Then, Takisu's face turned serious. "'The Genovese boy' sounds so impersonal. Is there a problem with him or his family?"
Then, Takisu's face turned serious. "'The Genovese boy' sounds so impersonal. Is there a problem with him or his family?"
Rafael looked at Takisu a little guarded for a moment when he asked about his comment regarding Jude.
"There's absolutely nothing wrong with the young man, Angelo. I quite like him. In fact, I am a bit disappointed in my granddaughter for letting him get away. He'd have had a bright future with DB Holdings," Rafael explained simply.
"However, the elder Genovese's father and Angelo's father, Basilio," Rafael shrugged, "well, that's an entirely different story, perhaps," he explained as he got up from his chair and served himself a brandy. "The Genovese are an American crime family, Cosa Nostra maybe, who knows?" he said as he sat back down in his chair.
"And there have been rumours, quiet rumours, and unsubstantiated ones, of course, that Basilio was involved in somewhat questionable activities on Halcyon," Rafael stated calmly and matter-of-fact like.
"There's absolutely nothing wrong with the young man, Angelo. I quite like him. In fact, I am a bit disappointed in my granddaughter for letting him get away. He'd have had a bright future with DB Holdings," Rafael explained simply.
"However, the elder Genovese's father and Angelo's father, Basilio," Rafael shrugged, "well, that's an entirely different story, perhaps," he explained as he got up from his chair and served himself a brandy. "The Genovese are an American crime family, Cosa Nostra maybe, who knows?" he said as he sat back down in his chair.
"And there have been rumours, quiet rumours, and unsubstantiated ones, of course, that Basilio was involved in somewhat questionable activities on Halcyon," Rafael stated calmly and matter-of-fact like.
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"With the pardon, many people here have questionable pasts that no longer represent who they are now. I can't say I enjoy hearing these rumors, but they're nice to keep in mind. I have full trust in Angelo's family here. They have treated Zaydri well, and Zaydri's Guardian is part of that family. If Basilio is the type to continue his questionable activities here, then so be it, but it is not my business unless Zaydri gets wrapped up."
Rafael just nodded once. He agreed with Takisu, people change, and a lot of people on the island had questionable pasts - even himself to some point - however, people often change with time and demonstrate it with actions. The Angelos as he called them in his mind, were obviously without reproach. Basilio, however, he reserved opinion on.
"Yes, of course," Rafael agreed, "I'd feel the same way if Celeste or one of the grandchildren worked there," he stated. Rafael was, despite everything, not a meddler. He just believed that knowledge was power, and power led to prevention when needed. He also was a person with his ear to the ground and his eye protectively on his family - which he considered Takisu part of.
"And I'm sure Zaydri's in excellent hands," he added in a placating tone as he sipped his brandy.
"By the way, I'm not sure if it's of any interest, or if I can persuade you to come along, but I am scouting some island properties in the South Pacific next week, maybe look into buying an old sugar plantation, turn it into a hotel, or a distillery..." he casually informed Takisu as he held up his glass of brandy and inspected it.
"Yes, of course," Rafael agreed, "I'd feel the same way if Celeste or one of the grandchildren worked there," he stated. Rafael was, despite everything, not a meddler. He just believed that knowledge was power, and power led to prevention when needed. He also was a person with his ear to the ground and his eye protectively on his family - which he considered Takisu part of.
"And I'm sure Zaydri's in excellent hands," he added in a placating tone as he sipped his brandy.
"By the way, I'm not sure if it's of any interest, or if I can persuade you to come along, but I am scouting some island properties in the South Pacific next week, maybe look into buying an old sugar plantation, turn it into a hotel, or a distillery..." he casually informed Takisu as he held up his glass of brandy and inspected it.
Rafael managed to get Takisu out of his worried thoughts by bringing up a trip he planned to take. "I'd appreciate that. I think I need a break from all my worries. This stress is doing me no good. And just because I am no longer on the island does not mean I should slack off as your security and assistant.
"Also, in my opinion, I think a hotel would be nice. People deserve more options for places to live and relax. Turn a place with a bad past into one with a good present."
"Hmm, yes, that could indeed work..." Rafael stated approvingly as he considered Takisu's idea, "A hotel, nicely renovated, modern mixing with old world charm. Affordable, not too exclusive, with maybe a small private wing for those that want to live at the hotel part or full time," Rafael mused as he started to entertain a few ideas.
"Perhaps, we can do both?... A hotel with its own private distillery," he added his mind now churning out ideas, "that is if the start-up costs are right," he added as he looked at Takisu and smiled. They worked well together, and that was probably part of the reason he missed having them around so much.
"Perhaps, we can do both?... A hotel with its own private distillery," he added his mind now churning out ideas, "that is if the start-up costs are right," he added as he looked at Takisu and smiled. They worked well together, and that was probably part of the reason he missed having them around so much.
Takisu went quiet for a few moments in thought, they spoke again. "When you have some time, I would truly appreciate you coming to Ilada for a bit with my family. I think it's only right that you taking me on a trip to help me relax should be repaid with me taking you on a trip."
Rafael glanced then at Takisu and nodded. "I'd like that," he said. "I haven't visited Ilada in quite a while, years, maybe?" Rafael replied thoughtfully, remembering the first time he had ever been there and smiling a little at the memory.
"When we come back? if that's alright with you?" Rafael suggested as he looked at Takisu. "Maybe head straight there? I can just let Zoraida know that I am going to be away, and I know she's quite capable enough to run things without me for a short while," he explained, pleased at the way their plans seemed to fit together nicely.
"When we come back? if that's alright with you?" Rafael suggested as he looked at Takisu. "Maybe head straight there? I can just let Zoraida know that I am going to be away, and I know she's quite capable enough to run things without me for a short while," he explained, pleased at the way their plans seemed to fit together nicely.