| Subject: GBMO...part seven |
Author:
Fairyt
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Date Posted: Sunday, November 14, 03:04:53pm
In reply to:
Fairyt
's message, "News about GMBO..." on Thursday, October 21, 10:34:47am
A few ours later that same day, Phillip decided to have a talk with Michael. Nikita visiting the building was something to consider. Surely she wouldn’t have done it without reason.
“Why do you think she did it?”
“To see how things were on this side or the progress of the company, if it’s really worth the effort?”
“She made the right decision to come here. It shows that she truly is trying to discern what’s best. Did she mention anything to you?”
“Yes she did. But I don’t think you want to hear it.”
“Still stubborn, isn’t she?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve come to a decision, Michael. I know she doesn’t care for the company, and I see no reason to burden her with it. I want you to consider taking part in the company, even without the possibility of a marriage. In turn, I want you to do whatever necessary to provide for her. I know I can trust you with that.”
“Sure you can.”
“Now, tell me, how’s your grandmother?”
“She is well and still thinking about the invitation to come over. It’s quite a trip across the ocean for her.”
“I sincerely hope she comes, for Nikita especially. She’ll need someone to talk to when time comes.”
“I’ll see what I can do to persuade my grandmother.” And Michael knew just with what kind of information she’ll be there in no time.
******
While Nikita was home reading some information about the possibilities for women who want to work, her mind turned around the person that was Michael.
Why would Michael engage in the proposition her father offered him? Of what she’d seen from visiting the company, assured her that it was not worth a marriage, so why would he? He probably could get every woman he wanted, but he was still single. Why?
She of course didn’t know much of him or of the relation between her father and his grandmother, or of any reason why he’d decided to come to England, and of her father being badly ill.
Michael wanted a change of scenery, leave bad memories behind, start anew, and help a sick man, the opportunity and time to think about the future. She didn’t know anything about it all.
8888888
Adrian received Michael’s latest letter and frowned. This was very strange indeed. What were those two up to? That poor girl. She must be having a hard time. And Phillip was ill?
Adrian booked passage on the first boat leaving for England. She was terribly worried about the situation her grandson had gotten himself involved in. Someone is going to get hurt in all this.
*****
One day Nikita and her friends went to a dance club in a dubious part of the town. It was the first time they visited this one, Chez Suba. The idea was Karen’s. She’d been there before. It was different than the clubs they usually visited.
The place was dark, thick with smoke, smelt heavy of wheat. Not used to these kinds of damp places, Nikita felt a little dizzy. She shook her head as if to clear it from the fog. They ordered drinks looked for a place to sit. Nikita started to look around and suddenly saw a blond haired man duck, turned his face and rushed away. For one moment she thought it was Jurgen, but pushed it aside as impossible. What would a man like Jurgen looking for in this place? As time past by, she started to feel a nausea coming up. So she made her way to the ladies room.
The stench that hit her when she entered, made her feel even worse, she nearly threw up. But to her astonishment, her mother was sitting in a corner smoking a joint. There were several small items lying beside her that gave the impression that her mother had used something else as well. Her were eyes glassy, empty, and she had a far away expression on her face.
Nikita came closer, asking what she was doing here (stupid question), but realized that her mother didn’t recognize her, again. Not knowing what to do, she turned away and left the ladies room. She hurried back to the girls and told them she was not well, then left the club. She couldn’t really tell how she felt. A bit sad? Yes. Disappointed? Yes. Unhappy? Terribly.
Without telling the others that she was leaving, she went straight home, right up to her room, thinking about how easy one could get involved in certain activities that were nasty to ones health. She should be more careful next time.
******
The next day at the office, Michael and Phillip were discussing a disturbing development that was very disappointed indeed.
One of the larger building-contractors had managed to pull in a huge order from the government, to build a large housing estate. This company, Davenport and Sons, had put out an order to several hardware companies for the necessary tools and ironware. This deal was the very reason why Jurgen and Phillip didn’t slow down production to allow improvement.
Jurgen had the assignment to structure a report of the costs of production, a list of figures and a quotation. But as it turned out later, Chandler and co had delivered an offer with much lower figures than all other companies in competition for the order. Rumor was that they had better equipment to keep up with the rapid pace the contractors were building.
From another company, which also had to admit defeat, they’d heard about how Chandler had managed to beat them all. His spies abroad had kept him informed of the latest developments in their business. And in the greatest secrecy, they made every improvement necessary to beat every competition out of the game. Now Phillip had to find a way to sell all supplies in a short period of time, make the necessary improvements as fast as possible, to not fall behind to much.
A mission impossible.
In this time of insecurity, Adrian arrived at the Jones estate. She renewed her acquaintance with Phillip, made a new one with Nikita and hugged her grandson. Once she was seated, Phillip asked about how the journey had been.
She had a great time at see. After she’d suffered a stormy start, being sick from the huge waves, dreaded if she’d get to England a live, the last week of the journey was quiet and enjoyable. But now she felt tired and wanted to rest a few ours. Afterwards she wanted to speak with the men and young lady. She needed some answers.
Nikita took her upstairs to her room, listening to her chatter. At the door, Nikita told her what time dinner was served, in case she decided to attend, and then left.
At dinner time, all were present. And of course they were talking about the future of the company. Because of the stunt Chandler pulled on them, they were set back a great deal. How almost impossible a task it has become to make up arrears. They may not even have the financials to make the improvements if they couldn’t sell the supplies at profitable rate.
They could try to offer Chandler a huge part of the supplies, but many other companies may have done this already. And they will soon be selling on discount as well. All of this didn’t look good for them.
And slowly this same situation became dreadfully familiar to Michael, while Jones started to look pale and breathing heavily. Michael and Adrian jumped up to rush over at his side to help him calm down, as Nikita sat startled in her chair, watching all this with anxiety. Michael held Phillip’s head up while Adrian pulled at the tie to give him air to breathe.
Together they pulled him up carefully and walked him slowly to his room. Nikita ran to open up the doors for them and pulled the covers of the bed.
Once on the bed, Michael took some medicine and helped him taking them in. Adrian asked if they should call the doctor, but Phillip shook his head saying no. They left him to rest.
They were going back to the dining room when Nikita excused herself, saying she had some things she wanted to do. She knew that Michael and Adrian wanted some alone for a private conversation, but she suspected that Michael knew more about her father’s condition. She needed to think also about all she’d heard at dinner and about this illness of her father.
8888888
Michael: “How were things at home before you left?”
Adrian: “Good. Someone is looking after the house while I’m here. And a letter came from the owner of that house in France, you know, the one we thought would be perfect for a vineyard.”
“Yes, I know. What did the letter say?”
“They said that there were family matters to take care of, but needed to know if we’re still interested. And if what I read in your letter is true, than the deal is off, am I right?”
“Not really.”
“So, what’s going on here than?”
“Phillip is terminal and would like to see his daughter settled before it’s too late. He thought a marriage would suit that purpose, but she doesn’t comply, so we have to look for an other solution.”
“And you knew that from the start?”
“Yes.”
“And the girl, did she knew?”
“She was in boarding school at first, but when she came home, he told her of the proposition. He hasn’t told her of his illness, she doesn’t know he is dying.”
“I can imagine why he hasn’t yet, but he can’t keep her ignorant anymore. She seems troubled.”
“Yes, they don’t get along very well. Her mother is a drunk and drug addict. She’s been neglected some for years, and now she’s not co-operating on any level.”
“You can’t blame her entirely for that. Isn’t there anything she likes to do?”
“I don’t know. She’s not interested in the company either. Phillip was hoping that with you here she might want to talk to you, and when things get too bad, you could support her through the difficult time to come.”
“I see. I would like to see the company. Should I ask her to accompany me there tomorrow?”
“Yes, that’s a great idea.”
It was not necessary for Adrian to ask Michael if he was interested in the girl. She’d seen it clearly in his eyes. Her grandson was close to falling in love with the young woman.
88888888
The next day, after having inquired about Phillip, she and Nikita were on their way to the factory. Phillip wasn’t able to go with them, so stayed at home in bed. Adrian used the opportunity to talk to Nikita.
“Are you happy to be back home from school, Nikita?”
“uhm, yes, I think so”
“How did you managed through the years in school?”
“I had a great time in school. The first year was difficult, but when I got used to being there, it became easier. Some of the staff were really nice, especially Miss Belinda. She was everyone’s favorite. And the male cook there came from France. I used to tease him with his accent, but I did like to listen when he talked.”
“Did you make any friends?”
“Yes, I have some friends from school living in London also. We see each other on regular base.”
“Do you have a hobby, anything you like to do?”
“I don’t know..yet.”
“Oh it doesn’t matter. I think we’re already there, look.”
They arrived at the company and went inside. Michael was in charge since Phillip was absent, so they were brought straight to him. He received them in Phillip’s office because of the convenient accommodation and served them coffee or tea and cakes, while they were talking. Well, mostly Adrian and Michael were talking. Nikita kept herself from taking part in the conversation unless someone asked her something. Talking further about the plans they needed to put in play, Michael noticed that, even though Nikita was looking through a magazine, she was paying attention to what was said.
It pleased him to see that she had some interest in the situation, after all, it was her future life what was about to change if things got too bad.
When Adrian was ready to have a round tour, she and Michael stood up to leave. He asked Nikita if she wanted to go with them, but she said that she wanted to visit some others she met the last time of her visit. “Of course”, Michael said, knowing exactly who she meant. Feeling sorry for himself, he guided Adrian away to begin the tour.
Nikita immediately went to see Jurgen in his office. He’d already noticed their arrival and was waiting for her to come to his office. He greeted her as if she was a long last friend, wanted to know how she was and how her father was doing. Then asked about the woman she took with her to the company, etc. They talked until Michael had finished the round tour with Adrian and returned to the office. Just then Nikita left Jurgen’s office to join the others. Adrian was ready to leave.
While the three of them were walking to the car, Michael asked Nikita if she had a nice conversation with Jurgen and if he said something about their problems with the business.
She told him they had a nice talk, but nothing about the company was said. The only thing though was that he wanted to know if it was appropriate to ask her out, since she was his employer’s daughter. And now she was asking Michael if there was a policy about this issue. She wanted to know first before she gave Jurgen a final answer.
Michael answered that he didn’t know of any policy of that matter and if she really wanted to know, she should ask her father. Nikita decided she would do just that.
With that she left with Adrian.
Michael returned to his office, a little worried. Something had happened before Nikita and Adrian had arrived. He got a message of an anonymous individual, who claimed to know that one of their higher employers had conspired with Chandler and co. If Michael wanted to know more, he could get the information in exchange for a reasonable reward. So, he made an appointment to see this person somewhere in private.
Meanwhile, Adrian and Nikita were exploring the town of London, having a great time together. Though Nikita was not aware of it, she enjoyed the company of the older woman. She’d never gone out with her mother, never really had a talk from woman to woman or did nice things with her mother like they were the best of friends. So Adrian was consciously trying to be just that to the young woman, for her sake, and Phillip’s, and Michael’s.
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