Mary and I moved into Sharon's late husband suite. Sally moved in with Rhonda. We all settled into a comfortable routine. Sharon, Mary, and Rhonda worked either at home or at the office during the week.
I discovered Sharon's late husband's hideaway. There was a huge building down a short drive behind the house. Sally and I went to look around, and we were floored. The first floor was a large, well-stocked garage. Inside was nearly 20 of the finest cars I had ever seen. Old Bob, Sharon's late husband, had a fine collection of old cars, along with some of the finest, newest, rarest cars. None of them would start. I'm sure no one has touched any of them for five years.
But that was just the beginning. We went upstairs to find two floors of a perfect man's hideaway. It had everything you could want. When we found his large bedroom on the top floor, we knew why Sharon had been so bitter and angry when we met her. This room had floor to ceiling sheet glass windows that overlooked the fields and woods behind the buildings. They had disappearing sliding doors out to a huge balcony. He had a hot tub, and everything you would want to seduce a willing young thing. I'm pretty sure he spent a lot of time here.
I looked at Sally, and I could see she was thinking what I was thinking. "Let's christen this place, what do you say?" She smiled and began stripping. In a few minutes we were on the big bed exploring each other's body that we each knew so well. It was wonderful.
As we lay in the bed resting, I looked at her. "This place tells us all we need to know about Sharon's disposition when we met her. He probably ignored her for years."
"That is certain. I am glad we have enabled her to have the last laugh." She laughed and we got dressed and went home.
All the serenity came crashing down one evening as Sharon, Mary, and Rhonda came home. Rhonda told Sally and me that the COO was coming over for a meeting.
The three of them went into her office and closed the door. In less than an hour, Manfred led the COO to the office, and let him in. Sally and I wondered, but we would just have to wait. After he finally left, Rhonda came and got us. We quietly went into Sharon's office.
Sharon was sitting behind her desk. Mary was sitting on the couch. We came in and sat beside Mary. Sharon was white as a sheet, but I could tell she was angry.
She finally spoke, "We have a major problem with our plant in Hong Kong. It is one of our largest plants and it is our most profitable. The Chinese government has threatened to nationalize our plant and take it over. They have ordered me to Hong Kong to negotiate the terms. I am taking all of you with me. We leave in the morning." We all had a lot of questions, but she asked us to leave and let her think. We gathered in Rhonda's office. We asked Rhonda for more details.
"Our manager there thinks it may not be the actual government, but a high-ranking official shaking us down. We will have to go there to find out." We all went to our rooms.
The next morning started early. We were delivered to a private airport on the edge of town. There was a huge 747 with the company's logo on it. The ground crew hurried us onto the plane, and we were off. After takeoff, we were able to look around. This thing had everything, a staffed kitchen, bedrooms, meeting rooms, lounging rooms, and a movie room. Sharon gathered us into one of the meeting rooms.
"The trip is twelve hours long, give or take. They are expecting me day after tomorrow. Mary and I must plan our attack. We are not taking this laying down. I want the three of you with me. I trust you four only. That is why the COO is not here. We, together, will deal with this. We will lay out our plan to you, and maybe, you will think of something we forgot. Until then, enjoy the ride." Sharon smiled and left.
We talked most of the day and had a delicious lunch. We watched a movie while waiting. By late afternoon, Sharon called us together.
"Mary and I have a plan. Here it is." She told us of the bones of an investigation we were going to quietly conduct. Each of our parts would be explained later.
We adjourned to a wonderful dinner, but our minds weren't on the food. After dinner, we went into the lounge and had a few drinks. We finally adjourned to bedrooms. Sally and Rhonda went together. I asked Sharon if she wanted me to come with her, but she told me to go with Mary. She went into the master bedroom and shut the door. Mary and I found a nice bedroom and went in. The next two days were going to be difficult.
By the time the plane landed, we had dressed and eaten another meal. It was late afternoon in Hong Kong, and we were to meet with them tomorrow.
When we had gotten off the plane, we were met by several limos with the senior staff of the plant. We were whisked off to the plant. It was huge. I could not believe Sharon owned this. She didn't even look up. She was in full bitch mode Sharon now. We didn't dare speak to her. She was in her world, and we were just going to watch her work.
We climbed out of the cars, and Sharon took the lead into the building. No one from Hong Kong seemed the least bit surprised. I guess she had been here before.
When we were in the building, the plant manager spoke, "Mrs. Vindman, it is our honor to have you in our midst again. I am sorry it is under such a clouded circumstance." He bowed gracefully.
"Thank you, Mr. Chou. Shall we retire to your office to discuss our situation?"
"Of course, ma-am. Shall I find some accommodations for your staff while we are meeting?" We didn't look at Sharon.
Without blinking, Sharon said, "That would be acceptable." She headed past the lobby. We were left with a couple of young Chinese ladies. Within a few minutes Sally, Rhonda, and I found ourselves in a very nice lounge cooling our jets.
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In a few minutes the door opened to a very striking Chinese woman. "Most honorable ones, it is my honor to show you around the plant. You may call me "Kittty" as I would not insult you by you trying to pronounce my real name. I am Mr. Chou's personal assistant. If you would pleases follow me." She started out the door and we followed. I am sorry to say, the first thought that came to my mind was, how "personal" was she with Mr. Chou. We had a general tour of the plant. It lasted about an hour.
After we were finished, Kitty said, "Mrs. Vindman has instructed me to take you to the company villa." Company villa? Are you kidding me? This is getting wilder and wilder. In a few minutes, Kitty had us in another limo heading back into town. She explained an overview of what was to happen tomorrow.
"I am to be your interpreter tomorrow. We are meeting with the Vice-Chairman of the Chinese National Party. He is second in command in China, sort of like your Vice-President. He oversees incorporating Hong Kong into the rest of China. He has already taken over several large plants, and we may be next. Mrs. Vindman has decided you are to attend with her and Mr. Chou, the plant manager". We have several protocols to go over. We can do it now, or later."