At 27 years old I was probably in my prime, an English guy I had my own business landscape gardener, designer, come builder, working in Los Angeles, and I'd really landed on my feet.
After 2 great years generally bumming around in L.A I had unfortunately run out of money and had to make a decision, go home to London or remain in the States. Well I liked the place and made the relatively easy decision to stay, I had a good knowledge of building and landscaping so decided to start my own business, I had business cards printed and put my name around. A couple of guys I'd met previously put me in touch with a potential contact in Bel Air. Not just any contact, a billionaire with one of the biggest houses I'd ever seen. We met and he explained what he wanted designing and constructing. A whole new water garden with pools, rockeries, waterfalls cascading from beneath his panoramic windows down to the garden that finished a quarter of a mile away at the entrance gates to the property.
"Here's the budget," He slid a note across his desk towards me, "Whatever you make out of it is yours."
I looked at the figure he'd come up with, "Mr Rogers."
"George, please."
"Daniel remember three things," He went on, "I know what everything costs, I know what you should make, and I know what I expect in return, that goes for everything I do."
"Right."
"Yes and I know that sum will make those three things happen, so long as you stick to your side of the deal things will be okay for everyone." They certainly would especially my profit margin. George handed me a tumbler of the finest malt whisky, "Here's to my new garden." We toasted the project.
I started work the following day making drawings and sketches based on our discussions, later the following afternoon I called into his office, a very plush office in LA . To say he was impressed was an understatement. "You can make this happen?" He asked scanning the drawings quizzically.
"Sure can George," I had handed him a list of the equipment needed.
"I'll arrange the equipment, tomorrow be alright?" He asked beaming is approval
I arrived at his mansion at eight the following morning and began to get the levels sorted. The sun was warm and I was in my element. It was about eleven when I was interrupted by a young lady who I presumed was the maid , she appeared fairly young 18 -20 I'd estimate long blonde hair tied back, a hint of make up showed off her good looks. She wore a maid style uniform which showed off what appeared to be a very trim figure.
"You're Daniel right?" She asked in her American drawl
"That's right," I smiled I could see her eyeing me up the sweat glistening on my bare upper body.
"There's a drink and some lunch in the kitchen, if you'd like to follow me " I duly followed her up to the house and into the kitchen, "You can wash over there," She directed me to a small washroom. "My names Susie by the way," She announced with a smile. I dried my hands a sat down to eat my lunch when Mrs Rogers breezed into the kitchen.
"Susie I'm off now see you later," She then noticed me "Oh, oh," She faltered slightly, "You must be the gardener chappie errr...?." She searched for my name
"Yes, Daniel," I assisted her, "Very pleased to meet you Mrs Rogers."
She smiled and radiant smile, "I suppose we're going to see a lot of you the next few months?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Oh don't be afraid Daniel," She replied as she turned to leave. I watched as this vision of loveliness as she breezed out of the room as quickly as she had breezed in. I noticed a couple of things about Mrs Rogers. She was considerably younger than her husband, 30, 35 at the oldest, she had a fantastic figure to compliment her good looks. She was probably the best looking woman with the best figure I had ever had the pleasure to be in the same room with. I finished my lunch and thanked Susie.
