199 fortunes.

The narrow streets were a normal and perishable glimpse of city life; every city begins with a street, lined with shops characteristic of a community seeking something better for their daily lives. That was Lux Animation, a business city that began to trace a living form, all composed by the explicit desire of a future company, which left behind traditional lights and entered more vivid modern eras shaped by different forms.

I did not expect to see you these days, son. - said Thomas Carson, the first signs of old age beginning to shrink him; the brown mane, now gray, gave him a formal and inviting air to his father Richard Carson.

-Good morning, father. - said Billy, shaking his hand carefully, a corresponding greeting laden with emotions.

Both moved to the living room, not before Margot served them two warm glasses of black coffee, a vice passed down by ancestors. There were no apparent words that broke the silence; only the soft sipping and the gentle clinks of the porcelain used by Billy—a gift.

As if on a chilling Sunday when spirits are not seemingly joyful, and words are silent, pondering over impending matters and the dark lives that could go astray, the two only anticipated their words and refrained from responding to the call of word and communication, broken only by the work that was a past habit.

They drank calmly, not exchanging even a word, but everything was said in one way or another.

-I'll be back later. - said Thomas, finishing the served coffee cup and walking towards the Lux Animation company's counter; the trial against Warner Brothers was up in the air, Warner's staunch position in generating delays, engaging the legal team, extending the trial, and communicating various unofficial notices as a legal activity pushed Thomas Carson to the limits of patience. He found himself overwhelmed by all the legal loopholes that existed in rules and jurisprudence, to the point of focusing on small objectives, and that was to exploit the agreements, alleging an abusive clause due to the repurchase clause, after the money invested for creation.

Initially, such a broad term seemed excessive, but now it was justified that it was a very short time and a complete fraud by Lux Comics against the helpless Warner.

Billy continued working in his position, while a group in an office nearby continued completing the remaining chapters and volumes of Lux Comics' series.

Thomas returned around three hours later, with a folder and a practical and straightforward traceability. How does it differ? It's not his job, but when he receives the news from his son, he comes in a hurry to test the waters, which already seemed muddy, due to the hidden words between them.

-Everything is going well, I hope. - said Billy, knowing one of the reasons for his father's visit.

-One more case; uncertainty is our great friend. - said Thomas.

-Everything is in our plans. - said Billy, cryptic in his words.

Taking a seat this time, in front of Billy's large desk, a solid oak that allowed drawing with all the freedom that only a large space allowed, Thomas adjusted his posture, with elbows on the table.

-I am getting married. - he finally blurted out.

-I am aware of that. - said Billy.

-Do not tempt me, Billy. Unfortunately, I know you as much as one day you will come to know your children, if you raise them as I raised you. - said Thomas.

-I know you too. - said Billy.

-It's not a battle of wills, boy; I packed your bags, all your things are in boxes, found a nice place for you to live in San Jose, not far from here, about half an hour, the commercial district that opened a few days ago, there is a lot of land there, and I see business as you have seen it; you like to play with money like those old-time oilmen, 'words of your grandfather,' don't judge me, judge your grandfather. - said Thomas.

-I do what I was taught, that a bad deal is not made, and a good deal is taken by the neck, not released. A bit traditional, for cowboys. For now, I still think I'm doing well. What's the place? - the boy finally questioned.

-Santana Row, as brilliant as you are, you will discover what I am talking about. - said Thomas.

-I see. I'll be filming new scenes in Los Angeles next month and then in New York. I'll take a break in August, but the fashion week I have to attend is in September. - said Billy.

-You should change your home in Los Angeles; that one is already too small for you. - said Thomas.

-For now, it will do. - said Billy, ignoring his father's words.

-You'll have two siblings by October of this year, or early November. Even if you feel uncomfortable, they are still your siblings. - said Thomas.

Seeing the gleaming eyes, Thomas interrupted his son, avoiding cutting words and misunderstandings typical of those they had when they were in complete disagreement.

-Claudia is going to Europe; she ends up liking Europe, although Livy disapproves. Her life is no longer in California. However, you shouldn't blame her, son. I tied my noose and made a mistake that now she can only scream with happiness about. My life seemed lost; never let work be a priority. In my fears, maybe I was wrong. Now I see that it was a good mistake. I regret causing problems. - said Thomas Carson, although his words sounded like a poorly-read legal parchment, it was an awakening for both men who felt more tired after the spoken words.

-I understand, father. I will do everything possible to be there on the corresponding dates. You have already achieved your goals; on the other hand, I am still pursuing more goals. - said Billy.

-Don't forget to visit your grandparents. - said Thomas, getting up and leaving. The conversation had a healing effect; time would cure everything.

Leaving Billy's new place paperwork, along with the papers, credits, and offers he made—a small farewell gift. The obvious price was not paid, but everything was in order, just as he had spoken on numerous occasions, laughing about credit and the art of making money. A five-story building, an entire floor for Billy, and a proposal for three luxury floors, followed, of course, by three large commercial spaces, already set aside for a Nike store, a restaurant, and an Armani store that were in negotiations.

He could only think of someone who would live in a bachelor apartment. - Raimon. - Both entered, and the two would make the deal.

...