| Subject: GBMO...part eleven |
Author:
Fairyt
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Date Posted: Thursday, December 09, 04:46:15pm
In reply to:
Fairyt
's message, "News about GMBO..." on Thursday, October 21, 10:34:47am
“Yes, what is it?”
She paced slowly around in the office, as if she was contemplating the right words to say. Then she turned around to look at him and asked: “How come you’re not married yet? A good looking man like you must have had plenty of women to choose. Why are you still single?”
Startled by this sudden turn in the conversation, Michael hesitated a moment before answering the question. What had come over her? He didn’t dare to hope for too much. His answer:
“Well, I’ve never seen the need to marry before.”
“I see. Can you tell me about yourself?”
“The most of it you already know.”
“I know what Adrian has told me. But what I’d like to know is, what your own interests are.”
“What exactly do you want to know?”
“Do you like to dance, music, to travel; do you have other things you like? What are your plans for the future?”
While she was saying these things, she wasn’t looking at him. When he started to answer, she turned around to face him.
Michael in turn decided to hold her gaze, looked back with intent and said:
“Yes, I like music and I love dancing. I’d like to travel some, but don’t have the time. There are plenty of other things that I like, but little time to consider them. And for the answer to your last question, I’ve done some consideration about it and still do. But I haven’t reached a final conclusion as yet.”
“I see. It’s always good to know more about the people you live with. Is there anything you’d like to know about me?”
She looked away, turning to the window.
Still looking at her he said: “Whatever you’d like to share.”
“I do care about my father, you know?”
Michael was surprised at this turn in the conversation, but already knew she cared about her father. But maybe she wanted to clear a thing or two between them?
He said: “I know you do.”
She turned back to look at him. “There’s not much that goes past you, is it Michael?”
“It’s too obvious, Nikita. People, who care that deeply, sometimes fight the most.”
“You know, Michael, you may have mist your call. Can I get a ride to town?” She started gathering her things to leave.
“Sure, I’ll walk you downstairs.” Wondering what he’d said that he shouldn’t have. Maybe he played too much the wise guy on her.
@@@@@@
Several days later, Phillip was sitting up in bed. He’d manage to improve some with the help and caring of Adrian. He was able to talk with them and the subjects of his interest of course were the developments around the company.
The restructuring had already begun. The campaign for the wholesale had started. They now only were producing for the orders still running. It was obvious that, since the bombshell of Chandler, they didn’t get any knew clients, nor any new orders.
Michael was telling him all this, but also keeping an eye on his reactions to the news. Loosing a company wasn’t something you could shrug of like none important. More than anything else, Michael had first hand experience and he’d felt robbed of a piece of his past. As for Phillip, he had even more to worry about.
The time would come that they’d have to hire out a part of the building. He’d decided to try that as first in stead of selling. He counted on the fact that Chandler would need extra storage to be able to handle his increased production, because it would take some time to expand his own buildings. Maybe they could encourage him to take over some of the employees as well.
Nikita entered the room quietly with a tray in her hand, thinking that her father was alone. She shook her head when she saw Michael sitting there.
“I should have known that you would use this opportunity to discuss the business. Shame on you, Michael, and on you, father.”
“Don’t worry. I’m of to work right now.” And he left the two of them alone.
“I hope that you’re able to eat some soup, father. Adrian made your favorite, so we won’t disappoint her, will we?”
“I wouldn’t dare!” An awkward silence followed for a few seconds, and then Nikita sadly asked:
“Why haven’t you told me?”
“Maybe I didn’t want you to worry about me too much. When you’re young, you should be able to enjoy life as much as aloud to. Besides, I had too many other things to worry about.”
“I’m sorry for all the troubles I’ve cost you. If I’d known…”
“I don’t blame you for anything, Nikita. None of this is your fault. How could it? So, don’t look back to what could have been. Maybe we could try doing better than before.”
“Yes, and I’m glad that you’re feeling so much better today. You shouldn’t worry about things we can’t change anymore, father. No need to upset yourself any more than necessary.”
“I’ve already accept the reality of the near future, Nikita. But what about you? Do you have any plans made yet?”
“I don’t know yet, father. It’s too early to say, but I’m thinking, really. But right now, I’ll let fate takes its course. Everything will turn out fine, you’ll see.”
“I’ve been thinking about you marrying Michael, and I’ve reconsidered. I don’t want to put pressure on you. You’re right that it’s your decision who to marry. As for the company, I don’t think Michael will reconsider a partnership under these circumstances, but I can use his help to make a good deal out if all this. Whatever might happen in the future, Michael will make sure you’re settled. I hope you’re okay with that.”
“I understand, and I don’t mind, really. You did it for the best.”
##########
Much later that day, Nikita was thinking about the possibility of marrying Michael.
What kind of marriage would it be? How would he treat her? She was sure that he was not a bad man. But would he treat her as an equal or… Does he still want to marry her anyway? Did she want to marry him also? To honestly put in the efforts to make it work?
It would still be a sacrifice for the peace of mind of her father. Would they both be able to satisfy their needs under these circumstances? She didn’t know.
@@@@@@
At work, Michael was having a conversation with Chandler and co. They were interested in the building, because Michael had been improving it since that particular argument at the staff meeting a few months ago. He didn’t ask how Chandler knew, because that was no secret to him anymore.
Michael never told Phillip about the letters he got in the club. It wouldn’t have done any good as things had been and were, right now. And since Nikita seemed to have changed her mind lately, Michael decided to wait and see how things will turn out in the future.
But for now, he made an appointment with Chandler to meet and arrange a round tour of the company at a later date. Maybe he could ask Nikita to come to the meeting as representative of her father. It will be interesting to see how she would maintain herself at such a business event.
*****
Nikita paid her mother a visit. She hadn’t returned since that day of nasty revelations. She was glad that she hadn’t gone through with the visitation that day. Now she could be herself when talking to her mother and pretend as if nothing had happened. And for once, her mother was sober.
“Hello mother, how are you?”
“As bad as usual. I can’t come around with the little bit of money I get every month. But does he care? No S$#@. I heard that he’s sick. How bad is he?”
“Pretty bad, I can say. He’s dying, mother. He hasn’t got too much time left.”
“Well, well. You see, that’s what happens with people who think that they can make someone else’s life miserable.” She said with hatred.
“Mother, that’s a terrible thing to say! He’s provided for you all those years, without asking anything in return. He cared enough to keep you of the streets. You should be thankful for that!”
“He’s the one responsible for this in the first place. Didn’t he send you away also when he had enough of you? Why are you defending him? He’s not worth it.”
“He’s still my father, and he did render me a great purpose by sending me away. I wouldn’t say this a few months ago, but now, with all that is happening, I can see why he did it.” She said thoughtfully.
“My, my! You sure have changed in all these years. You’re not that spoiled brat anymore that used to annoy me to death. No, now you’re annoying me with your pathetic remarks instead. I don’t have to be thankful to Phillip; it’s my legal right to be supported by him. I’m still his wife.”
“Yes, but one that surely does not act like a wife to him!” The accusations clear in her voice.
Becoming angry now, Roberta said: “How dare you to judge me? You’re my daughter, you should support me, not fight me!”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t think it’s fair to him that you feel like you do. He did the best he could.” She defended.
Well, I hope he makes sure that I don’t have to suffer after he’s gone, or I’ll dig him up again and spit in his face!” she said resentful.
Nikita was feeling a headache coming up slowly. The insensitivity of her mother was appalling. This was too much to deal with. They would never come close to each other, no matter what. Especially considering her mothers actions against her father in the past and present.
If Michael would keep the company going, would her mother do the same things to her? Surely Nikita wouldn’t allow Jurgen to stay because she couldn’t trust him again.
The decision to sell or to hire out the company may be the best way to deal with all these problems.
Nikita said goodbye to her mother, feeling sad about what could have been, and left quietly.
When she arrived home that afternoon, it was almost dinnertime. She went upstairs to freshen up, and then went downstairs to take a look at her father and than joined the other two in the living room.
They were having something to drink while waiting for dinner. Michael immediately offered Nikita a drink and she accepted.
Adrian asked her how the visit had turned out and at that, Nikita rolled her eyes saying: “As usual. Only this time, she was sober.”
“Did she ask about Phillip?”
“Yes, she did. To me she seemed mad that he wasn’t dead yet.”
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