Nico was tired, bone weary tired from travelling across the globe and back again. The Esperanza was almost complete. Tomorrow they began the handover from the contractors and their project managers. He and his team would be carrying out inspections and signing over control for each department, each floor of the hotel to complete the snagging. Everything had to be perfect. Not one area of the hotel had been overlooked in the refurbishment. The hotel was located in Beverly Hills north of Wilshire Boulevard. The building had gone through a series of owners from its early beginnings in the 1920’s and several extensions. When the Devanti group took over the parent company it was as if even the building breathed a sigh of relief that it would be returned to its former glory. Loyal customers had been kept informed of how the refurbishment was progressing and despite the high demand they had worked with the travel groups to keep those returning customers. Bookings had been taken for the rooms a year in advance. It was much anticipated and could not fail. The Devanti PR team had taken it to another level and the momentum on social media was rising. All the big names were lined up for the opening night. Two weeks away. The potential losses for any delays were currently calculated hitting the 1 million dollar mark per week. So far they were holding to the schedule even after the kitchen fire but there could be no room for any major delays. Dealing with a building that old they had uncovered major rewiring, plumbing and in some areas had been stripped back to the brick shell.
The Spa was all re-branded in par with all the Devanti hotels to offer that same level of luxury that all the guests could expect. The outdoor pool was currently being cleaned and filled all in preparation for the re-launch. Belle had taken charge of the Spa refit and it was on track.
The Esperanza name was in reference to the old Spanish church that was still on the grounds from the hotels early days as a private estate. This had also been returned to its former glory and would now be exclusive use for the hotel as a wedding venue. He was proud of the work that was done by everyone in his team but he was ready for a break after this project was over. His priority was to finish up with the hand back then return to the Cape. He had news to share with his parents on his engagement to Carrie. He knew again they would be shocked but it was his decision to make. The prospect of grandchildren would smooth any flames. They were desperate for grandchildren and the prospect of continuing the Devanti line. But it was Lea he was concerned about. She had fixated on him. The calls, texts and emails had suddenly stopped which surprised him given there ferocity. His security team had checked and after some meticulous digging at her management company they disclosed she was in a private rehab. He didn’t add, again.
All he wanted was to finish at the Esperanza and marry Carrie as soon as possible. They hadn’t discussed the when and where’s but it was an unspoken decision to be together at the earliest opportunity. Her family wanted the best and he had thought it would take longer to win her parents over. They were still sceptical about his intentions, his playboy past casting a shadow. He had partied hard and he didn’t deny it. He had never shown any interest in settling down. Even during his romance with Lea he was always referred to being with other models or movie stars. A photograph at a party and kiss hello. It was all gossip and usually without a grain of truth. He had stayed faithful to Lea during their time together. Even if the media thought otherwise. Carrie would need to adjust to this change in lifestyle but she wasn’t frail anymore. She was his tough fighter. She was his.
CHAPTER THIRTY
“Uncle Donald thanks for seeing me today. I know you have a busy schedule and Dad said he would be here on time. I’m a little early,”
“That’s alright Carrie, gives me a chance to catch up with you, I haven’t seen much of you recently,”
They were seated in his very grand office which was located in the centre of Glasgow in a building that was a former insurance company from the turn of the century. It had retained much of the original features of high ceilings and wood panelling but the modern technology influences remained. Tea and coffee was brought into the room followed by her father.
“Donald, grand to see you, parking in the city is a bloody nightmare so I got the train today.”
“Hi Dad,” she was greeted with a kiss on the cheek. “Coffee?”
Carrie fixed the cups for everyone.
“Okay let’s get down to business then if you are ready,”
He placed a dictaphone on the table and pressed record. No need to take any notes and it was a familiar process for Carrie when she had visited before. He did have a note pad ready and occasionally scribbled on it.
“Dad is already aware as we have discussed it but I would like to start to some legal paperwork and need your help drawing this up. Dad is here as he is the executor of Rob’s will and I would like him to be aware of what I am doing.”
She opened her bag and gave them copies of paperwork with the distinctive Devanti logo.
“Uncle Donald, I am engaged to Nico Devanti, this is a prenup agreement that Nico’s legal team have sent me.” She didn’t disclose that receiving it by courier which she had to sign receipt of had been a surprise as she hadn’t discussed it with Nico. She had told him the night he proposed that she didn’t want any of his money, this form said otherwise.
“Well congratulations Carrie, I’m very happy for you, he seems like a nice chap,”
“Thank you, I am very happy, I will give you a quick moment to go through the paperwork but I have a few amendments I want to make.”
The agreement froze both their assets prior to the marriage. Carrie would retain her home, car, stocks and shares. The £700k that she had in her bank account. Nico would have no claim to that.
Her eight carat engagement ring valued at $3.2 million dollars was hers. She had nearly passed out reading that as she had just finished washing some dishes wearing the same ring. The ring was a gift and in the event of the marriage ending she would retain this.
She would receive $1 million dollars for every year they were married to be capped at 10 years.
$5 million dollars for every child that they had.
She was actually disgusted to read that she would in effect be paid for having children. The document had arrived yesterday. Nico was travelling and she didn’t want to speak to him. It hurt her too much like a physical blow reading those clauses. Today, she wanted to have the agreement re-drafted on her terms. She didn’t want a penny from him, not a single cent of his money. No $1 million a year or per child. No way. If their marriage ended then so be it. She would walk away with the one thing not listed on the sheets and sheets of paper; her pride.
The list continued explaining Nico’s assets. His apartment in New York. Apartment that was a joke. He told her he recently purchased it and maybe it was her naivety but it was a penthouse and the value of the property at $14.5 million was also listed on the paper. She didn’t know what she expected when he told her that he had somewhere to stay when he was working in New York and didn’t want to stay in a hotel!
He was the heir to the Devanti Group, Devanti Holdings, Devanti incorporated etc etc etc. His siblings would inherit a percentage of the business which he would control in the event of the death of their parents. As CEO he had a bonus scheme, shares, all of which were listed as assets before the marriage. Bank balances with so many zeros she had to blink to read it.
Finally, “in the unhappy event of divorce”. Yes it actually said that.
Spousal support of $50,000 per month with clauses for expenses, medical care and so on to be added.
Community property would be listed as and when purchased during the life time of the marriage.
Joint custody of any children and support would be discussed as and when.
It was a body blow. What the hell was she doing? She had opened the envelope with a prickle of excitement. Expecting it to be some surprise from Nico. Well it sure was a surprise.
“Carrie, I had no idea, all that money!” her Dad exclaimed.
“I know Dad;
I’ve had the whole day to digest what was written. That’s why I want a new agreement drafted up. When Nico proposed I told him that I didn’t want a penny of his money and I would sign anything to state the fact.” She took a sip of the coffee to give her a moment to gather her thoughts.
“You will still be a wealthy young woman Carrie in your own right.”
“Well that’s another thing to take into account. I would like you to prepare the paperwork to transfer ownership of Bluebell Gardens to Claire and Ryan. I’m gifting it to them. Also I want to set up a trust fund for Harry and the new baby for £20,000.00 Should Claire and Ryan have any further children they each will also receive £20,000.00”
“Carrie are you sure about this? That is your security which Rob left for your future.” Donald advised her. “Yes, I am sure. I’ve discussed this with Mum and Dad about the house. The only thing they didn’t know about was the trust funds. The dividends from the stocks and shares I would like to be channelled into running the trust funds if possible.”
“This will take some time to draft up but we can have the right people working on it and we can bring in an independent financial advisor too,”
“I appreciate that. If you could arrange for a letter in the interim to reflect the transfer of ownership and the trust funds that will be great. Dad, I’m finally taking control of my life.”
“You are Carrie and I am proud of you. I can see why you want to do this, Rob would too”
“Thanks Dad, I just can’t be with Nico and abuse what Rob left me. It doesn’t feel right,”
She handed a copy with her amendments to Donald. “I don’t want a penny Uncle Donald. I don’t want to be paid when I have a child. I certainly do not want money if the marriage succeeds or fails”
“Carrie you are potentially refusing millions of dollars”
“Yes I am, but no-one is buying me”
They sat in one of the small bars that her Dad knew from his youth in Glasgow. One that had not changed in at least 50 years. “I think someone followed us from Donald’s,” he exclaimed as he sat down with a pint of beer and a glass of wine for Carrie. “It’s okay Dad, it’s part of Nico’s security team. I’m in “a high profile relationship” which could be “exploited”. I have a bodyguard now. I guess walking around with a ring which is worth millions doesn’t help either.”
“Carrie lass, what have you gotten yourself into?”
“I’m okay Dad; I know I don’t sound as enthusiastic as I did before. I guess feeling like a commodity when I saw the prenup didn’t help. But I have to make a stand now.”
“So what is Nico saying about all of this?”
“I haven’t spoken with him yet. He was travelling back to LA. Tonight is the launch party for The Esperanza. It has been quite chaotic but he is in London next week. I said I would visit him then and we could plan the wedding. We don’t want a long engagement.”
“Claire is due the baby next week.”
“Yeah, I know on Rob’s birthday too but, if Claire has the baby early or on time Nico will come to Glasgow instead.”
They ordered their pub lunch and changed the subject. Enough talk of money and agreements had taken place. “Well wait until Peggy hears you are engaged, she might just explode with that piece of news!” Carrie couldn’t help but laugh at that.
True to his word Donald had the letter of transfer drafted up for them finishing lunch. They collected it from the reception and headed to the waiting car. Carrie had texted the security team she was ready to go home. The blacked out range rover was waiting for them. Parked on the double yellow lines in front of the offices in a totally fuck off kind of way. “Oh Carrie, I feel like a rock star!” her Dad joked.
“You get used to it Dad. I guess I won’t need my car much now. That is something I’ve already taken care of. I’ve transferred ownership to Claire. They can use the car to trade in for something for all the family to use or keep it. That’s something else I have to tell her.”
“I think maybe you should wait until she has had the baby before you go telling her any of this. It might just send her into labour!”
She had a missed call from Nico. Then a text. “Hey I missed speaking to you last night. Call me when you get this x”
She texted him back. “Hi been out for lunch with Dad. On way home x”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine”
Fine? What the hell does that mean? He had learned quickly with Carrie that fine didn’t necessarily mean fine. It was usually the opposite. Was it because he hadn’t invited her to the launch party tonight? He hadn’t because he knew it was close to Claire’s due date and she didn’t want to leave the country. Also he didn’t want the paparazzi to focus on his date for the evening as intensely as it would be tonight. It wouldn’t be fair to put her in that spotlight just now. Next week they would be focussing on their future together and setting a date for the wedding. His parents had taken the news surprisingly well. He had only told them not Paolo and Chiara. At this time they still wanted the veil of secrecy until they were ready to make the announcement. His siblings would indirectly leak the news.
“It’s a bit sudden son. Do you have some other news for us? Are we about to become grandparents?”
“No Dad, it’s nothing like that at all. We are in love. It’s as simple as that.”
“Love! It’s too soon for love.”
“Well for gramps and grandma it was ‘Love’. It does happen you know Mom”
“Well I hope you have a prenup in place” she retorted.
“No I don’t. Not that it is any of your business Mom. Carrie isn’t interested in my wealth. She said she would sign anything I wanted but maybe I don’t want her to sign a prenup.”
“What! Have you lost your mind? Of course you have to have a prenup. It’s to protect your legacy. Protect the business that this family has built up from nothing.”
“It’s a business that I have helped grow Mother. When Dad stepped aside it was still a success but he made some risky decisions. Did you know that? Was that part of the legacy?”
“Nico, your Mother doesn’t need to hear this.”
“Yes she does, I’ve more than doubled the turnover since Dad stepped aside. No wonder he had the heart attack the stress he was putting his body under. We’ve diversified where we needed to. Changes that needed to be made. Did you know there was a mortgage on this place?”
“No never, why would there be?”
“Because Dad needed the capital after we hit a recession.”
“My Home!”
“It’s all paid now Mom. But I wouldn’t put this family in jeopardy.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about the finances?” Dorothea asked Gino once Nico left the room. “I didn’t want to worry you Dotti. It was a long time ago now and Nico fixed things. Once he saw the mess things were in he turned it around. It was like trying to plug a dam with toilet paper. It was never going to work,”
“Well we have to protect this, we can’t let him marry this girl and throw away everything this family has worked for. We have to get her to sign a prenup without any delay. He has been so impulsive with her I expect him to elope to Vegas!”
The calls were made and within 24 hrs the prenup couriered to Carrie without Nico’s knowledge or consent.
Claire’s waters broke later that evening. Carrie stayed at home with Harry while Ryan went to the hospital with Claire. Although born a week early baby Daniel was perfect. A healthy 7lb 2oz and already a future heartbreaker in the making. He was gorgeous and named after his grandfather who was quite literally chuffed to bits. Carrie phoned Nico to tell him the baby news. “Mother and baby are doing well. I’m at home with Harry but I will see them both tomorrow. If all goes well they should be able to come home.”
“That’s great news Carrie. Pass on my congratulations.”
“I will, so are you all set for this evening’s big launch?”
“It’s all going to plan so far. Are you okay?�
��
“I’m fine. Nothing that I want to go into over the phone just now.”
“What do you mean? What’s happened?”
“I got it Nico, I was a little surprised but I got it.”
“Got what? I’m in the dark here Carrie.”
“The prenup Nico. I got the prenup yesterday. Look I don’t want to talk about it just now. You have a busy night ahead and I am bushed with all the excitement from today.”
“Carrie, I haven’t issued a prenup.”
“Nico, it was couriered to me yesterday from your office. On Devanti headed paper and everything. I eh I know I said I would sign it but I’ve asked Uncle Donald to look at it. I don’t want your money Nico and I have to say I was a little upset at a monetary amount for any children we may have. I didn’t think our relationship was about that.”
“Carrie listen to me, listen honey. I never instructed a prenup to be drawn up. I spoke with my parents and I can only assume they have done this with our best interests at heart.”
“Heart! Really Nico, read it for yourself and then you can tell me about best interests. I really have to go and take care of Harry. I will email you a copy with my amendments.”
She hung up.
A knock on the door. He had taken residence in the best suite for this evening which was due to start in a couple of hours. Distracted he opened the door. Lea. Wearing little more than a scrap of floaty white material launched herself at his arms. He stumbled a little and grabbed her to steady them both before falling back into the room.
“What the hell are you doing here Lea?”
He pushed her away. “I wanted to see you Nico. It’s been such a long time baby. Have you missed me?” She grabbed his crotch. Rubbing frantically at his cock trying to loosen his belt. He snatched her hand away. “What the fuck Lea? We are over.”
BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY Page 39