[JonPop]

13.


The elevator takes us back up to the main floor. Heather leads the way down the hall and around another corner to another elevator, this one much larger, I guess to move big stuff up to the top floors?
She codes open the door and says, "This elevator is equipped with a very big security system. This goes directly to the penthouse and takes several access codes." Again she keys the pad against the wall, goes through several code word procedures, glances up at the security camera and the doors close.

She says, "I'm always so afraid I'm going to get something wrong and the doors locking and big Gunther dropping out of the ceiling." and gives a little laugh. I'm thinking, "Gunther? Ceiling?" We almost do a Knee bend from the speed of the lift. Whew, Rob likes his toys.

The doors open and we step out into a jungle paradise. Surprisingly, we don't come out in the penthouse, rather we are on the outside, on the decking surrounding the living space. There are tropical plants everywhere, ferns, beautiful flowers. We are standing on a pathway that is bordered by low Japanese Grass, growing in odd little clumps and hills, a little stream wanders along through the flowers and plants low lights show the way. The air is very moist and warm. Looking out through the acrylic dome, the stars are bright and paint the blackness with a sprinkling of white dust.
Heather leads the way down the path and to what appears to be an almost invisible thick glass door set into the East facing glass wall.
Again she enters an access code and the door slides, with a whoosh into the wall. A gentle Jasmine scented breeze wafts past us as we enter the large room. The door, having sensed we were all inside, gently slides back into place.

Coming up the pathway, I could see through the glass what appeared to be a very well furnished comfortable looking room. Once inside I was amazed how large and airy it was, very high ceilings sprinkled with bamboo fans. Lots of plants and flowers. (Rob must get tired of the Grey of New Jersey.)

Rob came out of another room that I could see stretching out behind him and said, "Welcome to my humble abode." With a big laugh. He spread his arms to indicate the expanse of the place.
He said, "John, Jen,come on, I'll show you around." (I felt like a little kid being taken to Grandma's big house for the first time, feeling like I had to be on my best behavior and not touch anything.) I guess Rob sensed that I was a little overwhelmed, being brought into his private space and said, "Relax you two, make yourselves at home here. Would you care for some coffee?" It had been a very long tiring day filled with so much, in such a short amount of time, that coffee sounded like just what I needed at this time. I said, "You bet, that sounds great." Jen said, "Yes, me too please."

Rob made a gesture behind him and Leallia came bringing a tray with steaming coffee and cookies. Rob sat down in one of the big chairs facing the davenport. Jen and I sat down across from him. Rob said, "Well, how goes the adventure?" I took a cup of coffee, sipped it before answering, and marveled at how good it tasted, but I guess when you are filthy rich you can have the best of anything. I didn't get a chance to speak as Jen said, "I am totally blown away by the beauty of the mansion, your generosity and everything that's happened today."
Rob beamed at that. I thought, "Thanks Jen, that was just right." I probably would have said something stupid, like how much I enjoyed looking at Heather's big tits, I have a tendency to say stupid stuff like that when I'm nervous and tired. I was feeling a bit better with the coffee warming my belly and munching on a very delicious Macadamia nut cookie. Rob said, "Hate to say this, but you look beat, John." I said, "Yeah I am very tired, must have peaked too early this evening." Giving Jen a sly sideways look. I added, "It's what? Around Ten O'clock?" Rob says, " Heavens no, it's after Midnight." He said, "Tell you what, I'll give you just the highlights of the place and then I want you both to be overnight guests here in the penthouse, Nadine has one of the guest rooms set up for you and any thing you might need in the way of toiletries, or night clothes." I said, "Don't worry about me, I sleep in the nude." Jen poked me in the ribs and said, "Who said I was sleeping with you?" And laughed.
Rob stood up so guessed that was our cue to get up also. I hurriedly gulped down the rest of that great coffee, and we followed Rob.

The room that Rob had come out of, when we first arrived, was evidently his office space. Beautiful carved desks, wooden cabinets with the same ornate carvings, computers and monitors everywhere, humming to themselves, with a myriad of screen saver pictures, very colorful. On the shelving were trophies of Rob's past achievements and on the walls, were documents, awards, and many pictures, I saw one of Rob and President Bush. I thought, "How far does this guy (Rob) go up?"
Rob said, "It's always good to come to Hawaii and be able to do business from this end. I get so tired of the hustle and bustle of the city." "In fact," he added "I've been thinking of moving most of the corporate offices here to Hilo." I said, "How about the Betterman staff?" He laughed and said, "I would hate to build on the three acres in front of the mansion, but this would be the perfect spot, and as long as I could keep the profiles low, wouldn't affect most of our views."

The drapes in his office were closed and made the room seem very close and stuffy, Just imagination I know, because there was a gentle breeze at all times. Rob lead us out a side door back onto the deck with all of the greenery. We followed him around a winding pathway and came to another glass door. Rob expertly keyed the pad and it opened into a training room, surrounded on three sides by glass. I was flabbergasted, there must have been a million dollars worth of exercise equipment in here. Everything you could want, to bust your ass on. He walked us through pointing out the obvious, the Bow-Flex, the Nautilus Machines, the stair steppers, the stationary bikes and the large, weight training room.
I told Rob, jokingly, in my best John Wayne voice, "For a skinny guy, you sure have a lota shit, Pilgrim." There, I said something stupid, dang.
Rob laughed at this dumb remark and led us through another door into the kitchen. I could smell good things in here and since it had been several hours since dinner, my stomach did a large growl.
In the quiet of the kitchen, surrounded by all the stainless steel appliances and large walk in freezers, it sounded very loud. Rob said, "Maria made Chili Rellano casserole with refried beans and Spanish rice for the people up here this evening, I always ask her to save some for Heather and myself as we love Mexican food, Would you like some?" I thought, "Who do I have to kill." I think Jen was feeling those same pangs and we both said "Yes."
If by magic, a small round Mexican lady appeared from nowhere and said "Boss I saved enough for everyone." I thought, "How do they do that? Do they stand in a closet until needed? I'm thinking, "I don't know if I could live like this, these people would startle the crap out me all day long."
We sat at a small dining area off to the side of the main kitchen. I heard the refrigerator door close and the rattle of dishes, followed by the hum of the microwave.
The casserole was delicious, as was the cold Mexican beer that Maria served in a frosted pitcher with frosted mugs. We finished eating, I'm still wondering where Heather disappeared to, and Rob said, "Enough for tonight, I'll have Nadine show you to your room." She appeared and motioned for us to follow. I looked up at the ceiling wondering how many more of the help were buzzing around up there just waiting to be called.

The bed was turned down and Nadine said as she was going out the door, "This bed will be a lot more comfortable then that big round thing, to sleep on." I dropped all my clothes and slid into the fresh sheets and I think, I remember Jen getting in beside me.