Ch: 41-50
Chapter 41: Next Day
After Summer and I relieved all the tension, I woke up completely refreshed, even though I hadn't slept much and had crashed on the couch.
I went to grab some coffee in the kitchen.
"Morning," I greeted, seeing Gloria, Jay, Manny, and Alex already sitting there. They all greeted me back.
"Huh," I exclaimed, noticing a few ingredients spread out on the table. I glanced at them suspiciously.
"We thought you'd like to make the eggs today," Gloria explained with a smile.
I made a thoughtful face. "I'm not sure if you guys know me well or if you just want Eggs Benedict for breakfast," I mused, already getting to work.
"Both," Manny confessed. As usual, he already had a large cup of coffee in his hands
A few minutes later, Marissa, Haley, and Summer came downstairs, with Summer humming softly.
Gloria approached me with a fake smile. "Why is that girl singing for no reason?" she questioned.
"Maybe she got inspired after seeing you sing to Lily last night," I replied, finishing one of the eggs.
Gloria laughed ironically and slapped my arm. "Don't go all cheeky on me."
Summer came closer. "Wow, you actually know how to cook," she remarked, placing her hands on my arm.
"Yep," I responded, kissing the top of her head. "Be a good girl and sit over there. I'll serve all of you."
and I served the first plates to Jay, Gloria, Manny, and Alex, who were already seated.
While I was preparing the next batch, two more people arrived - Claire and Phil, coming to pick up their kids.
Phil approached me. "Sweeeet, Eggs Benedict!" he exclaimed, patting my shoulder enthusiastically.
"Get in line," I grinned at him. "How was your wedding anniversary?" I asked.
"It was good, thanks."
Claire went around greeting everyone, then slowly turned her head toward me, giving me a judging and scarying look after noticing how Marissa was dressed and how Summer was glowing.
"Aunt Claire, have you ever thought about starring in a horror movie?" I teased while serving more plates.
That made her expression change for a moment - after all, it was her favorite genre.
"Yeah, Mom doesn't even need to rehearse to look possessed," Haley joked, making everyone laugh.
"Show some respect, Haley," I scolded her. "Your mom is scarier than any demon-possessed person. Gosh, she would ground the demon that dared to possess her."
Everyone laughed even harder.
"What is this, Claire pick day?" she asked ironically, but as in a perfect sitcom moment, Luke appeared all wet wearing only his underpants, clearly having just come from the pool
"Luke, put some pants on!" she shouted, storming toward him like a possessed woman.
As laughter filled the kitchen again, I noticed Marissa glancing around quietly, a faint smile forming on her face
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Four days later, I was heading back to Malibu. When I opened the door, I witnessed a rather strange scene - Uncle Alan and Judith were singing and dancing,
♫♪Co-ed bathrooms, co-ed bathrooms
Wear your flip-flops
in the co-ed bathrooms
Stuff grows on the floor there
And whoops! There's another pubic hair♫♪
"What the hell did I just walk into?" I muttered strangely. "Aren't you guys taking the name Soap Opera a bit too literally?"
The term actually came from that - many of those early productions were sponsored by soap and cleaning product companies. But that was back in the 1930s...
The two were so focused that they neither saw nor heard me. Dad gestured for us to go to the kitchen.
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"So, you're going to help with Jake's 4th-grade singing presentation?" I asked again, laughing.
"That's not funny, son," he replied, looking annoyed at me.
"I beg to differ," I continued, "and I bet you were drawn by the chance to meet single moms or beautiful teachers."
Judging by his face, I hit the mark perfectly - and with no second woman in the house, Dad was probably tricked.
"Francis," Jake called from the back of the kitchen, "are you coming to my presentation?" he asked hopefully.
I thought for a moment. "I can go, but I can't help with the presentation. I don't have my dad's musical talent."
"Maybe it'll be one of the last times we see each other," Jake said, glancing between Charlie and me.
"I think they're gonna get back together," he added, turning toward his parents who were still in the living room, in front of the piano
"You do?" Charlie asked
"Yep"
"Except if my Dad moves back to Mom's house, I probably wouldn't see you anymore" Jake said downcast
"Of course you'd see me. You'd still have your room here, and I'd come visit," Charlie replied softly
"You never visited before"
"That's 'cause I didn't know you before"
"That's 'cause you never visited"
they were going back and forth
"To tell you the truth, Jake, I don't think this is gonna be an issue," Charlie finally said.
Jake's expression changed. "You don't think they're gonna get back together?"
"I didn't say that," Charlie tried to deny.
"Do you?" he turned to me, looking for a third opinion.
"I have no idea, buddy," I said, patting his shoulder. "Let the adults handle it."
I'm 100% sure those two aren't getting back together. It's already a miracle they managed to stay married for twelve years.
"I think they are," Jake stated.
And once again, Alan and Judith started singing, this time dancing even more goofily.
♫♪Robert Fulton, Eli Whitney
All aboard for Henry Ford
Henry Ford
And then...♫♪
"Careful what you wish for, pal," Dad commented dryly as we witnessed the horror show that was their performance
Chapter 42: Kids
Jake went back home with his mom. I was reading on the deck when Berta showed up.
"Hi, Berta," I greeted her.
"Hello, Francis. Your dad's been singing about 'manpower, horsepower, coal, and steam.' What kind of depravity did he find this time?" she asked deadpan.
I put the book aside. "Not his fault this time. Uncle Alan was hoping that the three of them - including Judith - working together on Jake's fourth-grade tribute to the Industrial Revolution would help him get back with his allegedly gay ex-wife."
Berta scoffed. "You somehow managed to suck the intelligence out of two generations, didn't you?" she added dryly.
I laughed, and we both went into the kitchen.
"Hey, Francis," Alan finally noticed I was home.
I gave him a nod. "Hello, Uncle Alan."
"I heard you got into a fight at school on Monday," Alan mentioned while sorting through a stack of mail that had just arrived
"It was nothing - just a regular high school fight," I dismissed.
Charlie smirked. "The important thing is that my son won. Look, not even a mark to tell the story," he said, gesturing toward my face.
"Now you need to tell the whole story," Berta urged, already sitting down, ready for the gossip.
"I just told my friend's ex-boyfriend to stay away from her. He didn't like it and was about to start something, so I struck first - and the rest of his group came after me.
Turns out my group was bigger - basically five against one - I barely had to move," I explained.
Those who have money just need to know how to use it. Those who have money and power only need to decide how hard to crush.
"My group and I got a warning, while the others were expelled," I concluded.
It was pretty clear the school was favoring me. The ones who got beaten up were the ones who got expelled.
"How can that be fair?" Alan gave me a puzzled look but paused for a moment before exclaiming, "Oh, God," as he read one of the letters.
"What?" I asked.
"It's from Judith's lawyers," Alan revealed. "Really? Good news?" Charlie inquired.
"No, it's not good news. Judith filed for divorce," Alan snapped. "I can't believe she blindsided me like this - being all nice and friendly to my face while her lawyers were working behind my back," he grumbled.
Berta and I quietly slipped away. It was already good enough that we didn't say anything ironic to Alan.
-----------------------------
Charlie and Alan went to Jake's rehearsal while I headed to my usual Thursday activity.
"Here we are - the place I come to every Thursday," I said, introducing the group home I volunteered at in West LA.
In expensive neighborhoods like Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu, you rarely find one due to the high costs.
"Is this an orphanage?" Marissa asked in surprise.
"Group home," I corrected softly. "Since the Child Welfare Reform Act of 1997, we don't use the term orphanage anymore."
"I'm dating Mary Poppins?" Summer muttered.
I rang the doorbell, and it opened almost immediately.
"Kids, step aside!" the woman at the door called out.
As soon as I walked in, a wave of fourteen children between six and nine years old swarmed me.
"Jake!" "Brother Jake!" "Uncle Jake!" echoed through the room.
"Halt!" I commanded, making them stop for a second. I chuckled lightly. "Every time, it's the same thing," I teased them gently.
"Elly," I called the oldest, a nine-year-old girl. "I brought ice cream," I said, handing her the bag. "Go grab the cups, please."
The kids started getting excited again.
"If I see any of you fighting over ice cream, you won't get the second surprise I brought for you," I warned, earning a collective nod before they all rushed toward the kitchen.
Then I turned to the woman who took care of all of them. "Sister Agnes, I brought my friends. You already know Haley - these are Summer and Marissa."
After they greeted her, Sister Agnes turned back to me. "What was that fight you got into?"
"'You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people; you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor. I am the Lord.' Leviticus 19:16," I quoted, choosing the Bible verse against gossipers.
"You can quote the entire Bible and I'll still press you. You're not hurt, are you?" she asked.
"No, just a regular high school fight," I dismissed.
Noticing Marissa getting a bit uneasy, I called them over. "Come on, girls - let's go talk to the little gremlins."
-----------------------------
After everyone enjoyed the ice cream, it was time for homework - only after that could they go back to playing.
Marissa, Haley, and Summer helped out as well.
"Is that your girlfriend?" Elly asked me.
"Yep, the brunette one," I replied with a grin toward Summer.
"They're all so beautiful," she added.
I patted her head. "You'll be beautiful too, Elly."
Tommy, one of the six-year-old boys, innocently commented, "I liked your last one better," earning an immediate smack on the head from Elly.
He ran off to complain to Sister Agnes.
I noticed Haley and Marissa holding back their laughter, while Summer seemed to be plotting something.
She stood up and muttered, "I'm going to win that boy over."
"Sit down, Summer," I said, a bit exasperated. She paused for a moment before sitting beside me.
We kept helping with homework; afterward, the boys and I played video games with some new titles I had bought, while the girls stayed with my friends, braiding hair.
-----------------------------
A few hours later, the four of us were at the edge of Santa Monica Beach, illuminated by the lights of the amusement park just ahead.
Leaning against the guardrail, with Summer resting in my arms, she murmured, "You are a mystery, Francis Jacob."
"My cousin is a muffin on the inside," Haley joked, though there was only affection in her tone.
Marissa was simply staring at me
I shrugged. "I don't care if people see me as soft, a bad boy, or a nerd. And I especially don't need to keep proving my masculinity - I know what I like."
"Yeah, I have no doubts about that," Summer added suggestively.
"Get a room, you two," Haley scolded
Chapter 43: Summer Roberts [+18]
The next day, Summer and I were walking into her house. She had a huge mansion, much larger than Jay's. It had a classic style, with wide staircases right at the entrance.
"That was one of the weirdest dates I've ever had, Jake," Summer joked.
I looked at her. "What did you find weird? The Maple Loops song - a catchy cereal commercial jingle - used to talk about the Industrial Revolution? Or the bug-infested jingle?"
We had just come back from my cousin Jake's presentation. As expected, Dad made a little mess.
"I preferred that part - 'Have a cold frosty mug and pull her near, the girls look prettier, the girls look prettier with Hammerstein beer,'" Summer sang the beer commercial tune, and we both ended up laughing.
She clung to me right after, "Hey, Jake. Why don't we take Haley's suggestion and get a room - my room?"
"Huh?" I exclaimed.
She wrapped both arms around my shoulders, intertwining them. "My dad's on a trip and won't be back until next week."
Then she pulled me toward her room.
-----------------------------
I was seeing Summer's room for the first time. The other times I'd been here, we only stayed in the common areas.
While she was putting on some music, I took the opportunity to look around the room.
A statue caught my attention - the Virgin Mary. "Didn't take you for a religious girl," I teased.
But I was thinking about the missionary position, though.
She hesitated for a second. "It was... from my mother," she said softly.
I nodded and respectfully covered the statue with a small towel nearby.
"What are you doing?" Summer asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well," I smirked, "we're about to do things I'd rather not have witnessed by the Virgin Mary." I pulled her in for a long, deep kiss.
Then I whispered close to her ear, joking, "Huh, at least there's one Virgin in the room."
She slapped my arm, pretending to be offended, but I pulled her closer and kissed her again.
Clothes started flying in every direction until we were left only in our underwear
I gave Summer a long look. "Ay, you little vixen," I playfully remarked, noticing she was wearing matching lingerie - she had planned this all along.
She just gave me a seductive smile and began kissing my body, starting with my chest.
Then she slowly moved down, sliding my underwear off with her hands until my erection sprang free.
Summer started sucking it. She was still a little clumsy, but much better than the first time she tried in the bathroom.
Just the sight of her doing it was more than enough. I ran my hands through her hair, but after a while, I gently pulled her back, taking it out of her mouth.
I pinned her to the bed, holding both her hands above her head. "Stop struggling, Sunny girl. I'll let you lead the next round."
"Jerk," she breathed, but there was only desire and affection in her tone. As if in defiance, she began rubbing our intimate parts together in a teasing way.
It didn't take long before I slipped on a condom and sealed our first time.
Moans soon filled the room, along with the sensual rhythm of skin against skin.
-----------------------------
After our first round, Summer was resting her head on my chest. "Jake," she murmured.
"Mmm?" I hummed.
"There wasn't just one virgin in the room," she whispered.
"What? Was there another statue?" I asked
"Me. Me, jackass," Summer bit my shoulder lightly.
I pulled the rest of her body closer to mine, and we kissed for a long time. Then I turned her around, positioning myself over her again.
"Thank God we didn't do it in the bathroom," I teased. "That would've been a lame way to lose your first time." I grinned
She bit me again, harder.
But soon she tried to flip me over, and I let her. This time, she was the one on top.
"You said I could lead the second time," Summer teased.
"Bring it on, let's see what you've got," I shot back.
-----------------------------
Summer collapsed her body onto mine. Her breathing was already much heavier than after the first time.
She rested her face close to mine, and we stayed like that for a moment until she began to laugh softly.
"What?" I smiled at her.
She turned slightly so we were facing each other. "I was just remembering our first interaction. You flirted with me right after saying hi - no shame at all."
"And you just flirted back," I replied.
"Of course, you're very cute - totally my type," she said, brushing her hand along my cheek.
I nodded. "Me, on the other hand, when I first saw you, I thought, 'She must be so funny and intelligent.'"
"Yeah, right," she snorted. "Not my face or my body?" she lightly mocked
"Might've helped a little," I admitted, making us both laugh.
"But seriously, for all your spoiled and pop-girl façade, there's an intelligent girl underneath. I saw how quickly you learn things," I added.
Summer's a fast learner - she just needs a little incentive.
"You're the most ironic person to hear that from. You're way smarter than you let on," she retorted.
We stayed in silence for a while until I made a move to get up.
"Where are you going?" she asked, surprised.
"To grab more condoms from the car," I replied simply. "You didn't think we were stopping after the second one, did you?"
She looked at me with wide eyes.
-----------------------------
When I came back to the room with a pack of condoms, Summer was already wearing another set of sexy lingerie.
"What took you so long?" she aroused.
"Oh, I'm so taking that smirk off your face tonight, Sunny girl."
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.
-----------------------------
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.
-----------------------------
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 kick out another useless rich kid," I joked, trying to ease his tension.
"I hear someone talking about fighting?" 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 uselessrich 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.
-----------------------------
"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.
Chapter 45: Fundraiser II
"Marissa, somehow everything will be resolved," I comforted her.
She nodded. "For some reason, I believe you."
"Don't forget, you're not alone. You have me and Summer - we're always here to help," I told her gently. I could see she was feeling quite lonely.
"Thank you, Jake, it means a lot to me," Marissa finally gave a genuine smile.
"Speaking of the little troublemaker, Summer texted - she's already here," I said, glancing at my phone.
-----------------------------
"Hey, Coop!" the two girls greeted each other with a hug.
"Wow," I said appreciatively as I looked at Summer. She was radiant.
I took her hand and raised it so she could spin around.
Leaning close, I whispered, "But I still prefer your birth suit from this morning," earning a playful slap on the arm.
"Jess, you and Gloria are dangerously prone to violence," I joked.
Marissa threw us a look and walked ahead.
Summer smirked. "If you keep looking this sharp, we might have to sneak out later -back to my place. Because you look way too sexy in this suit."
Then she darted toward Marissa, linking arms with her before I could make a move.
-----------------------------
Before long, guests began to fill the place.
Then my dad, Uncle Alan, and Grandmother arrived. Charlie was already exchanging smiles and glances with a couple of women.
"Control yourself, Charles," Evelyn warned. "And please, Alan, try not to embarrass us." She gave her son a disapproving look as he grabbed a handful of food from the waiter's tray.
"Hey, son," Charlie greeted me, pulling me into a hug.
"Looks like you're already scouting the terrain," I laughed
"Not bad, I'd say," he replied with his usual nonchalance.
"Just don't try anything with my friends' mothers," I warned.
"Relax, I wouldn't," he dismissed
"Really?" Alan interjected. "Because last time, you hooked up with one of Jake's friends' moms after a soccer game."
"At least this time he was not wearing a suit and discovering a long-lost son," I added dryly, making all of us chuckle.
"So, Francis, where's your girlfriend?" Evelyn asked with curiosity.
I gestured toward Summer, who was nearby, and she walked over.
"Grandma, this is Summer," I introduced. "And this is my grandmother, who happens to be Coop's neighbor."
"I think I know you," Evelyn remarked, studying her face.
"I'm Summer Roberts. My father's Dr. Neil Roberts - he's a surgeon," she explained, shaking Evelyn's hand.
"Of course, dear! Where was my head?" Evelyn smiled warmly, placing a hand on her arm.
"Is my grandson treating you well?" I heard her ask as they walked together.
Charlie frowned. "You're really letting Mom wander off with your girlfriend?"
"Don't worry - Summer can handle herself," I replied. "Let's head inside."
As we made our way through the crowd, women occasionally stopped us to chat or flirt (mostly with me and Charlie).
We reached a table where Summer and Evelyn were standing nearby, talking with the guests. Seth's parents sat there, along with another couple and two women.
When Dad spotted the last women, his eyes widened. "I'll take the other side," he muttered, and Uncle Alan followed him.
I understood why but approached anyway.
"Oh, isn't this Charlie's bastard?" the last woman remarked venomously, probably remembering some unresolved issue with my father. Her friend laughed beside her.
Evelyn and Summer both frowned, ready to react, but I gestured for them to stay calm.
I stepped closer, voice steady. "Isn't that your husband?" I nodded toward a man at a nearby table. "Given how he's staring at every other woman - and the rumors I've heard - you might want to worry about your own bastards."
Then I turned to the other one. "And what are you laughing at? Isn't that your son?" I pointed again toward another boy. "Clear signs of drug addiction. Shouldn't you at least be concerned?" I said in a condescending tone, making the entire table fall completely silent.
"Jake," someone called me, making me turn around and completely change my expression
"Gordon, glad you came," I exclaimed smiling, shaking his hand.
I gestured with my hand. "This is Summer Roberts, my girlfriend, and Evelyn Harper, my grandmother," I introduced.
I continued, "Summer, Grandma, this is Mr. Gordon Moore, founder of Intel. He made a six-hundred-million-dollar donation to Caltech in 2001," making everyone's eyes widen.
"I think there are very few people in the world who know how to donate like he does, which is why I invited him to this event," I joked.
I walked back to the table. "Mr. and Mrs. Cohen, if you'll excuse me, I need to secure a donation", I tossed a ten-dollar bill toward the woman who had called me a bastard.
"Sorry, looks like my father forgot to pay for your services last time," I quipped before following Gordon.
-----------------------------
Gordon and I sat at a table by ourselves-I had asked Marissa to arrange one for us.
"Are you sure this is all correct, Jake?" Gordon asked, stunned e a little skeptical
"Yep. As hard as it sounds, it was actually possible to isolate graphene using nothing but adhesive tape and graphite from a common pencil," I affirmed.
I had sent him the paper, complete with confirmation from UCLA's electron microscope.
"Obviously, we can repeat the tests at Caltech and other facilities," I added.
"I can recommend someone who could assist you with this research - Leonard Hofstadter, a promising 23-year-old with advanced knowledge in experimental physics," Gordon proposed.
I nodded. "We could conduct it at the new center you're building - the Moore-Pritchett Center for Mathematical Structures, near UCLA."
Gordon is the main investor in this project, with affiliations to UCLA, Caltech, Stanford, and Berkeley, along with several visiting professors.
"With this," Gordon said, holding the paper in his hand, "you're essentially sealing a Nobel Prize in Physics. And as for the Fields Medal, it's just a matter of reaching 2006." He looked at me as if he were witnessing history being made.
"Just take care of yourself," he added, concern evident in his tone.
"If it's because of the fight, don't worry - it was nothing. And it's unlikely anything else will happen. I know there are undercover agents at my school," I revealed.
"I'm basically considered a Scientific National Asset - Level 1, especially after helping both the NSA and a DARPA project."
Chapter 46: The O.C.
Gordon and I chatted a bit more about a few things until Marissa arrived. She placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Hey, Jake, we're about to start. Maybe you'd like to sit closer to get a better view," she smiled.
"There's a seat near my parents," she pointed - and of course, it was exactly where the two women I had roasted earlier were sitting.
"Jake, I have another commitment. We'll talk more another day," Gordon mentioned, handing me a check.
"Appreciate you coming, Gordon," I replied, shaking his hand firmly.
"Who is he?" Marissa asked curiously.
"The one I told you I'd invite if you brought Haley to help as well," I explained, glancing at the $5 million check Gordon had left.
"So, congratulations, Coop. You're one of the people responsible for raising this money for the underprivileged kids," I grinned.
"How much is it?" she asked, still puzzled.
"Five million," I answered casually.
Marissa's eyes widened. "What??"
"Told you, he's a good guy to invite," I smirked and headed toward the table where my grandmother was seated. Alan and Charlie occupied the far end.
"There he is, my grandson," Grandma said proudly, motioning for me to sit beside her.
"We haven't met properly," a woman rose and extended her hand. "Julie Cooper, Marissa's mother. And this is Jimmy, her father."
I shook their hands. "Jake Pritchett… Harper."
"You put on quite a show," Julie smirked. "I've never seen Karen so angry."
"He really did," Evelyn smiled too, but with a look that said this was far from over. It seemed like Karen didn't have issues only with my dad...
I ignored the topic and turned to Kristen, who managed the donations.
"Here's Gordon's contribution. He expects full transparency with the expenses," I informed, handing her the check.
"How much is it, dear?" Grandma inquired, curious.
"Five million."
"Five million dollars?!" Alan blurted out loud, then quickly apologized. "Sorry, sorry!"
"He's a billionaire, Uncle Alan," I remarked, unfazed.
Marissa took the microphone. "Thank you, thank you all so much for coming. Every year, we organize a fashion show to raise money for underprivileged kids. It's such a good cause, you guys."
She continued, "And we couldn't do any of it without your support - the support of Fashion Island, all their great stores, and The Riviera Palisades Group."
Then All Around the World by Cooler Kids started playing.
♫♪ Hey, girl
Zippers and your pearls
When I walk through the door
I'm a debutante ♫♪
The first to walk the runway was Summer. When she saw me, she winked and blew me a kiss before turning and strutting back.
"Hey, big dog, you really got a good one," Charlie patted my chest proudly
"Finally one Harper that won't disappoint me," Evelyn whispered. Hard not to earn Grandma's approval-Summer was stunning and came from a wealthy family.
After a few more girls, it was Marissa's turn.
"She's so beautiful, you guys," Kirsten said, glancing at Jimmy and Julie
"Coop, I think you spent more on that dress than I make in a year," Sandy Cohen commented to Jimmy.
"That's why we trust him with our money," another man at the table chimed in with a grin. "I expect to die a very rich man, Jimmy."
Kristen leaned toward Jimmy. "You okay, Jimmy?" noticing his pale face.
"Uh, yeah, I just-it's a little stuffy in here," he muttered, looking flustered. "Honey, I'm going to get some fresh air, okay?" he told Julie before heading out.
Onstage, Marissa continued her walk down the runway. When she spotted me, she smiled directly at me.
"Marissa wanted to wear these Prada Mary Janes, but I told her she had to wear the stiletto Manolos," her mother remarked at the table.
Marissa has it hard. I'm pretty sure Jimmy's a fraud, and her mom seems like a shallow person.
-----------------------------
After the event, Claire came to pick up Haley. She was so exhausted from all the preparations that she didn't even complain about missing Holly's party.
Marissa also said she was tired and decided to leave with her parents.
"Are you sure you don't want to come to the party with us?" Seth asked.
"That's really strange coming from you, Seth," I looked at him.
"Yeah," he agreed
"That'll be good for you," Taylor, Ryan's girlfriend, chimed in, trying to keep Seth from changing his mind. Ryan stayed silent, just watching.
"She might be right. But for me, I have better things to do," I replied, and Summer appeared, grabbing my hand.
"Oh," Seth muttered, then, "Ohhh," finally realizing. "I'd do it too," he admitted.
"Eww!" Summer, already a little tipsy, exclaimed.
"Not with you!" he shot back, "But I would...you know..." he tried to gesture
"Okay, don't say anything else - she's my cousin," I interrupted before he could blurt out something awkward.
Ryan pulled him toward the car.
"Take care, guys," I waved and guided Summer toward my car.
-----------------------------
"Wow, you were even more eager this time," I murmured, kissing Summer. We were both naked beneath her sheets.
"The way you handled those bitches turned me on, plus your suit..." she confessed with a grin.
"Summer, I don't want to ruin the mood, but I think we should talk," I said, my tone shifting slightly.
"About what?"
"You know what. We're both smart. I'm obviously not oblivious to some signs," I reasoned.
She sighed. "Marissa has been my best friend since first grade," Summer murmured. "We've never liked the same guy at the same time."
"She's vulnerable and lonely because of Luke and her family," I noted.
"She's been a magnet for drama since forever. Then you show up - it's like she lives in a drama show and you're straight out of a sitcom," Summer exclaimed.
"You're like her prince: stable, dependable, and from the kind of family she's always wanted. One where the family problems can be solved by jumping into the pool," she added, laughing with a touch of disbelief
"And to top it all off, all your other qualities," Summer concluded.
"So what do we do?" I asked.
"I can't ask you to stay away from her. You're the friend she needs the most. I've never seen her so happy and light as when she's with you," Summer said, placing a hand on her face.
"I'm not a cheater, Summer. But I don't do teenage drama either. If things ever get unbearable, I'll just walk away," I warned.
Then I teased, "Well, there's always the threesome option."
"In your dreams, Pritchett," Summer laughed, hitting me with a pillow.
"Yep, that'll be tonight's dream," I teased again.
"I'll kick you out of my bed," she threatened, but we ended up kissing anyway.
Chapter 47: En Garde
Two weeks after the fundraiser event, it was already November, and the family gathered for Manny's fencing competition.
"Bravo, Manny!" Gloria cheered while clapping her hands. "Bravo!"
As the referee blew the whistle, Manny, dressed in a white fencing outfit and helmet, dashed forward with his foil, parrying every attack before striking his opponent on the shoulder. A sharp beep echoed through the room, confirming his victory.
"Bravo! Bravo!" Gloria exclaimed again, still clapping, as we joined in.
"Did you know that fencing dates back to the 12th century?" Alex noted while watching the next bout.
I nodded. It's true.
"Do you know what's even nerdier than fencing?" Haley countered. "Knowing when it began."
"I don't think you're a nerd," Luke said innocently.
Alex sighed and pushed him away. "Shut up, dork."
"You really conquered me, huh, Pritchett," Summer murmured beside me. "I'm watching fencing on a Saturday morning."
Haley laughed while I wrapped an arm around Summer's waist and kissed the side of her head.
I went to the restroom and came back to see Haley rubbing something on her hair -it looked like a battery.
Summer, noticing it too, exclaimed, "Eww, Haley, do you have lice?"
"No! Ew," Haley protested indignantly.
"Then why are you rubbing a battery on your head?" I asked.
"Alex told me it helps recharge the battery," she explained.
"And you believed that?" Summer made a face.
"Alex!" Haley snapped, as Alex burst out laughing - the prank was obvious now.
"Ugh, you're such a brat!" Haley started complaining, but I stepped in.
"Sit down next to Summer," I told Haley, already positioning myself between her and Alex.
"At least I don't have a bald spot in my hair!" Alex shouted back, making Haley widen her eyes and scream, "Mom!"
"Haley, stop being such an easy target," I said, gently pulling her hand away from her hair.
"Bravo!" Gloria cheered for the umpteenth time.
Taking off his helmet, Manny turned to look at us and ran over, giving each of us a high-five.
"How about a nice round of applause for our winner, Manny Delgado!" the referee remarked, gesturing toward Manny, who had returned to the center.
We began cheering for him.
"Manny now moves on to the championship, where he'll be competing against John Markum. We'll be back in two hours, at 11:45," the referee finally announced.
-----------------------------
We went back home for a quick stop since there were only two hours before the next match. Manny rested on the couch.
Summer went back to her house and would return for the final with Marissa. I told them to pack clothes for two days in the car because I had reserved a great place for us to go afterward (and I still hadn't told my whole family about it).
"So, Gloria, have you and Jay already packed your clothes in the car?" I checked.
"Sí, only Manny hasn't," Gloria replied.
"I'll tell him after the match. I managed to get this vineyard reservation today, last minute," I mentioned.
I already had another one for December, but since another opportunity came up, I decided we'd go today as well.
"Our little Zoro will win - that'll be my present," I grinned
Gloria beamed. "It's in his blood. His father was a master swordsman. He was an artist with his sword."
I frowned. I hoped she was talking about fencing.
Then Jay appeared with a cardboard box, opened it, and revealed a white T-shirt with the phrase:
"Who da Manny," I read out loud, laughing, and immediately told him to throw one to me.
"I love it when you're so proud of Manny," Gloria said, her eyes gleaming with joy.
"You know, I'm not gonna lie, seeing him out there slicing those kids to pieces-it gets to you," Jay admitted with rare pride, earning a warm hug from Gloria.
"Okay, lovebirds, you can save it for the vineyard," I cut in. "Manny, let's go," I called him to ride in my car.
-----------------------------
Once again, we were all gathered to watch Manny in the final.
"Where are we going?" Marissa wondered curiously. She was also wearing a 'Who da Manny' T-shirt (Jay always makes extras).
I cheered for Manny then replied, "It's a surprise, but I think everyone will love it."
"Where are you going?" Haley overheard us talking and jumped into the conversation, asking almost the same question.
"It's a place I reserved for the whole family for today and tomorrow," I revealed. "Hope everyone can come."
"Can I bring Dylan?" Haley asked, already sounding like she'd decided to go.
"You need to ask your mom, not me. I'm fine with him coming-there's room for one more," I replied, already knowing what Claire's answer would be
"He didn't even tell me where it is," Summer pouted lightly.
"Wanna bet everyone's gonna love it?" I challenged.
"Deal!" she agreed, shaking my hand, already knowing someone in my family would find a reason to complain.
We turned our attention back to Manny, and as usual, we knew when he landed a hit thanks to Gloria's loud cheering.
Finally, he scored another point, becoming the champion. We all cheered in unison.
-----------------------------
We were all outside, Manny wearing a wide grin and holding a huge trophy
"Okay, everyone, I have an announcement," I called everyone's attention. "To celebrate Manny's victory, I reserved the Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate Vineyards for today and tomorrow."
"It's basically a vineyard in Malibu, less than an hour and a half away. It's a beautiful place," I explained, since no one had heard of it-it had only been built a few months ago and was extremely exclusive and expensive.
"Come on, Jake paid for everything out of his own pocket," Gloria encouraged.
"We'll go!" Phil said excitedly, while Claire looked thoughtful but remained silent.
Cam let out a delighted shout. "It's a family trip!"
"Are you sure it's okay for me to go?" Marissa asked a little shyly.
"Of course," I replied promptly. "I'm already counting on using your Jeep Grand Cherokee, since mine would struggle to get there."
"Ok...ay," she murmured with a mix of emotions in her face
Chapter 48: Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate Vineyards
We left Brentwood around 3 p.m. - four cars in total. The road started smooth, until the last few kilometers decided to test our suspension.
The final stretch turned into packed dirt, winding up the hillside with no guardrails.
"You call this a road?" Summer said, gripping the handle above the door as the Grand Cherokee took the curves of Kanan Dume.
"Jake, this can't be right," Jay said through the walkie-talkie I had distributed to the cars so we wouldn't get lost.
"It is," I answered. "They just haven't paved the road yet. The place is new."
"New? It feels like a goat trail!" Gloria shouted from the passenger seat, and then again, "Jay! Slow down, the car is dancing!"
"I'm going fifteen miles per hour!" he barked back.
Claire leaned out the window: "Jake! If we die, I'm haunting you!"
"How is that any different from now?" I laughed.
"Lily is smiling," Cam reported through the walkie-talkie.
"Of course she is, she remembers her country," Jay said sarcastically.
"How can you be so relaxed, cousin?" Haley asked from the back seat. She ended up riding with us.
"Easy, this isn't my car," I joked, and I saw Marissa glaring at me through the rearview mirror.
Then the vehicle gave a small jump. "Can we even turn back if we have to?" Marissa asked nervously, looking out the window.
"No," I replied calmly. "But if we slide off, at least the view's nice on the way down."
"Not helping!" she yelled, clutching the seatbelt tighter.
"Wow, Coop, you're already out of character," Summer pointed out, turning back.
"Is that what you're worried about right now?" Marissa gave an incredulous look
"Don't worry, Marissa, you're not dying in a car accident," I said.
After a few more complaints, the hill finally opened up, and there it was - a massive Tuscan-style house perched on top of the ridge, surrounded by rows of vines and a stone terrace that looked straight out of a movie.
"Holy crap," Summer exclaimed, rolling down the window to admire the view.
Soon, all four cars parked, and everyone stepped out, completely awestruck.
Gloria gasped, "Ay Dios mío, it's beautiful! Look at this view!"
"Did we already die and end up in paradise?" Phil muttered, still staring.
"Woow," Marissa whispered, holding onto my arm - but as soon as she noticed, she quickly let go.
"Come on, guys, let's go inside," I said, motioning for everyone to follow.
As we approached, a man in a suit came to greet us.
"Mr. Jacob Pritchett?" he asked Jay, who gestured toward me instead.
The man looked surprised but quickly composed himself. "All six suites are prepared. The house manager and chef are ready; we can arrange a tasting."
"Excellent, thank you," I replied with a smile, then turned to the group. "Let's enjoy," I smirked.
Two more men appeared to help with the luggage.
As I gestured for everyone to go inside, Jay stayed behind to talk.
"How much did it cost?" he asked.
"Thirty grand total, but you need a few connections," I revealed. Gordon helped with that.
Jay just nodded thoughtfully.
"Don't overthink it, or I'll throw Manny at your door tonight." I smiked.
He let out a grumbly laugh and patted my shoulder.
-----------------------------
After a while, everyone had found something interesting to do.
"Why is your little brother wearing a tuxedo?" Marissa asked curiously.
Manny was wearing the blazer I had given him as a gift, sipping grape juice as if it were a fine wine.
"I told you, he's an old soul," I replied, not too bothered by the family's eccentricities.
Haley walked over. "Can you sneak us some wine?"
"Later, little Comet," I smirked. "Let's go to the table - dinner will be served early so we can catch the sunset."
Everyone gathered at the outdoor table. Dinner consisted of wine, truffle risotto, pasta, and grilled meat.
I gently tapped my glass and stood up. "I'd like to propose a toast to little Zorro, today's champion." Everyone raised their glasses, followed by applause and laughter.
And Manny added, "And also to our first family trip!"
As we started eating, I leaned closer to Summer and whispered in her ear, "Sum, what do I get now that I've won the bet?"
She just gave me a sly smile and went back to eating
-----------------------------
That night, everyone was enjoying themselves in different ways. I pushed a cart carrying a wine bucket, cold cuts, and glasses, and knocked on the door.
"Whooa, nice," Haley grinned, seeing everything I was bringing. "Now, get out, Alex," she shouted, trying to kick her sister out of the room, where Summer and Marissa were lounging on the bed.
I gently placed a friendly hand on Alex's shoulder.
"Don't be mean, Haley. You can stay with us, Alex" I spoke, then looked around at everyone. "But we need to keep the conversation PG," I teased.
Haley grumbled but didn't say anything else
"Why would I even want to stay?" Alex countered, sounding bratty.
I ignored her attitude. "The door's right there," I remarked nonchalantly, pouring wine into the glasses.
Alex huffed too but sat down. Then she asked, "Can I have wine?"
"No," I replied simply.
"Why?"
"You're too young, not mature enough, and your mother would kill me," I answered.
"So, I'm less mature than those three?" she continued with her snappy attitude.
"You have a point, but the others two are still right," I conceded.
Haley immediately gasped in outrage. "Excuse me?" she snapped, crossing her arms.
"You're saying she's more mature than us?" Summer narrowed her eyes at me.
I gave her a quick kiss. "A mature person doesn't go around fighting or competing with kids." Then I turned toward Marissa. "Right, Marissa?" I said, handing her a glass - partly to include her, but mostly to use her as my alibi.
"Hey, you called me immature too, and now you want my help?" Marissa asked deadpan.
"For free wine," I offered, showing the bottle. She rolled her eyes, pausing for a beat before a small smile tugged at her lips.
Chapter 49: Talk in the room
"You called us immature and her a kid. Why don't we kick you out?" Summer shot me a challenging look.
"You know why," I smirked.
She rolled her eyes. "You're so annoying. Why do I even like you?"
"Sit over there," Haley interrupted, pointing at the far end of the couch. "We don't want to see you two flirting while we poor girls are lonely here."
"Your own fault for not convincing your mom," I replied, but I went to sit next to Alex
I could see her staring at all of us drinking.
"Here, just take a small sip," I offered my glass, only to satisfy her curiosity. I wouldn't actually let her drink.
She eagerly grabbed the glass and took a tiny sip. "Ugh!" she exclaimed immediately. "It's bitter! It tastes like spoiled grape juice. Why do you even drink this?"
That made everyone burst into laughter.
"Ask your mom tomorrow," I replied. "She has more experience with that."
"Let's play Never Have I Ever," Summer suggested.
I explained the rules to Alex since she didn't seem familiar. "You either ask 'Have you ever…' or say 'Never have I ever.' Those who have done it take a drink. Or in your case, grape juice and a piece of cheese."
"Like, have you ever drunk wine?" I started, and we all took a sip for that one.
"Never have I ever gotten less than an A," Alex continued, already understanding the game.
"You are such a nerd," Haley groaned and drank with everyone.
I drank too, since old Francis had definitely gotten bad grades before.
Marissa went next. "Have you ever cried to get out of trouble?"
This time, I was the only one who didn't move. "What?" I exclaimed as everyone looked at me. "I've never done that!"
Then it was Haley's turn. "Never have I ever smoked," she declared, making me, Marissa, and Summer drink.
"Oh my God!" Alex exclaimed in an astonished, condemnatory tone after seeing us admit we had smoked.
"Have you ever said you were fine when you actually weren't?" Summer asked next.
As everyone drank, I muttered, "Marissa should drink twice for that one…"
She shot me a look but took another sip anyway.
"Never have I ever kissed a boy," I teased, making Summer roll her eyes.
Alex didn't sipped her juice either, and Haley noticed. "Oh. My. God. Alex!" she started, but I cut her off.
"Haley," I warned.
"Never have I ever used 'being pretty' as an argument," Alex said, looking directly at Haley.
"Okay, you two, if you start bickering, I'll kick both of you out," I warned again, making them stop, then added, "And you three can drink," earning a flying pillow from Marissa.
We played a few more rounds until we switched to another game.
Summer looked at Haley. "Would you rather kiss Jake or Ryan?"
She hesitated. "You mean like my cousin or my boyfriend's friend? Or, if they weren't hypothetically either of those?"
"The first one," Summer decided.
"Tough one! Do I need to choose one?" Haley whined. "I'd go with Jake - I wouldn't kiss my friend's boyfriend," my cousin replied.
"Oh," Alex was next. "Would you rather kiss Haley or Marissa?"
Little girl, you just had to go there...
"Do I need to choose one?" I repeated Haley's question. "Because I'd kiss both!" I declared.
Summer came over and playfully slapped my arm. "Jackass", which made everyone laugh.
This time it was Haley asking Marissa, "Would you rather trip in front of your crush or accidentally call him Dad?"
She covered her face. "Why would you even - okay, trip. Definitely trip."
"That's still better than your track record, Coop" Summer joked.
"Summer!" Marissa snapped, but she was already laughing.
We kept playing for quite a while, though we held back a bit since Alex was around (which didn't stop the girls from getting drunk anyway).
I said goodnight and went to my room. But in the middle of the night, someone sneaked under my covers.
"Shhh," Summer whispered, telling me not to make any noise, though she was the one clearly drunk. "They finally fell asleep."
We made the most of the night.
-----------------------------
The next day, we went for breakfast. Alex was the only normal one; Summer, Marissa, and Haley were visibly hungover.
I walked over to the adults, hearing Claire mumble, "Am I a bad mom for not scolding her?" Obviously talking about Haley.
"Gosh, Claire, you're in worse shape than they are," I remarked ironically, earning a glare from her.
I also received a judgmental stare from Jay and Mitchell (the Pritchetts), because everyone had been drinking (except Alex)
I picked up a paper. "I received a report here about how many bottles of wine were emptied," I started, making Claire and Phil turn away.
"And about how the jacuzzi is going to need some repairs due to a certain incident," I continued. Jay suddenly became very interested in his plate, while Gloria pretended it had nothing to do with her.
"And finally," I concluded, "someone almost accidentally set the central patio on fire." I saw Mitchell and Cam glancing at each other awkwardly.
But there was more - seeing Manny and Luke appear, I exclaimed, "How the hell did you two dunderheads manage to break the bed?" I said incredulously, as both looked down at the floor.
Good Lord, I bet there were plenty of 'night activities' last night… how did the two kids end up pulling that off? (Thankfully, the soundproofing here is excellent - no one was traumatized.)
"We started jumping on the bed…" Manny tried to explain what happened.
"Forget it. How about we all just have breakfast and pretend nothing wrong happened last night?" I suggested, and we all agreed and started laughing.
Chapter 50: Genius
A few days passed, I walked into one of the conference rooms at UCLA. Professor Lambeau was already seated.
"Gerald, you're gonna pierce a hole through the book," I joked, seeing him completely absorbed in my second paper: Endoscopic Classification for Orthogonal and Symplectic Groups.
After a while, he finally noticed me and greeted, "Jake, if this is correct, Langlands could die fulfilled - it would prove what he always predicted: 'every reductive group must have a description of its automorphic representations via GL(N),' besides creating an entirely new mathematical structure," he said, looking at me in fascination.
"Oh, stop trying to kill one of our best; there aren't many of us in the first place," I replied, sitting beside him.
It would still take several months for any of them to fully comprehend the Fundamental Lemma (the first paper); the second would require even more time to unravel.
Soon Langlands, Arthur, Clozel, Waldspurger, Shelstad, Kottwitz, Moeglin, Labesse, Deligne, Gross, and Tao arrived, and we spent a long time discussing after my initial presentation.
-----------------------------
"Sum," I called my girlfriend.
She playfully placed her hand on my intimate area. "Huh, that wasn't it?" she teased.
After hours of mathematical discussion, I went to Summer's house. We were lying naked on her bed, having finally released the built-up tension.
"Now, that's it," I retorted, feeling my body respond to her touch.
"You're impossible," she whispered, but positioning herself on top of me and reaching for a condom from the nightstand.
"Hey, this time, you started it," I grinned, pulling her closer as the room filled once again with soft moans.
-----------------------------
"Okay, what did you want to talk about?" Summer asked later. She was already in her pajamas, fresh from the shower we'd taken after our little "moment."
"It wasn't really a secret," I began, "more like… you never asked."
"Cut the crap," she muttered, pressing her body lightly against mine as I leaned back against the headboard. "That's not like you."
"I'm a genius, Summer," I confessed.
She tilted her head, puzzled. "I know you're very smart, especially after that time you helped me study. But what do you mean by genius?"
"I mean, like Einstein level."
"Einstein??" she said, her expression growing even more confused.
"Yep, your boyfriend happens to be one of the brightest minds of our time - perhaps," I added normally, "one of the brightest in the entire history of humanity."
The Fundamental Lemma, Graphene, and Endoscopic Classification have already cemented my reputation in history, even without me releasing what I actually solved (which is far more impressive).
She burst out laughing. "What??" she exclaimed, spreading her arms, still making a face at me.
But her expression slowly changed. "You're not joking, are you?" she asked, looking even more incredulous.
I shook my head.
"That makes no sense. If you're that intelligent, what are you doing in high school??"
"I was promised beautiful girls and fun," I joked, then added thoughtfully, "though I didn't really enjoy the first part as much."
Summer smacked my arm. "Jerk."
"This morning I was actually presenting a new mathematical structure to some of the greatest minds alive," I continued casually. "It might take months, maybe even years, but my name will show up in multiple publications."
The Fundamental Lemma is already absurdly complex even for the best mathematicians - it'll take time before it's officially recognized as solved.
Even the government is treating me as a strategic asset, encouraging me to stay under the radar for now.
"God," she muttered, rolling her eyes, "why couldn't I fall for a normal guy who just plays the guitar?"
"Really?" I placed my hand on her face.
Summer smiled
"You're hot, you drive a Ferrari, and now you're a genius... how is that fair?" she teased, biting the tip of my thumb that was near her lips.
I countered using my other hand and slipped it under her underwear from behind.
"Jake! We already took a shower!" she whined. "And where the hell are you putting your finger???" she scolded, trying to slap my hand away.
But I slid my middle finger inside, making her body jolt, and she let out a soft moan
"You're just bullying me!" she gasped, trying to look pitiful - but her trembling lips and shaky breath betrayed her. I pulled her into a deep kiss.
"You're just a horny teenager - Einstein... my ass," she murmured against my lips.
"Your ass..." I smirked, making her regret saying that.
-----------------------------
"Now you can really say I'm a pain in the as-" I got an elbow before I could finish speaking.
"Ouch! That hurt, Sunny girl," I complained.
"Serves you right!" she retorted, already pulling my arm to cuddle again. "Who else knows about this?"
"Just Jay and Gloria, Grandma knows partially," I replied. "I'd like to build a bond with them before I show everything I'm capable of. Besides, it would create huge pressure on all my cousins."
"You should tell Haley e Marissa" Summer suggested
I nodded, "I will. I didn't tell Haley before because she wouldn't think much of it - at most, she'd call me a big nerd," I laughed. "The problem is she's starting to use it to rub it in Alex's face."
"Marissa..." I murmured.
"Will understand," Summer completed, then turned to me. "You said one of the greatest in history - how big is it already?"
"I will not lie. I have pretty much a Fields Medal guaranteed - it's the highest award for a mathematician. And I'm 99% sure I'll win a Nobel in Physics too," I told her the truth. "That already puts me in several history books in the future."
"Where did I get myself into?" Summer joked, feigning a sigh, then pulled me closer.
"You can still quit," I whispered.
"For a historical genius, you're quite the dumbass," she finally kissed me.