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108. Questionable assignments
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Bet 109. The past
Jo and Patrick were sitting and enjoying themselves almost till morning; thinking how to outsmart the two old, rotten to the limits of decency, foxes. Furthermore, they watched a few classic movies and listened to music from a couple of old favorite vinyls.They prepared a detailed plan of action, foreseeing most of the scenarios in their opinion.After only a few hours of sleep, they were on their feet, already done with breakfast, ready for a new day and the challenges associated with it. It was still early morning, but they decided to take some action.Although the weather was bad, the sky was completely cloudy and looked like it was going to rain any minute. Thus, they hurried out of the house to run to the nearby gardens of the Jardin des Tuileries.“This is a nice city to live in.” Patrick announced, happily looking around.“Would you like to live here permanently?”“I think so. I am in love with the magical atmosphere and all the greenery among the buildings.”“Do you know that
The Bet 110. Aunt Emily
“Do you still remember my mother?” Patrick asked at one point.“Yes. I have a few memories of her.” "I don’t, at least most of it. As the years pass by, I remember less and less and it scares me." He added after a moment of hesitation.Jo thought for a while. To be honest, she didn’t remember much either; just pictures or snippets of events, sometimes completely out of context. She didn’t know her aunt well as she was also only a kid then.What she remembered more from her childhood was that she had to look after not only her younger sister Lily, but also after Patrick and his younger brother Samuel. Indeed, she understood that they had lost their mother, and their father could not cope with both, the loss of her and the care of two young children, but she was only a little girl back then.She wanted to grow up as quickly as possible to free herself from all ‘these’ obligations. Jo didn't like the feeling of being a big sister at all. She didn't want to tell him about it now, so as
The Bet 111. Perfect breakfast
After a quick glance at her phone and the messages, Jo returned to the kitchen. She took out the food ordered by her uncle. There were a few boxes, and the two on top were still very hot. She wondered what was inside this time as she couldn't sense any aroma because she had a runny nose.Jo felt cold as before, even after a hot shower and desperately needed calories, which meant a proper food; best would be proteins this time. She opened one of the hot boxes and it was one of the best surprises she could dream of at that time.She was so happy to see a typical English breakfast. The bacon, sausages, poached egg, black pudding, baked beans, fried tomatoes and mushrooms, and buttered toast.‘Wow! Dear uncle, for once, I got exactly what I needed at this moment!’She didn't feel embarrassed while taking out two huge bottles of green smoothie from the bag.‘With this spread of breakfast, I am able to drink both of them!’ She laughed.“What are you so happy about?” Patrick interrupted her
The Bet 112. Rainy melancholy
Unfortunately, not all of Jo’s memories related to aunt Emily were very nice and sweet.What stuck in her mind was that her aunt tried by all means to convince her, a few years old girl then, to play piano and sing, like her little son. Jo didn't like it very much. For several years, she had lessons with her aunt, an outstanding pianist, a great singer and composer, in one. Jo didn't like the classes, as she didn’t feel music at all by then, but she continued the lessons until the tragic death of her aunt. She didn't want to disappoint her parents, who were so proud of her aunt who had recorded many jazz and club songs. Jo didn't protest against the torture she was experiencing behind the piano keyboard with her under her aunt's leadership.Additionally, everyone around her believed that little Jo had a real talent, just like Patrick. Only she didn't feel this gift at all. Maybe she was too small at the time to practice piano exercises and voice emission. Those experiences made her
The Bet 113. Family secrets
Jo and Patrick slept until late afternoon. They met in the kitchen.“Are you feeling better now, badass?” Patrick asked as he turned his head in her direction. He was busy at the stove. She noticed the mess around him. It meant dinner was under way.“I am. I really needed a good sleep. What about you, Pat?”“Still have a runny nose, but I am fine.”“Good. So there is a chance that we could go somewhere nice on the weekend.” She had already planned a lovely trip to one of the most famous castles in France and to Normandy. She had even booked the hotels. “But first I need to finish some work. Unfortunately, Luke is expecting some directions and analyses from me.”“No problem. With me being your secretary, I am always available to help so we can rush for the trip.” Patrick agreed for the new adventure out of hand. He could go with her anywhere. It always meant a great time. “Let’s have some food first and we will take care of work later. The dinner is almost ready.”“What did you make?”
The Bet 114. Washing the dirt
“I remember something really besetting me. When I was seven, just before my mother's accident. One night I couldn't sleep and wanted to go down to my parents, but I stopped on the stairs. They were having an argument.” Patrick stopped for a moment to chew his food. He did it very slowly to have time to consider how to put his thoughts into words properly. For a moment he even hesitated if he should tell Jo about it or just keep it to himself.“What happened then?” She saw some hesitance plastered to his face. Jo knew it wasn't so much distrust towards her as doubts about whether he had a real picture of the situation. He had to analyze some of his memories and insights. He was probably trying to put himself in the role of an observer, and not a personal witness of events, to look at everything coldly, without any emotions.“After a concert, my mother had come back home not drunk, but under the influence. My father was furious that she got behind the wheel instead of calling for him
The Bet 115. Discovery
Jo and Patrick spent the next two days mostly catching up with Jo’s work. In the meantime, she was on the phone for hours, talking to Luke about work related issues, mostly on loudspeaker.Patrick had the opportunity to listen to those two. He didn't know the man personally, but from what he heard, he knew that he was an outstanding guy. After what he learned for those two days, he was aware that the two made for an amazing duo.Definitely, Luke was a great guy. He was sure about it. Besides, he and Jo got along very well. He didn't understand how it was possible that she had so many cool guys around, and she was still alone anyway.What they did together was a real mastery of not only public relations, but also advertising. It was a pity they did it publicly. Apparently, somewhere you could find that they were behind the successes of several public figures, but no one associated them with these successes, which was also their great success.Patrick was fascinated with their company.
The Bet 116. Unforeseen proposal
Jo was very excited about Patrick's discovery. The lyrics to her aunt’s songs were usually great and so was the music.“A few of my buddies listened to the songs that I recorded with you. I know you are very busy, but... Would you like to take part in my new project?”“We didn't record these songs together for fun?”“Yes, we did, but the results exceeded my expectations.”“As far as I remember, I falsified mercilessly.”“If it were bad, I would not offer you this partnership. Besides, I wish Matthew could also accompany me and play piano.”Jo had a headache. She barely had time to get her job done and everything else she did. If it had not been for her hand injury and the necessity to do nothing so that the bones could properly heal, she could not even dream of a vacation. Not to even mention Matthew. How was he going to participate in the project?“I don't see any enthusiasm on your face.” Patrick commented loudly.“Firstly, I can't sing. Secondly, I don't have time, and thirdly, I d
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The Bet 133. Under control
“We already had dinner; Martin took care of our meals today.” Jack informed them.“Good guy! He also brought food for us.” Patrick realized that they had such a good time that he didn't even call and thank them for the catering. “I should call and at least say thank you.”“I already did that. We will have the catering all week.”“Sounds good, but I wish I could make use of the kitchen here too.” Patrick had some plans.“Why don't you spend your holidays far away from the kitchen? There are so many beautiful places to visit around. Besides, I'll take care of Mike.” Jack really wished that they would have a good time.“We cannot burden you with caring for him. We have to get a nurse tomorrow. And you should travel with us.”Jack was glad to hear that he wouldn't have to babysit Mike even though that one didn’t cause him any problems throughout the day. He had a great time with the bunch of big kids, and he wanted to spend some time traveling around too.Besides, his boss had clearly mar
The Bet 132. Boring day
Jo was extremely happy to see the hammock outside in the beautiful surroundings. She immediately started walking towards it.Behind her were Patrick and Matthew. When they made sure that she was comfortable, they started to unpack and unfold the garden furniture.In the next half an hour, they had dealt with most of the setting up. The patio immediately changed its face to an elegant and, above all, a comfortable place to relax. A few wooden deck chairs with a low table and umbrellas were placed near the swimming pool.The guys also put a long wooden table with eight chairs under an electric marquise, parallel to the glass wall of the villa and of course near the kitchen and dining room doors.“The table looks so good!” Jo commented from the hammock.“I feel like I am on a boat.” Matthew joked.“The owner loves sailing, so you are right. Only the wooden steering wheel is missing.” Jo laughed. She also noticed so many things related to marine life.“A wooden steering wheel sounds good.
The Bet 131. Unexpected inconvenience
”Are you worrying about Mike?” Patrick asked, seeing consternation and some kind of sadness on Jo’s face.“No, I am not worried about that asshole. He deserved it.”“Nobody deserves anything like this, badass.”“That’s not what I meant.”Patrick looked at her expecting some more explanations.“He shouldn't have gone out with you the previous day. He knew it perfectly well, so it was one hundred percent his fault. So, in that sense, he deserves it.”“I agree, but still, he is a man. You don’t understand male pride, badass.”“I understand him more than you can imagine. It’s just his fucking character.”“All of us, we have ‘interesting’ personalities, badass. For most of the people around us, we are assholes.”“I am not questioning it, Pat.” She hesitated for a moment. “But this fucking macho is one of his kind...”Patrick was speechless. He couldn’t argue with that. While he had a lot of understanding of the people around him, Mike was still a special case to him. But still he tolerated
The Bet 130. A blow
Right after breakfast, Jack took Mike to the clinic. The atmosphere instantly relaxed inside the villa. They were still sitting at the kitchen table with tea and French pastries and discussing how to teach their dear friend a lesson.“You are a poor teacher, Matt.” Jo said, very disappointed with her friend. “These pancakes are awful.” She winced as she ate, wondering where Mike went wrong with that very simple task.“Am I really a poor teacher?” Matthew mocked in a slurping voice. “Or maybe our friend is a bad student? Did you consider that?”“Could we leave aside his cooking skills, guys?” Patrick exclaimed. “The main thing is that the guy can cook, so he will not die of hunger. That’s what matters!”“Really? Did you try that?” Jo pointed at the pancake.“No, and I'm not going to. I watched the anguish when Jack was consuming it. In general, he is not very picky about food so it must be eatable.”“Well, you have to try it.” Jo wanted to force him and put a piece of pancake on a fork
The Bet 129. A bitter morning
Mike was the first to get up. He was not able to accept ‘the doing nothing’ state and being attached to one place, to his bed, any longer.Slowly, without making any noise, he trodded downstairs. It wasn't too complicated with the help of crutches.He found the perfect order and plenty of food in the kitchen.‘These stocks were made, probably with me in mind. They want to leave me again." He assumed looking at the refrigerator full to the brim.He decided to prepare something for everyone. His skills were far from Matthew's, but after all, he could prepare something nonetheless.He made pancakes, and a typical continental breakfast: fried bacon, sausages, black pudding, some stewed mushrooms and tomatoes. He also made a smoothie out of whatever greens he could find in the refrigerator.“Good morning!” Patrick’s voice disrupted his work on the fruit salad.“Good morning.” He wasn’t happy to see him. “Did you sleep well, man?” Mike asked ironically. He really wanted to ask if he had goo
The Bet 128. Existential meditation
Mike felt much better after a nutritious lunch. There was no sign of a hangover; the only thing that bothered him, even after strong painkillers, was the ache in his ankle.He was changing the ice packs, and putting on more anti-inflammatory creams, but it didn’t help much. As soon as he was trying to put his foot flat on the floor, he saw ‘all the stars in the sky’ from pain.He didn't know if he would trigger the alarm again by opening the bedroom door, and he didn't feel like testing it.He went out onto the terrace a few times, but it was too hot to stay there.‘Why do I have to sit alone, in a deserted place like that?’ He thought. ‘I didn't have to travel so many kilometers to be accompanied only by empty walls. Did I?’ He wondered looking around the empty room.‘It is no different from my everyday life. Should holidays be like that? Do I deserve it?’ Hundreds of thoughts swirled in his head.Despite his exhaustion, he couldn’t sleep. There was no TV in the room, and watching mo
The Bet 127. Redemption
Mike was lying on his stomach with his head covered with a pillow, asking the heavens for silence. He had never imagined in his life that he would ask for such trivial things. He didn't know for how long he prayed, but he was at the end of his tether. Even if he wanted to leave the house to relocate somewhere in the garden or on the terrace, to not hear the alarm, he was not able to move that far jumping only on his uninjured leg.‘I know it's my fault, but why doesn't Jo have any pity on me? I always thought that she was an angel with a golden heart, but why is she heartless now?’ He made assumptions. ‘She knows I have a goddamn hangover. Plus, I smashed my ankle. Isn't it enough punishment for me to be here, in the middle of nowhere, alone?’Mike thought about so many things looking for a solution and he was really desperate. Finally, some clue appeared in his sore brain. He recalled that when Jo was taking a shower, there was absolutely no noise outside, so there must have been g
The Bet 126. Painful lesson
Mike was really pissed off. He screwed up his vacation, but there was nothing he could do about it. He had to accept and bear with it. As soon as he heard that the car drove away, he got up and jumped on one leg to his suitcase, and pulled out clothes which would be less obstructive in his general movements like, a loose T-shirt and short cotton shorts. He hung his ironed clothes on the armchair standing next to the bed. He returned to the bed and unwrapped the bandage. His ankle didn't look the best. The hematoma was visible on the entire surface of his ankle, despite the already quite large swelling. Considering the state of his injury, he was sure that the best solution after all was to stay at home. He lied down, tipping from side to side impatiently for a while, but couldn't fall asleep. Too many thoughts swirled in his aching head. He got up and decided to change the atmosphere of the semi-dark room a bit. ‘Damnit! It's so dark here!' He muttered under his breath and opene
The Bet 125. Apriopriate treatment
As soon as Jo realized what had happened, she lost her good mood. ‘It was predictable! Will this asshole ever grow up?’ She cursed under her breath. She felt guilty about letting him come out of the house in such a bad shape at all. She blew into Mike's bedroom, without even knocking the door beforehand, like a hurricane with a destructive force. She was ready to deal properly with her rebellious, bullish friend and all his faults, who tried to disguise from her the fact that he had sprained his leg. The image she saw right after opening the door made her feel sick, as she predicted. She was truly disgusted. Mike's hair was still wet after the shower, and his face was perfectly shaved. He was dressed in a white polo shirt, perfectly ironed, and baggy khaki cargo pants. He was sitting on the bed with his left leg propped up on the bed. His pants were rolled up as he was bandaging his ankle. On the bed, she also noticed a tube of very strong painkiller ointment. “What a fucking as
