Martin glanced at the time on his phone. He had about six or seven hours before his dinner with his old high school friends. Plenty of time. After a moment's thought, he decided to head out and buy himself something decent to wear for the evening. It wasn't a formal event, but he didn't want to show up looking sloppy either. Something casual but stylish would do.
He grabbed his wallet and phone and headed out to a nearby clothing store. The aisles were lined with options, and it didn't take long for Martin to find what he was looking for—neat, tidy, and casual clothing that wasn't too expensive but didn't look cheap either. A nice button-up shirt, a good pair of fitted jeans, and some sleek shoes to pull the outfit together.
Satisfied, Martin made his way back to the apartment with his shopping bags in tow. Dropping them by the door, he sighed softly to himself. "Life with money is so convenient," he muttered. It wasn't lost on him how easily he could now make decisions without second-guessing his finances. His phone buzzed, and with a quick check of his bank balance, he felt a wave of satisfaction. Everything was looking good.
But now, there was more pressing business to attend to. He sank into his couch, his mind shifting back to his upcoming meeting with Lucia at **Opus Prime**. If he was going to talk business, he needed to be prepared. Starting a company wasn't something he could just bluff his way through.
Pulling out his laptop, he started researching the process of registering a company. He grabbed his notepad, ready to jot down the crucial steps. As he read through local government guidelines and business articles, he quickly realized there was more to it than simply filing paperwork.
1. Choosing a Business Structure:
The first and most important step is selecting the right legal structure for the business. The common structures include:
- Sole Proprietorship: Easiest to set up, but with no legal distinction between the owner and the business. Martin decided against this for anything serious.
- Limited Liability Company (LLC): The most attractive option. It offers liability protection while allowing flexibility in management and taxation. Martin circled this option.
- Corporation: Suitable for large businesses with shareholders, but it comes with more complex legal requirements and higher costs.
2. Registering the Business Name:
Martin would need to decide on a name for the company and ensure it wasn't already taken. He would have to file for a "Doing Business As" (DBA) if he wanted the company to operate under a name other than his own.
3. Getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN):
An EIN is essential for tax purposes, and it's required to open a business bank account and hire employees. The process for applying is straightforward through the IRS website.
4. Registering with State and Local Authorities:
- Martin noted that depending on the type of business, he might need to register with the state's department of revenue or obtain local business licenses. Each state had its own regulations, and he'd need to research which applied to the type of business they might set up.
5. Opening a Business Bank Account:
Once the company was legally established, Martin would need to open a business bank account to keep his personal and business finances separate. This step also helped build credibility and provided a professional means for handling transactions.
6. Obtaining Business Permits and Licenses:
Certain industries require specific permits and licenses, so he'd need to check what was necessary depending on what direction they took with the business. He jotted down the reminder to look into industry-specific requirements later.
7. Drafting an Operating Agreement:
This was critical for LLCs, where Martin would need to establish how the company would be managed, the roles of each partner, and the distribution of profits. With a potential partnership with Lucia on the horizon, he highlighted this section.
8. Understanding Tax Obligations:
Martin would need to understand federal, state, and local tax obligations. He noted that hiring an accountant might be necessary in the long run, especially if the business scaled quickly.
---
As Martin compiled his notes, he realized how much there was to learn. The process of starting a company wasn't just about filing forms—it involved legal, financial, and operational considerations that would take time to fully grasp. He made a mental note to study more over the next two days, wanting to be as prepared as possible before his meeting with Lucia. If she was serious about starting a business together, he needed to speak her language.
But as he dove deeper into research, he found himself sidetracked. Instead of focusing solely on company formation, his curiosity led him down the rabbit hole of famous business ventures—stories of renowned entrepreneurs who made it big in the cutthroat world of capitalism. Each story was more intense than the last, filled with backstabbing deals, clever negotiations, and bold, risky moves. The more he read, the more he realized just how brutal the world of business could be. It was no place for the faint of heart.
Hours slipped by unnoticed, and by the time Martin glanced at the clock again, it was nearing the time for dinner with his friends.
Shaking his head, he pushed aside the growing realization that the business world was far more dangerous and complex than he had initially thought. For now, he needed to focus on the evening ahead.
He took a quick shower, letting the hot water clear his mind. Afterward, he dressed in the casual yet stylish clothes he had bought earlier—his confidence bolstered by the well-fitting brands. A spritz of cologne later, he was ready.
Stepping out of the apartment, Martin felt a wave of anticipation wash over him. Tonight wasn't just a reunion with old friends—it was a brief escape from the mounting complexities of his new life. But somewhere, in the back of his mind, the thoughts of business, power, and the system still lingered.
He locked the door behind him and made his way into the cool evening, ready for whatever the night had in store.
—-
The cab slowed to a stop in front of Lakeside Grill, a picturesque countryside-styled restaurant nestled along the serene shores of a calm lake. As Martin stepped out of the cab, his gaze was drawn, almost subconsciously, to the luxurious housing area across the water.
Somewhere among those sprawling, high-end properties was his own villa—a hidden prize that still felt surreal.
He sighed, shaking his head. It wasn't something he could brag about. Not yet, at least.
Brushing off the thought, Martin walked up to the entrance of the restaurant, where the soft glow of warm lights spilled from the windows. Inside, the rustic yet upscale décor set a welcoming mood.
He approached the receptionist and showed her the QR code his friend had shared with him.
"Ah, right this way," the receptionist smiled, guiding Martin toward the back of the restaurant.
The dining hall opened up into a cozy, private space. His friends were already there—seven in total, each one looking up with smiles and waves as he approached the long table.
It had been years since they'd all been together, and as he took his seat, Martin's gaze drifted over each of them, his inner monologue filling with old memories and fresh impressions.
Emily was sitting closest to him, her short brown hair framing her face as she laughed at something one of the others said. Always the firecracker of the group, she had a contagious energy about her, and it seemed like that hadn't changed at all.
Martin remembered how back in high school, she'd been the loudest and most confident one, always pushing the group to go out and try new things. If anyone could light up a room, it was Emily. And from the way she leaned forward, fully engaged in the conversation, it was clear she still had that spark.
Next to Emily sat Sarah, her jet-black hair neatly tied into a ponytail. Sarah had always been the more serious one, but there was a warmth beneath her calm exterior that Martin appreciated. She had been the group's problem solver, always the first to offer a helping hand.
Now, from what Martin could glean from their earlier conversation, Sarah was studying law, which made sense. It seemed like the natural progression for someone with her sense of justice and responsibility.
Lily sat across from Sarah, her soft features partially hidden behind a pair of large glasses. Quiet but sharp, Lily was the group's tech guru. She had always been into coding and tech projects, though she never made a big deal about it. Martin wasn't surprised to learn that she was now working in software development, doing well for herself in a field that suited her talents perfectly.
Even now, she sat back slightly, observing the conversation with a thoughtful smile, always content to listen before offering her input.
To the left of Lily was Jason, the athletic one of the group. He was still as fit as ever, his broad shoulders and easy grin reminding Martin of their days on the track team. Jason had gone into physical therapy, a career that fit him like a glove. His natural charisma and love of fitness made him the ideal person to help others recover from injuries, and from what Martin had heard, Jason was making a name for himself in the local community.
He looked as laid-back as ever, already joking with the others about their old high school antics.
Nathan sat across from Jason, his neat attire and composed expression a stark contrast to Jason's more casual vibe. Nathan had always been the organized one, the one who meticulously planned their group outings back in the day. He'd gone into finance, which wasn't surprising—he had a natural talent for numbers and structure.
Martin could see the signs of his career in the way Nathan carried himself, confident but precise, always with an eye on the details.
Leo sat at the end of the table, fiddling with his phone, though he was clearly still engaged in the conversation. Leo had always been the laid-back, go-with-the-flow type. He was the guy everyone could count on to crack a joke when things got too serious. Martin smiled slightly—Leo hadn't changed much, though now he was working as a graphic designer, bringing his creativity to life in ways Martin hadn't expected.
Still, the same easygoing attitude was there, and it was comforting to see.
Finally, there was Alex, who sat closest to the head of the table, a bright smile on his face as he chatted with the group. Alex was the most ambitious of the lot, always talking about how he'd make it big one day. He'd pursued engineering after high school and had apparently landed a good job in a tech company, working on projects that had everyone impressed.
Martin hadn't kept up with him much, but seeing Alex now, with that same gleam in his eye, Martin could tell he hadn't lost his drive.
As Martin sat down and greeted everyone, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. They were all different now, each having grown into their own paths, but the familiarity was still there, hanging in the air like an old song. For the first time in a long while, Martin felt a sense of belonging, a grounding force amid all the changes in his life.
"Glad you could make it, man!" Jason called, pulling Martin back to the present. The others echoed their greetings, and soon the table was filled with laughter, jokes, and shared memories. The evening was just beginning, and as Martin settled into the conversation, he realized how much he had missed this—simple, human connection.
And while the villa across the lake and the supernatural system still loomed in the back of his mind, for now, Martin could relax and enjoy the company of his old friends.