Well here starts Chapter 8. I hope everyone is enjoying Book II so far. Ben and Carlton are coming in two days and then flying south to the ranch for a day or two, then down to the desert. Robbie is looking for locations for two new restaurants and to possibly buy a home in the desert, a nice little get-away. What's with the man following Robbie?? Stay tuned for more. As always, I love the comments and any suggestions you may have. AND as always, PLAY safe, be true to your-self and please donate to Nifty!!
Ciao for now!!!
The Sexy Chef
During lunch, both men discussed the plans for their friends. Everything seemed to be a go and they were excited to see their friends again. Robbie brought up that he wanted to open two new restaurants, one in Beverly Hills and then one in Palm Desert. Tommy thought it was a great idea and that it would get them out of the city more. Robbie told him he had pulled up some restaurants that were for sale and he wanted to check them out while down South. Tommy liked the idea a lot and asked if he could help. Robbie said, "Darling, I always want you to help with everything. I always need you!"
Walt and Karl were waiting for dinner on Sunday evening and were looking forward to surprising Ben and Carlton. It would be a great reunion for all the men. Tommy and Robbie had gotten together with them a time or two for dinner or drinks. They were still splitting their time between the two houses, Karl's here in town and Walt's house in Hillsborough. They were still very much in love and both were doing quite well professionally.
While Robbie was in his office he called the restaurant with the staffing problem and was told by the head chef that things were back to normal and things were running smoothly. Robbie felt very relieved by the news.
He was looking at the prospectus of the restaurants and decided to take them down to his father's office to get some input from his dad.
He walked down to his dad's office with the papers just as Daniel put down the phone from a lengthy call about the new plane that would be delivered in the morning, two days earlier than expected. Daniel was excited. He asked Robbie if Tommy would like to join them in the morning to see the new plane and take a quick flight around the Bay.
Robbie grabbed his phone and called Tommy's private line. Tommy answered, "Hey babe, I was just going to call you to see how things were going."
"Things are great here, and Dad wants to know if we can join him and Mom to see the new plane as it is to be delivered in the morning and then go for a ride around the Bay, then brunch out?"
"I don't see why not. Everything is under control here at work for the moment and things are ready at home for the men when they arrive on Sunday. WHY NOT? Sounds like fun! What time should we meet them in the morning?"
Daniel said when asked, "the plane arrives about 8:00 am or so and then we can inspect it, go for a quick jaunt and then get back for a late breakfast. How does that sound?"
"Just great. Tommy is excited about seeing the new plane. Does that mean we can use `My' new plane for the trip South?" laughing with a big smile. I guess I will have get moving on hiring a hunky cabin boy to serve us while in the air!" Daniel started to laugh, knowing Robbie was totally joking, or was he?
"So, Dad what do you think of the restaurants I have picked out for Beverly Hills and Palm Desert?"
"I have narrowed it down to these two and have appointments with the current owners set up. I think for the price they are asking, it will be a total steal, given their great locations. There is ample parking and it seems they require very little remodeling, just some small stuff to make them similar to our other restaurants. You know, our personal touch!"
Daniel said, "I like the looks and the layouts. You are right about everything here, but Son, this is your division and your decision, so if you feel it is the right thing to do, then do it with my blessing. So far you have done an amazing job and all the restaurants are doing very well. I am so proud of you and love you very much!" The men hugged and Robbie had a tear slip down his cheek and a big smile for what his father had said.
Robbie went back to his office and did some more paper work and checked with all the restaurants to see how things were going. Everything was running smoothly and this made Robbie happy indeed.
Tommy was busy preparing for the two new clients coming in that day. Carl Brown was the first to come in at 11:00 am and owned `Brown and Associates,' an import/export company that sold glassware, dinnerware and did a very large business both in the US and Europe. Mr. Brown felt he had outgrown his present firm and didn't like the way things were presently being done. The head attorney was ready to retire and he just wasn't interested in keeping things running smoothly, nor was anyone else, so it was time to move on! He had heard great things about Gilman and Son and was meeting with them to discuss taking over the multimillion dollar company's business.
The second meeting Tommy had was in the early afternoon with Ms. Deborah Whiting, who owned a chain of dance studios all over the Bay Area. She was growing the business and needed a bigger law firm than the one she hadÉshe and her wife (Linda) were doing quite well.
Carl Brown arrived for his appointment on time at 10 am wearing a dark brown, elegantly tailored suit, light ecru French cuff dress shirt and stunning brown, yellow and cream striped tie. He was a man about 45 and was in great shape with a neatly trimmed goatee and mustache of light brown hair, quite a stylish man who carried himself very well. He was well spoken and very well educated with an MBA from Yale.
Tommy's Exec. Assistant brought him into Tommy's office where the two men were introduced and he was asked if he wanted coffee. His reply was yes, as the men sat down at the conference table over by the window of the office.
"So, Mr. Brown, please tell me why you came to us, what are you looking for in representation and what can we offer you that your present firm cannot?"
"Well Mr. Gilman, it is pleasure to meet you. I hear many great things about you and your father's firm. Please call me Carl!"
Tommy replied, "Call me Tommy and thanks for the compliments about our firm. We try to be diverse and have many clients with different backgrounds and life styles. Not that I advertise it , but I am gay and I just got married to the love of my life, Robbie about six weeks ago. I am sure you have eaten at one or more of his restaurants "Blackford's" and there are 10 around the city and the Bay Area. I hope this will not be a problem for you.
His Father, my father-in-law is Daniel Blackford, President and Chairman of Blackford Corp. He is a smart and wonderfully charming man." Carl smiled and said thanks for the info and doesn't make a bit of difference to him since he is bi-sexual and has a girlfriend and also a guy who he has been dating. He now thinks he is leaning more towards the gay side of life. Tommy smiled and said "let's get down to brass tacks, as it were."
Carl explained how his current law firm was not interested anymore as his present attorney was ready to retire and no one else seemed to care anymore either.
"As you know we import and export dinnerware and glassware all over the world and it is very profitable for us. At the current time, our revenue stands about $45.5 million and profits are about 1/2 of that. My personal wealth, some I inherited from my grandfather in a trust, and also from my father, since I am an only child stands at just about $43 million dollars. My mother passed from cancer when I was only 17 and just finishing high school. I live here in town and have a beautiful home in St. Francis Woods. It was my father and mother's home and he gave it to me when he retired and moved to Palm Beach two years ago. So, I am quite happy.
My male friend, named Robert, is a bit younger than me (39), has a great job as a buyer for Nordstrom's fine men's department. He is super good looking and we share a lot of the same preferences: like the same kind of music and we both love the Ballet. So, this is why I am leaning more towards the gay side of life.
Tommy said that was great and again asked what he was looking for in representation. "Just someone who cares about our business as much as we do and will be willing to work with us as we grow and become bigger and better as a company. I really want to move the firm ASAP here, if that meets with your approval. What do I need to do to accomplish this?"
"You need to send a Registered Corporate letter to your present law firm, saying you are severing all ties, effective immediately! Wish them well and also thanking them for their past work, and you will be signing with a new firm soon.
"Thanks for the information and I will take care of that this afternoon and have it sent by courier today. Where do I need to sign to make this legal for your firm to represent me and my firm?"
"Once you have sent the letter and get a response, I will have papers for you to sign by tomorrow officially making us your new law firm. If you have a few minutes I would like you to meet my father and fill him in. After all, he is the senior managing partner.
Tommy called his Dad and said they were coming down to his office for a quick introduction. They walked into Thomas's office and were greeted warmly and after a brief intro to the firm, Thomas got a phone call from another client and had to excuse himself. The two men left and as they reached the elevator, they shook hands, said good-bye and Tommy said he looked forward to working with the new business and getting to know each other better.
The doors closed and Tommy did a little jig back to the office. He was happy he just landed a huge new account for the firm.
When he reached his office, he called Robbie's private line and when Robbie answered, Tommy told him about the new client and Robbie was thrilled for him. "My big, fancy, handsome lawyer husband is so good at what he does and brings home big bucks to his poor, starving, underfed and abused husband, so I can keep us in tepid water and stale bread crusts!! I am sooooo lucky, so hurry up and finish your heavy work load too, so you can unload in me tonight. I am so proud of you!" Laughing, he said I love you and they severed the connection.
Robbie sat back and thought how lucky he was to have Tommy in his heart and soul, (and ass). He truly loved Tommy with his entire soul and body and knew Tommy felt the same.
He had a conference call with all his head chefs to go over everything and see how things were running. Everyone said that all was fine. Revenue was up and were fully booked with reservations for weeks in advance. All was good and Robbie was pleased.
He then called the realtors and made appointments to see the restaurants when they were down South with Ben and Carlton. He was excited for this new adventure. He also called a realtor friend who dealt in high end homes in the Palm Desert area. He would line up some places to look at. He was finished for the day and wanted to head home for a great dinner and long, intense session in the bed, the shower, or the floor, where ever the mood struck!
After closing up his office and saying good bye to staff, he sauntered down to the garage to collect his car to head home. As he crossed the parking area, he didn't notice a man standing in the shadows watching him walk to his car. The man thought, his time is coming and I WILL MAKE HIM MINE!!!
Well everyone, more excitement awaits, Ben and Carlton are coming in two days. His Dad's new plane arrives in the morning and they will take possession of the old plane as well. The possible new restaurants down South; a second home; and then of course the strange man who has been following Robbie; Stay tuned. As always, I would love any comments and or suggestions. Stay true to yourself, always play safe and please donate to Nifty!!
The Sexy Chef