CRYSTALLINE - 41. Of Course Jonathan

While Yashuki went to change his clothes, Thomas and Dante went around the room thanking each member of staff for their contribution on the day. Each had volunteered to work without pay as their way of contributing to the farewell of their colleague.

Jonathan had Lachlan order home delivery of food for the evening meal so everyone who was not on evening guest duty could wind down together, after such a tumultuous two weeks. Through the efforts of management and staff the resort had still managed to operate as close to normal as possible.

Thomas and Dante then headed off to their flat to talk to Yashuki.

“He’s not here” said Dante

“Maybe he’s gone over to his room at the Villa for clothes” replied Thomas.

“It’s a nice night for a walk, so let’s wander over there and then we can have our chat in the garden”

As they descended the stairs from their flat and walked through the garage, Dante checked on his bike, a habit of his in caring for his prized asset. He then said “There’s something missing”

“What, has someone taken something from your bike?”

“No, but Yashuki’s bike is missing”

“Oh yeah, maybe he rode over to the Villa”

“Well we’ll see when we get there”

The two lovers walked hand in hand through the Crystalline garden and the gate between the properties, then to the stables. But as they walked around the stables to go to the staff quarters, they saw Yashuki’s bike exit through the Arcobaleno gate.

“What the....” exclaimed Thomas.

“I guess we have our answer” replied Dante, who turned to Thomas, took him in his arms and kissed him for a long, long time.

***

Thomas called Yashuki three times through the evening, but each time he got the, switched off or out of range, message.

“I hope nothing’s happened to him” said Thomas, as he hung up.

“He obviously doesn’t want to talk, so he’s switched off his phone, that understandable”

“Yeah, you’re probably right. I’ll leave it a few days and if he doesn’t answer, then I’ll text, he’ll get it eventually”

“Since we now have the night free, I want to talk about my Mum and Nonna”

“Fuck yeah, we do. With everything that we’ve been dealing with we forgot about them”

“I didn’t forget, just put it aside so I could cope with one thing at a time”

“Any thoughts on what to do about telling them?” asked Thomas

“Mum, I’ll leave in the, too hard basket, for a while. But about Nonna, I have a brilliant idea. Let’s go to Italy and tell her in person”

“I’ve never been to Europe...never even been overseas. It’s a big step”

“People do it every day, no part of the world is more than twenty four hours away”

“I don’t even have a passport”

“Ok...really?”

“Yes, never had a need for one”

“Hard to believe a person your age hasn’t travelled”

“Being raised by a single mum, means there’s not much left over at the end of the week to put towards overseas holidays. In fact we rarely went anywhere that Mum couldn’t t drive to”

“Maybe then, but you’re not so bad off now”

“That’s only since I’ve been working and inherited from Jared. Besides it’s not just about money, I’ve never had any time. When I finished school, I went straight to uni and had part-time work during my studies”

“But what about semester breaks?”

“I swotted and worked any extra shifts I could get”

“And after graduation?”

“I started work here immediately”

“You mean this is the only proper job you’ve ever had?”

“I suppose it is; why are you so surprised? Is loyalty a strange concept to you?”

“No, it’s not that...nothing really...just didn’t think about it, I suppose. Wow!”

“I’m glad I’m able to surprise you sometimes”

“But you must have been well paid since you have worked here so long”

“Again it’s not just about money. I’ve always loved my work here and never felt the need to travel. With all the fringe benefits here, it’s been a bit like being on holidays and getting paid for it. Now we live permanently in a resort”

“I get that, but why are you resisting travelling with me?”

“I’m not resisting, but you asked why I haven’t travelled before and I’ve told you”

“So is that a yes?”

“Now you’ve asked....fuck yeah”

“Great, you get a passport, I’ll contact Nonna and set a date, then we can look for airfares and some tours to other parts of Europe. It’s going to be fabulous”

“Ok....”

“You don’t sound too excited, is there a problem?”

“Who’s going to do my job, while I’m away?”

“Who did it before when you had holidays?”

“I haven’t taken holidays of more than a few days and Christmas”

“Fuck, you must be owed months in holiday pay after all those years”

“I never really thought about it. I suppose Lachlan can do most of my work and Juanito’s starting soon to take over the financial matters”

“There, easy peasy”

***

The following morning Thomas told Lachlan of Yashuki’s departure and he prepared to alter rosters accordingly.

“So what do you think happened?” Lachlan asked

“Not sure really, but I guess he wasn’t ready for a relationship, but unfortunately didn’t want to tell us directly. Pity really, Dante and I were prepared to accept whatever choice he wanted. If he had said no, there would have been no hard feelings and he could have continued to work here”

“I’m sorry to lose him” lamented Lachlan, “He was a good worker and versatile; could turn his hand to anything, even magic. But, maybe it’s for the best. I wouldn’t want to try and negotiate a three way relationship; it would be fraught with all sorts of problems”

“I might agree with you in a few days, when I’ve had time to process my thoughts, but right at present I do feel a bit rejected, because of the way he did it. I could cope with, sorry guys but it’s not my thing, or something like that. But just riding off into the sunset, literally, without any explanation is hurtful”

“You really did care for the guy, didn’t you?” asked Lachlan

“Yes, the bastard disappointed me. When he reached out, while Dante was away it seemed so genuine, and I still believe it was. Perhaps it’s some sort of...what do Asians say... loosing face?”

“Yeah, cross-cultural relationship can have their difficulties, I suppose”

Thomas did not respond, he was silent for a few moments, then said “Enough of that, you and me have a business to run, so let’s get cracking. You’re on rosters and I have to get the payroll done. My last as it turns out. Juanito will be taking over that and my other financial duties this week”

“And will you then be a gentleman of leisure?”

“I doubt it, this business always throws up the unexpected”

“Oh speaking of the unexpected, Jonathan wants a meeting with us today, he’s got some...to put it in his words...an absolutely cracking idea”

“Should I be worried?” asked Thomas

“Prepared for anything, would be good”

***

“I want to have a big open day, to show everyone this is a safe and happy place.” declared Jonathan “We need to put all this unpleasantness behind us and get back to business as normal. Also, while we’ve been occupied with other matters the builders have worked wonders. The restaurant is finished and I’m assured our new bungalow will also be ready for occupation in a month. There’s a lot to celebrate”

“I think it’s a great idea” agreed Lachlan “What about you Thomas?”

“It has merit” he replied

“Don’t go overboard with your support” said an indignant Jonathan.

“Sorry Jonathan, I was just distracted by something else”

“What man, spit it out and let’s find a solution”

“Ok, we also have to make some more permanent arrangements about the pool”

“I thought the contract pool maintenance company was working out well” said Lachlan

“They are, but the constantly changing roster of lifeguards supplied by Surf Life Saving Australia has me worried. It was only ever meant to be an emergency solution”

“Could you offer one of them a permanent position?”

“I’ll sound out some of them”

“Good” said Jonathan “Now that’s sorted, back to my open day. I want it big, all welcome, lots of fun and action”

“Do you know how much this will cost?” asked Thomas

“No, that’s your job”

“Well, as of next week it will be Juanito’s job”

“Is that the accountant of Craig’s?”

“Yes, he’s fully licensed now and operating his own business. He will oversee, but employ bookkeepers to do the day to day work”

“Is that what we want?” asked Jonathan

“It’s what I want” replied Thomas

“Then it’s what I want also. Glad we agree. Now back to my open day”

“We probably don’t have to cover all the cost of the day. The restaurant will be operating and we could have extra food stalls selling food and merchandise. But we might have to cover the costs of roaming entertainers around the property, to add your fun feel of the day”

“I knew you’d come on board. Can I leave it with you two to organise?”

“Yes Jonathan, I’m sure Lachlan and I can get plans underway”

“And call on me if you need help with anything”

“Of course Jonathan” replied Lachlan in a patronising tone.

Jonathan left the meeting, wondering if he had been slighted, but then dismissed the idea because he could not believe Lachlan would do such a thing.

“Well on top of everything else, now we have to organise an open day” spat Thomas “Does he really think I can just pull something like that out of my arse”

“But you agreed” offered Lachlan

“I said it had merit but I certainly didn’t agree that now was the appropriate time”

“That is Jonathan’s point, we need something to get the business rolling again”

“I know all that, well if you agree with him then you’re just going to have to pull your weight around here”

“Are you suggesting I don’t?”

“Sometimes you have a tendency to ride on my coattails or just agree to everything Jonathan wants. We’re running a business here not an amusement park for Jonathan’s entertainment”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Ok, the stables for a start. Those horse stalls converted to voyeur rooms, don’t make any money at all, apart from the bar sales and the bar would do just as well on its own. On a dollar per square metre ratio that space makes the least. The bar and seating area occupy fifty percent of the stables area and make money. The stalls occupy the remaining fifty percent and make zilch. It’s just Jonathan’s fantasies that are satisfied”

“So what else could we do with the space?” asked Lachlan

“It could be retail space selling up market merchandise to our guests. Do you know, that apart from bar tabs, once guests pay for their accommodation that’s all they spend. There’s no point getting people drunk if we’re not going to use it to our advantage and extract some more dollars from them”

“I take your point on the last matter, but why are you letting all this out now? I’ve not heard any of this before”

“I’m just tired of being the laced-up goodie-two-shoes, agreeable Thomas. Those days are gone”

“Ok, I can live with that, but what’s released all this pent up outburst?”

Thomas did not reply, then Lachlan added “Wait...has this anything to do with you loosing Yashuki?”

“Why would you suggest that? This is business we’re talking about. You said yourself I was efficient in business but needed to be more in touch with my emotions when it comes to relationships”

“Yes, that’s true, but now I think you’ve let your emotions enter the business side of your brain. Not that it’s a bad thing occasionally. I think you deserve a little latitude given what you have been through these past two weeks”

“Is that what you believe?”

“Yes, but it’s good that you’ve let it out. Clearly you’ve held these feelings about Jonathan and I inside for too long. It’s good to clear the air. Now we both know where we stand”

“Will it come between us?”

“God no, I’d rather discuss a problem and work on a solution with you, more than with anyone else I l know. I like this new honest Thomas”

“Maybe my feelings for Yashuki are stronger than I thought, or at least the ending of that relationship has affected me more than I thought”

“I’m sure that’s it. So what do you plan to do about it?”

“I’m not going to chase down Yashuki, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’m going to get over it, work on my relationship with Dante, and.....”

“And?” asked Lachlan.

“...and run things by you first. You seem to have a way of grounding me. We make a good team and you’re a bloody good friend”

“Thank you, I feel the same” admitted Lachlan.

“Good, now we’ve got an open day to plan”

“So you’re onboard?” asked Lachlan

“Why not, I need a project to distract me, and besides we could turn it into an opportunity to plug a few holes in the market, by demonstrating what can be done with low income producing space around here”

“And show Jonathan the earning capacity rather than confront him with the negative”

“I like the way you think” concluded Thomas.

“You should, it’s the way you think”

*****