Something that I'd found out the next morning was just how real estate was an all year occurrence for the Winters Family. Nathan had instructed his bodyguards to prepare for them to all go to Marbella Spain, where one of Nathan's homes were.
Coming downstairs I found him in the living room fully dressed with his left hand on his pocket while his right held his phone in front of him.
"Yes I need my Syren moved from Monaco to Marbella can you do that for me please. I need it there by tomorrow at six AM, can you make that happen for me?".
"Si señor, the yacht will be in Marbella's Harbour" I assume the Captain says.
"Wonderful you can expect a hundred thousand dollars once that is done" Nathan says.
"Thank you, have a good day Mr. Winters".
"You as well".
Nathan then hung up the phone and pocketed it, while pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Good morning Nathan" I say walking into the room and over to him as he turned around.
"I hope you are comfortable, we have an eight hour flight to Marbella" he informs though I figured that was where we were going.
"Taking my little Spanish self to Spain" I muse teasingly as New Yorks sun lit up Nathan's features defining his height more.
"I don't want to be cold for winter, and I have my reasons for wanting to go to Marbella" he says a beautiful smile being my first gift of the morning, my second would likely be falling asleep on the jet there.
"I have a feeling you like Spain, Nathan".
"It's a lovely country. Definitely tops my list of places I'd live if I wasn't a CEO".
"How many places would you consider?" I ask and he hums I'm thought for a moment while contemplating his answer.
Nathan had the habit of biting his bottom lip in thought something all but Abigail seemed to do.
"Here obviously where I'll stay, London, where my family traditionally comes from, and Marbella. Never see winter if I lived there".
"I mean the trip to Marbella makes sense. While at the Gala heard a bunch of the younger heirs and heiresses talking about going to a resort south of the equator where they planned to golf all winter".
"That's the age old sign you made it in New York" Nathan says.
"And you don't go, why".
"Because at the end of the day going to Palm Beach would be all I'd accept, then again it's a very prestigious Country Club to join".
"Have you and your family joined?".
"Yes, we each own a shared home though all of them were bought secretly because there is one time of the year that New York's richest go there and it's in winter, we could be attacked or targeted if we aren't careful about our movements".
That hit me like a freight train. The family that rules the business world was afraid of being seen at a prestigious country club but then it occurred to me why. Nathan had mentioned the fact that they were under constant scrutiny and that anything could be used to tarnish their reputation.
"How do you hide that you attend a country club, when it would fit the family reputation".
"Because I live alone, and so do my sisters. Four eighty million dollar properties being snapped up would draw attention".
"Yeah I guess it would wouldn't it".
"So we did it secretly used shell companies to buy the homes we use to escape and if we do go to the same place we typically share since there are so many properties owned, had the cars windows tinted and got our security to take them in and out at random so they all get used and maintained. Make it look like people live there".
"That's smart, make it so no one tries to snoop around and if they did they'd find security making sure they went away" I comment picturing news crews trying to do that to them and getting arrested or having their photos taken down from the internet.
"Yes I guess it is just it has gotten to the point for my parents their homes have scheduled times of the year they get used" Nathan laughs.
"Eek, sounds expensive".
"Real estate on every continent, I'd say".
"If your family is so close to their chest and tight fisted with money how did your parents get such an extravagant lifestyle?".
"Travelled a lot, and it meant they were often working and brought me and my sisters with them, when we got into school it changed and the scheduled times of year started to happen, it was different when we got into Thornbrook we were all so close and mature enough to be alone for a few weeks with the security. Created independence and our parents brought home gifts. They made a huge effort to balance life and work".
"They tried to make sure attention stayed off of you all" I say in realization.
"Exactly, Winters Group had so much going on all the time no media outlet ever got to ask about Isabella, Abigail, and I".
"Sounds nice to have a normal childhood" I say thinking about all the events I got dragged to.
"Paranoia is everywhere in my world, and there are days my parents veil of control slips and they attack the cause. Enemies are everywhere in this city. I don't want to be around the hectic lifestyle of New York for New Year, so I wish to go to Marbella Spain".
"What would happen if WGI fell?" I ask right as the elevator dings and three security guards walk in.
"Mr. Winters the cars are ready" Vesper, who I'd learned was Nathan's Head PPO says folding her hands in front of her neatly.
"Thank you, we're coming now" Nathan says and the three of them nod before getting in the second elevator to go back down to the main level.
"I'll answer your question in the car" he says before walking to the closet and grabbing a pair of his running shoes with me following him.
The elevator ride was silent with Nathan checking his phone for the duration of the ride. All the while I wondered what the response would be, yes I could be mousy and wanted to understand things same as Nathan which was part of the reason we both were willing to give complete answers for questions the other asked.
Reaching the ground floor we walked out of the car and crossed the luxury lobby and out down to three Mercedes sedans.
We slid into the back just as silently and once the doors were closed and the convoy was off Nathan started to answer my question.
"To put it simply the world economy would go into such a cataclysmic recession because of the fact that Winters Group makes money faster then should be possible. The flip of that is that all the extra money gets flooded back into the economy. It's a cycle of wealth on a global scale. Twenty million people could be paid the average salary of WGI off of a normal years income. The economy would recover. Eventually. But the point is it would take a very long time since ten percent of the world's economic function would vanish".
"I see why your parents would panic when a major allegation comes forward".
"Well that, and privacy has always been important. I can deal with that headache one day in the future so let's enjoy our trip to Marbella together and have fun over the month we have left of our break from school" Nathan says looking at me with a calm expression.
He can just go from one to another. I wish I had that good self control.
Thirty minutes later the cars pulled through a marked gate towards a line of large hangers several of which had the Winters Group logo on them.
"They hold the planes used by Executive Directors, those are their business and personal planes. The private hangers are because part of JFK is owned by the company" Nathan explains though the last bit was quiet.
He seemed to never say things as a brag but more of a comment, something said for clarity and reference. I liked it. It was something that easily went on the ever growing list of traits I liked about Nathan.
As the vehicles stopped beside Nathan's plane we got out and walked up the ramp with Antonio following as one of the other PPOs took the vehicle to drive back to Steinway Tower.
Finding my seat I settled into the chair as Nathan buckled himself in while Vesper checked all compartments of the jet.
"I'll be one compartment back just call if you need me" Vesper says nodding to both of us and walking into the aft most compartment of the G700.
Suddenly Lily's voice came through the speakers and informed us that we were departing before less then a minute later the jet was climbing through the air and soon levelled off leaving the four of us inside to the eight hour flight away from snow New York towards Spain.
Nathan in typical fashion checked what his company had been like the previou day and began working on today's objectives.
Another thing to add to the list.
How he had been able to mentally compartmentalize the structure to his day regardless of what was going on showed exactly how he was so successful so young.
And I want to return all of this kindness to him somehow.
I hadn't figured it out but by the end of this trip I hoped I would have at least had an idea.
I think it's kinda odd that depending on the book what I consider to be a long update changes. Normal length update for today Spain is beautiful so what places if there is anyone who has been or lives there would you like me to include I'm open to suggestions? (though I do have my own ideas) comment, vote, and share. Anyways
Peace✌️