Lifes Illusions

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Life's Illusions The Next Generation - Chapter 12

Fleur welcomed Roslyn back to Montclair, glad in the knowledge they'd be working together again, and later that evening her brothers and cousins hugged her as she sobbed before announcing.

"There will never be another, I was, I am, completely in love with Cecile, from now on I'll concentrate on nothing but work".

There may have been sadness in Montclair but on the other side of the pond, in Chicago, things were definitely looking up.

Following David's surprise proposal to Jo they were busy planning their wedding later in the year, but more importantly they were over the moon to be finally working together with the family's blessing.

Jace had taken control of the Corporate Office from Royce and still checked in on a regular basis with Royce.

When one of his senior managers asked why he still involved Royce he'd laughed in his reply, it was lighthearted, but there was no doubt he'd meant what he said, what he didn't know was that Royce was listening, and glowing with pride.

"You are either very confident, and stupid, or just plain stupid, imagine this company is a ship, one that could sail a successful course or flounder, Royce has steered this ship, every division of the various sub companies, on an even keel for more years than you have been out of diapers, I've known since I was knee high that I loved this office, mostly that was down to the way in which Royce gave me knowledge, the way he always encouraged me to come to my own conclusions, I've been his apprentice for more years than I care to acknowledge, and believe me when I say, you are never too old to learn, hence why I still validate my decisions with Royce, because he is a Guru, only a fool wouldn't recognise that and treat him as an invaluable source of information".

In Royce's eyes, he knew he'd picked the right one all those years ago, Jace was the one with compassion, drive, but also a steely determination to do the right thing.

Will was the one who brought the question to Jace.

Several new insurers wanted to employ their 'Black box technology' into motor policy packages,

JBJ still held patent on the technology and product, it couldn't be used without JBJ issued a license, and those licenses were strictly controlled.

The approach had come from a group of insurers who operated under the umbrella company heading, MHT Insurers, it stood for Motor, Home & Travel Insurers, their Motor Insurance Sector, from whence the approach came, had nine separate companies, all with individual names but clearly displaying their parent company as MHT Insurers.

The initial approach was made to Will thinking the Brokerage arm of the business would be the one to negotiate terms, but as Will informed them, only Corporate could approve contracts, he did offer to take their request to Corporate, to his brother Jace.

Jace was enthusiastic at first, they already had eleven insurers licensed to use the product, another nine would be an immense coup, but as usual he wanted to know the terms being offered by the insurers before he could respond to their request.

When he'd read through their proposals, seen the terms they would be applying, he was aghast, he couldn't agree with this on purely a moral issue, this seemed like the insurers were deliberately setting up their clients to fail, and failure would mean a potentially hefty rise in the premium cost, add to that they wanted to tie their clients into contract terms which were suddenly being stretched from the standard twelve months with the option to cancel without penalty at thirty days notice, to twenty four month contracts with heavy cancellation penalties imposed for early termination.

Will had been apprehensive in bringing the request to Jace, he'd been just as shocked when he read through the sample paperwork.

As it happened Jace was having lunch with Royce on the day the proposal arrived from Wills office.

He came in at least once a month, Brad usually visited Will on the same day.

Jace always requested a buffet lunch set out in the lounge area of his office.

Jace's PA was Melanie Lofthouse, or as she preferred Mel, she'd worked as a secretary to Royces PA who'd chosen to retire when Royce did, as Mel knew the general routine she was an obvious choice for promotion.

She had just finished laying out their lunch buffet when Jace handed Royce the proposal documents, he was silent as he read through it, when he finished he just said.

"Mmmm, what's your gut telling you to do?".

Jace knew this was normal practice, Royce wouldn't make the decision for him, he'd want Jace to explain and justify his decision".

Jace didn't answer straight away, he took the opportunity to fill up his plate with sandwiches from the buffet.

"I won't accept it in that form, I can't justify JBJ having any association with an organisation which wants to apply such aggressive, and to my mind, unfair terms on their clients, there would need to be a major modification made to the T&C's before I would even revisit it".

Royce was nodding.

"I agree, but it might be worth outlining what would be acceptable, I seriously doubt they will play ball, they've always been a group of hard insurers, they tend to undertake a much bigger risk factor than most, a large proportion of the clients they handle are literally knocking on the door of the last chance saloon, they've possibly been rejected by every other insurer, hence why they get away with much stricter T&C's and exorbitant policy costs".

Jace listened, finished his sandwiches, then summed up.

"I can accept them charging a much larger policy cost if the client knows and accepts it from inception, that's really none of our business, and if their client knows what it is, they can budget that amount, what really concerns me is, using our product gives their client a false sense of being able to control costs, and if our product were used in the same way most other insurers use it, giving three strikes before a final warning on strike four, with penalties not kicking in until strike five, then I'd be happy, but it's a completely false security because they are deliberately being set up to fail, one strike is all they're being allowed, any second strike sees a massive policy cost hike, payable immediately in full, then there's the extended policy period with expensive get out penalties, I just see this leading their clients into debt, I'll make some suggestions in my reply, but to be honest, I really don't think I even want their business, I can't help but feel they would become a stain on our reputation".

Royce smiled before he replied.

"And you finally arrived at why I would never deal with them, funnily enough, it always niggled me, I had this feeling maybe I was denying JBJ some legitimate business, and all because I didn't approve personally of their style of business, now hearing you sum it up, you've just validated my actions".

While they'd been talking they'd munched their way through about half of the buffet, Jace indicated the rest of the food.

"If you've finished, stand by for the hungry hoards".

Royce knew what was coming as Jace opened his office door and shouted to Mel.

"Okay Mel, we're done, send in the locusts".

Within moments around fifteen people streamed in grabbed several items from the buffet and disappeared again just as quickly until the entire buffet had vanished.

After everyone had left Jace looked at Royce with a puzzled expression.

"Did my eyes fool me or did I see a child amongst that crowd?".

Royce chuckled before replying.

"Thank goodness, I thought I was seeing things".

Jace walked out to Mel's office and there sitting happily munching on a sandwich was a toddler, there was no one else around.

"Hello, you don't look like Mel, so what's your name little fella?"

The boy stared at him but didn't answer until he'd finished chewing and swallowed.

"Me Bobby, where Mommy?".

He now looked worried and on the verge of tears, as Jace spoke again gently.

"Hey Bobby it's nice to meet you, is Mel looking after you, don't be upset it's okay, why don't we take you into my office so you're not all alone".

Jace easily lifted him out of the chair and almost giggled as the boy grabbed his plate of sandwiches.

Returning to his office he introduced the boy to Royce.

"Bobby this is Royce, he's been having lunch with me, he liked those sandwiches as well".

Jace made to put Bobby in a chair of his own but he was having none of it, hanging onto both Jace and the sandwiches, leaving Jace no option but to have the child on his lap whilst he finished his meeting with Royce.

As Royce was preparing to leave, Mel popped her head in looking decidedly worried.

"There you are, Bobby I said don't move, I'm really sorry Jace, it won't happen again, I'll keep him out of your way for the rest of the afternoon".

Royce said his goodbyes, including to an obviously amused Bobby, and left.

Jace addressed Mel.

"Have you had any lunch yet?"

She looked sheepish as she replied.

"No, my lunch is currently vanishing down the throat of that cute little guy on your lap, I usually know if Royce is coming in I'll get a plate of sandwiches from your buffet, but the nursery rang, they've suffered a serious flood from broken pipes, one of the assistants dropped Bobby off here about an hour ago, I don't have any back up, sorry, I'll get something sorted for tomorrow".

Jace smiled and picked up his phone from the end table next to him.

"Hi, could you bare with me I'm a little rusty here I don't usually ring you guys, it's Jace Thorn, I know this is really short notice but I have an unexpected guest and we've run out of buffet, could you possibly knock up a plate of sandwiches, I'd be extremely grateful, that's great, thanks, oh and whilst I'm on, that buffet was really amazing, cheers".

As soon as he put the phone down he lifted Booby onto the chair next to him, saying.

"Right, Bobby finish your sandwiches, Mel pour two coffees, I'll nip downstairs and collect your sandwiches".

And he was gone before she could object.

In the restaurant, which served all of the offices in the Corporate building, he encountered a large woman.

"Hi, I've come to pick up a plate of sandwiches for Jace Thorn".

The woman smiled.

"I'm Leticia, Restaurant Manager, you just hang on there and I'll get the tray".

She came back a few minutes later with a huge tray, covered in a white linen cloth.

"This is for Mr Thorn, you tell him it was a pleasure to be of service, and don't go picking boy, I know what's on that tray".

Jace giggled.

"Leticia, I don't need to tell Mr Thorn, because he already heard you, I am Jace Thorn, so thank you, and I promise I won't pick".

Leticia looked on with amazement as Jace carried the tray out of the restaurant.

It was only ten minutes before he was back with a massive plate of mixed sandwiches, handing them to Mel he said.

"Okay sit, eat, and by the look of it, anything you can't eat will be taken care of by this little munching machine".

Bobby found Jace funny and just giggled.

Whilst Mel ate Jace asked her some questions.

"You said you'd got no backup, what will you do tomorrow, what about Bobby's father, or family?".

She looked really worried, so Jace carried on reassuringly.

"Look, it's obvious there's something worrying you, so just spill the beans, whatever it is I'm sure we can deal with it, after all, we're Corporate, it's what we do".

Mel gulped as she swallowed her sandwich before saying.

"There is no one else, it's just me and Bobby, his father was a bad lot, he did a runner as soon as he knew I was pregnant, my parents threw me out, I haven't seen or heard from them in nearly four years, I should have been honest about my position when you offered me the job, there's something else as well, Bobby's father is currently serving a life sentence for murder, if you don't want me as your PA I'll understand".

Jace couldn't help but laugh as he answered.

"I reckon I have you beaten hands down if we're competing on bad choice in partners, my late wife was a serial murdering bigamist, I say late wife because she was shot dead by my mother as she was about to put a bullet in my brain, how's that, do I win".

Mel was just sat staring open mouthed, the sandwich had stopped mid air, she resembled a manikin, and Jace laughed again.

"Okay, I take it that one surprised you, and to clarify, you earned that promotion, you're keeping it, I've got a suggestion, I have a nanny, her name's Shelby, she looks after my son Ary Monday to Friday from eight in the morning until eight in the evening, I'm guessing they're about the same age so they'd probably get on together, have dinner with me at home tonight, you can satisfy yourself she's okay to have Bobby, and he can meet Ary".

Mel was spluttering now.

"I, err, I don't know what to say, I err, well yes, if it's not putting you out, it would certainly ease my mind".

Jace was smiling at Bobby.

"Hey pal, you're going to meet a new friend tonight, you reckon that would be okay, he's just like you, a bundle of joy".

Bobby just giggled.

Jace finished his coffee then announced.

"I'm going to dictate a reply to MHT Insurers then we'll take an early finish, no point in being boss if you can't play hooky occasionally"

His reply to MHT Insurers, addressed to their CEO said.

Dear sir.

Further to your recently received request for the granting of a license to offer our 'Black Box Driving Pattern Monitor', as a feature of your motor insurance policies.

Regrettably we are not able to offer you a license at this time.

In order to explain our decision, we would offer to meet in person if you feel it would be beneficial, we do however feel we must stress, any meeting would not result in a change of our position.

We would however take this opportunity to thank you for your interest in our product.

Kind regards

Jace Thorn CEO JBJ Corporate Holdings.

"Okay, as soon as we come in tomorrow would you have that typed up and couriered to their CEO, now let's go find Bobby a friend, oh I never thought, where do you park, in the staff underground I'm assuming?".

Mel just smiled.

"Nope, I don't have a car, can't afford one, I bus it to the nursery each morning, then leg it like mad to here, in the evening I leg it from here to the nursery, then we get the bus home, that might be a problem, can I get a bus to your house, where is it?"

Jace couldn't believe it, he could bet every single female worker in the building, and quite a few males and some of both sexes not single, all of them would be able to quote his Barrington Hills address, but here was someone who hadn't a clue.

"Okay, slight change of plans, we go from here to your place, you pick up enough clothes for you and Bobby for however long the nursery is going to be out of action, you're both going on an extended sleep over".

Mel was concerned.

"Jace I can't ask you to do that, I'm already putting you to enough trouble".

Jace shushed her.

"You didn't ask, I offered, and it's no trouble, Ary will love the company, our parents are away at the moment, so it's just me, my two brothers, and Jo's partner David, who I should point out is my late wife's brother, he was someone else she tried to kill, I have to admit it's never dull in our house, not that you need to pack a flack jacket or anything".

On the way to Mel and Bobby's apartment, Mel pointed out the daycare centre, it was about five blocks, a ridiculous distance to be dashing along twice a day, even in good weather it would be a slog.

Their apartment was beautiful, clean tidy, well decorated, no expensive furnishings, but practical.

Bobby dragged Jace into his room and Jace immediately thought wow, this was the room where the most money had been spent, from his racing car bedspread and curtains to the complete wall of Finding Nemo Mural.

Mel walked in and saw Jace's expression.

"Okay busted, I spoil him, don't tell me you don't feel guilty about being a single parent, I try to rein myself in, but sometimes I just need to do it to ease my own guilt".

Jace smiled.

"Oh I hear you, and I hold up my hand, shouting, guilty as charged".

Mel just laughed before saying.

"I don't want to be rude but I can get some things out of the freezer to help with our keep, if it wouldn't offend you, and I'm offering to cook dinner".

Jace rolled his eyes in mock shock before answering.

"No offence would be taken if we needed anything, we don't, and dinner will already be underway, your job this evening is to settle this little munchkin in and relax, now are we ready".

As they left the city Mel asked exactly where they were heading.

"I have to say Mel, you're a bit crap as a PA who knows their boss well, what if someone asked you where I lived, I reckon you could ask anyone in the office and at least eight out of ten would know I'm a sad home bird, I live with my parents in the house I grew up in, in Barrington Hills".

All Mel could think of to say was.

"Oh, I always assumed you had an apartment in the city, you're right I ought to know more, but it seems downright nosey to ask, anyway if I were asked, then I'd answer, that's none of your business, if he wants you to know he'll ask me to tell you, see that's the clever part, then I get to know where you live and I can stalk you, well that's the theory, but seeing as there's no decent bus route out to Barrington Hills, you're safe from a stalking PA for the time being".

Jace was now laughing fit to burst as they approached the gates to the house which swung open automatically.

Jace slowed to a stop just inside the entrance and waved to the guards in the gatehouse to come out.

"Hi guys, Bill and Sammy, this is Mel and Bobby, Mel is my PA at Corporate, they'll be staying a few days, Sammy is my Momma's car operational?", I'll be needing it in the morning".

After exchanging greetings Sammy answered Jace.

It just needs a polish Mr Jace, I'll have it ready for morning".

Jace bid them goodnight and drove on up to the house.

Mel was overawed, it wasn't a house it was a palace, Jace saw the expression and quickly said.

"Whatever you're thinking stop it, this is a family home, a bit bigger than most, but still a family home, you'll see".

Inside, they'd no sooner shut the door than a bundle of energy came bounding down the stairs and from three steps up launched himself at Jace who caught him with well practiced arms swinging him around and dropping him down next to Bobby.

"Ary I brought some visitors, this is Bobby and his Mom Mel, they're going to be staying with us for a few days, would you do me a really big favour, show Bobby around, so he doesn't get lost, I can't think which bedroom we can put him in can you".

Ary was grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

"Mine, mine, we can play".

At that he grabbed Bobby's hand and they were gone, racing off upstairs like they'd known each other for years.

Mel just stood looking amazed.

Jace broke the spell.

"I told you, Ary is a social devil, he can charm anyone, you may not see your child for days now, but I'll show you Ary's room later, that's where they'll be, come on let's see who's in, and get you introduced to Shelby".

In the lounge they found David going over a pile of reports.

He jumped up to greet them.

"Hi, I'm sorry, I only got in about an hour ago, I need to edit some of this stuff before Jo gets back, we think we've got a triple fraud link".

Jace introduced Mel saying she'd be staying a few days because of the problem with daycare.

Then the door opened and Shelby came in, she made a beeline for Mel.

"You must be Mel and yet again I'm in love, I just met your son, and that's it, my hearts been stolen again, what an angel, Ary introduced us, and he didn't think I heard him whisper, kiss her cheek, she a softie after that, I now have a pair of angels to look after".

Mel was now laughing fit to burst.

They'd been chatting for some time, with David explaining how one of their first line insurers had expressed concerns over three property fire claims in different cities, the insurers own 'Risk', department had raised concerns that the policies appeared to be for individual companies, but something didn't seem right, David had uncovered links to the same overall controlling parent company, which had never been disclosed, the three claims grossed a little over twelve million dollars, and guess what, the parent company was in serious financial difficulty.

Jo came in at the same time as Will and Jace poured everyone a pre dinner drink, with the exception of Shelby who disappeared, but not before telling Mel.

"Chill, I'm on the clock until eight, I get them scrubbed up for dinner and deliver them to the dining room, thereafter you're on your own".

Jo asked Jace if he could be available after dinner to validate some of what he and David had found out, Jace agreed, in truth he was always in awe of how they did it, it seemed the most secretive of facts came to light when these two started digging.

"You won't mind if Mel sits in, she'll get to see another side of the business at work, it's good practice for when she has to negotiate your fees".

Both Jo and David agreed the more heads the better.

Mel was surprised when a uniformed staff member informed them dinner was being served in twenty minutes, Jace took Mel upstairs and showed her where her bedroom was agreeing to meet downstairs in fifteen minutes.

She was dumbstruck when he left her, it was a bedroom suite about three times the size of her little apartment, then just as quickly she shook off the shock and set about freshening up for dinner.

Somehow her bag had been unpacked, her clothes hung in the dressing room, and the bathroom contained all of her toiletries, so in fifteen minutes she was walking back downstairs just as Jace emerged from the lounge with Ary on one hand and Bobby on the other.

Bobby shouted Momma and ran to her, Ary just beamed a beautiful smile.

"Hello munchkin, have you been having a good time?".

Bobby was bubbling.

"Yes Momma, Ary's fun, and Shelby's nice, she's taking us to the zoo tomorrow, I want to see the monkeys, I'm hungry, come on".

Jace laughed.

"And there you have it from a child's perspective, nothing matters when they have a rumbling tummy, shall we go in".

Jace led the way, seating Ary and Bobby together, and Mel next to him, a point not missed by everyone else.

Over dinner Jace was attentive to Mel, but equally attentive to Ary and Bobby, Mel on the other hand was curling up inside, how dumb could you be, she'd offered food from her freezer compartment, offered to cook dinner, and here there was a whole staff in the background taking care of everyone's needs, in her mind she thought, he probably thinks I'm the idiot of the week.

In actual fact Jace couldn't look at Mel without thinking, how the hell are you not snapped up already by someone who wants to adore and worship you like I do.

They'd spent about an hour after dinner playing with the boys, Mel was completely amazed, everyone turned their attention to the boys, entertaining them, tiring them, until Jace announced it was time for bed, whereupon Bobby dutifully followed Ary around the room giving kisses before bedtime, then Jace and Mel led two tired little boys up the stairs to their joint bedroom.

After they'd tucked them in, Jace read them a story with Mel sat on Bobby's bed fascinated.

Bobby was the first asleep, followed closely by Ary, and the adults took their chance to sneak out.

Back downstairs Mel listened to the findings of Jo and David but she realised at some point she was falling asleep, and so did Jace.

"Okay it's time to call a halt, we're boring our guest, I'm making cocoa, then it's bedtime.

Jace vanished into the kitchen and came back a few minutes later with five mugs of cocoa, all decorated with whipped cream and sprinkles.

"Okay guys, night night I'm showing a tired young lady to bed and we'll meet again in the morning, goodnight".

As he walked her upstairs Mel said.

"Sorry Jace, I guess it was a hectic day, I'm bushed, but thank you, you saved my bacon today, I don't really know if I could have pulled it out of the bag for tomorrow, I don't actually have a backup plan for Bobby if the daycare lets me down, I may have had to hide him under my desk all day".

Jace just smiled.

"No worries, Bobby's taken care of, I'll see you for breakfast at eight, there will be a laundry bag hung on your bedroom door handle, anything you want laundered overnight put it in the bag and when you get up it will be hanging inside your door, like magic, goodnight Mel, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite, sorry, hangover from my parents, blame them for me being a warped child".

And he was gone.

Jace had to dash away, he had two embarrassing issues, a stonking erection he thought NASA could probably see from Space, and an overwhelming desire to kiss her.

Mel was surprised, closing the door and leaning back against it, reality hit her, she'd actually wanted him to kiss her, closing her eyes she could see his handsome face.

She started to panic as soon as she went into her dressing room, the outfit consisting of a white blouse and grey skirt she'd grabbed for tomorrow desperately needed pressing, taking Jace's advice she put them in the bag hanging on her bedroom door, crossing her fingers, hoping she hadn't dreamt this, and that the bag wasn't actually for trash, she added a little note saying they only needed pressing and if it couldn't be done, could she possibly borrow a steam iron and she would be happy to do it herself.

Mel didn't hear the quiet giggle when a member of the household staff collected the bag during the night, nor did she hear her door open and the complete outfit be returned to the inside handle, neatly pressed.

She was awoken at around six in the morning by an exited Bobby and Ary climbing onto her bed.

"Well good morning boys, did you both have a good nights sleep?".

Bobby was first to reply.

"Yes Momma, Ary my friend, I like him, can we live here Momma, Ary got lots of toys".

If Mel thought Bobby's request was a no go she nearly choked when Ary spoke.

"If you marry with my Poppa, Bobby be my brother, he stay here and we play all day".

Mel was chuckling when there was a knock at the door, Mel called for whoever it was too come in.

It was a young girl with a tea and coffee tray.

"Good morning Mam, we didn't know if you wanted tea or coffee, I'm really sorry someone should have asked you last evening, so I've put both, we'll get it right tomorrow morning I promise, now come along you pair of munchkins, let's get you showered and dressed whilst Bobby's Momma enjoys her tea and coffee".

The boys were whisked away both giggling, leaving Mel in peace to enjoy her tea, in fact when she came out of the shower she drank the coffee as well.

By seven thirty she was dressed and ready to make her way downstairs, entering the lounge where they'd been last evening she noticed a glass door onto the terrace was open and stepped out into the fresh morning air.

Mel almost jumped out of her skin when she was wished good morning by Will.

"Did you sleep okay Mel, I don't know why but however expensive or fancy the beds in hotels, I never have a good nights sleep until I'm back in my own bed, Jo and Jace always say the same, I think it's because we're all boring home birds".

Mel replied.

"That was probably my best nights sleep ever, so I won't be looking forward to going back to my lumpy old bed".

They were both laughing when Jace, Jo and David joined them.

They were chatting when a man she hadn't seen before came out and addressed Jo.

"Sorry to disturb your morning Mr Thorn, but I have a slight problem, young Gina is due to go for her scan this morning and her car broke down on the way here, she walked the last half mile, would you allow me or one of the other staff to take her to her appointment".

Jo smiled as he replied, getting his cell phone out and talking as he dialled.

"We can't have her missing that scan, Momma would skin us all alive, just give me a minute Harold, Hi Bill it's Jo Thorn, how many security staff do you have on today?, okay, can you muster up one replacement, I need you on a mission of mercy, young Gina's car broke down about a half mile from here, I need you to take her to her appointment and have a mechanic sort her car out, tell them to bill me, I'll sort that later, can I leave that in your capable hands, make sure you pull in that extra guard whilst you're out, I don't mind if it costs a full day, peace of mind and all that, thanks Bill".

Putting his cell phone back on the table in front of him he returned to speaking with Harold.

"Bill will take her Harold, I know you hate driving in the city, and to be honest, I know she trusts Bill, he's a really good driver, someone will look at her car today and have it back here by the time she's due to leave this afternoon, tell her to let Bill know what time she has to be at the appointment".

Harold looked obviously relieved that he didn't have to drive into the city.

"Thank you Mr Thorn, ladies and gentlemen, breakfast will be ready in approximately ten minutes".

Breakfast was served buffet style in a smaller dining room next to the kitchens, Ary and Bobby were already seated and munching on cereals under the supervision of Shelby when they entered.

As the adults were eating their various items of a fried breakfast Ary and Bobby were heard to ask for sausage and bacon, Mel was pleased by Shelby's reply.

"Sorry munchkins, when you're old and silly like this lot here, you can pick whatever you want, but under my watch it's a choice from, Cereals, Muesli, or porridge, boiled egg or scrambled egg, and granary toast with low fat spread, you can have as much fresh fruit as you want, you don't want to get podgy like your Poppa do you Ary".

Jace immediately spoke up.

"I heard that Shelby, and I'm not podgy, I'm like a finely tuned automobile".

Shelby's good natured reply had everyone laughing.

"Oh a finely tuned automobile are you, that'll be the reason you're carrying a spare tyre then".

Jace just rolled his eyes, saying to Mel.

"It's always like this, worse when Momma and the Poppas are here, breakfast is more like comedy hour".

When they'd finished eating Jace said.

"Okay let's get you set up with transport".

Mel was surprised, she thought she'd just catch a ride with Jace both ways.

Seeing her surprise he explained.

"Your childcare centre is going to be closed for around two weeks, I checked, I might be in meetings or out of the office, you need to be able to get to and fro, so I've sorted a vehicle which should do, come on I'll show you".

Past the breakfast room to the other side of the kitchen was a glass enclosure, a sort of conservatory, as soon as they entered she could smell lingering cigarette smoke, he saw her wrinkle her nose.

"I know, Momma exhibits that exact same expression every time she comes through this room, but most of us enjoy an occasional cigarette, I might have about three a week, usually if I'm struggling with a difficult decision, Jo's the same, so are Poppas Billy and Jay, I'm guessing between four of us we probably wouldn't get through a twenty pack in a week, Will is the only Saint in Momma's eyes, he's never liked it.

While he'd been talking he led them to a door which opened into a garage, well to most people it probably resembled an aircraft hangar, there were around twenty vehicles parked up.

He led her to a white Mercedes Convertible.

"This was Momma's car, it's due to be changed, she says, and I wouldn't repeat this anywhere near our impressionable little boys, it goes like shit off a shovel, it's perfect for the city, it's yours now, it will be in the new salary package you receive from HR Department today, oh and I see the objections coming, save your breath, it's a done deal, you need a vehicle, not just for traveling out here for the next couple of weeks, you need one just as much for getting Bobby around in the dry, this city is a hard place to live in winter, now let's explain some things".

Much to Mel's annoyance, Jace went on to explain how the dashboard transponder alerted the gate security of her impending arrival, how, if she had a car following her that she wanted to be cleared through the gates, she had to press the green button once for however many vehicles she was clearing, she still had to stop so those vehicles could be checked but if any car was following her that she didn't want cleared for entry, she should press the red button, it meant as soon as she cleared the entrance gates, she didn't stop, she should just barrel on forwards, steel barriers rose up instantly behind her vehicle, barring any further entry.

Billy had had the estate security upgraded following the fiasco with Abby at Gregous, in fact much of what Van and Reece had installed at Gregous was now in place there in Chicago.

He opened the door for her to get in.

"Don't get to attached, this is only temporary, you'll get a visit from our vehicle fleet suppliers in the next few days, they'll give you the choices of what's available to you, makes, models, colours, then they'll take this away when they deliver your new vehicle, we change every two years, it keeps the mileage low, improves the resale value".

As he walked her back into the house he said.

"This was something you would have been given at twelve months into your contract anyway, so all I'm doing is advancing the process by a few months".

She was almost tearful when she replied.

"Thank you Jace, I know I don't take kindly to people doing things for me or giving me things, I've learned not to expect it, learned to suffer, my parents gave me an ultimatum, abort my unborn child or leave their house penniless and forfeit my inheritance, it wasn't even a decision, it was a natural instinct, I took as much as I could carry in two suitcases and walked away, they wouldn't even let me keep my car, I had my savings account with a few thousand dollars in it, from that day I've learned to be frugal, I dreamt that I'd be able to buy a little car one day, but when I got the promotion to your PA it was like winning the lottery, I actually bought a bed, until then I'd slept on the couch for three years, so please don't think I'm not grateful, I am so very grateful, this will make life so much better for Bobby and me, and I promise I'll earn it".

He smiled, telling her the house and office plus her apartment and the daycare addresses were all loaded into the navigation system, but she could see he was thinking about something else.

"When you said you lost your inheritance, you're not a Lofthouse as in, Lofthouse Retail Malls are you".

He could see the sad expression.

"I was, but that's a long time ago now, and it will be no more, that was made plain to me when I made my choice, I've never regretted choosing Bobby, he's been my whole world since before he was even born".

He really felt for her, and he said so.

"I really admire you Mel, and I see easily the love you have for Bobby, all the money in the world can't replace that, you're rich in ways your parents will never see, now let's say goodbye to the munchkins and hit the road".

Thirty minutes later Mel was cruising toward the Corporate Office in her Mercedes Convertible, when she'd turned on the radio she found it was tuned to a Smooth Radio Station, playing old love songs, and it suited her mood perfectly, surely life couldn't get any better, really?, oh please, come on folks, this is, Life's Illusions!!!!!!!!.

TBC ARB Allan

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Thank you for giving me your time, enjoy.