The article is done!

Finally. It took me until lunch break, but it's done! I couldn't be happier. I have a good feeling about this article too, it builds quite well on the last one and I feel like people will love it. I sent the article to Donna and wanted to head to eat, when Christine interrupted me.

"J-James, can we talk?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"About last Friday... I-I... am sorry... for attacking you." Christine +15SP (+43SP)

"Do you feel sorry for what you did?"

"I... It's complicated, sorry." Christine +1SP (+44SP)

"Why did you apologize, even though I only asked you to do it when you truly were sorry?"

"I... Look, I'm sorry, okay? I can't help but feel guilty seeing you, seeing you be so kind to me despite everything I've done to you. I feel like you deserve an apology. I-Is this not good enough?"

"Christine, I'm glad you feel that way, it's just... I want you to understand that you shouldn't have attacked me. Even if I wasn't as kind and had called the police instead."

"I... I know you're right. Rationally, logically, I know this. I know threatening someone's life is wrong, but... In that moment, all I could feel was desperation and rage. All I could think about was how every problem I ever had in recent days was apparently your fault." Christine +9SP (+53SP) She paused for a moment. "Rationally, I know that's not really the case. But I worry... I worry that... something might enrage me again, that something might make me think that way again. So I don't know if I can say that I'm truly sorry. At least not when I am still a danger to you."

"I think I get what you mean. When I played more video games and something bad happened, I was sometimes mad at my opponents, at the game, whatever. I was mad and wanted to unleash that anger. But... what I learned pretty quickly is that the rational side can come through if you let it. It's slow, but you need to keep the door open. The rational side tells me that hurling my controller at my screen will cost a lot and achieve nothing in the game. After a short moment where rage runs free, I am calm enough to no longer be a danger to those around me - or my monitor."

She chuckled. I think it's the first time I've seen her display positive emotions towards me. "James, I'm trying to not get as mad anymore, okay? But I don't know if next time I'll be able to reign myself in like you suggested. But I promise to keep trying." Christine +2SP (+55SP)

"That's all I ask of you, Christine. You've made a lot of progress in the past few days and you seem happier too. I hope this continues."

"I... I hope so too."

Lunch break time. Or rather, business time. I headed to the stalls for some privacy and called the lawyers again.

"Hello Mr. Goodman, what can we do today?"

"Well, I received a letter from my father today. It seems as though he wants to transfer the ownership to me. Can he do that?"

"Can you send us a picture of the document? We need the word for word phrasing." I sent them the letter. "Hm, yes, he has transferred ownership to you with this. He is allowed to do that, as the law considers it beneficial to you, so it gets treated as if he over-delivered. You can't sue for that." The other lawyer added: "More accurately, by the wording he went the path of permanently transferring ownership, as if he inherited it to you."

"Can I transfer ownership of the company myself?"

"Well, it's still classified as a family business with all the beneficial tax breaks it brings. You can only transfer down, so it would have to be a family member ."

"Ugh, alright. I'll discuss this with my brother. I'll call you back if something significant changes about the company."

"Alright, Mr. Goodman."

I called my brother immediately.

"Hey James, what's up?"

"Uh, bad news, for you. Dad decided to make me owner."

He paused. All he could say was a defeated "No..."

"I... I wanted to call because I need your advice. And because I want to make sure that you're not left out of everything. I had always wanted to give you the company after you came back but now..."

"Why not sell it? Wreck the real estate empire of that fucker?"

"And raise the rent of so many people? Ensuring mom doesn't have an income? I... can't do that."

"Yeah you're right, I'm sorry."

"I feel like he's trying to pit us against each other."

"What do you mean?"

"This... combined with him excluding you from his will... It seems like he's just trying to get to you and harm you in any legal way he can."

"... I can see that, honestly."

"I might have an idea. I can just create a post with all powers, responsibilities, and pay of the owner and put you in charge of it. Meanwhile I continue my normal job."

"You'd still be legally responsible. You'd have to check everything I do."

"Ugh, that sucks."

"James, I... I give up. Have the company. I'm gonna spend some years in jail. What I do with my life after this is not in my or your power to decide. Keep the company. I appreciate everything you've done for me, but it's too late. I'll be here for you if you need advice but... I don't think there's any feasible solution for this. Even if I get the custody of my children somehow, you'd have to wait 15 years to pass this torch, if you really want an inexperienced 18-year-old running the company."

"I... alright."

"Promise me to take care of mom, okay? Make sure she gets through this okay, spend time with her."

"I will, Bartholomew. Until next time."

"Bye."

It felt weird. I was the owner now. I was the one responsible. Liable. Fuck. I needed to clear my head, so I texted Donna:

'Hey Donna, I'm done with my article and sent it in already. Can I take a walk? Need to clear my head and maybe gather my thoughts.'

'Alright. Be back by 4:30PM, I wanna talk with you.'

I just gave her a thumbs up and left the building. I simply wandered through the city. There was a lot to think about... Becoming owner of the company was a huge task. I'd have to understand the company better, and importantly, how to run a business. I should probably look for a tax lawyer soon too. I'm not sure how big of a difference it actually makes, but something about being owner made the responsibilities feel heavier. Probably the fact that I won't hand it over to someone in a few years. I walked back to the office and saw a familiar face.

"Mr. Goodman, my sources are telling me GRC has started paying out the compensation?"

"Good afternoon, Ms. Dapy. Yes, we will pay out a bit more than 10 million to those affected over a span of 20 years."

"And where does the money come from?"

"Well, largely from the sum that was paid to the blackmailers before. But we need more than that, that sum will come from my salary as owner of the company."

"Oh so you're the owner now?"

I stayed silent and entered the building, I've had enough of her. Not that I mind the free press, it was just weird being a public figure all of a sudden. I spent about half an hour thinking about what topic to write about next, but nothing came to me. At least I still have some time with that. I went to Donna's office.

"How do you like the article, boss?" I teased her a little.

"I quite like it, it seems like a good sequel, employee." She winked at me again. "But that wasn't the real reason I wanted to talk."

"Huh, what is it?"

"J-James, recently... I don't know why or how, but... I feel like you have some sway over me? When I want to do things, I think about what you would want, what you would want to do, and it plays a big role in my decision-making."

Fuck... Has she become aware of the influence of the app? Amber liked it, mom... probably gave up, honestly. Didn't even question why and how I could make her boobs bigger. But right now I needed excuses. I couldn't tell her about the app. "Well, that's a bit weird, but is it that concerning? I often think of Amber and you when I think about what to write or do with my articles. You're good friends and good journalists."

"James... it's not just for articles or my professional life... It's everything. Always thinking about what would be best for you." She paused, lost in thought, but then continued. "I'm not mad James, I'm... scared. I'm scared of not being able to get you out of my head again, I'm scared of always needing your advice, I'm scared... of putting your needs before mine. I'm scared because I don't know where it leads me."

"Wherever you want it to lead, babe." I gave her a kiss. "From here on out, I want you to think more about yourself when appropriate. If I like it, I'll go along with you. Sexually, romantically, professionally, whatever. If not, you can pursue your happiness on your own or with other friends. Donna, you're a good friend to me. And a wonderful person to fuck. If you want to aim higher professionally, go for it. I won't stop you."

"I... thanks, James. But I am still scared. Scared by how much you can decide for me. I don't even know what it is. Is this love?"

"I don't think it's love, Donna, but is it that important, if I never use this power over you? If you're always free to do what you wish as if I was never there?"

"I... guess not. I trust you, I think I love you, I don't think there's a better person who could have this kind of power over my life, but... I'm still scared, you know?"

I hugged her. "Donna, I'll never betray your trust, I promise. I don't ever wanna lose you. You'll be safe. I want us to stay together and enjoy each others' company and bodies and if that's what you really want, you're invited. Otherwise you'll be living your life on your own and we'll meet whenever we want."

"James, I... need to thank you. From the Friday we did it in the stall, you've been looking out for me. I feel bad for doubting you but..."

I gave her another kiss. "No need to. I understand why you're nervous. But the choice is truly yours. I can leave you alone as much as you want, so that I don't make you uncomfortable. Or we can stay in regular contact and you'll just have to trust me that I'm not up to anything bad."

"As long as you'll always be up for something naughty..." She returned the kisses I gave her, but this time with tongue. She had been drinking some ice tea today, but it only made the experience better. I could feel our tongues wrap around each other.

"For you, always Donna. But now it's 5PM, we need to head home. We'll see each other next time, okay?"

"Yeah, James. Until tomorrow." She blew me a kiss and I left.