Lois, thank you for the beta...you are the greatest!
Chapter 26 – The Plot Thickens Late Evening … (Day 24) “Where have you been?” Rudolpho demanded. “How could you miss the meeting with Eyeconics?” Maria demanded to know. The barrage of questions continued as Cristina entered the hotel suite. She casually ignored them all and made her way directly to her room. Her father may have accepted her abrupt exit, but Maria was another story. Maria immediately trailed along behind her sister continuing with her barrage of questions. “What’s going on with you?” Maria asked, gently touching her sister’s arm to slow down Cristina’s movements. “Look, I know you love art, but it’s not like you to simply miss a meeting to go to a museum? Father may think this is normal behavior, but I know you better than that. You worked too hard on the designs for the collection to just walk away. So tell me what you were up to?” Cristina paused to look at her sister. Then, she gently disengaged from the contact and continued towards her room, with Maria following close behind. “As I said in my message, I was going to see the new exhibit at the gallery.” Cristina proclaimed, flopping down on the bed. “And did you?” Maria asked, towering over her sister. “Yes. It was a great exhibit. End of story,” Cristina said, making herself more comfortable on the bed. “Ok. I know you. I know that you’re up to something. Now tell me what you’ve really been up to? Now! And I want the truth.” “If I tell you will you go away and leave me alone?” “That depends on what you tell me,” Maria said, making herself comfortable on the bed facing her sister. “You know Justin was so right,” Cristina grumbled, shifting in her position to become more comfortable and trying to make room for Maria. “Sisters really are a pain. I’m going to talk to father about the fact that I maybe I should have been an only child.” “That’s going to be a pretty difficult subject to bring up, since you’re the youngest.” Maria asserted with a laugh. “Since I’m obviously not going anywhere, will you stop stalling and tell me what you’ve been up to.” Cristina groaned loudly in defeat. “All right! I went Kinnetik this morning. I demanded to see Justin. I finally talked to Brian.” “You talked to Brian? How did it go?” “He finally got a message to Justin for me, and Justin and I went to the gallery together this afternoon.” “Is Justin upset with us?” “No, we had a good time together. He even promised to visit us in Milan.” “That will be fun.” “I also found out something rather interesting.” “Yeah” “Remember when you asked Justin if there was someone special?” “Yeah.” “Remember that he said yes?” “Yeah.” “That someone special is Brian Kinney.” “Susan and Kellie hinted at the same thing during our meeting. If that’s true, then father had better come up with something really special to make up for his behavior in the meeting. He has to do something really special for Justin to try to make this up to him.” “Has father said anything?” “Only that he was already working on something?” “Has he said what it is?” “Not a word.” In the middle of this discussion, there was a knock on the door. Maria got up and opened the door only to come face to face with the casually dressed image of her father. “I realize that it’s asking a lot, but do you suppose that I might have the company of both my daughters for dinner?” Rudolpho humbly asked. “I promise to be on my best behavior.” Both Cristina and Maria both thought about his proposition for a moment. Then they both nodded their acceptance. Rudolpho smiled. They entered the main area of the suite to find out that Rudolpho had already ordered dinner and had remembered to include all their favorites. “All right father, what’s going on?” Maria asked. “I’m trying to make peace. You know how I hate family discord.” Rudolpho tried to sound sad and totally defeated. Maria and Cristina looked at each other, and then they both agreed to at least talk to their father. “How was your day?” Rudolpho asked Cristina without any hint of malice. “How was the museum?” “I went to see the new exhibit with Justin, and we had a good time,” Cristina answered hesitantly, suspiciously waiting to see what came next. “You saw Justin? Did he say anything about the campaign?” Rudolpho tried to ask casually. “No, he wouldn’t even discuss it. But I did invite him to visit with Maria and me in Milan. He said that he hoped someday to exhibit in Milan…when his career was more established. I tried to convince him to visit us anyway.” Cristina casually responded. “So he is interested in exhibiting in Milan. That works so perfectly with my plan,” Rudolpho quietly uttered. “What are you up to father?” Cristina asked firmly. “I know that you have some kind of plan in the works. Tell us what it is!” Maria demanded. “I have to make it up to Justin for my behavior in the meeting and let him know that I appreciate the kind manner that he treated me. And you are all wanting me apologize to him. This is my chance. I have to apologize before we can ask him to reconsider about the campaign. I have to make everything right with Justin. I’m going to do that,” Rudolpho professed. “Now will you two enjoy your dinner before it gets cold?” “Father, whatever you’re planning, please be very careful. I saw Brian today, and he is super-protective where Justin is concerned. So don’t do anything to make matters worse,” Cristina cautioned him. “Please be very careful.” “You two have absolutely no faith in me, do you? That’s not what a father wants to hear.” “Father, after your behavior throughout this entire campaign, is it any wonder?” Maria confirmed. “Experience is a bitter teacher.” “I guess I have truly behaved badly. I’m going to have to seriously rethink how I operate. Your mother has been upset with me as well. So I guess it really is time for a change.” “Mother? What does mother have to do with this? Mother doesn’t usually get involved. She usually leaves the running of the business to you,” Cristina mentioned. “That’s true… except when it involves Belluss Occhiali. Remember it’s still her baby. So she helped me devise the plan to apologize to Justin. Trust me, it’s a good plan, if I do say so myself. Your mother is a genius.” “Father, Maria and I would feel so much better if we knew exactly what you were up to. So I suggest you discuss your plans with us and let us give you our opinions,” Cristina demanded, hoping her father would see reason. “Father,” Maria joined in, “I think Cristina is right. Tell us what you planned!” Rudolpho let out a sigh. Before he could respond to the demands of his daughters, the telephone in the suite rang. Rudolpho answered the phone immediately, as if he was expecting the call. Maria and Cristina watched their father as he talked on the phone. They were only able to hear his side of the conversation. “So you’re here at last and settled in your suite,” Rudolpho said. There was a pause. “Perfect! You know what to do?” he continued. Another pause… “You’ll keep me posted on what happens?” he continued again. Another pause… “Great! Now, get a good night’s sleep, and I’ll see you tomorrow,” he finally said and hung up the phone. Rudolpho turned back to his daughters and smiled. “Everything is ready!” *** The Next Morning at Kinnetik…(Day 25) Justin’s paintings, in the lobby of Kinnetik, were being carefully scrutinized by a tall, dark handsome stranger, who was impeccably dressed in a well-tailored designer suit. He was slowly and carefully moving from painting to painting, paying close attention to the detail in each one. Ted quietly observed the stranger for a while. The stranger easily looked as if he should be meeting with Brian, but Ted didn’t recognize him. Thinking he might be a new client, Ted approached him and offered his assistance. “May I help you?” Ted asked and then waited for the stranger to shift his attention away from the paintings. “I probably should have called first, I’m looking for Justin Taylor,” the stranger announced. When the stranger spoke, Ted immediately recognized the Italian accent. “I’m sorry, but Justin’s not here. Would you like to leave a message?” The stranger pulled out his card and handed it to Ted. “Please see that he gets this, and please have him give me a call. My phone number at the hotel is on the back of the card.” And with that, the stranger turned to leave. Ted took one look at the card and gasped. “Excuse me, Signor Marani. Please wait one moment before you leave.” Ted insisted, motioning for the stranger to take a seat. Signor Marani returned to take the offered seat and proceeded to make himself comfortable. Ted offered him coffee, but he shook his head no. Ted immediately walked back to Cynthia’s desk. “I need to see Brian immediately!” Ted insisted. “This is really important!” “Convince me, Ted. You know how busy Brian is. Can’t this wait until later?” Cynthia asked. “I’m afraid not,” Ted said, handing her the business card. Cynthia looked at the business card and then looked back at Ted. Cynthia immediately picked up the phone and announced to Brian that Ted needed to see him. Ted swiftly entered Brian’s office. “All right Theodore, what’s so important,” Brian demanded to know. “Can’t you see I’m busy here? You know we’re against a deadline.” Ted simply handed him the business card and said, “He is in the lobby right now. He came to see Justin.” “Justin’s not here,” Brian said calmly, stating the obvious. “I know that! But I thought you might like to talk to him. After all he appears to have traveled a long way.” Brian thought for a moment. Then agreed that Signor Marani should be shown back to his office and introduced to Brian. Brian was definitely curious. “Mr. Kinney, this is indeed an honor. I have heard a great deal about you. Thank you for seeing me,” the stranger said upon entering Brian’s office. “Signor Marani, when the direttore di Pinacoteca Ambrosiana appears in my office, it is I, who am honored. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Brian said, standing up and shaking hands with his visitor. “How can I help you?” “As I explained to your associate, I am here looking for Justin Taylor.” “I’m his partner, what can I do for you?” “First of all let me assure you, I mean him no harm,” Signor Marani asserted with a smile. “Well, that’s always good to know.” Brian said with a smile. “I should also tell you that Rudolpho Silvestri and I are old friends.” Signor Marani paused for a moment to let that statement sink in. Then he continued again. “And, in my capacity as an old friend, I am here to extend Signor Silvestri’s apology to Justin Taylor for his behavior at a recent meeting. I am supposed to act as an intermediary and beg Justin Taylor’s forgiveness. Then I am to return to Signor Silvestri with Mr. Taylor’s response, if there is any.” “Oh really?” Brian commented with surprise. “I gather from the expression on your face that you know a great deal more about this situation then I do. I have known Rudolpho for a long time so I can only imagine what happened. Let’s just say that, over the course of our long friendship, I have occasionally had to fulfill my role as intermediary. But it’s rare that I am required to fly half way around the world to so. Therefore, I can only assume that whatever he did must have been pretty serious for me to be dispatched as an intermediary in this situation.” “Let’s just say he may be pretty desperate at this point,” Brian said with a laugh. “In addition, I was instructed to critique the paintings of one Justin Taylor, which I have done. He is a very talented artist.” “I will be glad to pass that information along to Justin, as well,” Brian remarked. “Justin loves to receive complements about his art.” “Having seen the paintings, I would like to ask him to make a submission of his work to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in Milan. I would like to ask him to consider participating in our emerging artist exhibit, which will be held there this summer.” “I beg your pardon?” “Is it necessary to repeat what I just said? Did I not make myself understood?” “Well, Signor Silvestri is resourceful, I will give him credit for that.” “Rudolpho can merely bring a talented artist to my attention, all submissions are judged by an independent artistic panel. All submissions are judged solely on their artistic merit …of this I can assure you. But, I will tell you from what I have seen from both his website and the paintings in your lobby, the panel would be most interested to receive Mr. Taylor’s submission.” “I don’t know what to say,” Brian admitted “That’s quite a lot to take in. Signor Silvestri must be extremely penitent to gone to such extreme measures to obtain forgiveness.” “You realize that we Italians tend go overboard from time to time, but that, in no way, diminishes the sincerity of our remorse,” Signor Marani said with all seriousness. “Oh, I fully understand.” “Thank you for your time and for seeing me, Mr. Kinney. Hopefully, you will have Mr. Taylor contact me at his earliest convenience. I would like to fulfill my duties as intermediary as quickly as possible and return to my gallery in Milan. Although I must say, I am most curious to meet the artist himself. He must truly be a most interesting man.” Signor Marani said with a smile, extending his hand to Brian. “That he is, Signor Marani. Just wait until you meet him,” Brian said, returning the handshake. Brian walked over to escort his visitor to the door. “It has indeed been a pleasure to meet you, and I will be sure to have Justin give you a call.” And with that Signor Marani left the office. Brian sat at his desk and smiled at the turn of events. The day was turning out to be most interesting. While Brian was trying to figure out how to present all this to Justin, Cynthia and Ted barged into his office, looking for answers. “I’m afraid you two are going to have to get your answers, on this one, directly from Justin,” Brian said with a smile, before they could begin to pose questions. “But Brian, surely you can tell us something.” Cynthia asked. “Afraid not. However Cynthia, I’ll need you make a reservation at Popagano’s for tonight.” Cynthia nodded that she would take care of this and returned to her desk to make the arrangements. The disappointment was evident on her face as she left the office. Ted, on the other hand, would not be so easily dispatched. “Theodore?” Brian said, realizing that he still had one guest in his office. “Brian, why would the director of one of Milan’s most prestigious galleries be looking for Justin? Why would he be looking for Justin here? Doesn’t Justin have an agent in New York?” Brian merely stared at Ted without saying a word. “He was examining Justin’s paintings like he was making an appraisal. Brian exactly what is going on?” Ted continued, hoping that eventually Brian would acquiesce and say something. Brian simply continued to stare at Ted. “You’re not going to answer, are you?” Ted finally said in frustration. “I think the answer to that should be obvious,” Brian responded. Ted let out a sigh of frustration, finally accepting that he would receive no information from Brian. And so, Ted conceded defeat and left the office. Brian smiled as he reached for his cellphone to call Justin to invite him to come into town for dinner.