Читать книгу The End of the World Mafia - Rolf Nagel - Страница 7

Marian kept calm and said, "Oh Karl, I completely forgot. Yesterday I called my father and asked him to phone the executive director of your bank and ask for two days off so that we can get to know each other better. That wasn’t a problem because my father - as I said before - has been friends with the director for many years."

Karl looked at Marian in surprise. "What? How? Your father has discussed me with the director of the bank?" Karl Grosser, a small department head, had never even exchanged a single word with the director. It was quite inconceivable that the director even knew he existed.

His breath caught at the thought that the director himself was approving his vacation. Who was he? He who only knew his next boss, Vice President Schneider, personally? It was nowhere possible that he would have the opportunity of entering the holy corridors of the executive director. Nevertheless, he slowly liked the idea that the executive director was learning about the existence of Karl Grosser.

His thoughts however quickly went in the direction of possible sources of danger. What would happen if he and Marian ever had differences? Which concentrated power would come down on him then? And would he, little Karl, even survive? Two hearts beat in his chest now. It was undoubtedly clear to him that Marian was telling the truth. Her father actually had these contacts, the situation was by no means doubtful, or was it maybe a bit?

"Let's have a quiet breakfast and then you can stop by the bank. Maybe we can take a stroll through the city beforehand? In the afternoon, I am flying to Paris to meet my father, but I will be back in the evening. Karl, I would love to have dinner again with you this evening. The car and chauffeur are of course at your disposal for as long as you like.”, Marian said, in an almost determined voice.

There was no doubt about it. She had fallen head over heels in love with Karl. Although this was something that she had always only ever hoped for, this happy state of affairs had actually happened. Karl also felt the same butterflies in his stomach.

"Good, then I will do my work in the bank and we will meet at the same time, at 8.00 p.m.," Karl said, acting as if this was all natural for him. But it wasn’t. Within only a few hours, his peaceful and always unchanged life was turned completely upside down. Each minute brought a new surprise. He was just about to ask himself again whether he would survive it all without harm. Or should he maybe go and see a doctor as a precaution?

The magnificent hotel breakfast left nothing to be desired. Afterwards, they strolled together through the city center. Karl saw his city with new eyes - never before had he actually registered these outrageously expensive luxury stores. He frequently went past them, but the fact that the prices did not fit with his wallet always caused him to scurry past the shop windows.

Marian enjoyed devoting herself to the beautiful things of life together with her new companion. She was also unconcerned about the price. She was used to this life of luxury and for her this was something natural. The expedition through the city was very harmonious for both of them.

The lovers drove to the airport and Karl said goodbye giving her an intimate kiss before she boarded the private MacDonnell Douglas MD 83 plane. Marian could, of course, hardly wait to tell her father everything in detail and was looking forward to seeing him in Paris.

Karl let himself be driven to the bank by limousine. The car arrived at the grand and impressive main entrance of the bank. The glass building radiated a modern character. He got out of the limousine, his legs shaking. Wondering what would expect him next, he climbed the steps to the entrance hall of the bank and greeted the doorman. He called out, "Hallo, Mr. Grosser, have a good day." On other days, only an unintelligible murmur escaped his mouth. Karl went to the elevator and waited. The doors opened and, as usual, he rode up to the last but one floor. At least he had got up this far, the only floor above his was the executive floor. The elevator doors had hardly opened when one of his colleagues walked past him. This was one of those colleagues who was permanently full of intrigues. "Hello Mr. Grosser, I hope you had a nice day."

Karl was angry. So he also already knew that he had not been in the bank this morning. He walked across the hall area and got to his office where his assistant welcomed him over-friendly and visibly excited, "Mr. Grosser, Mr. Schneider already informed me that you have new tasks and will not be expected at work today or tomorrow."

Karl's thoughts tumbled, "New tasks? Are they going to fire me or am I maybe going to be transferred to the record office? Surely Marian hasn’t lied to me and her father didn’t arrange holiday for me after all!" His stomach slowly started turning and he started to feel ill. He had to clarify this straight away and he rushed out of his office across the hallway into Mr. Schneider’s outer office.

His assistant gave Karl a very warm welcome and congratulated him. Karl thought she wanted to make fun of him and wished the ground would swallow him up.

"Mr. Grosser, I’ve been asked to show you in as soon as you arrive", she said. ”Perfect! That’s a fine mess I’m in, instant dismissal.”, is what went through his head as he entered Mr. Schneider's office. "Ah, Mr. Grosser, what a surprise, you are back already? We didn’t expect you before tomorrow or the day after. Please take a seat. Would you like coffee or tea?" Karl was in despair. His slimy boss, that stinker, was making fun of his humiliating dismissal. But it was too late now, he had to endure it.

"I was a bit surprised when the director informed me personally that you, my dear Mr. Grosser, are now personally responsible for taking care of a major client of the bank. He informed me that you are freed immediately from all other duties and are no longer subject to any working time control.

In addition, your salary has been doubled by the management board and a generous entertainment budget has been set up for you. You must have landed a big contract. Who would have thought it!" As he spoke, Mr. Schneider raised his eyebrows at the same time looking quite astonished.

Karl couldn’t believe his ears at what he was hearing. So he wasn’t being dismissed, he was being promoted! He was in seventh heaven! He could hardly believe his ears, however he wanted to play his new role confidently so that not the slightest doubt could arise. Double the salary, an entertainment budget, exemption from working and attendance times. All that was now Mr. Karl Grosser - a former small head of organization who almost had to kneel down to Mr. Schneider when he wanted to buy a new chair.

He had now become the personal advisor of a major client even though there were noticeably better specialized advisors in the bank and he was actually head of organization and not an advisor. What a rapid rise!

"Then I should get down to work straight away for my client!" said Karl taking polite but firm leave of Mr. Schneider and started to leave the office. "Of course, Mr. Grosser, and if you need anything please call me anytime," Mr. Schneider called as he was leaving. Karl felt intoxicated by what he was hearing. He went down the hall to his office. His assistant was waiting for him saying, "Mr. Grosser, good that you are here! Ms. Rosso is on the line. Should I put her through to your office?" Karl answered while passing by, "Yes, and tea please." "Right away, Mr. Grosser!”

Karl took the receiver of his phone and heard Marian's voice, "Hello my love, I’ve landed already. How are you? I miss you already." "Everything is great, I can hardly describe it, it’s all such a whirl. I just got a raise and I have been released from my normal duties to act as your advisor. Of course, day and night, my love. Marian, I am floating on cloud nine. Best wishes and many thanks to your father even though we have not yet met. I hope to meet him in person soon. Kisses." Karl was totally exuberant.

"I love you too, my dear. It was a beautiful evening and a great night. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss a single second of it. I still have some time till I meet my father and I would like to buy you a small gift. Yes, I will give your regards to my father. See you later and take care of yourself. Kisses!" Karl drank his tea with pleasure recalling the scene in peace. Then he left the bank and approached the chauffeur in the parking lot. "Drive me back to my apartment, please. I would like to change my clothes."

The apartment door closed and Karl sank down on his bed with a deep sigh. Just five minutes rest, just a bit of rest. Some time passed, then he went into the bathroom to finally take a shower and shave. Then he slipped into a new shirt and suit. Whistling, he went to the flower shop to pay his outstanding bill to surprise his beloved again with a colorful bouquet of flowers. “Ah, the gentleman from yesterday! Are you now visiting us every day?", the pretty florist greeted him. In his rush the previous day Karl hadn’t noticed that she was a youthful beauty who, with her long black hair, was easily the center of attention. Karl replied, "I need a colorful bouquet, but one that is slightly larger than yesterday. No, make that double the size." "Of course, sir," said the florist and throwing back her magnificent head of hair in a skilful and sexy way.

He noticed that the young lady was flirting a bit with him. That never used to happen. Maybe love made sexy or it had something to do with fact that he used to be grumpy and rude to everyone. It didn’t displease him that this young woman probably found him attractive. Karl was amazed at how quickly things can change. Yesterday he was still Calamity Jane and today Cinderella.

Marian had arrived in Paris a little earlier than planned and strolled along the famous Champs-Élysées, a magnificent avenue with every luxury store you could think of. The sun shone down warmly on the avenue and the people strolled along happily. Marian had in the meantime bought her darling Karl a fine gold chain with a heart pendant. Her destination was now the exclusive café and restaurant on the corner. There on nice days you could sit outside watching the colorful crowds. Just like her father, she loved to just sit there and let her mind wander. She had a lot of things in common with her father in other respects too.