Chapter 44: Fundraiser
"Hmm," I murmured, waking up after a night full of activities.
"Morning," Summer said sleepily but affectionately.
"One more time?" I teased.
"Piss off," she retorted.
I poked her cheek. "Someone's a sore loser."
"I can't compete against a rabbit."
I was getting out of bed when she suddenly wrapped her arms around my waist.
We took a shower together and got dressed again
Summer slipped her pajamas back on. "I'll sleep a little longer. Lie down with me a bit more," she pleaded, making a face hard to resist.
I went back to bed and cuddled her from behind. She quickly turned around, gave me a brief peck on the lips, and we fell back asleep.
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Later that morning, I returned to Jay's house and reviewed all my assets on the computer.
"Gauss LLC is already at $324 million after tax (considering a 35% rate on profits)," I let out a low whistle.
In my previous life, I only made that much money because of Bitcoin's appreciation.
"Wimpy Kid and The Hunger Games were finally released, still with low sales. Twilight has sold 60,000 copies, and The Book Thief around 35,000 - still far from their potential and without major economic relevance (for me)."
After browsing the internet for a while, I went to the gym, then finally headed to the fundraiser.
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The event took place at Caleb Nichol's mansion, the owner of The Riviera Palisades Group and Seth's grandfather. Marissa was the organizer, but the event was actually financed by the Nichols.
I parked my car and walked into the enormous mansion, heading straight toward the pool area.
Spotting two familiar faces, I patted them on the shoulders. "Ryan, Seth, you guys got here early."
"Hey, Jake," Seth greeted.
"Hi, man," Ryan said, already looking uncomfortable, even though no guests had arrived yet.
"Take it easy, Ryan. If we're lucky today, we might fight another useless rich kid," I joked, trying to ease his tension.
"I hear someone talking about fight?" a beautiful woman approached us.
"Yes, against hunger and poverty," I agreed. "Jake Pritchett."
"Kirsten Cohen," she shook my hand. "So you're Evelyn's grandson, and the boy my son talks about." She smiled politely but with that subtly judgmental look (much more discreet than Claire's), then turned to check on something across the garden.
"Your mom doesn't seem to be much of a fan of mine," I noted to Seth.
"Welcome to the club" Ryan muttered
"Maybe because you're not exactly a role model of a student - like showing up late every day, getting into fights, flirting during class…" Seth replied with irony.
"Flirting during class?"
"That one's just my educated guess," he added.
I admitted, "Good guess"
He turned to me in his usual style, which I was already getting used to, avoiding eye contact. "My mom might not be your fan, but you're already my hero - expelling Luke after just one month of school."
"Speaking of that waste of space, is he coming?" I inquired.
"I don't know. How come you don't like rich guys?" Seth asked strangely.
"That's Ryan," I denied. "How could I not like rich guys if I am one too? I just don't like useless rich kids," I clarified.
"Hey, I like you two," Ryan admitted, easing up a little.
Suddenly, Seth looked awkward (or more than he already is).
"Haley's right over there. Look - wait, don't look!" he blurted as Haley, Marissa, and another woman appeared in the garden.
"Is that Haley?" a middle-aged man patted Seth on the shoulder, pointing at her without any discretion.
"It is. Jake Pritchett," I introduced myself. "You must be Mr. Cohen." He nodded, and I shook his hand.
"Now, excuse me, guys, but I'd rather talk to the beautiful ladies," I smirked, heading toward them as they waved at me.
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"Whoa, look at you two, you look fantastic," I complimented, admiring how stunning Marissa and Haley looked in their elegant dresses
I gave a polite nod to the lady beside them.
Marissa smiled at me. "You look handsome too, Jake," she said before glancing away and taking a sip of the drink in her hand.
Haley stepped closer, straightened my tie, and gave me a quick look from head to toe. "You're not bad either, cousin."
"A Brioni, Super 180 wool," the lady gave me an analytical once-over, lightly adjusting my suit lapel. "And it's bespoke. Twenty thousand for one of these, Haley," she remarked sternly, as if giving a lesson.
"Charvet shirt, well matched, and Berluti shoes - nicely coordinated, not just looking like you bought the most expensive things on the store," she finished her assessment.
"Did I walk into the wrong party? Are you selling me?" I whispered to Marissa, who just shook her head, amused.
"Wow, your dad really spoils you," Haley commented. "And this is Margaret, Jake," I was finally introduced to the woman.
"She's the one choosing the dresses everyone will model, and she let me help with everything," she added excitedly.
It was good to see my cousin genuinely interested in something. I made a mental note to get Margaret's contact later and see if she could continue giving lessons to Haley.
Margaret and Haley went back to the dressing area, leaving Marissa and me alone.
"Want to talk about it?" I got straight to the point
She glanced at me, "About what?"
"The thing that's making you uneasy," I replied, noticing something was bothering her.
She stayed silent for a moment before saying, "I think my dad might be in trouble," and handed me a card.
It was from Steve Pearlman, from the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission).
"Who's your father again?" I asked, since we hadn't talked about it.
"His name is James Cooper - 'Jimmy' Cooper. He's, like, a financial planner," she added.
I nodded, but my thoughts drifted elsewhere. 'Jimmy Cooper' - the name of the stockbroker that the Brenda's prom treasurer had blamed for losing the money.
Rich guy living in Palisades, SEC… so many coincidences.
And wouldn't be the first time that events with almost zero mathematical probability of happening actually occur - people from my circle somehow ending up connected, even in a city as big as LA.
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