"I can't say that I haven't seen this sort of thing before. My own parents were a perfect example, God rest their souls," sighed Andre, sitting behind a massive oak desk.
A shiny metal nameplate on the desk read: "Andre Esposito, full partner, Esposito and Associates LLP".
Father Abel and Aaron sat in the leather chairs in front of the desk. The office was large, and smelled of leather and wood polish.
"I only wish I could have educated Ivan at least, I thought he'd show more backbone for his own son," grumbled Father Abel.
"Well what's done is done, can you emancipate me Mr. Esposito?" asked Aaron.
"Yes. I'll draw up the emancipation papers and serve them to your parents. However, you have more pressing matters, such as finding a place to stay and a means to support yourself. I have recently bought a loft here in the city. Would you like to move in with me?" asked Andre.
"Yes please. I have about twenty grand saved in my own bank account. How much do you want as a deposit?" asked Aaron.
Andre waived his hand dismissively. "You may be emancipated, but there is no way in hell I'm letting you pay rent until you turn 18," he said.
"Very well," said Aaron.
"Now, some conditions for moving in. You must complete your education. I will homeschool you the best I can on my days off, but you will have to study, clear the SAT and go to college. Agreed?" asked Andre.
"Yes sir," said Aaron.
"Now as for your financial situation, you may work no more than 14 hours a week while you are studying. Agreed?" asked Andre again.
"No. I intend to pay for my own tuition in college, so I will be working longer than that," said Aaron, his blue eyes boring into Andre's brown eyes.
"Very well, but I insist that you prioritize your studies and having fun over working. Agreed?" asked Andre his tone clear that his insistence was more of an order.
"Yes sir," said Aaron.
----
"I know that this has been a terrible ordeal for you. However, Aaron will be safe, taken care of and given the love and support he needs.
I urge you to focus on your wife and daughter now and not bear any resentment to them," said Father Abel, as Ivan drove him and Aaron to Andre's new loft, Aaron's belongings stuffed into the BMW M5's trunk, and rear seats.
Ivan nodded silently as tears rolled down his cheeks.
They arrived at the loft, to find Andre waiting for them.
"You got everything?" asked Andre, looking at the BMW's trunk.
"Yup, we got everything, including the signed paperwork," said Father Abel, handing Andre a manila envelope.
"Come on, let's get Aaron settled in," said Andre, leading the way into the loft.
The four of them took turns carrying Aaron's belongings into the loft, and placing them in the room that Andre had cleared for him.
The room was soon full of Aaron's belongings, his desktop computer, his clothes, and a few books.
"I'm so sorry I wasn't strong enough for you Aaron. Please don't hate me," said Ivan as he hugged Aaron tightly.
"I love you Dad. Please take care of my sister. I know that this was not easy for you," said Aaron tenderly, returning the hug.
With that, Ivan left, knowing that it would be the last time he saw Aaron.
----
"When the hell did you take the SAT?" demanded Andre, slamming the letter onto the desk.
"About a week ago," replied Aaron, not looking up from the code he was working on.
"Well, let's see how you've done," grumbled Andre, shaking his head and ripping open the envelope.
"Damn! 1440, that's pretty good!" he said.
"It should be enough to get me a computer science course at Bunker Hill Community College," said Aaron, glancing at the score.
"You don't want to go to MIT?" asked Andre.
"I'd rather not cause further embarrassment to Ivan," said Aaron as he opened the web browser to apply to Bunker Hill Community College.
"Very well, but I don't think you've saved enough for the tuition," said Andre, frowning slightly.
"That can be remedied over the summer, I intend to apply for a full-time summer job," said Aaron.
"I anticipated that, and so have got you a job as a system administrator for our firm. It pays quite well. You interested?" chuckled Andre.
"Yes," said Aaron.
----
"Hey! Check that kid out,"
"Is he even old enough to be here?"
"Black leather suit? What is he? A try-hard villain?"
"Wearing animal hide, ugh! So insensitive!"
Whispers followed Aaron as he walked through the cafeteria of Bunker Hill Community College. His black leather business suit gleaming under the fluorescent lighting, each step giving off a creak from the polished leather, and a commanding click from his black leather ankle boots.
He took his tray and sat down at an empty table, ignoring the stares and whispers of the other students.
A tall young man approached him carrying a tray laden with a Hamburger and fries.
"Hello. Are you new here? I'm Harry Smith, a civil engineering freshman," he introduced himself.
"I'm Aaron Zakhrov, a computer science major, also in the first year," replied Aaron in a clipped tone as Harry sat next to him.
"So. What brings you here instead of some fancy Ivy League place?" asked Harry as he tucked into his lunch
"Accentuating circumstances," said Aaron.
"Relax, I'm just trying to be friendly," chuckled Harry through a mouthful of his burger. He swallowed and looked at Aaron seriously.
"Listen, I was a senior at St. Ignatius, so I know a little about you, but if you don't want to talk about it, I understand," he said.
Aaron gave Harry a cold stare. "Lets just say that I was expelled for being a thorn in Senator Clarke's side" he said.
"Damn. Well consider yourself lucky, things went downhill pretty quickly after you left. They relaxed the uniform code, cut out catechism and ethics class in favor of a gender studies program, and my final semester was basically a long ass lecture by some blue-haired overweight woman about how masculinity is the root cause of evil," grumbled Harry.
"Sounds like something she would implement," said Aaron with a hint of amusement.
"So what exactly did you do to get on her bad side if you don't mind my asking?" asked Harry.
"Let's just say it was because of a video game I was making," said Aaron.
Harry whistled softly. "Damn. That's rough. So you're a game developer?" he asked.
"I have the code and the plot, I don't have any artwork, because I suck at drawing," said Aaron.
Harry leaned forward with interest. "How about we collaborate? I'll draw the artwork for you," he suggested.
"I'd rather not get expelled on my first day here Harry, so I'll have to pass on that," said Aaron, pushing away his tray, and preparing to stand up.
Harry held up his hands. "Wait, wait don't dismiss me so easily! Here, take a look at some of my work," he said pulling out his laptop from his backpack.
Aaron stared at Harry's laptop screen. The art that Harry had shown him was an anime girl, chained to a post, getting whipped by an anime style man. A look of pain and ecstasy on her face.
"Interested? As you can see, I'm a fellow admirer of BDSM," chuckled Harry.
"Very well, what is your commission fee?" asked Aaron.
"50% of the profits on the sale of the game" said Harry promptly.
"40% though I'm not entirely sure that we can sell it" said Aaron.
"All right how about this. I'll look over the script of the game, and then we decide?" asked Harry.
"Very well, come by to my place after class. I refuse to bring the game out of the house" said Aaron as the bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch break.
----
"Wow! Nice crib!" exclaimed Harry as he and Aaron entered the loft.
"Well, it isn't mine. I'm staying with Mr. Andre Esposito until I turn 18," said Aaron as he booted up the desktop computer where the game code was stored.
Harry marveled at the size, complexity and graphic detail of the game's plot. "Damn, this is good!" he gasped.
"That maybe so, but I'm fairly certain that Valve Software will disagree with you," said Aaron.
"Well, we can sanitize it for Steam and then add all the extreme stuff as part of an externally provided DLC," said Harry.
"Very well, I'll rework the game into a sanitized base game and an extreme DLC. You provide the artwork, I'll get Mr. Esposito to draw up a contract," he said.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa a contract?" asked Harry, as Andre entered the loft.
"Yes a contract. I will not be blind sided again," said Aaron.
"And what are you gentlemen discussing?" asked Andre looking between Aaron and Harry.
"Mr. Harry Smith here, has offered his services to create artwork for my game on the condition that we sell it, and he gets a portion of the profits. I want a contract in place that he will share responsibility if the sale of this game results in any punitive action," said Aaron.
"I see," said Andre. He smiled at Harry. "Don't think too badly of Aaron, he's become quite cynical about the goodness in peoples hearts. I'll make sure the contract is fair to you both," he assured Harry.
"Well OK," said Harry nervously.
"All right, how do you want to split this?" asked Andre as they sat in his home office.
"Register the company as Sirius Software. I want full control and veto power over any and all decisions," said Aaron.
"Wait just a minute! I thought we were going to be partners!" said Harry.
"This game is mine. I have invested too many emotions and sacrificed too much for it already. I like your artwork Harry, but those are my terms. Take it or leave it," said Aaron, his tone firm and commanding.
"Damn dude, you don't pull any punches," said Harry. He took a deep breath.
"All right, but I want to be a free agent, not some employee that you can fire. Deal?" he asked, glad that his father had taught him the importance of negotiating deals.
"Deal," said Aaron.
Andre nodded seriously. "Very well, I shall draw up the articles of incorporation and the commission contract," he told them.
"And Harry, one more thing. Any art that you make for the game stays here. I don't want anything leaking out of this house," said Aaron, his blue eyes boring into Harry's hazel eyes.
"Fine," gulped Harry.
----
"Damn you work fast!" exclaimed Harry, his hands flying across the drawing tablet as he drew character art for the game.
"It's my normal pace," said Aaron, taking a sip of his coffee.
"I think I might need some help with the artwork and music," sighed Harry, looking at the amount of work he had to do.
"Careful with who you ask for help," warned Aaron.
"I know, I know. I'll bring in only people I trust," said Harry.
----
"Aaron, this is James Smith from electrical engineering, and Mario Gonzales from nuclear engineering," said Harry as he introduced his two friends to Aaron in the college cafeteria.
Aaron inclined his head slightly in greeting.
"Harry has told me about the game you are making. I'm a sucker for male power fantasy games, so I would like to help out with the music," said James.
"Has Harry told you about the contract?" asked Aaron.
"Yes, he has. I have no problems with it, just give me a commission," said James.
"Very well, I will draw up a contract for you as well," said Aaron.
"Um, I don't need paying, but I'd like help with my studies. Harry says you're a whiz kid," said Mario.
"Nuclear physics isn't my wheelhouse, but I don't mind taking a crack at it," replied Aaron.
"Great! I could use the help," said Mario, his face lighting up with a smile.
"All right, let's all meet at my place after class," said Aaron.
----
"OK, here are the contracts," said Aaron, handing out the contracts to James and Mario.
"Sirius Software, looks pretty official," said James, looking over the contract.
"Yeah, I had Mr. Esposito draw it up," said Aaron.
"Yeah, well, bottom line is I make you music, and you help me pass this nuclear engineering course," said Mario, signing the contract.
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "A bit eager to sign, aren't you?" he asked.
"Hey, not all of us are blessed with genius level IQs. I need all the help I can get," said Mario, shrugging.
"Fine, I don't mind helping you out, but I'm not doing everything, OK? It's you who still has to pass the exams," said Aaron.
"Yeah, yeah, I know, I just need a little help with the assignments and projects. Get off my case already," said Mario, rolling his eyes.
"All right," shrugged Aaron.