Author's Note: Happy New Year! Hope you all had a wonderful holidays. So I changed some details in regards to Michael's business roles for this story. On the show, after Valentin took over ELQ, Michael primarily is working for Drew's company, Aurora. But then on the show he was somehow running a new coffee company to compete with Sonny's coffee business. As I was writing this story and contemplating that details, it got me wondering what resources did Michael use to buy a coffee company, since he makes of his living from ELQ or Aurora work. Obviously he could have his money laying around to buy a company. It kind of seemed more like something Michael could more easily do through ELQ (which has been involved in multiple industries). I decided that Michael stills oversees a division of ELQ through which he bought a coffee company. Thus bringing us to this chapter.
Happy reading!
ELQ – CEO's Office
Valentin was looking through multiple papers at his desk as well as e-mails.
"When the hell did ELQ get into coffee?" Valentin muttered to himself as his phone rang.
He glanced at the number and answered it, "What can you tell me?"
Valentin listened as whoever was on the other end responded.
"Thank you, that's very helpful," Valentin said, "Though not what I was expecting to hear."
As he hung up, Ned entered the office.
"You rang," Ned said, "Or rather demanded I meet you here for an emergency meeting?"
"Do you know when ELQ got into the coffee business?" Valentin asked.
"Never," Ned said, "That's not really been a line we've ever gotten into."
"Tell that to the unhappy customers who have called us wondering where their coffee order is and demanding their money back," Valentin said, handing Ned the paperwork.
Ned looked through the paperwork.
"Well that's certainly a new direction," Ned said, "Wait this is one of the subsidiaries, Michael is running. But why would he invest in a coffee venture….No….no….no…please don't tell me he would be that stupid."
"We can ask him when he gets here," Valentin said, "It should not be taking him this long to get here…Speak of the devil."
Michael entered the office.
"If you're talking about yourself then sure," Michael said, "Now what's going on?"
"You tell me, Michael," Valentin replied.
"Now hold on minute," Ned said, "let me…"
"Would you care to explain why you thought using an ELQ subsidiary to go into the coffee business and compete against Sonny was a sound business decision?" Valentin replied, ignoring Ned.
"The company looked like a good investment," Michael said, "I think the initial numbers speak for themselves."
"Targeted locally to Port Charles," Valentin said, "Which isn't sustainable, in an industry, ELQ historically has nothing to do with. But funny how it's your adoptive father's primary so called legitimate industry."
"I haven't done anything wrong," Michael said, "That subsidiary is mine to run as I see fit. The plan would be to eventually expand. If it happens to hurt Sonny's business in the process."
"Oh god, you really are that stupid," Ned replied exasperated, "To use ELQ to go after Sonny. My god, Michael, what are you thinking?"
"It's all perfectly legal," Michael said, "I don't see what the problem is."
"If it ends up with ELQ in the middle of a mob war," Valentin said, "I'd say that's a very big problem."
"Not to mention the appearance of a conflict of interest," Ned said, "Even if you are competing against your own father. Wait a minute….Valentin, did you say that coffee orders are held up?"
"Yep, we've gotten several messages from Michael's unhappy customers," Valentin said, "about shipping delays with their orders."
"I'm thinking it wouldn't be a stretch to think Sonny might be holding up those orders in retaliation," Ned said.
"I'll handle it," Michael said as there was a knock at the door.
"Surprisingly, it's not Sonny," Valentin said heading towards the door.
"That's just great, so one of Sonny's associates is taking offense because who knows why," Ned said as Valentin opened the door.
"Mrs. Corinthos-Morgan," Valentin said, "I'm so glad you could join us on such short notice."
"What does Kellie have to do with any of this?" Michael asked.
"Can I leave the room now so I don't have to explain this to Olivia?" Ned said as he realized Kellie had something to do with the shipping delays.
"No," Valentin said, "Besides it's ELQ business. It's not like Olivia has to know everything about your work day."
Ned shook his head.
"Kellie, if you don't mind," Valentin said.
"Your sources work fast," Kellie said, "Anyway, I recently acquired a controlling interest in a shipping company that facilitates shipping products for a lot of companies, including ELQ and its subsidiary that got into the coffee business recently."
"So your company is responsible for the recent shipping delays?" Michael asked.
"Just of the coffee," Kellie said.
"You have no right to intentionally interfere in my business," Michael said, "And that's certainly no way to run a company."
"Neither is using your family's company to get back at Sonny," Kellie replied, "When I told you to stay out of that whole mess, you refused to listen."
"No, I refused to do what you demanded is best for everyone," Michael said, "You don't get to play the older sister card and expect me to jump when I disagree."
"Michael, enough is enough," Valentin said, "You're having a temper tantrum because Sonny what picked Nina instead of your mother. But I cannot allow you to endanger ELQ resources as a result. You really heed your sister's advice. Given her history with your father's business and her own ventures as well as her known standing amongst Sonny's associates, she knows what she's talking about. You, Michael, simply don't know what you're doing."
"As much as I hate to say it," Ned said, "Valentin's right."
"Well, it's my division of the company," Michael said, "And I'm running it how I see fit per our agreement."
"You're free to do that, Michael," Kellie replied, "But if you continue to insert yourself into Sonny's business whether it's competing with him or otherwise, right now, I can guarantee you those delays will continue. That won't look so good for your little coffee venture now will it. It won't make money for itself or ELQ. I can't guarantee delays involving other ELQ shipments might not occur in the meantime."
"That will not be necessary," Valentin said, "ELQ and its subsidiary should never have been in the coffee business in the first place, Michael. As CEO, I'll be revoking your decision-making power immediately pending further review of this incident. I'll handle the sale of the coffee venture in the meantime."
"incident? This is ridiculous," Michael said, "Ned, are you going to let Valentin get away with this?"
"Yes," Ned said, "You inserted us into the middle of a mob war and now whatever this is between your sister and Sonny. You should be thankful, it's your sister giving you an out, no matter how questionable her tactics may be here. You put the company at extreme risk. Valentin has every right to review your authority and role in the company."
"I can't believe you went behind my back, Kellie," Michael said.
"You and Kellie can discuss this on your own time," Valentin said, "Now that this is resolved, Ned, Michael, you can go. I need to have a word with Kellie."
Michael started to protest
"Let's go, Junior," Ned said, interrupting him and herding him out the door, "We will continue this discussion just the two of us."
Kellie stared Valentin down, waiting for him to speak.
"I'm not sure whether I should thank you or strangle you," Valentin said, "On one hand, I'm grateful this little venture was brought to my attention before any serious damage to ELQ was done. On the other hand, I'm not thrilled about the threat of your company holding up ELQ shipments."
"As long Michael's coffee ventures goes away," Kellie said, "the ELQ shipments will run as they always have. I figured you'd put a stop to the coffee venture as soon as you found out about it."
"You could have just told me about it," Valentin said, "Saved us all a lot of trouble."
"Yes, but then you wouldn't have been entertained by Michael being put in his place," Kellie said, "I mean you did take over ELQ to get back at Michael for something."
Valentin took a moment to assess Kellie, "And you wouldn't have a handy demonstration of what your control of this shipping company might mean for someone targeting you or your family."
Kellie shrugged.
"It's a brilliant, but bold and risky move, Valentin said, paused and then continued, "Consigliera."
"I think that's a bit much," Kellie said, "Would some say I've made some questionable decisions, sure…."
"I think we both know that description fits you right now," Valentin said, "Whatever scheme you've cooked up to protect your family, to protect Port Charles, means you need to believe and accept your role as the consigliera if you want to succeed. But I don't really need to tell you that do I?"
"No," Kellie said, softly, "I'll see myself out."
"Kellie, one more thing," Valentin said, "I'm giving you a pass on interfering with ELQ shipments this time. I do understand this is about your children. I'd do the same if it was Charlotte's safety at stake. But if it ever happens again, I won't look the other way."
"Noted," Kellie said, "and like I said, shouldn't be an issue going forward."
Kellie & Jason's House
Jason came home to find his motorcycle sitting in the driveway.
"This is a surprise," Jason said as Kellie headed towards him.
"A good one, I hope," Kellie replied, kissing Jason.
"I'd love nothing more than to just go riding," Jason said, "But there's a meeting with the five families tomorrow. The Buscemas finally decided on who's heading up the family. Rumor has it a company we use had some shipping delays with a legitimate company."
"Shhhh," Kellie said before kissing Jason to stop him from talking. Jason kissed back, pulling Kellie closer to him.
"There's nothing you can do to prepare for this meeting, not tonight," Kellie said.
"You're making a move, aren't you," Jason said.
"I don't to want to talk about what you or I may or may not being doing tomorrow," Kellie whispered in Jason's ear, "All I want is go for a ride with you and just forget about my father, the business, the other families…I just want to be us tonight."
"I want that too," Jason replied, kissing Kellie's neck, "Where are the kids?"
"At the Quartermaines," Kellie said, "Olivia said she'd get them off to school tomorrow. The nanny will pick up Kelsey there. We have all night, Boy Toy."
Jason picked Kellie up and set her on the back of the motorcycle. He grabbed their helmets and handed Kellie her helmet before putting his on and sitting on his. Kellie wrapped her arms around Jason as he started the bike and they took off.
Hours later when they came home and parked the motorcycle back in the garage. The garage door closed as Jason picked Kellie up, carrying her inside the house as they kissed.
The next morning
Jason woke up to find the space in the bed next to him empty. He got up and found Kellie sitting on couch by the sitting area of their bedroom, looking out the window. She was wearing Jason's t-shirt and had blanket wrapped around her.
Jason brushed Kellie's hair back and kissed her forehead.
"What's on your mind?" Jason asked.
"Tell me we're going to be okay even if it's really not true," Kellie replied.
"Everything's going to be fine," Jason said, pulling Kellie against him, wanting to believe it as badly as she did.
"I know I'm doing what I have to in order to protect our family," Kellie said, "But the one thing I'm worried about the most is whether or not we'll make it through the other side of this."
"You're not going to lose me," Jason said, "Whatever happens we'll work through it even if it's hard. Whatever happens today, I'll back you."
"I want to believe that so badly," Kellie said.
"I know," Jason said, "It's been killing me to not help with this the way I would normally help. To not ask questions, to let things go. To not pressure Johnny and Francis to keep me in the loop. Because I know if I know…."
"You'll feel even more divided. You don't know how to protect me or our family and be loyal to my father in this instance," Kellie said, "So I don't tell you anything."
"I'm sorry, Kellie," Jason said, "For not doing more. For not figuring this out without you getting involved."
"Jason, I love you," Kellie said, "I knew on some level what I getting myself into when I got involved with you romantically. I knew there'd be roadblocks, even where my father is concerned, even if they're ones I couldn't have expected."
Kellie kissed Jason one more time before she moved away from him.
"Don't go yet," Jason said, pulling her back to him and kissing her.
"I love you too," he said between kisses, "I just wait to stay here with you for as long as we can."
"If I had it my way, that could be quite awhile," Kellie said, pushing Jason backwards on the couch and straddling him.
"I like the sound of that," Jason said as Kellie leaned over to kiss him.