Chapter 1: Taking the Plunge
So I must go on with the plan on buying a franchise that is based in Shanghai. Kelisse heaved a sigh as she's contemplating. "Hope I could do this." she whispered, closing her eyes in frustration. She was doing a research about LimeLite which she discovered almost a year ago when she went out to meet her friends in a kpop event that is happening every year. Before they went their separate ways that day, they decided to try the said cafe and they instantly like the desserts and drinks that they had picked individually. Since then, she became a frequent customer especially when she likes going out.
She has guts to take the plunge in this kind of business because she had won a fair amount of cash in a nationwide raffle, the one that needs to text a combination and that would serve as an entry, to buy a certain franchise. She just actually tried half-heartedly but thinking why not join for it only cost a couple of peso and a cent. Her parents could not believe but of course they were greatly delighted by the news. Who wouldn't be? She got their blessing on whatever she wants to do with the prize except for doing drugs and anything illegal. Ha!
......
"Ash, I already have a plan, only the execution is missing to make this happen. Now, I'm going to ask you again, is it final that you're refusing to be my partner for this project? There's nothing to lose on your side." as she tries to convince her friend again for the eighth time. It was weekend and Aasha paid her a visit. They were seated on the floor with their backs on the side of her bed.
"Gurl, there's no room for me to organize and manage a certain business. Or it's not the time for me yet. Being an entrepreneur is not for me, I know it. It isn't my forte." she reasoned with hands swaying exaggeratedly in the air.
"But everybody wants to have one." Kelisse argued.
Aasha puckered her lips. "Kel..."
She cut her off, not letting to hear another speech. "Fine. I have no choice but to do this all by myself..." she concluded somberly.
"Kelisse, if that's what you really want, go for it. Believe me, I'm really happy that you want me to be a part of it and I'm not turning you down. It's just that I won't be a help to you. Please don't get me wrong, hmm? I know you're disappointed with me but all I can assure you is that I'm just right here and will be here for you to support you on that undertaking and everything." she explained.
"Yeah, I'm not denying how disappointed I am to you but then I do understand. I have to. Anyhow, thanks to you, gurl." she briefly pressed her lips into a hard line. "I wished you could at least accompany me in Shanghai but I know you cannot just leave your studies like that especially right now. This coming week is your finals."
"You can do it." Aasha squeezed her hand.
"You think so I can make it alone?" she doubted.
"C'mon gurl! Here you go again. Of course you can! Have faith in yourself!" she pulled her hair playfully.
"Hey! That hurts!" she flinched but she managed to give her a tight smile. "Well, we'll see, I'll try."
"Don't say try, do your best Kelisse." she squeezed her hand once again to hearten her.
......
"Calling the attention of the passengers heading to Shanghai, please proceed to gate number 7. In a few moments we will be calling all passengers with priority boarding. Please have your boarding card ready for inspection."
That announcement made Kelisse to scurry. "I have to hurry up! Thanks for dropping me here. Pray for me and good luck with your finals, gurl. Be well for four days, all right? Convey to the girls too." she then motioned to peck her mom and dad on their cheeks.
"Yes, He is already and always with you. You can do it!" Aasha cheered.
She only showed a nervous smile.
"Be careful there, our dear, hmm?" her mother uttered worriedly.
"Yes, ma. Don't worry." she smiled.
"Don't forget to text us as soon as you got there, okay?" followed by her father.
"I will, pa."
"Bye! Have a safe flight gurl!" Aasha then said, waving her hand.
She nodded as she started to walk away from them. She's happy yet couldn't hide her uneasiness as she waved back at them.
......
"Brett, the owner called Ames up. The franchiser informed him that somebody will be having an appointment with them to buy a franchise coming from here too." The man with average height informed his comrade who's sitting at the edge of the couch having his own world playing on his IPad. They were in their office. "We must bar that someone on doing that." he continued.
"I've told you, Ricky. If we want to be the sole franchisee here in the Philippines, then we should include that clause in the first place. Now, look what's happening." the other man named Ames commented.
"I'll book a flight to Shanghai for tomorrow morning. We should do something about it." the alarmed man blurted as he started to dial on his mobile phone.
"Isn't that too harsh? Aren't we being too selfish?" Brett who's still has his eyes on the gadget was concerned with the other party.
"Bro, this is business." Ricky blurted.
"Okay fine. You two, just don't be overaggressive." Brett then said.
"We know that, Brett. You don't have to warn us." he assured.
"Knowing you, I'm just worried about the other party."
......
"Hello Shanghai!" Kelisse yelled inwardly after a long, deep breath. "Ayyy~ It's so cold!" she rubbed her hands together. She just came out from the hotel to rest for an hour before her appointment. She's going to face the executive franchiser in a while. "Please my God, I humbly asking Thou to clear my mind and ease my nervous neurons." she whispered while embracing herself.
......
High-rise buildings in rows, side streets with most trees that were covered with snow were in view when she alighted from the bus. She looked up from the building she's facing that seemed to extend up to the sky. "Giddy heights." then rubbed her eyes as her jaw tightened from chilling. When she already found the building where the office is situated, she inhaled and exhaled audibly in a long deep breath before she enters the establishment. She was greeted and welcomed warmly by the guards, one of them asked where is she heading and to whom she has appointment with and when all their queries were answered, he directed her to the lady at the reception area across the lobby. "Ma'am, it's on the twenty-third floor, left side." the lady informed.
"Thanks ma'am." she bowed slightly then immediately walked towards the elevator.
When she arrived on the said floor, she was welcomed by another lady and led her to the reception area of that floor. "Wait a moment ma'am, have a sit first. The boss is still talking to the other client." the front desk staff told her.
"Okay ma'am, thank you." Kelisse responded politely.
......
"What can you say about this sir?" Ricky asked when he thinks the man in his fifties has already finished reading the documents.
"Sounds good." nodding, still eyes on the papers. "But we have to be considerate to those who want to deal with us. Besides, being the sole franchisee in your country wasn't stated in the contract we had signed before."
"Can we add that to the document?"
"We'll talk this thing over. You arrived timely. This will be included in the agenda of the board meeting tomorrow. Let's see what will be their views on this matter."
It took Ricky a while before he nod. "Thanks sir. We'll just be waiting."
"We'll inform you by phone then. We'll call any of the signees."
He nodded once again and stood up. "So sir, I'm leaving. See you next time. We're hoping to hear good news. Thank you again." then they shook hands.
......
"Good morning, sir. I am Kelisse de Jesus, the one who –"
"Oh yes, Ms. de Jesus! The one who's asking for a franchise in your locale." the man continued the introduction of the timid lass.
"Yes, sir." she beamed.
"All right, do you know any branch or franchise branches existing in your place?" his first question.
"Yes sir, I know one which is located at the heart of the metro and I'm a regular customer in fact. At first I thought they were the ones who established the shop but I found out through online research that LimeLite originated here. I'm actually glad that they brought the LimeLite to our country but I would be gladder if you will permit me to have one too."
The respected man seemed very pleased with her words.
"The first time I tasted the confections and beverages you are offering, I already fell in love at first taste, to the point that I couldn't get enough of." she added smilingly trying to look confident.
"That's so sweet of you, lady. The board will have a meeting. This will be tackled. We'll just phone you or email you as soon as we come up to a decision."
"Thanks so much, Mr. Wang. I'll look forward to it."
"But I'm not giving you assurance yet. If only I was the only one to decide but it ain't like that. So, that would be all?"
She paused as she looked down for a second then nodded slowly. She held out her hand afterwards. "Thanks again, sir and it's a pleasure meeting you."
"Nice meeting you too, Ms. de Jesus."
She bowed again before walking to the door.
......
"Man! You're back! Is there anything amiss?" Brett was surprised seeing Ricky came back earlier than expected.
"No, it was just a short formal talk. Why would I stay long?"
"Yes, you already did without letting the day to end. Didn't have any second thought of staying there the whole day?"
"Bro, I don't know why but it felt like I wasn't in the mood to spend time in Shanghai. Good thing, the travel is just three hours away." Ricky replied.
"Then, how did the conversation go?"
"He said they need to discuss the thing first. Hoping they will agree with us."
"Had you seen the franchise applicant?"
"Unfortunately, I hadn't." shaking his head. "Oh by the way, watch your phones within this week. They will call any of us regarding the decision."
"Okay."
"And by the way, where is Ames? He still hasn't showed up?" he wondered.
"He might be in the cafe, checking." he assumed.
"Ah, I see."
Brett's phone beeped so he fished it out from his pocket. "Speaking, he just texted."
"What did he say?" Ricky queried.
"Nothing. He just sent a sappy quote."
"A sappy quote? Seriously?" he frowned.
Brett laughed. "I'm just kidding. He was asking if is there any news coming from you."
"Tell him I'm already here and that I'll talk to him later."
"Why do I sense like you are vexed?"
"Yep, it's really making me worry."
"Bro, whatever the outcome of their discussion, we have to respect that."
Ricky seemed lost. "I will go back to Shanghai and see."
"Didn't they say they'll inform us as soon as the decision is made? Relax, you're being paranoid." Brett countered as he pats his shoulder.
......
"Woah! I didn't imagine that Shanghai sky has this wonderful gloaming. It's pleasing to the eyes." she mumbled while angling for a shot on her digicam. The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is said to be the symbol of Shanghai City, the Huangpu River, and The Bund. She kept on satisfying her sight with those vigorous and splendid skyscrapers having the ingenious combination of the elements of traditional Chinese culture with the newest architectural styles. After her appointment, she recharged herself from sleeping. It was afternoon when she woke up and she thought it was a best time to go on a travel spree.
Roaming around the city, she found rows of restaurants and cheap eatery by the street side of South Yunnan Road. Her favorite meat buns are everywhere so as with fried noodles, different kinds of dumplings, meatballs, even that smelly food they called stinky tofu, and other Chinese foods.
"Yayy! These are so perfect for my sup." she mumbled. Exhausted from the dawdling, instead of eating on the stall side, she told the vendor it's a takeout order. That was her last stop for the day. She will just bring the foods in Hengsheng Peninsula International Hotel where she's staying for four days. While indulging herself with those chows, she groped in her sling bag, pulled her phone out and logged in on twitter. She immediately typed Aasha's username and sent her a tweet.
@ashjam_nague hi there! will burn the midnight oil later? 😏
She was glad to see she replied after a moment.
@djkelisse ei! you're online too! uh yes, will do later. you know me too well huh? lol! hbu, howdy? how's your mission?
@ashjam_nague pretty good here. Mission unaccomplished yet. Won't keep my hopes high but trying to be positive still.
@djkelisse yeah right! just be like that. May the force be with you. ;)
@ashjam_nague hahah! I hope it'll work out brad! TY! Good luck on your exam! All right, study now. Gtg.
She went on with her foods, turned on the tv and searched for a good show. She ended up watching a kpop music countdown. Later on, she's done with dinner and for about half an hour or so, she fell asleep.
......
edited: 12/16/16 7:34 PM
02/20/17 12:12 AM
03/01/18 10:20 PM