PARTNERS
Reid could not believe Maria had accepted his offer without too much protest. He expected her to at least demand something else other than the profit percentage they had agreed on. Deep down, he should be feeling lucky but felt bad at how he had cheated Maria.
He was so sure she'd never forgive him once she found out about all his terms and conditions. The scowl that she always had on her face when talking to him was sure going to worsen. He wouldn't be surprised if he got murdered in his sleep or worse, get thrown off a cliff. Knowing the fact that it would be teamwork (Athina and Maria), there'd be no chance of him surviving.
The joy Reid felt as he finally got what he'd been dreaming of was un unexplainable. Things were finally set in place to fulfill his mother's dream.
He took his time flipping through the pages of her recipe book, commiserating the tone used in the explanation like she was right beside him and speaking to him. Reid had long gone found the perfect chef to take on the role of bringing the foods to life, which was the least stressful aspect in the planning.
There was a knock on his office door that made him raise his head. He called to the person to come in as he closed the journal and put it away in the first drawer of his desk.
"Ten minutes late, how the hell did you pass the bar?" Reid snorted as Kyros, his lawyer walked in.
"By living just a block away,"
Kyros was an old friend from college he'd met through Colton. He had hung out with them once in a while when he wasn't too busy reading textbooks upon textbooks. He was an intelligent person and Reid admired his vigor when it came to his studies and now his job.
He started working as a lawyer around the time he began heading his father's company. Colton was the first to hire him to win a silly lawsuit case from one of his former employees and the amazing work he did to win the case with ease had Reid hiring him to be his official lawyer.
Kyros took a seat opposite Reid, placed his suitcase on the desk, and brought out the necessary documents. He had drafted about three different types of contracts to be signed by Reid and his partner. Each contract had an unbelievable clause.
He gave Reid the official contract that would seal the deal of him being a partner in the business.
"Once your involvement in the restaurant is announced, it's surely going to boost your company's stocks," He mentioned excitedly as he happened to have bought a few shares in the company.
A knock on the door had both men turning as Kate walked in with a small tray that contained two mugs of steaming coffee. One with cream that was meant for Kyros, and the black for Reid.
The two men thanked her as she turned to leave the room.
"That's not part of the plan. I don't own the bigger share so I don't see the point of announcing it as a subsidiary of the Martakis company," Reid continued.
Reid planned to handle the business just like the plan his mother had laid out. To work the restaurant from the ground up without the Martakis name involved with it. He hadn't even spoken to his father about it as he wasn't sure what his response would be. The major reason for his involvement with an already established restaurant was the name.
Kyros passed another contract to Reid. "So you're going to be a silent partner and investor."
"That's the plan till the sales reach an all-time high and I get Maria to sell to me," He said as he scanned the document in his hands.
"Are you sure that's going to happen? I did a little research and her record is pretty impressive."
He nodded, agreeing with Kyros. Maria cared a lot about her business which would make it hard to give up. He cared too much about reaching his goal that giving up wasn't an option.
"What do you think of the idea to open a new branch here?" Reid asked.
"The idea of expanding the business might entice her but the location might discourage her. How about moving the head branch here?"
"No, it's too risky. It would cause a lot of damage and cost too much money. She'd vehemently oppose the idea." Reid stood up from his seat, adjusting his tie. "Besides, there's a fallback from the bad reviews and publicity the restaurant got recently. Expanding would quell the rumors as well as improve the status."
There was a large transparent flat-screen television by his side that had all his business data stored. He picked up a small remote that controlled the smart TV to open a file that displayed the information about Maria and her workers.
He had singled out the impressive workers such as the sous chef, the receptionist, two waiters, and Maria's personal assistant. He made a plan of moving the sous chef, receptionist, and the two waiters to the city to help with the opening of the new branch. Having experienced workers at the new establishment would make things easier.
It would be best if Maria's personal assistant stayed behind to monitor and manage the head branch since she was familiar with the ropes alongside one of his employees at the Martakis company.
Reid had two candidates in mind to give the opportunity of managing the head branch of Maria's restaurant. The candidates had outdone themselves by contributing massively to his company and they are dedicated to the job.
"The head branch needs a capable manager," He stated as he opened a new file of his company employees where he singled out the two candidates. He had gone through the list with his secretary and had Kyros draft up a new contract for the job position.
Scarlet Roshan was one of the candidates selected and happened to be his first pick. She had recently just got married so he wasn't sure if the idea of moving to another town for work would appeal to her.
He pressed a button on the landline phone on his desk that directly connected him to his secretary. "Please come to my office," He ordered.
Within five seconds there was a gentle knock on the door before it opened revealing Kate.
"Sir?"
"I need you to send an email to Scarlett Roshan about a managerial position in another city. If she is willing and accepts, set up a meeting. If she's not which is likely, contact Roland Shaw from the human resources department and set up a meeting if he accepts."
Kate noted a few things done on the iPad in her hands as she nodded to his instructions.
"I also need you to reach out to our real estate agent concerning a building fit for a restaurant which is in the center of the city or a hotspot location." He picked up a stack of papers and handed it over to her. "Got it?"
"Yes sir," She replied as she took the documents and excused herself from the room.
"You're not sure if she'll agree to open a business here," Kyros piped in.
"I know she will," He said with so much confidence and a smirk on his face that made Kyros snort.
Kyros was aware of how Reid had planned everything out meticulously that he couldn't help but feel pity for his business partner.
"No doubt investors would start pouring in once the restaurant is launched," Kyros said as he took a sip from his coffee.
"Sure thing. You did include the clause of introducing new meals to the menu, right?" He asked as he flipped through the contract.
"Yes and added the clause that you have full authority when it comes to hiring the workers."
"Good. And did you add the benefit she gets after a six-month successful partnership?".
Kyros flipped through the pages and pointed it out. Reid smiled as he felt fulfilled. The terms of the contract were too good he didn't see a reason for her to refuse. His involvement was going to do her a lot of good and him too.
At the back of his mind, the idea of expanding the restaurant was to keep Maria around for a little while. A devilish smile played on his lips at the thoughts in his head.