FanStory.com - Anthony by alexisleech

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"Anthony"

Chapter 1
The Life Of A Millionaire

By alexisleech

Anthony leant on the railing of his yacht, cigar in one hand, a glass of Prosecco in the other. It never failed to amuse him how they, the guests of tonight’s party, would jump at the chance to come on board, mix with the rich and famous, and claim to be one of his close friends. He had no illusions with regard to their sincerity. It was all part of the game people played when they believed their worth was confirmed by rubbing shoulders with the right people.

     He looked over at the shore where the waterside properties boasted varying degrees of opulence. Some maintained a respectable sense of good taste, the manicured lawns dark, only the odd light gleaming from a window to prove someone was at home. Others, mostly those of the nouveau riche, boasted a more obvious extravagance, their money spent in the need to impress. Even at one in the morning, their swimming pools were illuminated and confirmed that the owners had no concern regarding the cost of electricity. It almost gave the impression that their bank balances were as endless as the cascading water that lapped over the edge of their pools.

     Anthony took a final draw from his half-smoked cigar before flicking it into the dark water below him. He really should think of giving up, but the fact he still smoked when many around him disapproved, appealed to his sense of individuality. He had never conformed to social dictates whether they made sense or not. When people set foot into his world, they did so on his terms. If they had a problem with someone who smoked, they never voiced it—yet another sign of the times when smoking marijuana was acceptable but a cigarette or cigar wasn’t. He didn’t doubt a couple of them would indulge in that experience before the night was over.

     The twenty plus guests were a fairly interesting mix this evening. He always invited a wild card, someone who had little money but aspired to this way of life. They invariably made the evening more exciting, and tonight was no exception. Charlotte, the curvaceous, blonde hooker who'd introduced herself at the casino the week before, was chatting to Hugh, one of the single guests. As her full breasts strained against the confines of her basque-style top, Anthony could see Hugh, and most of the other nearby male guests, almost dribbling with excitement.

Yes, life, if having copious amounts of money was all you aspired to, was good. His humble beginnings had not only indoctrinated a need to survive, but a need to survive with all the accoutrements of wealth. The various properties he owned meant that not only could he live well, but so could his ex-wife and two children. His payoff was being able to visit them whenever he wanted, lavish some gifts, and then return to his bachelor life guilt-free. He loved his children, but not in the way a father who shared their daily lives did. Their mother did the only thing he asked of them in return for a comfortable life. She encouraged their children to show him love and respect in a way that made Anthony content. Should that change in the future, he didn’t doubt money would return the equilibrium, but so far so good. That problem hadn’t arisen yet.

‘Anthony, how are you doing?’ his friend, Stephano, asked when he came over to join him.

Anthony did his usual and, after gripping his hand, embraced Stephano with the camaraderie he reserved for an old friend.

‘I’m good. How about you?’

Stephano hesitated for a moment, his embarrassment obvious. ‘I’m in trouble, Anthony, and I need your help. Marco is threatening to cut my balls off if I don’t pay him the twenty grand I owe him by the end of next week. I can sort it out at the end of the month, but I'm potless until then.’

Anthony let out a slow breath before looking back at Stephano. 'How come you owe him so much?’

Stephano hung his head. ‘You of all people know how it goes, Anthony. I made the mistake of going to one of his private rooms at the club. I was winning, hands down, and then I not only lost the thirty grand I was playing with but another twenty on top. He covered me, but it was downhill after that. It was as though I was cursed.’

Anthony hesitated before he answered. He knew how crooked Marco’s private gambling rooms were, God knows, he had been there himself. The only difference was, he had sussed it out a long time ago. The good news was, Marco owed him a favour.

‘I’ll speak to him, but I'm disappointed in you, Stephano. If you can’t afford to play, then don’t. The only way you can take on the big boys is if you have the money to back it up.’

Stephano looked suitably chastised and grabbed Anthony’s hand and raised it to his lips. ‘I promise to change, Anthony. I just made an error of judgement. It won’t happen again.’

Anthony didn’t doubt that it would. The main difference between him and Stephano was the fact he had gambled with the best, and luck didn’t come into it. It needed a cool head and an understanding of the odds to amass the fortune he had by playing poker. Without that knowledge, it was a mug's game.

‘Consider it sorted,’ he assured Stephano. ‘I’ll speak to Marco tomorrow.’

Anthony put an arm around Stephano’s shoulder and guided him back to the body of guests who were indulging in all that was on offer on the deck of his yacht. His few moments of private reverie were over, his need to mingle necessary.

He rubbed shoulders as a good host does, but then he stopped in his tracks when he saw her. Without doubt one of the most beautiful women to have set foot on his yacht, Alisha, a long haired brunette with a face and figure to die for, locked eyes with him whilst making polite conversation with the group surrounding her and her husband.

Author Notes Apologies to those following 'A new beginning,' but it is on hold for the moment. Be assured Samantha, Igor and the three girls will be back soon!

Chapter 2
Alisha

By alexisleech

From the last chapter

Anthony put an arm around Stephano’s shoulder and guided him back to the body of guests who were indulging in all that was on offer on the deck of his yacht. His few moments of private reverie were over, his need to mingle necessary.

     He rubbed shoulders as a good host does, but then he stopped in his tracks when he saw her. Without doubt one of the most beautiful women to have set foot on his yacht, Alisha, a longhaired brunette with a face and figure to die for, locked eyes with him whilst making polite conversation with the group surrounding her and her husband.



Anthony recognised him immediately. An ex-rival of sorts, Michael Dupris had shared a competitive poker table with Anthony on several occasions in the past. When he’d met him at the casino on the same evening he met Charlotte, he’d invited him to the party without thought. Although he hadn’t seen Michael play for a while, Anthony had a healthy respect for a man who knew the game as well as he did.

     ‘Michael!’ he exclaimed, his free hand outstretched. ‘I’m so glad you could make it. You should have let me know you were here as soon as you arrived. I hope my friends have been looking after you.’

     Michael’s delight at being made to feel welcome was obvious. ‘May I introduce my wife, Alisha?’ he asked as he put his arm around her shoulders. ‘We’re only in town for a few days, so I’m glad she’s able to meet you at last. She’s probably bored to death with the stories I’ve told her about some of our escapades. At least she can now put a face to the name.’

     Anthony extended his hand to Alisha in the same way as he had to Michael. When her fingers locked convivially with his, he assumed she was purely going through the motions—or was she? Anthony was sure there was a spark of some sort in her eyes when he grasped her hand. Or was that just his male ego talking? If she had displayed a flash of interest, there was no evidence of it now.

     ‘It’s good to meet you at last,’ she told him as she extracted her hand from his and hooked it back through her husband’s arm.

     ‘Well, I hope you’re having a good time. Where are you staying while you’re here?’

     A glance passed between Michael and Alisha that alerted Anthony immediately. A story of some sort had obviously been agreed—but Alisha’s hesitant answer was a giveaway. ‘We’re staying at a hotel in town, but I doubt that you know it.’

     The way she looked at him was almost like a plea, which made Anthony realise that asking further questions would only cause embarrassment. Playing poker had taught Anthony more about body language than the average psychiatrist. A place he probably wouldn’t know? That meant it was a dive. In the early days, when money was tight but a good game was on offer, he had stayed in several low-cost, seedy joints in whatever city he was in. If you were up all night playing poker, a downtown hotel would suffice to get your head down during the day.

     ‘Well, if you want to join me here on the yacht, then you’re more than welcome. I’m here by myself until I go to Italy at the end of next week, so I would welcome the company. Just say the word, and I’ll get Ricky to prepare the guest suite.’

     Michael looked momentarily taken aback. ‘Are you sure? We wouldn’t want to put you to any trouble.’

     Anthony didn’t hesitate before assuring Michael it would be no trouble at all. Ten years ago he was in the place Michael was obviously now. If it hadn’t been for an Italian mother who made every homecoming, whatever the circumstances, make him feel like the most cherished person on earth, he didn’t doubt he would have given up and joined the ranks of the unemployed before sinking into oblivion with a bottle of some sort gripped firmly in his hand. As he remembered those days of austerity, he almost crossed himself. Since then, he had looked out for anyone who might be experiencing the same kind of humiliation.

     ‘Of course, if you’re happy where you are, then I quite understand, but I haven’t seen you for at least two years, Michael, so I'd love to catch up while you’re in town.’

Alisha’s relief was immediately apparent. Her shoulders relaxed, and her smile conveyed a thank you of sorts that Anthony understood. ‘Never kick a man when he’s down,’ was his motto, and it was obvious that something had thrown the kind of curve ball every gambler dreaded, in Michael’s direction. Just like Stephano, it sometimes only took one disastrous game to bring you down. The fact that Michael’s wife had piqued his interest might have been his first reason for offering alternative accommodation, but sensing their need to retain their dignity had now taken over. Anthony had never chased after a married woman in his life, and he wasn’t about to start now. God knows, his ex-wife knew his feelings with regard to that and was now single as a result of her own infidelities. When Michael told Anthony they would be delighted to take him up on his offer, he was glad he’d made the suggestion.

     Anthony's eyes searched across the deck until he saw Ricky chatting to a group by the bar. He didn’t doubt the guest suite was as immaculate as ever, but he'd better let him know as a matter of protocol that it was about to be occupied. Ricky was his right-hand man, and although his employee, was more of a friend. At least Anthony believed he was. He could rely on him to keep his ears to the ground and his lip buttoned, whatever the circumstances.

     ‘Ricky!’ he called out as soon as their eyes met.

     After excusing himself to the couple he’d been talking to, Ricky weaved his way across the deck until he was at Anthony’s side.

     ‘I’d like to introduce you to Michael and Alisha. They’re going to be staying with us for a few days while they’re in town.’

     Almost like a son offering respect to the friends of a parent, twenty-six year old Ricky gave the couple a similar warm welcome to the one offered by Anthony.

     ‘Welcome aboard. Are you staying tonight? If you are, it’s not a problem. The guest suite is ready and waiting.’

     Again an embarrassed look passed between Alisha and Michael.

     ‘Well, we still have our things at the hotel, so I suppose tomorrow would make more sense. What do you think, Honey?’ Michael asked Alisha.

     If there had been a way of staying the night without giving the game away, Alisha would have jumped at the chance and returned to their secreted RV and packed a case there and then, but she knew it was out of the question. However much their nomad existence of the last three months had worn her down, their need to appear solvent and respectable was necessary if Michael was going to find a decent game to play while they were in town.

     ‘Yes, tomorrow sounds good to me…’ she agreed, before nodding another thank you in Anthony’s direction…

Author Notes Yes, Lisa is now called Alisha!

RV; Recreational vehicle

Chapter 3
Welcome Aboard Part One

By alexisleech

From the previous chapter;

If there had been a way of staying the night without giving the game away, Alisha would have jumped at the chance and returned to their secreted camper van and packed a case there and then, but she knew it was out of the question. However much their nomad existence of the last three months had worn her down, their need to appear solvent and respectable was necessary if Michael was going to find a decent game to play while they were in town.

‘Yes, tomorrow sounds good to me…’ she agreed, before nodding another thank you in Anthony’s direction…

**********

The day after the party, Alisha and Michael turned up in a taxi at 6:30 in the evening. As he watched them walk towards the yacht, Anthony raised his hand to wave a welcome and asked Ricky to help them with their luggage. Alisha, looking sophisticated and cool in a pair of white jeans and a turquoise, linen top, returned his wave with a smile. Michael, on the other hand, looked hot and flustered.

     ‘Welcome aboard!’ Anthony greeted as they walked up the gangway.

     Michael seemed to relax as soon as he took Anthony’s proffered hand. ‘I’m sorry we’re a bit later than expected,’ he apologised. ‘Today didn’t go to plan.’

     ‘Not a problem,’ Anthony told him. ‘Why don’t you guys get settled in, and we can meet back here for a drink before dinner when you’ve had a chance to freshen up. I still have some business to attend to anyway, so there’s no rush.’

     ‘That would be great. I can’t think of anything better than chilling out after a shower. I have to go out later though… Is that okay with you? Michael asked with an apologetic smile.

     ‘Of course… Are you going too, Alisha?' Anthony asked.

    She shook her head. ‘I was hoping it would be okay if I stayed here. Michael doesn’t need me tagging along. To be honest, I’ve had my fill of watching him play poker. I’d rather relax before having an early night.’

     Anthony was just about to suggest that she avail herself of the Jacuzzi on the aft deck if she wanted to relax after dinner, but decided it might not be appropriate if Michael wasn’t there. ‘I could do with an early night myself,’ he said instead. ‘The last of my guests didn’t leave until about four this morning, but I still woke up at eight. An early night sounds like a good plan.’

     Michael looked relieved, and after Ricky showed him and Alisha down to the guest suite, Anthony returned to his laptop in the lower lounge to send off a few more emails before calling it a day. By the time Michael and Alisha came up from their cabin nearly an hour later, he had also showered and changed.

     ‘Thank you again for inviting us to stay,’ Michael told him as soon as they sat down beside him at the dining table on the deck. ‘I didn’t want to say anything in front of the rest of your guests last night, but our accommodation was pretty shoddy. I’ve had a run of bad luck recently, so the pot is a bit depleted. Hopefully, I can rectify that tonight.’

     Anthony pulled out a chilled bottle of Anjou from the cooler in the centre of the table and held it over Alisha’s glass by way of a question. She nodded with a smile before he poured.

     ‘As I said last night, I’ll be glad of the company,’ he reiterated. ‘Apart from going to the Casino last Friday, I haven’t seen many people since I came back two weeks ago. Because I travel so much, nobody knows when I’m in town. That’s why I decided to hold the party last night. I thought I’d better remind everyone that I’m still alive and kicking!’

     Anthony held the bottle over Michael’s glass but he shook his hand in the air.

     ‘Not for me, thanks. I have to keep my wits about me tonight. I’ll just stick with water for now.’

     ‘Where are you playing?’ Anthony asked. He was usually up to speed if there was a decent game going on. As far as he knew, there was nothing until Thursday, and even then, it was a small time affair involving a few tourists who just fancied some fun. The stakes were never high enough for serious players under those kinds of circumstances; well at least not as far as he was concerned.

     ‘It’s at the house of a guy Called Anderson, Don Anderson. Apparently he’s fairly new in town, but he likes a good game. Rumour has it he has more money than sense, so I’d like to think I’m in with a chance to recoup some of my recent losses.’

     Anthony frowned back at him. The name Don Anderson didn’t ring any bells, although if the guy was new in town he might not have had the opportunity to meet him yet. ‘You’re sure it’s a legitimate game?' he asked. ‘I mean, some of the big boys use new kids on the block to set up games whilst pretending to befriend them. I’ve seen it happen a few times. The host is usually some wealthy big shot who’s used for bait, and once the game gets started, they throw in the towel and the game carries on without them.’

     Although Michael looked momentarily concerned, he shrugged his shoulders as though he didn’t care. ‘Could be. I won’t know until I get there and suss out the action. I’m sure I’ll work it out if it’s a scam. You know how it is. If in doubt, get the hell out. That saying has stood me in good stead a few times, as it has you, I’m sure.’

    Anthony nodded in agreement. ‘It certainly has. Just being a good poker player isn’t enough to make you a winner these days. Intuition is your most valuable asset, especially when you’re playing with outsiders. How did you hear about the game in the first place?’

     A look passed between Alisha and Michael before he answered. ‘I heard about it when I was playing in Nice last week. There was a friend of this Anderson guy playing at one of the casinos and he suggested I might be interested.’

     Although he couldn’t put his finger on the reason why, Anthony suddenly felt uneasy…

PART TWO NOW POSTED

Author Notes After ten days of cutting grass and pulling weeds here in France, the weather has broken and given me some time to write. Yippee! Now all I need is a good enough internet connection to start posting!

Chapter 4
Welcome Aboard Part Two

By alexisleech

From the previous chapter

Anthony nodded in agreement. ‘It certainly has. Just being a good poker player isn’t enough to make you a winner these days. Intuition is your most valuable asset, especially when you’re playing with outsiders. How did you hear about the game in the first place?’

A look passed between Alisha and Michael before he answered. ‘I heard about it when I was playing in Nice last week. There was a friend of this Anderson guy playing at one of the casinos, and he suggested I might be interested in the game tonight.’

Although he couldn’t put his finger on the reason why, Anthony suddenly felt uneasy…

In an effort to change the subject, Anthony asked Alisha if she’d enjoyed her stay in Monaco so far. She admitted she hadn’t seen much other than the Marina and the beach, but said she’d enjoyed people watching every time she went out.

     Anthony chuckled. ‘I know what you mean. When I first moved here I used to spend hours down at the Marina watching the world go by. Not only was it entertaining, it reminded me of home.’

     ‘Home?’ Alisha asked with a raised eyebrow. ‘I thought this was your home?’

     ‘Yes, it is, but I enjoy seeing my family in Italy as well.'

     ‘So, how long are you going for?’ Alisha asked as she set her glass back down on the frosted surface of the table. ‘Michael told me your family lives near Naples ... Is that where you’re going at the end of the week?’

     After topping up his glass, Anthony put the bottle back in the chiller. ‘Normally, but I’m going to view some property near Rome, so I’ll be going there first. After I’ve got my business out of the way, I’ll be indulging my mother’s need to introduce me to every single Italian girl she’s come across since my last visit. She's convinced that finding me a good Italian wife is the only way to make me settle down and give her grandchildren she can see on a regular basis.’

     ‘Is that why you're looking at property there?’ Michael asked.

     ‘No. The properties I’m looking at next week are for my portfolio.’

     ‘Portfolio?’

     ‘Yes, my property portfolio. I’ve been buying cheap properties in Italy since the prices started to dive. It’s a lot safer than gambling, and it brings in a healthy return because I let them all out.’

     Alisha looked impressed and glanced over at her husband. ‘I wish you'd done something like that, Michael. I’m sure we'd be a lot better off now if you had. Does it cost a lot to get started?' she asked.

     Anthony was just about to answer when Maria, Ricky’s sister, appeared with a steaming bowl of pasta in one hand and salad in the other. ‘This lady makes the best seafood linguini I’ve ever tasted,’ Anthony boasted as the aroma filled the air. ‘Ricky and I do well enough with regard to our day-to-day cooking, but his sister outshines both of us when it comes down to making something special.’

    Marie smiled at the compliment, and after she’d placed the bowls on the table, she retrieved the butter from the bar fridge and put it beside the sliced French bread in a linen lined basket. Satisfied she could do no more, she told Anthony there were creme brulees and assorted cheese in the fridge, before she left them in peace.

     ‘So, you were about to tell us how much it costs to get started in the rental property market,’ Michael reminded Anthony as he offered the pasta bowl to Alisha to help herself. ‘I certainly have to find another way to earn a living. The stakes seem to be getting higher and the events fewer these days. Playing poker is nowhere near as lucrative as it was ten years ago.’

     Anthony started to help himself to Pasta after Alisha finished and passed him the bowl. ‘I couldn’t agree more. I don’t know how much you would need now, but I started with about two hundred thousand after I had a good win in Paris. Like you, I was beginning to lose too often, so I thought I’d better start putting something aside for a rainy day. As it happens, it was one of the best decisions of my life. After I let the first two out, I used them as collateral to buy another three, and before I knew it, I had forty-five properties. My portfolio is now worth over four million, and I’m collecting enough rent over and above paying the mortgages to fund a reasonable lifestyle.’

     Michael burst out laughing. ‘Reasonable! I would have thought living on a yacht like this and being able to travel the world when you like is more than just a ‘reasonable’ lifestyle.’

     A conceited grin stretched across Anthony’s face. 'To be honest, the yacht was the best investment I ever made. If I want to move on, I just have to pull up the anchor and set sail, not that I’ve ever wanted to. I’m not confined to living anywhere in particular, and apart from the cost of my mooring, the yacht costs very little to maintain. Everything runs off solar power, including the desalinator, and we can use the sails if we need to conserve fuel. I could be away for months if I wanted, and at very little cost.’

     ‘It sounds like my idea of heaven,’ Alisha admitted. ‘I hate the idea of being confined to one place. Do you never get the urge to do exactly that … set sail and go wherever you want?’

     Anthony hesitated before he answered. He had, especially after his divorce, but the need to settle down had started to niggle at his subconscious of late. Sure, his business meant he could pretty much do what he liked, but he needed an anchor greater than the one on his yacht. He needed a reason to return to one place, and apart from his family in Italy, he was yet to find anything that made him want to connect with anywhere in particular.

     ‘It could be…’ he agreed. ‘Although I’ve never put it to the test. Knowing you can survive for weeks on end while you’re at sea is an interesting concept, but I suspect it would be pretty lonely.’

After they finished their pasta, Anthony asked if they would like some cheese or dessert. Alisha said she would, but Michael declined the offer and looked at his watch.

     ‘I need to get going,’ he announced. ‘The game starts at nine, and I want to mingle a bit beforehand just in case I smell any trouble. Will you excuse me?’

     If Anthony was annoyed at Michael’s early departure, he didn’t let it show. ‘Would you like Ricky to give you a lift? He has to drop his sister back home anyway, so I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.’

   Michael looked grateful. ‘That would be great … as long as it doesn’t put him to any trouble.’

     He stood up before reaching over and giving Alisha a peck on the cheek. ‘I don’t think I’ll be that late, but you know how it goes…’

     Anthony assumed from their body language that this was a common occurrence. ‘Don’t worry, Michael. I’ll look after Alisha until you return,’ he assured him. ‘I’ll also tell Ricky not to lock up when he goes to bed, but if you could do it when you get back I’d appreciate it. You can never be too careful, especially at this time of year.’

     After Anthony found Ricky and asked him to give Michael a lift at the same time as his sister, he and Alisha watched all three of them get into the Lexus Anthony kept parked on the quay close to his mooring.

     ‘Would you like some port to go with the cheese?’ Anthony asked Alisha after the car drove off and they returned to the table.

     ‘Why not,’ she answered without hesitation.

For the next hour or so they chatted amiably until Alisha stiffled a yawn. Sleeping in the van had been difficult, and the thought of sinking into a comfortable queen sized bed with fluffy pillows and fresh, crisp, white linen was something she'd looked forward to since she and Michael were shown to their cabin by Ricky. The evening had been relaxed and informative, and not once had Anthony said or done anything to make her feel uncomfortable. Little did she know, had she not been married, he would have been tempted to try and seduce her. The more they talked, the port making her relaxed and vivacious, the more he felt drawn to her.

   'Would you mind if I call it a night?' Alisha asked as the palm of her hand tried to cover another yawn.

Anthony assured her it was fine. It had been a long day and he was ready to hit the sack as well. After Alisha stood up, she thanked Anthony for a wonderful evening before making her way towards the steps that led to the cabins below. Although he was tempted to follow her, Anthony stayed on the deck for a few more minutes and finished his port. Saying goodnight as they stood at their cabin doors might have been awkward, and he didn't want anything to spoil what had been an enjoyable, albeit frustrating evening. There had been moments when their eyes had met and he was sure she felt as attracted to him as he was to her.

     After he picked up their empty glasses and put them beside the sink in the bar, Anthony made his way to his cabin. Although he was still concerned about the mysterious game Michael had gone to, he assumed he had enough sense to leave if it turned out to be crooked. Anthony just hoped he remembered to lock up when he got back…

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