Catering With Benefits (3) - An Appetite for More - 36. Changing Partners

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Virginia went back to Sydney for a meeting with Jonathan regarding their divorce.

“Firstly Virginia I need your assurance that you really want this divorce and won’t change your mind part way through the proceedings.”

“Of course I want the divorce, that’s the easy part. What we may have problems with is the property settlement.”

“Yes, I understand that. So is it ok with you if we lodge the divorce application immediately and get that part underway.”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“As the only reason for divorce in Australia is, the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage which can be proven by a twelve months separation, we are well placed to prove that. I think we can get the twelve months waived by virtue of the fact we have lived apart for many years. Smidmore’s people will be able to prepare a suitably worded document to deal with that.”

“What about the image we tried to project as a loving couple during your political campaign, won’t that be seen as living together?”

“In view of the way that turned out, would any family court judge believe we were living happily together?”

“Good point, so that may have worked in our favour in the end.”

“Every cloud Nia, every cloud...”

“I believe I need to get my own legal rep for the property settlement.”

“Yes, I hope we can reach agreement on that easily, but you do need your own solicitor to protect your interests.”

“Thank you Jon, I want this to be an amicable divorce.”

“As do I, we have lived our lives all these years with very little conflict, so now that we are prepared to give each other our freedoms legally, let’s not make that a conflict.”

“I agree Jon, but I expect you to be fair about sharing the assets.”

“I intend to be more than fair. I hope you will consider my offer even generous.”

“You have an offer already?”

“I have in my mind, what I want to do. I haven’t discussed it with Smidmore yet, so I don’t want to speak too soon. I hope it will make you happy. However, I must warn you that the company has been in my family for three generations and although we do not have a prenuptial agreement, as they were not legal in Australia at the time of our marriage, I hope you don’t expect a half share of that.”

“I haven’t really thought about that, but I take your point. By the way, speaking of generational matters, as there is no fourth generation to pass the business onto what are you going to do about that?”

“At present, our wills leave everything to each other, but you are right, we have to think beyond that and I don’t know for sure, but I have a plan circling around in my head that may solve more than just what happens when we die. I don’t plan to do a Rupert, I want to retire at a suitable time so I need an appropriate plan for that.”

“Will you share that plan with me Jon.”

“I will Nia and probably before the property settlement. In fact that might be the right time to put it into action. Stay tuned Nia.”

“Sounds like we’ve done a good morning’s work. Why don’t you call Carol to bring us a bottle and we’ll have a little pre-emptive celebration.”

“And lunch to follow?”

“Why not, and you can tell me all about your plans for life after divorce. Hey, I just realised you will become a movie title.”

“What do you mean?”

“You will be The Gay Divorcee.”

“Never heard of it.”

“It is pretty ancient. I think it was Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers. Although gay didn’t mean then, what it means now.

“Whatever Nia.”

***

That evening, Jonathan invited Lachlan to the Potts Point apartment for dinner, which he had prepared and served by a hired chef and butler.

“What’s the special occasion?” asked Lachlan when he arrived. “I don’t recall you having a butler to answer the door before.”

“Oh, he’s just here for the night, but I might think about making it a more permanent arrangement.”

“So are you going to live here full time now?”

“For the time being, while my divorce and other plans proceed.”

“And what are these other plans?”

“Many and varied.”

“Do any of them involve me?”

“Before I answer that....” Jonathan looked towards the kitchen and called “Bernard, would you please bring us drinks?”

“Right away Sir, Scotch for you and for your guest...?”

“I’ll have the same thanks...Bernard, is it?”

“Very good Sir.”

“So does Bernard cook as well, I know you don’t.”

“No, I have a chef, also for the night.”

“Oh very swish, now back to your plans and my question.”

“What was the question again?”

“Do any of your plans involve me?”

“Of course they do. In fact all of them involve you.”

“I’m intrigued, please go on.”

“As you know, I’m getting a divorce and that will leave me free to have an ongoing relationship. Further, I’m thinking of stepping away from running my company.”

“Are you still planning to go to your villa in France for a year?”

“Of course, and that’s where you come into my plan. I want you to come with me.”

“For the whole year or just a short holiday?”

“For as long as you like, but my preference is for as long as we both want it.”

“As long as we both want it, sounds an odd way to put it.”

“I’m not good at this stuff Lachlan, so you’re going to have to help me here.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“I want you to be my...lover?”

“I have been, on and off for many years.”

“That’s my point, I don’t want that arrangement any more. I want you to be my lover, full time.”

“Jonathan, when you say lover, do you mean a sex partner or an ongoing relationship?”

“Both; is that ok?”

“I would love to go away with you Jonathan, I just need to be sure what you mean.”

“Let me take a step back and maybe I can make it clearer...Oh thank you Bernard, and will you tell the chef we’ll have our entree in about thirty minutes.”

“Very good Sir.”

“Where was I?”

“Taking a step back, whatever that means.”

“Oh yes. You know Thomas and Jared, you’ve met them at the club.”

“Yes, I know who you’re talking about.”

“It seems they love each other and they live together and they share their lives and....”

“...and they work together.”

“That’s beside the point. Damn, I can run a multi-million dollar company but I can’t deal with something this simple. Help me!”

“Jonathan, are you trying to say you want me to live with you and share your life and have sex with you and do all this on a permanent basis.”

“Bingo!”

“Then why didn’t you just say so?”

“I’m used to giving orders, and I tried to avoid sounding like that. Would you have preferred that?”

“No! You only had to ask.”

“Oh, I’m not good at that, not on a personal basis. But now you know what I want, what’s your answer?”

“I can’t answer that.”

“Why? ....I know... there’s someone else, you don’t want to leave your job, you don’t trust me, you don’t speak French, what is it?”

“You haven’t asked me yet.”

“For fuck’s sake, I’m not getting down on one knee, you know that don’t you.”

“Just say the words Jonathan.”

“Excuse me Sir, chef would like to know if you want the sauce on the Lobster or on the side.”

“What? Not now Bernard.”

“But Sir, chef needs to know.”

“On the side Bernard.” answered Lachlan.

“Very good Sir, sorry to interrupt.”

“I should have known it was a mistake giving him this job. He’s a right pain in the butt.”

“Then just report him to the agency and get someone else.”

“He’s not from the agency, he used to be my driver and I had him transferred to another position when I gave Jared the driver’s job. I bumped into him in the lift last week and when I asked how he was going, just trying to be polite, he bloody well told me. I didn’t really want to know, but long story short, it seems he wasn’t happy in the store, so I thought this might suit him better. He was always a good driver, very attentive, helpful and capable of anticipating my needs sometimes. I thought those skills might transfer, but maybe not. Anyway, I’ll deal with that tomorrow. Fuck, I keep forgetting where I’m at, this is so stressful.”

“Let’s go to the bedroom.”

“We can do that later, after dinner.”

“I mean, so you can have some privacy away from the butler’s constant interruptions.”

“Of course.”

<>

“Ok, what do you want to ask me Jonathan?”

“Yes that...well it’s like this...I am a lonely man at times...well most of the time really. I have lived a strange life, seemingly happily married, but in fact not so. I have had lovers and rent boys for years, including yourself.”

“What?”

“Oh, I meant you were included in the lovers.”

“Fair enough, go on.”

“Well, all that I said before, plus I will soon be free to live my life as a gay man...fuck did I say that? Anyway as a... gay man, and considering that I’m told it is possible for two men to have a loving relationship...” Jonathan paused, took a deep breath, sighed and then took another deep breath before he continued “I want to have that with you Lachlan.”

Before Lachlan could answer, there was a knock on the door and “Your entree is being served now Sir.”

“Oh fuck off Bernard.” replied an angry Jonathan.

“Very good Sir.”

Lachlan opened his mouth, but before he could put his thoughts into words, Jonathan asked “Do you understand what I said?”

“Of course I do and I want to spend my life with you Jonathan, thank you for asking me, you have made me very happy and honoured. I have waited years to hear you say that.”

“Why didn’t you ask me?”

“I would never ask you while you were married, as there would be no guarantee it would work and I would always come second to a legal relationship. I also had to consider the difference in our status.”

“Ok, the married thing I understand, but for fuck’s sake this is Australia, do you think status has even the slightest meaning here?”

“Easy for you to say, as the wealthy and more powerful one, but not an assumption a waiter, albeit one who is an occasional lover, is entitled make.”

“If I tell you, it makes no difference to me, would you believe me?”

“I do Jonathan. You might not know this, but I did follow your election campaign closely and although there wasn’t much positivity printed or said about your policies I did know what they were, because I asked your campaign manager for a copy of them. You may be from old money, as they say, but you don’t seem to be from that mould. Your beliefs don’t seem to match your background. I find that refreshing. I would be proud to be your partner in life, if that is what you want.”

Jonathan felt his outer protective shield melting away as he sat there looking into the eyes of the man he had cared for over many years. The metaphorically naked Jonathan then placed his hands on either side of Lachlan’s head, pulled him closer and kissed him, not for the first time, but in a way he had never kissed him before. Lachlan leaned into the kiss, put his arms around Jonathan and the two men held their embrace. Although neither was prepared to say so, they both felt this must be love. Lachlan had felt it some years before but would not express it to Jonathan. On the other hand, in Jonathan’s mind this was his first time.

<>

As they sat down at the dining table, Bernard set down two plates, a little more heavily than necessary and said “Your lobster gentlemen, chef says it may be a bit dry by now, he is disappointed that it is so but he had to keep it warm due to your delayed arrival at table.”

“That’s ok Bernard, give chef my apologies.” replied Jonathan.

As Bernard walked away, Lachlan asked “Are you really going to keep him on as a butler?”

“I’m beginning to find him amusing. It might be worth keeping him on just for laughs.”

“It’s your money.” replied Lachlan.

“Now how about a toast to celebrate my coming out and your coming in.”

“Coming in?”

“To our relationship.”

“Oh grand thought. Here’s to us.” said Lachlan as he raised his glass.

“Before that, I’ve got an idea.” Jonathan, went to find his phone, returned and handed it to Lachlan. “I assume you know how to make this thing take a picture.”

“Yes, don’t you?”

“No...Bernard will you come here please.”

When the butler arrived, Jonathan said “Will you please take a picture of us, Lachlan will show you how.”

“Of you two?”

“Yes Bernard, do you have a problem with that.”

“Of course not Sir, it’s not my position to have an opinion one way or the other.”

“Rightly so.” said Lachlan as he handed Bernard the phone and indicated how to snap a picture.”

The two lovers moved close, raised their glasses and smiled for the camera. Bernard did his duty and as he was handing the phone back, Jonathan said “We’re not finished yet Bernard. I want another one of us hugging, and then one of us kissing.”

“Do I have to Sir?”

“Oh, have you suddenly developed an opinion Bernard?”

“Not at all Sir, happy to oblige.”

After Bernard handed the phone to Lachlan, he showed the images to Jonathan, who then asked Bernard, “Would you like to see your work?”

“That’s not really necessary Sir. It is a private matter.”

“Not at all, you’re part of the household, and I like to share.”

“Very good Sir, I’ll have a quick look....They are quite good really, you both look very happy.”

“Thank you Bernard, that’s the general idea.” replied Lachlan.

“Now, Bernard would you please tell Chef he can serve the main course whenever he’s ready and we promise to stay at the table.”

“Very good Sir.”

As the butler headed for the kitchen, Jonathan asked Lachlan, “I want you to send those pictures to Thomas, his number is in the phone. That can be done, I understand.”

“Jonathan, have you ever used this phone before?”

“To make phone calls, that’s all a phone should be for.”

“I can see I’ve got a lot of work to do, to drag you into the twenty first century.”

“I might allow you to do that. Now send those pictures.”

“Do you want to include a message?”

“You can do that as well?”

“Yes, Jonathan.” Lachlan replied with a touch of desperation in his voice.

“Just say...I’m happy...thanks to you...and...no that’s all, he’ll get it. Wait, change that to, we are happy.”