They rented an open space, definitely not flashy- they weren't that financially stable back then. It's crappy state made their rent cheaper but added cost by innovations and modernization. If they had much they would have demolished the damn thing.
Jen used to call it ' humble beginnings ' and ' a qualitative success story to tell' . When alone she referred to it as a 'piece of shit ' as she never wanted to show Gunn her discontent. He needed to know that they would succeed, that all that mattered the most was them and not the place.
Raised in a wealth family, all she saw was high-end, she never saw anything like that building upclose. Not like Gunn chose his life either, before they decided to open the company he had wealth and family. How a thirteen year decided to do what he was doing was a mystery. One that he solved for her soon enough.
They were friends back then, just not as close as they now are. They both have changed - Jen more than she had hoped to.
He isn't secretive around her, she likes him for that. Even the brutal honesty he gives. That was there from the start, she didn't have secrets to keep from him back then either.
They got it from Mr Smith - their mutual friend/math teacher back then . He kinda knew about Gunn's situation from Jen, who as asking about the place. She heard him say he had inherited something worth pennies but still appreciating. He was teaching commercial arithmetic.
He inherited the rubble from his grandparents and didn't have the finance for it's renovations. Actually, their interest made him wonder how they would make it work. Even considered giving them first year for free, which they were more than appreciative of.
He sold it to the company two years ago for six million dollars. That is ten times what he could have imagined making out of it without renovation - which he couldn't afford. Gunn had done it for free. Jen joked that Gunn knew they would buy it in the future, she believes in him.
Rent, renovations, purchase of initial equipment and software was all done using Jen's trust fund money. She had trust in Gunn and his mind, they were just post middle school kids with ambitions to change the world. They used her money for salaries for initial employees, who left the firm to start their own after they saw a glimpse of success.
Jen was not that committed to company back then, but to Gunn. She proceeded to high school but always made time for Gunn and his infant startup. She was more of primary benefactor than an employee back then.
Jen joined fully after high school as his assistant.
While in high school, she acted as his assistant on weekends and joked about working for him full time. She was all that he had except for the company. The idea was appealing added with a promise for highest pay. He was learning from home, he is also a highs school graduate. She used to study with him after school and get him.
The initial agreement was for Gunn to pay off her capital credit under ten years. The interest was of only two percent, Jen had loaned him the sum without interest but they had to make it worth her while. If there was no Jen GPLAy would never have happened, they both tend to forget that.
After only a year they hired coders and stuff responsible for game development, they cared little about income generation and profits.
They operated on losses for almost a year and half before the hit game that flooded the start-up with cash and expanded their stuff, operations, technology and services.
That saw salaries rise and every face smile around the office, they were feeling like a family.
They changed the payment agreement to Jen's initial sum and a ten percent stake- it was all out of respect for her contribution.
She might have went to college, guess the stake was a way to lure her in. There was also a part of her that felt entitled to the firm, like one of it's organs. They jokes about going to college someday, Jen more serious than he is.
So, she joined it soon after high school. That pissed her family to arresting Gunn. Jen made it clear that decision was hers and nothing to do with Gunn and promised to get law degree some time in future, they actually cut their ties with her. She also has Gunn and GPLAy only, something they both can relate. It strengthens their bond.
She regrets nothing. It's all in the past now, she was just remembering how far they have come. She needed to wake him up, it was lunch break. She needed to know what to get him.
They usually order from a restaurant owned by an employee's family. The whole company is about making each one's life better and gain as much as they can. He scored the deal about six years ago and since then they have been placing orders.
×××××××××
Gunn needed a nap. When Jen went in she found him in his office rather than the room sleeping. She felt embarrassed for not knocking on the door.
"I was about to call you in, how is my day?", Gunn asked hastily, as if he was waiting for her.
Jen wanted to know if he had the proposed nap, he can be deceitful – even to himself. That would start what she wants to avoid, maybe he would bring it up.
He was wearing something different, must have been up for a while now. He usually takes weirdly long showers, she never got courage to joke about it.
"Lots of postponed appointments", replied Jen. Tries to entertain him at times. He couldn't spare a spark up his face, she hated it.
"Wouldn't you ask when I woke up? ", Gunn was looking through his huge office window. Felt like he was in for a serious talk. She hates serious Gunn, he is a D.
When talking to her on serous note he kinda faces the wall, of all the things he is, confrontational is not on the list. With her he tries, with others his silence is enough to make it known what he wanted.
"No. You seem to have refreshed ",she joked. Not good at it, felt like her turn to lighten the mood. He hardly gets serious with her.
" I'm awesome. You must have been after last night's...(be couldn't say it out. That Jen might have been with a guy)
I heard about you and that moron, why didn't you tell me? Why? Uh? (He bit his lips trying to control what he was about to say. Hates making a scene, even when it is well deserved)
I thought we were open, are we?", his voice was cracking and rough. He was hurt, how could Jen do that to him when he's brutally honest.
From his reddening eyes and tight grip on the table, as he turned to face her, to tight jaws. All indicated just how hurt he was.
How he stumbled upon this was a mystery, if she knew from whom then maybe she would have brought danger to someone. She never wanted him to find out like that. She had been keeping it a secret for way too long. It was already over.
She never wanted to go there with him, that's why she hid it in the first place. Her affairs were hers to deal with, adding him to the drama would always mean more drama.
" I'll let them know you are available, please ", Jen said soulfully while avoiding the subject. He was pissed off at her , she should have told him. She was a hurt, hates keeping secrets from him as well.
He felt betrayed and used, she should not have hidden it like that. He shares the good, great and bad with her , it was only fair that it was mutual. Was that too much to ask?
He's stubborn, when he wants to talk nothing can stop him. He hurried to get hold of her before it was too late, she runs from the difficult subjects. He was steps away from her. But, before he could get to her she already was out of the office and banged the door. She ran out of there as if chased, she never wanted to share, it was hurting. He was chasing her too, literally.
If only he reacted faster, maybe she would be cornered to a wall until she said it all. He wanted to hear what she had to say. He had cornered her before, she broke down into tears and shared all back then. They were only thirteen - a couple of months after they had learnt the cruelty of the world. Nobody knows how it would go now that they are old.
He called her desk but she didn't answer, she was avoiding talking, nothing good comes from sharing. She never wanted to share. She had cried, toughened up then cried even more. Her world was chaotic once more.
Nothing was over. Not until they had fought about it like normal couples do. They haven't had any major fight for years. She forgot how destructive it can be- craved the thrill of it.
She just needed to keep her distance until he was less hurt about it then try explaining. Not like he cares about what she has to say. He disregards her side of the story saying," you can do better".
Why did she get involved with that Moron?
She wanted to keep him off her tail. Which better way than keeping him busy, so, she called Kat in to see him and take his lunch in. Kat was the only office worker having an appointment. She couldn't have declined the offer.
With her smart mind, she knew Jen wasn't up for something good. She had red eyes and almost as if pissed off about something. She would have been better off not taking that lunch in. But, she wasn't that afraid of anything - not yet.