Empirical son chp 14 Blue waters, strange lanes.
A week later: Monday: Rijeka, Croatian
As I sip coffee and Anna sips her tea. Looking out from The Hotel Continental balcony; below us, the industrial port, and a sea of concrete, then out into the blue waters of Kvarner Bay. The beautiful Croatian port city of Rijeka. Fantasizing about the things I would rather be here doing. A long sleek sailboat, meandering about the Adriatic waters. Lonely coastal bays, inlets, hidden sand gems among the rocks. Perfect for a little intimate tryst or a secluded mooring under moon and star light. Anna's hair flowing in the breeze, as just the two of us, watch days drift along. No business, no family, just us and satin sheets.
Anna smirks over her teacup. Like she's reads my mind. Winks at me. The little vixen. "Maybe some beach time?" I quiz.
"Maybe?" she smirks, hiding behind her cup. Looking innocent and sinister at the same time.
"Maybe some sailing?"
"Maybe?" She hides her smile, batting her eyelids, cheekily playing the femme fatale.
"Spa?" I arch a brow, slipping that panties dropping that little boy smile she accuse me of using to get my way.
"No!" She softly purrs, damn near a whisper. Causing me, leaning forward to hear her sweet voice. Licking my lips and softly letting a little puff of air caress her nose. Her nose twitches, leaning back, suppressing a giggle.
"You are so bad, you're good!" she accents like German Dracula.
"UH?" asking confused. An obscure quote, great she's stressed.
"Boris Badenov says It's good to be bad!"
"It's good to be bad! Who?"
"We are going to have to add TV carton, The 'Moose and Squirrel' topping the list." In a German accent, I think?
"Sex" must move on before she chains me to a chair and makes, me watch all the Star Trek and Marvel movies. As she has threatened twice last week.
"Sure, you have time before the meeting?" She asks. I shake my head no.
"Maybe laters baby" she mimics me. I smirk at my playful Muse. Sipping her tea and acting for all the world; confident and worldly. But I see the fears and shadow of doubt in her eyes and demur. Will work harder to erase the fears and build up her confidence in our relationship.
Looking out over the bay, a refocus on the matters at hand.
We are here to finish the takeover of The Freehold Textile Solutions across the river. The textile manufacturing headquartered in the graceful old building on the corner Titov is an easy walk.
I plan on making this quick. I can tell from the blossomed cluster of icons on Anna iPad: She is itching to prowl the city. A dinner is rumored in a 19th century Habsburg villas restaurant up the road in the coastal town of Opatija.
With some art galleries or God forbid a book store may await me. I'm not prepared for a repeat of three days ago in London's Chiswick book store. I have never seen a stiff jawed, leather patched sleeves suit coat with vest antiquarian; break into a full-blown panic attack as Anna questioned his provenance on an 1888 third edition of Mary Elizabeth Latimer 'Familiar Talks on Some of Shakespeare's Comedies (Boston, 1887)'. We feared the poor man would combust on the spot; He was so red faced, sweated so bad, people would think he was caught in the rain. Petrifying, she did all the citations from memory. She did talk him down a hundred dollars for the book.
Anna's stakes out a Caffe Bar Striga table in Park Kont. Reading a tourist book on her iPad. Planning her invasion of Rijeka to say nothing of Croatia and possibly the rest of the Balkans. Lord help them, if they are stupid enough to have a book fair this week anywhere in the area.
Jason and I enter the headquarters walking up to the third-floor conference room. With a local PA; two local CPO and Samuel on guard. We feel confident she will not get into trouble. I cannot shake the dread that Anna is mad at me for working. One of the icons was books store in Croatia. Maybe more talking and sharing and less sex. It does seem to short circuit any verbalized interaction. Maybe more hard R and less super kink?
Shaking the thoughts away for now. Business is here and now; Pushing into the conference room. We own eighty-eight percent of their debt, and ninety percent of the stock. They have lost and they know it. We just have to decide: if I gut the senior staff or keep them. They have done a great job, post-war and made fantastic recovery; but the economy and cheap Asia textiles have squeezed them.
They are perfect for my goals. Having just retooled all four textile plants and shifted the staff to a younger more long-term employees, while not losing their knowledge base. Good my people are here, and their people are here. I sit and the warfare of economics begins.
a-pov
Sitting reading my iPad. Sneaking a glance up to the third-floor window; I can visualize the dirty-dust vibrant off them. In a minute or two, the screams and shout will overcome the city traffic noise. Although its early and the streets are light and the day clear and refreshing. Better suited to exploring, playing tourist than stuffy business type stuff.
But here and now in Rijeka; I'm useless. Not included in the business stuff, nor any chores. I'm what I fear the most, eye candy, sex toy for a wealth man. Just like my mother! I must not let that poison seep in an destroy our relationship. Think about something else before the darkness overtakes me again.
In a bit; may wander behind us thru the farmer's market; picking up snacks and maybe something crafty to tease Christian smile. I saw those fisherman caps like John Lennon and Robert De Niro wore. Lewis's screen saver homage to Lennon on his work computer. I swear he is stuck on the Double Fantasy Album. Gwen teases him; she may swap his music files to something in the nineties; Sending him screaming for Barney to secure his music files. Maybe get one(hat) for Lewis as well to match his glasses, and complete the whole John Lennon look he sports.
Marija Jurić, my local PA, sips coffee. I have no job here and I have a Personal assistant; why. Can Chris make me feel more worthless. Stop it, Anna! Relax, read, sip the tea. The café did not have a good selection of teas. But we worked it out. Watching the traffic over the bridge under the glare of three soldiers atop a column. Muses inspire me, making stories of their daring and damsel saved. Moving my mind to greener fields of thought.
Under the dome of the Chapel of St. John of Nepomuk; A duet of cello and standing base, a berda tamburica Marija tells me, plays classical melodies. A good day, sunny, gentle music cloaks us and sweet smelling after the rains of yesterday. These are the days as the songs go.
A good day in the making once business is settled. Perfect day if a certain copper hair ogre was sitting across from me; having indecent thoughts like at breakfast. "AAAOH!" I sigh.
"HEY! HELP!" Screams from the farmers market behind us. Turning to see a young woman my age and elderly lady accosted by three thugs. I am moving before I can think. This is not happening in front of me. The memory of the marina is still raw. Let the darkness reign down on these evil thugs. Exorcism my doubts. Seeing the heavy one, draw a gun. Red tint my eyes.
The assault just a month ago and all daddy taught me take hold and anger explodes. I hop and drive my chuck's into back of knee of the heavy armed thug. He folds, grabbing the gun air ward. Swinging my left arm in and up driving down between his eyes; doing a full horse stance squat. He screams; an I'm standing holding the gun by the muzzle. He rides in pain on the sidewalk at my feet. Blood gushing from his nose and empty eye socket. It dangles obscene and strangely satisfying.
The thug on the left, neck in Samual's hand. I ponder, will he pass out before Samual's arm-tired holding him a foot off the ground. Samual reaches out an takes the weapon from me.
The thug on the right falls, one hand stuck in his waistband, trying to draw a gun, while his other hand holds his throat. The elderly ladies' arm is extended, hand knife edge out. From thug's bluing tint; she slammed his Adams apple. One on the local CPO dives on him, grabbing the gun.
We ladies look at each other. "What was this about?" Marija starts to translate. "A kidnapping of my grandmother." The younger girl speaks German scented English.
"I'm Anna?" I speak. "I'm Vesna, this is my Grandma Sara. We thank you."
"Why the kidnapping?" I ask
"Most likely because we are wealthy, at least here. An we have mills in Slovenia. Bitter drops from the wars and hatred. We have suffered enough: an yet men want more strife and hatred. If men had to suffer the pain of births; They would never wage war again! The political morons dislike my fore rightness, being a woman who refuses to be silent. Not the done thing, even today!" The elderly lady British English tint proclaims: all the woman within hearing are nodding.
"OH SHIT!" Maija groans. I do not even turn to see him rush thru traffic; people; I pray he does not kill some poor slow soul or flip a car in his path. Arms encase me as his hot breath on my neck. Words do not need spoken as his emotions cuddle me in warmth and love. I pat his arm. We are OK and one.
A large man bulls by and encase the Elderly lady and the young girl. Vesna mouths 'Father' to me. I nod, mouthing 'boyfriend.' She smirks.
Turning in to him, about to speak soothing words to his worries. Seeing his eyes. I just kiss and let the world fade. He is still beyond rational thoughts required of conversations. We just need a minute or thirty.
"Guys, I suggest we move to the café. The police are arriving." Jason calms us. "Christian? I could use a tea." He picks me up; straddling his hips; he carries me back to my seat at the café.
"Anna try this Podravski caj; a refreshing chamomile, nettle, lemon balm, flowers of elder, linden, blackberry, and marigold. Soothing" Sara smiles as café staff rushes tea to all of us. The tea description masks the dead time as seating is sorted. Smart lady! The father holds Vesna on his lap; he seems very unnerved. "Excuse my father Karl, since my mother died just after the war ended; She was a nurse. He is very worried about me."
"Anna? Are you tourist?" Sara asks conversationally.
"No, Christian is buying your family's company. I am just along to, for the ride today." I recognize the father from Chris business packet.
"Oh! Your Mr. Grey will fail, Karl?" she commands
"Mother, it is done. I'm sorry; I have failed you and father." Karl mumbles ashamed
"I want Papa portrait. And the horse."
"Why would you want any of those things moved. Sara, your son is going to run the company under Henry Trastamara Holding Incorporated (HTH, Inc) banner. I don't see a need to change many things." Christian smiles and the old lady squirms under his ability to worry woman of all ages. Vesna laughs as her father stare shocked at his widowed mother.
"Why buy us at all?"
"Christian has a new weave, that will help feed the world. A despite his panty dropping smile as my friend Madison calls it. He is mine, and I don't share. Stop your Duke Mantee." I laugh kissing him.
"Bogart?" Sara laughs
"Yes, a fan?"
"Yes, my Husband Karl's role model, all his friends were Beatles and Elvis. He had to be different and we liked the tough soft guy." She dreamily wanders off in her mind. She loved her husband; a everyone can see that.
"I suggest after the tea and police: we go upstairs and finalize the agreement." Karl smiles at his daughter's lead.
We finish and head over. The police are satisfied that the kidnappers were common criminals. Once the business is done. We have lunch with Vesna and her fiancée Vjekoslav. He is the heir to a tool making company south of Rijeka in industrial zone around Kukuljanovo. Then Christian, Vjekoslav, and Karl are checking the Industrial zones for supplier. I suspect arranging a boat excursion.
I arrange to tour the old town shops, tomorrow morning with Sara while Christian and crew walk the newest members under the Grey banner thru the new weave. I need to find Christmas presents, unique and special. After tomorrow's lunch; The menfolk will retreat in good order to more business stuffy stuff.
Vesna and I will stumble around the city. Sara has an afternoon date with local millionaire friend from primary school. Vesna whispers they are a thing since grandpa died early in the war. Milo's a retired restaurateur, elder stateman of Balkan horologist, and world-renowned numismatists. He's due tomorrow morning from Paris. Authenticating some rare Serbian Stefan Tvrtko II Kotromanic (1404-1409) uncirculated minted coins. He was upset to tell the auction house the coins were fakes. Vesna joke Sara will have him purring happily in no time. Something about Viška pogača, a savory bread pie stuffed with anchovies mixed with stewed onions.
Next day:
She promises, as we wander the city. We can sample some Viška pogača in a bit at a café beyond the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Gwen demand I visit; Will check that off today. So, she will stop the flooding me with harassing emails.
Still miffed we skipped the London hell hole of art as Christian teases her. I can't help it; the book store when over the allotted time. London Modern and Contemporary Art closes too early, like before ten pm.
Vesna and I wander along the Dead Channel, visiting the murals down the arcades along Križanićeva. Arm in arm, we are gossiping indecently about the Beau's. Vesna's is very much like Elliott; clown and loud with a heart of gold and soul of poet. He will need that as Vesna, named after her mother's friend and grandmother's favorite modern poet, is illustrating the children books she wrote in college.
She giggles about her small mural on the alley wall. Her Grandmother approved; her father threatens to paint over it. I like the bold statement it makes. 'Dreams are for chasing; life is for living and love is for all.' This is a life I never dreamed I would have. With my ogre everything is possible.
Next day:
While the menfolk and Vesna tour the plants. I wander over to Sara house above Pančićev Park. After a morning spent mountain climbing the 561 steps of Petar Kružić Stairway. Sitting after the climb feeling sore, wore and very thirsty. Even the CPOs are winded.
Maija and one of the CPOs, limbs to a nearby food cart for bottles of water. I bet he makes a bundle selling water, at the top of these cursed long stairs. After recovering, we then good-humoredly and slowly, nay gingerly, tour Trsat castle. Marija Jurić takes me to her favorite barbecue place in the city, Trsatika. After the hike and touring we relax, wondering if a massage spa is nearby? Or soft grass park to cat nap. Resting my very sore limbs. Before the last climb to Sara's.
The view is breathtaking as we British styled high afternoon tea on her balcony looking out into the Adriatic. Listening to her talk books and music. Regale me with post graduated days in Cambridge; Her husband's MBA, her Masters in sociology. Her years working as a social worker among poor. We laugh and cry, having the best of days. She promises to come to Seattle or at least London. I can see her and Ray hitting it off. They both have that understated cool vibe.
Tomorrow the herd is going to Risnjak National Park, with some swimming and picnicking near source of the river Kupa. We ladies will wander, gossip, the 4.5 km circular educational paths. A nice meander, after the stairs today.
While we're dissing the menfolk's attempt to catch lunch with archaic poles and lines. Sara giggles like a school girl that we have sufficient fodder for their failure or success. She laughs that grilled fish has not occurred on an outing along the Kupa since Karl junior (her son, she arches an eyebrow) was in diapers. Men!
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Risnjak National Park, Small glen near picnic area source of the Kupa
We lounge in the small secluded glen just outside the picnic area. Waiting the barbecue grill tyrants to light the damn thing and cook the meat we brought as the fisherman came back empty handed.
"Anna?"
"HMMM!"
"What do you want to do?"
"Wind whips the leafs over my head
The shadows flit and flirt over the grass so green
Clouds paint a haze white background
As squirrel bark at me from among the leafs
Sunlight muted morning tones
Bleeds thru the scene, dancing shadow about me
As coffee scent tickles my nose
As squirrel bark at me, on the branch above me
Bird fleets into solo fight on the bird feeder rings
I watch the children walked by dogs
As parents plea, beg for quiet relieve
The squirrel plays below the birds feed
Hoping for some slobbery treats
I rock to and fro, watching this morning scene
Of lost suburban dreams, of times lost to me
I sip my coffee, revel the Irish bite
Watching the leafs flutter, blue peeks thru
As clouds roll bye, in Sunday's happy doom
The squirrel play in the green grass, ignoring me
I growl and bark, to ruin their glee
Scamper over the street, newer leafs an treats
Sipping my coffee, lost in happy daydreams
Laying back, starring up, I spy thru green leafs
A dragon, whispers of snowy white, clouds in flight
Soon its gone. So its changed to Snoopy I think
Dashing for the western lee
Dancing across the blue sky, dancing between the leafs
Bark, bark the duo across the street.
Laughing I sip my Irish coffee, and daydream"
"What do you want to do?" I ask again thinking hard at the prose she sang. And what it means and means to me. Here in our glen among forest trees. Ha! Day dream and lazy the remains of the day. Cool!
"Check your tongue for flexibility."
"I mean in life?"
"I thought publishing; but lately I like your stuffy business stuff."
"You know whatever you want to do I will make it happen. Right?"
"Chris! I can get a job on my own. I don't need you to buy me a job; or create a bullshit one. I like working and being useful."
"Safety and security; Anna!"
"Chris? I understand those things; but we Steele's earn our way or we don't go. Why; what did you have in mind?"
"When you decide, I will support you. Till then? I like you in the office and being my personal assistant."
"As long as you remember I'm Andrea's assistant. While I find my feet."
"Anna, you have the courage and brains to conquer anything you put your mind to."
"Any other deeply needed questions answered?" Anna laughs
"Yes, Something about flexibility tongue something or other." I turn into her and take her sweet lips. If we were more secluded and less people. We'd be naked and scaring the wildlife.
But alas the little ones keep running over and giggling, yelling broken English questions about food, flowers, and mythical wild animals about, like little finches and warblers, near the thin trees separating us from the picnic area. I know Sara is bribing them with sweets to cock block us and Vesna's glen about ten yards closer to the lake.
Jason is laughing with the security guys, as Karl screams about a cousin bring super soakers for a post food, water war. Seems the long range, big tanks were forbidden last year. The rapid Croatian screaming we suspect are rules or taunts. We just don't know. But Sara is laughing like a loon over the serious screaming males.
We have plenty of time to waste in the sunny little glen. As the Chef final get the fire smoking and banter about meat, time, and sauce. Just here and now with my girl; exploring the inner working of her mouth.
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The last nights before we travel to Germany is spent In Sara's courtyard turned theater. Under the stars, the movies take a drive-in feel watching Bogart's The Big Sleep and The Barefoot Contessa. And relaxing in my man's arms. Staging a popcorn fight with Vesna and Vjek. Watching Karl try to hold the young couple to PG PDA. Wondering how Ray will be with us at a movie or in our media room in the penthouse. Giving Chris some Public Displays of Affection to rival the others. Sara's retired restaurateur, Milo, cooked dinner for all. And treated all to a chef's magic show. Now at the Big Sleep ends, lights brighten; we catch the dowager lady and Milo is passionate amours. They laugh. As Milo goes to refill the snacks.
During intermission between films.
Sara smiles. A retro showing of The Barefoot Contessa at Zagreb University. Romantically relating her first meeting with her future soulmate. They were students, their first date and Karls's bloom of love for Bogart. Giggling at her confession, they didn't see the end of the movies till years later. Seems the two got hot and heavy: Too hot and too heavy, the ushers ordered them to leave. Finding third base on a park bench outside the dorms. Stopped only by louder couple bringing the police.
Her son is in tears as his parents could possibly be. "Mother you must be lying" His daughter using her knees and feet push him off the sofa. "Father was a choirboy, elder in the Church! You both were so, ah? So, WET BLANKETS" Totally stunned in disbelieve from the floor.
"My son. We were young, and not prudes or British. Before you were born, we spend many an enjoyable weekend on Baška beach." Vesna screams and runs for the bathroom. Looking at Vjek. He looks shocked and beet red. "Not the naturalist beac?" Milo head pops out the door; "Baška beach this weekend?" With a wicked smile on his face; That gross old people smirk; meaning they going freaking like they are twenty or thirty.
She smirks and smiles "Not British. Judgeee; I know last weekend you two?" She laughs. Vjek beat after Vesna. As the innuendo lands. Nudist and wild sixties and seventies; Sara and her Karl were wild twenty-something. A sure fired role model for Christian and me.
"Baška beach this weekend?" Milo asks again all sexy and suave, Sara's regal nod. Bring laughter to everyone but Karl still stunned on the floor. "Christian? I will ask Vesna which beaches and directions." I whisper loudly. Sara raises her brow.
"ANNA?" Christian bellows.
"Christian, I only studied English literature! I am not English and No longer A PRUDE!" I crow. Has everyone turning red and laughing. "That right, keep him guessing!" Sara advises.
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Footnotes
Moose and Squirrel=Rocky and Bullwinkle show
Natasha Fatale: You are so bad, you're good!
Boris Badenov: It's good to be bad!