"You may regret travelling back with us, we have to make something of a detour, it seems your sister has got herself into a bit of trouble in London".
Pil groaned.
"I swear, if she's doing drugs again and you cut off her allowance, I'm not listening to her whining, she's run out of credit with me".
Milo's reply was quite short.
"That's enough Pil, she's your sister".
Pil walked away clearly annoyed, leaving DJ looking totally puzzled, and Piers apologised.
"I apologise for getting you caught up in that DJ, Pil gets really upset with his sister, as do all of her brothers, but there's no excuse for his rudeness in leaving you here".
DJ could tell Piers was embarrassed, so he attempted to smooth it over.
"Please, don't give it another thought, I'll go see if he's alright".
He found Pil out on the patio smoking a cigarette.
"You okay Pil?".
Pil turned and his expression said he'd just realised something.
"Oh shit, I'm sorry, I left you standing there, my bad, it's bloody Gracie, she's guaranteed to wind anyone up, even when she's not present".
Baz joined them, bumming a cigarette off Pil and asking what was wrong.
"Bloody Gracie, we've got to go back via London because she's in trouble again".
Baz's response mirrored Pil's.
"Christ, I don't need this, I dread to think what she's gotten herself into every time we get one of these calls, but at least we're arriving in force this time, The Poppas, me, you, Jez, Vinny, and Paulette, maybe with Vinny present she'll take notice, after all, he controls her trust fund".
Pil was still annoyed.
"Vinny's been the biggest part of the problem, he should never have given her access to her trust before it was due, it's made life that much more difficult for the Poppas, she doesn't listen to anyone, she scares me Baz, I keep thinking one of these calls will be to say she's overdosed and she's dead".
DJ had felt he was intruding so he'd drifted away leaving them talking.
It was about fifteen minutes before Pil realised he was gone.
"Shit I've done it again, bloody hell, where's DJ".
They'd shared a bed again that night, and it was an agreed decision, they played around a little, but didn't do 'it', they both wanted that to be special.
Next morning they'd said their goodbyes at Thorn House, Pil had been adamant, he didn't want DJ saying goodbye at the airport.
Pil felt bad enough about leaving DJ behind, the prospect of having a screaming match with Gracie was depressing him further.
When they landed in London it had been around eight in the morning, they'd gone straight to Thorn House, to be greeted by carnage.
Apparently Gracie had hosted a wild party, the house was strewn with rubbish, empty drink bottles and cans were everywhere, tables, chairs, lamps, we're all upended or smashed, the kitchen looked like a crockery smashing contest had been held in it, the amount of broken China and glassware was massive.
In the lounge there were bodies sleeping everywhere, some naked, some clothed, or partly clothed.
Vinny had gone around nudging people awake, telling them they had ten minutes to get out before the police arrived, he was sure most were still high on drugs and wouldn't want contact with the police.
The bedrooms had all been crammed with sleeping bodies, they been evicted using the same threat.
They found Gracie in bed with an unsavoury looking character who, when told to leave, gave Vinny a mouthful of abuse.
Vinny's fist in his mouth soon changed his mind and saw him scampering out of the house only partly dressed.
Gracie meanwhile was hurling insults galore at screaming pitch towards Piers and Milo.
But her brothers had learned from Piers and Milo during the return flight that Gracie had been sacked from her job for failing a random drug test, something which had finally caused Vinny to snap and now Gracie was getting Vinny full force in her face.
"When I gave in to your requests for access to your trust income, against everyones advice I might add, I thought it might make you take responsibility, I warned you about not supporting your charities, about getting into trouble, and yet I find out you've been sacked for drug taking, you haven't supported a single one of your charities, and what's more, you've spent over ninety percent of your annual income in just over six months, then I walk in here and see what you've done to this house".
But Gracie was furious and having none of Vinny lecturing her.
"I don't need you and your sanctimonious rules to tell me how to live my life, it's my money, I'll do what I want with it, and you can't stop me".
By now Vinny was furious.
"You really believe that do you, well that just proves to me how out of control you are, and I'm sorry to have to admit most of this is my fault, so I'm taking control, I'll attempt to clean up the mess I caused, I'm invoking the age clause in your trust rules, your income stops right now, you won't see it again until you're thirty, that's if I'm satisfied with your behaviour, otherwise you can come back when you're thirty five, and god help any of your brothers who I find giving you money, you'll go home and live with the Poppas, or come to Torremolinos and live with me, those are your only two options if you want any sort of income at all, am I making myself clear because I don't intend to debate this matter further, and one more thing Gracie, I'll deal with your attitude, your nasty mouth, but let me hear you speak to the Poppas in that manner again and you'll feel the back of my hand".
Gracie knew when she was beaten and quickly voiced her choice, thinking it was the one she could easily work her control over.
"I'll go back to god forsaken Sydney.
But Milo surprised her when he spoke directly to Vinny.
"We don't want her in Sydney, I'm sorry Vinny, she'll just cause more trouble and she won't do anything we ask, we're getting to old for her antics".
Vinny replied with a warm smile to his Poppa.
"Don't be sorry Poppa, I understand, I gave you the problem, I never should have, she's caused her own loss".
Turning to Gracie his stare hardened.
"Your options just got severely limited, you're coming to Torremolinos, and God help you, because if you think Paulette's going to be a pushover you're in for a very rude awakening, and the merest sniff of illegal substances around our home will see you out on the streets, and that's no idle threat it's a promise, in fact I think it might do you good to have to struggle to survive".
Vinny walked away leaving Gracie shaking with rage and glaring at her Poppas.
She'd tried to appeal to Pil first, but he'd just held his hand up.
"Don't bother Sis, I've just spent a week helping raise money for a charity to honour someone I loved and miss terribly, you can't even honour your commitments to a few established charities, I'm not helping you in any way at all, in fact, until you can show me you've changed, you don't exist".
She'd turned to Baz with pleading eyes, but he was ready too.
"What Pil said, it goes for me too, now get your shit together, you've caused us enough trouble, I want to get home to see someone I actually love, because I certainly don't love you, in fact, if I'm honest Gracie, I don't even like you right now".
Two days later, after a professional cleaning company had restored the house to its former clean status, and Piers had spent several thousand replacing broken and damaged items, they left for the airport, where two planes were now waiting.
Vinny had spent some time talking in conference with Paulette, Carry, and Josef, the result, they were all of the opinion he had done the right thing.
Josef had sent his plane so that the Aus family could be on their way without suffering further delay because of Gracie's antics.
Surprisingly, Gracie had cried when she realised at the airport, her Poppas and brothers had left without saying goodbye, she'd never been denied their love before, it hurt her.
In Torremolinos she was introduced to further shocks.
Paulette had arranged for the individuals who greeted them as they stepped off the elevator into the foyer of their penthouse home.
There were two Guardian employees, one male, one female, Gracie had been puzzled by their presence until Paulette spoke to them.
"Take all of her luggage, including her purse, anything with traces of drugs, however small, burn it, I don't care what it is".
Gracie started to object but she was brought to ground fast by Paulette.
"Don't, not even a thought of rebellion Gracie, I've spent the last two days hearing how much you've hurt people I care about, and seen first hand what you did to the London House, so I'm making the rules now, I'm your jailer, and believe me, you're not going to like it, but the alternative is there".
Paulette was pointing back to the elevator door.
"I won't have even a hint of drugs around our children, I'll protect Andy and Jacqueline at all costs, challenge me and you're out, fend for yourself, die on the streets, I don't care, now, if you're staying, go with Juliana, give her every item you're wearing and get showered, if any of your clothes survive her scrutiny you'll have clean clothes to wear, if not, there's a robe in your room".
At that Paulette turned and walked away.
Vinny was sat up on the roof terrace with his head in his hands, he didn't hear Carry come up.
"Stop that Vinny, it's not your fault, Paulette said this would happen, that you'd blame yourself".
He'd looked up at her, the glistening eyes telling her she was right.
"But it is my fault, they all tried to tell me, so many times, I wouldn't listen, she's my little Gracie, I made her this way, and she's hurt everyone who cares for her, I don't understand where it all went wrong, I'm so proud of Baz, Jez, and Pil, they are exactly how Daddy would have wanted them to be, and the Poppas treated us all the same, no favouritism, no special treatment, the only difference with Gracie was how I treated her, I spoiled her, now look what I did".
Carry sat down next to him.
"Vinny I couldn't have wished for a better man as my daughters husband, you know I love you, but if you have a fault it's giving your love when it's not deserved, not earned, god knows, in the early days Josef and I were guilty of hurting you because you allowed us to, but fortunately, you have a secret weapon, Paulette, I think she made you a promise a long time ago, that anyone who hurt you would pay dearly, well Gracie just put herself in Paulette's line of fire, it will either be the best or worst choice she's ever made, I think it will be the best, but let's see how it turns out".
Vinny nodded agreeing with his mother in law, he knew he could trust Paulette, she would take the challenge of Gracie on, and she would prove successful, it was why he had no worries about bringing her home with him, but he regretted the work he was placing at his wife's door, because he had been lacking in years gone by.
In bed that night he'd tried to apologise to Paulette but she stopped him.
"Vinny it's easy to think I'm willing to do this because I said I would stop anyone from hurting you, that would be easy to do, I can match myself against most anyone, my father taught me self defence, this isn't about hurting someone, it's about saving someone, to stop them hurting you without realising it, that's what Gracie's really guilty of, taking you for granted, using you, hurting you, and your Poppas, and not seeing what she's doing, I don't want to hurt her, I want to open her eyes, let her see the hurt she's inflicting on others, give her a chance to redeem herself, earn back the love that she's lost, she's important to you, so she's important to me, trust me".
He'd held her tightly as he answered.
"I won't interfere, I love you, I trust your judgement, I gave you my heart, I know it's in safe keeping, do whatever you can, right now my biggest fear is the one that Baz and Pil voiced, the day was fast approaching when we would get a call to say she'd died, I think that would kill a part of me, label me forever as a failure".
And so Gracie started her rehabilitation, it would be a long and bumpy road, unfortunately, Gracie was the one destined to suffer most of the bumps.
TBC Allan
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