2 comments/ 14094 views/ 5 favorites Charismatic Billy Belair By: Egmont Grigor CHAPTER 1 Until leaving for college Billy Belair lived above a grain and feed store in a small town. Two older bothers had gone into the business with their father, leaving no room for Billy, not that he wanted to have hayseeds in his hair for the remainder of his life. His mother's married sister arrived for Billy's graduation after learning he'd been a top student and Julia wanted to reward Billy for taking after his mother instead of his father who had two sons similar to himself – yokels. Julia hadn't announced it but she planned to present Billy with a check for $5000. As Billy's proud mother Mae and sister Julia were entering the gymnasium for the ceremony when ninety-one students were graduating, Mae said, "Sorry you haven't seen much of Billy. He's been door-knocking still trying to find a job and has been writing a speech. "What, he's giving a speech here?" "I shouldn't think so. He's a bright spark in his class and is probably writing it for someone else. Here we go, there's two seats half way down on the aisle of the middle row." "Mae I'm disappointed Jeff didn't come to see his son graduate." "He's not into formal functions. He didn't go when Lenny and then David graduated either. But don't worry, Billy's glad you are here. He really likes you." "Well, he's not shy of me and talks like he's educated unlike his brothers. I looked into his room this morning and with his pin-ups there's a photo of me taken some twelve years ago. Why am I there?" "Don't ask; you won't like the answer." Julia smiled and said Mae was no longer a kid playing guessing games. She wanted to know. "You are in the female section. They are all women with breasts he likes – although he calls them tits." Julia laughed and said her nephew liked her breasts? "Don't flatter yourself dear; that photograph was taken almost fifteen years ago." "Twelve." "Fifteen." "Oh all right twelve to fifteen years ago smarty pants." Nearing the end of the ceremony the school principal said, "It is the tradition at this school for the valedictory to be presented by our highest academic achiever of our graduates. For the past eleven years this honor has gone to a female. But this year it goes to William Russell Belair." The two women gasped. Julia said in disbelief, "You didn't know?" "No, All he said was he came near the top of his class. That's the same answer I always get when I ask." Good-looking Billy with his olive complexion and curly brown hair spoke with confidence about, 'The Largely Unspoken Things of a High School Education'. The gymnasium hushed as he spoke about kids who went home and worked, and arrived at school next morning, tired, but there were teachers aware of the situation and showed those kids tolerance. He spoke about how school managed to inject discipline into most students but regrettably some students who'd not learned that lesson would go to work or to college with an attitude that would see some of them struggle in life. One of the greatest things he'd enjoyed was seeing struggling students getting their first C-plus or a little higher mark for a paper. He'd also seen with girls in particular the academically stronger girl helping out a friend to achieve a higher performance and he'd seen some teachers spending their own time coaching students. "This is a form a love that is not spoken about. I recognize it because I've never had to work very hard because of my awesome retentive memory and so gave the time like those other people I've just mentioned to help pals who wanted to be helped. I simply had a love for learning and didn't mind sharing it. Teachers who have that attitude are great teachers. But who speaks about it? You teachers who go that extra yard to share your gift know who you are. Today I just want to say I salute you... indeed I go as far as to say most of us here today salute you. We are not one of the biggest high schools around but I say we are a school with a very big heart." When he finished everyone stood and clapped as usual but Billy looked decidedly embarrassed as the clapping, cheering and foot stomping went on and on until finally the principal sent Billy back to his seat and looking decidedly elated called for quiet. Julia and Mae wiped their eyes and then hugged. Billy came to them outside when he managed to break away from well-wishers. Mae hugged him, weeping but laughed, "This is the end of an era young man. I'm so proud of you." He hugged his Aunt Julia who said, "Billy, don't bother looking for a job. I'm sending you to college. Give me a list of colleges you'd like to attend – up to ten. I have friends in the right places you will get you placed." Mae looked shocked. "But that will cost thousands and thousands of dollars." "Lance and I have money to burn. This boy is a near genius and I heard from his speech he has sensitivity and humility. I like it." "I don't know what to say," Billy said in awe. "Just tell her she still has a nice shape up top for an older lady." "What are you talking about mom?" Julia laughed. "Your speech has given your mother an adrenalin rush young man, drawing out her naughty side. * * * At his next graduation a few years later, Billy left the university having completed a dual program highly successfully and now posses a Juris Doctor in Law and a Master of Business Administration. Six weeks later he left his old home and his tearful mother, moving to New York to live with his Aunt Julia and to work at the law office where Uncle Lance was a senior partner. Julia had not seen Billy since his university graduation and had worried that he was not in the company of a female and instead went off that evening after dinner with his pal Raymond. She's worried that he might be gay but now watching him eye the breasts of her youngest daughter found it necessary to remind him of something. "You'll remember Sonia don't you Billy, COUSIN Sonia?" "Yes indeed. Hi Sonia." Julia watched in shock as her daughter gave the handsome 26-year old a full open-mouth kiss. "Wow!" "Welcome to New York darling. My, haven't you grown into a hunk?" Julia raced off to call Sonia's sexiest friend Caroline who replied yes she'd be delighted to accept the invitation to dinner. And that phone call began the pre-marriage rutting life of Billy Belair. Billy had found available women hard to come by in small-town Kansas but one of his mother's younger friends held out her arms for him, being enchanted by him. A divorcee with a live-in boyfriend, they managed to not get caught, keeping out of sight and fucking like rabbits. Billy expected to find women around his own age in New York, a goodly number of them. Billy Belair's rutting began auspiciously. Over dinner that evening when Julia was out getting mains and Lance was taking a call Caroline asked Billy out to a movie next evening and after he said yes invited Sonia to accompany them. After dinner Lance went off to sleep in front of TV watching sport. The young people stayed at the table chatting and Julia felt it her duty to remain with them. She kept on drinking with them and contributed lively to the conversations. At last Caroline yawned and went home and Sonia yawned and went to bed. Julia led Billy to the guest wing, acting coquettishly and telling Billy he wouldn't be able to find his way, ignoring her nephew had an awesome memory and was smart. In the bedroom suite his mom's younger sister took Billy's hand and pulled it over her left breast. "You rather liked these when you were a lot younger?" "I can see much of a problem with them today," he told the forty-four year old, realizing the time had arrived to begin rewarding his auntie for rewarding him. "Are you worried about them dropping towards your knees?" Julia appeared outraged and swung at him. Billy caught her flying hand and stood waiting. She broke through her I-must-not-do-this barrier and they were kissing and groping. "Oh Billy, this is a real beauty," said his aunt, sinking her saliva-laden mouth over the object of her wide-eyed attention. Billy flopped out the tits, and they did flop, not that he minded. A loose swinging tit gives a guy options: he poked out his tongue to lick a nipple as he swung a tit back and forth. She broke off to ask, "What the hell are you doing?" and so Billy straightened and placing his hands behind his head bent his head back and thought of the delight of shafting 18-year old Sonia and then her two married sisters although one was questionable, being the late stages of her first pregnancy. Julia slobbering and looking up wondered why he wasn't brushing her unruly hair from her eyes felt him thicken in her mouth, unaware because right at that moment Billy's mind had switched to the sexy Caroline. Julia simply thought the ecstatic look on his face meant at last the young man with low sexual experience had encountered a world-class cocksucker as she'd been told she was by some knowledgeable guys at law conventions. She assumed the accuracy of that thought when Billy blew into her mouth. She was of course unaware he was wondering if Caroline would take it up both channels. Pulling up her skirt, Julia flopped back on to the bed. There was no need to remove her panties; she hadn't been wearing any. She assumed the very experienced Billy would see glistening around her cunt, indicating no further foreplay was necessary. Billy filled Julia thickly and kept her grunting and on his eighth return stroke into her pussy her face turned puce and she bit into her arm and pushed, eyes rolling back into her head. Only eight strokes? His aunt had disappointed Billy. Next evening Sonia and Caroline chatting all the time during the movie sent Billy asleep. That was a godsend because it was a stupid college movie by an innocent pretty kid with a flat chest who by the end of the first semester was beautiful with awesome tits who'd stopped being bagged by almost every guy in the college and then graduated to become the exclusive sexual plaything of the college's swimming super star. At least that's what Caroline told him afterwards when he was shafting her doggie while fingering Sonia who was about to break into a screaming release. After he'd fucked them both they declared they were exhausted. So much for role models they'd just seen as the leads in that college movie. Sonia and Caroline needed to be gang-banged to tune them up. * * * Next morning was Monday and they joined the traffic crawl in from Long Island, Lance told Billy to drop the title of uncle because he was a big boy now. Then he said something that almost blew Billy away. "I don't mind you fucking your aunt but I don't want Sonia to know, understand?" Well that's a question of difficulty Billy had been trained to cope with. He had the chance to please his uncle by lying or to take a backhander across the mouth but then again his uncle would be pleased he wasn't a lying asshole. Oh so difficult but there was another option and he took it. "What you say is what anyone would expect to hear from a responsible father." Lance grinned, punched Billy on the shoulder lightly and said, "Well answered my boy. At the office we have on my last assessment sixty-three fuckable females. Don't ask me about the males." "Are you working through the sixty-three?" Lance grinned and said, "What you have asked is a question any uncle would expect from a conniving nephew." Billy punched Lance's shoulder hard and knew from the gym-fit guy's huge grin he now had a 50-year old friend. A tired-looking woman of sixty, or perhaps a little less, from HR took Billy through the seven floors of the dingy building occupied by Brown, Copeland & De Luca Law and introduced him to people who mattered. The males looked either neutral of threatened while the females simply looked as if they were mentally undressing him. Billy thought women today were such rude bitches at times. Patti left his floor till last. All but one attorney on that floor, one below the top floor, looked really threatened, probably wondering would Billy be ahead or behind them at the time of the next assessment review, all acutely aware he was Lance Copeland's son. The exception was the 29-year old dressed in white of Italian descent, Monique De Luca. Her eyes only turned cold when Billy looked at her tits just a mite too long. "I have a head start on you but my father says you will overtake me." Billy liked her honesty. "Your father sounds a slave driver making implied threats like that." She grinned. Billy liked that. "May I invite you to dinner tonight?" Billy asked, noticing Patti stiffen. "Please get this straight. I am going steady; before that I was widely known as Miss Unobtainable." "Neither of those statements turns me off. Dinner tonight?" "No." "I don't always seduce on my first date." She smiled and said he was a little different. "Well?" "No." "Am I free to date other women until you decide to date me?" "Certainly. Should not you be moving on and begin to earn your inflated-salary?" "I'll catch you later. I guess I have bed in mind but if I were to mention that I would be in breach of office etiquette of the serious kind." "Yes, if I decided to complain. But you may move safely on Mr Belair." The assistant manager from HR snorted as they prepared to leave Patti's glassed cubicle, "As privy to that conversation I am entitled to report misdemeanors." "Do that to me Patti and I'll wish another pregnancy on you, this time twins." "Oh Billy, we have two introductions to go and then I'll fetch you coffee." "You have a fine mind Patti. Thank you." As Patti walked off Monique smiled and whispered, "You are in danger of becoming office asshole on this floor." "Delivered with a smile, so I accept your kind comment." Monique's smile broadened. Patti warned Billy he was wasting his time with Miss Unobtainable. He'd have a better chance with her." "Is that an unwelcome sexual innuendo to a fellow staff member?" Billy said, grinning at Patti's embarrassment. But she recovered and said gamely he could be a candidate for office male asshole. * * * Billy was to work in dispute resolution. He'd figured he'd be dealing with titans of international companies but his first brief was to work on their client who yesterday had been offered a handsome improvement in settlement from her hitherto intransigent outgoing husband. The brief ended: 'Your role is to be an intermediary, to bring Mrs Gold into the real world'. Billy called for an interview and the woman who answered said her mother had no wish to see another attorney. "So you can read your mother's mind?" "What?" "You know for a fact your mother will not talk to me." "No, but..." "No buts. Let me talk to her." "She's asleep." "Do you make good coffee?" "Excuse me." "If I come now and wait will you make me good coffee?" There was quite a pause. "At least you don't sound boring. You'll know where we are." The rather plain woman who answered the door smiled when he said, "Call me Billy." "I was expecting an older man." "Instead you have me. Any idea how we can pass away the time." He grinned when he saw the forty-something lick her top lip. "Yes, good idea." Billy watched as Renatta went to her handbag on the table, pulled out a condom and tossed it to him. "I'm not getting undressed; mother could wake up and come in here." "That's fine, you get the coffee." Renatta did pull out a tit to give Billy something to play with after he'd fingered her wet. She was big but knew how to tighten on him. They were at it almost an hour and almost in silence before he was unable to holdback any longer and came. She grunted and came immediately. "You're good," he said. She grinned and said she was off to have a bath. "My husband lasts no more than fifteen minutes and both his brothers occasional have me and neither can top thirty minutes. I'll ask my mother to come out and see you. She's in her bedroom fretting and reading." Augustine the hard-faced mother came out and Billy's heart sank. She was gaunt, dark-eyed and looked tougher than tough. "How did my youngest daughter entertain you?" asked the 71-year old. "Exceptionally well." "Why are you here?" "To give you a big challenge. I'm just out of law school and this is my first day at Brown, Copeland & De Luca Law Mrs Gold." "A novice?" "Yes but a good one, just like you would have been when you entered the business of the man who was to become your husband. Let's make this short and positive. How much more do you want me to get for you?" "Five million." "No show. What about $2.5 million, nothing more nothing less? My firm sent me here to knock sense into you but I sense you'd throw me out the window if I mentioned that. Do we have agreement...if I can get you $2.5 million more you'll settle." "Yes." "Excellent Mrs Gold. I'll call the attorneys on the other side and try to arrange a meeting for tomorrow." "I have arranged to go out with a friend tomorrow." "You may still do that. I don't want you at that meeting. Just Mr Gold and his attorneys and me – unless of course Mr Gold will also go shopping." "He only does things to make money. You don't make money shopping." Principle counsel Steve Miller and his team that included pretty Monique De Luca sat on one side of the long conference table scowling at Billy. Steve said politely, "You can't come in here and on Day One resume stalled negotiations on our behalf. It just isn't done. Instead of having stalled negotiations you'll collapse them." "That is arguable. I was asked to go to Mrs Gold to move her. I did but in the wrong direction but I see daylight." "You see daylight," sneered another senior attorney. "You say she wants more money and yet you refuse to say how much. Have you taken over as managing partner?" Billy ignored that. "Steve, I want to try my way and don't believe I am being reckless any reject any thought that I might be attempting to gain kudos. It is very probable Mr and Mrs Gold have been screaming at each other for months, possibly years. I want him to see me as fresh blood and to be seen without a team of associates." The attorney who'd sneered before threw up his hands and said that was madness. "That's enough Ivan," Steve said. "Go on Billy." "It becomes a classic stand-off. Mr Gold will see it as just him and me. It won't be able to outsmart him but I'll be able to think and talk faster that he can. My task is to make him see it's either this or he goes to court and he's already said he doesn't want to pull his wife through the court system and disgrace her before her friends." "That's a negotiating tactic," said Steve. "Steve, Mrs Gold is harder than your belt buckle. "She and her friends, her real friends, wouldn't care if the outcome meant she had to appear in court. So as I see it, it's either my way or you go and see Mrs Gold. And what are you going to say to her Steve?" "It's a risk, but let him do it Steve." Steve looked at Monique. "You don't even know the guy." "That irrelevant. Do you honestly think he'd going to fuck this up on his first week here?" "Watch your mouth Monique," Steve said. He slumped back in his chair for a few seconds and then said, "Meeting over. Do what you have to do Billy and good luck." "You have a great ass," Billy said, as Monique got ahead of him going down the stairs to their floor below. "Billy Belair. You are on the brink of big trouble." "Even if I was thrown into jail to rot I'd still think of your great ass." "Billy, stop it," Monique said, now running, the sway giving Billy a hard-on. Back in his cubicle Billy called the senior on the other side. The attorney laughed and said he would arrange the meeting. "Then you will be unemployed although you've got a cheeky edge to you so come and see me; we could be interested." Charismatic Billy Belair Next day, two hours, twenty-one minutes into 'final' negotiations as Billy was now calling it, Mr Gold threw up his hands and said, "I'll should be out making money, not sitting here. I agree to the $2.5 million being added to the $11.8 million where we were at two days ago. Prepare the papers Marco and get my wife off my back." "Thank you sir. May I take you to lunch? I'd like to hear from a shrewd oldie like you how to make money in this city." "What kind of consulting fee will be paid me?" "Just a reasonably priced lunch Mr Gold." Mr Gold smiled showed misshapen and stained teeth. "Well, you think and talk like me Billy. Okay." "But Mr Gold, we have lunch ready for you here." "I'll give that a miss thank you Marco. Billy's got ahead of your with his invitation." On the way down in the elevator Billy called Monique. "Hi sweetheart. Mr Gold had agreed to Mrs Gold's figure of an extra $2.5 million. I'm now taking him to lunch. Please advise Steve." Monique screamed in delight but when she began talking became aware the call had been cut. "You have just started at the office and already have a woman you call sweetheart?" "She'll be a tough nut to crack Mr Gold. So I'm drawing her a picture of what I want to see happening and with her being able to see that concept she has no chance of stopping her mind thinking about it." "Perhaps I should pay for lunch, though I won't waste money like that. My feeling is you have much to teach me. I only had six years of schooling so am a little weak in that department and have never read a text book." "I'll have to consider what level of fee to charge Mr Gold." "Son, do you want my boot up your ass?" The women in the elevator with them looked shocked. Billy laughed and patted the laughing Mr Gold on his back. He looked a little frail to punch on the shoulder. When Billy returned to the office at 4:30 Monique ran up and kissed his cheek. Billy caught her face and kissed her on the lips, gently. He released her and she jumped back two paces. "Billy!" "Don't be too hard on me Monique. I'm a sucker for temptation." Still highly colored Monique said, "All attorneys and certificated legal assistants on this floor are to go to the meeting room where Steve and you are to talk about those final negotiations, with emphasis on thinking and strategies. It is to be a workshop session." "Aw, do we have to?" "God Billy, you're drunk. I'll make you coffee while you call Steve's PA and say we are ready." Billy watched Monique's ass as it weaved away. She turned and glared at him. He grinned and thought her glare appeared to be turning into a smile as she continued on her way. "Jan," he said to an attorney possibly senior to him. "Would you kindly call Steve's PA to say we're ready." "Yes Mr Belair." Billy wondered why he was not Billy – a slip or showing sign of respect?" "Show me your tits Jan," he whispered and drew the angry response from newly married Miss Jan Prentice, "Fuck off Billy." Billy retreated, pleased that Jan now had him in proper perspective. That evening Billy went home by train as Lance was working late. Sonia introduced him to a runt of a guy named Arnold, describing him as one of her boyfriends. Arnold muttered hi and left. Billy, who had this noble idea that he could help fix the world grabbed Sonia by the shoulders and sat her down. "Ouch that hurt." "I don't want to see you around jerks like that." "Who on earth do you think you are Billy?" "Listen, you are eighteen and still filling out. You are destined to have a great shape and will book even better than you look now." "What do you know about it?" "I know enough from experience you'll have the looks and the body to soon be hauling in A-class guys." "You are spaced out." "You're not listening. But your mind, posture and lack of sheer presence will let you down." "Says you." "Right smart ass. Give yourself to me for six months, doing completely what I say." "And what?" "The swan will begin to appear." Sonia laughed derisively but Billy saw interest in her eyes. "I'll also teach you how to fuck." Her eyes widened and she said, "You're on." "Right, into shorts, top and running shoes. We do this every evening as soon as I arrive home. Weekends you'll have off unless you wish to join me for a big run on Saturday morning. We'll run by a gym on the way home and I'll enroll you and me." "Is this to be torture?" "Depends on how you view it...torture or working to build on the framework you must have if your are to possess the most fuckable body on the planet." "Christ Billy, that's over the top." "It's the concept you set in your mind. You advance towards it incrementally until you eventually stop." "Oh god, I think I can believe in you when you talk to me like that." "I'll off to change. Meet you back here in five." They ran at a reasonable pace and Sonia showed some style. She explained running for fitness had been compulsory at junior high school and they'd been coached. She stopped as soon as that became an option. Billy muttered. "Excuse me?" "I mumbled stupid bitch." Sonia laughed and that pleased Billy. "I need to rest." "We run on until you find it necessary to stop." He slowed the space slightly and Sonia ran through her pain barrier. They looked around the gym and she was amazed at all the equipment. "This is nothing like the gym at high school." "This is a real gym designed for patrons who wish to invest in their bodies. You'll have a better gym at college." "I'm half thinking of withdrawing my application." Billy gritted, "Young madam, you are going to college." "Yes master," she said, staring at him. "What?" "You think I'm you young sister." Billy flushed and she looked triumphant. "You dirty swine; you've fucked your sister." "If you call what you and I did fucking, you have some learning to do." "Ohmigod, am I going to love this brutal regime." Billy smacked her ass and they made their appointments for assessments. Sonia looked at her membership card and receipt. "Oh god." "What?" "We can't pay all this money on me." "It's my investment in you. You fee includes a personal trainer, five days a week for six months. It you attend all sessions diligently and complete schedules that will bring me satisfaction; it you fail to turn up for a session you know you will be wasting my money of which I don't have much just now. After six month you'll be at college and in the gym will becoming under the notice of A-class guys from day one. The difference between your Arnold and a good choice A-class guy is Arnold hangs around just to fuck you; the good A-class guy will want to sit and talk with you, discuss movie plot, eat better food and take you home to impress his mom." "Really, you don't believe that do you?" "Darling, I've been an A-class guy since after my dad first bullied me all summer into loading and unloading bales of hay. You mom thinks my dad is a yokel and has never done anything for me but I'm telling you he made me physically into the kind of guy he'd like to have been himself. It was his gift to me. Now I pass on the gift to you if you have the nous to accept." "I'll do anything you want. As for the sex that goes without saying." "Fine, but just heed this. As your mom would wish to say to you every morning and night, 'Remember this darling; always regard all males as jerks until they prove otherwise'." CHAPTER 2 One hundred and ninety-two days later Billy at Grand Central was with Sonia and her entire family to see her off to her choice of college to study art – fashion and design. Just as Billy had predicted, a swan was beginning to emerge. Sonia had grown taller and had filled out appropriately. Further, she was more confident, her make-up was superb as was her carriage and a beautiful smile was never far from her face. In bed that morning with her mother, Julia had said out of the blue, "As well as fucking you and forcing you to become athletic Billy has taught you so much more about yourself and what to do, hasn't he?" "Fucked me?" "Yes, having Caroline in the room with you guys as a chaperone was the same dodge I pulled on my parents." "Thank you mom," Sonia said, weeping and hugging Julia. "Thanks for allowing that to continue. As you say it was only part of my education. He is such a gifted person. You ought to try to get him in bed with you." "Darling don't be so disgusting," Julia said, having to hug her daughter to hide her guilty face. She and Billy spent a couple of hours once a month in a hotel room. At the station Julia looked at her daughter objectively, knowing what Sonia had told her, and saw the enormous improvement that had gone largely unnoticed because she saw Sonia every day. "It's a remarkable transformation." "What was that dear?" Lance asked watching the other young women ready to board the 'college express'. "I was saying our daughter is becoming an outstanding young woman." "So I've notice, particularly over the past month. Even her diction has improved. She must be keeping better company. I think Billy has been a tremendous influence on her. I say, you don't think those two have been doing it do you. They are cousins." "I would expect so darling, and probably with Caroline as well." "What, under our roof?" "I have no idea darling, do you?" Caroline, now perhaps the most active slut in their neighborhood whispered to best-friend Sonia as they kissed goodbye, "I'll be on tap for him if he wants me." When about to board, Sonia turned and said, "Thank you for coming to see me off everyone. You make me feel like a princess. Mom and dad, I promise to head for high grades. You two guys are responsible for making what I am and I wish to publicly thank Billy for applying the finishing touches that are turning me into a sophisticated woman. Billy, you were also the best lover I've had. Bye everyone." Sonia's two sisters, one holding the hands of two toddlers and the other with her new baby, turned to look at their parents, horrified. But all they saw was Billy standing beside them grinning, their mother with her hand over her mouth to soften her giggling and their father studiously studying his shoes. Sonia appeared at the window and the sister with two children freed one hand and both sisters blew kisses at Sonia and joined the waving as they train pulled away. When Alice the elder sister turned to bite Billy's ass, figuratively, he'd disappeared. When Julia next looked at her daughters they were almost rolling about laughing. She rushed over to help with the children. * * * By this stage Billy was recognized as Mr Fix-it although of course what was irretrievably broken remained that way. Even so he did have remarkable success record. As managing partner Ashley Brown said at a Monday morning conference of all attorneys and certificated legal assistants, "Give that one to Billy; he's the one with a mind that sees around corners." Billy was making progress with Monique. If there were an empty seat beside him in the café she often sat there and he began doing the same with her and he felt he was seeing a little extra something in her smile. He was lunching with her for the third time in six months but this time he had something to ask her, something very special. "How's your love life," he began. "Fine and I see no reason for you to take over." "Problems with eyesight and intelligence?" She smiled and said sweetly, "Speaking of intelligence, you didn't bring me to this cheap place to talk to me about that?" "Correct. Monique darling..." "Just Monique is quite sufficient." "Darling, can you get you hands on two hundred grand?" She looked at his carefully and said, you are serious about this aren't you?" "Yes. Mr Gold called me yesterday asking me a take an investment risk from him. He wants to liquidate an asset to move in to complete a big deal. I must advise him by 5:00 tomorrow that I can come us with $400,000." "I don't like the sound of 'risk'. "The risk is we might not make five times our investment if the proposal doesn't proceed." "Instead we would lose the lot?" "No, it is for a long-term lease of a building on a small area of land. It is a managed investment and the net return to the investor has averaged 1.38% above the average commercial lending rate over the last fifteen years." "So we would borrow money to make the investment and our nominal return would still be less than that?" "Yes, unless..." "Unless what?" "You take in tax breaks and if this key block adjoining a much bigger site attracts another prospective developer it's all on again." "This is high flying." "Fly with me baby." "Stop it." "Stop what?" "You are making it sound exciting." "So you're thinking of going with me. I knew you had balls baby." "That is absolutely gross, I'm leaving." "Stay, we'll finish up here and go and look at the site but I'm telling you it's not pretty." Monique snorted and said why bother. Twenty minutes later Monique stood with her handkerchief over her nose because the street refuse bins had not been emptied. "Oh god, this is disgusting. What am I doing here?" Billy took her by the shoulders and bent his knees so his mouth was level with her left ear. "This is all about vision Monique and I want to take you through it. Mr Gold has it and he recognized that I have it. This little building we'd purchase the lease on has two firms of accountants on the first floor and the ground floor tenants are that Laundromat, a take-out food place and a 24/7 store." "Now see those buildings right up to the red truck that way, and those buildings this way to that tower office block?" "Yes." "The one developer has options to buy all of those properties and knows the site is designated for a parking building of no less that six levels. What he and his advisers don't know yet but Mr Gold has know for two years is that a change to site development controls about to be released soon will insist the egress and exit of vehicles must be placed where our building is for optimum traffic control with left turning traffic being able to round the corner of this arterial street we are standing on and straight into the building and traffic where we are standing to make a half right-hand turn and directly enter the building." "What if Mr Gold's information is wrong?'' "Then the risk is a failure. But I ask what if he's correct and you and I walk away with a cool two million bucks less our loans." "Oh god, I'm almost wetting my pants." Monique turned around to him and Billy kissed him and she kissed him back, firmly, and then opened her eyes and pulled away yelling, "How dare you!" "Calm yourself baby. You understand what a risk is. Being daring is just another form of it." On the walk back to the office Billy said, "Have vision baby; forget about the money. I want you to think about the repercussions on you financially and mentally if it all goes wrong and then to have a quick think about enjoying the benefit." "I would have to finance the shortfall in my interest payments out of salary." "That's one aspect baby. But look for any other downside including starting right at the beginning: where are you going to get two hundred grand in such short notice?" "That's easy. From my grandparents." "The sun is beginning to shine out of your asshole honey." "You are so foul." "I called him when you were marching up and down that property. Uncle Lance will front up with $200,000 for me. I think it's unwise of me borrowing any more until I building up capital and income." "It would think so too. The amount scares me. What did Uncle Lance say about the proposal?" "I rather not say." "Come on, don't hold out on me partner, I mean prospective partner." "Granddad called me back after making some quick inquiries. He wouldn't say what they were. All he said was could he go into the deal with me but I said I was committed to someone else." "You mean me?" "Yes, I thought I would give you a try. It's called breaking down barriers. I'll come to you within the hour with my answer." Monique was a dark beauty with dark express eyes, a neat small to medium-sized bust as far as Billy could tell, great legs and a nicely tapered waist. When she came dancing into his cubicle she was dancing and her eyes were shining. "Granddad says he's bringing in the check now. He wants to see what you look like. If he likes what she sees he'll give me the check. He knows the site as he is a director of a development company that snapped up one third of the options but Mace-Toohey got the drop of them so M-T bought up the Straightwell Development's options. Granddad says we'll get our two million if M-T drops out because Straightwell will jump in, that is if the council planning requirements impose those egress-exist requirements. He can't believe your contact knows details of any proposed change. I didn't give him Mr Gold's name." Ben Jupiter looked hard at Billy and handed Monique an envelope. Monique introduced the men and they shook hands. "If this deal comes through for you two, you must see me if you find another good prospect. I've become too long in the tooth to run up blind streets. But only come to talk about good speculative deals. No rubbish. Do you hear?" "Yes sir. Monique and I aim to be an astute business partnership." "We do?" Monique said scowling. She was ignored. Her grandfather left her speechless when he said, "Well son, you appear to have far more polish and style and breeding potential than that half-jerk she'd going around with at present." "Say goodbye and thank you Monique; your grandfather is going." "Bye and thanks a million granddad." "You're welcome baby. I only said what I just said for your benefit. Don't assume you always know best." Billy thought he was making some progress with Monique. Only yesterday she allowed him to cup a breast for all of ten seconds. 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007, 1008, 1009 1010. That was long enough for Monique to feel the heat of his hand through two layers of light fabric and for Bill to feel the warmth of a firm breast. Even when she went to pull his hand away as they walked to the restaurant he thought she did so reluctantly. He wondered if he were bold enough and dug two fingers into her cunt and thrust them dripping under her nose would she coo, 'Oh darling, take me, I'm all yours'? But then again perhaps not. He came back to reality and said, "You look pretty." She looked at him, astonished, and took his hand, causing a hiccup in his heartbeat. At the table Billy said conversationally, "This boyfriend of yours. Do you two fuck?" Monique almost shot out of her chair. She looked around hugely embarrassed and then began relaxing. It appeared no one had heard the outrageous comment. She whispered looking a little upset and confused, "If you can justify asking that I will confirm we do." "Thank you." "For what?" "You just confirmed you do." Monique thought back to what she'd just said and her face burned. "Christ you are a bully; look at what you just made me do." "Oh Monique, please, language. You may offend people within hearing." "If you must know I'm thinking of dropping him." "There's no need to do that for me." Monique smiled and picked up her table knife and felt the edge. "If he is a jerk then I should drop him but that doesn't give you a leg in because my granddad would not like me going around with a big dick like you." "Young lady," said a woman sitting almost alongside Monique but facing the opposite direction. "Could you please moderate your language or lower your voice." Charismatic Billy Belair Our apologies ma'am," Billy oozed. "Miss Smith is upset. Her dog called Missy died last night, attacked by two wolfhounds." "Oh dear. How tragic. You have our condolences," said the elderly woman. She and her even older companion left minutes later and the waitress arrived with a bottle of sparking wine. This is with the compliments of Mrs Elsa Waters-Ottoman and her mother. They are very concerned you lost your dog Missy ma'am." "You liar, see what you've done." Monique snapped. "Well, they didn't look too upset. I rarely lie so was out of practice. Please help me drink this wine and take me somewhere and seduce me." "Stop talking to me like that. This pressure from you is relentless." "Bet it's toughening you up as an attorney." "It's probably is. God that might be the only sensible think you have ever said to me in conversation." "What about the investment partnership proposal?" "Well I assumed you would have known I placed that aside." "Oh yeah"" "Yeah. Well one glass of this and back to the office," said Monique. They finished the bottle and she ordered another before Billy cancelled it. "You are actually rather pleasant company when relaxed Billy," she said as if talking about herself. He managed to get her walking, propping her up with one hand around a tit and the hand was allowed to remain there for the duration. In the elevator she unclasped his hand and kissed him. "What was that for?" he demanded. "Do I need a fucking reason if I want to kiss you?" Two younger women in with them giggled. "Oh fuck, I'm drunk," Monique wailed. "Only a little – if Jan is in I'll get her to take you to the restroom to get a wet flannel on to your face and neck and please darling try to moderate your language." "Yes darling. Whatever you say darling." Jan was all sympathetic and just what Monique needed. Two days later the relationship between Monique and Billy slumped. Billy received a call from an attorney representing Mace-Toohey. "A change in council thinking requires us to purchase your lease." "We invested speculatively. We are prepared to talk money." "I'll make it easy for you. We are offering max for rights to that cornerstone property. My client agrees to pay you and your partner a million bucks." "Tell him to be generous and offer two million." "Is that your final word on this?" "No, I will be prepared to negotiate higher." "That ends our negotiations Mr Belair," the attorney said. Billy told Monique the bad news and she burst into tears. Monique did everything to avoid him during the next two days, not even looking down the room at his cubicle. Two days later Billy was called to reception. He met two dark-suited guys from Straightwell Development's who wanted to talk business. He showed them into an interview room and excused himself to fetch his partner. "Oh god, we're saved." "Monique, you have to learn to toughen up. Now just show some tit and leg and keep your mouth shut." "How dare you speak to me like that." "Well I'll be polite. Show tit and leg and suck your thumb. If you talk to them it will break their focus on me. No, I know what. You carry out these negotiations and I'll sit picking my teeth." "No, no. You deal with it, please Billy." "Okay, I want a steep learning curve from you. In future we must work as a team, but working on the same team, because half of it is your money." "I'm not sure if I want a next time. Okay, please yourself. Do you wish to die poor?" The negotiations went smoothly. Monique just closed her eyes when Billy said although he was glad Straightwell Development's had taken over the development there would be other developers lining up to do if Straightwell Development's stumbled over the cornerstone property. My partner and I want 2.4. "Be realistic. 1.8." The one-way game continued until the leggy Monique stopped playing with her left breast when Billy yawned and looked at his watch. The team leader on the other side then said, "Deal, $2.4 million." The attorney with him pulled out documentation that was signed and the check handed over. The guys left. Monique pushed Billy into the interview room and was all over him. "Okay, I know you're pleased," he said. "Stop it, you're making me horny." She pulled away, red faced. "It feels like the prelude to adultery when you are still with that jerk." "You can't mean that." "I do. Don't expect me to fuck you while he's still around." "I wasn't." "Liar." For a moment Billy though she was going to hit him but then her shoulders slumped. "You have to toughen up and don't lie to me Monique; you are not a good liar." "You overwhelm me at times and at other times make me strong. I'm having difficulty coping with it." "I've learnt to be strong. You can be strong without losing your innate femininity." "Are you sure?" "Yes, and I bet your law assistant-professors talked to you about that." Monique sighed and said, "God, is that anything you don't know?" "I don't know how good your are in bed." "Give it a rest Billy. I'm off to bank this check into our joint account." "Thanks. When it comes times to withdraw remember you need both signatures." "I'm not proposing to withdraw any money if granddad agrees for me to continue with his interest-free loan." "Likewise two G's to Uncle Lance is play money. I'll suggest tonight when he says he's so proud of me he could make his loan interest-free. * * * Leon De Luca's PA called to say Leon wished to see Billy. He went up and Katie said Leon was on a call to Japan. She came from behind his desk to sit opposite him, taking sometime to arrange her legs. He looked at those long legs and she smiled, looking at him and he said, "They are a pair of beauties." "So I have another pair of what you call beauties?" Billy looked at his breasts. She was not cupping them thank goodness. "What is this Katie?" "Oh Leon is still on his call," she said, looking at lights on her desktop. "This is a little aside, about you and me. Leon leaves at 4:00 today. I would like to invite you up to our meeting room for a drink at 4:15." "You are married Katie." "Oh lucky me. If you think that's a problem I would like you to think of it as my problem. Have you been getting any lately?" Billy scratched the back of his head and grinned. "As a matter of fact no." "Well today is your lucky day. Ben is away this week and I am as they say, in need." "Well, providing nothing comes up Katie this could be your lucky afternoon. I've seen you walking around and have watched you." "I know Billy," she cooed. "I might not get another chance so I'm going for it." They chatted until Katie saw Leon was off the call. Leon hurried around his desk and shook Billy's hand. "This is marvelous news about the deal you and Monique have pulled off. Your contracts with us prevent you from dealing but in the case of you and Monique the partners have decided to be tolerant and business experience will round off your education before you both become junior partners. What I want to talk to you about is confidential between you and me." "You have my agreement." "Monique has mentioned to Rosemary and me that you have hounded her quite a bit, meaning sex." "That's true but I want more than that from her. She appears to me to be a perfect companion, girlfriend if you like." "Jumping catfish. Rosemary will be delighted. She's asked me to invite you to go out with us three to dinner. Now is a great time as we could profess to have super interest in your deal. We do of course but Monique knew not to come for me for money as Rosemary and I a building a vacation home in Florida that is lapping up money." "I bet. Money gobbling is an industry down there." "You use your perception agreeably Billy, so what am I asking you exactly?" "You would like a certain jerk out of Monique's life and a handsome guy showing some promising signs of knowing how to make money installed in his place." "Oh no wonder Monique likes you heaps and Rosemary will be out to seduce you when she finds out how smooth and likeable you are." "Before you go overboard Leon, there's something I must tell you. Monique and I are now business partners. I'm out to toughen her up and fucking her is my way in to her confidence to really work on that. Leon turned a little pale. "Come on Leon, I won't brutalize her – far from it." "Well Rosemary says she'll have to stiffen her backbone if she wants to succeed as a top attorney. You won't be aware of this but Rosemary was a junior partner until five years ago when she had a severe car accident, but she's fully recovered now." "I promise you I'll toughen up Monique but she's remain soft and lovely. She just needs to know more about resolve and how being tough is mostly a mind game. I don't believe she had that concept installed within her yet. She's a lovely young woman in need of the right man and I'll bet she'll make a better guy out of him. "Well, whatever you say. Her mother is a predator, like a cat, and you know where you are with her. Monique is like a kitten, full of flair and fun but emotionally charged and some of those emotions needs to be controlled better." * * * At 4:15 Billy entered the meeting room. Katie glided up to him and kissed him, tonguing him immediately to signal she wasn't there merely to serve him drinks. Billy lowered his arms around her, pulled her skirt right up and slapped bared ass to signal 'message received'. She moved beyond him to lock the door and then went to the bar. "Martini?" "Fine," said Billy, sitting on the two-seat sofa. If she sat opposite him he'd be surprised. She came over with the drinks and cooed might she squeeze in beside him? "On the condition you take your top and skirt off." She handed Billy his drink, put hers down and did what Billy had asked, without any pretence and without attempting to look beguilingly at him. She just gave him a look that said she was ready for sex. They sat and talked with Billy stroking her body. Katie occasionally tugged softly at the shape of his erection under his pants and would then leave it. Finally he said, "Time to fetch the towels." She scampered to get them. Fucking Katie was a pleasure. The sight of shine in her eyes and soft ooohs and aaahs and yes-yes-aaahs indicated she was riding on a high. Actually she was riding high. After the kissing and pussy licking she'd chosen to ride cowgirl. Then with Billy on his last gasp recovering from shooting up her tight chute, she'd flopped over the end of the sofa and waited patiently for him. He eased upright and moved forward on his knees to feed in the length slowly that had her groaning ecstatically. They went at it slowly, she waggling her ass like a whore prospecting on the street in front of a bar, although Katie certainly was no whore. In a rare sense of propriety, Billy thought hubby should be home with her making babies. Katie yelled 'boobs!' The call was not unknown to Billy so he leaned forward, grabbed them and squeezed; there was enough to fill both hands. He squeezed harder and she bucked, he dug in her fingers and she went 'aaaaaarrrrgh', giving Billy the impression of a train roaring from a tunnel. She flopped lifelessly over the end of the sofa and Billy grinned as he felt warmth tricking down the side of his left thigh. He leant to one side to give even more friction and he grunted into satisfaction. Billy used a towel and as Katie groaned and sat upright he threw her a towel, grinning because he knew it had been a very successful forty minutes. A smile radiated and Katie fluttered her eyelashes. "That doggie, it was absolutely beautiful. I had a shattering release. That is so rare for me unless I'm having a toy fiesta with my girlfriends." The concept of women in a party mood drunk and shrieking with sex toys filling every opening rather appealed to Billy and his erection returned. Katie looked at it wide-eyed. "Oh no, please Billy, I feel totally fucked and need to strength to get myself home. Billy's offer to see Katie home was declined with a smile and she kissed him, patting his ass. "That was the offer of a gentleman was it Billy?" He grinned and lied he had no other motive. The next day Billy was called in across town as a 'fresh face' to try to get stalled parties in mediation up and going again. Uncle Lance was leading the team representing Allied Industries and being briefed that every avenue had been explored Billy called for everyone to leave the room except for the president and senior vice-president of Allied and Grand Horizons Investments. Billy had decided to use a technique an associate professor at law school had spoken about to circumvent the need to spend hours of even days learning the facts and issues of the background to the dispute. He said what had stalled the talks really wasn't an issue for debate. What he'd like discussed was something that probably hadn't been debated. The question was what did each side have to lose if Allied's proposed $838 million buyout of Grand Horizon's airline division did not proceed? That immediately became clear. Allied would lose the opportunity of strengthening it's own airfreight operation and achieve the desire to build a transatlantic service while Grand Horizons would lose the opportunity to see it's flagging stock price rise with news that it had quit it's loss-making airfreight operation. One hour, thirty-five minutes later the lawyers were called in to sign the transaction, the price remaining unchanged. Lance looked at Billy in admiration and everyone from both camps waved goodbye to Billy. "Job well done thanks to you Billy," Lance breathed. Billy sat in a coffee shop and called Mr Gold who said he was well and gathered Billy and his female pal were ready for another transaction. "I was actually calling to find if you are missing your wife." "How could I? We haven't lived together for years and she no longer calls to beat my ear to pulp with her bellowing. I now have a lesbian couple with me for company. There's no scrapping between the three of us and they both suck me off when I feel like it and both are good cooks. What more could I want?" "Kids?" "You have a lovely sense of humor Billy. This one is my last free one because of what you did for me getting my wife off my back. I bet she's happy as well?" "Yeah, the other week she sent me two air tickets to France she won in a raffle and she added pre-paid bookings at a great hotel for five nights." "Good on the bitch; she used to be sweet when she was young." "I bet you were too Mr Gold. It's just you both got screwed up with one another along the way." "So you're now a shrink Billy?" "Nice humor Mr Gold. What's the proposal?" * * * Rosemary De Luca answered the door when Billy knocked and one look at her and he'd knew she was a woman who liked to be fucked recreationally. She was voluptuous and had sex written all over her. She was just the type who preferred younger men, he reckoned. Although she was perhaps fifty she looked she'd swing her ass. Yeah, she indicated sensuality in moments like this and her principal hobby was to tease and please. "Ah, Mr Belair. Better than expected, I must say." "Is that because I remembered to shave and wore a suit?" "Oh Mr Belair, you are hilariously funny," Rosemary said, faking a laugh. "Rosemary call me Billy and may I say privately you look to be in great shape." Rosemary played it absolutely cool, not even her eyes changing. "Thank you for the compliment. Come in Billy." He entered thinking he ought not to have said that. But that doubt was short lived. When he stopped for Rosemary to lead the way she came in behind him and grabbed a handful of ass. "Nice butt Billy," she whispered, and said that was private conversation. Billy decided he should not lay a finger on Rosemary because she could become his mother. Anyway his morality was set by the thought Monique would be off him forever if he played around with her mother. A guy had to set his priorities. Rosemary was off somewhere and Billy was standing with Leon having a whisky when Monique entered the room and gaped. "What are you doing here?" "I've been invited to accompany your parents and you to dinner." "That's... um... very nice." "Is it now?" "Why are you being aggressive? Do you want me to say I think it's lovely?" "Oh great idea. A welcoming kiss would go down well. I'm not supposed to be the enemy." "Daddy, see what I have to put up with?" "Not really darling. Kiss him, say it's lovely he is coming with us providing you mean that and then go find your mother. It's time to go." "It's lovely to have you with us," Monique said. She was swamped in a huge kiss. "God, what was that?" Billy just grinned at her. If he said anything she would dispute it." CHAPTER 3 In the restaurant Leon lead the conversation. Probably aware of his wife's willful ways he had her sitting next to him in the large booth, Monique on the other side of him and then seated Billy beside Monique. There was no way Rosemary could get her foot into Billy's crotch. Working this out, not knowing whether it was fact or fiction, Billy silently complimented Leon for his strategic placements. The De Luca's talked to Monique and Billy about how they worked up to making their short-term invested and how the sell-on was executed. Leon then told his family what Lance had told him about Billy's tremendous work in breaking a deadlock over an airline deal earlier that day. "Oh Billy, that is yet another big one under your belt. You are junior partner potential," Monique said, digging her father in the ribs. Leon said "Oh right, yeah, it appears so." Rosemary said nothing, preferring to pour herself another wine and look at Billy with smoldering eyes. Finally she said, "What's the next big deal Billy?" He scratched behind an ear. "Well I've been waiting for the right moment to talk to Monique about it." "Now's a good time Billy," Monique giggled. "You are among friends and I'm drinking." "Okay, but promise not to wet your pants?" Leon snapped, "Billy!" "It's okay dad, this is what I have to put up with. Go on Billy." "It's a shared deal. We have to come up with $6 million." "Of Christ," wailed Monique, grabbing a handful of tablecloth and almost upsetting wineglasses. "Monique, for heavens sake," Rosemary said. "At this stage it's only words." "But he'll push me into it; I know he will." Leon topped up his glass, giving his daughter a moment to settle. "Like he pushed you last time and let's review where you ended up over that deal." "Dad, mom – you're ganging up with him." "It doesn't matter darling. I want you to look at me. Good. Now as your mother says it's only words. If we proceed and fail it's own money. Money is simply a tool, not a death warrant, as you appear to see it. I'd like you to focus on standing beside me and proudly looking at the completed project we have invested in. Look to the hills, not to the gullies darling." "Well I feel better about it already. You have a compelling way with you Billy." "Ohmigod Billy," Rosemary said in awe. "You have development persuasion into an art form." Leon sat impassively, staring at Billy. "Well, here's the deal..." "Will you stop calling me darling. I still haven't dropped the guy you keep calling a jerk," Monique said severely. "I wonder why I know what Billy is on about?" her mother said dryly, earning a glare from Monique. "Monique, I want more that to be working in the same office as you and to be in a business partnership with you but this jerk is standing in my way. I've told you I'll not seduce you until he's been dumped." Charismatic Billy Belair "Billy, I don't like that word being used in front of my wife and daughter." "Then what's another word for jerk," Billy grinned. Rosemary giggled, Leon sighed and Monique bleated, "See what I have to put up with daddy." "Just dump the guy and get on with your life Monique." Monique looked at her father in disbelief so Billy eased the tension by said smoothly, "Well here's the deal. A developer has an option on a failing boutique hotel to buy the building to convert it into high-class apartments reconfiguring each three hotel rooms into an apartment and making the four hotel suites into two penthouse apartments. The developer has funding but is short by six mil. Mr Gold said the developer has had problems raising the shortfall because he's had two failed projects through being under-funded in the past two years. All the approvals are in place and Mr Gold said the contact looks fine to him and when I queried about the developer having two failed projects he said could I show him a developer who hadn't experienced that." "It's all about risk isn't it Billy?" "Yes baby, you are back in focus, aren't you?" "Yes, and it feels good." "Excellent. Then do this for me in the morning darling when you are fresh and raring to get going. Focus on the jerk." Monique giggled and her parents relaxed visibly, knowing Billy was achieving what they hadn't managed to do. Rosemary asked, "How much can you two put into this project?" Billy said two million, looking at Monique who nodded. "I can switch one million from the trust fund my parents set up for me. Please excuse me. She made a call. "Hi dad, Monique and her boyfriend have been talking to me about a project." "No, not him – the hot-shot young attorney. Yes, he does seem trustworthy. He has another project and is looking for ..." Rosemary looked at Billy who whispered twenty percent minimum. "The developer says a twenty percent return minimum is forecast with final sale within twelve moths. Monique and her business partner have two million to put in, I'm putting in one million from my trust with your approval and we'll need three million from you. Interested in talking about it?" "Good, I get back when have set up a meeting. I'll get Leon to run this and do the entire contract work on our behalf without fees because this is family and we need to keep a developer under control. Good night dad." "Yes, that's all ready to do," Rosemary said. "Order champagne please darling. I've longed to be involved in a financial deal with Monique." "Yes dear," Leon said holding up a hand to attract wait staff. "Billy and Monique, Rosemary and I have a warehouse investment that is beginning to become an investment dog. If this developer is any good we have all look at this warehouse as an apartment conversion possibility. The location is good – near a university so a conversion into small low-cost apartments could be on." "No, maintenance where students are involve is high Leon," Billy said. "I should know!" If this current project gets the green light we should investigate your warehouse. It might be practical to add another couple of floors. I'll need to talk to a few realty specialists in the area to see where the demand for accommodation lies. Then your father, Monique and me will have to negotiate a commercial deal with you two, with a bit of discount because it's family." "Are you family?" Leon asked. "I should be by then. I'm limiting myself to one project at the time so I can keep to the terms of my contract with Brown, Copeland & De Luca Law." Billy went back with the De Luca's for a nightcap. With the drinks poured Rosemary and Leon said goodnight and disappeared carrying their drinks. "That was a really interesting evening," Monique said thoughtfully. "Yeah. Show me your tits." "What now?" Monique said, looking nervously at the closed door. "Yeah, so what if they come in? They both know what tits look like." "Billy, the inconsistency of your behavior and your attitudes really confuses me. At times you can be such a gentleman and at times – like right now – you can be so crude." "Do you think you can improve my consistency?" "Yes I do." "Good." "Do you mean that?" "Absolutely." Grinning, Monique said, "Billy, I have something to show you." She was more than halfway drunk and by the time she was fully undressed she wanted it. Billy kissed her tits and then her lips at length and then said he must go. She didn't wail; she understood so just stood naked at the front door waving him goodbye, pouting. Billy rode home in a cab, absolutely focused. * * * Some young guys like Billy have priorities, and high on the list is sex. With Monique holding out he had to get it from somewhere although his monthly encounter his aunt was a partial fill in. However, continuing with that remained a huge risk. Billy had just shafted his Aunt Julia up the butt. She loved it. The idea of going backdoor sickened husband Lance. As they rested Billy said he believed a chick he had his eye on at the office was about to come across to him. "You mean Monique?" "Yes," Billy said in surprise. "Rosemary often talks to me about your two." "Well Monique is not a lot like her mother. She is rather moralistic and a little timid in other directions." "Then why are your bothering?" "Because she is top shelf and I'll be able to work to change her a bit. She will want to change me quite a bit so I'm thinking I should end this with you, like today." "Okay, but one more time up the butt before we go. Does Rosemary take it up the butt? "Is that a trick question?" "Yes," Julia giggled. "I don't mind if you can't believe this but I haven't touched Rosemary and I think she knows why." "Because of Monique?" "Yes." "Good boy." Before they left the dingy hotel room Julia arranged for Billy to meet Sonia and her boyfriend at Grand Central on Thursday. They were arriving on a college break. "Are they staying with us?" "Yes, they went to his home in Boston last break." "So they're going steady. I'm pleased about that." "Are you sure?" "Yes, it's what I wanted for Sonia. To steady her down." Julia sighed and said her parents had that responsibility but had failed to enact it. "You have been so good for our family. I know I shouldn't say this but I always have had a big mouth. The partners have decided to make you a junior partner, to be announced at the meeting of attorneys and certified legal assistants tomorrow." That revelation excited Billy and Julia received a gentle and prolonged ass-fuck to remember for the rest of her life, if she cared to do that. * * * There was a mass of homecoming students and families at the station and Billy was standing waiting, remembering back when he arrived home on the bus for his homecomings, his loyal mother waiting for him. He thought his father's beatings had given him backbone but his mom's clarity of thought, always being there for him and her tenderness, had been significant in making the person he was, or at least turning into. About the only value his father had instilled into him was, 'Do what I say and you'll be fine'. What shit was that? "Hello Billy." The voice from the past was even better than he remembered... more honey in it. He looked up and met the steady gaze of Sonia, dressed crappy in a sweater and jeans like most of the other female students with make-up that was crap. But she was taller and he could see the beauty that surrounded her whole being. "Calvin, this is Cousin Billy – for god sake don't call him William or Bill or he'd flatten you." "Hi Calvin, I've had legal dealings with your mother. Are you doing law?" "Yes sir." "Cut the crap Calvin – call me Billy." "Mom says are you building an awesome reputation." "If you want reputation I can tell you a few stories about your mom Calvin. I've been called in to work out of our Boston office a few times. She's known in my office as Mrs Castrator." "Mom is? She is one of the softest older women I know." "Believe me Calvin, you don't know your mom outside the house. Hello Cousin Sonia, do you have a kiss for me/" Sonia flew into his arms and kissed him in the cheeks enthusiastically." "Steady on Sonia, Calvin will become jealous." "No it's fine sir... er Billy. Sonia has told me about the debt of gratitude she owes you." Billy laughed and said Sonia had simply benefited by attempts by Billy to repay a family debt. "Without Aunt Julia bringing me to New York as my patroness I would have been nothing Billy. I'm on my feet professionally and financially but I still choose to live with them because they are the only family I have outside of Kansas. Aunt Julia wants me to live with them till I marry, whenever that will be. They apologize for not being here to greet you both but they have an important client cocktail party to attend. It's the preamble to a possible merger Sonia so your mom is truly apologetic. She asked me to deputize for her." "That's fine Billy. She did call me to explain," said Sonia. "I'll have more homecomings but a big merger opportunity might only come dad's way one or twice in his entire life in practice." "Good girl. I'm impressed. Let's go home." On the ride home Sonia said, "Has mom one or two rooms ready for Calvin and me?" "That's beside the point." "Oh." "Sonia, you're not thinking. You two move into the one room if that's your desire. When your mom arrives home well-primed after a cocktail party and more drinks at dinner, is she going to accept or reject your decision?" "Accept I would think." "There you go. Take a calculated chance Sonia. A tense minute, perhaps two, and it's all over and you'll never have that problem with her again. You know it doesn't matter what you father thinks; he'll fall in with what your mother says because she rules the house." Caroline arrived screaming in excitement, setting off Sonia. Billy saw Calvin roll his eyes so he said to the two females he and Calvin were going to the Black Rose bar for a drink and they could come later and join them for a meal. As they were leaving Julia called to welcome Sonia and Calvin and Calvin was called back to talk to his hostess. Billy's respect for Calvin went up a notch when he over-heard him say to Julia, "Mrs De Luca, I'm sleeping in Sonia's room with her. We are adults so don't require your permission but as it's your home I would like you to tell me it's fine with you." "Thank you Julia. We will see you guys later tonight." After dinner Caroline went back home with them. She said goodnight to Calvin, kissed Sonia and then pulled Billy into his bedroom. She was such a slut though Billy, almost losing his thumb in wide space when he pressed it into her butt. He pulled on a condom and thought he also was a person of loose character but at least he intended working on that. Next morning Billy was called to the meeting of partners and half an hour later at the usual Monday meeting Monique people to move along one seat to allow her to sit next to Billy, which was unusual. When managing partner Ashley Brown announced the appointment of associate Mike Ross and Billy Belair (jumping associate level) as non-equity junior partners there was big applause. After people had leaned over to shake Billy's hand or slap him on the back Monique kissed him, to the oooohs of females close by. Monique clutched his arm and said her mom had whispered the news to her that morning over breakfast. Monique invited Billy out for lunch – that being a first. Returning to the office with a couple of wines in her belly, Monique called her boyfriend Gary and advised she no longer wished to be associated with him. The jerk asked in disbelief was she sure about that. Lovely sweet Monique these days under the rough-edged influence of Billy, turned nasty for almost the first time in her life and said, "You're dumped, get that into your thick head." Monique sat in disbelief that she'd spoken to someone like that. Her next thought produced a big frown: new junior partner Billy Belair would be proud of her. Her hand fell on to her left breast as she thought she'd not had sex for ten days so the jerk's alarm must have been ringing. Her hand dropped to her lap – she pulled it away hastily – as she looked along the glassed cubicles on the other side to the back of Billy Belair. She smiled thinking he was on the phone doing client prospecting for a change. Minutes later Billy entered her cubicle, frowning. "This could either dismay or elate you. The developer about to sign with us for the hotel conversion is being sued so wants to keep $4 million of his money aside and for us to make-up the shortfall. I called your father and he agreed with me, dump the asshole so I reported back to your father and said you and would be better off using our gains to buy an apartment and he agreed but said the jerk would have to..." "He's gone." "Oh great work Monique, I'm so proud of you. A gutsy performance. Are you free to be fucked tonight?" "Billy!" "Ooops, sorry. Forgot you were touchy-touchy sensitive. Sonia called and asked me out with Calvin and her for dinner tonight and suggested I bring a partner as Caroline is playing basketball tonight. Sonia is much younger than you of course, as you know, but she and Calvin are such an urbane duo together you forget they are just kids." "Well since I have nothing on this evening I guess I must answer yes." "Oh great. Bring a toothbrush... oh and an overnight bag. You can sleep with me." "I will return home to sleep thank you," Monique said icily. Billy scratched his head and grinned. "Good work, I didn't want you to be a slut." "Billy Belair, you can't talk about women using that word!" He walked off whistling. * * * Billy returned cold-hearted Monique to her home well after midnight. They arrived noisily and just as Billy grabbed Monique to ram his tongue into her mouth to try to rev her up the big light turned on. Rosemary appeared and they could see through her thin nightdress she had big areola to match her big tits and she shaved her pussy. "Mom, you are wearing see-through." "Oh so I am? Please excused my indelicate behavior Billy but you have seen it all, many times I shouldn't wonder." "Mom!" Monique's weak rebuke was ignored. "I just waddled out to invite you to stay Billy. Monique has dumped her boyfriend Gary so you are free to sleep with her here. Every young woman needs that kind of sustenance. "Mom, will you return to your bed!" "Keep your shirt on. Goodnight darling. Stay for breakfast Billy." She returned to the bedroom and Monique fumed, "My mother can be such an embarrassment." Billy grinned. "Why, it's the duty of every mother to ensure her adult daughters are being adequately fucked?" "You are just as bad as her with your wicked comments. Oh god, you haven't...with her I mean." "Fucked her? Who do you think I am Monique, Don Juan?" "Will you swear to me you haven't" "Monique De Luca, I swear I have not fucked your mother or even laid a finger on her," Billy said solemnly. "Thank you but you can't use that word in association with my mother of all people." "No, you are quite right. She has awesome tits doesn't she?" Monique didn't snap back. She just began pushing him to the front door saying, "Get out, get out." The light that Rosemary had turned off went on and Leon appeared with a towel wrapped around him. "Guys, Rosemary and I are trying to get to sleep and so is the whole neighborhood. Could you cut the noise and go off to your bedroom. Please, like good kids?" Monique could only snort in despair. Billy lied manfully, "Everything is under control Leon. Sleep in peace." "Oh god, this is meant to happen, isn't it." I'd wanted to wait until I felt really comfortable about you." "Well, you'll have to find out if I'm trainable, won't you?" Billy said, cupping her vulva and feeling Monique push against his hand and sigh heavily. In the bedroom he stripped off while Monique stood rocking on her heels watching and looking undecided. "Oh my, I knew it would be big." "Did mommy suggest that to you?" "You need your mouth washed out with soapy water." Billy pulled up Monique's top. Meeting resistance he just kept on hauling it up and her arms went about her head and her bra was undone before she'd sniffed and opened her eyes. Her bra was pulled off and hit the ceiling. Billy stepped back to admire the breasts. "Do you like them? I think they are my best feature, although probably somewhat small for you." "I think your best feature is your sweet, generous nature." Monique emitted a single sob and threw herself at him. She held her head down so Billy made noises kissing her hair and with the action of a singly minded seducer reached to unzip her skirt. As it fell Monique turned up her face and they kissed, with rising passion and soon she was flicking her tongue into his mouth. It was all on. Monique went on to her haunches to suck him off but no, not initially. "Allow me to take a good look at this big 'un." With talk like that Billy was only too happy to oblige. After a brief study and a single tentative lick Monique made a request. "Billy, I don't require you to wear a condom with me until the time comes when I decide to allow your to introduce me to the butt alternative. In return for that concession if you even fund it necessary to fuck another woman, I want you to promise you'll wear a condom." "Sure, I promise. That's a great concession Monique; we both stand to benefit." "That was my thinking. I also never want you to fuck my mother." "That's an unnecessary request but I promise." "Oh Billy," Monique sighed. "Let's get on with this; I'm tired." At breakfast everyone appeared in a great mood and were relaxed until Rosemary asked, "Was that a first for you guys together last night?" Monique and Leon were no longer relaxed. "Yes Rosemary. It indicates the respect we had for one another. But with the jerk dumped the runway was clear for me." Rosemary screamed with laughter and Billy grinned, chewing a bacon muffin. "I would favor you having a deep relationship with Monique and to assist her shape her professional presence and success rate Billy. My wish is to be able to nominate my daughter for junior partnership, jumping associate status as you have done." "Dad!" "No Monique, it's fine. Tell me Leon, if you want that for your daughter then why is she specializing in company law?" "Because she is technically minded. I couldn't move the partners on that." "Well, what a cop out Lance. You know she'll vegetate there being an also-ran with eleven associates above her in the company law team." "Okay, should I accept your rationale and overlook the slur of cop-out, where would suggest she be placed?" "Where she is cut out to be Lance, where she knows where she should be if she were success-driven as we both are: Divorce – and by that I mean female clients – and estate planning." "Oh yeah, don't you know there are no fees or rather virtually no fees in estate planning because attorneys perform it as a service for traditional clients." "Well I do know that and it's traditional and that's stupid. Attorneys should direct their clients to an estate planning specialist who has the outside contracts and is right up with the complexities of latest law and can see down the track." "Working in divorce appeals to me but I'm unsure about estate planning. Some of those older people are difficult to deal with," Monique said. "Old people, what old people? If we were performing top-level service for clients we would be involving them in estate planning as thirty year olds, not waiting until arranging a last-minute exit plan. Kids start thinking of marriage but mostly never think to plan a financial future that at the end will really benefit their children and save tax and duties." Charismatic Billy Belair Rosemary said it seemed novel to talk to young clients about estate planning and Leon agreed with her. "Have you been thinking of changing your gas-guzzling and highly polluting SUV for a more efficient energy-using vehicle Leon?" "As a matter of fact I have." "Why?" "Because the need to do that has arrived... oh, I see where this is going. You want to tell me the need was evident a long way back." Billy laughed. "No flies on you Leon but enough of such heavy discourse over breakfast. Let's talk fashion. Rosemary, have you thought of smartening up Leon's image at the office? All of our partners wear old-style suits. They look like proprietors of funeral parlors. Wouldn't it be good to have your darling take the lead? I bet the other partners would soon fall into line? The wives would know it was your initiative." Mother and daughter were now looking at Billy in admiration. Nobody bothered to glance at Leon. Driving to the office Leon asked, "Sorry you were put on the mat at the partner's meeting. It would have been unethical of me to have warned you." "No sweat." "It's rare for us to push an attorney on the rise to knuckle down and work harder." "Then why was I lifted to junior partner?" "Well when you do work you have produced spectacular results. Your uncle pushed to get acceptance and I had to lean towards him otherwise Rosemary would have been a pain." "Well when you have another meeting with your partners, report you did have your quiet word to me as promised but they are unlikely to see me knuckle down because it's not my style." Lance had the grace to acknowledge with a grin that Billy was on to them about the quiet chat. "You did undertake to work harder to improve your billings." "Harder doesn't necessarily mean sitting in the office more or being on the phone more. I have signed three clients in the past month by having an hour out for lunch. Do you think I just eat and drink by myself?" "Well no." "Cannot I expect my senior to be sharp enough to know how I get results, that it's not really about sitting in negotiations?" "I guess so." "Caleb Gold is thinking about coming across to me and working to bring some of his mates if he does. He said he would prefer me being Jewish but as I joked that I'll be acceptable because I put women down a bit and am sharp as a tack." "Jesus, his ex-wife has come across as a new client for me." "No problems. You'll never see Caleb in this office. The deal is I go to him, No attorney has ever made that offer." "That's unsafe practice Billy and you know it." "Yeah well you try to sign Mr Gold as a client and see how far you get. That group acts like the Mafia but they're not the mob. They sit and drink coffee and booze and plot how to make money, not how to take money and okay they do put out contracts but only to get in unpaid rents and the rule is the defaulter is not to be bruised otherwise a contract will be put out on the debt-collector." "Billy, you are making me nervous. Christ, we are a highly respected law firm and our reputation means big money to us." "Now you understand why I'll go to Mr Gold if he signs on." "I sure do. Christ Billy. Incidentally, what plans do you have for my daughter? Rosemary would ask you but she says she can never get you alone and it's not something once asks over the phone because that means one can't read body language." "Okay, read my lips Leon. I'll consider marrying your daughter when she asks me. She's still rather apprehensive about me. Tell Rosemary that and tell her not to interfere. Tell her Monique will ask me when she realizes she is ready." "You have me half-believing she will." "Add the other half Leon. She will. She's learning I'm nowhere the complex character I appear to be, that the key is to understand how I think. I'll expect you to kick Rosemary's butt if she interferes. No way is Monique going to be driven into this. At present she thinks I'm ego-driven with a brain, care for nobody but myself, am ruthless and totally immoral and treat women as if they were guys. But she thinks she can fix me to her satisfaction." "Were you listening to her talking to us the other evening?" "You know I wasn't." "Well what she said was mighty close to what you've just said." "I figured she would think like that. Listen, why I have your attention could you get me shifted out of commercial law? It's so fucking boring." "Where would you like to be, sitting in my chair I suppose?" "That would be boring. No, I would like to become part of Ashleigh's area of responsibility... development law. I'm particularly well-read and interested in acquisition, disposition, development and land use regulation of residential and mixed-use real estate, shoreline developments and brownfields redevelopments, associated taxation issues and tax shelter registration." "Ah, areas of interest to Caleb Gold and pals?" "Very astute. I assume that with your daughter now taking more than a passing interest in me you'll raise this as your own thought with your partners?" "I see what I can do," Leon mumbled, turning into the basement parking lot and attempting not to bowl people on the sidewalk. CHAPTER 4 In the elevator Leon said, "Come on up to my office Billy, I need to talk to you." That puzzled Billy for a second. They'd been in the perfect environment for a confidential talk unless the car was bugged. Then he thought ah, yes, something about their conversation had increased Leon's confidence in him. They greeted the smiling PA. She asked coffee for two and Leon said, "No thanks Katie, hold all calls please." When they were seated Leon half-turned away from Billy, looking out at the skyline of buildings. "I'm in a bit of a mess over a woman. She's pregnant and her sister has been working on her. They want half a million or they'll drag me through the courts." "They?" "The sister is a paralegal." "Fine, you want me to investigate?" "No to negotiate the lowest possible settlement." "You're not thinking straight Leon, which is the problem when it becomes personal. First we have to try to establish who else has been fucking your lady friend." "She wouldn't." "Or yes she would, or at least she might." Leon tugged at his ear. "You're right. Take control of it for me Billy. I'll email you details." "Right. Leave no trace. Encrypt your email with the password c-u-?-n-t. The question mark is to make it immeasurably more difficult for code-breaking software to crack." "I see, and the password is easy to remember?" "You've got it Leon. I hope you use condoms when with Katie?" Leon opened his mouth to reply and then grinned. "Get out of my office you sly asshole." Billy arranged a meeting in a bar with Mandy and Catherine Manners. They were already there and left it to Billy to buy his own drink. "You said on the phone you represented Mandy's problem man." "Yes indeed Catherine. It's our wish to avoid heaping embarrassment on to you two." "Don't you means ruining the career and possibly the marriage of your client?" "Catherine, we want a peaceful settlement with the dust settling and no sign of this ever having happened. "Mandy, there is still time to have an abortion if that's you wish. You might like to take a look at this list of names." "Mandy took the list, turned white and her band began shaking. "What is it?" Catherine asked. "Steve's name is here, who are these other four?" Mandy through up her hands and her sister said, "Oh you fool... you slut." "As you can see ladies, any legal action will result in substantiated claims that Mandy is a ... well, not need to use the term here and no doubt her senior position with IRS will be in jeopardy. Do you have any assurances for me ladies." "You certainly have Mr Hunt although I heavily suspect that's not your real name. Please inform your client this matter is no closed. Is that you wish Mandy?" "Hell yes. What do you think I am – stupid?" "Good, you have our assurance we'll not be counter-claim alleging criminal extortion." Mandy began crying and Billy left under Catherine's baleful stare. Billy went to a more hospitable bar and called Leon but his phone was off. He called Katie and asked to be put through but was told Leone was with important clients. "Put me through Katie, he won't object. "What's the urgency," Leon snapped." "It's Billy re the question mark matter. No case left to answer. No fee payable to me but would like $1125 for legwork and interviews by P.I. firm." "That is brilliant, brilliant Billy. A big load has lifted. Thanks. Bye." Billy entered the bar. The fat bar lady of 50-something appeared to be in charge and looked unhappy. "Bad day?" he asked conversationally. She went off and he thought how rude, but she placed a letter in front of him. Basically it said the company wanted her lease of the property that had another five years to run to be assigned to them and then presented the offer. "Looks a good offer to me," Billy said, "but if they don't get it they can't develop the site. They probably have purchased or have options to purchase some properties alongside you." "They have, two of them." "Oh that's good. How much would you like to screw out of them? From what you've told me you ought to get three times what they're offering." "I'd like to go to live in the same town as my sister in Canada. If I get enough money could retire." "Right, fetch me paper and pen and let's work out how much you require and what your debts are. Is they any other party involved in your lease of this property?" "No, I bought my ex-husband out." "I'd need to see that agreement." "What, are you an attorney?" the woman said, looking over the top of her reading glasses at him. "Yes, and one who picks up business in bars." She grinned. "But I have an attorney." "Then why isn't he doing this for you?" "She – her name is Miriam – read the letter and said squeeze another twenty percent out of them and she'd complete the transaction." "Well let her do the paperwork. I'll simply act as your agent, requiring you to pay me twenty percent of every dollar I get you over this offer but including to that the twenty percent Miriam suggest you try to get." "So I keep eighty percent gross of the sale price above the offer plus twenty?" "Yes." "That means you make um $180,000 for jam?" "My law firm does, yes." "That's daylight robbery." "Well you or your attorney go to this company and see how much you get." "How much would we get?" "Depends on your skill in negotiating. You have to convince the developer to see value in paying what you want him to pay." "I'll say they either pay what I want or wait five years till my lease comes up for renewal." Billy grinned and said, "Good thinking but the head of the negotiating team says too bad you greedy bitch, and you lose out. We'll invest our money elsewhere." "The bastards." "Yeah, a tough world isn't it?" "I suppose you would be smooth-tongued and ease the bastards to paying what we want." "Something like that. It's your call." "Here, have another drink. My name is Susan." Monique was in her office, working with a calculator when Billy entered the office. He leaned against the entrance into her cubicle and drawled, "Since I'm fucking you..." "Billy!" "... I wonder if you'd like to spend five nights in Paris next week or the week after." "Paris, oh darling. Could we make it the week after next? I'll call daddy now asking approval for you and me to be away." "Good, tell him that's three working days. We'll either fly out on a Friday night or go Tuesday night and return on the Sunday. I've been given the air tickets and hotel. You might like to collect them off me and make the bookings once you have secured leave approval." "Yes sir, very good sir. It is my pleasure to do this for you." "All right, I'll do it." "No leave it to me, it will be a pleasure to do if for you. After all I am so grateful you are fucking me." "Monique, for goodness sake, lower your voice," Billy said, looking around nervously. At 4:00 Rosemary called Monique to say she and Julia were ready to take Monique and Billy to view apartments. They were driving around the block." "Mom, I'm working to a schedule." "Just drop it and catch up later. Billy will be able to come instantly. Leon and Lance say Billy in always wandering around the place so if he's in the office he'll be available. That information meant Monique wasn't at all surprised when Billy grabbed his jacket and said yeah he could come right away and no he didn't have to call anyone to say he was leaving the office. "Billy Belair, you have got it sweet in this office and all done without groveling or making demands. You cunning swine, you ought to be an attorney." Billy gave Monique a cheesy grin and then kissed her in front of anyone on their floor who was bothering to watch. As they broke away people around them applauded. As they waited for the car to appear Billy said, "Let's not mess around – let's settle on one of these apartments tonight, tomorrow night at the latest, providing we see value in it" "Why the rush?" "Because otherwise we could be trooping around looking until exhausted and then we buy stupidly because it all seems too hard." "Okay – you appear to be talking sense. I'm not bad on instinct," Monique said. "Here's mom now." "Oh this has been so exciting looking at how other people live," Julia said. "We short-listed six of those we liked in the presentation but have since tossed one, so that leaves five to view. Your requirements Billy were spacious, garaging, pool and not in the heartland of the gay community, near a park and within longish walking distance of the office. We knew what to look for you Monique. Now have a look at these realty brochures while we drive to Chelsea." Julia and driver Rosemary chatted in the front while the prospective buyers went through the brochures. Monique spoke first. Apartment one: "No, um I suppose it's no." "Give it to me and I'll call the agency. They have someone on standby to take us to inspect so I'll call and cancel," Julia said. Apartment two: "No the curtains are pretty but the kitchen is too small. No." Apartment three: "Yes; no look at the price." Apartment four: "Maybe; perhaps I could live there." Apartment five: "Maybe, perhaps I could live there." Billy gave his thoughts. "Right the first two are rejected, let's view apartment three now if that's convenient to Mrs Copeland." Julia picked up the apartment three folder. "Oh, this is the one Rosemary and I both said we could live there at your age, even now if we ran out of money. But the price is steep for you guys." "$5.3 million – I don't think so," Billy said. "I do." "Baby, look carefully at what's on offer and think of the mortgage as buying at today's low price above our cash resources but selling in years to come when prices will be much higher, although perhaps not much higher in real terms. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two studies – it's made for a working professional couple. A whole floor, so no noisy neighbors and the building will be well insulated and sound-proofed because it's only three years old and we view the Hudson, will have plenty of sun and its nearer the office than I expected and is with easy walking distance of the piers." "In your head you have purchased already haven't you?" Billy grinned. "You're on to me baby. Pay half the cash up front and we have our home. I'll buy tonight if it measures up to the brochure – how long has it been on the market Julia?" "I'm talking to Gloria the saleswoman now. Just a moment... it came on last Thursday; three viewers have reacted very positively." "Thanks, that could be true, perhaps not." Rosemary drove them away just before 8:00. "I can't believe you guys committed and signed up after the first view. There are hundreds of apartments to view." "We have no wish to run out tails off mom. We examined that apartment minutely and thought everything through. As Billy says it's only money and we need to regard money as a tool. We have total confidence in our ability to meet mortgage repayments and I shouldn't wonder we will pay off the mortgage rapidly to use our home as security when we make our next business venture. When you and dad first married you guys lived for almost two years with your parents. What about you Mrs Copeland?" "You must call me Julia dear. We lived three months with Lance's parents and then he was hired as legal officer for a bank and a house went with the appointment. I can see where this is going dear. When we secured that rented house we thought it was a thousand dollar windfall. I guess in today's money that would be a million bucks." Rosemary asked Julia to call Lance around for drinks and they'd all eat out. "That's a lovely idea don't you agree guys?" "Yes, it's been a really big day for us. Thank you mom; you are being so supportive." When the group was on to another round of cocktails Lance said (winking at Billy), "You guys, Julia and I want to furnish the apartment. You are using up almost all of your money. We are just so happy you two are together. " "We'll manage," Billy said but Monique was not having that. "Oh thank you Julia and er Lance. That is so generous of you and makes us so very happy." "Yes, so lovely," Rosemary said. "Lance and Julia would you please allow Leon and me to contribute half and we should include décor as well. Although the vacation house is soaking up money we always find money when we need it." "Oh mom, that is a wonderful gesture. This is like finding I have an extended family and all of you guys are like family for Billy in Manhattan along with Sonia. This is such a wonderful evening for me. She kissed Julia and Rosemary and the men and then made an announcement: "Providing Billy remains willing, we will probably marry in spring next year." The women rushed Monique and their husbands looked at Billy who held up his hands and shrugged. "It appears Monique is learning to go after what she wants. You guys will be aware for Monique she took a huge leap forward this evening when she agreed to contributed $2.5 million towards a piece of real estate. That takes real guts." The guys nodded, eyeing Monique and waiting for their turn to be kissed. Over dinner Leon said, "Billy, those air tickets to France. I trust they did not arrive to you in lieu of fees?" "No, just from an exceptionally grateful person who actually is a client of yours Leon. She said I removed a nightmare from her back, her ex-husband who goes by the name of Caleb Gold. I received a gratis payment from you for my work if you remember but a team that had not included me represented her. I was called in as Mr Fix-it. Even so she was not my client, technically or otherwise. Seek counsel from the Lance." "Are you going to France?" Julia asked. "Yes and taking Monique. The flight and hotel for five nights are all paid for. Mrs Gold won them in a raffle and said I was a very worthy cause." "Leave it Leon. Billy wouldn't even have to be sharp to win this one if you are thinking of disputing Billy's non-declaration." "Dad, don't be such an asshole." "All right, all right. Billy sails close to the wind. I was just checking. If Mrs Gold was simply transferring a raffle prize what business of it is mine? And darling, I think that's the first time you've ever called me an asshole. I'm wondering if Billy Belair is a good influence on you?" Everyone but Leon rolled around in laughter but slowly he beamed. * * * Early next morning Monique wanted to see was the vacated apartment looked like in the morning, so Billy went with her. The salesperson had given Monique a key and the security code to enter the elevator. Billy had arranged to rent the apartment from the developer until all closing transactions finalized.