Ding
The oven let out a sharp ding, signaling that the popcorn was ready.
Vincente was already in front of it with mittens on his tiny hands. Carefully he took out the bowl of popcorn, the warm buttery scent hit his nostrils making his mouth water, without wasting a second, he transferred the freshly popped kernels into another bowl before setting the now-empty one in the sink.
Humming an upbeat tune, he grabbed the bowl and practically floated toward the living room.
Today was a rare treat—he had taken a day off from school, and with Jay and Mama called away for some incident involving Manny, he had the house entirely to himself and that gave him a couple of hours free to do whatever he wanted, he had been busy on the computer for some of that time and now with nothing to do and being the only one inside the house he decided to make some popcorn and watch the TV.
Plopping onto the couch, he nestled into the cushions, remote in hand. With a few quick clicks, he flipped through the channels until he landed on the Brazilian Grand Prix. A grin tugged at his lips as the roar of engines filled the room.
He watched as Kimi Räikkönen closed the gap to Jarno Trulli, his Ferrari inching closer with every turn. As they approached the braking zone, Räikkönen made a daring move down the inside, forcing Trulli to react. The Toyota driver hesitated for just a fraction of a second, but it was enough—his car twitched under braking, the rear stepping out slightly as he fought to keep control.
"Räikkönen dives down the inside of Trulli—oh, and Trulli's made a mistake! He locks up, nearly losing the back end! That was an aggressive move from the Ferrari, and Trulli is now struggling to recover!"
"Yeah!" Vincente grinned, shoveling another handful of popcorn into his mouth. This was shaping up to be an exciting race.
Ding-Dong
He muted the TV waiting for the confirmation of it being Jay and mama but nothing.
'Maybe a delivery guy or stranger' he thought as he unmuted the TV.
Ding-Dong
Ding-Dong
The doorbell rang again, this time with more insistence.
He froze not expecting someone to be this insistent, if it was Jay and Mama they would have already unlocked the door or shouted his name out by now. 'And trust me the whole block would have known my name had my mom started shouting.'
He slowly got up from the couch and started creeping around the house making sure every window and the back door was locked.
Ding-Dong
Ding-Dong
Ding-Dong
The doorbell rang three times in rapid succession, more urgent now. Vincente's breath hitched as panic began to set in. His mind raced. 'Should I hide? Should I grab something to defend myself? Dammit, whose idea was it to watch Ghostface last night?'
And then—
BRRRING! BRRRING!
The landline rang, cutting through the silence like a knife. Vincente jumped, his heart slamming against his ribs. His wide eyes darted toward the phone sitting on the counter.
Without wasting a second, he dashed over and picked it up.
"Hello?"
Jay's voice came through, tinged with his usual dry humor. "Hey, Houdini! You still in the house, or did you pull a great escape on me?"
Vincente blinked. "Uh… I'm here?"
"Then why is Harvey standing at the door like some lost puppy? The guy's been out there for fifteen minutes! Either let him in or start charging rent for the porch."
Vincente's shoulders sagged in relief. "So, Harvey was the one ringing the doorbell like a jealous ex?"
"Yeah! I thought I told you he might be swinging by. Poor guy's been standing out there in a suit, probably thinking I set him up for a meeting that only exists in his imagination."
Vincente raised an eyebrow. "Okay, first of all—no, you didn't, second of all you should have remembered to call about it, I thought he was about to ghostface me."
Jay snickered, "That was a good one, now invite him in before he launches into law of guests."
Vincente hung up shaking his head before unlocking the door and taking a peek outside in case it was somebody else.
And lo and behold it was the rockstar of the law himself looking pretty annoyed.
"Hey, Harvey. How's it hangin'?" Vincente greeted, leaning against the doorframe like he hadn't just left the guy out there for fifteen minutes.
Harvey sighed, stepping inside. "Heya, Vin. Let me guess—Jay didn't tell you I was coming?"
"Nope. My bad for making you wait, though," Vincente said, rubbing the back of his head. "Thought you were about to hit me with a What's your favorite scary movie?"
Harvey chuckled, shaking his head. "Nah, no worries. Honestly, I figured Jay was home and just leaving me out there as payback for the golf game last week." His smirk turned sharper. "Besides, if I was gonna go full horror movie villain, I'd pick a much deeper cut than Scream."
Vin's smile strained.
"Haha I'm just kidding. You are my favourite client, did you really think I am gonna kill you?" Harvey chuckled.
Vincente let out a nervous chuckle, shifting his weight. "Well, when you put it like that, it kinda sounds like something a guy who's gonna kill me would say."
Harvey laughed, clapping him on the shoulder as he stepped further inside. "Relax, kid. If I ever go full psycho, you'll get at least a 24-hour head start."
Vin gave him a flat look. "Wow. Your generosity knows no bounds."
Harvey smirked. "What can I say? I have a code."
Vin crossed his arms. "Uh-huh. Anyway, what brings you here?"
Harvey produced a folder and held it up, "You and your game actually."
Vin's brow furrowed as he eyed the folder. "Me and my game? What about it?"
Harvey simply shook his head, tucking the folder back under his arm. "Can't disclose that without your guardian present, kid."
Vin huffed, crossing his arms. "Oh, come on. I made the game. I should at least get a hint."
Harvey smirked. "Nice try, Vin. But rules are rules. Jay's gotta be here before we talk business."
As he spoke, his eyes flicked to the TV, noticing the Brazilian Grand Prix playing on mute.
"Brazilian Grand Prix, huh? Didn't know you were interested in that."
Vin grinned. "What can I say? Fast cars, drama, and the occasional mid-race meltdown—what's not to love?"
Harvey shrugged. "Eh, I'm more of a NASCAR guy myself."
Vin's eyes narrowed, still locked onto the folder in Harvey's hands. Vin's fingers twitched, as he tried to snatch the folder away from Harvey.
Harvey smirked, waving it slightly before tucking it under his arm. "Uh-huh. Nice try, kid." Then, with a casual air, he added, "Wanna hear about the time I met Michael Schumacher?"
Vin's head snapped up. "Wait, what? You actually met him?"
[Some time later]
"DID I SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE TIME HER KID WAS SNIFFING THE GLUE? HUH! DID I?"
The unmistakable voice of Gloria sounded before the clicks of doors unlocking.
Harvey and Vin, comfortably settled on the sofa, turned just in time to see her sweeping through the door, radiating her usual fiery energy, with Jay trailing behind, hands raised in a futile attempt to calm her down.
"I know, honey, but she didn't say anything about our kid either," Jay tried, his voice placating.
Gloria's head snapped toward him, eyes blazing. "What is there to say about Manny, huh?"
Jay, a man who had been married long enough to recognize a trap when he saw one, wisely hesitated. He pursed his lips, hands still raised in surrender.
"Look, I've been married long enough to know that this is a bad time to answer," he said carefully, glancing at Harvey and Vin as if searching for backup.
Vin, ever the opportunist, grabbed a handful of popcorn and leaned back. Harvey smirked but wisely stayed quiet.
Gloria narrowed her eyes at Jay, arms crossed. "Oh, so now you're some kind of marriage expert? What else do you know, Jay? Hmm? Tell me!"
Jay sighed, running a hand down his face. "I know that if I say anything right now, I'm sleeping on the couch."
Gloria huffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she stomped toward the kitchen. "Good! At least you're learning."
Jay turned to Harvey and Vin with a tired look. "You see what I deal with?"
Harvey shrugged. "Hey, man, I'm just here for business."
Vin grinned. "And I'm just here for the show."
Jay entered the living room and plopped down on his recliner couch, "So, what happened with the game?"
Harvey's demeanor turned serious as he opened the folder and passed it to Vin who passed it to Jay.
As Jay read the report Vin hovered by his side also looking at the report.
"The copyright and trademark registration were no trouble at all," Harvey explained, adjusting his cuffs. "Everything on that front is airtight. The issue, however, is the sudden interest from multiple big players."
Jay furrowed his brows as he skimmed through the pages. "Wait a minute... Facebook, Zynga and EA? I know Facebook but the rest…"
Vin smirked, leaning over Jay's shoulder. "Zynga's the company behind FarmVille, and EA's one of the biggest gaming giants out there. They're the ones who make The Sims, FIFA, Madden, all that."
Jay let out a low whistle. "Damn. So we're talking serious money."
Harvey nodded. "Exactly. Facebook wants full control—an outright purchase. Zynga's pushing for a partnership, probably trying to integrate it into their social gaming empire. And EA? They want an exclusive licensing deal to distribute it through their mobile division."
Vin whistled low. "Man, I knew Candy Crush was a hit, but I didn't think the big players would be fighting over it already."
Jay set the papers down and rubbed his forehead. "This is a lot to deal with. So what do we do?"
Harvey leaned forward, clasping his hands together. "Well, that depends on what Vin wants. Selling outright would mean an instant payout, but licensing means long-term revenue. However, if we go the exclusive deal route, we might lose flexibility but gain massive exposure."
Vin eyebrows furrowed in thought, tapping his fingers against his arm. "I don't like the idea of giving up control completely. I made this game. If I sell it now, I'm handing over everything."
Harvey smirked. "Exactly why I pushed for licensing instead. You can set the terms, keep ownership, and still make bank."
Jay sighed. "Alright, so what's the next move?"
Harvey pulled out another document. "We negotiate. We set the terms, see who offers the best deal, and make sure Vin stays in control."
Harvey pulled out a fresh set of documents and laid them out neatly on the coffee table. "Alright," he said, straightening his posture, "I've drafted a deal that keeps Vin in the driver's seat while making sure he gets a hefty cut from whichever company we go with."
Jay picked up the papers, flipping through them with a critical eye. "And this keeps him in control?"
"Absolutely." Harvey leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "No outright sale. The agreement ensures Vin licenses out the game rather than selling it off. He retains creative control, meaning no one can make changes or release spin-offs without his approval."
Vin perked up at that. "Good. I don't want them messing with all the work I put into it. If they start adding weird updates or changing the mechanics, it won't be the same game."
Harvey nodded. "Exactly. This deal makes sure they can't mess with the core of it without your sign-off. Plus, you'll get royalties from every dollar the game makes, which—trust me—is going to be a lot."
Jay, still flipping through the contract, gave Harvey a pointed look. "And this is airtight? No loopholes?"
Harvey smirked. "Jay, you wound me. Of course, it's airtight."
Jay exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright… but there's one thing I want to confirm." He tapped a section of the document. "This says I'll be Vin's legal guardian. That's official?"
Harvey nodded. "Yeah. We need someone to legally sign off on his behalf, and since you've already been taking care of him, it makes the most sense. You'll have full authority over his contracts and finances until he turns eighteen."
Jay took a moment to glance at Vin, internalising that he would be responsible for him, truly responsible for his future. "Kid, this what you want?"
Vin hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah. I trust you, Jay."
Jay then shook his head, wanting Vin to understand what he was saying "Before that I want to talk to your mother first."
Vin exhaled but nodded, understanding Jay's cautious approach.
Harvey, ever the businessman, sighed. "Look, I get it, but time is money, and this deal needs to be locked in. We can't have unnecessary delays."
Jay shot him a look. "This isn't just business. It's a kid's life we're talking about. We do this right."
Harvey put his hands up in surrender. "Fine, fine. Talk to Gloria. Just don't let this drag out."
Jay turned to Vin. "Go get your mom."
Vin nodded and left the room, returning a minute later with Gloria. She entered with her usual confident stride, arms crossed as she took in the serious expressions around the table. "What's going on?"
Jay exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck before motioning to the papers. "They need someone to be Vin's legal guardian. Since I already have experience running a business, and I've been looking after him, Harvey's suggesting it be me."
Gloria's expression hardened. "Legal guardian?" Her eyes flicked between Jay and Vin, her voice tightening. "Vincent, is this what you want?"
Vin hesitated for a brief second thinking of GLoria being the legal guardian but... "Yeah, Mama. I trust Jay."
Gloria's lips pressed together. "You trust him, but do you understand what this means?" She turned to Jay, her voice steady but edged with emotion. "This isn't just a business arrangement. This is my son's life."
Jay met her gaze, his own unwavering. "I know," he said. "That's why I wanted to talk to you first. I wouldn't do this if I wasn't sure and without your permission. But Vin needs someone who understands what he's stepping into—someone who won't let anyone take advantage of him."
Gloria's breath hitched, and for the first time, uncertainty flashed across her face. She turned to Vin, searching his expression. "Mijo… are you sure? I know I haven't always been perfect, but—"
Vin stepped forward, reaching for her hand. "Mama, it's not about that. You'll always be my mom. But Jay… he's been here. He gets all this, and he's always looking out for me. It's just… it feels right."
Gloria swallowed hard, gripping his hand tightly. Her walls wavered, her mother's instinct battling against her son's determination. She looked at Jay again, her voice softer now but lined with promise. "And you? You're really willing to take this on?"
Jay nodded without hesitation. "Yeah. Whatever he needs, I've got him."
Silence hung heavy in the room. Gloria's eyes shone with unshed emotion, and after a long pause, she gave a small nod.
"Okay," she whispered, squeezing Vin's hand one last time before letting go.
Jay let out a sigh and signed the papers. "Done."
As he set down the pen, the weight of responsibility settled over him.
Harvey then shifted the document toward Gloria. A storm of emotions flickered across her face as she took the pen in hand. Just months ago, she had been the one responsible for both Manny and Vin. Now, relinquishing that role—even partially—felt strange. A pang of reluctance gripped her, but beneath it, a quiet hope emerged.
She trusted Jay. Trusted him to do right by Vincente, to guide him, and most importantly, to protect him.
Taking a steady breath, she signed her name. When she finally set the pen down, something new shone in her eyes—trust, resolve.
Harvey gathered the documents, giving them a final once-over.
"Well, with that settled…" Harvey cleared his throat, trying to lighten the weight in the room. "There's one more matter I'd like to bring up. Given Vincente's talent and ambition, I doubt he plans to stop at just one game." He glanced at Vin.
Vin smirked and shook his head. "Are you kidding? I already got another game in the lineup and in the process with Alex."
Jay chuckled, while Gloria's smile radiated pride.
Harvey nodded approvingly. "Exactly. With his career on a sharp upward trajectory, I believe it's time we establish an LLC to manage his ventures properly."
Jay frowned slightly, while Gloria was confused, she took her hand up like a schoolgirl "Eh What is LLC?"
Harvey turned to her with a patient smile. "LLC stands for Limited Liability Company. It's a type of business structure that would protect Vin's personal assets while giving him flexibility in managing his projects. Essentially, it separates his business finances from his personal ones."
Gloria nodded slowly, trying to process the information. "So… it's like making his gaming and tech stuff official?"
"Exactly," Harvey confirmed. "It'll also make things smoother when handling contracts, partnerships, and taxes."
Gloria glanced at Vin, concern flickering in her eyes. "Isn't he a little young for all this?"
Jay leaned forward, "And besides I assume most of the stuff will be handled by me. Vin might be a genius but at the end of the day he is still a kid."
Vin gasped in mock offence, "Hey! I'll have you know I would have taken over the world by now if we were in a comic book world. Hmph."
Harvey chuckled. "Well, lucky for us, this isn't a comic book. But setting up an LLC will give Vin the structure he needs without overwhelming him."
Gloria still looked hesitant. "I just don't want him losing his childhood over business dealings."
Vin grinned. "Relax, Mama. I've still got plenty of time for video games, cartoons, and—uh—strategizing my future empire."
Jay smirked. "Alright, Iron Man, hate to burst your bubble, but despite how available I might seem, I do have a business to run. And at my age, I can't exactly afford to pour my time into a brand-new startup."
Vin narrowed his eyes. "Oh? So lying on the couch after devouring a grilled cheese counts as running a business now?"
Jay huffed. "Hey! I was just giving my honest opinion—no need to get snippy with me."
Vin stuck his tongue out in response.
"Boys! Enfocar!" Gloria sighed, shaking her head fondly.
Harvey chuckled. "You know, you could always just appoint a CEO."
Jay raised an eyebrow. "And who exactly would want to be the CEO of a company that's not even making money yet?"
Gloria lifted her chin. "I would."
Silence.
Vin and Jay shared a look before slowly turning their skeptical gazes on her.
Gloria looked pleased with herself—until she noticed their expressions. Her eyes narrowed. "What?! You don't think I can do this?"
"I… uh…" Jay fumbled, glancing at Harvey for backup, but the older man just shrugged, clearly enjoying the show.
Vin gently took Gloria's hands in his, looking up at her with careful diplomacy. "Mama, you know I love you, but… let's just say CEO isn't exactly in your skillset."
Gloria scoffed, placing a hand on her hip. "Excuse me? And what exactly is not in my skillset?"
Jay cleared his throat. "Well, for starters, running a business."
Gloria shot him a glare. "I run this household just fine!"
Vin gave her hands a reassuring squeeze. "You do, Mama. You're amazing. But managing a business isn't the same as managing a house. There are contracts, negotiations, financial reports…"
Gloria waved a hand dismissively. "Pfft! How hard can it be? I've handled party planning, dealt with stubborn people, and balanced a budget. It's the same thing!"
Jay muttered under his breath, "Yeah, because filing taxes is just like organizing a baby shower."
Gloria whipped her head toward him. "What was that?"
"Nothing," Jay said quickly, though his smirk betrayed him.
Harvey, still amused, finally spoke up. "They don't have to be experienced right now—just good at articulating things. The skills can be learned."
Gloria smirked, flipping her hair. "See? I can do it."
Jay pinched the bridge of his nose. "Gloria, honey, I admit you are good at persuasion and most of the business is persuasion but…there's also strategy, numbers, and, you know, actually running things."
Gloria scoffed. "Oh, please! I manage this entire household, I can handle a business!"
Vin tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Well, she does negotiate like a shark when it comes to getting me to eat my vegetables."
Jay muttered, "That's extortion, not negotiation."
Harvey chuckled. "She's got confidence, I'll give her that."
Gloria placed her hands on her hips. "Fine! If not me, then who?"
Jay sighed. "That's the million-dollar question. Who'd want to be CEO of a company that isn't making money yet?"
Vin raised a hand, signaling for attention. "I was thinking—shouldn't the business stay in the family? What about Claire? Didn't she get a degree in Entrepreneurship and Marketing?"
The room instantly tensed. Gloria's expression darkened, her lips pressing into a thin line. Jay shot Vin a subtle shake of his head, silently warning him to drop it.
Sensing the shift in mood, Harvey cleared his throat and made a smooth exit. "Well, no need to rush the decision. I've done what I came here to do. Give me a call once you've made up your mind."
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Thank you for reading!!!