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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 13
Juan was not in the best of moods, he'd spent the morning studying security arrangements ahead of Vans visit to London, then after lunch he'd flown to Madrid.
Traveling towards the Salamanca District he recognised the streets, having been in charge of the field team who'd liberated the kidnapped son of a major client only one week earlier, and from the property he was about to see, and where he was due to meet the contractor who'd hung up on him a few days earlier, he knew this didn't have the potential to improve his day.
The property was a sixth floor penthouse apartment, part of a block under renovation, fortunately the one factor in his favour, it, and the four apartments below, had all been uninhabited whilst renovation work was ongoing, in probably the most prestigious area of Madrid, Salamanca District, the apartment itself boasted seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and a spacious terrace, it was valued at around twelve million Euros, the other four apartments were advertised at around ten million Euros each.
The kidnappers had put up a valiant fight, resulting in extensive damage to both the apartments interior, and some of the communal hallways.
Not all of the damage was attributable to the kidnappers, one of his team had made what turned out to be a massive miscalculation on the amount of explosive required to dislodge the heavy street entrance door from its hinges.
The explosion had blown the whole of the entrance framework, side panels, overhead fanlights, the door itself, and a large expanse of brick and stonework into the lobby area.
As if that weren't bad enough, there had been an imposing, four pillared portico sheltering the entrance, had been, because the explosion took out two of the pillars, causing the portico to collapse away from the property, out into the road, crushing two cars and severely damaging several more.
As his car drew up outside the building he groaned loudly at seeing the first area of damage, his mood didn't improve as he looked up into the lobby, where the massive door and its framework had obliterated anything and everything in its path.
This was the area Juan had come to discuss, their insurers had declined to cover the damage caused by, as they put it, representative administered incompetence.
Juan had already approved several vehicle damage claims, as well as clearance costs for removing the portico, which had been reduced to a pile of rubble, blocking the pedestrian walkway and extending out into the roadway.
As he approached the entrance, now nothing more than a massive gaping hole in the front of the building, Juan stopped dead, staring in awe as an absolute adonis, exited onto the front steps.
The vision was scantily covered by a vest with deep arm holes which gave glimpses of each nipple on a bulging pec as it swayed side to side, it didn't quite reach the top of the too tight shorts either, exposing a thin line of hair running down over washboard abs, it almost acted as a pointer, leading the eyes to an obscene bulge which threatened to burst the buttons on the shorts.
Juan was brought out of his lewd examination of the spectacular sight before him by a quite caustic voice.
"A prick staring at a dick, I take it you're Caswel-Thorn?".
When Juan didn't answer, the voice continued.
"It might help if you looked me in the eyes, instead of staring at my crotch".
Juan was startled, stumbling over his words as he looked up to a grinning face.
"Sorry, I err .......... well, I got......... err .........a little distracted.
Now the face was openly laughing.
"Don't apologise, I'll take it as a compliment, as you can see, I'm a believer of, 'If you've got it, flaunt it', but I believe we're here to discuss your contribution toward returning this portion of the building to its former state, that would be what it looked like before your cowboys blew it to hell".
Despite his bright red face, Juan answered.
"If I offended you the other day it was not intended, I was shocked by the cost, I need to understand how it's so high, I need to run through what is being done".
The reply was friendly.
"I'm Ralph Esse, originally from Norway, I have a set of plans with detailed costings, follow me, but before you do, take a look around, at either side of the Avenue, all identical frontages, remember that before you start making suggestions about altering any of the spec's".
At that he turned away inviting Juan to follow, but in doing so he presented Juan with another site to stare at, a beautiful, round, truly bubble butt, looking back he laughed, saying.
"Yeh, that's the reaction I usually get, now, can we get on with this before you either have a heart attack, or come in your pants".
Busted again, a very red faced Juan followed, still staring at that fabulous arse.
A little more than an hour later, all of Ralph's workmen had left, Juan had scoured completely, every element of the required restoration work, and had to admit, the costs were genuine.
As they wrapped up the meeting, a messenger delivered some paperwork which Ralph didn't bother opening, instead, as soon as they were alone he walked toward a seated Juan, popping the top two buttons on his shorts, showing a bush of dark pubes, he was commando beneath, and saying.
"So, you seemed interested in what's inside, still interested?".
Juan didn't bat an eye, he just reached out and yanked the rest of the buttons open, allowing a fat, semi erect tube of flesh to fall out in front of his face, and soon enough it was being massaged by Juan's mouth and tongue as Ralph groaned in ecstasy.
Ralph proved to be a total bottom, admitting, he'd top if absolutely required too, but it did nothing for him, he preferred to be on his back, legs raised, with a nice fat slab of man meat banging his prostate, Juan was totally happy to oblige.
An hour or so later, sweating and exhausted, Juan, in a fog said, you didn't open your mail.
Ralph shrugged.
"Don't need to, it'll be court papers, my creditors are going to put me out of business, don't worry someone else will pick up this contract, it won't affect you".
Juan was shocked.
"You seem to be taking it well, is there no other way?".
Ralph sighed.
"No, I borrowed several workers from a competitor to complete a contract on time, but my client went bankrupt before I could get paid, hence, I can't pay him for his workers wages, and a large proportion of the materials invoices are still unpaid, my bank have been really unhelpful, refusing to acknowledge my proven track record, I need two good contracts to get back on my feet, they're refusing my lending request, it's my competitor who's leading the attack, it's in his interest to have me out of the running, he'll pick up this contract, and several other lucrative ones I have in the pipeline, it's a bummer, seven years hard graft building the company, and all for nothing".
Juan could see it was depressing him so he changed the subject.
"It's Friday night, what are you doing for the weekend?".
Ralph laughed.
"Nothing, contrary to the image I project, I'm not a party animal, and what happened earlier, is not the norm either, I really liked you, no other reason".
Juan did something which surprised even him.
"How do you fancy coming home with me for the weekend, nothing exciting, but I think I can keep you entertained, my son and daughter in law, and their two sons live with me, but there's plenty of room, you can have your own room and some good home cooked food".
Ralph thought for a moment.
"I'll need to stop off and pack a bag, oh, do I really need to have my own room?, I'm fed up with wanking, just so you know".
Juan laughed.
They stopped at Ralph's studio apartment whilst he changed into jeans and a clean shirt, right in front of an ogling, mesmerised and horny Juan.
As they were about to leave Juan's brain kicked in.
"Bring your passport".
Ralph was thrown for a minute.
"Where exactly are we going?".
Juan answered off the cuff as he ushered Ralph out of the door.
"Montclair, France".
Ralph was stunned into silence.
As they approached Madrid's Barajas International Airport, Ralph asked.
"You didn't book flights, I was with you all of the time, so how exactly are we getting to Montclair, France, don't tell me, let me guess, you have your own plane".
Juan was on the verge of giggling.
"Yeah, and I make no apology, it's an essential tool of the trade".
Ralph was staring open mouthed, until he said.
"I was being sarcastic, but you're not joking are you?".
Juan answered with one word.
"Nope".
Ralph was mesmerised as Juan ushered him through the FBO Offices and a car took them out to the stand where his plane already had its engines running.
No sooner than they'd strapped in they were heading for the runway, within minutes they were wheels up out of Madrid, on the way to Nice, France.
During the flight they'd said little, Ralph just listened as Juan made a series of calls.
The first call to Josef.
"Hi Bro, I'm airborne, en-route to Montclair, bad news I'm afraid, the costs are genuine, I'll sign them off on Monday morning, it will put a big dent in my figures for the year but it is what it is, so we need to suck it up, is Pedro doing okay?, I'll go see him next week, I need to get my head around why it happened, he's a certified explosives expert, that was a disaster, I'm not content to agree with the insurers that he got it wrong, I want his explanation first, no, I understand that, we'll shell out, but once I have all the facts I'll do a reappraisal, somethings not right here, yeh okay, speak tomorrow, listen, I have a guest for the weekend, I thought we might pop over for dinner tomorrow night, okay, love to Carry".
Conscious of the way he was not entertaining Ralph, Juan said.
"Sorry, I need to make another call, if you're tired there are two bedrooms back there".
Ralph unbuckled his seatbelt and stood, unbuttoning his jeans, showing just the top of that shock of pubes, and saying.
"Make those calls short, I'll be stark naked, face down, spread eagled, the mile high club awaits".
Juan just gulped, staring intently as that bubble butt disappeared into the bedroom.
His call was executed as if being the subject of a time and motion study
"Hi Maria, it's Poppa, I'm on my way, be there in about two hours, I have a guest with me, see you soon".
Then he was heading for the bedroom.
As he opened the door he audibly gasped, Ralph hadn't been joking, he was completely naked, face down, spread eagled, Juan could swear he saw that hairy little star fish wink at him as he stripped his clothes in record time.
The phone in the bedroom buzzed and Juan answered it, still breathless.
As he replaced the receiver he turned to Ralph.
Seems we're starting our descent into Nice, we need to look respectable and be strapped in.
As they exited the FBO Offices at Nice, Juan was surprised to find Junior waiting for them with a brilliantly welcoming smile.
"Junior, what a pleasant surprise".
Junior wrapped his Poppa into a typical Thorn Family hug.
"I was at your house visiting with the boys when you called Maria, I have some free time, Daniels in conference with a group of bankers, so I thought I'd come and get you".
Juan was clearly pleased to see his son and said so as he turned to Ralph.
"Well that's a nice thing to do, Ralph this is one of my sons, Junior, Junior this is Ralph Esse, he owns the construction company that's repairing the apartment building we wrecked in Madrid, he's staying as my guest for the weekend, we're having dinner with Uncle Jo and Aunt Carry tomorrow, if you and Daniel are free why don't you join us.
Junior surprised Ralph by opening his arms and pulling him into a full hug, which Ralph returned, gaining definite browny point from Junior.
As they got into Juniors 4x4 he said.
"Now you know full well, as soon as I mention that prospect to Daniel it'll be a no brainier, he loves SPECTRUM, count us in, I already know his answer.
Junior turned to Ralph.
"So how is my Poppa planning to entertain you this weekend, he's a bit rusty on having house guests".
Ralph couldn't resist the chance to make Juan squirm.
"Oh I'm sure he'll think of something to tickle my fancy".
Juan's crimson blush wasn't lost on Junior who almost giggled.
Later he told a totally shocked Daniel.
"I kid you not, they're fucking, I'll stake my entire fortune on it".
Daniels reply really echoed his own thoughts.
"I hope you're right, it's long overdue for your Poppa, he so deserves some happiness".
With introductions over at the house on Avenue Montclair, Maria caused another embarrassing moment.
"I had a room prepared for Ralph close to yours Poppa".
Ralph was impressed when Juan didn't shy away from correcting her.
"That's good of you but Ralph will be sharing with me".
Maria went as red as Juan did and replied with only one, drawn out word.
"O....kayyyyy".
Juan pretended to ignore her reply, changing the subject.
"We're having dinner with Uncle Jo and Aunt Carry tomorrow, would you and Berto fancy joining us?".
Maria laughed before answering.
"Yes we'd love to, but I do hope you weren't planning on an intimate dinner, the Montclair jungle drums have been active".
Juan groaned, turning to Ralph he said.
"I apologise in advance, when this family gets wind of a gathering, it doesn't matter the reason, or even if there is actually a reason, you need to barricade your doors".
Turning back to Maria he asked.
"Dare I ask how many jumpers we're likely to see?".
Maria was openly laughing now.
"Jacqueline, Woody, Jaque, Pete, JJ, Marcel, Fleur, Roslyn, Cecile, Aly and Bo, plus Danny and Petre who are already there, they've been staying with Jo and Carry, you can't rule out Beth and Dave either, they arrive back from a Med cruise tomorrow sometime, I'd put my money on them coming.
Juan laughed now.
"So that would be a small intimate dinner for around twenty one or so, I swear, this family would attend the opening of an envelope if it meant having a get together".
Ralph was laughing with them as he asked.
"Is this typical behaviour then, I actually find it really refreshing, I have one brother who I haven't spoken to in around ten years, I get a Christmas card, that's it".
Maria replied, clearly surprised.
"Really, you don't ever have a get together?, with this family you don't get the chance to be lonely, we all thrive on get togethers, and it's always as if we haven't seen each other in years, if Junior collected you from the airport you'll have already experienced the Thorn welcome, no one cares where we are, we hug, we don't shake hands, that's reserved for business, not family, so be prepared, by the time you get to eat dinner you'll probably feel like a piece of crushed fruit, but I guarantee, you'll feel warm, loved".
Ralph was actually in stitches listening to her, but he'd later admit to Juan, he wished his own brother were more affectionate.
When Juan asked why they hadn't met in so long Ralph looked really sad.
"Because I'm gay, he doesn't approve and doesn't want me in his life, his actual words".
Juan couldn't help asking.
"Don't you feel any anger towards him?".
Ralph answered with a sad expression.
"No, I love him, I'd wipe away everything that's happened and open my arms to him if he came to me, we were so close growing up everyone thought we were twins, he's two years older than me, it wasn't until after he married that I summoned the courage to tell the family I was gay, my parents never spoke to me again after that day, I attended both of their funerals alone, allowed to sit only at the back of the church, I was banished from attending the graveside internment, my brother Rupert actually marched me out of my parents house at their request on the day I told them, as he shut the door on me, that was when he told me he didn't approve and didn't want me in his life, it seems odd sometimes, he still sends me a Christmas card, which I choose to see as a message of love and hope, so maybe one day, who knows, stranger things have happened I suppose".
Juan was genuinely sorry for him, but he didn't say that, he deftly changed the subject, by offering Ralph a beer.
Whilst they were supping, Juan said.
"I'll give you a brief rundown on who'll be joining us, and I'll take you to the Chateau and The Inn tomorrow morning, at least that way it gives you a head start on who you're meeting".
Ralph looked puzzled.
"The Chateau and The Inn?".
Juan smiled.
"The Inn at Monclair is owned by my late partners parents, that's Aly and Bo, the Chateau is Chateau Montclair, family seat of The Comte Jaque Montclair and his partner Pete Montclair, their children are The Vicomte's, JJ and Marcel of Montclair, and The Comtesse Fleur of Montclair, the other family living at Chateau Montclair is Jacqueline Montclair-Thorn, sister of Comte Jaque Montclair, and her husband Woody Montclair-Thorn, with their children, Roslyn and Peter, they do have a third son, Danny, who is currently staying with his boyfriend Petre at the place we're visiting tomorrow, you should know, in case it crops up, Petre has just been released from prison, it's a long story, he was part of a terror plot which was supposed to inflict a specific death on this family, but for now suffice it to say, the family bare him no malice, in fact we embrace him".
Ralph was staring open mouthed, when he spoke it was to say how incredible he found the family.
Dinner that evening had been a quite jolly affair, just Juan, Ralph, Maria, Berto and the boys, Eduardo and Carlo.
Until Carlo stopped all conversation when he said directly to Ralph.
"Why are you sleeping in Gramps bedroom, are you afraid of the dark, I am, I have a nightlight?".
Eduardo was visibly sniggering, until Maria saw Berto looking with disdain at his son, she immediately barked at both of them.
"Carlo, it's rude to question an adult in that manner, especially at the table, now eat your dinner child".
Turning to Eduardo her words held a chill.
"Continue that sniggering and the back of my hand will be the least of your worries, if I hear you have tried to answer or explain that question, you won't want to be sitting down for the next week, do I make myself clear boy?".
Eduardo stopped sniggering, he knew by his Momma's tone, and use of the word 'boy', she was not happy.
Maria was a loving, caring mother to both boys, but she stood no messing, she had come into the family embracing its values, manners being one of her most important points.
She looked at Ralph.
"I'm sorry about that, please don't feel uncomfortable, it's just an innocent boy, and a precocious boy, the first is forgivable, the second requires correction if he persists".
Without prompting Eduardo said.
"Sorry Momma, sorry Mr Esse, that was rude".
Berto had remained silent, trusting Maria to deal with the matter.
Ralph had asked later, rather tentatively.
"Berto, is a little slow isn't he?, please, I don't mean anything by that question, he comes across as a kind, caring father, it's just that earlier, at the table, he seemed to understand Eduardo was in the wrong, but he let Maria deal with the boys".
Juan smiled at the very mention of Berto.
"Berto was almost of age when we adopted him, he was being abused by his foster parents, treated as a slave, he'd endured it for years to protect his sister Gabby, Gabriela, my late daughter, they see, saw themselves, as brother and sister, despite there being no family connection, just as Junior saw them, again it's complicated, we adopted Junior first, he found Gabby one day, they'd been on the streets together after Gabby ran away, when we tried to adopt Gabby the foster parents objected, despite the fact they'd been receiving foster care allowance for Gabby without telling anyone she'd run away over six months earlier, to cut a long story short, the judge threw the book at them, sentenced them to prison, which left Berto alone, so we took him in and adopted him, he's a wonderful caring boy, but yes, you're right he's not intellectually on the normal level for his age, but he has no problem with right and wrong, he just doubts himself, so he lets Maria see his disappointment and she makes the judgment call, a pretty good system".
Ralph was about to ask something, but Juan saw him hesitating.
"What were you going to ask?".
Ralph was still hesitant as he said, what happened to Gabriela?".
He could see the hurt on Juan's face and wished he hadn't asked.
"I'm sorry, that was crass of me, I see how it hurts you, please, forget I asked".
Juan said.
"It's alright, I don't think there will ever be a day when it doesn't hurt thinking about losing Gabby".
He went quiet a while, before continuing.
"As a child she had the energy of ten, did every sport the school offered, was captain of nearly every team, she reached out and grabbed life by the throat, saw no fear, then came Carlo Snr, Juniors best friend".
Ralph reached for his hand.
"They fell in love at sixteen, and that was it, he was like Junior in every way, their birthdays two days apart, from the first day in school they were inseparable, they always celebrated their birthdays with a joint party on the day in between, Junior was two days older than Carlo.
Ralph sat listening, watching the fleeting expressions of happy and sad cross Juan's face.
"On Juniors seventeenth birthday he enlisted, unbeknown to me, apparently when he told Carlo on the day of their party, the day before Carlo's seventeenth birthday, Carlo went ballistic, spent the night of the party railing at Junior, then got so drunk Junior had to carry him home and put him to bed".
He paused to catch his thoughts.
"Next morning Carlo was missing, he turned up beaming as we were eating breakfast, and announced to Junior in front of us all that he'd enlisted too, well that meant he'd inadvertently told me that Junior had enlisted, it's still not a day I'm proud of, or even comfortable with, it took, Berto, Gabby, Carlo and a call to Aly and Bo, to stop me ripping Junior limb from limb, I was a blubbering, screaming wreck, he was going somewhere I'd almost died, somewhere I'd seen so many friends die, it was only a couple of years after I lost Pierre, in my eyes, in my mind, I'd failed miserably, he was going into danger, I couldn't accept it".
The silences didn't bother Ralph, he could see Juan struggling with the memories.
"I know now, why he did it, you'd have to ask him about that, and I admire him for realising he had to do something, but it was several weeks before I could come to terms with it and hold him again, and I was terrified the whole time he was serving".
Ralph was relaxed against Juan shoulder, their hands intertwined.
"Gabby and Carlo married after their first tour of duty in Afghanistan ended, they had three months R and R, longer than most because both had sustained injuries, not overly serious, but enough to get them time to recuperate, to mend, Gabby and Carlo had three months together as a married couple, then the boys shipped out again to Afghanistan, Junior had run up the ranks like a rat up a drainpipe, when they returned, Junior was a Lieutenant Colonel, Carlo was a Major, one step below Junior".
Ralph saw the point where Juan got to a really painful memory, watched a tear slide down his cheek.
"Three months after they shipped out Carlo was killed by a sniper, whilst rescuing one of his men, it was the day before Gabby learned she was pregnant, if the first news hadn't sent her over the edge, the second certainly did, she would repeatedly say life was mocking her, it took Carlo, a day before he would have been the happiest man on earth, he could have at least died knowing he was to be a father, she didn't recover, I truly believe, the day Carlo died was the day the count down started until Gabby left this earth, I knew it was coming, and I knew there was nothing I could do to prevent it, I can't tell you how painful that is, to watch the inevitable coming towards you".
Juan paused.
The day we learned about Gabby dying, I was in America on business, I'd taken Maria, Berto, Eduardo and little Carlo with me as a treat, Maria was the star, she stepped up to the plate immediately, asked if she and Berto could take little Carlo on as a second son, I knew she would love him, give him the life he deserved, and I've watched her since, she takes great pains to gently and patiently explain how his real Poppa died, how proud he would be of Carlo, how his Momma loved him but was so saddened by losing his Poppa the Lord thought it best they be together because little Carlo had a loving family to look after him".
"So there you have it, a brief history of probably the most dysfunctional family you've ever come across, I seriously believe we could make freak look like normal".
Ralph was slumped against him, he'd never felt so relaxed, when he said genuinely.
"A lot of families would give anything to experience the love you guys share, it's quite humbling to listen to your journey, I know it's not the time, but one day, would you tell me about Pierre?".
Juan didn't answer immediately, Ralph picked up on his hesitation, but Juan did answer.
"One day perhaps".
They'd managed a visit to the Chateau and hadn't found time to visit The Inn, but the following day was a complete whirlwind haze for Ralph, he met so many people, he was almost hyper, he was hugged almost to the point he was sore, but he was ecstatic.
They'd flown to Malaga in one of Jacqueline's larger planes that could take the extended numbers, had dinner at SPECTRUM, below Thorn Tower, and eventually, after an absolutely unbelievable evening, flown back to Nice, then a short car journey had seen them sipping coffee and cognac in Montclair.
When they went to bed that night, they didn't have sex, they just spooned, drifting off into a contented sleep, and both would later admit, it was the best, deepest, most relaxing sleep either had experienced in a long time.
But next morning was a very different scenario, when Juan awoke, his cock was standing at full mast, lodged firmly in the crack of the body he was spooning, and it took very little encouragement before it was sliding deep into Ralph's eager hole.
When there came a knock at the door, they were still panting, still coupled, Juan's seed, dribbling past his deflating cock out of Ralph's still twitching hole.
Juan withdrew, rather too quickly, bidding entry to whoever was knocking.
The maid entering jumped, rattling the China on her tray, when Ralph screamed at the sudden extraction, he then apologised, mumbling that he'd been asleep, disappearing beneath the covers to hide his crimson face.
As soon as she was gone he almost screamed at Juan.
"Don't pull out that fast ever again, jeez, that really hurt, I know I'm used to taking, but shit, you just pulled every wrinkle from my face".
Juan was overly apologetic.
"I'm sorry, I apologise, I panicked".
Juan, wasn't thinking about what had just happened, he was thinking how to solve Ralph's financial problems, and typically, he fucked up, not intentionally, but he did all the same.
"Your money worries, I can solve them, I have the funds, I can give you whatever you need".
But Ralph was smarting, really smarting, down there, and his reply could have perhaps been phrased a little better.
"Are you for fucking real, why don't you just put a hundred Euros on the dresser and fuck off, do I look like a prostitute is that it?, let's see, a hundred a time, you've fucked me three times, with tips let's call it five hundred".
Ralph was now fuming, sore, and on a roll.
"Are you clean?, I'm floating in your juice, and I'm bloody sore".
Juan didn't take kindly to any of this exchange.
"Your the first person I've had sex with in about twelve years, I suppose we could assume if I weren't clean, either I'd have some indication, or I'd be dead by now, that's the best answer I can give you, does that satisfy you, if it doesn't tough, I'm going for a shower.
Not to be outdone, Ralph shouted as Juan disappeared into the bathroom.
"Yeah, wash all traces of me away, because I'm gone".
When Juan came out of the bathroom he was about to apologise, but the room was empty, Ralph was nowhere to be seen, and he slumped on the bed, thinking, oh shit, what the heck did I do.
TBC Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.