TS 2 Chapter 12

Chapter 12

May 13^th, 2009

Four days after their official “break up” Guntram acknowledged that this time Konrad was serious about it. He had not phoned him or even answered his SMS asking him for an appointment. The children stopped to come to the flat and Guntram preferred to keep distance; 'A scene in front of the school would be worst for them.'

'It's exactly as Michel Lacroix or Nicholas Lefebvre told me. They certainly know him well. He didn't give me the chance to explain myself when I let him tell me why he lied to me several times. I forgave him his infidelity and even took the blame.'

'Guntram you are a moron. A pathetic moron.'

'This is worse than a Stockholm Syndrome! He does whatever he wants with me. I go to Russia to fix my debts with Constantin so I can continue with him, and he kicks me out.'

'Maybe this relationship was never meant to be. I have to carry on with my life. He's so stubborn that he won't forgive me ever and make the boys suffer just because he's too proud as to forgive.'

Guntram sighed and watched the canvases he was working in. 'Useless. Waste of materials. I need to renovate my style and I will never do it here.'

'Time to swallow my pride and ask for help.'

Guntram dialled Michel Lacroix's number. 'I'm crazier than a cuckoo, but I feel he's not trying to shit me like Nicholas or Chano. I don't know why, but he sounded sincere in his interest for me.”

“Lacroix,” barked the lawyer, irked at the interruption in the middle of reading a complex case. He waited but no one spoke. “Guntram?”

“Yes, it's me Mr. Lacroix,” the young man said very quietly. “I'm sorry to disturb you.”

“No, you don't bother me at all. Tell me, what happened now?”

“I'm sorry for my rude manners to you. I was not exactly myself that day.”

“I don't remember it. Something wrong in Russia? Did you visit your friend?”

“Yes, I did and everything was a mess. I paid for his grave. I know it's stupid, but I couldn't go away and let the undertakers throw him to the trash. I even bribed people to do it. I'm not proud of it.”

“Well a lawyer is like a modern confessor. I will tell nothing, child. Are you all right?”

“Yes, I guess so,” Guntram said and took a deep breath. “Konrad broke up with me. Going to Russia was too much for his patience.”

“Guntram, you had an incredible patience with him. Nicholas told me many of the things you went through and no man would have accepted them. Do you want to go against him? In the courts, I mean.”

“What? No, of course not! I only want to close the accounts and renounce to the tutoring duties. He took the children away and I'm thinking to go back to Argentina, just for a while. I have the wedding of a friend next month and I would like to stay there for some weeks. Just to think what I want to do with my life. I'm still in shock and missing the children.”

“Guntram, I will take care personally of the documents.” Michel said. “You're still very confused and perhaps Nicholas pressed you to do much in one go. Let's take things more calmly. I will write the documents so you cease any kind of commercial relationship with Lintorff and then, we will speak about the children.”

“That would be good.”

“What about your flat?”

“I will speak with Mr. Pavicevic to see if he wants it back. It's the least I can do after he gave me such excellent conditions. I like the place and I don't want to leave it. I like the city also and I have some friends and my manager is here too, but perhaps he will fire me because Konrad is his main customer.”

“All right, don't make any decisions about the flat. When do you leave for Argentina?”

“The wedding is in June. I think I could rent a furnished flat for the time being. I don't need much and the book is selling fine. I sold recently two pieces for around €30.000. That should be sufficient to live for a few months till I have a clear idea of my future.”

“Don't you have more in your bank accounts?”

“Well, there's the money my father left, I only used the gold and platinum, my cash and part of the jewels. Goran told me not to touch the pink and yellow diamonds and sell them in a good auction house because I could get a better price. The painting is not for sale. I have around €65.000 cash after paying everything in the everyday account and 700.0000 CHF between in the safe box and the “piggy” account.”

Michel laughed at the name of the account. “Well, you certainly have a fat savings account. Nicholas told me you sold a very nice portrait to a customer.”

“Yes, but that money is not mine. The customer paid me but I agreed to give it to a charity organization in Argentina. I couldn't really charge him but he insisted on paying. I'm complaining over nothing, really. I don't have so many financial problems and I can work.”

“I see, Guntram. Very well, you stand fine. I will send you the documents next week, read and sign them.”

“I have many doubts still.”

“This is why we start by the less conflictive issue. Have you visited your doctor? All this flying can not be good for you.”

“I have to look for a less fancy doctor. Thank you for reminding me.”

“I will tell my secretary to look for another health insurance for you. She's very good at it.”

“Michel, this is abusing you. I will look for something else. It can't be that difficult.”

“Guntram, maybe you still don't realise but you are in an abusive relationship. The victim is always the last to know it and always finds a new excuse for his partner's behaviour. It's a vicious circle and you need help to get out of this. If the abuser has so much power like Lintorff has then, breaking those chains is very hard. I'm a lawyer because I do believe in Justice and my blood boils every time I see such a blatant injustice taking place. You were practically a child when you start to live with him, an orphan with no life experience. If I see correctly you were out of school, worked and studied and from one day to another, you found yourself living with him as he had adopted you. He chose your school, your friends and directed your career from a distance. You wanted to leave and he blackmailed you with his children. If you were there for his money, I would say, you deserve it, but you're not. You never took a single cent from your salary -Nicholas told me- but endured all the humiliations that not even a servant takes. Am I mistaken?”

“No,” Guntram whispered with a raspy voice.

“You need counselling or therapy and I'm telling you this with my best intentions. It is not normal that a twenty-seven year old lives the way you do. Tell me, did you throw a wild party for the flat opening?”

“No, but my neighbours wouldn't like it.”

“The ones who were before you had a disco every night. All right, have you invited your friends from the University?”

“I keep contact with one or two only.”

“Why is that? Didn't you graduate with honours?”

“Yes, I did but I had to go to work after school.”

“Guntram I'm not telling you to go out and do booze like many young men do, but do something more according to your age. Be with people your age and meet other artists. Most of them spend their time visiting each other or working together. Have you ever done any cooperation project?”

“No, I'm working on illustrating a poetry book by my cousin Eberhard, but I don't know if it will work at all. We got along, sort of.”

“How old is your cousin?”

“I don't know, maybe thirty-tree years old.”

“That is the age of people right for you. Not old, decrepit fifties.”

“Michel, you sound like sixty,” Guntram said with a smile.

“It doesn't count. I'm in the bossy fathers' category for you,” Michel chuckled but became serious. “Think over all what I have told you. Do you promise me this?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I'll send you the papers next week. Send me the dates you're going to be in Argentina. Good bye.” Michel hung up the phone and Guntram thought once more 'he's really bossy'.

* * *

The invitation card was very clear. It included one German Banker in the pack, and Guntram didn't know what to do. True he wanted to visit his long time friend, Mariano Bronstein, but dropping to his wedding with only a few weeks notice was very impolite; June 6th. 'Anyway I want to go there. I'll call Mariano and ask him if there's space for me. Maybe he has a table for old spinsters from the school. I only hope that Brown is not coming. He was a real idiot.'

He dialled the number in the card under his friend's name, with his heart beating very fast. “Hi, Mariano, it's Guntram,” he said before his friend could say hello.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in! How are you Guti? It's great to hear from you!”

“Thanks, I wonder if it would be too much if I sneak into your wedding. I know I said no, but I would really like to go.”

“No, no problems at all. We are not closed yet and I have still many dudes from the hospital trading shifts so they can come. Anita has the same problem with her colleagues. My mother will love to have you, but be careful, she wants a replacement for me. She also has a niece from an distant aunt and she's determined to marry that woman to someone, so be careful too.”

“I have no fortune, Mariano.”

“At this point, anyone will do. Even a goy. Can we convert you?” Mariano laughed. “How are you really? Are you coming alone?”

“Yes, I'm alone,” Guntram gulped.

“Great! You can come to the bachelor party too! Bring all the pills your doctor gave you and I'll give you more. Have you ever been at a doctors' bachelor party?”

“No, I want to reach my thirties.”

“Nothing to worry, Guntram. Just some hot girls, lots of booze, a horse and the whole cardiology service at your feet. Where are you staying? Downtown or at Juan's house?”

“I don't know.” 'Technically it's my house now. I have to transfer it to the boys.' “Is Juan coming?”

“No, he has to work in Holland. Coco will be there with his wife and Laucha too. I invited Fedérico but he said nothing so far, so I don't expect him. Don't worry. I'll send the asshole to the Old Aunts Table and maybe he gets a desperate wife.”

“Just keep us on different corners, Mariano. We don't get along since 2002.”

“He's a lawyer now and works in the Congress as lobbyist. My father wants to speak business with you.”

“I already have a bank, Mariano,” Guntram smiled.

“No, it's about your works. He has seen several critics and samples and wants to buy for his museum. He expects to get a cheap price from you and you're almost as one of us.”

“He should speak with my manager. If I take a dime without his permission, he kills me.”

“I'll tell him. Call me when you have your arrival date. I want to see you before the madness starts.”

They talked for a little while, Mariano telling him how nervous he was about the ceremony. “Imagine if I can't smash the cup. What if it rolls away? I'm going to look so stupid! I've been practising, but I will screw it and Anita will hate me and her mother hang me from the tallest tree for ruining it.”

* * *

“Hi Goran, thank you for coming. I promise not to poison you tonight,” Guntram greeting his friend with a smile, moving aside to let the old man enter his flat. He noticed that he was carrying a large white tupper ware. “Still you don't trust me,” he teased.

“Dessert. Nicoletta left it for us. Knedle sa Silvjana or potato dumplings with plums,” the Serb announced briefly, passing the container to Guntram.

“How do you eat it?”

“Warm them in the microwave and add whipped cream and chocolate sauce. All included.”

“A wise man, indeed,” Guntram chuckled and walked toward the white kitchen to let the container over the counter.

“Take always all your gear when you go to a reconnaissance mission.” Goran sat in the stool at the kitchen. “Is it fine here? I don't like formal things.”

“No, it's fine by me. We have meat today,” Guntram answered while he settled the dishes and showed two bottles of wine to Goran. “Which one?”

“Not even a week on your own and you're breaking the diet?” Goran growled. “The first one.”

“I will not be here next Sunday and I will ask for fish in the plane,” Guntram said very quietly but with a determined voice, stetting the dish with steaming goulash in front of Goran.

“Really? Where are you going?” Goran whispered and gave the young man one of his cold stares.

“Argentina. A wedding from an old schoolmate. I will return in a month time.” Guntram set the goulash and the pepper shaker as he knew Goran was sprinkling the condiment everywhere.

“Do you have per....”

“No, I have not his permission, but he's not my father. I do as I please. I quitted, remember?”

“From your doctor, boy,” Goran huffed. “Of course you have no permission from the Duke! This I see very clearly!”

“Good.”

“Where are you going to stay?”

“I rented a small flat downtown. Very near to my old one,” Guntram answered and offered the bowl with the spätzle to his guest.

“No way, you stay at your house, with security.”

“I'm sorry, but your people are not invited. It's me on my own. Alone.”

“Not in this lifetime, Guntram,” Goran said very quietly, slicing his meat and considering the matter as settled.

“I'm going on my own, Goran.” Guntram insisted but the man ignored him. “Fine, give me the cold shoulder treatment. I can do it too.”

“Little brother, do I have to remind you that your present health condition is a direct consequence of an attack in that place? I can not let you go unprotected. Take some of my people for two weeks and return home, when you're calmer about this situation. I'm sure that the Duke will be willing to negotiate with you.”

“Exactly as in Paris, Goran? No, thank you. I already fell for that one. You should update your material.”

“Guntram you go with Mirko happily or stay miserably here. Your choice.”

Guntram sighed and left his cutlery aside. “Goran, you must understand it's over. I have asked my lawyer to present the papers nullifying all the transfers Lintorff made to my accounts. It was a fiduciary business as I was the boys' tutor. I have resigned to this obligation therefore the nature of the legal business has ceased. Lintorff has 72 hours to vacate the accounts or I will deposit the money in a judicial account. I am not his figurehead any longer.”

“Did you warn the Duke?” Goran asked with a very pale face.

“I trust his legal office to do their job. He doesn't pick up the phone from me,” Guntram shrugged.

“This is very bad, Guntram. Tasteless.”

“I know, but it's for the best. This relationship was never supposed to happen, my friend. We should have never meet.”

“Guntram, it was fate.”

“I'm not so sure, Goran. I can't prove it because it's a memory and I'm not a hundred percent sure. Did you ever wonder why I was in Notre Dame that particular day?”

“Why were you there?” he asked, all his internal alarms ringing. He poured himself some wine to hide the fact that he was looking at Guntram very carefully, almost like a predator.

“My Argentinean lawyer, Luciano told me to go to Notre Dame on the 24^th because on other days it was impossible watch “such a show”. I attended the morning Mass because he made the typical joke of Paris vaut bien une Messe. I never liked he was always joking about my faith and I went just to piss him off. Yes, just because of it. Nothing like pushing a teenager to one direction so he goes to the other. Yes, my teenage rebellion was attending to Mass.”

“I don't see how this is related,” Goran said softly as he needed confirmation of his suspicions and wanted to check the boy's loyalties.

“Nicholas Lefebvre recommended Chano to my father. Maybe they were expecting me to be in. I don't know how they planned to use me against Konrad. Maybe they were going to tell me the truth and make me spy on him or kill him. I don't know. I didn't have any contact with Lefebvre until 2005 and very sporadically with Chano and all my letters were read by your people. I could be wrong and this just be a false memory. I have no proofs to back up my theory.”

“You should have told me this much earlier.”

“I remembered it in Paris, last time I was there. I've been thinking a lot about it, but I know nothing for sure. I stopped any kind of contacts with Nicholas Lefebvre.”

“But you still trust this Lacroix. Get rid of him too.”

“No Goran, he's a good person. I can feel it.”

“Guntram, you place too much faith in human nature.”

“Goran, you're a good person and you have helped me out of kindness. Why can't he do the same? You asked not a single question about me and were like a brother to me.”

“It's different, Guntram and you know it. You are so similar to my brother Pavel that I think this is a second chance God has given me.”

“No matter which are your reasons, you are an excellent friend. Spooky, yes, but great,” Guntram said with a sad smile.

“Being spooky is my job.” Goran cracked a smile and Guntram laughed genuinely. “Do you have any idea about using a microwave, little brother?”

“So far no nuclear fusion, we must be pretty safe,” Guntram answered and put the tupperware in his microwave, leaving the whipped cream on the table and removing the dishes, glad that Goran had dropped the issue, but uncertain because he had not said “go on your own.”

'You're very mistaken Guntram if you think I will not investigate this. Someone has been using you and probably plans to do it in the future. That someone is very dangerous as he killed Moncenigo, three days after you found out about the Duke.'

* * *

Guntram de Lisle's Diary

May 24^th, 2009

Today was a nice Sunday morning. I woke up, showered and got dressed. Took a light breakfast and checked that I had everything in my suitcase, specially the good dark suit for Mariano's wedding. Checked my bag if I had several sketch pads, pencils and watercolours along with my new netbook. Yes, I'm also sick of being “monitored” by Konrad's security people. The former laptop was full of that malicious software.

Goran, looking like the image of innocence said goodbye to me and promised to remind Nicoletta to water my fern. He even called the taxi for me!

I had no news about Konrad and I really thought about calling him but it's useless. I typed a SMS to Friederich telling him good bye and sending my love to the boys. I don't know if it will reach them. He didn't call me back.

I felt like a lump in my throat in the taxi because I had the horrible feeling that nothing would be the same upon my return. It's stupid I know, but this is how I felt. In the airport I passed the check in without troubles and with ample time as my flight was scheduled in two hours time.

Like the idiot I am; I went to the lounge and it wasn't very full because it was Sunday morning. I took a newspaper and started to read while drinking orange juice. I was in total peace, minding no one else business when I heard a chuckle and someone sat next to me.

“Hi, Dachs.” Heindrik Holgersen told me. “Good choice, the coffee was looking really bad. I got some cake too.”

“Hi, Heindrik. Going home?”

“Almost. Now be quiet. I want to finish this e-mail,” he told me with his grandeur tone. I bit my lips to prevent myself from telling him that he was interrupting me and not vice versa. I took another magazine and started to read till the reception girl came to tell us that I could board. I stood up and took my shoulder bag, ready to say goodbye but he told me: “Do you need help with that? Looks heavy.”

“No, thank you. I'm going now.”

“I also.”

“Where are you going exactly?”

“Argentina, land of the wild cows.”

“Excuse me?”

“We are “seat buddies”,” he informed me with a huge grin, starting to run to the exit, stealing my shoulder bag in the process. I had to run after him and I caught him almost at the boarding gate, where people was already inside the plane and he stood in line, looking like the perfect citizen.

“No, you're not coming with me. I have no place for you in the flat!”

“There are over twenty rooms in that house! I want the next to the master bedroom, the one with the balcony, the same you were staying in last time we were there.” He showed his ticket and passport to the stewardess.

“No, you're mistaken. I'm not going there. I'm staying in a small flat, very small and you're not invited.”

“No, that was cancelled yesterday. Don't worry, Monika paid the penalty fee. The Duke was most upset that you were going to such a place. If you want, I can book a hotel room for the wedding day.”

“He has no right to mingle with my life!” I shouted him and took my mobile out, getting out of the queue to dial the bastard's number. He hung up on me without answering the call!

I was fuming when the girl asked me if I wanted to board or not. I said nothing and showed her my ticket, with the pleasure that I had business and posh Prince Heindrik must have cried till getting First Class.

The stewardess kicked me -literally- into First Class, to sit me next to Prince Heindrik I, who had left my shoulder bag in my seat.

“How dare you?” I growled.

“Monika upgraded your ticket. Call her,” he mocked me and approached me with a “The Duke didn't answer?”

“No,” I said sweetly, using his moment of inattention -looking at the young blonde stewardess- to steal his mobile -I'm not so out of practice as I thought. God bless Jero for teaching me such useful abilities.- I called again the bastard.

“Was?” he hissed in a voice I didn't know he had and it froze my blood just a little. “I don't know what you're up but, I swear that upon my return to Zurich I'll ask for a restraining order against you and your people!” I shouted him.

“Obey and you may see the children when you are back,” he told me with that tone I heard so many times in the past.

“You will hear from my lawyers, Lintoff. This is the last offence I take from you,” I said without rising my voice.

“I will not let you endanger your own life. Behave, return home and we can continue as it was.”

“Very well, let the lawyers speak and pray that I don't go after your throat for assault.”

“Guntram!” He shouted but I turned the phone off and threw it back to Heindrik to take my place in the plane as the stewardess was asking me to do. Still furious I fastened my seat belt and refused the champagne while Heindrik looked at me like a frightened rabbit.

“Hey, Dachs, don't be mad at me. I had to fight to be here. Please, calm down so we can speak like friends. I do want to go to Argentina.”

“I don't care what you want. I'm going there, the wedding is next weekend and I'll fly back on Monday.”

“Guntram, let's stay two weeks at the house. It's a very nice place and you always liked the countryside. We can stay in the city for some time, too.”

“Since when do you want to make tourism in Argentina?”

“Look Dachs, my girlfriend is from Argentina, from Buenos Aires, San Isidro, and I had to neutralize Mirko, the Monk to be here. I had to use all my influences with the Duke against Pavicevic. I want to spend some time with her, meet her parents and ask her to visit us during the Summer. She's everything I want in a wife. Good looking, wants to be a mother, intelligent and funny. Don't screw me up in this, please.”

“To your information, your boss decided to place us in the countryside house.”

“You can invite her, Dachs,” he suggested and I huffed. “Come on, her name is Piar.”

“Is she called Piar?”

“Yes,” he told me very proudly to show me her picture -in his wallet, someone has it bad-.

“It can't be,” I said, returning the picture of a very nice looking blonde.

“Guntram, what's wrong with you? I'll do nothing dishonourable in your home!”

“The name can't be Piar. That's the sound birds do. It must be Pilar. Learn it fast or you'll die an old spinster. How old is she?”

“Maybe that's why she's always laughing when I say it,” he mumbled. “She's twenty five years old and has just finished architecture. I'm going to show her all the new Scandinavian Architecture in Malmö,” he told me very proudly.

“Has she seen a picture of you? Did you tell her your real age?”

“Ha, ha. You're so funny.”

“Where did you meet her?”

“In Buenos Aires, last time we were there. You were too pissed off with the world to realise anything. She was part of the architects team the decorator woman brought home. I saw her and went for the kill. I've been writing and speaking with her over the phone for the past years. I invited her to Paris last Christmas and I like her very much.”

“You? Romantic getaway with you? Does she still speak with you?”

“Ha, ha. You ask her over and stay a minimum of two weeks. Do me that favour and I'll do another for you.”

“All right, I'll go to house in the middle of the Pampas so you can play Casanova. I'm not defending your virtue,” I said in a better mood. In a way, I'm glad for him to find a wife.

“She's truly nice and wants four children like I.”

Someone has it really bad. “Did she say four?”

“No, she said two but I can convince her. Can you teach me some Spanish?”

“I can't work miracles Heindrik. I'll be glad if you can pronounce her name right at the end of the trip.”

“Maybe that's why she's always laughing when I call her name.”

“What's her name?”

“PiLar Blaquier,” he told me very carefully.

“Blaquier as my friend's Coco's last name? As the “decorator woman's” name?”

“That's her mother. Nice lady although she speaks a lot. The Duke gave me his blessing to court her. He likes the family, but told me she will speak as much as the mother.”

“I see.” Well, Malú Blaquier was doing some major hunting back in 2006 by taking her daughter there. After all, the Viking is worth several millions and will get many more after his grandfather passes away. Without mentioning he has a good job at the bank and the bastard loves him like a son or a troublesome little brother.

Our Heindrik is getting married. At 37 but better now than never. If he already spoke with Lintorff, he's really serious about it and the lady should do something horrible to make him change his mind.

“If my family likes her, because you marry a family make no mistakes, Guntram, I'm thinking in September as a good date. Do you want to come?”

“Does she want to marry you?”

“Of course, and we will move to Zurich, where I work.”

“Did you ask her?”

“Not yet, but she will agree and follow me.”

Good luck when you meet a twenty first century woman. Follow you? Malú, the mother was not giving me the impression of a woman who “follows” her husband; quite the contrary. The husband follows the wife and runs to the club when it's too much for him.

Heindrik behaved over the flight, worked on his laptop and only complained when I ordered meat; I got fish instead. Wait till we are in Buenos Aires; your sweetheart's cousin is one of the worst prankster's in all St. Peter's history... and we will be sitting together for several hours at a wedding banquet.

Fortunately, I could sleep -and I needed because of the tension of the weeks- and Heindrik only told me “you are so cute when you sleep like a baby.” I swear he will meet Coco's wrath. He must be already excited at the perspective of a Viking “cousin in law”. When we landed, Heindrik went into his “psycho mode” (I thought he was retired!) and pushed me behind him when we left the plane. We passed the customs together and he looked in a way at the poor clerk, that the man decided to let him go without any further checking.

I switched on my mobile to find 8 (eight) SMS from the bossy bastard. Now I'm sure he has an addiction problem with his blackberry. I started to read them:

“Call me back. We need to speak.”

“Call me back. We need to speak.”

“Guntram, don't be stubborn. You know this is for the best.”

“Call me when you are at home.” Well, someone finally realized you can't use your mobile in a plane.

“Guntram, we need to speak. Call me.” Nope, he has not realized it.

“Maus, let's talk things over without lawyers around. We have to think on the boys.”

Idem.

“Guntram, you are being unreasonable. Talk to me and understand my reasons. I only want the best for you. I love you even if you drive me mad.”

I was speechless at the last message, but sweet Heindrik pushed me inside a very big black van jumping in behind me. “What's wrong with you?” I growled after I got squeezed like a lemon against the opposite door.

“Nothing. We drive to the house now,” he told me naïvely and got a semi-automatic weapon from the box there to check if it was loaded.

“I want to go to the city! Get that thing away!”

“Speak with Duke first.”

We arrived to the house and everything was in perfect conditions as always. I was sent to the master bedroom and Heindrik took my older room. I've been thinking a lot about calling him but I don't know. How can he tell that he loves me and then takes the boys away? He's driving me crazy and I have to break free from him, even if this breaks my heart.

* * *

The soft knocking at his door forced Guntram to close his netbook where he had been writing his diary. “Come in,” he said and the butler entered the small living room, carrying a phone in his hand. “His Grace wishes to speak with you, sir,” he told curtly before leaving the room.

Guntram gulped and was very nervous when he took the phone and whispered “hello” so slow that Konrad had to strain his ears to understand the slurred voice.

“Hello, Guntram. Did you have a nice flight?” He said, feeling like a complete dunce but choosing to play nice as he was well aware that his lover had every reason the be furious with him.

“Fine, thank you. I would prefer that in the future you let me do my own travel arrangements.”

“Guntram, I'm aware this was not the best way to do things, but I worry about your safety in that country. Things are not easy at the moment because of what I told you in your kitchen, the first time we had dinner together there.”

“I see.”

“Enjoy your time there and return home. The boys miss you and I too. I didn't mean what I said and I apologise for my words.”

'Klaus and Karl must be making your life a living hell if you're begging,' realised Guntram but cleared his throat before speaking. “It is not so easy, Konrad. I'm very tired of all this. You don't respect me at all no matter what you say.”

“Kitten, I went mad when I heard that you were risking your life to visit that monster!” Konrad said emphatically. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout.”

“You never mean anything, but I suffer the consequences, Konrad. I'm sick of this. Really sick. I thought a lot in Russia and I only wanted to break with the past. I asked my father to forgive me for loving you but he was right. You are not good.”

“Don't you love me any more?”

“I don't know, honestly. I loved you with all my soul but you hurt me so many times that I don't know any longer. I have forgiven you so many times yet you never change your ways. I lie to myself telling that you're getting better, but look. you took away the boys again.”

“Guntram, I didn't take them away. I told you to come home with the boys, but you didn't come. We all miss you. Please come home. Don't sleep with me if you want, but stop all this. You can't renounce to your children!”

“They are not mine, they are yours as you showed me many times, Konrad. I come home and what? I wait for the next time you lose your mind? Live in fear that a I make something you don't approve and kick me out?”

“We were so happy before all this happened. Why can't we be again? We fitted together fantastically and I loved you (and still do) with all my soul. You accepted my character and loved me despite it.”

“Yes, but that was before. We changed and we are very different. I did my best to adapt myself to you, but I don't want to do it any more. I want to be myself,” Guntram said dejectedly. “You are very bad for me.”

“Guntram, don't say that.”

“It's the truth and we have to face it. Empty the accounts and name a new tutor. I can't do it any more. I don't know if I'm going to go back to Switzerland.”

“You can't leave the boys!”

“I don't want to, but I have to.”

“I'll let you be with them any time you want, Guntram. I will disappear from your life, if that's what you want, but don't hurt them. Please come home and let's speak alone, without meddlesome lawyers.”

“I need time to think about it.”

“Yes, of course. I will tell the boys you will be back in two weeks. If you could phone them, they would be very happy.”

“All right, I'll speak with them,” Guntram sighed and hung the phone up, sadder than ever and feeling exhausted.

* * *

Guntram de Lisle's Diary.

June 3^rd, 2009

Yesterday night was the Roman Orgy, Argentinean-Medical Version. Yes as it sounds. Imagine about thirty bachelors or recently married young doctors along with some lawyers, civil engineers, businessmen and one artist in a 27 square metres flat downtown, balloons made out of condoms. Do they come in fluorescent colours nowadays? I don't want to know what you do with that. Fortunately, I kept my impressions to myself. Guntram has learned over the years to keep his mouth shut); booze to drown an elephant and a reservation at “Shazam's” (New exclusive “men only” club in Puerto Madero).

Soren Larsen ran away, back to the car's safety when he saw my former schoolmates. Hey, Doctors are loud but funny! Heindrik was playing “son in law” with Pilar's parents.

We started to drink at nine and by twelve we were ready to go to the real party, much to the neighbours relief and policemen at Mariano's doorstep, checking if we were organising a bacchanalia. The club was in one of the old transformed warehouses and I had no idea that those places were so big. It had several “rooms” with different kind of shows (?) Thank God, I had carefully listened to Michael Dähler's Code for Behaving in Strippers Clubs and know that the girls can touch you but you can't lay a finger on them (that's very unfair in my opinion) and that saved me from troubles.

As dropping dead in the middle of a stripper club was not my ideal way of leaving this world, I drank nothing at all. Only two champagne glasses and after them, I had a monster headache. Well the music was very loud and contrary to my original belief, having a girl's breasts rubbed against you face (and no touching rule, remember?) is not so exciting, funny or inspirational as you think in High School. The lights were also very strong for me and I felt empty there (yes, I finally achieved my “party pooper diploma”. This bankers' stuff finally sticks to you) I did my best to look entertained and smile to the girls or speak with my former schoolmates, but it was impossible for me.

At 3 a.m. Guntram de Lisle was officially beaten and in need of fresh air. I excused myself to Coco and another man I don't remember his name and went outside, to the street, hoping that the paparazzi were away. Anyway none of them know me, unlike our own Laucha “Polo mega-star and rebel society child, married to a top model”. As expected, the two remaining paparazzi ignored me.

I leaned against the brick wall (keeping the ten metres maximum distance to the door rule) and took a deep breath of fresh air, the mess with Konrad hitting me again with full force. He let me speak with the children twice already, but he's inflexible. I have to return to the castle if I want to have them again. I can move to another room (in the tower of course, never again at the “servants” area. Should I tell him that the boys sleep there?) till I “calm down and reflex upon my “strange behaviour” over the past months”. He does not want to hear that I want to return the money to him or renounce my “legal rights” over Klaus and Karl.

I will have to keep the same security arrangements as I had before and he insisted on offering me an allowance. Yes, I got an alimony of several thousand Swiss Francs plus medical care.

I said nothing and let him speak. I know what he has to tell me. It's not the first time I hear it.

I called Michel and asked him to prepare the papers to ask for a restraining order against him. I signed them this morning and sent them back by private courier. I will have to move away when I return to Zurich. I still don't know where, but I'm sure it will not be Argentina.

I realised that nothing binds me to this country any longer.

I will stay in Europe. Perhaps this time, Konrad cools down and hears me instead of threatening, bribing, hitting or blackmailing me. Everything we had is broken beyond repair and I'm nothing more than a trophy for him. I don't believe he loves me as I do. Since 2002 he moulded me into what he wanted from me. His mother was right when she called me the “perfect doll”. The witch understands her abhorred son much more than I estimated. Guntram has “to behave”; “be nice” and “obey” or being kicked out like a dog.

Guntram is tired of this shit and wants to live his own life.

I was so engulfed in my thoughts that I missed the man standing in front of me, tugging me from my sleeve. I looked at him and was so shocked when I recognised him.

“Hi, Guntram. This is the last place in Earth I would have expected to find you,” Fedérico Martiarena Alvear told me very nervously. He looked... respectable (?) in his business suit. I gaped like an idiot.

“Hello, Fedérico.”

“Mariano invited me to the wedding but I don't want to go.”

“Why not? Our problems shouldn't interfere with your friendship with him. I will not attack you with the caviare spoon,” I said very tiredly.

“He's your friend, Guntram. Not mine. He invited me because I'm on the list. I wanted to see you. Do you want to go for a coffee?”

“At this hour?”

“La Cuba is open till 9 a.m. It's three hundred metres from here.”

When I was going to send him to Hell, I realised that all what had happened before made no sense at all any longer. Constantin was dead and he had been a great friend, contrary to my original impression, and my charming prince was an ugly toad. “Let me warn my bodyguard. He will glad to change airs,” I said and took my phone out to call him.

Soren Larsen joined us in less than three minutes. Swedish precision and walked me to the bar, sitting two tables away from us.

I ordered a cappuccino and he a whiskey. “How is your health?” Fedérico asked me and looked down, embarrassed.

“Not very good but it has nothing to do with what happened in 2002,” I said quietly. “It deteriorated over the years as I was under a lot of stress.”

“I imagine. I know Repin passed away.”

“Yes, he did. In Russia.”

“I will never have enough time in my whole life to apologise to you.”

“Forget it. Move on. Constantin Repin was a good friend of mine.” I said and he looked at me surprised. “Nothing was as it seemed at the beginning.” I added bitterly. “How about you? Are you married?”

“No. I tried but stopped the wedding a month before the ceremony. It just made no sense to ruin a good woman's life to fulfil my duty to society. I parted ways with my family after I finished the University -incredible isn't it? Fefo has a degree-, as they didn't accept my chosen lifestyle. My mother almost had a heart attack when I told her that I was in love with you three years ago. I work in Intelligence now, in the International Organized Crime Unit.”

“I see,” I said shocked.

“I did try to find someone else but it was useless. I'm alone now. I heard you take care of Lintorff's sons, so everything must be going great for you.”

“Not really. He kicked me out a month ago. Well, I kicked out myself five months before. We are “divorcing” each other with lawyers around and the whole circus.”

“Wow. You were so in love with him.” he told me appalled. “I mean, you loved him.”

“I still love him but it doesn't mean we can be together. We are very different people. Too much water under the bridge, Fefo.”

“I will not deny that I hate Lintorff just a little less than I hate myself, but I'm glad you left him.”

“Not yet, Fefo, not yet.”

“This is when I'm supposed to make an advance?”

“It will not work,” I said clearly. “We were like brothers.”

“I changed a lot over the years, Guntram. I'm not the same person I was. I finally grew up when I realised that I've lost on my own the only person who really cared about me.”

“Fedérico, we were good friends, but we split our ways already after school. I'm also a different person, not the naïve and good willing boy you knew. I would never hide a bottle of whiskey from the Headmaster for anyone again. I'm sick, bitter, distrust people on sight and I know that all those who are around me -with a few exceptions that I can count with one hand-, want something from me or expect to gain something because of me. Even Konrad.”

“I loved you since I was thirteen, Guntram,” he told me very softly and I looked at him with real pity in my eyes.

“If you would have...”

“I know. If I would have been braver nothing of this would have happened. We were so young and stupid. Do you believe in second chances?”

“Not for love,” I answered and he looked truly hurt. “We were pals, Fedérico. I never felt the immediate attraction I felt for Konrad. The first time he kissed me, my whole existence was turned upside down. I still remember his first kiss as if it were yesterday.”

“But you're leaving him!”

“Yes, I am but it doesn't change the fact he was my first and possibly only love in my life. I don't think I could love anybody else as I loved him. I don't want a replacement for what I had. I'm too crazy to consider anything in that sense. Maybe in a few years but I don't have them.”

“Why?”

“My doctor says that I will have to consider to get a pacemaker very soon and probably a heart transplant also. I will not reach my forties as things are now. I'm about to lose my sons, Fedérico,” I confessed him.

“I imagined so. They are not yours.”

“I'm only listed as tutor and they are his a 100%”

“That looks very bad for you.”

“It is. I'm severing all financial ties to him and returning the money I have under my name for his boys' future. I'm only hoping to avoid a legal battle with him and carry on with my life. As you can see, I have no time for romance with anyone.”

“Do you have a good law firm? Lintorff has the best of the best. You could be seriously hurt, financially speaking.”

“I guess so. My own money is on separate accounts and I own my flat. We had troubles in the past and we split for two years, but I stayed for the children as their tutor. Konrad paid me a salary but I never touched that money at all. It's still there. I have to return it back.”

“No, why? You worked for it. It belongs to you. Guntram, I saw many divorces, starting by dear mommy and it's a battlefield. You two have no formal relationship and he's the stronger of you. You broke up with him so he's hurt and willing to go after your throat.”

“I asked for a restraining order against him. He doesn't let me see the children unless I return to his house, but I can't, I really can't do it again.”

“My father left me a house in Paris. You can use it for as long as you want. I can't set a foot in Europe until January 2012 and honestly, I don't want to.”

“Thank you, but I can still afford rent. Being an artist is not as bad a as it seems,” I said smiling weakly. “I published two books and I'm starting the next.”

“Guntram, anything you might need, tell me. I know who Lintorff really is and I'm concerned about you.”

“No, you don't know him. No one knows him really.”

“Guntram, if he was friends with Repin, there is a good chance that he's in the same club. There's nothing against him but you can never know for sure. All Repin's friends are still here and more active and powerful than ever. It's hard to get information about them. When I started to work in this, I realised the mess I had gotten you into and I wanted to hit my head against the wall.”

“Constantin is dead, let him rest in peace,” I said and asked him about his job. He told me he was working mostly on the Triple Border monitoring their weapons and drugs cargo but it was almost impossible to catch them. Russians also trade with immigrants (I was very surprised that there was an illegal immigration from China or East Europe to Argentina and Brazil) or from other Latin American countries, control almost all the routes for drugs or have important investments in oil or mining companies. I spoke a little about my own career and when I looked at my watch, it was already 6:30 a.m of a very cold morning.

“One hour more and we can order breakfast,” Fedérico joked. “The pancakes are really good.”

“My poor bodyguard is about to fall asleep.” I answered, surprised that time had just vanished. Soren agreed to stay for the pancakes and didn't complain at all, only chuckled a “good I'm inside and not waiting outside in the rain.”

We continued to talk and the waiter kicked us out at 9:30. I was dead on my feet but glad to have established some sort of peace agreement with Fedérico. He gave me a hug and his business card and we promised to speak or write to each other. “I would be very honoured if you want to be my friend again, Guntram.”

“We could be friends but nothing else.”

“Works fine for me. I really missed you all these years.”

“I also. No one ever told me to be bad and that was bad for me in the end,” I told him.

“All right, tomorrow I'll show you the hot spots this city has.”

“I want to turn twenty-seven, Fefo,” I laughed. “Or at least make it to Mariano's wedding.”

“All right. How long are you staying?”

“The original plan was to return on the eight but one of my bodyguards is after Pilar Blaquier and has invited her to the house for a week. He wants to marry her.”

“Pilar Blaquier?”

“Coco's cousin and Aunt Malu's daughter.”

“Security business must pay a lot.”

“Heir to a Swedish oil tycoon. Has enough as to buy a flat. Her mother introduced them.” I said and he whistled with real admiration. “We are finally marrying good old Heindrik to an Argentinean lady.”

“Good catch for her.”

“Yes and I will not ruin her chances. We stay until the 15^th”. Do you want to pass by the countryside house after the wedding or perhaps we could meet here. I wanted to take a look at the galleries, but I don't know if I can leave the two lovebirds alone. Malú would kill me if something happens to her daughter.”

“All right,” he chuckled. “Back to the chaperone business?”

“It seems. I never learn. The house is big enough for all of us and I will show up for eating.”

“Good luck. Call me whenever you want,” he said and hugged me like a bear and I watched him going away, with a strange sense of longing. Shit, I didn't realise till now how much I missed my pals from school. I was good friends with Peter in the University and had cordial relationships with many others but nothing that could be compared to what I had with Mariano, Coco, Juan or Fedérico. I mean, I can't hang around with Goran or Alexei in the way I used to do with them. They are excellent friends, but we don't speak the same language. Lacroix is right. I have to be with people my own age and share interests, like my cousin or the crazy artists Andreas sponsors. I had a great time with them. I have no idea how burnt out I am. With Armin's exception, the youngest person who sits at Konrad's table is over forty.”

On the way back, when I was expecting to get a complaint from Soren (the poor guy baby sit me the whole night) he only told me “first time I see you with someone your age. You should go out more. I worked years ago for a TV star and I was almost everywhere from malls to discos. So don't worry about me, sir.”

“I suppose so too,” I answered. “The Duke will shout like crazy tonight when he finds out I met with Fedérico .”

“I would say nothing, but the driver knows it.”

“Don't get into troubles because of me, Soren. The name's Fedérico Martiarena Alvear. I'll write it down for you.”

“Thank you, sir,” he told me and opened the car door for me.

It's almost noon and as all good old' revellers, I didn't go to bed and will try to survive till tonight. Makes no sense to sleep now and be up the whole night tomorrow.

I can't sleep, thinking that I'm going to war with Konrad. I endured it once and look how I am now; sicker than before, with a seven years life expectancy and depressed as never before. I know he will not let me see the boys till I kneel to him but I will not. He's always telling me to think on the boys but when does he give up just a little bit for them? He's making them suffer with all this but places all the blame on me.

I'm so sick of his lies, threats, violence and emotional blackmails.