Evolution: A Warlock's Rise To Power

Brax pulled up to the front door of Jenna's house. He got out of the car and opened her door. It was hard to keep his eyes of her slender legs and perfect thighs that were revealed by her skirt as she stepped out of the car.

Jenna led the way up the step to the front door and Brax struggle to keep his eyes off of her tight bottom that swayed from side to side as she walked. But now wasn't the time or place to reach out and cop a feel.

Jenna unlocked the door, and they went inside.

Mrs. Beneil and Holly were both sitting in the living room chatting while watch a reality show about cake makers.

"Hey mom, I am back. I brought Brax with me."

"Hello dear. It is good to see you again Brax."

"It is nice to see you as well Mrs. Beneil." Brax said before giving Holly a nod and a smile as a greeting. as a greeting.

"Where is aunt Helen? Is she not hanging out with you today?" Jenna asked her mother.

"She had something to do this morning but she will be back soon. Holly, why don't you let your father know that Brax is here."

Holly stood from the sofa and walked to the hallway before shouting out.

"Hey Dad! Stupid face is here!"

Mrs. Beneil shook her head and hid a light chuckle. "Don't mind her." She said to Brax. "My husband is in the study."

"I will show you where." Jenna said, grabbing Brax's hand and fleeing the room down the hallway.

*Knock* *Knock*

She knocked on the door to the study and received an answer almost immediately.

"Enter."

Jenna opened the door and led Brax in. The study had several bookcases lining the wall. On the far end of the room sat a wooden desk. A man sat behind it, obscured by a newspaper.

"Ah, Brax you are here." He said while putting the newspaper down.

Jenna rolled her eyes. "Dad, do you really need to try so hard. That newspaper is clearly three days old and with Holly's shouting, even the neighbors know Brax is here. Why are you acting surprised to find him in your study."

"Pah, what do you know. Rereading old newspapers keep the mind sharp. So sharp that outside influence can go unnoticed."

"Okay, whatever, that makes no sense. I will leave you two alone, but be nice to Brax." She said before turning to leave the room.

"Hey, shouldn't you tell your boyfriend to be nice to me? You should stick up for your old man."

Jenna didn't bother to reply and just shut the door.

Brax was feeling a little nervous and stressed as he stood in the middle of the room while Mr. Beneil sat behind his desk.

'Take a deep breath. You got this. You are Lucan Quilldrake, you are the Baron of Insanity, you are the candyman. You got this.'

Brax gave himself a brief pep-talk. He walked directly towards Mr. Beneil desk and stood in front of it. For a moment he felt like he was a subordinate reporting to his boss, but that was all wrong. Last time he had managed to get Mr. Beneil interested in his company and even sent him away with an assignment to complete. He need to take control.

Without waiting for an invitation, Brax unbuttoned his jacket and took a seat across from the desk. He crossed his legs and leaned back in a relaxed position.

"I assume you have looked further into InvinoTech, like I asked. What do you think?"

Mr. Beneil stifled his smile. He could easily tell that Brax was trying to take control of the situation. Last time when they met, after going home, he realized he had been a bit too enthusiastic when he left. This boy that was dating his daughter was quickly growing on him. He wasn't opposed to it but he was a veteran of business, how could he let some young kid schmooze him and get so wrapped up that he forgot himself.

"Hmm, I can see you take this matter seriously since you have come to 'sit before me' to discuss this opportunity. I have looked into InvinoTech and I think that this product they are developing does have potential."

"Good, good. I feel the same way about this product. Since you are so keen on 'My' idea, why don't we discuss the terms of you working 'for' me."

"I am not opposed to working 'with' you, but I wonder how much your company can afford? Are you merely looking to throw around some money or are you prepared to invest fully in this product? As a 'Senior' in the investment game, I wish to know the thought of a 'new' 'up-and-comer' like yourself."

"I haven't given much thought to investing in this product. That type of thing, such as the amount to offer for the project should be determined by those 'seniors' whom I have employed. I prefer to focus more on the bigger picture."

"Tsk, tsk, you should heed this 'elder's' advice and put in more time to come up with a proper proposal for this matter. I should let you know, I have already contacted InvinoTech and although they didn't tell me who, they implied that someone is consider making an offer for their whole company, and not just this product you are interested."

"Indeed, as a 'boss' I have looked into this matter a good deal and have already approached the company with an offer to take them under my wing and provided their whole operation with funding."

"Oh really." Mr. Beneil said with a surprised expression. "I have seen a few of the other things they have put out on the market, they aren't as good as this idea, but with a proper direction and a proper plan, they should be able to generate a steady profit."

"The only question now is, are you up for the task." Brax said while smirk towards his father-in-law.

"If your company is serious about this, I wouldn't mind giving it a try, but if there are no results in three months, well then I might just sit back and enjoy the retired life."

"Fair enough."

"But-." Mr. Beneil interjected. "I won't be your employee. I am a part time consultant. And if we go in on projects together, I want to be able to invest my own money and see a return proportional to what I invest."

"I am fine with that."

"Good. But I am only giving you this chance because of my daughter. If you weren't dating her, I would have snatched this opportunity away from you and left you in the dust."

"Ha, ha, it is good that care so much for your daughter. By the way, will you be coming to our wedding?"

"Hmpf, even though it is in a game, of course I will be there. But… shouldn't you have asked for my permission first?" He said while giving Brax a cold stare.

"He, he, about that… would you mind if I married your daughter?"

"Tsk. It is not like I can say no now without my wife and daughter turning against me." Mr. Beneil said with a sigh as he sat back in his chair. He reached into a cabinet under his desk and pulled out a bottle of bourbon. "I know that it is still early but since we have come to terms on this deal, lets have a drink."

He pulled out two cups and poured a glass for Brax before he took care of himself.

He raised his glass towards Brax. "To a hopefully long lasting partnership."

Brax raised his own. "To an eternal union." He replied before clinking his glass against Mr. Beneil's who caught the double meaning in Brax's words.

"Ahh, good stuff." Brax said after taking a sip.

"Mmm, very good."

"To tell you the truth, I wasn't the one who brought up the idea of getting married. In fact, Jenna told a few different people about it before me."

"Really, I find that hard to believe. If you told me Holly went out and proposed to a guy I would believe, but Jenna is much more reserved and shy."

"Eh, it's true." Brax said after taking another sip. "Apparently some NPC woman in the game was boasting about how she was going to make me her man and Jenna was having none of it so she said that we had already agreed to get married. Since I love your daughter, I wasn't opposed to the idea at all and was in fact thrilled. But in the end, it was her who declared it in front of a bunch of people."

*Sigh*

"It seems like she really does care for you from the bottom of her heart if she got worked up over a computer character going after you. You know, you really do have a stupid face."

"Ha, ha, Father-in-law, your style of nicknames is so strange."

Mr. Beneil finished his drink and rose from his desk. "I guess your stupid face should at least stay for lunch. Come, it should be ready soon." He said leading the way out of the study after Brax finished his drink.

"He, he, Father-in-law, since you are coming to our wedding consider that gift enough. Don't feel obligated to pay for everything, I can take care of it myself."

"Pah, are you looking down on me stupid face. Of course, it is the duty of the bride's family to pay for the wedding. If I leave it to you who knows what half ass accommodations, you will come up."

"Sure, sure. I won't fight father-in-law about this."

The three women were stunned when they heard the conversation of Brax and Mr. Beneil after they walked out of the study and into the living room.