Date: Fri, 16 Oct 2015 21:11:46 +0100
From: Clive Westwood <cfgw2000@aol.com>
Subject: Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 11 Relationships

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Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 11


Chris and Max had been house hunting for months and nothing appealed to
them, they were getting disillusioned and their agent was rapidly losing
patience with them, she'd made it plain they were being too picky, they
wanted something that didn't exist.

They'd almost given up hope when the realtor called with details of an
unusual property, it was a double wide townhouse in TriBeCa, Lower
Manhattan, six floors, currently figured as 25 apartments, most had already
vacated, there remained only one tenant in place, the vendors were
guaranteeing vacant possession on completion.

The price had been a few dollars short of 16 million dollars, but Chris
jumped at the idea of viewing it and they settled on 11am next morning.

As soon as he'd disconnected from the realtor Chris rang Lenny who as usual
sounded cheerful when she answered.

"Hi Chris, what a pleasant surprise, what can I do for you?".

"Hi Lenny, we were rather hoping you would be free at 11am in the morning
to visit a property with us, it's in TriBeCa on West Street, don't ask me
why but it appeals to me".

Chris had explained the details passed on by the realtor and Lenny agreed
there sounded as though there was real potential, she confirmed she could
just manage it but needed to be away by 12.30 as she was meeting a group of
girls for lunch in Manhattan.

That night they were in an upbeat playful mood and as Max slipped under the
covers at bedtime Chris called out from the bathroom, "Max we have a
problem, something's come up and we need to deal with it".

Max was mystified, what on earth was Chris talking about, then as Chris
walked naked from the bathroom with an obscenely protruding cock leading
the way Max was grinning, he looked directly at what had come up, and he
had definite ideas on how to take care of the problem.

"Oh that looks painful, it needs to be wrapped in something warm and moist
to help that swelling go down".

As Chris approached the bed Max lay back and raised his legs exposing his
tight little hole, "I think this might do".

Reaching into the bedside drawer Chris pulled out lube and whilst his lips
locked firmly on to Max's, his fingers began probing Max's tight young
hole, pretty soon the moans told him it was time to move on and his hard
cock eased its way slowly into Max until his balls were resting on those
beautiful bubble cheeks.

After a couple of minutes to let Max get used to him being inside, he
started to ease back and forth, before long he was pounding in and out, to
the sheer delight of Max who was uttering encouragement in the form of some
extremely filthy language, that served only to urge Chris onwards to a
monumental orgasm, spurting his juice deep inside just as Max tipped over
the brink shooting streams of white spunk up over both of their chests and
stomachs.

Snuggled together later Max was drifting off to sleep as he heard, "I love
you Max, more than I could ever have imagined, as long as I have you I have
everything, sleep tight my love".

At 11am precisely next morning Lenny's car drew up outside the building
they were to view, surprisingly, out stepped not only Lenny but PJ as well.

As the group greeted each other, Chris and Max's agent arrived and let them
into the building.

They were surprised to find the entrance hall almost as it was when it was
built, the original carved staircase led up to a circular landing on each
floor.

The house had been divided up into 15 poorly proportioned apartments over
it's 6 floors.

Chris explained his vision for the building to Lenny, he wanted the ground
level to be their apartment with 5 bedrooms, lounge, office, dining room,
kitchen and a large glass conservatory spanning the full width of the
building leading into the rear garden area, half of which would be a light
filled studio for Max.

The floors above were each to be converted so that one apartment ran from
front to back of the building on either side of the central stair case and
lift giving 2 x 3 bedroom apartments on each floor.

Chris's plan would reduce the number of apartments to 11 including the
ground level apartment Chris and Max would occupy but he intended to sell 9
of the apartments above ground level at around 3 million dollars each,
bringing in 27 million dollars, allowing up to 11 million dollars for
renovations and leaving them mortgage free, 1 apartment would be held back
for occupancy by a building manager.

As they toured the building a small boy emerged from an apartment on the
first floor, he looked to be about nine or ten years old and although
dressed in well worn school clothing he was as neat and clean as could be.

The boy addressed Chris, deciding he was obviously the person looking over
the building, he was polite and completely civil, "Excuse me sir, I don't
mean to be rude, but could you possibly tell me how soon we would have to
go if you buy the place?".

They were all impressed with the boy's manners, Chris answered in a similar
manner, "I'm not even sure we will buy the building though I have to admit
it is very tempting, do you live here with your parents?".

The boy listened intently before answering, "I live in 2d with my mother
and sister, my father was killed in Afghanistan when I was little, I have
pictures of him in his uniform, I'm sorry I have to run now or I'll be late
for school".

With a wave he literally did as he'd said, ran down the flight of stairs to
the front door and vanished, leaving all of them smiling.

When they left the building Chris and Max were upbeat and determined to try
to purchase it, Chris had confided in PJ the intention of liquidating his
trust fund and seeking finance for the difference.

As Lenny left in their car to meet her friends for lunch PJ asked if he
could bum a ride from Chris and Max which they were happy to provide.

On the way across town Chris got a pleasant surprise, PJ told him not to
approach a bank or liquidate his trusts, funds would be extended from PJs
private accounts, Chris could pay it back as he sold his apartments, he did
have one favour to ask of the boys though, "Would you find out the
circumstances of the young fellas family?, I got the impression that money
was pretty tight and without a father around I'm guessing life's quite
tough, even without the prospect of being evicted".

Three weeks after they'd viewed the building Chris and Max signed the title
deeds and took possession.

Lenny had been brilliant, the rough plans she'd come up with were
translated into working drawings by her architect and at a cost level which
impressed both Max and Chris, they should be able to achieve the planned
renovations at around 6 million dollars, allowing them to repay PJ and add
around 5 million dollars to their funds.

Lenny had put them in touch with the agent she preferred and after a
consultation whilst looking over the plans and discussing what services the
boys intended to provide, she advised they market at 3.5 million dollars
per unit on all but the penthouse floor and here she suggested adding a
staircase to the roof and landscaping, this she told them would increase
the top floor units with a shared roof garden to a marketable value of 4.5
million dollars each or if they installed 2 doors to the roof and
segregated it, a private roof space would bring them an increase up to 5
million dollars per unit.

The revised plans would now bring in a minimum of 33.5 million dollars,
possibly 34.5 million dollars.

On their second visit with Lenny and Joe, Lenny's architect, they'd again
encountered the polite youngster on the first floor above ground, this time
he approached Chris and offered his hand, "I apologise for my rudeness when
we last met, I should have introduced myself, I'm Daniel Worthington and my
mother has asked me to extend an offer of refreshments if you have time".

Chris shook his hand and then introduced Lenny, Max and Joe, telling Daniel
they would definitely appreciate refreshments once Joe had finished looking
over the building.

True to their word, a little over an hour later when Joe took his leave,
Chris knocked on the door of 2d and was greeted by a pleasant young woman
with a small girl clinging to her waist who, judging by the resemblances,
could only be Daniels mother and sister.

Daniel introduced his mother and younger sister Christine before they were
led into a lounge which, though furnished with older and mismatched items
was perfectly clean and tidy.

After being seated they were served with homemade lemonade and biscuits
which they really enjoyed.

Chris was inquisitive, "Mrs Worthington, have you lived here long?".

"Please call me Amanda, we've been here a little over four years now, since
my husband, the children's father was killed in Afghanistan, we couldn't
afford the mortgage on our apartment, I know it's not exactly luxury but by
working several jobs I can keep our heads above water just about".

She looked pensive as though she wanted to ask a question but didn't really
want to know the answer.

"I'm guessing we'll have to move soon won't we?".

Chris was thinking, Max could read him easily and smiled, he knew what was
coming, "I'm not sure, certainly not at the moment so please don't be
worried, if we did need you to vacate this unit, I'd make sure you were
looked after".

She was puzzled, "Why would you be bothered with us?, no one else,
including the government has ever offered to help".

Lenny spoke up this time, "Your husband was in the military when he was
killed?".

Amanda nodded, "Danny was a Captain, he was on patrol, his vehicle
detonated an IED, he was badly injured by the blast but he got two of his
unit to safety before he was shot by a sniper, he died before they could
evac him, he earned the Medal of Honour for his bravery".

There were tears rolling down her face as she turned away.

Lenny was up on her feet in an instant wrapping her arms around Amanda,
"You just answered your own question, he gave his life for others, he
deserves to rest in peace, safe in the knowledge his family are taken care
of".

Chris and Max were looking at each other, sharing one thought, before Chris
spoke, "We're going to need a building manager once the renovations are
complete, the plan is to offer full service apartments, everything taken
care of, the building manager will be responsible for hiring cleaning and
maintenance staff and making sure everything gets done to the apartment
owners satisfaction, would you consider the role, it comes with an
apartment and a decent salary?".

Amanda just stared at him, unable to speak, the tears still rolling down
her cheeks when Daniel spoke for her, "Say yes Mom, it means we won't have
to leave, I won't have to change schools again, please say yes".

Amanda was smiling at him, "It seems the man of the house thinks it's a
good idea, so yes please, I'd be honoured to accept if you think I could do
it".

Chris and Max were grinning when Max spoke this time, "We're sure you can,
it will mean moving, you're going to be having one of the apartments on
this floor, they'll all have a balcony built on so you have a small outside
space but if we concentrate on getting the one on the opposite side of the
building completed first you'll get to move straight in".

Almost eight hundred miles away in Chicago, Billy and Jay were lay spooned
together in their Superking bed, Jolly was due back today after a weeks
absence and boy was she in for a treat, the boys would be as horny as hell.

Billy had often remarked how strange it was when one of them was absent,
the sex drive of all three dropped to zero.

Jolly had attended an insurers conference in Las Vegas, as a leading
Insurance Broker their company was viewed as an important player in the
market.

All three had taken Insurance as a major and had the qualifications
required for underwriting, with Billy and Jay earning extra qualifications
in Assessment and Loss Adjustment.

It had been Billy's suggestion of starting up their own Brokerage House
that had set them on a path that would make them a household name.

'JBJ Brokers', had started by dealing direct with the general public
providing insurance for buildings, contents, motor vehicles and travel.

Mostly the policies were pre packaged by the major insurers and they earned
five percent of the value which was an extremely lucrative income stream,
but lately more major earnings came from their Assessment and Loss
Adjustment work for individuals and insurers.

It had become common practice for either Billy or Jay to be engaged by a
major insurer to examine or investigate a claim for which they collected a
fee of five percent of the claim value plus ten percent of any saving they
secured for the insurer.

In the last year alone Billy and Jay had exposed a number of fraudulent
claims totalling in excess of one hundred million dollars.

Their most lucrative earnings came when an insurer wanted a second opinion
on another specialists report for this they earned the usual fee plus
twenty percent of the savings secured for the insurer.

Jolly ran their Brokerage call centres dealing with the general public, of
which they now had five, in Chicago, Boston, New York, Atlanta and
Washington.

As they expanded it became a struggle to constantly keep up with the amount
of travel until their stay with Woody and Jacqueline a year earlier.

Woody had shown them his Tele Conference Facility, they had been suitably
impressed and within a month of their return had installed a facility in
each of their centres.

Jolly could now run daily conferences with the General Managers of each
centre and travel more selectively.

This last week had been particularly difficult for Jolly, she'd not been in
great form when she'd set out for the conference on Sunday night putting it
down to a cold or oncoming flue.

By Tuesday she was feeling awful and attending the nightly networking
social events had put further strain on her.

When Friday finally arrived she was eager to get home but the flight made
her almost vomit on takeoff, she was struggling to stay awake for most of
the journey, confident both Billy and Jay would be waiting at O'Hare
Airport in Chicago, she thanked the lord, because she didn't know if she
had the energy to get from the airport to their home.

As the flight prepared to land in Chicago Jolly was feeling hot, queasy and
light headed, she'd called the cabin attendant to ask for water but passed
out as the cabin attendant approached.

In the arrivals hall Billy and Jay knew the flight had landed but there
seemed to be some delay on passengers coming off the flight.

As they watched the gate door a paramedic crew wheeled a gurney out with
what looked like an unconscious person on board, Billy's stomach lurched,
on top of the gurney was Jolly's purse, the big Louie Vuitton she always
traveled with, she called it her mobile office suite.

With hardly a sound Billy took off running towards the paramedics, out of
sheer instinct Jay was only feet behind him, "Please, that's my partner,
what's happened, is she okay?.

One of the paramedics blocked his path, "All I can tell you is she
collapsed on the flight as it was coming in to land, we've given her oxygen
and we're on our way to...........".

Billy stopped him, "Take her to Northwestern Memorial, we'll meet you
there, I'll call ahead and have them ready to meet you, I have the
insurance details, I'll get her checked in, we'll be right behind you".

The trip across town to Northwestern Memorial took only minutes as Billy
and Jay caught up with and then followed the Ambulance.

As Jay drove Billy called Northwestern and alerted them to expect Jolly's
arrival, although Billy didn't like using his family's influence he had no
problem right then ensuring they knew he was William Thorn of the Woodruff
Thorns.

As Jolly was rushed through into triage Billy urged Jay to stay with her
while he went to reception to give their medical insurance details.

Once he had the reception staff satisfied he followed the path Jay and
Jolly had taken finding them in a cubicle with a nurse and several doctors.

Jolly was still unconscious, Jay looked stunned just staring blankly at
Billy as he entered the cubicle.

"What is it, what's wrong with her, is she going to be alright, why is she
still unconscious?".

The doctors all looked towards him, one spoke, "Whooo slow down boy, who
exactly are you?".

Billy pulled out a miniaturised copy of their joint Power of Attorney from
the back of his wallet and handed it to the doctor who'd spoken, "I'm her
partner, so is he, what is it, what's wrong".

The doctor was smiling, "As I've just told your friend here, there's
nothing major wrong, I think she's just exhausted, is there any history of
multiple births in either of your families?".

Jay just shook his head then realisation struck, he turned to stare at
Billy who, at that very moment realised the doctors were doing an
ultrasound scan of Jolly's abdomen, he stuttered his reply.

"No, I'm adopted, I know my adoptive mother had triplets and my adoptive
sister had twins but that's not going to count for anything is it?".

The doctor wasn't so sure, "There's no scientific proof, but I've seen
several times where really close families, biological or not, adopt more
than just names, almost as if the body re identifies with its new family".

The doctor held out his hand which Billy shook on automatic.

"Anyway it looks like you'll have bragging rights over your sister because
this young lady is pregnant with triplets, I'd estimate she's about 16
weeks, I'd like to keep her here for a day or so until she stabilises,
right now she's exhausted and dehydrated, rest and fluids will take care of
that, the babies all seem to be well developed and we don't detect any
stress, it seems exhaustion just took over, can't see anything wrong other
than that, but she's going to need some serious care over the next few
months, this episode means her batteries are run down, she needs to rest
and recharge, I'll give you a diet sheet to make sure she has enough of the
right things to build her up again".

The doctors left after arrangements were made for Jolly's transfer to a
private suite.

Billy and Jay just stared at each other for ages until a smile started
spreading across both their faces, it was Jay who spoke first, "We're going
to be a proper family, oh my god, I never guessed life could be this good,
are you happy Billy?".

Billy's grin should have been the indicator, "You bet I'm happy, I already
had the two most wonderful people to share my life with, now we're going to
have three wonderful babies, I just want Jolly to wake up and share the
news with us".

As if on cue Jolly began to stir, "Where am I, what happened",

Her hands reached out for Jay and Billy on either side of the bed.

Jay answered her, "You're in Northwestern Memorial silly, you passed out on
the plane, you gave us quite a scare, for someone who's so organised you
sure missed this one sweetie".

Jolly looked back and forth between both of their grinning faces.

"I don't understand, missed what?".

Billy looked at Jolly then Jay who was still grinning then back at Jolly,
"Well how about several periods".

Jolly looked confused then the light came on, "Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, I
thought it was flu, I've been so tired, exhausted, I never gave it a
thought, I'm sorry guys, I don't know how it happened".

There were tears running down her face.

Both immediately enveloped her into a joint hug.

Billy answered for them both, "Sorry, are you kidding us, you've made us
the two happiest people on the planet, all we needed to complete this
picture was you awake and well, now we're on cloud nine".

Jolly brightened, "I thought you might be mad, we didn't discuss having a
baby and now it's on the way, you don't really have a choice, it's unfair
to you guys, I don't know how I missed it".

Jay took over because Billy was just a grinning, bubbling wreck, " Err
there's just one thing Jol, well three things actually, it's not one baby
on the way, it's triplets, you're having three and we don't care how it
happened, we're a family that's about to get bigger and we are over the
bloody moon".

Jolly only stayed one night in the hospital, neither of the boys left the
building, nothing would have persuaded them to leave her side, eventually
the staff gave in, providing blankets for the two couches in Jolly's room.

At home next day she was settled on the sofa in the large lounge, snuggled
into a duvet when the boys asked if she was up to discussing things.

She told them she was.

Billy started off, "I know this is a shock but are you okay with it Jol?,
we feel sort of guilty, we were so happy we didn't really give you time to
absorb it, to decide if it's what you want".

Jolly was watching them, they were concerned, she knew they would be, it
had been like this almost since the first time they met, each of them more
concerned for the wellbeing of the others than themselves, it gave her a
warm loved feeling.

"Stop worrying guys, I'm more than okay with it, I'm concerned yes, but not
about the pregnancy, I'm worried I won't be able to keep up my part of the
business, I need to talk to your mum Billy, I need to know what to expect,
if I'm so exhausted now what will it be like in another few months?".

Knowing she was happy to be pregnant was a fantastic boost for Billy and
Jay, but they had other ideas they wanted to discuss as Billy explained.

"See that's what we wanted to talk about, we agree my momma could give you
some valuable insight, but we don't want you wearing yourself out, so we
were going to suggest you take on someone to cover the traveling you do,
you confine yourself to video conferencing from here".

Jolly couldn't help but love these guys, "I think that's a good idea, it
means I could keep on top of the work but not put in so much effort, are
you sure you don't mind?, it means extra expense for another salary".

Jay laughed, "Don't be fooled, mostly we want you here so we can share this
experience, to hell with the cost, we already have more money than we know
what to do with, we know you're the one who's going to be doing all the
hard work so anything we can do to help is okay with us".

Billy wanted to add something that had been niggling at him since he'd
learned about the pregnancy, "Listen guys I think we need to give some
thought to buying a bigger place to live, it's going to be pretty crowded
around here when the little ones arrive, I think we should make it a
priority before you get too advanced Jol, moving is supposed to be a pretty
stressful experience, we don't want it to be when you're in the later
stages, what do you think guys?".

Both nodded their agreement though when pressed none of them had any
preference for the type of property they wanted to live in, just an
understanding that as long as they were together the place didn't matter.

Jolly had an idea she wanted to explore on the employee front, "You both
remember Bradley Carpenter, I met up with him on this recent conference, he
works for Protect Insurance as an Area Manager, he was promised promotion
to National Sales Manager but he's been stiffed by his bosses in favour of
a family member, I like him, he seems easy going but he knows what he's
talking about, I've only ever heard good comments about his management
style, it seems he knows how to get the best out of the people he works
with, I think I could work with him, but you guys need a catch up to see if
you detect anything else".

They agreed Jolly would invite Bradley to dinner and the boys could suss
him out before they made any decision.

Billy knew his parents were preparing to leave New York and travel back to
Torremolinas in the next couple of days, mostly at the insistence of Woody
who now kept a close eye on his fathers workload.

Placing a call to his Momma's number Billy felt the excitement building as
he waited for what he knew would be that warm feeling he got every time he
spoke to, or was near his parents, they'd promised him years ago he'd be
their son and always be loved by them, he'd never had reason to doubt them.

"Billy my sweet boy, that is so uncanny, I dreamt about you guys last
night, I was going to call you to see if it would be alright to drop in on
you on our way home tomorrow".

Billy was revelling in the sound of his Momma's voice, "It is uncanny Momma
because that's exactly why I'm calling, we wanted to know if you could
detour down here for a few days, we're missing you both".

Lenny was as bad as Billy, she became almost euphoric whenever she
connected with one of her children, "Okay so we'll be there some time
before dinner tomorrow, we won't outstay our welcome, just a couple of
days, I'm longing to get home to Torremolinas, I'm missing the nest".

Billy knew Jay and Jolly would be just as pleased to see PJ and Lenny as he
would be, they treated them as son and daughter just like they treated
Billy.

PJ and Lenny's arrival the following day was a happy occasion, though Lenny
immediately went into Mother Hen mode seeing Jolly wrapped in a quilt lying
on the sofa, "You see PJ, I was right, I told you one of them was ill, I
always know when something's not right, now what's the matter sweetie".

Billy watched his Momma's face for a reaction as he explained, "She passed
out on the flight home last week, it turns out she has the same condition
you contracted in Torremolinas around 30 years ago, triple bump syndrome".

Everyone was watching Lenny and PJ trying to understand Billy, then
suddenly Lenny gasped, "Oh my god child, you're pregnant, and with
triplets, oh lord I'm so happy, I don't know what we did to be so blessed".

At that she scooped Jolly into a hug.

Ana (PJ and Lenny's traveling cook) was tasked with teaching their resident
cook to prepare the beef and vegetable soup she'd administered to all of
the children growing up, when anyone was under the weather, a recipe so
delicious the children often faked illness just to get Ana to prepare it.

When they left two days later, Billy, Jay and Jolly had agreed that they
would accept a house as a present from PJ and Lenny, the trio would spend
around twenty million dollars, as Lenny put it, "You three are never going
to be able to marry, you're missing out on the wedding present we'd
normally give you, so this is our present to your union, to your family
group.

Lenny also reminded Billy that Jolly was expected to choose something from
the Woodruff Jewellery Collection.

The news of Jolly's pregnancy gradually spread around family and friends,
good will wishes came flooding in.

The night PJ and Lenny left to fly home, Bradley Carpenter had agreed to
come to dinner, they didn't intend to mention anything about possibly
wanting to poach him for the management position, instead Jolly had invited
him on the pretext of renewing friendships from University.

Dinner was a cheerful evening of reminiscences on their University years.

Bradley had complemented them on their apartment, saying he hoped one day
he'd be able to afford something of this caliber rather than the small one
room studio he currently rented.

Jolly led into a gentle probe of how settled he was with his present
employers, he said he was happy enough that they treated him well and paid
him a fair salary but he was intending to look for alternative employment
all the same.

Although they already knew the reason from Jolly, Jay still asked why, if
he was satisfied with his salary and treatment, was he thinking of leaving
them.

Brad, as he preferred to be called, explained, a recent restructuring of
senior management roles had produced an opening for a National Manager,
Brad had applied and he knew he was the only candidate who had all of the
qualifications listed within the job description literature, and yet the
role had gone to a family member of a senior exec, someone who Brad had
clashed with several times in the past over policy interpretation.

When he'd asked around it became apparent that the exec in question would
block any advancement moves from Brad despite the fact that he was
currently charged with advising and training the person who had won out on
the National Manager role over Brad.

Billy was incensed, "You mean they appointed someone less qualified and
have the gall to expect you to show him how to do his job?".

Brad confirmed that was about it in a nutshell but he wasn't a vindictive
person, he would give his all until such time as he secured alternative
employment.

Billy looked at Jay and Jolly, they nodded, understanding what Billy was
asking them non verbally, "Brad, we've been a little sneaky actually, Jolly
did invite you to dinner so that we could reacquaint ourselves, but also so
that we could sound you out for a role we have, which we think you would be
perfect for, do you think you might be interested?".

Brad smiled, "I'm not that dense Billy, I had hoped there might be more to
this dinner than just a catch up on old times, explain the role to me and I
promise I'll keep an open mind".

Billy explained, "This is not a role that will diminish it will grow from
this point on, Jolly is pregnant with triplets and we need to ease her
workload considerably, we want a General Manager to control the five call
centres, it means a fair bit of traveling, you would be accountable only to
Jolly for the foreseeable future but we expect that after the children are
born you will take full control, how does it sound so far?".

Brad had listened intently, "I'm very interested Billy, I know I can work
with you guys, and you're giving me positive vibes on career advancement,
plus you're a Nationally recognised organisation which gives me credibility
in the workplace if I needed to move on which, I hasten to add, I only
mention as something I have to keep in mind".

Billy carried on, "One thing I can promise Brad is that we would never
practice nepotism, on that we follow my youngest brother Woody, as he puts
it 'You either cut it or you don't, end of story', he even sacked our
cousin once at a board meeting. We do envisage further expansion so your
prospects will grow as we do, I can tell you the annual basic salary
package is 100k, you would have all of the usual benefits, a top class
medical package, two year auto change, fuel and accommodation account".

Brads mouth was hanging open, "Guys are you sure about this, the salary
you're offering is actually double my current salary?".

Jolly spoke up this time, "Brad, we feel we can work with you, the salary
package is a fair remuneration for what we will expect, the guys are
relying on my opinion here, but I am confident you can do this with your
eyes closed, so I'm asking you to accept please".

Brad seemed to be considering something, "There is one thing I have to tell
you, I'm gay, I don't know if that makes a difference, but I wanted you to
know".

Jay laughed, "I'm sorry Brad, but unless you're planning on having sex on
the call centre floor, I don't see that's any of our business".

Brad laughed along with Jay, "Okay I accept, if I tender my resignation
tomorrow, I will be available to start work in one month, but I suspect if
I admit where I'm going to be working I will be placed on immediate garden
leave, that would mean although I can't be involved in active work until
the month is up, I can utilise the time to run through your practices,
forecasts, budgets, targets and shadow what Jolly does on a daily basis, by
the end of the month I should have a good understanding of how you
operate".

Billy extended his hand, "Welcome aboard Brad, there is one other thing,
we're working on an annual bonus package which we'll make sure is presented
within three months of your start date".

It wasn't long before they knew they'd made the right decision, every
Friday Brad spent the day doing rolling conference calls to the various
call centres with Jolly, the results of the weekly figures dictated where
Brad would be heading the following week.

Within two months turnover in every centre was around ten percent up on
previous results and it proved to be no anomaly when the results were
sustained and improved month on month.

Brad had listened to Billy extolling the abilities of Woody in designing
remuneration and bonus packages and had asked for Woody's input.

By month four business had increased sixteen percent and with Woody's help
Brad had implemented a bonus package in each call centre reliant on the
volume of increased business, a further quarterly group bonus was
introduced, going to the call centre showing the highest percentage
increase of business value, thereby pitting the centres against each other.

On the fifth month anniversary of Brads appointment, Billy, Jay and Jolly
invited him to dinner, not unusual as he spent a fair amount of time with
all of them but this would be a somewhat surprising event for Brad.

Arriving at their apartment Brad, who'd been met at the door by Billy, was
surprised to find they were in the process of packing.

Billy had explained about their need for extra space and the house they'd
bought in Barrington Hills, as he put it, they only had another month
before Jolly was due and they wanted her settled and stress free as soon as
possible now.

Over drinks as they waited for dinner Brad mentioned his sadness they were
moving, as he enjoyed his occasional dinners here in this apartment with
its balconies and roof garden.

All three of them were grinning as Billy spoke, "Well it's something we
wanted to talk to you about, you see we're moving but we don't want to sell
this apartment, so we were thinking, maybe you'd like to move in, you'd
have your office already set up, we'd have the peace of mind that the place
was being looked after, we may want to sell in a couple of years but not
right now, what do you think?".

"Guys, I'd love to, but I know what sort of rent a place like this would
command and frankly I don't have that sort of money".

Billy was still smiling, "Oh I think you can afford this, it's rent free
for the next two years, then if you want to buy it you can otherwise we'll
market it in two years".

Brad made to protest but Billy cut him off, "don't bother protesting, we
are so grateful to you, we could not have made a better decision than
approaching you whatever we'd done, the results you have achieved to date
are nothing short of miraculous, we had intended for this next thing to be
next month but as we'll be busy it's better we do it now".

Jay held out an envelope, a large well padded envelope which Brad gingerly
took from him.

Billy carried on, "That is your new contract, if you agree, Jolly is bowing
out, you will assume the role Jolly previously held, your new title will be
CEO, JBJ Brokers, we want you to hire your own replacement, your salary
increases to 200k and once you've bedded in a replacement for yourself we
want a further 2 call centres, you get to do the research on where is best
to place them, okay now you can tell us what you think".

Brad was, to say the least, gobsmacked, "I don't know what to say, I never
expected any of this".

Jolly spoke up this time, "We know you didn't expect it Brad, but you
deserve it, you're good, no, you're bloody good, you've earned every bit of
what we're giving you, it's not a present, its a reward for the hard work
you've put in, and we hope you'll carry on as you have been doing, JBJ has
been my baby for several years, I love it and seeing you grow it as you
have makes us all proud, so please accept".

Brad actually had tears in his eyes, "Thank you, and once again I accept, I
will say this, I promise you'll never be sorry you hired me and you'll
always have reason to be proud of JBJ".

Billy had the last word, "One last thing, the bonus we promised you will
now operate just the same, but it will be based on your new salary".

Brad couldn't believe after everything else they'd just given him, they
were still offering a bonus which had the potential to double his annual
salary if he reached target on his twelve month anniversary.

Brad wished he'd had the courage to bring Royce with him, he'd have liked
them to meet, " I nearly brought a guest this evening, Royce and I have
been seeing each other for a few months and he's moved in with me, I wanted
you to meet him but he's a little nervous, he's not had the best of lives".

Jolly asked where Royce was right then and Brad told them he was back at
their apartment, Jolly looked at Billy, "I bet you could do it, off you go,
I'll tell cook to delay dinner".

Billy called down to reception for a car service and took off for Brads
apartment.

When he arrived Billy rang the doorbell and waited, nothing, no sign of
life, he rang again and this time a timid voice could just about be heard
asking what he wanted.

"Hi, is that Royce, I'm Billy Thorn, Brads at our place for dinner and we
wanted you to join us, do you think you could maybe open the door?".

Royce was torn, he was literally shaking he was so frightened, but if this
man was who he said he was, then he was Brads boss, he couldn't upset him
it wouldn't be good for Brad and he would do anything for Brad, the only
person who'd ever had faith in him, protected him.

Opening the door a little he couldn't see anyone, this worried him until he
looked down, there, with a big grin on his face was Billy, sat cross legged
in the hallway, his back against the wall.

"I'm guessing you're nervous, you don't know me, I could be anyone, so I
figured if you're taller than me, that puts you in charge while we chat,
okay?".

Billy's grin was infectious and Royce couldn't help but grin as well, "Are
you really Brads boss, I didn't expect someone funny, I thought you'd be
all serious and grumpy, I am nervous, I don't mix with Brads friends, I
wish I had more confidence but I don't, if I come to dinner I'll mess up I
just know I will".

Billy was still grinning, this guy seriously lacked confidence but he knew
he had to run with what he had.

"I'm asking you to trust me Royce, I'll hold your hand until we're next to
Brad then I'll hand you off to him, I promise faithfully, the people you'll
meet at dinner are no different to me and you, okay like me and like Brad
they have more confidence than you, but they won't harm you, if the need
ever arose I can promise, they, like me, would protect you, just as Brad
would, so how about it, you up for some dinner?".

Royce had listened, he was frightened but he nodded a yes.

Billy held out his hand, "Come on then Pal, let's go eat".

At the apartment Billy led a shaking Royce in and introduced Jolly and Jay
before handing him physically to Brad, "You okay Pal, ready to eat?".

Royce looked at Brad who was smiling, "Yes, I'm okay, thank you for being
patient with me, I know I'm hard work".

Dinner was a fun affair and Brad was amazed at the extent Royce opened up,
when Brad explained they were going to be moving into this apartment in a
few days Royce was amazed but agreed to let Jolly show him around.

Over the next few days Jolly was banned from any strenuous activity and
finally the day arrived when they were established in their new home in
Barrington Hills.

TBC

ARB
Allan

Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.

Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.