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Life's Illusions - 10 years on - Chapter 35
She looked peaceful, as if asleep, and at any minute now she would awaken, give him one of her beautiful smiles.
But she wouldn't, she couldn't, Aly would never see his mothers beautiful smile again.
Rosa was gone.
Pierre and Juan had been married in mid February, the service carried out in the gardens of Reece's Villa in Torremolinas, a place where no excessive travel was necessary for Rosa.
They'd planned a July wedding on the lawns of Chateau Montclair, but that was quickly changed when Aly and Bo arrived back at Montclair in a somber mood towards the end of January, they'd been visiting Leo and Rosa, Aly's parents.
They'd gone purely to quell Aly's unease about the illness which had kept his Momma in bed over the Christmas holidays, it seemed she was not making any real progress towards recovery.
It had started at the end of October in Torremolinas.
Rosa had blacked out, leading to a serious fall on the staircase leading down from the roof terrace which left her with a broken leg, rib and collarbone.
Aly, Bo and both of their sons had traveled immediately to Torremolinas when Leo had called with news of Rosa's fall, they'd stayed for a week, confident Rosa was definitely on the mend when they returned home.
But her recovery had been something of a mystery, the bones mended, but Rosa's general health didn't improve, she never regained her previous energy levels, constantly falling victim to one ailment after another, permanently tired, so much so that when the annual Christmas trek to Lanzarote came around Rosa had opted to stay in Torremolinas convalescing.
In mid January Leo had called Aly to say Rosa was back in hospital with a lung infection and the associated breathing difficulties that brought with it.
The doctors had been running a series of tests to determine the underlying cause of Rosa's poor health, they were due to present their findings within the next few days.
It had been Bo who had suggested they go to Torremolinas, he could see how worried Aly was, they'd left Pierre in charge of The Inn, and of Piers.
The results were a body blow to all of them.
Rosa had cancer, it was widely established and advancing at an alarming rate, they'd predicted she had only a matter of months to live.
When their Poppas returned from Torremolinas both boys could see the pain etched into their faces.
At dinner that evening Aly and Bo explained everything to a tearful Pierre and Piers, including their Grammas request.
She'd accepted how little time she had left but she wanted to see Pierre and Juan married.
Pierre had called Juan who was at home in Torremolinas.
"You've heard the bad news about my Gramma Rosa?".
Juan already knew, he'd visited Rosa several times, alone and with his Poppa, brother and sister.
"Yes, I know, I've been to see her several times".
Pierre was nervous about asking Juan the next question.
"Gramma's asked if we would bring our wedding date forward, she wants to see us married before her health deteriorates too far, I know it's a bit of a shock but would you mind if we did this for her?".
Juan's reply surprised him, it shouldn't have, but it did.
"Pierre, I would marry you tomorrow, standing on a refuse tip, at the drop of a hat, anytime, anywhere you want, if it makes your Gramma happy I know you'll be happy and that's my mission in life, to always make you happy, so go ahead, arrange everything, you can tell me the details at the weekend, I'm hitching a ride with my Gramps back to Montclair.
And so the arrangements were made.
Reece had insisted the ceremony be held at his Villa, Juan's home.
The visiting family and friends were split for accommodation between a multitude of hotels in the area because The Woodruff was only able to offer five rooms.
On the lawn in the gardens of Reece's Villa, Pierre and Juan were married, in the sight of God, their families, and their friends, but most importantly, in the sight of Pierre's beloved Gramma Rosa.
At The Inn in Montclair, Aly had been busy during the weeks before the wedding.
It had been Piers who had suggested he should move from his top floor bedroom suite to a room on the floor below, his reason made sense, the top floor could then be a private floor for Pierre and Juan when they were in Montclair.
Pierre and Juan were thrilled with the idea.
Aly had the top floor altered to give them a sitting room, kitchen, lounge and dining room in the previous landing space.
As a honeymoon they'd travelled at Pierre's insistence back to Switzerland, when Juan asked Pierre why Switzerland he'd replied.
"Because leaving there was the worst thing I ever experienced, a truly sad memory, I want to replace it with a truly wonderful memory, one where we fuck from dawn to dusk, and we leave Switzerland together, on the same plane, sure of our love for each other".
Juan had blushed crimson at the mention of sex with Pierre, he'd stuttered a response.
"Pierre, there's something I have to tell you, I, err, I, err............well, about the sex part, I, errr................., I've not, never, oh for Christ sake, I'm a virgin, I've never actually done it, I may be a lousy fuck, there I've said it".
Pierre was almost doubled up laughing when Juan spoke again.
"You think it's funny?, I'm nervous, I might disappoint you, what if I don't meet up with your expectations?".
Pierre's reply silenced Juan.
"That would be two virgins with zero knowledge or expectations, therefore we learn together".
Juan was gobsmacked.
"You as well, I always assumed someone with your confidence, looks, personality, you'd have, well, you know, err, sort of, done it before".
Pierre gave a mock look of indignation.
"I trust my husband to be is not saying he thought me to be a slut".
The moment Juan started furiously back-pedalling, Pierre burst out laughing, and so they'd enjoyed their honeymoon in Switzerland, and yes, they'd fucked from dawn till dusk on several of the days, oh boy were they quick learners, and inventive, and happy, so happy.
Rosa passed away peacefully in the arms of her beloved Leo late one afternoon just four weeks after she'd witnessed Pierre and Juan's marriage, resting in a lounger on the roof terrace of the place she'd called home for over twenty years, in her native Torremolinas, with Lenny and PJ sat next to her, she'd just slipped quietly away.
For Leo, Aly's father, as for for Lenny and PJ, it had come as a bitter blow, the four had been firm friends, more like brothers and sisters for over twenty years, for each of them, life changed forever on that day.
It came as a further surprise when, only a few weeks after Rosa's funeral, Leo arrived at The Inn, unexpectedly.
Over dinner on the night he arrived he'd announced his intention to give up working, they'd all been surprised, shocked even, but he was adamant, he'd explained, he only ever gained pleasure from working when he was providing for his family, but, with Rosa gone and his children off living their own lives, he didn't see the point of continuing.
He'd hinted he wasn't the only one thinking that way but he didn't elaborate on that point.
He told them he had a proposal to make but it needed Josef, Juan's brother to be present.
Pierre suggested they use Aly's office to video, conference call Josef in Torremolinas.
Leo had insisted he wanted Aly and Bo to be present, along with Pierre, and for Reece to sit in with Josef.
They were all wondering what this was about, all that is except Aly, he had a fairly good idea what was coming.
Once the link was established and the greetings over with, Leo began to explain.
"You all know of my company Guardian, I built it over many years, it has a reputation most others would give their right arm for, clients beat a path to our door, we don't advertise, we choose our work, we are extremely selective, we turn down ten times the amount of work we take on, my staff are all hand picked, the best in their fields, they enjoy, no that's not true, they work hard for and earn, wages which are almost double what anyone else in our field pays, and it's justified, our charges are like our wages, double or sometimes even more than anyone else would charge, but what we offer is unparalleled, we leave nothing to chance, we cocoon our clients, they enjoy the ultimate in safety".
Leo stopped whilst he took a sip of water.
"I don't want to be active in running the company any more, but I don't want to let go of it either, nor do I want to desert the people I employ, it and they, are like a child, I need to be reassured it's going to continue to grow, so I'm offering it to you, Juan and Josef".
At this point Leo paused again, Juan and Josef just looked shocked, both could be seen with mouths agape and eyes wide like saucers.
"I've watched you closely, and you know what that means, if I wanted, I could watch you pee, observe you sleeping, see everything you do, I've seen how you operate, watched with interest how you treat your staff, admired your rigid, unfaltering expectations of a set level of service, I'm not just impressed, I'm truly impressed, I've seen it once before, but I never thought I'd see that devotion again in my lifetime"
Again Leo took a short break before he turned to speak directly to Aly.
"I always hoped you'd come back Aly, but I knew in my heart after Stevie's death, even before I knew of your personal involvement, that was just a pipe dream of mine, I should have told you this a long time ago, you deserved to be told and I didn't do it, I'm sorry son".
Leo paused again and Aly looked puzzled, as if he were about to ask what his Father meant, but Leo carried on.
You two were so good, everything you boys ever helped me with, and there were so many projects, everything you became involved in, was of a quality way above anything we'd ever achieved before, it was you and Stevie who set the standards we at Guardian operate by today, clients raved about you, insisted they felt totally safe when their security was in your hands, so many of them begged me to get you both back onboard, of course they would never know the reason why you didn't return, never learn of Stevie's death, of your heartbreak".
Leo paused again, Aly could see the tears in his Fathers eyes, he was about to interrupt but Leo carried on.
"I didn't think I'd ever see a day when someone would rival your standards, but I have, in both these boys I see standards equal to the ones you and Stevie set so long ago Aly".
Another short pause.
"I wanted all of you boys to have your Poppas here because I don't want any hint that I bullied you into anything, I know I've been guilty of that to a lesser degree in the past, but this decision, it has to be because you want to do it, Guardian's not some two bit backstreet operation, this is a multinational corporation with a turnover in the hundreds of millions, also, there would normally be a cost to buy into a company of this stature, an enormous cost by most people's standards, we are talking in the region of several hundred million euros for a half share of the company, again, why I wanted your Poppas in on this conversation, you may feel you need their financial backing, but that's a conversation for another day, right now I want to know if you are even remotely interested in my proposal, so what do you think, would you even consider it?".
Juan and Josef were beaming but when Josef replied Juan was shocked, he'd expected his older brother to scream yes, he hadn't expected what Josef said.
"I'd say yes, we would consider it, but at this point that's all we are prepared to admit, I'm confident I speak for Juan as well, we need to know much, much, more, and if we did agree, there's a deal breaker clause involved, Juan and Pierre will be free to reside wherever they see fit, as will I should the need arise, however to return to your question, yes we will consider it, the cost doesn't faze us, we would expect it, given the product is of such a high calibre, I would suggest a meeting once you arrive back in Torremolinas, you can walk us through your proposal, with all of the necessary financials, but for now I want to thank you, from both of us, for having confidence in our ability, for even considering us as having the potential to continue to grow your company, that in itself is praise beyond what we could ever hope to achieve".
After the call was concluded, it seemed everyone was on the phone or in conversation with someone.
Aly took his father aside, Bo joined them.
"Thank you Poppa, for saying what you did, I'm sorry I couldn't come back, I know how much I hurt you, it hurt me too, knowing what you wanted, what I couldn't give, but for a long, long time the pain was just too much to even contemplate doing what Stevie and I had planned to be doing together, by the time I'd come to terms with his death I was too well established here in Montclair to consider leaving, and then Bo came along, I would never have met Bo if I'd returned, so I'm at peace with the fact I made the right decision, but it doesn't alter the fact, I hurt you, and for that I'm truly sorry".
Leo looked from Aly to Bo, suddenly realising he'd been discussing Stevie so openly, so candidly, he'd lost sight of the fact he might have seriously upset Bo, something he would never want to do.
"I'm sorry Bo, I've been pouring out my thoughts without considering who I might upset in the process, you're my Son in Law, I love you dearly, please forgive my rudeness".
Bo put an arm around his Father in Law.
"Worry not Poppa, Aly and I don't hide the fact we each loved another, and still do, love didn't die with our late partners, true love can't, it won't, it carries on, I still love Joe, just as Aly still loves Stevie, and we love each other without any jealousy of those other loves, they are no threat to us, we both know they would want us to be happy".
In another room, Pierre and Juan had pulled Piers in whilst they called Josef in Torremolinas.
Juan had been the one to insist Piers should be included and have a say, even though Pierre didn't understand why even he was there let alone why Piers should be included.
"Jo, there's something else I want to throw into the mix whilst we consider this, understand I won't take no for an answer on this, I want Pierre actively involved in the accounting side of things if we do this, I know you agree, he will be our anchor at base, our financial wizard, and he has to have equal voting rights, so understand me, it's a three way split, or not at all".
Josef came back quickly with.
"Pierre's tied up with The Inn, how's that going to work?".
Pierre looked at Juan, whose expression was one of pleading, he understood immediately, then he replied to Josef.
"At The Inn I have an understudy waiting in the wings, he doesn't think he's capable, but he is, and he always has been".
Turning to Piers, Pierre asked.
"Well little brother, will you do it, assume my position at The Inn, as Director of Finance?".
Piers face was a picture, one of complete surprise.
"I, well, I'm not sure I could do it, you make it look so simple, but it's not, would you teach me first?".
Pierre laughed, nodding his agreement to Piers.
"See, I told you, he can do it with his eyes closed, so if you want me to be involved, I'm in, now Piers and I are leaving, you two have lots to talk about".
Before they left Josef added a remark to Pierre.
"I agree with Juan, if you're in control of the finances, I'll be able to concentrate on what Juan and I do best, thanks Pierre, and you too Piers for making it happen".
Pierre and Piers left them deep in discussion, they went out onto the rear terrace where their Grandfather was sat talking to their Poppas, as they approached Pierre asked.
"Is it okay to join you, or are you wanting some privacy?".
It was Leo who replied.
"Nothing is more important than making time for my Grandsons, in the past it was always your Gramma who made time for you, because I was always busy with work, that will never happen again, I've wasted far too much time already, from now on I expect you to interrupt me, bug me, I want to spend as much time with you as you can stand".
Leo stopped for a moment, obviously deep in thought.
"I hope I haven't made life difficult for you Pierre, it's a really big project I've put in front of the boys, I didn't mean for it to come between you and Juan".
Pierre put his arm around his Grandfathers shoulders.
"It won't come between us Gramps, we've already discussed it, I'd tell you what was said but I have to discuss something with our Poppas first".
Talking the hint Leo stood up.
"Well, if you'll excuse me, I think I would like to take a walk to the bar and sample some fine ale".
As Leo left Bo asked.
"What is it you need to discuss with us son?".
Pierre looked at Piers who just nodded, giving Pierre the go ahead to tell their Poppas what they had agreed.
"If Juan and Josef take up Grandfathers offer, I'm going with them, they want me as their accountant, it's okay, I've already asked Piers to step into my shoes here, and despite his not believing it, he's much better than I am, so you gain a much better Finance Director into the bargain, that is, if it's acceptable to you".
This time Aly answered.
"Pierre, first and foremost, you're our son, not our Finance Director, that's a position you occupy at a company called The Inn, it has nothing to do with us, this family, other than that company provides us with a nice little income, okay it's not so little, and a lot of the credit for that is down to you".
Aly stopped to gather his thoughts but it was Bo who carried the conversation onwards.
"I think what Poppa Aly is trying to say Pierre is that you are a man who should be looking out for his family, your primary family, that's you and Juan now, we've loved you, guided you, and hoped all along we were doing the right thing, no parent can be sure, but judging by what I see before me, I think a bloody good pat on the back is in order for me and Aly.
Bo paused.
We're not your primary family anymore, Juan is, so go for it, yes we're okay with Piers taking over as Finance Director of The Inn, to be honest we were waiting for you to bugger off, we reckon Piers will make us richer than even you have".
They all burst out laughing as Pierre said.
"Bloody capitalists, I knew it, you only took me in to make money for you, now you can't wait to throw me out, leave me begging on the streets, because there's a better money maker on the horizon".
Through tears of laughter Aly replied.
If my memory serves me right you still enjoy a lavish monthly allowance courtesy of your evil, capitalist Poppas, and having passed your seventeenth birthday some eight months ago you are only four months away from inheriting half of the trust fund set up for you all those years ago, again by your evil, capitalist Poppas, so you'll forgive us if we don't muster quite the right level of sympathy, knowing as we do, your begging bowl will receive a hefty, eighty four million euros dumped into it shortly, might we tactfully suggest you buy a rather bloody large begging bowl, you ungrateful little urchin".
By now they were all laughing fit to burst as Leo came back from the bar.
In the days that followed Aly and Bo spent a lot of time discussing Leo's proposal with everyone.
Reece was most interested in how Leo would structure Guardian to give Josef, Juan and Pierre security going forward, how much money the boys would need to buy a respectable stake in the company, what would happen if Leo died, what were his plans for any remaining share capital that he still held after his death, there were so many questions floating around.
Aly and Bo had almost identical questions, as the days rolled on more questions arose, to the point where Reece suggested he and Josef join them in Montclair and get the matter ironed out.
Aly found his Father sitting in the courtyard garden at the rear of their house sipping a coffee.
"Poppa, Reece and Josef want to come to Montclair to talk through your proposal, are you okay with that?".
Leo smiled.
"Of course I'm okay with it, I suspected Josef would be chomping at the bit, despite his rather coy response the other night, I'm guessing Reece will also want to satisfy himself the boys are doing the right thing, and of course how much he might have to put up in the way of capital funds for them".
Aly could see his Father was uneasy about something, as if trying to decide if he should say what was on his mind or not so he pushed the matter".
"Poppa, you might not know this but Momma wasn't the only one who could tell when you are troubled, there's something troubling you now, I'm here and ready to listen, so come on, get it over with".
Leo looked apprehensive but he explained.
"I'm not selling them a share of Guardian, I'm giving it to them, but in reality it wasn't my idea, it was your Momma's, before she even knew about her illness, I hope you don't object because it's you and Reya who are being deprived of half of the company's net worth, I'm giving them almost your Momma's half of the company".
Aly looked shocked, he didn't reply, Leo started to get nervous, thinking Aly was upset, until Aly finally spoke.
"Poppa, I love you so much, Momma would be so proud of you, I'm with you all the way, and I can tell you Reya will be with you too".
It was early evening when Reece and Josef arrived at The Inn.
Aly and Bo had held dinner until they arrived and no sooner than they'd sat down to eat the questions started, Josef first, then Juan, followed by Reece, until Aly took his knife and rapped loudly on his china plate.
"Please, our cook has laboured over this meal, you're being extremely disrespectful, first we eat, then we can discuss business".
Reece responded for all of them, with a single look at his boys he silenced them.
"Apologies, you're right, no more questions until after dinner".
Never had a meal been consumed so fast, there was a determination to get past this meal by everyone.
Within an hour they were seated in the lounge where Leo started the conversation.
"I made you a proposal a few days ago, I'm not stupid, I know it came as something of a surprise to you, I wanted to give you a reason why I made that proposal".
As Leo paused, the sound of a pin dropping would have been heard clearly had it happened, it seamed everyone was hanging on his every word.
"Long before My beautiful Rosa was diagnosed with cancer, I made a decision to cut down the amount of time I dedicated to work, I realised how much I neglected my family, how much I was missing".
Leo seemed deep in thought but no one interrupted him.
"It seems ironic, I make the decision to spend more time with my family and Rosa is taken from me, I could have been angry, I was, but Rosa made me see sense, she reminded me, I have a whole big family, she might be gone but that didn't mean I wouldn't have others to spend time with, she made me promise that I wouldn't waiver, I would still go ahead and cut back substantially the amount of time I gave to the company".
He paused again for thought.
"You boys were Rosa's choice, I agree with her choice, but it was she who suggested I approach you, she loved you both like you were her own".
He paused just for a moment.
"Okay, so for the nitty gritty, I'm guessing you are wondering what I want from you, what it's going to cost you, to acquire a portion of Guardian".
As he paused there was visible nodding of several heads, what he said next caused a severe drawing of breath from all except Aly and Bo.
"Nothing, not a Euro, not a Cent, not a Nickel, not a Penny, it's I who want you, I know you will continue to grow my company, I know you will maintain the standards we have in place, life holds no illusions for me on that score, for that peace of mind I'm prepared to give you a forty eight percent share of the company, twenty four percent each, I will retain fifty two percent, in order that you can operate fairly on decision making I will only have voting access to forty eight percent of shares, the other four percent will be held by an independent who, in the event of a tied vote, will exercise the voting rights of those shares, I won't have any active role in the company, I won't be clashing with you on decisions, I intend to be an absentee shareholder, unless something threatens the company's existence".
As Leo stopped talking there was a deafening silence, Josef and Juan just stared at him, Reece was the first to speak.
"Uncle Leo, are you sure about this?, it's a hugely valuable chunk of your company you'd be giving to the boys, I'm prepared, along with Aly and Bo, to buy them in, we all recognise how good an opportunity this is for them".
Leo smiled as he answered Reece.
"Thank you Reece, but I am very sure, I expect the boys to grow the company, I know they will, I have every confidence in them doing exactly that, so in effect I forfeit a chunk of it's value now, but ultimately the value will increase dramatically through their efforts and in time I won't be any worse off, so, it's decision time, what do you say boys, are you in or out?".
This time Josef answered, jumping to his feet he held out his hand to Leo.
"I say yes, we're in and grateful, I want to shake your hand and promise you, from both Juan, Pierre and I, we will do our utmost to take your company from strength to strength, we will not compromise, only the very best will ever be acceptable, you will note I mention Pierre, he will be joining us, he will be our accountant, our shares will be split as twelve percent each for Juan and Pierre, twenty four percent to myself which I can choose eventually to split with any partner I take".
And so it was settled, within a few weeks Leo said goodbye to his employees in a lavish party, and the boys were established as the new management.
No one could have foreseen at that point, how critical their role would be in securing the safety of the family going forward.
TBC ARB Allan
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Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.