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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 18
As Juan walked into the FBO Offices at Madrid Airport, he saw them immediately, Arty in his Pilots Uniform, a shorter very pretty woman sitting beside him and on the other side of him two boys, who Juan estimated to be around ten or eleven years of age.
Arty jumped up as soon as Juan appeared, the boys followed his lead standing like little soldiers, ramrod straight, hands at their sides, his wife took a while longer to stand, immediately Juan could see why, she was visibly pregnant.
Juan opened his arms and Arty knew the drill, they hugged.
"Arty, I'm so pleased to see you, now, introduce me to your family".
Arty turned indicating first his wife and then the boys.
"Juan, I'd like you to meet my wife Marcella, and our boys, Christofer who's almost twelve, and Dante who is almost eleven, everyone this is Juan Alonso-Caswel-Thorn".
Juan turned first to Marcella, who'd obviously been primed by Arty because she opened her arms at the same time as Juan.
"It's lovely to meet you Marcella, when is the little one due?".
She looked a little defensive, and her reply sounded it too.
"Another four months but it doesn't stop me from pulling my weight, I'll only be out of action for a couple of days after the birth".
Juan noted, she thought he and Ralph would hold the pregnancy against her.
He turned to the boys and crouched down in front of them, opening his arms he scooped both of them in.
"Hi boys, I hope you're both doing everything you can to help your Momma now, pretty soon you're going to have a new little brother or sister to protect, come on let's go flying shall we?".
As they headed out to the car which would take them to Juan's plane, he had a boy holding each hand, it took him back to when Junior, Berto, and Gabby were young, a happy time from so long ago.
On the flight he got the boys set up in two of the seats to the rear of the cabin, directly opposite a wide screen TV, when he showed them the games options, their faces lit up like it was Christmas morning, they were no problem throughout the flight.
After ensuring Marcella was comfortable he apologised for having to make a business call.
His call was to Guardian's Operations Room in Torremolinas.
"Hi, I need to make a visit on Tuesday at some point, the location is not good, it's too an address in the Carabanchel district of Madrid, arrange my plane to be booked as unavailable, I want a protected vehicle and five operatives to accompany me, available when I reach Madrid, have them on stand by from ten in the morning onwards. Could you now connect me to number three please, ........Hi Rick, I have a somewhat strange request, are we being recorded?, .............good, it's essential we are for your protection, I want you to access Pierre's medical records, I want you to find the name of the Specialist in Chicago who gave him the ability to walk, .............I know, ........... his name escapes me as well, the last I remember he was in Switzerland, I need you to track him down, so for legal purposes, as the surviving spouse of Pierre Alonso-Caswel-Thorn, and in my position as number two at Guardian, I authorise you to access Pierre's medical records with the express purpose of tracking down the doctor who performed the operation on him in Chicago, .....thanks Rick speak soon".
After he finished his call he turned back to Arty and Marcella.
"For your information, and it's something I will ask you to keep completely to yourselves at the moment, I need to make you aware of someone who lives at our apartment, who has a criminal record".
Juan went on to tell them the whole story as he knew it, including the part about the RTA and the injuries sustained by Anton Torres, emphasising that part of what he'd told them, was not yet known to Manny, hence why he needed them to not disclose any of it.
Marcella asked why he'd felt the need to tell them.
Juan's reply was matter of fact.
"You have two small children, it's something you have a right to know if you're children are too be placed in the same location, you might want to be extra vigilant, you might object to being in the situation at all, it is not my decision to make however, it is my duty to make you aware of anything which could affect any serious decisions you make, which is why I told you".
Marcella thanked him, and asked.
"Yes or no, should we be worried about Manny being around our children?".
Juan gave her a one word answer.
"No".
When she responded this time, if she hadn't already won Juan over, that would have clinched it.
"Arty has told me about how principled your entire family is, that aligns perfectly with how we'd like to raise our children, and it means I can rely on your word as being truthful, but I do appreciate your sharing the information, it will not be repeated".
Ralph welcomed them in Madrid much the same way Juan had in Malaga, in true Thorn style.
Marcella was concerned by Ralph's obvious injuries.
"What happened to you?".
Ralph smiled.
"It looks a lot worse than it is, an accident at work, a plate glass window fell on me, only a few more days until the bandages come off then it's just the cast for a little longer, but thank you for being concerned".
Juan jumped in.
"He's playing it down Marcella, he's not supposed to exert himself until the doctors give him the all clear, so if you see him doing something he shouldn't this weekend, feel free to reprimand him".
She laughed and replied.
"That I will, but could I ask, all my friends and family call me Marcie, I prefer it".
Juan used it straight away.
"Excellent, well Marcie, let's get you settled, then I'll show you around".
As they were heading toward one of the bedroom hallways, Juan asked the boys if they wanted to share, or have a room each, they opted to share.
He showed Arty and Marcie into a large suite with a bedroom which included his and hers bathrooms, and separate lounge, which Marcie absolutely adored.
Next door he took the boys into a suite slightly smaller with two queen beds and its own bathroom.
He told them to take their time, he and Ralph would be in the lounge when they were ready.
Back in the lounge Ralph was absolutely bouncing as Juan rejoined him.
"I have an idea, hear me out please".
Juan smiled, Ralph still thought he didn't have equal authority".
"Ralph, you don't have to request that I listen to you, as partners in everything I do it naturally, now what's got you so fired up?".
"Well, first off, I like him, Arty seems confident, cool, I don't doubt he can command respect so I'm all for putting him in a Concierge roll, but I favour making him Concierge Control Manager, neither of us has the time to monitor the performance in all these buildings, I vote we allow Arty to do that if he would feel comfortable with it".
Juan agreed he thought it was an excellent idea, but Ralph wasn't finished.
"This week I've seen four possible housekeepers, and I didn't like any of them, but I do like Marcie, can we offer her the job of housekeeper, it saves us from finding accommodation for them, they can have the housekeepers apartment here, and it means Arty and those adorable boys are close by as well?".
Juan openly laughed.
"Oh now I see why you fit the Thorn mould so well, a sucker for kids, well yes, I agree there as well, if she would take it, I think we can get on well together".
When they were all back in the lounge Juan was about to start the conversation when Marcie, looking concerned asked.
"Does my pregnancy influence your decision, I hope not, because I'm not a shirker, I'll work as hard as Arty, and only take a couple of days off after the birth?".
Ralph answered her, and what he said initially saw Marcie with a crestfallen expression until what he'd actually said fully registered, then she was beaming.
"Too be honest, yes, the fact that you're pregnant does influence our decision greatly, it gains you so many brownie points we feel we have to have you, this wider family thrives on kids, now Juan will explain what we want to offer you because, it's a little different to our original thinking".
Juan started to explain.
"We want to offer both of you separate roles, Arty you're first, initially we had the idea of us managing the concierges in each building, but on serious reflection, it's neither practical nor possible, we don't have the time, so, you already know these apartments are being sold as the ultimate full service apartments, every whim from cleaning to stocking the fridge, arranging dry cleaning, car cleaning, valeting, shopping other than groceries, on a reasonable basis, in short, if they want it and you feel we can provide it, then okay we do it".
Juan gave him a moment to take in what he'd heard so far.
"We want you Arty, to be our, Concierge Control Manager, every aspect of Concierge would be your domain, hire, fire, approval level for anything which might prove contentious, this building commences occupancy in six weeks, so you have six weeks to get your staff in place, there are two, three bedroom apartments on ground floor level, we would prefer families, but if you feel someone is worthy and they don't have a family, that's entirely your decision".
Arty looked excited, Marcie nodded her approval and he replied.
"Yes, I want it, it sounds exciting".
Juan was laughing.
"Slow down Arty, yes you got the job, but we haven't talked salary yet, and that's still not been agreed by Ralph and I, all I can tell you is it won't be less than you're on at the moment in your Pilots role, it might increase some as we progress and more buildings come on line, we should be able to give you a final answer on salary before you go home on Monday".
Juan now turned to Marcie.
"You Marcie, were a complete surprise, one we hadn't expected, you see, we've been very unsuccessfully looking for a housekeeper, you've seen a small portion of this apartment so far, it's actually enormous, there will be times when it's only a few of us, but equally we could be hosting, meaning the place could be crammed to the rafters, it's a demanding position, and one where we have to like the person doing it, we want you to be our housekeeper, your salary we already know, it would match what Arty is earning currently, and you have your own four bedroom apartment on this floor with your own front door from here, and a private entrance/exit, to the rear service elevator if you want or need it".
Marcie was just staring, open mouthed, until Ralph said.
"This is the bit where you have to say something Marcie, like, 'yes' would be great".
She stuttered.
"Ye...... Yes, I'd love that, you're serious aren't you?, please say you are?".
Ralph replied laughing.
"Yes Marcie, now come with us let's start by showing you your private apartment".
As they were about to leave the lounge Manny came in, he instantly introduced himself, they all hugged with Marcie saying.
"It's good to meet you, Juan and Ralph said you were living here, we're going to be seeing a lot more of each other, I'm going to be housekeeper so if there's anything you need, let me know".
Ralph and Juan then led them down a different hallway to the one they'd already seen where their current bedrooms were, at the end of the hallway was a door which Ralph opened with a key, it led into an entrance hallway which had a partial glass domed ceiling to allow in natural light because it was in the middle of the building, from there he opened a door on the far side which led into a combined lounge/dining room, it was massive which Marcie commented on.
From the lounge there were glass doors leading out onto a large private terrace with views over the surrounding area.
Leading off the lounge was a fully fitted kitchen, a separate laundry room leading off that with a rear entrance to the service corridors and service elevator, which connected with the rear corridors of every apartment on the lower floors
Going back into the hallway he showed her the house half bathroom, their master suite with its own bathroom, a smaller double room with its own bathroom, then two double rooms which shared a jack and Jill bathroom.
Marcie kept saying, someone should pinch her, until one of the boys did, and they all laughed as she shrieked.
The weekend was a really fun affair, Ralph took Marcie furniture shopping, with everything being arranged for delivery during the following week.
Before they left on Monday, Ralph and Juan confirmed Arty's salary, it would be exactly as he was earning at the moment, but as the other buildings came on line it would increase until it was almost double what he currently earned, Arty was completely satisfied with the arrangement.
They left on Monday, taking Juan's plane back to Malaga, agreeing to wind up their affairs in Torremolinas and be back to commence their new roles the following weekend.
Ralph had listened on Sunday night when they went to bed as Juan told him what he'd found out about the guy Manny had battered.
When he finished speaking Ralph was in tears.
He'd listened to Juan say he was going to visit on Tuesday, at which point he'd gone into panic mode.
"You can't go there, it's a hell hole".
Juan had assured him, he was taking sufficient backup, he'd be completely safe, but Ralph was still apprehensive, but what he said next was something Juan had been debating in his own mind, and he agreed with Ralph's opinion.
"Don't tell Manny yet, see what the situation is first, he may not want to know Manny, or want any help".
Juan had called Josef on Monday evening and brought him up to speed on what he was doing the next day, Josef had also expressed concern about going into that area, and questioned whether Juan should be taking more protection, so it was no surprise when Juan met the team at Madrid airport the next morning to see his brother was with them.
As they'd hugged Josef said.
"You didn't seriously think I'd let you go there without me did you".
Josef had brought four seasoned operatives with him, to join the five plus driver Juan had requested from Madrid area, Jo had also arranged for the vehicle to be a heavily armour plated double cab with enclosed rear truck space, it took all twelve of them easily, and left extra space if they needed to bring anyone out.
The street they were looking for turned out to be no more than a dirty, rubbish strewn alley, stinking of raw sewage.
They'd left the vehicle, and two operatives with the driver, at the end of the alley.
Finding the building they wanted, they'd staged their way up to the apartment through a filthy rubbish strewn stairwell, leaving an operative at key points along the way.
The last three operatives stood guard outside the door of the apartment, well, outside what should have been the door of the apartment, if it hadn't been smashed to bits.
Josef and Juan entered the apartment, they could hear someone pleading.
"Please, I don't have anything, don't hurt me, take anything, there's nothing here, I'm begging you, don't hurt me anymore".
Juan was incensed, as he entered what was the living room and combined bedroom kitchen of the tiny bedsit apartment, three disgustingly filthy males where crowding the small guy, hardly more than a boy, in a wheelchair, one had a hand around his throat leering at him.
Juan said quite calmly.
"Back of scumbag, and I might not hurt you, but don't bank on it"
The nearest scumbag lunged at Juan, but he connected with an iron fist which fired him backwards across the room at speed, leaving him groggy in a crumpled pile.
Josef said to Juan.
"Looks like they want to play Bro, should be fun, it's been quite a while".
The one with his hand at Anton's throat drew a gun from his pants belt, but it was a stupid move, Jo's knife flew across the room with expert precision, slicing through the hand wielding the gun before he could bring it anywhere near it's intended target.
The thug stared with shock at his hand, a knife sticking out of it as the gun fell from his grip.
The third one was obviously banking on mercy, he just raised his hands in submission, as he passed him, Juan's fist hit him squarely between the eyes, sending him across the room to join his fellow thug in a pile against the wall.
The guy in the wheelchair was crying.
"Please, whoever you are, I don't have anything, they've taken everything, just make it quick, kill me".
Juan walked toward him, punching the thug with Jo's knife in his hand as he advanced, knocking him cold.
He crouched down by the wheelchair.
"I'm here because you need help, I'm taking you out of here now, life will be better, trust me, that's all I ask, no one is going to hurt you ever again".
Juan scooped him up easily into his arms, as a message came from the operatives guarding the vehicle.
"This is base vehicle, we need to be moving pronto, the herd is starting to gather,
Juan went out onto the landing, then down the staircase, three operatives plus Jo behind him, collecting operatives as they headed for the vehicle, Juan almost threw Anton into the front of the cab, at the same time he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder, he'd been stabbed, as Juan turned he saw Josef palm chop the thugs neck, tossing him aside gasping for breath.
In seconds they were inside the vehicle and moving, but a hundred yards ahead of them there were about thirty bodies blocking the road, Juan shouted.
"Foot down flat, aim for them, don't let up".
At the last second, the bodies realised this was not a game of chicken they could win and dived for safety, most made it, a few received serious glancing blows from the truck, but they made it out safely, with only Juan injured.
Anton seemed to be in shock.
Juan tried to reassure him.
"I made you a promise back there, life would be better, and it will, I'm taking you home with me, there's someone there who wants to say sorry to you, just relax now, you'll see soon, just know it's going to be okay".
Juan pulled his cell phone out and dialled.
"It's me, we did it, but he was in much more danger than I thought possible, I'm bringing him home, you'll need to bring him up to speed, sorry luv, there's no other way, at least one of them will be prepared for what's coming, see you in about an hour".
Josef, who was riding in the front, crammed in with Juan and Anton, next to the driver, turned to Juan.
"Tell me he's not just finding out what we did today Bro".
Juan looked guiltily at his brother and nodded, Josef said only two words, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Oh fuck".
When they arrived at the apartment, Juan lifted Anton bodily out of the truck, thanking the guys as he went.
He carried Anton until they were in the apartment where he placed him onto a sofa and Anton saw Manny.
He just said.
"You, why?".
Manny walked toward him, crying, and dropped down in front of him.
"I'm so sorry, everything you've suffered, it's all my fault, I want to help, please let me help".
They might all have learned what Anton's reply would have been, if Ralph hadn't screamed.
He'd seen the blood running from Juan's jacket, dripping onto the carpet.
Josef saw it as well and in seconds had Juan's jacket and shirt stripped off, revealing a gaping wound where Juan had been stabbed.
He pinched the wound shut, slowing the blood flow, and asked Juan
"Where's your kit Bro?".
Juan answered matter of factly looking at Ralph.
"Bathroom, the under sink cupboard, light blue bag, bring it quick".
Ralph was gone running, as Juan remembered and said.
"Shit, he's not supposed to be stressed".
When Ralph came back Juan said.
"Relax, you're not supposed to be stressed".
Ralph was definitely not impressed and snapped back.
"I wouldn't be stressed if you hadn't let it slip your mind that you'd been fucking stabbed, what are you doing Jo, we need to get him to an emergency room".
Jo answered in a calm tone.
Ralph, please, I like you, but if you don't shut up and sit down I might have to put you to sleep, and trust me, I can do that in a second, now SIT".
The last word saw Ralph sit quietly on the sofa as Josef stitched his brothers wound.
Meanwhile, Manny scooped Anton up and announced.
"I'm taking Anton for a shower, I don't know if I'll ever be able to show my appreciation for what you guys did today, and you Juan, my life is yours, I owe you more than I can ever repay".
Manny took Anton to his bedroom before saying.
"I'm sorry, there's no way of doing this and protecting your modesty, I have to carry you in naked, so all I can do is even the fields, I'll strip as well, I'll be just as embarrassed as you are, but what Anton replied had him unable to move, it left him crying like a baby.
"You think anything can embarrass me anymore, I've had to barter my crippled body to stay alive, do you understand what that makes me, a prostitute, and right now I'm asking myself why it all happened, I don't need to expand on that do I, because you know what I did wrong".
Manny eventually stopped crying enough to carry him into the shower, cradling him gently in his lap he washed him, ignoring Anton's erection he carried him back to the bedroom drying him and finding him a robe to wrap him in.
"Do you want to go back to the lounge now, or would you prefer I put you to bed".
Anton's reply caused him so much more heartache.
"I'd rather you'd left me to die, I was hoping today was going to be the day it would end, now it's going to go on isn't it, I'm sorry, I know you're not to blame, you just reacted, I would have said that at your trial, but I never got there, I woke up in a world where I was fighting for my very existence, you've no idea the depths I've sunk to, it's been so bad, I don't want to live, I don't have a life anymore, so put me wherever you want, I'm past caring, I'd just like to die".
Manny had heard enough and snapped back.
"Stop it, you're not going to die, you have me, I'm going to look after you, no one will ever hurt you again, I can promise you that, trust me, I caused this, and I'm so sorry, I'll carry you through life if I have to, and don't think it's out of sympathy, it's not, I want to see the smile I saw the first time I met you".
Anton didn't smile.
"Good luck with that, I don't have reason to smile, can you help me into bed, I'm really tired".
Manny lifted him, pulled back the bedclothes and stripped off Anton's robe, seeing his cock still hard, he placed him in the bed, covering him, he leaned in to plant a kiss on his cheek.
"Sleep now, when you wake I'll find you some clothes".
He went to walk away, but Anton was gripping his hand, there was a look of sadness in his eyes.
"Stay with me, hold me, please".
Manny lifted the covers, dropped the towel from around his waist, unveiling his massive semi erect cock, and slid in beside him.
Putting an arm around him, he pulled the smaller body in so his head was resting on Manny's sculpted right pec.
Within moments, Manny could tell, he was sleeping, and soon enough Manny drifted of too.
Ralph looked in later, shedding a tear at the sight of them cuddled together.
In the lounge, Josef had stitched Juan's shoulder wound, applying copious amounts of antiseptic and asking.
"Are you up to date on your shots?".
Juan nodded.
"Boosters two weeks ago, I'll keep an eye on it".
Josef turned to Ralph.
"I'm sorry I shouted at you, I don't like panic when a situation needs dealing with, you need to keep a close eye on this wound, it should heal okay, but if you notice any redness, if it looks in any way infected, that's when he goes to an emergency room, you okay with that?".
Ralph nodded.
"Got it".
Manny stirred, half awake, enjoying the sensations he was experiencing, as he came fully awake, he registered the tongue gently massaging his right nipple, and the soft hand working his rigid cock.
"That feels so good, don't stop, I'm nearly coming.
But the sensations changed as he felt the smaller body drag itself down the bed, then he shivered as lips engulfed his quivering pole.
Manny couldn't hold back, he erupted, spewing a weeks worth of hot juice into the warm suctioning mouth.
He was still shaking as he pulled the boy back up into his arms, kissing all over his face.
"Thank you, I can't think of any better way to wake up, now let me do something about that nail which is threatening to stab me".
He slid down the bed, kissing his way, before engulfing the rampant tool in his mouth, the boy had his eyes closed, moaning in ecstasy, he didn't see Manny reach into a drawer next to the bed and extract a bottle of lube.
The boys eyes flew open when Manny moved up the bed over him, stopping to aim the hard tool at his already lubed pucker, before sinking down, burying the boys cock deep inside him in one plunge.
Leaning down to lock lips he started to rock back and forth as the boy moaned into his mouth.
In only moments, the boy shot his load deep into Manny's insides.
They stayed there joined, as the boy started to sob, with Manny saying.
"Hey now, I know I'm not a porn star but surely I wasn't that bad?".
The boy actually smiled, half laughed, to Manny it was a wonderful sight.
"Careful, you just smiled, it could be infectious, next thing you know you'll develop laughing disease, then after that it's all over, you'll have contracted a really awful disease, eternal happiness".
The boy started laughing.
"See I told you, it's getting worse already, I'm afraid there's no hope, eternal happiness it is".
He pulled him into an almost crushing hug, then leaning back to look him in the face, whispering.
"You're going to have a fantastic life, trust me, you'll die an old man, with a lifetime of wonderful memories to look back on, have faith in me and I'll promise you happiness you never thought possible".
By the time he finished speaking there were tears running down his face, dripping onto the boys cheek, who nodded, reaching up to wipe away the tears, and he spoke.
"I never blamed you, I knew why, when I came round in the emergency room, I told the police officer, about Vince, my flat mate, but they kept saying that didn't excuse what you did, to me it did, I threw Vince out of the apartment, told him I was going to set the record straight at your trial, it's a fairly certain bet he tried to kill me to stop me speaking out".
He paused for a while, Manny just held him close.
"By the time I came out of the coma you'd pleaded guilty, they told me there was nothing more I could do, I spent over two years in different rehabilitation units, then my medical cover dried up, a charity organisation found me the apartment, they moved me in there three months ago, I've never been so frightened in my life, I couldn't protect myself, they just smashed their way in and took anything they wanted, everything, I didn't see any way out, I couldn't leave the building, I couldn't get down the stairs, I wanted to die".
Another pause.
"I remember that night, I had a permanent erection all night, I even went to the bathroom and beat off, that pink thong didn't hide anything, I so wanted to jump you, but you were drunk, I couldn't do that".
This time when he paused, he turned his head to look directly into Manny's eyes, as if trying to decide something, finally he seemed to have made a decision.
"I believe you, I trust you, I have faith in you, I know it might sound strange but, I think I love you".
TBC Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.