"Haha, No. Let me complete it. I just finished what I want from you. I have not said what I would give you.", said Axel with a smile.
"So, what are you going to offer me? Money?"
"Of course not. I tasted your food and I must say that I am not impressed. You invested a lot in the interiors, theme, and the concept of the restaurant but you didn't invest much in the cooks and food dishes.
If you are creating such a new concept then don't you think that the food dishes should also be new and innovative? That is what I am going to give you.
You see, my restaurant is popular due to its food dishes as they are very unique and delicious. These dishes were personally made by me. So, I will create a completely new dish for you and you will give me 40% of the total business share and also think about the new interior for my restaurant."
"Mr. Axel, don't you think that you are asking a lot?"
"You feel that because you have not tasted my dishes. Why don't you let me prove it to you?", asked Axel.
Gordon was intrigued. He wanted to see how could Axel have so much confidence.
Gordon let Axel to the kitchen and told the chief to go out for some time. He then gave Axel all the things that Axel needed and waited.
But it looked like Axel already had the ingredients with him in his bag. He had come prepared.
Axel was making Chole Bhature again as he had all the ingredients left from it. The ingredients were not hard to acquire on Earth but it was hard in this world. So, he had been planting and growing these ingredients in his home.
After the food was prepared, the smell of the dish captivated Gordon and the waiters who were waiting for it. Just like for Mew, Axel showed Gordon how to eat it and Gordon also tried it.
After taking the first bite, Gordon's eyes almost bulged out from the eye socket. Axel could see a range of emotions in Gordon's eyes. He ate all of it and then told the waiter to prepare a room for a private meeting.
Axel and Gordon went to the room. The food was served and Axel finally asked, "So, what do you think?"
"The food is something I have never tasted before and it was full of flavor. I agree to the deal but 40% is still a bit too much. I want to negotiate.", said Gordon.
Gordon's stance immediately took a U-turn. The only thing lacking in his restaurant was the quality of food. The food was not bad, but it was also not so exceptional. Gordon knew that even though he did all the things to promote the restaurant, if the food was not good, then it would not rise up but now he was seeing a solution for it.
"Mr. Gordon, let me tell you. I will not only be selling one recipe but a variety of them. I must tell you that you have to put yourself and your employees under strict contract so that the recipe should not be leaked. If it does, I will be putting a heavy fine on you.
Just think about it. It is not only for this region or this restaurant. You plan to open your restaurant in different regions. So, just think about the recipe that you will be getting."
Gordon wanted to decrease the share ratio but Axel was not budging. So, he finally settled for a 40% share.
"You can draft your contract and I will make mine. I will come to you after a few days and we can sign it.", said Axel.
"I am okay with that."
"By the way, is there any news on the Zard family? I am going there after a long time. I also want to hear about Kate Zard.", asked Axel.
"Oh yes, I don't know if it is true or not but I am hearing a lot about Ryker and Kate these days."
"Really? Why?"
"The Zard family has decided that both of them are the genius of this generation. There is also Cyrus who is supposed to be the most talented youngster of the Zard family. However, recently, both Ryker and Kate have been getting a lot of attention.
I have also heard that they are planning to marry Kate to a powerful family in the near future."
"What? Are you sure about it?"
"Yes, Kate is already in her early 20s now and it is time for her to get married after a few years."
Axel didn't even think about such a thing. No wonder Kate was furious with Axel. Axel had to go there as soon as possible.
###
The main headquarters of the Zard family was very big. It was not as big as Venu family as the Venu family literally had one of the biggest forests, but it was still very big.
Axel was trying to find the gate of the headquarters and mind you, it was very difficult. There were walls that covered the whole headquarters and there was only one entry. The place was very big and Axel had to roam around for some time and ask for directions before reaching the gate.
There were guards outside the gate and also inside the gate. Axel started to walk towards the gate, but the guards stopped him.
"Sir, can you tell us the reason for your coming here? Do you have an appointment?", asked the guard.
"No, but I have come to meet with Kate. We are very good friends.", said Axel.
After hearing Axel, the faces of the guards suddenly changed as they became serious.
"Go now. If you don't have an appointment, then don't come here.", shouted the guard.
"What the hell is your problem? I am just coming here to meet Kate.", said Axel in a loud voice.
The guards have been facing similar problems since Kate became famous. A lot of boys would come to meet with Kate telling that he was her friend. So, the guard thought that Axel was doing the same too.
It reached the point that even the people inside the gate were hearing their verbal fight. Finally, Axel had it all and he called Kate. He wanted to surprise her but it looked like it was not going to happen.
Tring.. Tring.. Tring.. Tring..
KATCHAK...
"Hello."
"Where are you right now? Are you in the main headquarters?"
"Yes. But why are you asking? Is there a problem?"
"Yes, I am just right behind the gate and these stupid guards are not letting me in. Don't they know who I really am? Come over, or I might just kill them from anger.", shouted Axel.
Axel had never felt so humiliated. He knew that he was famous but not so famous that everyone would remember his name and face. But the 3 starter families would surely remember him as he belonged to Venu family and the rise of the Venu family was due to him.
The head guard felt that they had done something wrong but they were still not going to let him in without any proof.
After 5 minutes, the guard on the inner side of the gate saw someone walking towards them. As they peered, they saw that it was really Kate who was coming here and she was not looking happy.
"Revy is going to suffer a lot today.", said one of the guards, pointing out the guard who was fighting against Axel.
"What are you guys doing? Don't you know who he is?", asked Kate to the guards.
After telling him that he was Axel Blaze, the guards were shocked. The gate was opened and Axel was finally able to see Kate after a long time.
All of his anger had vanished after seeing her. Her brown curly hair, long legs, and beautiful face made him feel bliss.
"Hi.", said Axel as that was the only thing that he could say right now.
"Hi. Come inside. Uh... Let me show you my place.", said Kate as Axel followed her.
Kate was talkative and this helped him a bit to adjust the place. He hadn't noticed it before but the main headquarters of the Zard family was really big. It was like a city and the place was filled with people.
"Are all of them the members of your family?", asked Axel because there were a lot of people around him.
"Yes they are but unlike the Venu family, we accept a lot of outsiders. There is a proper hierarchy and ranks of the members in our family and everyone is given a chance to rise in the ranks.", said Kate.
After talking normally for some time, they reached a restaurant.
"So, why did you come here so suddenly?", asked Kate.
"Well, I was so busy with work and could not call you often. So, I wanted to surprise you by coming here. Who would have thought that the guard would stop me.", sighed Axel.
"Hahaha"
"Yes, you don't have to make fun of me.", snarled Axel.
"Haha, sorry but it was too funny. The mighty Axel Blaze was stopped by a guard. Hahaha.", laughed Kate.
Axel promised himself that he was going to make that guard suffer.
After talking for half an hour, Axel got comfortable talking with Kate. He also asked her about the training in aura stone and also about her Pokemons.
"So, I heard that your family is going to marry you off to some influential people?"
"Really? Where did you hear that from?", asked Kate in a surprised voice.
"Oh come on Kate, I am not joking."
"Alright, you don't need to be so tense. These are just rumors. After I came from the mission of Aeus island, I and Ryker became very popular in the family. They started to say that we were genius and could even compare to Cyrus if we trained hard.
So, a lot of marriage proposals started to come to me and my family. Of course, I rejected them all without even looking at them.", said Kate.
"Ok, first of all, who is this Cyrus?", asked Axel.
"Really? You, my boyfriend, are hearing about my marriage proposals, and the first thing you ask is about Cyrus?", shouted Kate. She just could not believe how competitive and career-hungry Axel really was.
"Ok, sorry. Why didn't you tell about me to your parents?", asked Axel and changed the question but it looked like the fire had already been lit.
"Why are you asking this question? It is not like you care.", said Kate.
It took him around 10 minutes to pacify Kate. He was beginning to understand why it was hard to understand women.
"I cannot say that about you to my parents 'cause we are not even serious. I mean we are just meeting right now.", said Kate which was also true.
"And Cyrus is the most powerful trainer of our generation.", said Kate.
"Really? Can I beat him?", asked Axel.
"I don't know. I have not seen him battle for a long time and he is of my age. So, he is quite ahead of you."
The talks went on for quite some time and finally, it was late evening. Axel never felt bored talking to her even though they talked about hours on stupid and normal things.
Axel wanted to see the whole place but Kate dined saying that they should keep their relationship secret before meeting her parents. Axel had no problem with it.
After saying goodbye, Axel got a chance to kiss Kate on the lips for a few seconds. He then said goodbye and then went on his own way.