Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2017 18:28:07 +0000 From: Clive Westwood Subject: Life's Illusions - Book Three - Chapter 2 - Relationships 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 The Next Generation - Chapter 2 The dinner party had been a great evening, for the first time Van actually enjoyed himself, albeit there had been a little drama. Woody had plagued Van relentlessly about coming in his pants, but true to his promise he'd snuck him in through the mews entrance and up the rear staircase, no one had seen him, no one other than Woody and Reece knew what had happened, for that Van would be eternally grateful. Gregor had returned to the hotel, retrieving all of Vans luggage before checking him out. Within a couple of hours Van was installed in one of the second floor suites, showered and changed into fresh pants. Much to Gregor's surprise, he was in an identical suite next door. That evening Van and Gregor dined with Woody, Jacqueline, Raul and Reya. Raul and Reya had lived in the house for years now, using it as Raul's London base for international travels, with Reya loosely overseeing the running of the house, though mostly she traveled with Raul. At first Gregor had declined the invitation, believing it more fitting that he should dine with the servants downstairs in the small dining room off the kitchen. Woody had visited Gregor's suite to deliver a message. "My wife wishes you to know, if you dare to not turn up for dinner in the family dining room, she will call Brenda, who as you know is a friend of Jacqueline, no doubt Brenda in turn will call you, Jacqueline also wishes you to remember, you may be a security detail on duty, but you are also a family friend, I agree with Jacqueline, not just because I think she's right, though in my opinion she is absolutely spot on, I agree with her mainly because it's a much safer option than disagreeing, that prospect frightens the shit out of me". By the time Woody finished delivering his message they were both in stitches with laughter. Dinner the following night was a black tie affair, it would be set in the Grand Salon on the second floor which doubled as a ballroom, dining room, or party venue. Woody and Jacqueline were hosting a large group of clients who were important to Montclair Winery with one very special guest who remained known to only Woody and Jacqueline. The guests began arriving around seven in the evening and the main foyer took on a party atmosphere, with cocktails and hors doeurves being served to the assembled guests. There was an element of anticipation because a hint had been given there was an unknown guest arriving but no one knew who it was. At precisely seven forty five a signal was given that the special guest was arriving at the mews entrance and Woody went down to greet him. The double doors of the mews entrance were thrown open and several liveried staff stood to attention. As Woody arrived in the doorway a limousine pulled up and Red bounded out, grabbing Woody in a hug. To the less informed, that would be H.R.H. Prince Harry. "Woody, it's been a while, far too long, I might come out to Montclair next year, I miss you guys". The conversation was genuine as Woody whispered his reply. "Let us know as much as you can in advance, but you know we'll always alter our plans if you need a bolt hole Harry, don't ever doubt that". Harry did the same and whispered. "I know Woody, it's why I value our friendship so highly, not many are prepared to shield me, you've done it so many times for me, for William, for Kate, you're a rarity Woody, a true friend". As they ascended the staircase to the foyer level a hush fell over the assembled guests, with Woody leading the way, Reece's voice boomed out. "Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome His Royal Highness Prince Harry". Reece was standing on the opposite side of the foyer, with a startled Van, who was totally blown away that this family had such connections, but he was about to be even more shocked. Harry did the obligatory introductions, spending most of his time with Jacqueline, then he surprised everyone by darting across the room to Reece and throwing himself into a hug. "Oh my goodness,if I'd known you were here I would have come earlier, I can't believe I have my arms around you, Wills and Kate will be furious, I might call them, I know they'd want to hug you as well, I cried you know, when they told me about Pauly, the swine, he always said one day he'd prove I had a heart, well he did, but you, this absence, what the heck has that been about, we've missed you, really missed you Reece, Granny will be miffed I got to see you first, expect the palace to call tomorrow, you won't escape, I'm sorry, oh shit, they're all staring at us, let's pretend I didn't just make a right tit of myself by almost kissing you and carry on". Van was standing gobsmacked when Harry disengaged, he'd listened to the whole conversation, this family were so well connected, no strike that thought, they were so well loved, it amazed him, and it reinforced his love of Reece. Later he would question Reece on why he'd not told him about the Royal guest, Reece's response was quite enlightening. "Because I knew it would serve as a lesson, we, as a family, a family you are thinking of joining, operate a set of age old values, we don't judge, we don't condemn, we offer help where possible, until now you didn't need to know, from this point on you will be included, and you will be expected to contribute, to help where possible, is that acceptable to you?". Van was positively beaming. "Oh yes, it most certainly is, count me in". Dinner was an enjoyable experience until an obnoxious man sitting halfway down the table said loudly to Gregor who was seated next to him. "Why do you persist in trying to engage me in conversation, you're a servant, I don't know why you're even sitting here, you should be in the servants quarters". The room fell silent, Harry's head jerked upwards, clearly wanting to smack the obnoxious lump, but knowing anyway, this wouldn't go unchallenged, not in this house, there would be hell to pay for this fool. It was Woody who responded. "Monsieur Braque, you seem to feel it is acceptable to insult my friends at my very table, and in the presence of His Royal Highness, I can assure you, it is not, get up, get out, do not ever presume to be accepted in my circle again". The fat, rude business man, made to bluster some indignation but Woody cut him off. "My staff can see you out, or throw you out, the choice is yours, I would suggest for the saving of some vestige of dignity you leave promptly". When he'd gone, Gregor was sitting red faced until, and without anyone noticing, Prince Harry was suddenly occupying the seat next to him. "Accept it Gregor, this family is like no other I know, they operate a system the world would be wise to adopt, it's morals are sometimes unusual, but a shining example to us all, they don't tolerate discrimination in any form, what they just did for you, they've done for me many a time, I would have been sunk so often if they hadn't protected me, what they just did was a shining example that no one person is better than another, hierarchy is okay as long as one respects the worth of the person you are asking to do your bidding". Harry held out his hand at the end of his speech and they'd shook hands vigorously. "If you ever want for employment, call me, I promise you won't be wanting for long". At just that moment Woody had arrived behind them, his statement shocking Gregor. "Bloody Hell Red, stop trying to poach our good guys, if you're not careful I'll set Jacqueline onto you, though better still I should tell Josef, he'd whip your arse". Turning to Gregor he said. "Ignore this knob, he's so full of shit, but seriously, don't give a second thought to what happened tonight, you are worth a hundred times what that fat old twat is worth, it wouldn't matter to me if you were an employee or a billionaire, I didn't approve of his comments, I don't want him near me in the future, if this makes sense, it wasn't you who prompted that exchange, it was the fact that he insulted my values". Gregor nodded. "Thank you Woody". As desert was finishing Woody rose to address the guests. "I'd like to apologise, there was an incident earlier, it was quite possibly my fault, I have a set of principles ingrained into me by parents this world would be lucky to have had as its parents, I won't compromise on those principles, those values, only a fool believes a fellow human being can be of a lesser importance than oneself, so I raise a toast, firstly to our Queen, God save her, then to HRH Prince Harry, and finally to equality, to the worth of a fellow individual". That night the problem of docking was sorted when Reece sank his rampant cock into a totally happy Van who screamed his acceptance, they were a couple, and they would be forever in Vans mind. The morning after the dinner party saw two special delivery envelopes, one from Buckingham Palace, the other from Kensington Palace. They were summoned to attend an audience with Queen Elizabeth 11, at eleven o'clock. The second envelope summoned them to dine with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at Kensington Palace, at eight o'clock that evening. At precisely ten forty five the Thorn family Rolls Royce arrived into the inner courtyard of Buckingham Palace. They were escorted to a sitting room where an abundance of family photographs adorned most surfaces, it was the Queens private sitting room. At eleven o'clock the doors at the far end of the room opened, and a footman announced. "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth". Reece could see her smile from all the way across that big room. As she neared them her gaze didn't shift, she was focusing on Reece, they both bowed, but she was on a mission, her hand came out long before she got to him. Reece took her hand, kissed it and let go. "Majesty". She was still smiling, but there was a distinct wetness in her eyes. "I cannot believe you are here, you've been in my thoughts constantly, now who is this with you?". "Mam, may I present Mr Giovanni Gregous". Van took the offered hand bowing from the waist and uttering the obligatory 'Majesty'. Turning back to Reece she said. "He's good looking, and it's about time, Pauly wouldn't be happy it took you so long, I'm pleased for you, just don't go disappearing again we missed you". As they were about to sit down for tea which an equerry had delivered, the door burst open and they heard. "Hurry up Daddy, out of the way, I need a hug, it's been so long" Entering the room were HRH Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh and behind him HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Ann. The Princess Royal made a beeline around her father and ignored protocol to pull Reece into a hug. "Oh I've waited so long for this, I should ask Mummy to send you to The Tower for denying us for so long, I'm sorry Reece, it was such a bad day, we didn't know anything was wrong, Red and Will both cried, I don't think we could accept it for a while". As she broke off Prince Phillip moved toward him. "It warms my heart to see you again Reece, don't be a stranger now, I'm an old man I can't afford to wait long periods, I'll have you put back on the active roster". They spent around thirty minutes chatting over tea before an equerry entered, he didn't need to say anything, it was a signal, time for them to depart, no doubt they had been shoehorned into those few minutes between engagements, possibly at the expense of someone else. Back at the house Van was excitedly describing the visit to Jacqueline. "It's unbelievable how much everyone loves him, The Princess Royal threw her arms around him, apparently Reece is going back on the active roster, whatever that is". Jacqueline giggled. "I suspect Reece wasn't best pleased to hear that bit of information, it means they keep tabs on you, if you're anywhere near an event they're attending, you may possibly get pulled in as backup material or, cannon fodder, as we refer to it". At seven thirty that evening they were escorted into Kensington Palace, then shown into the drawing room where William and Kate were waiting to greet them, William grabbed Reece into a hug. "I can't believe you didn't tell us you were coming, or that Red got in first, we've missed you Reece, don't do this again". As William moved away Kate moved in, again it was a full hug, no standing on ceremony, she had tears in her eyes. "You realise we have both pulled a sickie this evening for you, so don't be surprised to read in the press tomorrow that we are confined to bed with influenza, Ann and Red are standing in for us, oh it's so good to know you're back Reece, we worried so much over you". As Kate moved back both she and Willing realised they'd all but ignored Van. Kate took his both hands in hers. "Please accept our apologies, it must seem very rude, I can assure you it wasn't meant to be". Reece completed the formal introduction. "Your Royal Highnesses may I present Mr Giovanni Gregous, or as he much prefers................". Reece didn't get to complete the sentence as both William and Kate shouted. "Van". William went on. "Wow, this is fantastic, we have absolutely everything you've ever recorded, we are both ardent fans". Van held up the gift bag he'd been carrying. "I'm betting you don't have everything I've recorded, because this album was only completed a few days ago, the cover is an original watercolour artwork, it's the only one of it's kind at this point, presented to me by my management company, the real version won't be available until the second week of January next year, I'll sign it for you because it will be worth a small fortune once the album is officially released, I thought you might auction it for one of your charities, I'll make sure you get a production line copy to keep and use, and if I'm in the vicinity I'll do an appearance for you to up the ante on any bidding". Kate planted a kiss on his cheek and William shook his hand, both of them thanking him, telling him how much good that one small disc would do. Dinner was a fun affair, Pauly was brought up often and Kate took Van aside at one point, worried that he might be upset by all the references to Pauly, but she needn't have been concerned. "I think it's good, he was obviously a wonderful person, I would really have enjoyed meeting him, there are pictures of him everywhere in Reece's home, I'm of the opinion that's exactly as it should be, I know Reece still loves him, he always will, but it doesn't stop him from loving me as well, I found it quite sad when Prince Harry admitted he cried at the news of Pauly's death, that's testament to a persons popularity". Kate hugged him. "Red wasn't the only one, William and I did too, we all loved Pauly, it was impossible not to, he was so charismatic". As the evening came to a close Reece and Van said their goodbyes, heading back the short distance to the London house. The following day they were up early and flew out, heading for Rome at a little after ten o'clock. It was mid afternoon when they arrived at what Reece would later describe as the most magnificent place on earth. Vans delight at showing Reece his beloved home was clear, and Reece was completely taken with the place. Gregous, was a former palace, built in the early 1800's by a little known Cardinal, it nestled on a slight rise, in a just over one hundred acres of land. From the elaborate wrought iron gates bearing the house name in gold letters, it was almost two kilometres along a winding driveway, through an avenue of trees before the house came into sight. Gregor stopped the car at the point where the house came into view. Exiting the car Reece just marvelled, it was truly magnificent, he could see three floors from this elevation, plus another series of windows above in the large sloping roof. The walls and roof were clearly a soft stone interspersed with white marble, reflecting a pink hue in the afternoon sun, it gave the look of a large pink jewel nestling amongst the lush greenery around it. The final section of driveway arced around towards the house slowly, past a lake with its massive stone fountain in the centre, depicting four horsemen, the magnificent beasts they were riding rearing up onto back legs, with a myriad of water jets shooting up and out, the mist forming rainbows as it floated in the afternoon sun. A large gravelled courtyard fronted the house, it's entrance up a flight of ten sweeping marble steps. Inside was no less elaborate, the entrance vestibule alone took Reece's breath away, stucco, fresco and priceless paintings were everywhere, overall the room was a soft blue and white. Reece's eyes were drawn to three empty niches on one wall, Van saw him looking. "A work in progress I call them, they held three vases which, for around a hundred years, were believed to be valuable master pieces, it turned out they were copies, I still have them, but I want eventually to put something fitting in those niches, but it's not easy to find three items to do this room justice, I'm prepared to wait, maybe one day, hence, a work in progress". Each room seemed to outdo the last, there were in total five lounges on the ground floor, the ceiling height ornate doors of each one allowing them to be transformed into any variation of room sizes, or ultimately one enormous gallery, Reece admitted later he'd lost count around lounge number three. Finally Van showed him into a magnificent bedroom suite, looking out over the front of the house towards the lake and fountain, at this level the floor space shrank inwards by around five metres on the floor below, it wasn't apparent looking up from below, but there was a balcony running completely around the house on this floor. Reece gazed out toward the lake and fountains, then onwards, his eyes drawn toward the beautiful scenery of the distant hills and blue sky. All he could do was utter. "Magnificent, absolutely magnificent. Van was concerned, Reece had said very little whilst he'd been showing him the house, now he didn't know how to ask if Reece was okay with sharing his room. "This is my room, our room, if that's what you want, or I can show you a different room close by, I didn't know if you expected privacy, I won't be offended, honestly, it's not a problem................". He'd been gabbling, nervously, until Reece pulled him into a lip lock. "Our room sounds good, I want us to be together, I want you close, yes, our room definitely sounds good". Van was relieved. "Tomorrow I'll show you the land, there's almost one hundred acres, we have a river to the west, it feeds the lake, a series of underground pipes bring water in and take away the excess, we use the fall pressure of incoming water to produce the fountain". Reece was stood, still gazing at the view, his arms around Van. "I can see why you feel safe here it's wonderful, I think this will be our preferred place to be always, my only concern is security, you have no one at the main gate and there are a million access points, you'll need to bring me up to speed on the house security system". Vans head sank, Reece could see he was nervous about something. "Okay look, we are supposed to be in a relationship, so stop worrying about telling me things, if there's a problem we can work on it, but only if we both know what it is, so why the nervous look?". Van took a deep breath and went for it. "I don't have a security system, I can't afford it, we've been broken into several times, the house, the estate, they were badly run down when I inherited them from my parents, I had a problem with my finances, I lost everything I'd been relying on to help rebuild, it's taken me years to earn enough to repair and modernise the place, everything I earn goes into the upkeep of Gregous". Reece was shocked, this seemingly beautiful place was actually a dangerous place to be, they were easy prey for a whole raft of nut jobs here. "Okay that can be easily fixed, give me half an hour, we need to be safe that's a priority, those two gatehouses as we entered the property, are they inhabitable?". Van was confused, but he went with the flow. "Yes, that was the last project I undertook, to replace the gates and get those cottages renovated, they each have two bedrooms, they just need furniture". Reece found Gregor in the lounge, explained what he wanted and tasked Gregor with overseeing it. It took a little longer than he'd anticipated, but just over an hour later the three of them sat down in the lounge, whilst Gregor filled them in on what he'd discussed with Josef and Juan. There would be four permanent security staff based in the two entrance cottages, all had been available from their offices in Rome and would arrive tomorrow. A further two based inside the main house wouldn't arrive until the day after tomorrow but that was okay, for now they had Gregor inside the house. A specialist contractor would start work tomorrow installing sophisticated security systems inside and outside the house. Within two days Rick and Milo would visit to survey the grounds around the house, they had suggested the installation of motion detection lasers and pressure pads to show up any intruders, along with sunken steel bollards at intervals along the driveway, once activated, nothing could come up the drive toward the house. Van was listening intently but he looked crestfallen, and finally he said. "I can't afford it Reece, this place already takes everything I earn, the Christmas show I'm recording next month, I've already used that money to renovate the gate cottages, I just can't do it". Reece looked up to the ceiling and smiled, whispering. "I bet you're laughing your tits off right now Pauly Caswel-Thorn". To Van he said. "Are we in a relationship, are we a couple?". Van nodded, so Reece carried on. "Then I'm using my money to do this, it's as much for my security as yours, if there comes a time when we decide to formalise our relationship it would all become joint anyway, so it's a moot point really". Van could see Reece was serious but he felt bad, this was not what he wanted, he didn't want Reece for his money, heck, until very recently he didn't even know Reece had money, he had to stop this. "No Reece, I can't accept, it's not right, it's not a good foundation for us, I take money from you and I'll always feel like I used you, what if we failed, I don't want to think about that, I love you, but it's a possibility, neither of us knows at this point whether we are long term compatible, what happens if we part, I can't pay you back, I don't want to think of these things but I have to, Gregous is my family's heritage, it above all I cannot loose, it's been my life's work, I'm sorry". At that Van walked out of the room in tears. Gregor was devastated but Reece wasn't at all fazed. "Carry on Gregor, do exactly as we agreed, believe me, I've experienced this before, the only difference being, then I was Van, and a lovely boy showed me the error of my ways, convinced me I couldn't turn down the good because I felt I didn't deserve it, I had to accept fate, now it's up to me to try to make Van see sense, or at least fool him into believing, for long enough that he won't have to worry about what's past, now if you'll excuse me". Reece found Van in their suite, sobbing. Taking him in his arms, he pulled him into a hug. "Stop love, calm yourself down and listen to me, don't interrupt, you have to listen, will you do that?". Vans sobbing subsided, mainly because Reece was holding him, but he nodded. "Okay, here's what I propose, are you ready?". Again Van nodded. "You've been spending everything you earn to keep your head and Gregous above water, I'd estimate around five million a year, so over the next ten years you'll probably spend around fifty million, which you will earn, that's a given with albums, concerts, etc, am I on track so far?". Van was thinking, and he nodded again. "Good, so, that's your standard earnings, but roll ahead ten years and you have royalties, massive royalties, rolling in irrespective of whether you ever performed again or not, am I still on track?". Again Van nodded. "Good, so here's my proposal, I arrange a loan, not my money, completely independent, say fifty million, at say three percent interest, you pay only one and a half million a year, in ten years you can decide how to repay the original fifty million, it gives you breathing space, you can then afford to bring the whole estate up to scratch right now, and probability says you'll be in a position to settle the loan well before it's due anyway, you'll have three and a half million spare each year for the next ten years, that's thirty five million you can invest, so what do you think, good plan or what?" Van only said one thing, it was a statement, but also a question. "Not your money?". Reece put his hand on his heart. "Not my money, I promise". Van looked him directly in the eyes. "Okay, if you think you can find someone to lend me that much, I'll do it". Reece then proved he hadn't lost the ability to shock Van. "Oh that's the easy part when the family owns a bank". Vans look of shock caused Reece to burst out laughing. "I have to admit, I was you, a long time ago, I married Pauly worth around five million and seriously mortgaged, at that point he was worth well over a hundred million, I've been through this argument from your point of view, believe me it's stupid, sometimes principles can be a fucking nuisance, but I respect yours, I'll arrange a loan with Woodruff Banking, trust me, it's a done deal, now show me a smile before we go back downstairs to stop Gregor committing suicide, right now he's convinced Josef will skin him alive for letting me upset you". As they were about to leave the suite Van pulled Reece back. "That's something else that's been bothering me, when Brenda gives birth, what life is it going to be for them, Gregor constantly away, Bren on her own with the Baby, I want to offer them something better". He hesitated then went on. I want Gregor as our permanent security detail, Brenda and the little one to travel with him, do you think he'd go for it?". Reece was thinking. "Only one way to find out, let's go ask him, personally I think it's a brilliant idea". Downstairs they'd just finished outlining their plans to a stunned Gregor when his phone rang. "It's Bren, I need to take this sorry, Hi luv, what, oh shit, I'm on my way". Then he just sat staring at the phone. Van was the one who jolted him out of his fog. "Gregor, for fucks sake, is she in labour?". He just looked up and nodded. Then all hell broke loose, Van directed Reece to take care of a clearly mind blown Gregor and also call the pilots, they would be on their way shortly. By the time Reece had alerted the pilots and steered a shocked Gregor to the front door, Van had the car ready at the bottom of the steps. From that point on Reece preferred not to remember, he would later recall it was the most terrified he'd ever been in his entire life, Van was probably the worst driver in the world, how they made it to the airport was in Reece's estimation a bloody miracle. A little over four hours later, in the early hours of a cold late October morning they arrived at the hospital in London. Brenda was in the final stages of labour when Gregor was ushered into the labour suite and two hours later a beaming Gregor emerged with wet eyes. "I'm a father, my son is beautiful". Then he burst into tears, and they both pulled him into a hug, just as Josef came through the door. Josef couldn't get the measure of what had happened, all he saw was three people in tears, he was distraught. "What, what's happened, somebody speak to me for Christ sake". It was Reece who answered. "Mother and son doing okay". At that Josef launched himself at Gregor. "Oh mate, it's fantastic, congratulations, you're off service until you decide to come back, no questions, you are Brens whipping boy from now, Carry's orders, and you know they trump mine any day". They all laughed at his statement. A little over an hour later they were back at the London house they'd left less than a day earlier. Josef was going to stay a few hours to rest before jetting back to Torremolinas later in the day. In the afternoon before Josef left for home, Reece and Van told him about their offer to Gregor. Josef's reaction was a picture, first annoyance, then it seemed his expression changed as he evaluated what they'd said. "I so nearly got that wrong Poppa, I was actually annoyed that you intend to poach probably the best security agent we have at Guardian, someone we had earmarked for a much larger, more prominent role, but on reflection, I'll make you a counter offer, keep it through Guardian, allow him to do other work for us, essential work, and I'll let you have him free of charge". Reece and Van were intrigued, Reece replied. "Now you definitely have our attention, what exactly would he be doing that is so important?". Josef smiled. "He'd be head hunting, poaching and training new operatives, within a real time environment, you see, it's easy to find operatives who are capable of defending our principals (clients) physically, but that's only part of it, our operatives spend a lot of time with their principals, in home, office and social environments, we have an extremely high standard which we will not relax, they have to be socially acceptable, know when to withdraw, know when and how to interact, how to behave in a myriad of differing situations, it's why we are so highly thought of, Gregor is the ultimate master, if we could just duplicate him life would be so much simpler". Van looked at Reece before replying. "If Reece agrees, I think that's acceptable, but I want to modify it slightly, I'd like for us to offer Brenda her own role, as Mistress of Gregous, we'll be traveling a lot, but when we're here Bren could run the house, when we travel she would look after us, I think it would give her some independence, and in turn we could take the strain of the little one at times, give them both some quality time alone". Josef agreed that was something for them to discuss with Brenda, Guardian would retain Gregor and they all got what they wanted. They stayed an extra night in London, visited Brenda, making their offer whilst Gregor was present, the couple were thrilled, accepting immediately. It was agreed they would decide when to come back to Gregous after Bren had recuperated, Reece insisted they stay at the London house in Kensington, take a few weeks to enjoy their new family status. Van and Reece flew back to Rome on a mission, to create a suite of rooms and a nursery on the second floor at Gregous, and this time Reece insisted, shutting down Vans objections immediately, money was no object, he was paying. ARB Allan Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com. Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.