Power and Principle's 🤍 Kaow/Turbo

Chapter 3 ~ a done deal ~

Lon sat on the sofa in his hotel room and looked at the brown envelope on the table before him. It contained the results of an investigation on Andrew Boone or Andy as his friends called him. He told himself the boy had captured his interest because he could see that he might become a problem in the purchase of the land but in truth he was intrigued. 

He had an appointment with a guy called Mr Holroyd later on so in the meantime he would catch up on other work and touch base with Kiri but first he intended to read the report on Andy Boone. Picking up the envelope he tipped out the documents and photograph.

The report stated that the kid was 23 years old, lived in the village in his parents home which he now owned since their demise. The mother had left when he was six after having an affair with her boss, a wealthy industrialist. She and her lover had been killed in an accident a few years later. 

Andy's father had passed away when he was 21 after several years of illness probably cause by stress, well that explained his resentment of wealth Lon thought and now Andy lived alone, worked from home as an animator and played football for fun at the weekend's. He didn't socialize very much, wasn't a big drinker and there was no evidence of any partners.

Basically he kept to himself except for a few close friends like that guy who'd had his arm round him, Lon thought. The kid looked a lot younger that 23, he looked like a teenager especially with his height, no wonder he had thought he was a foul mouthed brat. 

He put the paperwork back in the envelope and got on with some other work. Is that guy his boyfriend? Lon wondered as he looked at other documents. Sighing, he pushed all thoughts of Andy to the back of his mind, he needed to concentrate on the tasks at hand.

***

Later that day after work, Champ met with Andy and they walked round to Mr Holroyd's house. It was an unannounced visit but they had known him since they were kids so they didn't concern themselves with formalities. He usually welcomed them because he enjoyed the company. Approaching the house they pressed the doorbell and waited.

"hello boys, what brings you here?" Mr Holroyd said.

"we heard there was someone wanting to buy the land that we rent from you and we wondered if he had approached you yet and maybe what your thoughts are? " Champ enquired.

"actually yes, he has approached me and the offer is very good, the thing is lads it's a cash offer. It's enough to put aside for my funeral and help my kids out a bit, I'm in a bit of an awkward situation really lads, I don't want to let you boys down but I could really use the money"

"We understand Mr Holroyd, I guess you have to do what's best for you" Champ responded.

"I'll tell you what, what if I refund this year's rent, how does that sound? then you'll have had a few months for free to make up for everything"

"that's very kind of you Mr Holroyd, well I guess we won't take up any more of your time then" Champ said.

Andy just bent his head and stared at the ground. It seemed like Mr Holroyd had already made his mind up but he couldn't be angry with him, he was an old man who needed money more than he needed a big plot of land that he had let them rent for a pittance this last few years.

There was a sound behind Mr Holroyd and the boys looked over his shoulder to see someone rising from an armchair that had it's back to the door. Andy couldn't believe his eyes when he saw that it was that Lon guy, he had beat them to it. Champ was also surprised but kept his features neutral as the guy came up to Mr Holroyd to shake his hand and say goodbye.

"I'll be in touch sir, it's been a pleasure doing business with you" the guy said then looked at Champ and Andy.

Andy glared up at him but Champ nodded,

"Champ, was it? and ah' Mr Boone, if you'll excuse me" then he passed by them and left.

" I guess we'll be on our way as well then " they both said to their now ex landlord.

"I'm sorry again lads" he said.

"don't worry about it Mr Holroyd, we'll soon find somewhere else" Champ added and they walked down the path.

Champ could see that Andy was upset so he put his arm around his shoulder,

"come on Andy, it's only a field, we'll soon find another one and we'll get all our money back so that's good isn't it" Champ tried to console him.

"I know but it's the principle Champ" he replied, wiping his sleeve over his eyes.

"I don't blame Mr Holroyd, he did what he needed to do but ..." Andy trailed off.

"I know mate, come on, I'll walk you home" Champ said and then just as they rounded the corner they bumped into Lon again, it was almost as if he had been waiting for them. 

"we meet again" Lon said while looking at Andy's face, he noticed his eyes were red as if he'd been crying.

He spoke to Champ and told him he would like to take the whole team out for dinner as a gesture of goodwill and promised that he would help them to find another location to play football.

Champ thanked him and said he would discuss it with the boys then get back to him so Lon gave Champ his number and he was a little annoyed that Andy didn't speak to him. He wanted to show Andy that he wasn't like all the other wealthy people whom he despised and he hoped over dinner he could do that.

They said goodbye but Andy just mumbled while looking down and Champ kept his arm around him. Lon felt like he wanted to pull Andy out of the other's embrace but of course he couldn't.

Lon walked to his jeep and climb behind the wheel then he watched the boys through his rear view mirror as they walked up the road, Champ's arm still thrown over Andy's shoulder and Andy leaning his head into Champ's chest.

He smashed the palm of his hand against the steering wheel in frustration, what the hell was happening to him, he drove back to his hotel and called Kiri to let him know the deal was done.

Lon got a call from Champ a few days later, he said the only night where all the boys could get together was Friday so Lon told him he would arrange everything and he would call him with the details. 

He would show Andy that he wasn't the wealthy asshole that he thought he was. He normally wore suits for business but he was glad that he had packed some different clothes for socialising. He picked up Andy's photograph from the report and looked at his face while tracing his finger around the features.

He just couldn't stop thinking about this kid, what was it about him that had captured Lon's thoughts. He felt compelled to talk to him again one on one, to apologise and try and make things right? He didn't like seeing the boy sad and he hated that he was the cause.

Friday could not arrive soon enough and all he had to do was finalise the purchase plans so he could really relax for a few days.

***

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