Super Sales on Super Heroes

Chapter 15 - Building Bridges -

“It looks like a shithole,” Felix grumbled, looking at the public school they’d stopped in front of.

Andrea turned around in the driver’s seat and smiled at him. “It really does.”

Lily sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “This is the school she’ll be sent to, according to the system.”

Eva ran a hand through her hair, peering out the window. “I’ve been to worse. Really. It’s okay.”

Felix snorted and then opened the door and got out of the car.

“No, no! That’s my job. Stop, get back in the car,” Andrea whined.

She hurried around to the rear of the car and pushed him back inside, slamming the door on him.

“You spoil her,” Lily said, smiling at him in the rearview mirror.

“Shut up,” Felix grumbled. Looking up out the window at the enthusiastic Beastkin, he waited.

Andrea opened the door and doffed her cap, holding it to her breast. “Sir.”

Felix sighed and got out of the car, giving Andrea a small smile. “Thank you.”

Eva exited behind him while Lily opened her own door and stepped out.

Andrea shut the door behind him and then folded her hands atop each other in front of her. “I’ll wait with the car, sir.”

Then she split into two people, another Andrea forming from the thin air beside her in the same outfit.

“And I’ll go with you!” she chirped, bouncing on her heels.

The new Andrea saluted the other, who returned the salute.

Lily was already walking ahead, snapping open her messenger bag and pulling out several papers. Felix took a few long steps to catch up to her.

“We should be able to take care of this quickly,” Lily said. Then she pushed open the front door and locked eyes with a woman behind a desk.

“Felix, guardian for Eva, here for Principal Meier,” Lily said in a clipped voice. She handed one of her papers over to the woman.

“Ah? Oh! Yes, he’ll see you immediately, he’s right through that door—”

Lily thanked the woman curtly and took the paper back. Then, without another word, she walked towards the door the woman had indicated.

Opening the very same door, listed simply with “Principal” on the outside, Lily entered.

“Principal Meier, Felix Campbell to see you in regards to Eva Adelpha.”

“Oh! Yes. I’m glad to see you, Mr. Campbell,” said a mundane-looking man in his forties.

“Yeah. So, can you tell me about your school?” Felix asked, shaking the man’s hand.

“Yes, yes. We’re actually a growing district right now. We’ve recently put in plans to expand the school with a new grant provided.”

Is that a clever way to say they’re overcrowded?

“How many students per class?” Felix asked, getting to the point.”

“I, uh, we’re happily at thirty-five per classroom. We’ve had great success with it—”

“Uh-huh. Can I see your PTA calendar?” Felix asked, holding out his hand.

“Oh, of course.”

The principal opened a drawer and then set a small flyer in Felix’s hand.

Felix read over it quickly. All the events were simple social things aimed at fundraising and little else. “What’s your current attendance count for the PTA?”

“Twenty-four.”

“And how many students?”

“One thousand two hundred, give or take.”

Felix grunted and then set the flyer down on the man’s desk.

“I’m going to go walk your hall real quick and take a peek in a classroom.”

“Now see here, this is unheard of. Our school is perfectly fine to accept your ward and—”

Felix growled and pressed a hand to his forehead, ignoring the man.

Damn Kit. Damn Lily. Damn Eva. I’m no parent.

He’d once had to help a young mother find a public school for her son. He’d done it because she’d been a good worker. So he knew a few things, but not everything.

“Sir, there’s a fight in the east hall again. They think they need the police,” said the woman from the front desk.

Oh, fuck this.

Felix left then, exiting the school and walking straight back to the car without a word for anyone.

Andrea saw him coming and popped open the door for him.

Felix waited for a moment, ushering Eva into the seat behind him.

The second Andrea slipped in close to the first one and she vanished into her.

Never going to get over that. Still freaky.

Getting into the car, he waited for Lily to get seated.

“Lily, solve this for me. Find a private school that’ll actually get her an education that she can attend without fear.

“I don’t care about cost. And if you get this taken care of quickly, and I don’t have to do much, I’ll get you that third power you wanted.”

Lily’s eyes lit up at that.

“You really can give people extra powers?” Eva asked, eyeing him again.

Felix ignored her. She asked the same questions over and over.

“Swear it?” Lily asked him.

“I do. I want it done soon. Like, two days soon.”

“I already did it,” Lily said, flipping open her bag and pulling out a paper. “I figured this might happen, so I took care of it. I just need your signature.”

Felix smiled and took the paper. Reading it over, he realized it was a school charter. Taking the pen, he signed it and handed it back.

“You’re beautiful, Lily. A beautiful genius. Hit me up tonight and we’ll get that power squared away.”

Andrea clambered into the car and turned the key in the ignition. Then she turned back to look at him, smiling and adjusting the cap on her wolf ears. “Where to?”

“I’m hungry. Weren’t we going to get pizza last night? I still want pizza.”

“I want pancakes.”

“You always want pancakes.”

Lily cleared her throat and held up a finger.

“I would suggest we call Dimitry. We just dismantled a large portion of his organization. It might be wise to provide him with information, as well as perhaps a peace offering.”

Felix nodded his head slowly. Some type of blood money wouldn’t be uncalled for. Might even be the best response in this situation.

“Worst case, we go back and finish the job,” Lily concluded.

Good point. It would be good to have him as a friend, if only to have a friend.

Can always use more sausage if not.

An hour later and Felix was still hesitating. He knew that this call wouldn’t go well.

Tapping a thumb on his desk, he shifted in his seat.

Lily stepped past two Andreas who were keeping him company, and dropped a brick of lead on his desk.

“Make this gold. I’m going to go buy those shops across the street,” she demanded. She put her left hand on her hip and shifted her weight to one side. Her eyes watched him, a small smile quirking her lips. “You can give me that power tomorrow. You have nothing else on your point calendar today or tomorrow.”

Another Lily invention. The point calendar.

A day planner that listed out all of his points and what he was scheduled to spend them on. It helped them plan out what the needs of the company were.

Things were changing, and Lily was at the forefront of most of it.

“I also have all the departments arranged for an appropriate corporation. I’ve submitted all the appropriate documentation for the company as well. Your first department head meeting will be next week, after the HR department gets everyone in the right spot.”

Felix gave her a lopsided smile and spread his hands out in front of him. “Thank you, Lily. You’ve definitely been pushing us in the right direction. I appreciate it. Without you, this would have taken considerably longer.”

Tapping the brick of lead, he converted it to gold and then looked back to her. “How are we doing finance-wise? All this gold and purchases have to come from somewhere and go back out.”

“Loophole. You’re now paying all your employees, who happen to be all your slaves. Effectively paying yourself for their work. They keep a percentage of it, but most of it comes back to you. This won’t work forever, as I imagine they’ll eventually close the loop. For now, it’s perfect.”

“And our people get some play money. What would I do without you, Lily?” Felix said, shaking his head.

Lily’s face shifted at that; she looked uncomfortable. Just as quickly, she smiled even wider at him.

The left Andrea crossed her arms and glared at him over the piece of paper they were using for tic-tac-toe.

Right Andrea got up and moved over to his side, pressing her head into his shoulder.

“No need to be jealous, Andie. No one can ever take your place as his personal assistant and possible secretary. I’m only acting as his operations officer and legal officer,” Lily assured the wolf girl.

Andrea harrumphed and rubbed her face back and forth on Felix’s shoulder before returning to her game.

“I’ll update your point calendar accordingly and forward it to your inbox. You did install the software I laid out for you, right?” Lily tilted her head to the side, her dark hair fanning out.

“Uh, yeah. I did. I also sent over all the information you needed,” Felix said, glancing away. “Alright, thanks, Lily. I’m going to stop stalling and call Dimitry. Unless there was something else?”

“No. I took care of the police for today. We paid a hefty amount for our line and Dimitry’s lines to be free of eavesdropping or recording. You’ll be fine being blunt with him, and letting him know would help him make some moves today if he felt so inclined.

“I’ll update your calendar as well. We’ll speak tomorrow morning. Purchases, finance, and where we are on the company paperwork.” Lily tossed her head, giving her hair a flip, and then exited his office.

Left Andrea continued to pout at him. “I don’t like this.”

“I don’t either,” Right Andrea said.

“Why? She’s doing her job. And speaking of jobs, did you get a chance to get a hold of No-Name and buy the weapons you wanted?”

Both of them nodded in unison. “They arrive tomorrow. He got us a good deal. We should have enough equipment to arm one hundred Others.”

Felix nodded his head. Then he picked up the phone suddenly and dialed Dimitry’s number without a further thought.

Now or never.

The line rang twice and then flipped over. “Good afternoon. I’m afraid we’re under reno—”

“Please put me in touch with Dimitry. Let him know it’s Felix.”

The man didn’t respond to Felix’s interruption. Instead, the phone went silent.

Seconds ticked by.

“A moment,” came the response eventually.

Felix let out a slow breath.

One of the Andreas closed the door to the office and then sat down in front of it. The second Andrea came over behind him and laid her hands on his shoulders.

“This is Dimitry.” The suddenness of his voice startled Felix.

“Ah, hey, Dimitry. Felix here. I wanted to talk to you.”

“Your debt is not due for some time. Do you need more money?”

“I appreciate the offer, but this is actually about what happened to your… compatriots? Peers?”

He could hear Dimitry’s breath catch.

“I don’t understand what you’re—”

“I’m responsible for what happened. I had people visit my home who wanted me and my people dead. I took offense to that, and killed everyone involved,” Felix said slowly.

Andrea began to rub her fingers into his shoulders and neck muscles.

“We paid for a communications blackout on your lines today. No one is listening. I’d like to discuss how I can make amends with you and your organization. I’d like very much for us to be friends.”

Felix heard Dimitry’s chair creak as he probably leaned back. It was a lot to take in suddenly without warning.

“I see. You have me at a disadvantage. I did not know there was a problem. Nor did I realize you were… so formidable.”

“There was, and I am. So, how do we make this work, Dimitry? The money you gave me is what allowed me to become as powerful as I am. I consider you an ally and want you to feel the same for me.”

Dimitry grunted. “I appreciate you being direct with me. With reaching out to me before I found out. For not wasting my time. I shall do the same for you.

“I’m now in charge here. We’re in the middle of a recruitment drive, and I am obviously weakened.”

Felix nodded his head; this all made sense so far.

“Money isn’t an issue. Though I will still collect on your debt, as that was previously agreed to.”

“Agreed.”

“I need guards. Guards and favors. You say you made it so this line is free of listeners?”

“For today. Would one of those favors include making it go beyond today?”

“Yes, if possible. That’d be helpful.”

“As for guards,” Felix said, looking to the Andrea in front of the door.

She smiled at him and tilted her head to one side.

“I can send over twenty-five armed soldiers tomorrow morning. They’ll rotate out daily. I would be able to provide this for a month.”

Andrea nodded her head. The one behind him leaned in to the ear he didn’t have pressed to a phone.

“That’ll be good for us. We can gain more experience and keep some of our Others busy.”

“A good start. Very good start. I feel that three additional favors would be required for us to be even.”

Felix didn’t like it being open-ended, but at least it had a number.

“Three favors, though I have right of refusal if I believe it unreasonable.”

Dimitry hesitated a moment. “Done. I look forward to our new partnership, Mr. Campbell.”

The phone clicked and went dead.

Setting down his phone, Felix leaned his head back onto the headrest.

“That’s done.” Felix closed his eyes and enjoyed what Andrea was doing with her hands.

It was fantastic. Her hands seemed to know exactly what to do.

“One of our Others spent some time working as a masseuse. We have absorbed many jobs,” one of the Andreas said

A knock came from the door.

“It’s Eva,” came a muffled response.

Felix opened his eyes and nodded at the door Andrea. The Andrea behind him stepped to the side quickly, flanking his desk.

The door swung inward and Eva stepped in, her hands pressed together nervously.

“What can I do for you?” Felix asked, leaning forward in his desk.

“You’re going to be paying everyone for their work, right?” she asked hesitantly.

“I am.”

“I’ve been working in the shop and… I was wondering if I could get a hold of that money? I want to buy some clothes for school, and supplies.”

Felix waved a hand at that.

“Don’t bother. You’ll receive a wage like anyone else. Use it on other things you want.

“Your school supplies and basic essentials, though? That’s something I’ll provide for you regardless. Put together a list of everything you need and email it over to me. We’ll get a purchase order put in immediately for it.”

Eva nodded her head, smiling. “Uhm, okay. Thank you. Can we go out today, then? I want to go try on clothes and find some things.”

Felix kept himself from rolling his eyes. Barely. He didn’t want to go clothes shopping.

“Please? Me, you, Lily, and maybe an Andrea? I know you’re busy, but… I’d appreciate it,” Eva pleaded.

The Andrea near the door nodded her head enthusiastically.

Relenting, he shook his head with a smile.

“Alright. Fine. Though you’ll have to check with Lily. She seemed like she had plans for the day. If she’s willing to go, we’ll all go.”

Eva clapped her hands together, smiling. Then her face fell, her eyes going to the ground again.

“What?” Felix asked, trying to prompt whatever was coming next to happen, rather than waiting on it.

“Can I see my brother?”

“Oh, sure. He’s across the street right now at the hotel, recovering. Everyone will be coming over here tomorrow and living in their new rooms downstairs. Speaking of which, I believe you have a room there too now.

“Talk to Felicia and maybe she can put you guys next to each other.”

Eva gave him a bright grin and rushed him. She gave him a tight hug even as he sat in his chair.

“Thank you. I really thought our lives were over. We didn’t even have enough money to eat when we were caught. Now we have a home, and I can go to school. A good one. Evan even has a mentor. A great mentor. Lily is known all over the world.”

Felix felt awkward. He gently patted the young woman on the shoulder.

He was great in the corporate world. That all made sense to him.

Emotions, people, and this kind of stuff, though? Might as well have been Swahili.

“Yeah, no worries,” he said lamely.

“Can I take an Andrea with me to talk to Evan and Lily?” Eva asked, pulling back.

Felix looked to the Andrea beside him.

She instantly split into two, the left one holding up her hand. “I wanna go!”

“Have fun, then. I’ll be here. I’m sure Lily has sent me more paperwork and meetings that I’ll have to sign and agree to.”

Felix smiled as the new Andrea and Eva exited the room.

As the door closed, he opened up the terminal set in his desk.

He had forty-two unread emails.

“Maybe I should buy a new phone that I can link to this. Maybe if I try to keep on the emails, they wouldn’t go so bad.”

“I could read them for you,” Andrea offered. “I mean, if I’m going to be your… I hate saying both. From now on, I’m your personal secretary, okay?”

“Okay,” Felix said, grinning.

“If I’m going to be your personal secretary, maybe I should read your mail and sort out what’s worth your time and what isn’t. I can even keep your calendar in order and start getting you where you need to be on time.”

“That sounds great, Andrea. Be sure to put in an order for a phone or tablet or whatever you like so you can do that.”

“Nn! I’ll take care of it. As Andrea Prime, I’ll remain at your side.”

“Thanks.”

Andrea smiled and then hugged him tightly, wrapping her arms around him.

“Eva was right. This really is the best. You don’t care about whatever we were before, you only care about what we are now for you.”

Felix smiled tightly, patting Andrea gently on the back.

I don’t really see how becoming a slave is a positive, but as long as they’re happy.