This is a continuation of the story about Merna. Really need to read story in sequence to understand it.
Rose and Merna start their life together in Merna's house.
The next day, Sunday, I told Merna about the interaction between Jerome and Jeff. She seemed relieved, saying, "You know I was worried about him becoming violent but with Jerome and Tiny involved I now think that is unlikely."
"I think so to."
Rose disappeared and I decided maybe I should clean house. In few hours she reappeared with a plan to finish out the basement. It had a bathroom, an office area out looking over the back and lake, and a computer room in the dark area of the basement.
"Rose this will cost a fortune!" I exclaimed.
"Merna, unless you object we will be here a while," she explained. "By doing this I give you a finished basement and we have a place to work without having to spend more money moving. With this we can grow the business without incurring the expense of renting space. I would rather you benefit from this money than someone else."
"Rose, I am happy to have you here," I explained, "so don't worry about me. I am excited I can help. I do see the logic of your plan so go ahead. It looks like I am going to be traveling anyway, so you have the pain of construction instead of me."
"And I am going to pay you rent."
I decided that there was no reason to argue. Rose was a new Rose. The confidence was great to see.
Over the next few weeks the following happened, Rose settled with Jeff with a simple agreement that left Jeff with the house and a cash payment of $100k from Rose. He gave up all rights to Rose's business and an agreement to never come close to her or named associates. She finished out my basement and had the facilities updated including separate utilities. Rose and Sherman worked all the time.
Rose and Sherman were really working well together. Rose helped him with final touches on his dissertation. According to Rose he was making big contributions to Rose's business. Rose wanted him to come in and be part of her business. Sherman was getting firm offers contingent on receiving his PhD degree within 6 months.
Rose's was picking up additional business from both her existing clients. She was traveling 2 or 3 days a week now while Sherman stayed behind to work on software for the client and manage the facility upgrade. They talked all the time.
During this three months, I was working at least 3 days a week and had lost all interest in Adobe. I also had gone to Dallas for a week modeling and representing Keene. It was a hectic week but went really well. I was making very good money now and making a name for myself. I was so busy I had only seen Tommie a couple of times and could see that was cooling off. We were becoming friends not lovers. Additionally, I had only seen Rose on weekends when she was not traveling.
Rose starts the next phase of her business
One a Friday night as I was fixing myself dinner, Rose and Sherman came up asking if they could join me. I said sure if you take pot luck.
"Merna, do you remember Carl from Talladega?" Rose asked.
"Well sure I do."
"He is the founder and chairman of Peterson Investments. His name is Carl Peterson. The trading platform I started has improved dramatically with the work we, mostly Sherman, have done the last few months. We are making a lot of money with it. We are thinking that we are now in strong enough position to approach Carl with a partnership deal. Our technology married to his investment firm marketing might make a great business opportunity. Anyway, remember the last thing he said to you was come see me and bring Rose? Would do call Carl and see if he would meet with us three?"
"Want to hear something strange?" I asked. "I have a show in Atlanta next week and was thinking of calling Carl to see if he wanted to come to the show. So sure I will."
"Also, Sherman and I have been discussing his position with Howard Technology," Rose said. "He should have the defense of his dissertation later this month and have his doctorate soon after. I want him to come work with me for a percentage of the company. I would hate to lose him."
Sherman was smiling at this. "Truthfully, Merna, I never thought about leaving. Doctor Howard wants me to have a percent of the business. I just like the fringe benefits."
Rose laughed and punched Sherman on the shoulder. "It is only right that you own a part of the business. Your contribution has been invaluable."
We go to see Carl
I called Carl on Monday morning, leaving him a message. He called back later in the day. I explained that I was doing a show in Atlanta for Keene and wanted to follow up on his invitation while at Talladega to get caught up and bring Rose. Carl was very happy I called and invited us to lunch Thursday. We agreed to lunch at the Hyatt Downtown where the show started in the afternoon. He said he would clear his calendar for Rose and me.
Toward the end of the call, he agreed to talk to Rose if she would call him back on his mobile phone. I told Rose about the conversation and asked her to called Carl back immediately.
"Hello Rose, I am so happy y'all are coming to see me. I must admit I never expected to hear from you or Merna but I am happy none the less."
"I want to be honest with you," Rose started. "I have an agenda. Merna is doing a show in Atlanta Thursday afternoon and wanted to see you but I have a business reason for seeing you. I am the founder/owner of Howard Technology LLC. My name is Doctor Rose Howard and I think we can help you in your business. It is-"
"Stop Rose. I know your company, I just did not know that you were the founder. In fact, we have been investigating the work your company has done with one of your client. I had one of the geeks in my office explaining to me how your work might work for us. We will need non-disclosure agreements to make this useful and ours is bilateral. So if you can sign it then come prepared to open kimono."
We both laughed until Carl said, "Well in your case you need to wear a kimono to open it."
"Carl, thank you so much," Rose said. "Carl, let's separate personal from business. I will also bring my partner. He is getting his PhD in a few weeks with a specialty in artificial intelligence. His name is Sherman Monsey."