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Life's Illusions - Book Four - Chapter 33
When Paul awoke next morning after his drama at JJ's house, he admitted to himself he felt refreshed, much better than he had the night before.
At breakfast, he'd apologised to Vinny.
"I'm really sorry, I put you in an intolerable position yesterday, I owe an apology to Grant as well, I was rude and aggressive, I can only put it down to being jet lagged, fatigued, I hope you can forgive me".
Next he addressed both Piers and Milo.
"You both made it clear that I was out of order, thank you for that, I needed someone to put me down".
A surprise arrival was JJ.
When he walked in they all gasped, he had a swelling above his right eye where a cut was evident, but most alarming was the black eye.
Piers sprang up from his seat.
"What are you doing here, you were supposed to be resting".
From his first words it was apparent JJ wasn't in a good mood.
"I wanted Paul to see proof of why I didn't greet him yesterday".
Paul stood up.
"I'm sorry JJ, I was tired, I wasn't thinking".
JJ's reply didn't do anything to give him hope his mission was going to be easy.
"You haven't been thinking for years Paul, not until something you thought you owned disappeared, I know why you came here, but I can tell you it's a futile effort, you would be wise to leave now whilst I can still say I love you, but I don't want to be with you, because being with you is nothing more than being alone".
His words burned Paul but he tried to reassure JJ.
"I don't want to hurt you JJ, I only want the opportunity to show you I do care, that I can change".
JJ's reply was almost venomous.
"You've spent years hurting me, and now when happiness has found me, you turn up and destroy it, you've hurt me again, how much more plainly can I put it, I don't want you, I've moved on, go away, leave me alone".
JJ turned to Piers.
"I'm sorry to cause a scene in your house, I'll leave now".
But Piers wasn't having it.
"No you won't, sit down, have some breakfast, neither of you is allowed to speak, and that's a warning".
Paul sat back down and JJ took a seat next to Gracie, who reached for his hand under the table.
Vinny got up and filled a plate for JJ, laying it before him with a smile.
When breakfast was over Milo stood up speaking first to the youngsters, then to JJ and Paul.
"Okay kids, vacate the area, and you two, remember this fiasco was borne out of love, don't be hurtful, don't try to score points, be honest, be friends".
In a few minutes they were the only two left, facing each other across the vast table, and really that should have said it all, they were so far apart.
There was a stony silence for several minutes then Paul spoke.
"I am sorry JJ, and you're right, it took your leaving to make me realise what I'd had in my grasp, but I want you to understand I can change, we can be a couple, just say you'll come home with me".
JJ softened some, but what Paul had said only served to reinforce his determination to be free of that old life.
"I don't want to argue Paul, but you're asking for the impossible, maybe just a short while ago I'd have welcomed what you ask, but even then it would have been doomed to fail, I know about the affairs, the one night stands, while I was waiting, craving even the slightest attention, you were bedding every Tom, Dick, and Harry, even a few Harriet's".
Pauls shocked expression said it all.
"Yes I knew about them too, like when Daniel finally got you onboard at Maison de Dieu, I really thought we had a chance, but I had to watch you being drawn into bed by Cierra, Daniels PA, right there in front of me, that was the defining moment for me, I made my decision to finish the project and leave, not just Maison de Dieu, I was intent on leaving everything behind, and you were the biggest part of what I wanted to get away from, so you see, there is no possibility of us being a couple, you spoiled that dream a long, long, time ago
Paul didn't answer, he was looking down at his hands as JJ carried on.
"I don't blame you entirely, I should have had the courage to make a stand years ago, you wouldn't believe how many times I was ready to walk away, how many times I chickened out, instead choosing to wait patiently in the shadows, wasting my life, I wish I could hate you, it would have made the decision to leave so much easier, but I can't, I'll always love you, I just don't want to be with you, I want a relationship like my real parents had, like my Poppas have, with someone who loves me enough to put me first, wants to share a life with me, someone who doesn't have to be forced to commit, because you say you can change, but there would always be doubt"
Paul had listened, totally crestfallen, unaware that JJ knew as much as he did, aware now of what he'd done, how his cavalier attitude to life, and his total disregard for the most important thing in it, had brought him here, to this moment.
"I've been a fool JJ, I know that, and you have to understand, you're the only person I've ever loved, the others, they were nothing more than fun, distractions, except I was having so much fun I lost sight of the goal, I accept everything you say, I won't stay, but I'd like to meet Grant again before I leave, would you agree to that?, I owe him an apology".
Paul could see the sadness in JJ's expression as he replied.
"I wouldn't stop you, but I doubt I'll be seeing anything of him, he left yesterday and I haven't been able to get a response from him since, I seem to have a knack of picking partners who want me, then don't want me, anyway, I'm going home now, I have a splitting headache".
They'd hugged, with tearful goodbyes, before JJ set off to walk the short distance back to his house.
Paul was still sat in the outside room an hour or so later when Milo came out.
"Milo, answer me honestly, do you have an address for Grant?".
Milo's answer was predictable.
"I'll possibly answer your question, but only if you explain why you want it, you would have to concede, you've done enough damage in that area already, neither JJ nor Grant need you to make it worse".
Paul wasn't offended.
"I don't want to make it worse, I want to try to repair the damage I caused, and I owe him an apology, so do you have an address".
Two hours later Paul was at the gatehouse of a gated community of multi million dollar, waterfront properties in Vaucluse, NSW.
He had to wait whilst a call was made to Grant's property, but after a few minutes his car was waved through.
Drawing up to the front of the property it looked grand, but seemed to fall away as the ground sloped down to the rear of the property.
Welcomed inside by a member of the household staff, his breath was completely taken away, from this the entrance level, he was looking out through a complete wall of glass which formed the rear of the property going down three floors, the view stretched across to Sydney Harbour, with its landmark Harbour Bridge and Opera House in the distance.
He was so mesmerised it must have been a few moments before he realised Grant was standing only a few feet away from him.
Paul smiled.
"Hardly looking for a meal ticket when you have a property as beautiful as this, and worth, what?, around twenty four, or maybe twenty five million?".
Grant smiled as well, pleased the atmosphere was pleasant so far.
"I really hope you're right, I paid twenty two just over a year ago".
Paul extended his hand in greeting, Grant covered the two paces needed to shake it as Paul said.
"Trust me, I get a lot of things wrong, but JJ will tell you, on property values I'm never wrong".
He paused then went on before Grant could speak.
"I came to offer an apology, I was completely out of line yesterday, I was rude and aggressive, when there was no need, I really hope you can accept my apology".
"Grant didn't answer his question, instead he posed another.
"I was about to have a cold beer, would you care to join me?".
Paul realised he hadn't answered him.
"A cold beer would be really welcome right now".
Grant led him to an elevator which whisked them down three floors to a lounge where the complete wall of glass had been opened up and a gentle scented breeze was wafting in from the garden.
From this level it was impossible to see beyond the garden, tall trees and shrubs gave the feeling of being in the countryside, you would never have believed on the other side of the screening was Sydney Harbour.
As they sat sipping their beers Paul said.
"You didn't answer my question, will you accept my apology, it's important to me?".
Grant still didn't answer the question.
"Why is it important to you?, I don't figure in your life, and you don't figure in mine, neither of us will suffer any hardship either way".
Pauls reply made him look questioningly at him.
"That's just the point, you are in love with the same person I am in love with, our only difference is, that person loves you, where once upon a time he used to love me, he will always be an important part of my life, and that makes you important too, I need to be able to call you friend, and before that can happen you have to accept my apology".
Grants not answering continued.
"You're not going to pursue him?".
Paul chuckled.
"Are you always this difficult to get a straight answer out of?, no I'm not going to pursue him, I don't know what he's told you about our relationship, or lack of it, but suffice it to say, I know how much I hurt him, and he's the sensible one, he recognised that the love he'd had for me had badly soured over the years, he admitted to himself, he doesn't love me anymore, he has an affection for me, but he doesn't love me, that's a position you hold, and I'm no fool, when he talks about you he glows".
Grant surprised him.
"Yes, I accept your apology my friend, I'm not sorry JJ walked away from you, I'd be a hypocrite to offer that platitude to you, I'm actually pleased you got it wrong, pleased he decided to start afresh here".
Before Paul had chance to speak Grant continued.
"I hope you're right about him loving me, because I know I love him, more than anything else in life, I want to share a future with him, make him happy, see him smile, share his worries".
Pauls next question completely threw Grant.
"So why is he hurting again then, because he thinks he's lost you?".
Grants head snapped up.
"What, no, I only wanted to give you both space to sort your issues".
Paul smiled.
"I hope you're better at lying in your business dealings, you know as well as I do, you couldn't be sure if he'd come back to me and that's your bad, you didn't have faith".
Grants expression told him he was right.
"He'll know what I was thinking, he probably won't want anything more to do with me anyway".
Pauls reply was genuine.
"So admit it, tell him how you felt, don't be me, share it, let him see you're vulnerable, that you can be hurt too, I'm going to leave you now, be happy my friend, I hope we meet again".
When Paul arrived back Piers was waiting for him.
"What did you do?".
Paul couldn't tell if Piers was happy or not.
"I apologised, we had a beer, and a chat, I actually liked him, that was a bit of a bummer, I was prepared to really dislike him, but I couldn't, he'll look after JJ, and it's what he deserves, someone who can wipe away all the hurt I gave him".
As he finished speaking he dissolved into tears and almost ran to his room.
Piers was completely gobsmacked.
A few hours later answering a knock on his bedroom door, Paul found Vinny standing there.
"You have a visitor".
He found JJ waiting for him in the outside room.
"I came to say thank you, he told me everything, including your advice, I want us to part as friends Paul, you've shown me you care enough to make that possible, I meant what I said about always loving you, it's just in a different way".
They'd hugged with tears, and Paul told him.
"If there's ever a time when you need help, just call, I'll be there, for no other reason than I love you and I owe you, I'll always miss you JJ, have a wonderful life".
And JJ was gone.
Piers came to sit with him, and Paul explained.
"I think I always knew what the outcome of this trip would be, but I had to try, I knew when he left I'd been an idiot, he says he'll always love me, just in a different way, I didn't tell him I'll never stop loving him, except I'll be loving him with a longing that can never be fulfilled, but that's my cross to bare".
Piers asked.
"What are your plans now?".
He smiled, a completely false smile, Piers could easily see that.
"Back to Montclair and work, nothing more, no socialising, I don't think I'd find it fun anymore, I'm going to book my flight now, I'm thinking a lazy day tomorrow then I'll leave the following day, that's if you don't mind putting up with me for another day".
Piers laughed.
"Oh I think we can manage that".
After Paul left things pretty much got back to normal, except, Milo noticed Vinny wasn't absent as usual during most evenings, the time when he and Paulette usually Skyped.
He'd mentioned it to Piers who looked a little furtive as he said.
"Really, perhaps one or the other is busy".
Milo picked up on it immediately, Piers never could pull off a lie.
"What aren't you telling me?".
Piers started to bluster, and blush, and that was the giveaway as Milo stopped him dead in his tracks.
"Piers you couldn't tell a lie successfully to save your life now spill the beans, or do I need to direct my question to Vinny?".
Piers was quick to answer.
"No don't, it's Paulette, she's going out with some guy in Torremolinas, Vinny's gutted, understandably".
Milo was visibly upset.
"When did he find out?".
Piers answer disappointed him for several reasons.
"A couple of weeks ago, I noticed what you have about a week ago, while the drama with Paul and JJ was going on, that's probably why you didn't see it".
Milo's next question was pointed, and it had Piers cringing.
"And you didn't think to share this with me why?".
Piers took a deep breath before answering, this was what both he and Vinny had been afraid of.
"Because Paulette asked him not to let you know, apparently neither Carry nor Josef know anything, it's something about this boy having a problem past".
Milo almost exploded.
"Bloody hell Piers, what were you thinking?, bring Vinny to the office".
Piers went to Vinny's room.
"Your Poppa sussed you out, he's fuming with me for keeping it a secret, come on he wants to speak with both of us now".
As they entered the office Vinny blurted out.
"It wasn't Poppa Piers fault, I swore him to secrecy, please don't be angry with him, I'm too blame".
Milo's answer surprised both of them.
"Vinny, I'm not angry with either of you, I'm disappointed neither of you felt you could trust me, but I'm concerned about who this person is that's managed to get really close to a family member without being looked over, and don't look surprised, have you given any thought at all to what size of inheritance Paulette stands to gain eventually, she's a prime target for unsavoury characters, now, tell me everything you know about this person".
Vinny reeled off all of the things Paulette had told him, which wasn't much, he only new a first name, except he remembered she'd said he worked at a bar in the backstreets of Torremolinas, he gave Milo the name of the bar.
They listened as Milo called Guardian's Control Room in Sydney and asked to be patched into Guardian Torremolinas Control.
"This is Aus one, I need a track, trace, and complete run down on an individual in Torremolinas".
Milo gave all of the information he'd learned from Vinny.
"I want your report by seven in the morning Sydney time zone, I'll take whatever you have if you're still working on it, this is a priority, if Guardian one, or two, query the search, refer them to me".
After they finished breakfast next morning, the boys, along with Gracie went off to dress for school, Milo beckoned Piers and Vinny to follow him.
In the office he turned his screen so they could all view it.
"This is what we know so far, he's involved in drug distribution and prostitution, he has prior convictions for aggravated assault, and kidnapping, several of his victims have been seriously harmed, and we're still gathering Intel".
He looked at both of them, but it was Piers who spoke, and he was speaking to Vinny.
"Poppa has to take this to Uncle Josef, it's bad, I'm sorry son, we have to break your confidence, if anyone kept this from us we'd crucify them, this person shouldn't be anywhere near to Paulette".
Vinny just nodded, saying.
"Do it, I should have confided in you earlier, I'll explain to Paulette later".
It was eight in the morning in Sydney, meaning it was around eleven in the evening in Torremolinas, Milo knew Josef would be at home.
He sent a text.
'You and Carry, conf, ten, no alert, espec Paulette, priority one, family, Milo'.
Ten minutes later the screen in Milo's office displayed a nervous Josef and Carry, they could also see Juan in the background.
Carry spoke immediately the screen came up.
"Milo what's this about, and why are we too keep it from Paulette?".
Milo explained, sharing electronically the Guardian file.
When he finished there was silence, except for the sound of Carry weeping.
Josef only said.
"Thank you Milo, I'll take it from here, Vinny, I'll be speaking with you later".
And the connection was cut.
Paulette wasn't having fun anymore, she'd wanted to leave nearly three hours before, but Vasco had said no it was too early, when she'd argued and stood ready to leave he'd slapped her, knocking her back down into her seat, she'd asked again but now she was terrified.
"I said no, challenge me and I'll cut that pretty little face so no one will ever look at you again".
After a few more drinks, where he forced her to drink neat vodka, he grabbed her arm, dragging her into a dingy store room at the back of the bar.
Inside he'd started clawing at her, covering her mouth with his as he groped her, pulling her top up to reveal her young breasts, then jamming his hand into her lace panties.
Paulette was crying, begging him to stop, but he didn't, he threw her down onto a pile of dirty sacking and raped her, thrusting forcefully into her until he came, emptying himself inside her as she screamed, then dragging her to her feet and out of the store room still half naked.
He pushed her down onto a couch between several of his henchmen, laughing as they groped her.
She was screaming and struggling as the bar room door opened.
All eyes turned to the two men who'd entered.
Vasco staggered drunkenly toward them pulling a knife from his still open pants.
"This is a private party get out .........................".
He didn't get any further, the flat hand hitting his windpipe left him struggling to breathe, the fist which propelled him backwards over a table, scattering glasses and bottles into a group of his thugs, left him unconscious.
Several of Vasco's thugs foolishly advanced on the two men, believing there was strength in numbers, and there probably could be against two normal men, but these weren't normal men, they were killing machines, about to do what they'd been trained to do.
Four thugs were advancing on Juan as he picked up a wooden chair, smashing it in the face of the nearest thug, then using the splintered chair leg to skewer a second thug, pulling it out of the screaming thugs stomach, he plunged it into the neck of a third.
The fourth seemed to have lost his willpower, seeing the fate of his fellow gang members, he put his hands up in defeat as Juan advanced on him, it didn't help him, the chair leg smashed his jaw, then strong arms hoisted him up, causing him to scream in terror as he was thrown bodily, face first into the glass backbar, shredding his face, causing him to scream even louder in pain.
Josef had advanced on the thugs holding his struggling daughter, one had pulled a gun, but his brain, and mouth, screamed in agony as Josef's knife struck the hand holding the gun, leaving two fingers dangling by mere threads.
Between them they rendered senseless fifteen disgusting pieces of filth before Josef scooped up his sobbing daughter, carrying her from the bar, leaving his brother behind.
Juan looked around the room, spotting a moaning Vasco clutching his throat.
Grabbing him by his throat, causing him excruciating pain, Juan ripped his pants down around his ankles, saying loudly.
"So you like forced sex do you?, well let's see how much fun you think it is being on the receiving end".
Juan grabbed the chair leg he'd used earlier to skewer several of the thugs, spinning Vasco onto his stomach, he jammed the end hard up his ass.
The screaming could probably be heard a full block away, but no one would be stupid enough to intervene, several of the beaten thugs, now conscious, watched in horror as the broken chair leg was jammed into their bosses ass, terrified they were going to be next, until Juan punched Vasco to silence him, and said.
"I know every one of you now, I see your faces clear in my mind, none of you will be in this town when the sun comes up, do I make myself clear, don't cross me, I'll know if you're still here, take a good look, because this is what you'll get if I hear you've ever set foot in this town again, remember, you have until sun up".
Ripping the chair leg out of an unconscious Vasco, he held it aloft.
"After sun up you get this".
Then he turned and walked out of the bar.
Hours earlier, what now seemed a complete lifetime away, Juan and Ralph had arrived in Torremolinas for the weekend.
Paulette was going out to meet friends, they'd planned dinner at SPECTRUM, the restaurant at the bottom of Thorn Plaza, just as they returned, Josef's cell had buzzed an incoming message from Milo.
When they'd heard what he had to say, Josef had gone cold, Carry was sobbing.
After he'd cut the call, Josef had announced.
"I'm going to collect her".
Juan had corrected him.
"We're going to collect her, but wait a moment".
Pulling out his cell while speaking to Ralph he'd said.
"Look after Carry, we won't be away long".
When his cell connected, they heard him say.
"One and two need backup".
He gave the address of the bar, knowing every Guardian operative within a twenty mile radius would drop everything and head towards helping them.
When they arrived at the bar there were probably a dozen of Guardian's finest milling around.
Juan addressed them.
"We need backup, nothing more, you do not get involved unless we're in danger of being overwhelmed, do I make myself clear, what is about to happen could put you all in serious trouble, we don't want to be responsible for that, ensure no one comes in, and be ready to remove us from the scene, that's all we're asking of you, unless we're in trouble, which I seriously doubt?".
Josef and Juan had then strode purposefully into the bar.
At the nest Paulette clung to her Momma, sobbing loudly.
Ralph panicked when Juan didn't arrive back with Josef and Paulette.
"Where's Juan, why isn't he with you?".
But Josef didn't need to answer him, Juan walked in a few minutes later, covered in blood.
Ralph was all over him.
"Where are you hurt, where's the blood coming from, tell me, I know what to do?".
Juan pulled him into a strong hug, rendering him helpless.
"I know you do, and I'm strong because I know you can take care of me, but it's not my blood, I'm okay, all I need right now is for you to hold me tight".
As Juan relaxed his grip Ralph encircled him with his arms.
"I've got you lover, you're safe, relax, I'm on guard".
Paulette shut herself in her room, for over a week they heard the shower running almost constantly.
Carry had tried to get her to eat, but it wasn't working, she seemed to be in a strange mood, seemingly normal one moment, a sobbing wreck the next.
Carry was almost at her wits end when Vinny called.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to disturb you, but could I possibly speak with Paulette, she's not answering her cell?".
Carry had launched an absolute tirade of abuse at him, but Josef had taken the phone from her.
"We still need to have a conversation, but for now if you think you can get through to her I'll take the phone to her".
Josef had knocked on her door, getting no reply he'd opened the door to find her curled up on her bed, wide awake just staring off into the distance.
"Sweetie, Vinny's on the phone for you".
Paulette took the offered receiver almost vacantly, as he left the room he heard her whisper Vinny's name, and start crying again.
A little more than an hour later Josef's cell rang, it was a call from Vinny.
"I wanted you to know she's going to have dinner with you this evening, please don't mention anything about that night, I don't know how this will play out, I'll talk to her everyday but, if she's not back to her old self soon, I want your permission to come to Torremolinas".
Josef only said three words.
"You have it".
Paulette came out of her room a little before seven that evening, she looked awful, wearing baggy clothes, her hair a tangled mess, nothing like the confident, self assured girl she had been, but they were pleased all the same, it was a step forward.
Vinny called her every day, sometimes twice a day over the next couple of weeks, but he knew it wasn't working, he'd given her the confidence to venture out of her room, but that was about all.
He'd spoken with his Poppas, telling them he needed to go to Torremolinas, he needed to be there for Paulette, to give her the confidence to go out, leave the apartment.
Milo confided in Piers, he couldn't help but be concerned, both Josef and Carry blamed Vinny for not telling them about Paulette and Vasco sooner, he was wary of allowing Vinny to be there unaccompanied, so he suggested they travel as a family, the boys and Gracie would be out of school for the summer recess in another four days, they could easily arrange to take a few weeks off.
And so the family from Australia arrived in Torremolinas, and it was clear from the moment they met, despite extending a warm welcome to most of the family, Carry couldn't bring herself to be even civil to Vinny.
He in turn endured Carry's constant rudeness, he was there for a purpose, to help the girl he still loved, and nothing was going to deter him, but Piers wasn't so dismissive of Carry's attitude toward Vinny, and it came to a head after she'd snipped at Vinny one night.
Piers waited until all of the children had gone to bed.
"What is it Carry, because I've listened to you snipping at my son since we arrived here, and I'm rapidly losing patience".
Milo and Josef were on the edges of their seats, they could see how pissed Piers was, but Carry's reply only served to antagonise the situation.
"Your son could have prevented this situation, he should have told us sooner, so don't you dare take the moral high ground with me Piers".
But Piers wasn't backing down.
"It's not about moral high ground Carry, it's about loyalty, our son is still hopelessly in love with your daughter, she begged him to keep her secret, it may have been a bad decision, but for a sixteen year old boy, it was uncharted waters, I agree, he should have told you, but asking him to break a confidence when he doesn't have the experience of life, I have to err on his side, so be very careful, because you're seriously pissing me off now, and from me there's not going to be the response you've received so far, Vinny has accepted it and turned the other cheek, you'd be a bloody fool to think I will".
TBC Allan
Comments are welcome to cfgw2000@aol.com.
Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.