Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental and no slanderous intent is implied.
This work is copyrighted and I ask that you do not copy, post or electronically download without my express permission.
If you are too young to be here or it is illegal in your state then please leave; finally if you are looking for hot sex scenes then look again as you'll not find any here.
Email me with your comments at ukwriter12@yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________
An effort has been made to only hint at the area that it is set in so it allows you to use your imagination... Chicago is mentioned, but then again so is Gary Indiana so we know the area it is based in. Other than that we simply know that it is based in a city and most cities have the basic things in common. ____________________________________________________________________________
MOONSIDE MANOR
Chapter 1 -- Worlds collide.
Let's be realistic, the day a person's world changes most normal people would be able to remember. Most people would look on it as a major event in their life. Me? I was unconscious, in a coma on a hospital bed, but things had definitely changed and there was no going back.
The room could only be described as a large sterile place that lacked any emotion. Except when I first came in and I was in and out of consciousness, during that time I could tell that there were doctors and nurses running around panicking.
Was I in such a bad way when they bought me in? I can't remember, but I can remember why I'm here.
The room was cold, perhaps that's because the walls were an insipid shade of blue that looked like they had been washed down more times than anyone could remember. Then there was that smell. I had got used to it when I lived in England as I was always in and out of hospital, but laying here the clean antiseptic smell starts to get to you. Hell are they going to be scrubbing me down with antiseptic wash as well? I would not put it past them.
It was a spacious place and had plenty of room to move, but you could tell not too large as there were scuffs on the walls and it was definitely not an inviting or comfortable place to be. Attached to the wall opposite my bed was a wall bracket where a rather small sad television was hanging. Begging to be watched, but missing it by a mile. There was also a headset to listen to the hospital radio and a phone station that worked through the headset.
Can a person feel comfortable lying in a hospital be? This mattress was covered in a plastic type of cover to protect it, but that just added to making it feel uncomfortable. No matter how many times the nurses plump your pillows and you sink into them you will always have this feeling that you are not meant to be there.
Ok, so why am I in a hospital? That's easy. It was because I had taken a bullet for a complete stranger, yet in reality our lives were always destined to cross.
Maybe it was my fault, but since Davy my partner had died I'd become a man of routine. Every day on my way home from a hard day at the office I stopped at the Mall, well specifically my favourite Starbucks to unwind with a cup of cappuccino; indulging in my favourite hobby of watching the world go by.
I love watching people; a college student here, or Mike Harvard the owner of the gym strolling around in just his shorts and muscle shirt on a hot summer's day. Then there was window shopping that I was able to do on my way through the Mall. I don't know if it is my background and how I grew up, but I tended to do more window shopping than actual shopping. Yes, at the moment I loved life.
There was only one drawback. I was incredibly lonely since Davy left me. For the first time in my life I had everything a man could desire and things were really working out for me, but I was lonely. The only thing that I did not have was love. Since Davy died I had no desire to have any of my good fortune, but I knew in the future that there would be someone special again. So I continued to try to live a normal life.
Here I was, as routine demanded, just watching the world go by and doing nothing about it. It was wonderful. Every day for just a few moments I was here, outside the same store. So was it coincidence that on that day I saw something that caught my eye?
I thought it was the cute college student walking towards me dressed in what appeared to be designer clothes. Then in the background something else caught my eye as well, but failed to register to begin with. Maybe I was a little distracted.
Did I say he was cute? He was absolutely stunning! See, I told you I was distracted. He was a little young for me, maybe about twenty but I could still enjoy perfection and my gaydar was definitely going off the scale. My mind was working on ways of getting to know him. He was definitely my type with typical Italian looks and dark, almost shiny black hair and strikingly blue eyes.
Anyway being an English man around town, as I was watching this student I sensed something was most definitely wrong and I did not know why I felt that way. It was only when it was almost too late that I saw something that was very much out of place.
Across the way on the opposite side of the Mall was a man leaning against the wall, watching the student's every move. He was completely dressed in black, including a black hoody that almost covered his entire face.
Why out of place I hear you say? Well remember this is America and a very hot summer's day. What worried me were those eyes... they definitely looked familiar; almost sad, in an odd sort of way. What was more worrying was that they were definitely watching this student's every move. Or so it seemed.
In books the author would tell you that time seemed to slow down as everything happened. In reality it all happened in a split second. This person continued to act strangely, almost fidgety and definitely odd. Then suddenly he pulled something out of his coat pocket. It was a gun! I had to act quickly as the student would not hear me shout because he had an IPod stuck in his ears and at that moment his whole world was music. Damn those bloody things!
I had no choice, moving quickly I threw myself at him in an effort to knock him out of the way of any bullet and at that exact instant I heard this unearthly cracking noise. Damn, he'd pulled the fucking trigger. I don't know why, but I never thought that I'd get hurt. I just acted on the spur of the moment. I also never thought that the bullet may have been meant for me as it was not only the kid that was in the man's direct line of fire.
I remember as we went down and hit the floor, I raised my head slightly and in that split second before everything started swirling around me and I started losing reality, I saw the shooter pull his hood down and stare.
"Help me! Oh my God, will someone help me?" He pulled his phone out and started dialling. I gasped and my head lolled backwards, "Don't you dare! Come on stay with me ..." he dropped the phone. That was the last I remember as everything went black. My last thought was the face of the shooter as he pulled his hoody down. I knew that I knew him, but at that very moment I could not remember where from.
Lying here, I think that over the last few years I've had more than a happy life and that was since moving to America when my company went global and its headquarters opened up in the city and of course my Davy made that happen. I had never been to America, but for some reason I just felt drawn over here. Anyway I've lived my life, but that kid had not. So I had no regrets, but who the hell was he, I really needed to know.
I'm President of Exley International'. A small computer software business that I started in a one bedroom flat in Cullercoats England, soon after I was last made redundant and my wife divorced me. Cullercoats is an area famous for exporting salt and coal; and here I was a redundant Yorkshire man sat in a small coastal town called Whitley Bay minding my own business, when an idea for Computer Security Software' went through my head.
It wasn't long before I'd invested all of my redundancy money and was making a nice living from that idea. The original idea developed into a whole series that companies all over the world were crying out to get their hands on. To say my company took off overnight would be an understatement, but because of my past I refused to let the company go public and was still the sole owner of it.
Ideas just kept on coming as I had worked in computer controls and security before being made redundant and was just applying my knowledge to the different areas of business, and everything went gold. It was something finally that I'd found that I could believe in and because I believed in it others did.
When the concept was born I was actually thinking of a good friend that had been made redundant at the same time as me and had moved back to London to find work, so what else was I to call it? Exley Computing' was born and that would eventually evolve into Exley International'. I also changed my name and became Jared Exley at the same time. This idea created my future and ensured that I would not be made redundant for a sixth time.
I'm now Jared Ian Exley. I would rather not tell you what my original name was as I hold no happy memories about that time, but you're bound to find out. When it became obvious that my computer software company was becoming successful all of the skeletons from the `Pratt family tree' (Ok ... I know I've heard them all!) came out to haunt me.
At first I was daft enough to believe family members when they came asking for help, asking for money but it got worse and worse. One even tried to take me to court stating I had stolen the family ideas for myself. Luckily the judge saw right through their façade and when I won the court case I moved away and have never looked back.
You know not once did anyone any one in my family say "Well done Ian!" They all had a reason why it should have been theirs and never ever have been mine. My answer was simple. Legally cut myself from the family, and move away from England; changing my name at the same time. Now, never mind the company, I'm worth in excess of a $100,000,000 and growing every day. The company... well that's worth a hell of a lot more and I still own 100% of it.
I made sure my kids were set for life, they knew where I was, but as they hated me for leaving their mum. The fact that they have a GAY dad means that they have not talked to me in over ten years. Not since the day that they got their money. They knew at that time if they squandered it then there would be nothing more. I am now by myself and loving every minute of my new life in the States. The last laugh has been mine; no one in my old money grabbing family can legally get their hands on me or the company. They cut me off, so now I've cut them off!
I'm now a 40 year old executive who's recently lost his partner, living in America a long way away from Cullercoats where it all started. My "small" computer company has grown into a multinational company working in many areas, not just computing. It, like the phoenix has risen from the ashes; it has risen from the ashes of redundancy and become a living entity. Sometimes, I think it's too large and I worry about losing control.
So here I am, four days later and bored out of my skull looking at a scrubbed and sterilised hospital room waiting for my body to heal and at the moment I was in excruciating pain. I hate taking pain killers you see, so would rather tolerate the pain as long as I can as the medication knocks me for six and I had to keep my wits about me. Of the two bullets, one had grazed the side of my head and the other had gone through my right shoulder.
Other than being sore for some time there was nothing serious. Hell my family come from working down the Yorkshire coal pits in the past, and my great, great grandfather had died down there so they had to experience a lot worse and I was always grateful for my heritage. One of my grand fathers actually broke his back down the mine. Suddenly there was a knock on the door of my room, "Come in."
"I'm not interrupting anything am I Mr. Exley?"
"Not at all..! Other than a lot of pain and please call me Jared. I have to admit that I am confused though as I thought you'd already taken your statement when I was bought in the other night?"
"We did. This is more a social call. It's just that we've had to have a security guard on your door because of who you are and the nature of the shooting, but twice now the family of the young man whose life you saved have tried to visit. I think it might be good for him to be able to see you."
"Strange, I've not had any visitors at all. Why has no one told me that they have wanted to see me?"
"Not sure really, but I think your doctor's exact words were `let someone into that room I'll have your balls for breakfast ... I want him to have complete rest!'" I very nearly wet the bed laughing as that sounded just like my doctor, the one that visited this morning.
"So why are you so brave then?"
"Oh that's easy. He's my partner and he knows I won't put out unless he lets me do my job." God his smile was gorgeous!
"Damn! They're always taken...! Why is it that every time I see a cutie just begging to have my body on top of him they're always taken! You know that you're not good for my health don't you?"
"Sorry about that. Listen, the family is Mr Barrington and his son. There's no Mrs Barrington apparently she died when Myles was very young and since then he has been everything to Peter. I've never seen a man so dedicated to his kid. If the bullet had killed Myles then his whole world would have ended. They're practically at the point of going to court to get an injunction to see you. All they want is time with you, just to get to know the person who risked his life for Myles. Are you willing to see them?"
"Of course...! Can you also arrange to have my people given the ability to have access? I run Exley International and need to meet my people daily. Well, at least my assistant should be allowed in."
"We'll see, but I'm afraid so far no one has tried to see you other than the Barringtons."
"Ummmm ... That's strange! What is it now three days?"
"More like four."
"They must know surely. Have you got a mobile phone?"
"Of course..."
"Good. I don't want to call, but I do want to know what's going on. I am really sorry to have to ask, but can you call 773 654 XXXX and ask to speak to the chief executive. If they ask who you are, tell them that you are calling from Wildcorp about the merger that is supposed to take place this week. Wildcorp is another of my companies, but no one knows that I own it. All I need to know is who comes to the phone and what they say. God, I'm sorry but I don't even know your name."
"It's Jake ..." He said as he dialled the number, "Hold on it's going through." After a few minutes of banter about future business, damn Jake was good, he hung the phone up but he did not look happy. "Apparently..." He paused and looked at me, "Mr Exley died recently and everything has been taken over to a Randy Hollister as Exley had no family or will at all."
"WHAT!" I suddenly started getting very agitated and alarms on machines started going off as a full blown panic attack gripped me in its insidious claws.
"Darren ... Help! Get the hell in here!!!"
"This is just what I did not want to happen. He is having a full blown panic attack for god sake."
"Sir, please this is what you do not need! NOW, as a police officer I have to ask if the shooter was really after Barrington. As it would seem your people do not realise that they've failed."
"Mr Exley I'm Doctor Darren Cartwright, calm down or I will have to give you a sedative to avoid the risk of the wounds reopening." Having struggled with panic attacks in the past I worked on my relaxation techniques that I had been taught managing to calm myself whilst at the same time thinking out a clear plan of action. Once I had it in my head I was ready for anything even with the agony I was in. Little did I know the agony that awaited me.
"Ok we need to get to Exley International and quick ... We need to act now as there's a board meeting this afternoon and I'm set to lose every penny I have."
"Look, if you do anything at the moment you could very easily lose your life."
"Then you'll have to come with me to make sure that I don't Darren... Sorry doctor."
"Darren's fine. Ok let's hear what you're thinking and then we'll see what we can do. I am officially off duty now and was just waiting for that big oaf over there."
"I take it he is talking about you Jake?"
"Ohhh yes Jared the doctor's my man!" His smile lit up the room.
"Jake, I need you to get police back up please."
"Not a problem, they are already on their way."
"Darren I need to be at that board meeting, even if I only manage to get out of here for an hour. I need to be there."
"I don't like it, but as long as I am with you then we'll see what we can do."
"I'll accept that. Now do either of you know a good organiser, or administrator who's looking for work? If so we need them, if you can get two that would be better. The big question, is can they all get here within the hour? Jake the police need to be dressed like business men as they will be part of the Wildcorp board. I'll pay for everything they need, but we need everything in place within the hour. Can you do that? I mean, is it possible?"
I sat there and just cried out "No! This is just asking too much I'm sorry we are too late!"
Darren took my hand and said, "Let Jake see what he can do."
Jake grabbed his phone and as he was stepping out I added, "Ok... Jake, the organiser I need to be my number one going forward as we are about to step on a lot of people's dreams. Can you help me? I am about to lose everything." I had tears running down my face.
"Darren, look after him babes. Jared, leave everything to me. I will not let you down, for starters the organiser? Hell yes, the best. My mother used to work for good old IBM for fifteen years, but the office closed and since then she has been a stay at home mom... She's the best. I'll call her and she'll find someone that she used to work with and they will still be here with the hour. I promise. Beware though when she gets here, she will take over once she knows what you need done. I'll talk to the Chief of police again to see what backup we can get. In the meant ime talk to Barrington. He may be able to help, he's quite a successful attorney and you look as if you may need one. Darren, stay with him."
"OK, I agree. Thanks Jake for everything." I suddenly gasped for air as pain shot through my body." Jake stopped in his tracks to make sure I was ok while Darren checked the wound and insisted that he gave me some pain killers. Not so much that they would knock me out though.
When I got my breath back after breathing into the oxygen mask I said to Jake, "You know if you want to leave the police I could use private security to look after me." Jake looked at Darren and some unspoken conversation went on between them. "Randy was also my attorney, can you show the Barrington in. It looks like I just might need a new one." Jake was now talking on his phone as he was leaving the room, "Oh, and Jake... Thanks."
I was so angry that the pain I was in just seemed to fade into the background, but so did Darren and he was talking to me at the time. "Jared! Jared!" Suddenly I looked at Darren. "Jared, the Barrington's are at the door, can they come in?"
"Sorry when I get angry I seem to fade out into deep thought. Yes show them in." In walked Myles and his identical twin, only he about 20 years older and to me he was ever so slightly better looking. Myles just rushed over to me and hugged me so tight that I felt ... safe in his arms. For the first time in my life everything felt, right and I just hugged him and tears came from nowhere. Darren stepped back and let the scene evolve.
I looked at Myles' face and he was quietly sobbing as well. I looked at his father and so was he. All I could do was look at his dad and smile. I mouthed, "Hello".
"We came to thank you and to make sure that you have everything that you needed, but it seems that you need us to help you out a little. Myles step back please so that I can thank Jared as well." He used my first name. As Myles moved back his dad stepped forward, kissed me on the lips and mouthed "Thank you for giving me my son" and his tears fell on my face and mingled with my own. Pulling away he said, "So I hear you need an attorney? I would ask for a retainer, but your security detail..."
"Who?"
"Jake your security guard has already paid it and said he would put it on his expenses. Don't worry it was only a dollar. Anyway, Jake and Myles will go into the Exley International building as these people from Wildcorp, just to see what they have to say."
"Absolutely not...! It's far too dangerous"
"Too late, Jake's already made an appointment for the two of us to meet this guy." Myles replied. "We are going to be wired so you can all hear what they have to say."
"What if someone recognises you from the shooting? They were bound to have been there?"
"Myles he's right, we'd not thought about that. Call Ed. He can do it for you and he can easily be here in 15 minutes." Myles stepped out, "Ed's his best friend, literally twins as they were growing up. If anyone can do it, he will."
"He seems like a credit to you Peter."
"Jared he's that and more, even though many a father would hate that he and Ed are lovers."
"Oh. So if someone was gay it wouldn't bother you?"
"Not at all, I'd be a hypocrite if it did. You see I'm gay myself, have been since before Myles was born. His mother and I married when we were very young. Just out of high school, Myles was born before I had completed college and his mother died in childbirth. I might be gay, but she was my best friend and I loved her dearly."
"What does he think about your partner? Do they get on?"
"I don't have one at the moment, but I think that I have met the man of my dreams" he never said any more and so I thought it was me he was talking about.
"Ed's on his way dad. Jared, dads after a good man, think you are up to the job? I'd love to have you as my other dad."
"Myles!"
"Peter shushhhhhhh... Myles I think it is a bit early, but I would love to find out if it's possible as I always wanted a son. It's now all up to your dad." The banter carried on for a few minutes, but at least Peter and I got on really well, even if he did seem distant.
Soon we were working on the plan for the board meeting and Jake and Ed had left to meet with Randy Hollister. God only knows where Ed managed to get "Wildcorp" identity tags from; within the hour they were back.
"Jared it is not looking good."
"Hold on for a moment, I hear that I have a private Security detail."
"Well you did offer the job and Darren has always wanted me to leave the police. We do need to talk though as we need to get a security team on board. I have a few mates from the marines that would love the opportunity and would be willing to step in. I'll see them later today to talk about it and hire anyone who likes the idea of working for you."
"Ok, we will talk and my personnel assistant will put everything in place with my attorney when they you are all officially hired. Now Ed tell me what you and Jake discovered."
He simply smiled, pulled out a recorder and told me that he had told them that he had to report about the merger bid to the "Wildcorp" board and since he was pretty new at all of this they would like to record the conversation." As we were listening to the recording a lady looking remarkably like Jake stepped into the room.
Once the tape ended Jake said, "Jared I would like to introduce you to Mary Gibson, my mother your new personal assistant. Mother this is Jared Exley, of Exley International. His partner, if Myles Barrington gets his way," Jake winked at me, "is Peter Barrington who I think you already know" thinking on it now again Peter looked uncomfortable.
"Hey what about us?"
"Oh yes, my bad ... I forgot about those two rogues in the corner. They are Myles and Ed. Mom, did you find anyone else like I asked you to?"
"Do bears shit in the woods? Of course I did. Your aunt Jennie, and you know her if anyone dares to step in her way when she knows she has a job to do just let them try and they will soon discover the consequences. Jared, she is on her way, should be here soon."
"Mum has Jake told you what's going on?" she just nodded, "OK, can you organise everyone as they arrive so that we have this thing coordinated and we all know what's happening?"
"Of course, and I like how you call me mom. If you want something else it's Mary."
Peter stepped up to her as she was about to leave the room, "Mary. My secretary Tracy is about to arrive and is bringing her laptop and a couple of others with some supplies that may be of use. Just let me know if you need anything else, but Tracy is completely at your disposal for the day."
"Thank you, Peter." Darren had previously stepped out to answer his bleeper and was coming back when he bumped into Mary.
"From famine to feast ... Jared I think this is going overboard setting up an office in the hospital!"
"Just behave yourself young man or there will be no more home cooking for you!"
"Jake you never told me the mother in law from hell would be here!"
"And he never told me that Doctor Frankenstein would be either."
"Everyone this is my other son Jake's partner, for anyone that didn't already know." Introductions were not really necessary.
"Ok, Jared I am stepping out to get things organised if you need me send Jakey to find me."
It was not long before there was a knock at the door "Hi everyone. I'm Chief Paul Gibson and I understand that I am losing my best officer to you Mr Exley."
"Sorry Paul. Good to see you again though. How is Christine?"
"Doing well and you would not believe how James is growing. Jared I have five more like him" he said as he pointed to Jake, "waiting outside. All dressed in the best suits we could find and do not even try to say that you will pay for them as Mary would never let me live it down."
"Oh, no you do not!"
"How does she do that? I was not talking loudly."
"It comes from having two boys. Tell him who your brother is Paul."
"Sorry Jared you never did learn my family name. Paul is my older brother by five years, but obviously I'm the better looking one."
After a short while talking, Mary came back in with two other ladies. Each of them had their arms full of presentation folders with the brief of what was about to happen. Mary described how things were about to go down. Damn I could see where Jake and Paul got their wits from. Then she introduced us to the President of Wildcorp. Well it was Jakes dad Steven Gibson, partner in "Gibson, Barrington and Smyth".
I looked at Peter. "Is there something else that I should know about?" We were fast becoming friend, but I wondered if we could ever be more.
"Sorry, Steven's my cousin and when Jakey heard that there was a shooting and Myles wasthe target he automatically called all the family. Believe me babes, they are all on your side" and he kissed me on the cheek. Hold on, he just called me babes. I could get used to this. Was I hoping for too much, but he did say that there was no one else. "You've met them all now, but let's see if I can summarise it for you..."
There was a pause and he went on. "Steven and I are partners in Gibson, Barrington and Smyth, the Law firm that now represents you. There is no Smyth, he was our grandfather who started the firm and we inherited it as we were his only grand children, our mothers were his only children. Steven is married to Mary, but was married when he was younger to her sister Diane who now lives with her partner Kathy and Steven's daughter Stacy. Mary and Diane are sisters and Steven always loved Mary, but they agreed he would marry Diane so that she and Kathy could have kids. Jake and Paul areSteven and Mary's own children. You already know Paul's family."
He paused, "As for my side of the family ..." I looked at him and I could see this was very hard for him, "I married my best friend Emma Caldwell, my sweetheart from school. Her family were always friends of Grandpa and Grandma and since my mother died when I was young it was Grandpa and Grandma who were the ones that raised me. So Emma and I were always around each other and even though I knew that I was gay I also knew that I loved her. We were only seventeen when Myles was born and even though we must have caused a scandal Grandpa totally doted on Myles.
"I was no good to anyone as I was devastated at Emma's death. We lost her mother and father at the same time as they were all in the same car driving home from the hospital when there was an accident. If it had been one week later it would have been Myles in the car as well. There I was still not even in college and a widow, father and still in school. I just wanted everything to end. It was Mary and Grandma that made me realise that Myles needed me and that it was time to move on for his sake."
I felt conscious as I was in tears, but looking around so was everyone else. Mary patted my arm, "Jared sorry to be a pain, but we really need to move. Exley International headquarters is twenty minutes from here, so let's get a move on as the board meeting starts in half an hour. Oh and Jared you're the President of Wildcorp's crippled son who cannot be left alone and always hides his face as he was badly burnt when young." She smiled at Peter "You young man can save the rest of the family history for when you are cuddling up to him at night in bed." He just blushed and Peter looked awkward; I smiled as he was so cute.
Myles and Paul stepped forward and helped me into black 501's and a black hoody that covered my face and then lifted me into a wheelchair, Darren making me curl inward so that I would not be recognisable.
"Right now no one goes in alone, we all go in as one as this is a merger and it is not unusual for a whole team to be present." Good old Mary had really laid the law down with Exley International when she called as the President's personal assistant. She had told them that if the merger was to go through then the Wildcorp board would need to attend their board meeting today. Damn she was good.
If felt odd being wheeled out of the hospital by my father, with my doctor in attendance. Steven was damn good as he kept looking down to make sure me, his son, was doing fine. Like a loving father concerned about his sick son would do. Mary stated that once we were in the board room the backup would arrive and would secure the building immediately as the police already had every one in place.
Soon the Limo's with the Wildcorp logo on the side, something I found out Ed had organised, were pulling up in front of my building ... It was all about to kick off and yet I felt completely safe and in control. The only ones that did not go straight in with us were Myles and Ed as we still felt Myles could be recognised. As soon as we were in the board room though they were escorted in the building and the building sealed off completely. _______________________________________________________________________________
That's all for now folks, chapter two will follow soon and we'll find out more about Jared and his background.
Email me with your comments at ukwriter12@yahoo.com