Please remember to donate to Nifty, it gives so much to all of us. Any amount, large or small, is welcome in order to keep this free site available. Thank you, donations to the address below. http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html
Life's Illusions - Book Five - Chapter 20
JJ and Jem had finalised the purchase of Harbour House, joined forces with Piers and Milo to secure the building next to TF Managements Offices, and appointed a building company to redesign the lobby floor, creating a split entrance that was upmarket plush for the offices in the building, whilst a separate section welcomed clients into what was rapidly gaining momentum in the media, being talked about as what was coming, the most sought after remedial therapy clinic in the country, simply called 'Remedy', which would be opening shortly.
They'd allocated three floors for Ahmed's new venture, the first floor a state of the art gymnasium, with steam rooms, Olympic sized swimming pool, and post training masseuse rooms.
The second floor consisted of treatment rooms, full luxurious bedroom suites really, with jacuzzi baths, and massage tables, designated for in house therapy, but with a difference, half of the twenty suites on the second floor were being fitted with hi tech lift and move technology, specially installed for clients with mobility issues, Ahmed had been adamant, it wouldn't be cheap, but he wasn't excluding any client who could find benefit from their treatments, just through a lack of mobility.
The third floor was arranged partly as executive offices, but with several private consulting rooms, where high profile clients would be seen, out of the public eye, a separate, completely private elevator served that floor alone, from underground parking garage to third floor consulting rooms without prying eyes, no one could know at that point but, it would eventually prove to be one of their biggest income sources.
JJ had mapped out a decor scheme for Harbour House which Piers had offered to have accomplished before their return in one month.
And then the day arrived, the day they began their journey back to Montclair, leaving Ahmed behind to oversee the completion of his new premises.
JJ had spent more than an hour talking to his Poppas the previous day, explaining their decision to return to Sydney, they'd been bitterly disappointed, but they'd also been philosophical, reasoning the holiday visits would be all the more special, and they'd agreed to say nothing on the subject until JJ and Jem returned to break the news officially.
Piers had been concerned initially for the staff of financiers and project planners they'd assembled in Montclair, but he'd been placated somewhat by JJ's explanation.
"We don't want to shut down our operation in Europe, it's a really strong market, we know that, it's why we went back in the first place, but the problem has always been finding someone capable of managing it the way we can, a rare breed of financier".
Piers and Milo were baffled, until Jem explained.
"Marcel came back into the picture, he's like JJ, and he's like me, it's as if he's a grafted plant born from the two of us, he even argues with himself over the silliest things, and he wants to be in Montclair, the only fly in the ointment is him not knowing what he wants".
Just when they thought they understood, Piers and Milo were baffled yet again.
JJ sighed.
"When that almost war broke out with Daniel I made Marcel a promise, we would employ him until he decided if he wanted to be employed or a partner, and there lies the problem, he can't make his bloody mind up, Christ almighty Piers, you know what he's like, all his life he's been the same, how many times as kids did we give him two types of breakfast cereal and sit there giggling because he couldn't decide which one to have?, he's an absolute genius in business, he just can't make his mind up in his personal life".
Milo asked almost halfheartedly.
"So what are you planning?".
But it was Piers who answered.
"Take away the one you want him to chose, we made extra pocket money on that scam when we were kids".
Milo was puzzled, so Piers explained.
"All our friends knew how freaky he was, so we'd bet them we could make him choose a certain thing, all you had to do was take one item away from him and that became the one thing he desperately wanted, simple as".
The return journey was a much more pleasant experience for JJ, he was pain free and with his exercise routine coped easily on the flights.
First stop was Dubai where their private jet was met by a chauffeured limousine which whisked them off to the Burj Al Arab.
Check in was, as Jem would later describe it, interesting to say the least.
The manager Jem had dealt with in arranging for Ahmed to accompany them was waiting to greet them, that was definitely not one of his best decisions.
He reached out a hand in greeting to Jem who simply looked at the hand, not offering his own, instead saying.
"I don't shake hands with people of dubious morals, and you are most certainly in that category".
The man was visibly shaken, and withdrew his hand.
After completing their registration, JJ turned to the manager.
"Kindly convey my greetings to your General Manager, and inform him the Vicomte de Montclair wishes to speak with him, in our suite, within the hour".
They left him standing there, shocked, as a bell boy escorted them to their suite.
It was only around twenty minutes later that the General Manager arrived, Jem invited him in and offered a seat as JJ came into the lounge from their master bedroom.
He'd stood to greet JJ.
"Vicomte, it's a pleasure to meet you, I believe you were in some pain the last time you stayed with us, I trust our best physio's were able to assist in remedying that situation".
JJ was gracious in his reply.
"It's a pleasure to meet you also, and indeed your physio's did an excellent job of not only alleviating my pain, the person you allowed to travel onwards with us has continued to achieve excellent results in my general well being, which is connected to the subject I wish to discuss".
The response was exactly what JJ was hoping for.
"I believe it was Ahmed who traveled with you, undoubtedly our best, most accomplished physio, a real asset to the Burj Al Arab, has he returned with you?".
JJ smiled.
"Why would he return?, in fact I'm completely confused, you describe Ahmed as your best, most accomplished physio, an asset to the Burj Al Arab, so please, explain to me, why did you fire him the moment he left the hotel to accompany us, in an email no less, which in itself I see as an absolutely deplorable act".
The response this time showed clearly this person had no knowledge of the situation that had befallen Ahmed.
"I ........... I don't understand, ................ there must be some mistake, Ahmed is most definitely an asset we prize, .......... please, I would be extremely interested in hearing all of the facts surrounding this strange occurrence".
Around fifteen minutes later, an absolutely furious General Manager left their suite in search of the person who had fired Ahmed, vowing heads would roll, JJ and Jem were smiling as the door closed and Jem said.
"Ain't Karma a bitch?".
Jem took the kids 4x4 Sand Surfing again, JJ deliberated on joining them, but as Jem had told him truthfully.
"It is quite brutal, although you're strapped into a luxury vehicle, you get thrown around a lot, jerked back, forth, and sideways, I still remember when we got out last time, I had quite a few aches and pains".
After evaluating that information JJ opted for a day in the Spa, he definitely didn't want any return of the agony he'd suffered previously.
Their return to Montclair was celebrated by Jaque and Pete with a dinner for all of the family.
At the end of dinner, before anyone moved from the dining room JJ stood up.
"I wanted to thank everyone for the wonderful welcome home, but to be honest, we feel a little like fraudsters, you see, we won't be here for long, we're leaving again for Sydney within the month, it was fatal I suppose to go back at all, it only served to make Jem and I realise just how much we missed it, but the clincher came when Cade, Pev, and Gis gave it their seal of approval, we've bought a house, next door to where we were living, the house that Piers and Milo now own, so there's no excuse for your not visiting, between the two properties we can mostly accommodate the whole family".
After dinner, when they'd adjourned to the salon for coffee and tea, they were inundated with questions, from everyone except Marcel, which concerned JJ to some extent, but he needn't have worried, before the end of the evening he'd sat down with them both, asking.
"What will this mean for me?".
JJ had played his part perfectly, or so he thought.
"It doesn't mean anything for you, we gave you options, we wanted to ensure you had a reason to remain in Montclair, without being beholden to anyone, you haven't taken us up on either of those options, to us that means you don't want what we offered, so we're withdrawing one of them, the option to become a partner, the option to continue working with the company as an employee will always be there, we'll look elsewhere for someone to lead the company".
Marcel reacted exactly as JJ had predicted.
"But, ......... I was just waiting for you to return, I wanted to tell you in person, I want to join with you both as a partner, ........ I'm sorry, ......... I blew it didn't I?".
Instead of the result JJ and Jem had predicted, it had initially gone along the path they'd predicted, before shocking them both when it suddenly veered off on a complete tangent.
He'd walked away, leaving them staring at each other, questioning what went wrong.
Finally, dragging themselves out of their shock, they went looking for Marcel, but he wasn't anywhere to be found, it was a mystery, until they ran into Roslyn who'd said.
"You were playing him weren't you?, that's not something I expected from either of you, I have to tell you, I'm actually sorry I came this evening, I was so happy about celebrating your return, I even felt genuinely sad at dinner when you told us about returning to Sydney, but not now, in fact, right at this moment I'm not even liking you, so we're leaving, oh, one more thing, if you're really concerned about Marcel, he went to talk to Daniel, I think, no, with the mood I'm in at the moment, I actually hope you're plan has backfired so catastrophically on you it will teach you something fundamental, there are boundaries, I've always believed they were ingrained in all of us, tonight you crossed them, and I'm totally appalled, you really should be ashamed of yourselves".
JJ and Jem were left staring after her as she departed.
Marcel arrived back at the Chateau around ten o'clock, the guests had all departed, the children were in bed, as were Jaque and Pete, it was just JJ and Jem drinking a nightcap in the lounge he'd encountered.
He'd stopped dead in his tracks at seeing them, until JJ asked.
"So brother, did you strike a deal with Daniel?".
Marcel sighed, but he wasn't fazed, he'd collected a drink before slumping down into an armchair on the opposite side of the lounge to them before answering.
"No I didn't, and I really don't know why, he was offering what most people would see as a chance in a lifetime, but I just couldn't believe him, I think probably because of our history, I need a lot more convincing that he's genuine, so I'll resign myself to moving on again, I just don't relish the thought of telling the Poppas about that, I don't suppose you'd consider helping me out on that would you Bro?".
JJ stood, then crossed the room to where his brother sat, kneeling very awkwardly in front of him.
"Better still, slap my face, or punch it, either way you'd be justified, because I did something despicable tonight, I lied to you, I wanted you to choose to be a partner in our company, and I know from experience how shit you are at making personal decisions, so I took away the decision I wanted you to want, hoping it would be the one you would choose, but I didn't allow for the man you've become, the man I always hoped you'd become, the man who goes out to find an alternative".
Marcel was totally confused.
" I don't understand".
Jem answered him.
"We tried to trick you Marcel, we're not proud of it, and Roslyn worked it out, she didn't just call us on it, she blasted us on it, and we're sorry, it's not the way we wanted things to go, we wanted, no, we want you to be our partner, we want you to head up the European Division, but we blew it, so I guess we're all sorry, because now we're going to have to close down this office in Montclair, and all those excellent people will be out of a job".
Marcel was still confused, he'd heard the explanation, that really didn't matter to him, he would never believe his brother had anything other than the best of intentions for him, but his mind was asking, why close it down, they said they'd be taking on a manager to run it, and he said as much.
JJ's words were actually the clincher.
"Oh please Marcel, get a grip, you're my brother, you know me, you know Jem, how in hell could you believe we would trust anyone with that sort of responsibility if it wasn't you?, in that respect I'm happy to admit we're as freaky as you, that sort of trust has to be earned, you and I have it, Jem and I have it, you and Jem have it, we're not going to bestow it on someone we don't know based on what a contrived CV says about them, it's you or no one, now either slap me or I desperately need to try to get up, because I think I might be stuck, Jem help, my back is really hurting".
At that point all focus turned to getting JJ up and back into his chair, and as they got him settled Marcel said.
"So you lied to me?, I can still take you up on your offer?, because if that's true, then I'll agree, I'll be your partner, I'll run the European Office, as long as you agree, I run it my way".
Surprising even JJ, it was Jem who replied.
"Agreed, I'll put it simply, then we vote, no buy in, you become an equal partner, you run Europe, we run Australasia, either side can offer an objective viewpoint of any project the other is involved in, but neither side can overrule, are we agreed?".
All three as one voiced.
"Agreed".
And as simple as that it was sealed, though when JJ visited Roslyn the following day she took a wee bit more convincing, and she had more to say about Daniel.
"I can appreciate that you've made it right JJ, but that doesn't negate how wrong your method was, neither your parents nor mine brought us up to treat anyone in that way, you were playing with Marcel's life, and I would have you remember, he was in the position of being excluded from Montclair because he stood up for you, it would have served you right if Marcel had made a deal with Daniel, but I appreciate your coming to tell me it's sorted, I'm pleased at least that Marcel will finally be back where he's always longed to be, next I intend to administer a wake up call to Daniel".
JJ got a sinking feeling hearing Roslyn's words.
"Please Ros, it's all settled now, can't we just let it alone?".
She'd rounded on him.
"No JJ we can't, had I known what Daniel was holding over Marcel sooner, I would have stopped it, as I hope you would, but that's bye the bye, I intend for Daniel to understand, this is Montclair, Marcel is a Vicomte de Montclair, and no one other than The Comte will drive him from his home, if he dares to try anything like it again, I'll make sure he's the one leaving Montclair, and it won't be a temporary measure".
JJ discussed Roslyn's intended action with Jem, and they decided, it would be better to warn Daniel what was coming.
JJ asked to meet with Daniel and Junior, not at Maison de Due, but at The Inn at Montclair, deeming it better to be on neutral ground.
They'd taken a table in the bar, away from where most of the regulars were seated.
Junior and Daniel turned up on time, JJ offered to get them drinks from the bar, but Junior was suspicious, so JJ gave him a hint.
"Order whatever you want, I think you might need a stiff drink when we tell you why we're here".
Once they all had drinks Daniel said.
"Look if this is about me offering Marcel a place, he turned me down, I'm okay with that, there's no conflict".
JJ held up his hand to stop Daniel.
"Let me explain, it's Roslyn, she found out about you effectively barring Marcel from Montclair, and she's livid, it perhaps is worse because of who Marcel is, I can't disagree with her because had I known sooner, you would have had more than just Roslyn to worry about, having said that, we've settled our differences, neither Marcel, nor I, wishes there to be any further ill feelings, but you will also understand, stopping Roslyn is nigh on impossible, so I'm going to ask a favour of you Daniel, whatever she dishes out, take it on the chin, let her chastise you and be done with it".
Daniel started protesting immediately.
"No way, if you think I'm going to sit there and take a whipping from bloody Roslyn ................".
He didn't get any further, in fact he wasn't the only one to jump in fright, most of the customers in the Bar did as well when Junior banged the table.
"Daniel will do exactly as you ask JJ, and thanks for the heads up on what's coming".
Daniel started to protest, but again he didn't get far as Junior now turned to face him.
"Let's get something clear shall we, you started all of this, no one else, you with your vicious tongue, when that went pear shaped you did the unthinkable, you created a situation where an Heir of Montclair couldn't return to his rightful home, have you any idea what the Comte and the Mayor could do to you for that, or more seriously, what the citizens of Montclair, of which I am one, would do to you if they knew about it, I don't joke when I tell you, messing with the Montclair Family might just see them tar and feather you in the town square, that's if they were in a generous mood, I'm not asking you to do as JJ suggests, I'm telling you to bloody well be the bigger man, you will do it".
Hoping to ease the tension JJ asked Jem to get more drinks, Junior rose up and went with him, much to JJ's relief.
"Look Daniel, don't take Juniors mood as being all about this issue, he's torn on the issue with Guardian's future as well, it looks as though the company will go on the market soon, there's only one week left of Juan's ultimatum, and Junior hasn't gone back, I've been wracking my brain to try and come up with a plan to get all of them together, it's not easy but I might have a way, Jem and I could throw a leaving party, it's a long shot, but with this family it usually works if all parties are in the same room".
Daniel was listening, but his reply surprised JJ.
"Wait just a little longer before you say anything JJ, I promised you I'd do everything I could to resolve that particular problem, well I'm about to play my Ace card, it's also a long shot, but it's what you and I do best, a trade off".
Jem and Junior returned with another round of drinks and as they sat back down Daniel looked directly at Junior.
"I don't appreciate being dictated to, but before you start banging the table again hear me out, I'll accept what you ask in relation to me being the bigger man and accepting the bollocking I'm supposed to take from Roslyn, on one condition, prove to me that you can do the same, accept Josef's apology and go back to Guardian, if you can't do it then why the hell should I, and Roslyn can shove her sanctimonious bollocking up her arse, she won't need to drive me out of Montclair, I'll close down Maison de Du and leave, that's my offer, take it or leave it, Jem, JJ, good day".
Daniel walked out, leaving them all stunned.
Thankfully, Jem was the first to speak.
"He does have a point, it was a pretty big ask".
Junior jumped up saying.
" Get more drinks, we might as well get bloody smashed, back in a second".
He'd run outside just in time to stop Daniel from driving off.
"Drink driving as well, can't wait to tell Roslyn about that".
Daniel wasn't angry but it was easy to hear his patience was strained.
"Fuck off, I've had one gin and tonic, you'll note I didn't drink the second one, now if you'll kindly stop leaning on my car, I wouldn't want to be accused of inadvertently dragging your sorry ass down the road as I drive away, though I must say it's a very tempting notion".
Junior reached in through the open window and took the keys from the ignition.
"Come back in, let's commiserate together, get bloody smashed, if you'll do it then I agree, so will I".
Daniel nodded.
"Your wish is my command husband".
Junior laughed.
"Really, so why do I have the feeling I've just been played?".
Daniel was laughing with him as they reentered the bar.
"I don't know what you mean".
Jem welcomed them back with.
"Daniel you're two behind, Junior you're one behind, and it's your round".
Junior and Daniel clinked glasses and downed their drinks in one.
They'd carried on drinking at a ridiculous pace for several hours, until around eight in the evening when, as they were shouting for more drinks, Aly entered the Bar, shaking his head toward the barman he announced.
"There are two cabs waiting outside for you, would you care to walk, or be thrown into them?".
All four burst out laughing, but they didn't argue, they may have been drunk but they weren't stupid, messing with Aly was at best tantamount to suicide".
As they'd stood very unsteadily JJ said.
"Hold on, tips for a bloody good barman, dig deep fellas".
Each had pulled a twenty euro note from their wallets, handing them to Aly, with Jem summing it up.
"A most productive afternoon, with excellent service, give him our thanks, and apologies for being loud".
Daniel was in his office next morning nursing a severe hangover when his secretary advised him.
"Roslyn Montclair-Thorn called to say she will be here to speak with you at eleven o'clock, I tried to put her off but she wouldn't listen".
Daniel nodded.
"That's alright, show her in when she gets here, but before then, I want you to go out and buy a large, expensive, vase, I don't care what it looks like, in fact, the uglier the better".
Roslyn arrived at eleven o'clock on the dot.
Daniels secretary could hear Roslyn's raised voice through the closed door, with not a peep of retaliation from her boss, and she knew then what the vase was for".
As Roslyn exited Daniels office, closing the door behind her, there was an almighty crash from within.
Roslyn actually jumped in surprise, saying.
"Oh dear, what on earth was that?".
His secretary replied very dryly.
"A large vase I should think, much better that than your neck, though I doubt Daniel would agree?".
Roslyn tutted and hurried out.
At about the same time Daniel was hurling his ugly vase at the wall, Junior was dialling Josef's private cell phone.
"Junior, what can I do for you?".
Junior noted, he hadn't tried any bullshit.
"You apologised to me, I didn't accept it in the way it was meant, that's led to further problems, I wanted to say I'm sorry about that, I was angry, I should have waited until I'd cooled off".
Hearing those words Josef allowed himself to hope.
"Let's not get into the who should apologise for what stakes Junior, I know it was Daniel who started the ball rolling, but I ripped into you for no good reason, you were an innocent bystander, let's just leave it that I was a twat and try to move on".
Junior smiled, that was too good to pass up.
"Err, can I quote you on that?".
Josef was smiling too now.
"Of course you can, and in return I'll find the biggest, nastiest Black Ops to break every bone in your body, no offence meant by using a Black Ops, wouldn't want my brother to think I was responsible".
Junior laughed out loud.
"So can we Uncle Jo?, move on I mean".
Josef realised Junior wasn't doing this because he wanted to.
"Tell me what's going on Junior, because I'd like to say yes, we're family, we should be able to apologise and move on, but I'm not stupid, I hurt you, I know that, and I know you're a dead ringer for both me and your Poppa, which causes a real problem, because I can't in all honesty say either of us would back down, so there has to be more than I'm hearing".
Juniors mood went from laughter to depression in a heartbeat.
"Roslyn found out about Daniel forcing Marcel to stay away from Montclair, even though we've settled our differences she came gunning for him, I forced him to accept her bollocking, told him he had to be the bigger man, he threw it back at me, said if I could do it and return to Guardian he could do it, or he'd tell Roslyn to go fuck herself, close down Maison de Du and leave Montclair for good".
Josef wasn't sure how to answer.
"Why do you think he did that, to get even with you?".
Junior didn't even have to think about it.
"No, he did it for me, and for you, and for Poppa, he knows he started it, and he can see where we're headed, I don't doubt that he played me, used my forcing him to accept Roslyn's bollocking against me, but I can accept it was for all the right reasons".
Josef sighed.
"Junior, you have to know there is nothing I'd like better than to hear you say you're coming back, but we're not getting there are we?, you really don't want to come back do you?".
It was a few moments before he replied.
"I don't know, that's all I can say Uncle Jo, and now I'm scared, I made a promise to Daniel".
Josef knew what he had to do.
"Junior, if you decide to come back it's Guardian's gain, you're probably the best Regional Manager we have, and you know I'm not bullshiting you, but if you decide you want to do other things, then I'll be the first to wish you well, let's leave it at that, and I reckon Daniel will understand too".
They'd ended their call, both seriously deflated.
A few minutes after Junior and Josef finished speaking, Daniel received a call, the caller surprised him, but the request actually shocked him, still he'd agreed.
Junior was sat, head in hands when Daniel arrived home that evening, he'd asked out of genuine concern.
"Want to tell me what's the matter?".
Junior just threw it out.
"I couldn't do it, I spoke to Jo, but I couldn't do it, now I'm annoyed with myself, I made you a promise, I'm breaking it".
Daniel surprised him.
"I actually didn't believe you would do it, so it's not like you really broke a promise, I absolve you from the deal, let's have an evening of old movies, popcorn and beer, no thoughts or talk of negative subjects".
Junior couldn't believe it.
"You're serious, you don't hate me?".
But Daniel was true to his word, with fingers stuck in his ears.
"Lah, lah, lah, lah, no negative subjects I said, lah, lah, lah, lah".
Junior was laughing, which Daniel couldn't hear, but his happy face did prompt a response.
"Now that's a nice smile, keep it there husband, it definitely suits you".
They'd had a wonderful evening, watching one each of their favourite old movies, and when Daniel left the cottage for his office next morning, Junior felt free, there was no longer anything pressuring him to return to Guardian, he'd called Josef again.
TBC Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.