Chapter 31
Chapter 31
D ays had passed by and there was no sight of the man again.
LaVeré moved ZsaZsa and her security team to his estates until her graduation and then she would return to Emure. James was uneasy about her visit, however, he knew he had to let her go. As for her safety, he knew Calvin was digging into the identity of the man who was following them. The concern was the lengths taken to cover his tracks. Calvin and his friend Zoe were trying to track his moves from the moment he entered the United States. Once that was determined, they were certain it would lead to his identity.
For now, James turned his attention to the new business. He had invited Pricilla, Sean, Demarcus, Ulysses, and Kingston, to the Brooks’ estate to meet with his grandfather to discuss the business plan.
“This is where you live?” Cilla asked as she glanced around the foyer of the home.
“No, but this is where Taylor and I grew up,” James replied as they walked towards his grandfather’s office.
“Is this where Connie was living?” Sean asked looking around. “It looks like a castle. Are you sure it’s okay for us to be in here? The po-po ain’t going to show up to drag us off to jail for trespassing or something?”
“If they do I promise to bail you out and then sue them for violating your civil rights.”
They looked at the man the statement came from.
James smiled. “Meet my grandfather, Avery Brooks. Pop, these are Taylor’s cousins I told you about.”
Avery extended his hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you both. Please come into my office. The others are waiting.”
“He got an office in here,” Sean whispered loudly to Cilla.
“Look, don’t you embarrass me in front of these people,” Cilla cautioned. “We finally have a chance at a real job that pays good money.”
“Yeah, but James still ain’t said what we have to do to make that money.” Sean replied with a knowing look at her sister. “Rich people do freaky things.”
James burst into laughter. “I promise you there is nothing freaky going on,” he followed his grandfather through the door of the office.
When Cilla and Sean walked in, Demarcus, Ulysses, and Kingston all stood.
“DAMN!!! I can do freaky with them,” Sean declared.
“Whoa. I’m with you on that my sister,” Cilla gave her a high five.
“Allow me to introduce Priscilla and Sean Abernathy,” James said as they entered the room. “Ulysses and Demarcus Goodman, and Kingston Coleman.”
The men stood to shake their hands. “Good afternoon, gentlemen,” Cilla spoke.
“It is a pleasure to meet each of you,” Sean greeted each with a big smile.
James and Cilla frowned in confusion at her then smirked at each other.
“Well,” James tried not to laugh at the way Sean had spoken. “Priscilla will be our office manager. She has a number of years experience managing the school cafeteria.”
“Which means you know how to handle children,” Ulysses smiled.
“Indeed, I do,” Cilla nodded.
James cleared his throat, “Sean will be our receptionist.”
“I am ready to greet and meet,” Sean said as she took a seat then crossed her legs.
“Yes,” James could not help but to chuckle. “This is going to be interesting.”
“I’ll say,” Avery nodded. “This is quite an honorable undertaking. I am proud to be an advisor on a project that will enhance living conditions for our people.”
“Our inaugural project will be the location in Baltimore. During that renovation process, the office for our base will be built. Until that time, I have leased space in the Brooks Law Firm building for us to operate out of.”
“Our first order of business is to come up with a name for our venture. Then we need to determine how we want to organize. Do we want to go non-profit or be a for-profit organization.”
“Wait a minute…hold up. Non-profit?” Sean squealed. “Ain’t that when people don’t get paid. Listen, a sister got to get paid.”
James smiled. “Now, that’s the Sean I know.”
“The staff members of non-profits receive a salary,” Kingston explained. “Non-profit only means that the entity cannot make a profit. It has to use all funding collected towards the purpose. Which includes operational costs. Salaries fall under operational cost.”
Sean raised a questioning eye to Cilla.
“You’re going to get a paycheck no matter what.” Cilla replied.
“Okay now we’re talking.” Sean nodded. “And it does not involve serving food.”
“Well, if we decide to become a non-profit one of the areas, I think you will be good at is fundraising.” James advised.
“Fundraising?” She looked at Cilla.
“Asking people for money,” Cilla explained, then looked at James. “Are you sure that will be a good fit for her?”
“With some training,” James nodded. “I can’t think of anyone better to help raise money for projects. As for you, Cilla, you will be working closely with Kingston. The two of you will make sure that all the funds are being distributed to our contractors in the manner it should, if we decide to go non-profit.”
“I suggest we take a little time to look at the pros and cons of each. Then decide which way we want to go,” Demarcus suggested.
“It may be advantageous to have access to government grants,” Ulysses advised.
“One has to consider the limitations that some of those grants have,” Avery advised. “Do you really want the government involved in a project that is attempting to correct the wrongs they imposed on people.”
“Good point,” Ulysses nodded. “We are trying to preserve legacies here.”
“I agree.” James nodded. “Demarcus, we need you to be our eyes and ears with the community leaders. We are going to need their input on what neighborhoods are in need of our assistance. Ulysses, I would like for you to play two roles. In addition to working with Xavier Davenport on the designs, I need you to be my second in command. I’m currently working with the law firm, and I do want to get some legal work under my belt.”
“Did you say Xavier Davenport?” Ulysses asked.
“Yes, is there a problem?” James raised an eyebrow.
“Of Davenport Industries?” Ulysses asked again.
“Yes, that is who will be handling the construction,” James advised.
“He is also my son-in-law,” Avery stated with a curious look.
Demarcus and Kingston both grinned at Ulysses, who looked a bit shell shocked.
“It’s his dream firm,” Demarcus explained.
“That is the person he has always wanted to intern under.” Kingston added.
“Well, now is your chance,” James smiled. “Xavier designed our B-more project, and you will be working closely with him.”
“This adventure is getting better every day.” Ulysses beamed at Demarcus, “you get to work with Avery Brooks to preserve legacies and I get to work with Xavier Davenport to design buildings that lead to wealth.”
“Hey, what am I getting?” Kingston questioned.
“You get to work with me,” Sean smiled.
They all looked at the expression of fright on Kingston’s face and burst into laughter.
“LAW,” Pricilla spoke up. “Legacy and Wealth – LAW. That’s the name of our company.”
They all turned to her.
James smiled. “Cousins, welcome to the initial meeting of LAW where our goal is to safeguard legacies and build wealth.”