"You look happy today" Rico said
"I am always happy" I said
"Anyway, these are the files you needed for signature."
I took the files "Director Sofia Luna" I read
"She's in the executive office on the 3rd floor"
"Alright"
"And here's more" Rico said as he filed more paper
"Isn't this too much" I said as the papers block my head
"You can do it"
"But..."
"I'm gonna go back to work" Rico said as he goes back to his seat
"Geez"
I walked carefully down the stairs so that this bunch of papers wouldn't fall down but I guess even when I'm this careful, accidents always happen. As I turned right, a man bumps into me.
"Oh Shit" I said as the papers scattered around the area and worst of it. A few people, including father are walking in the same area.
"What is this mess?" someone said
"I'm sorry" I apologize
Father stopped and the few men behind him, which I could say are the executives of this company.
"Why are there trashes around here?" he said and maybe referring to me as well. I'm not dumb. "Can you take these trashes out of my sight?"
"I'm sorry" I apologize again as I pick up all the papers
He shook his head as he started walking again
And then a woman, the same age as me I guess, and a beauty... helps me.
"Thank you" I said
She looked at me and smiled "You must be his son in law" she said
"Yeah"
"Guess why..."
Everyone knows how their CEO hates me.
"Oh, this one has my name on it" The woman said as she took the paper
I looked at paper she took. "You're director Sophia?" I asked
"Not yet familiar with the upper ups?"
"I'm sorry. I thought you would be an old lady"
She laughs, "Well... I am the youngest of all the executives at this company. That's very rude of you to tell that to me"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."
"It's fine. So, I'm gonna take this papers with me"
"I should take that Ma'am, just show me your office"
"You don't need too... and I think it should lighten your load" She said as she stood up "Here are the other papers" she said as she handed it to me "And it's nice meeting you" she added as she walks away
Guess, there other good people in this company.
A few minutes later, I went back to the office.
"How's is it?"
"Very tiring"
"There are few more files to deliver. It's in Mr. George office. He's not yet there so just take the files. It's the ones in the brown folder just beside his computer." He said
"Alright" I said as I went inside the office. I found the folder beside his computer. As I took it, I notice that he's computer is powered on with a file already opened. It was more expenses. I looked around and when no one noticed me, I scrolled it down. There are some extra expenses that a car company shouldn't have. I opened a few more files... and then the door opened
"What are you doing here?" Mr. George said "What are you looking at my computer?!" he said angrily
"I'm here just to take this folder" I said as I showed him the brown folder
He pulled me out of his desk and looked at his computer. To the way he looks, I know I found his dirty secrets. He closes all the files.
"A bit worried?" I said
"What?" He looked at me angrily
"I found some of your dirty works"
"You..." He's really getting angry and then he calmed down "What are you saying?"
It somehow pisses me "There are extra expenses that this company shouldn't have"
"What do you know? You're nothing but a loser. You didn't even graduated high school"
"I am looser but I know you're doing something dirty."
"Are you accusing of me of something?!"
"You are embezzling money out of this company"
"You can't prove anything!"
"I have lots of evidence!"
"You are no one" he said "I can get rid you even though you are Charles' step son" he said referring to father "Get out of here!" He said
I walked out of his office. When I went out, everyone is staring at me.
"What happened?" Rico asked
"Nothing" I said
We saw Mr. George get out of his office. He was really angry... and I guess, he's heading to father's office.
"You really angered him" Rico said
I sigh... "Rico, can I use your computer?"
"Why?"
"Well I guess this is a farewell" I said
"You're going?"
"Yeah, It's very nice working with you and don't be bothered by these people" I said "They're also losers like us" I whispers
"Alright then"
A few more hours, father's secretary went to see me.
"You are being called by Mr. Lockner"
"Okay" I said as I followed her.
As I guess, Mr. George is there, talking to him. As Mr. George leave father's office, he angrily stared at me.
"You may now enter" father's secretary said
As I went inside... father was calm, he looked at me
"George told me, you're accusing him of something"
"He steals money in your company"
"How can you prove that?" He looked at me "How many days have you worked in this company?"
"About... three days"
"Three days... George has been in this company for thirty years already... and just for three days, you're accusing him of something. Besides, what do you know? You're nothing but a dumb"
I looked at father. He's mind is closed, so whatever I say, he will not listen to me. I sigh "I know that you wouldn't believe me. I know that he's your good friend and you will take his side. I know you hate me, so that's why" I handed him a piece of paper. "I'm resigning" I said. I was ready to go but then I looked at him once again and blurted "If the day comes that this company will fall, come to me and I will gladly help you at any cost I can" I said and walks away.
As I went out of the taxi, I saw Hollen on the door. I think she already know what happened.
"I'm sorry" the first thing I said
"You know it's hard for a person who never graduated highschool to get a good job" she said
"I know"
"But I have something different in mind" she said
"What is it?" I asked
"A business" she answered
"Business?"
"Yeah, you know how to manage right?"
"Yes"
"And I know you can bake"
"A little"
"I think we can work on that"
"What?"
"Come with me" she said as she went to the car
"Where are we going?" I asked as I followed her
"Just wait and see" she said as she started the car.
A few minutes later, we stopped in front of a closed café.
"What do you think?" she said as she went out
"A café?"
"Yup"
"So that's what on your mind? A café business"
"Yup. This is Avery's café"
"Avery's?"
"Yes, she needs to close it down when she went to Canada. I could talk to her to buy this place"
"You know we don't have enough money"
"We have... We have savings"
"But it's for your child birth and for that child"
She looked at me and smiled "When this business bloom, I know you can return it back"
"Hollen..."
"I believe you can do that. I know because you're my husband"
I was struck. I guess this is why brother did fall for her. I smiled "Alright. Let's do this"
That evening,
"Avery's not taking my call" Hollen said
"Guess she's busy"
"Guess so" Hollen said as she yawn "I'm going to sleep"
"Alright, You head first, I'm just going to clean up"
"Okay" she looked at me "Hey, how about you give her a call after" she said as she handed me the phone. "Just tell her our plan if she answered. If not, I'll call her again tomorrow"
"Alright" I said as I took the phone.
As Hollen went up, I started cleaning the kitchen.
A few minutes later, I looked at the phone... I was hesitant. Just one call, if she doesn't answer... then Hollen should try again tomorrow
I dialed Avery's number again...
It rings... few more and then a voice call "This is Avery, I'm out for a while, just leave me a message after the beep"
I heard the beep and closed the phone... It was a relief.
I was ready to go up when I heard the phone rings...
What should I do? Should I leave it...
I took a lot of air as I answered the phone...
"Hollen, sorry, I just came back from business... What is it that you want to talk about" I heard the other line said. It's Avery.
"Hollen's already asleep" I answered
There was a long silence...
"Then I should call back" Avery said
"Avery... just hold on for a minute"
"What is it that you want?"
"Well... we just went to your café" I started
"It's closed"
"Yeah, I know... well... you see... we want to buy your café"
"What?"
"Well, me and Hollen wanted to start a business"
"You and Hollen?"
"Yeah"
"So it's not me and you anymore"
"Avery, I told you..."
"That café is not for sale" she said in a harsh tone
I paused for a moment...
"You know it's not for sale Zhan,.. you know that"
Well, I don't really know...
"I'm sorry" I said
"You're an idiot!" she said as I heard her sniff
"Are you crying?" I asked
"You said you'll be my barista in that café and I, your wife, should be the one to manage... but you didn't show up when I opened that café... instead you went with your 'true wife' in New York. I waited for a month, and then when you come back, you just turned me down that easily. That café should be our love nest but then I have to close it down because I am heartbroken, now you wanted to buy that café for you and Hollen? You fucking idiot!" she yelled as she pound the phone
That hurt my ears. She fucking hates me. Guess we should find another place to build that business...
The next day, I wake up late,
"Hollen" I called as I went down
"Morning" Hollen said as she was preparing breakfast
"Sorry, I wake up late. I should be the one preparing breakfast"
"It's fine. I'm your wife anyway. Breakfast is prepared so we should eat" she said as she sits
"Yeah... anyway, I've talked to Avery"
"Oh, yeah... she just gave a call" Hollen said
"What?"
"She said that café is not for sale"
"Yeah, that was what she said. So, I guess we should find another place"
She smiled at me, "No..."
I looked at her with a puzzled face
"She said we could have the place for free"
"Really?" That surprised me
"In one condition"
There are always conditions "What would that be?"
"That she'll also be our partner in that business, she wanted a 10% monthly share"
That's a good condition but I know she has motives "Only 10% and nothing more?"
"Yup. She was really kind to me"
Really? She's stabbing you behind your back.
"So, she's going home?"
"Nah, we're going to send her the monthly report then deposit her share at the bank"
"I see. So we should start planning"
"Alright..."
Before we opened the café, I and Hollen enrolled in a barista and baking class, afterwards, hired a few people to help us. As a month passed, the café that once was closed has reopened again.
The opening was a large success; there are lots of people who came.
"I'll help" Hollen said as she saw us in rush
"We're fine" I said
"There are a lot of orders"
"Two barista is enough" I said "And you shouldn't be working, you're pregnant"
"I can be of a help" she said as she started making an Expresso.
"Hollen"
"You got a tough wife boss" Mark said, one of the barista and an employee "We needed another hand"
"Fine"
A few minutes later
"You got a wrong order on table six" One waitress said "It should be Latte, not cappuccino"
"Sorry, my bad" I said
"Well, I think it should be you who's going to have a rest" Hollen smirk "One Latte ready to go" she said as she handed the coffee.
I heard Mark chuckles and it pisses me
"Wanna challenge me?" I said
"Ready as you are" she said
A few more hours later
"Latte with a heart" I said as I showed her some Latte heart
"A perfect heart boss, you're really good at it" Mark complimented
"One Latte ready to be served" I said
"Beautiful Latte Art boss" Ren, a waitress, complimented again as she served it to the table with two women on it. They looked at me as they smiled and chuckled.
I smiled back.
"Uhum" Hollen cough as I looked back. Somehow, I see that it pisses her
"Having a love quarrel?" Mark said
She pulled up the latte cup, "One Latte with a tulip on it" she said as we saw a perfect tulip art on it
"Wow..." Mark said "Guess you're defeated Boss"
I can only make a heart art on it... I made another latte with a heart art again.
"That is all you can do" Hollen said
"There are no more order boss, why made another?"
I looked at Hollen and smiles "This one is for you" I said "My 'super perfect' heart only belongs to you" I said
That made her blush.
"Geez, I'm going out. It's getting sweeter here"
"Mark" I called
"Yes boss?" he looked back
"Don't call me boss, call me Zhan"
"But you're the boss"
"A boss doesn't do things like this. He's only at the office doing the paperworks.
"Alright Zhan, I leave you both here" he said as he went out
"He's been close to us for just a few weeks" Hollen said
"That is what I like about him, he's friendly" I looked at her, she was staring at the coffee. "It's getting cold. You should already drink it"
"It's such a waste"
"It is a waste if you don't drink it"
"But it was your 'super perfect' heart on it"
I smiled "I have another 'super perfect' heart just for you... and only you." I took her one hand and placed it on my heart "This one, only belongs to you"
It made her all red. She smiled at me. "Thank you" she said. She's going to sip her coffee but then, "Oh, we should take a photo" she added "We should send it to Avery. It's our opening, so she should know that"
"Yeah..."
She took her phone and took a photo of us... with the latte heart coffee on it. "I'm gonna tag her" she said
Well, somehow, it made me uneasy.
"Good work everyone. Expect another busy day tomorrow" I said to my employees. "You may now take your rest" I said as we closed the café.
"Kinda tiring" Hollen said as we went home
"Yeah"
"We made a lot of profit today. Thanks to your marketing idea" she said
I smiled
"One of our best sellers today is your lemon mousse cake"
"That's my specialty" I said
"Well, I should call Avery" she said as she took the phone
"Alright" I said as I sat down. A few minutes, I heard Hollen talking to the phone with Avery.
"We made a lot today. I expecting the same tomorrow" Hollen said "Zhan did a good job but he flirted with some customer"
What? I just smiled at them
"You saw the picture?" she smiled "That was Zhan's super perfect heart latte art" she added
That's embarrassing already
"You want to talk to him?"
NO!
"Alright" Hollen said as she walks towards me "She wanted to talk to you. I'll just go up and change dress"
"Okay" I said as I took the call "Hello"
"Your latte art is awful" the first thing Avery said "I hate it"
"Thank you for the compliment" I said
"That should be mine"
"I'll make you one"
"Your heart, I want your heart"
"I will die if I give you that"
"Stupid"
"Anyway... Thank you."
"What for?"
"For giving us this chance, you turned me down when asked you about the café..."
"I wasn't able to turned Hollen down. She's still my cousin and my bestfriend"
"Really?" Then why did you have an affair with my brother???
"Well, Congratulations on reopening the café" she said "I should cut the call... I have business to do"
"Avery... I'm really thankful... One day I'll pay you back for your kindness"
"You shouldn't tell that to me, you won't like the price" she said as she hangs up
Well, things turn fine now.