Nov 13 (16 GP)
Leo's POV
Finally, Omni Work's first location is officially open. Well, the ex-cafe location is open.
"What's that?" Gwen asked as she held the ladder.
A smile formed on my face. "You like it? I made it myself." I explained as I hung up the sign.
The design was simple, but elegant. A multicolored infinite sign, with the company name underneath, 'Omni Work'. Dyed and painted a mix of colors. Navy blue, purple, cyan, and orange.
RING
The doorbell chimed as Harry stuck his head out. "Are you done yet? Remember, we're kind of running a business here."
"Yeah, yeah. Give me a moment." With careful steps, I climbed down the ladder.
With Gwen close behind, we stepped inside.
The cafe was packed with most of midtown's senior and Junior coding class.
Gwen stayed behind by the entrance as I joined Harry, and the others in the front.
"Alright, we have a lot to discuss today. So we'll keep it brief." Harry began. "To my right is Peter Parker, our head engineer. All of you are coders, so you probably won't be seeing him much for now."
"You can just call me Peter." Peter interrupted, introducing himself nervously.
Harry just rolled as he gestured to Ned. "To my left is Ned Leeds, head coder."
"Hey." Ned greeted the group, awkwardly.
"Basically, he's your manager." Harry added.
"Wait, I am?" Ned asked, apparently unaware of his position.
"Beside Ned, is Leo Faith. Omni Work's co-owner." Harry introduced.
"Basically, I'm the CEO." I added.
Harry just sighed. "Most of you already know who I am, Harry Osborn. The other co-owner."
I placed an arm around Harry's shoulder, a grin on my face. "Basically the Vice CEO, right hand, and the guy that's actually in charge."
"Now that we've gotten introductions out of the way." Harry continued as he pushed my hand away. "And you've all signed NDA's." He added under his breath. "Let's get to business…we're screwed."
The crowd gave us an odd look, as they began to talk amongst each other in confusion.
"Alright, settle down, settle down." Harry told the crowd. "As you may be aware, there was an incident yesterday."
"You mean the killer robots?" A girl asked out loud.
"Wait, Those were real? I thought it was just some sort of movie promotion." A boy answered back.
The girl shook her head. "Nope, it actually happened. The military still has the road blocked off."
"Okay, let's not get sidetracked." I interrupted, Harry nodded in my direction as thanks.
"Like I was saying, after yesterday's incident. Instagram is basically being overrun, and is barely holding on by a thread." Harry explained.
"We stabilized it the other day, but it's touch and go." I added. "Originally, the plan was for half of you to work on Instagram. While the rest of you work on future projects." I explained.
"But, that plan has been scrapped." Harry added. "So, instead the plan is for all you to work on Instagram, and hopefully keep it from frying itself."
A silence filled the air.
I let out a cough. "That means boot up your system, Ned will be over in a minute to help you settle in … also, coffee and snacks are available by the counter. Snacks are limited to store bought, until we find somebody to manage the snack counter."
With that said, everybody began to pull out their laptop. Personal, or company issued, and began to boot them up.
As Ned left to help everybody set themselves up, Harry gestured for Peter and I to follow him.
Gwen glanced at our direction, with a shrug, I gestured for her to follow as well.
A moment later, we stepped into Harry's office. A tight fit since it was absolutely tiny, but we make do with what we have.
Harry glanced at Gwen in confusion, Gwen just shrugged. "He told me to follow." Gwen answered, gesturing to Leo.
"Okay, so what's the plan?" Harry asked bluntly, choosing to just get it out the way. "Instagram is growing faster than we could have imagined, the people we already have are not enough."
I folded my arms. "Like I've already said, we need more people, and a bigger building."
Harry messaged his temple. "Yeah, but one issue. We don't have money for a second building, with the money we used for this place. Plus all the stuff we had to buy to set the place up, and that not even mentioning a certain donation." Harry mentions the last part with some annoyance.
I just shrugged. "Consider it good PR."
"Either way" Harry continued, choosing to ignore my response. "We don't have enough money for a bigger building, a downpayment alone will cost over a mil."
Gwen raised her hand. "Question, don't you guys have investors? Why do you guys have so little money?"
"We don't have investors." Peter answered.
"I refused to have old white people tell me how to run my company." I explained.
"Even though I agree with the sentiment, it still means we have a money problem."
With a sigh, I glanced at Harry. "We have a meeting with your Dad, right?"
Harry glared. "No."
"It's not an investment."
"No."
"It is more like a familiar loan."
"NO!"
For a brief moment, we locked eyes and entered a staring contest.
The group watched in confusion as Harry, and I had an angry staring contest. Eventually, I realized it wasn't worth it and just gave up.
A moment passed as I tried to think up a business plan. "Okay, I think I have an idea." I grabbed a journal from my bag, and handed it to Harry.
"What's this?" Harry asked as he began to flip through the book.
"It's concept art for Flappy Bird merchandise, you're going to contact somebody. Probably Hot Topic, and temporarily license the IP to them. You're better at business, but I suggested we settle for lower royalty, in exchange for a higher licensing fee."
Harry just stared at me. "That's….that's actually a good idea. I'll look into it."
"Alright, as for you." I turned to face Peter. "I have a very important job for you, I need you to be a new compact. Better, more advanced. I would say smaller, but I don't think that's possible."
"On it." Peter answered with a smile.
"What about me?" Gwen chimed in.
"Gwen, you have the most important job." I grabbed her by the shoulder, and looked her dead in the eyes. "I need you to make, 'we're hiring posters', and pass them out to Empire State University's coding course."
Gwen gave me a blank look. "Seriously?"
I gave her a sheepish grin. "I promise to make it up to you?"
Gwen just sighed. "Fine." She left the office.
Harry glanced up from his laptop. "Is it me, or am I sensing some weird tension?" He asked Peter, who just shrugged in response.
"It's complicated." I told him.
===
3rd Person POV
Nov 14 (17 GP)
Leo's Home
Om Nom bit into the rock candy, it crunched in his mouth as he chewed.
His chewing was cut short as Gwen pried open his mouth, and began to examine his teeth.
"Why are you giving Om Nom a tooth examination?" Leo asked as he returned from the bathroom.
"Cause he just bit into rock candy, like they were crackers. Do you understand what type of jaw, and teeth strength you would need for that?" Gwen explained in amazement.
Reaching into a box, she pulled out a plastic case filled with mini muffins. Om Nom's eyes widened in excitement, drool dripped down his chin.
"Now, hold on." Leo snatched the muffins. "You've already fed him a bag of rock candy, and now you want to feed him muffin. Are you trying to over feed him?"
Om Nom let out a whine, his face drooping in disappointment.
Gwen let out a cutesy aww as she picked up and began to comfort Om Nom.
"....Hey, Gwen. Can we talk?" Leo asked.
"Sure?" Gwen answered as she jiggled Om Nom's antenna thingy.
"What are we?"
Gwen froze, Om Nom slipped out her hand and hit the floor. Fortunately, she's on her knees, so it wasn't a big fall.
"Well, I, umm." Gwen stuttered as she dusted her pants and stood up. "What do you mean?"
Leo sighed. "Well, I'm pretty sure you asked me out on a date, but then again. That was before you saw me get shot, and learned I'm basically a mass of super cells…also, Om Nom."
To prove his point, his body began to shift. A yellow jacket with green sleeves formed over his body, an orange brim cap built into the hoodie. On his backside was The Flappy Bird mascot, Flappy,
Gwen twirled her hair, a blush on her face. "Well, what do you want to do?"
Leo cupped his chin in thought. "If I'm being honest…I really want to kiss you." He answered with a palm-fist tap.
Gwen let out a yeep as she threw a pillow at him. "What did I say about teasing me like that?!"
Leo just laughed. "Sorry, but can you blame me? You're just too cute." He took a seat on the couch. "Don't worry, I'm not going to kiss. Well, at least not until our first date. Well, that's if you still have me."
Gwen picked up Om Nom, petting him softly. "Well, I like Om Nom. so he's not really a deal breaker…also, you're kind of cute."
Leo smiled. "Kind of?"
"The jury is still out."
Leo just chuckled. "In this case, how about we share a meal. Let's say this Friday, after class."
Gwen smiled. "If you're cooking, maybe."
"You want our first date to be in my kitchen, in my house… I had no idea you were bold."
Gwen blushed again, but this time it was followed with a laugh.
===
Leo's Pov
Nov 18 (21 GP)
Oscorp
"Have they given us a number yet?" I asked Harry.
"They need time to think." Harry answered.
"It's a mobile game that makes 58K a day, 40 after taxes. What's to think about?"
"Honeslty, sometime I wonder if you have any business sense. It's been less than a week, how do you think this works? Do you think I can just send out an email to Hot Topic, Inc? Ask if they want to lease the licensing rights for Flappy Bird, and money just flows in? No, there's paper work, negotiating, contracts, distribution.
"...The company that owns Hot Topic, is Hop Topic, Inc?" Harry let out an angry groan "I'm kidding, I'm kidding." I calmed him down before he decided to storm out.
"Mr. Faith, and um, Mr. Osborn." The secretary struggled to call us, probably unsure on what to call Harry. "Mr. Osborn is ready to see you."
"Let's get this over with." Harry whispered to me, as we stood up and he adjusted his tie.
Since this was technically a business meeting, Harry came dressed in a black suit with a red tie.
While I came in a navy blue suit, and a black tie.
Originally, I wanted to come in a t-shirt and sweats. Sort of like a powermove, but Harry said no.
We stepped through the doorway, inside was a large table. Norman Osborne, Harry's dad. Sat on one side, a few of his board members beside him.
We took a seat across from them, and began.
"Let's get something clear." Harry began.
"We're not selling Instagram or Flappy Bird to you, or any shares of Omni Work." I finished, best to rip the bandage off quickly.
Harry just sighed. "While blunt, my business partner is correct. We prefer to keep Omni Work private, so that we have full control over its autonomy and future."
Despite their stellar poker face, I could just tell that most of them were fuming.
Honestly, I would be too. They went out of their way to set up a meeting and we just told them no to their face.
They were probably expecting for Harry to submit to his dad, sell part of his share, or most of Omni Work to Oscorp. Probably pitch something, about making Omni Work, a family company.
"Understanble." Norman answered back, he stood and offered a hand to Harry.
Who awkwardly took it, and shook. "We thank you for taking time out of your business day to humor us, have a nice day." With the handshake complete, we walked out of the office.
For a solid moment, we just stood outside, Extremely confused, mainly Harry.
"....I was not expecting that." Harry eventually spoke.
"What were you expecting?" I asked.
"I don't know, my dad is trying to offer to buy Omni Work. Make it a subsidiary like he suggested last time, try to strong arm us."
"Hear me out, what if. Your dad isn't the ruthless business man, you think he is?"
Harry responded to my question, with a look that said. "Are you serious?"
If I'm being honest, so far this Norman seems like a chill guy. Maybe he's more like the insomniac version, than the spectacular one.
(P.S. From Author: Sorry for the delay everybody. My week was just very busy, I worked in a restaurant, and anybody who work in a restaurant can tell you. it get busy during the holiday seasons (halloween, thanksgiving, and christmas.) also, unrelated. I got a new car. either way, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter)