In the beauty of wine production, fresh green and purple grapes were plucked from the vineyards of South Whack, then brought to the winery for proper preparation of delicious wine, satisfying and fit for high social classes. Malcolm winery is one of the best, but not the best though. There were other wineries owned by his friends, the ones he once called his school mates. They all graduated together and ventured into the wine business. Wine production was the best business idea Frederick Malcolm could think of to get his family out from the dust. Life wasn't easy for Freddie when he was growing up but growing under loving parents provided him with enough good character as he would need to survive and succeed in his life. Back in the university, his friends knew him as an honest man who would do the right thing no matter the cost. Freddie was a hard worker. He hates leaving his business unattended to and Emily was an angel that helped matters a lot. She has been so supportive all from the beginning. Because of her undying support, he believed he could achieve anything. Meeting Emily was the best thing had ever happened to him.
Malcolm wasn't someone who you would call massively rich but he was well to do. His finances were just ok to take care of a wife, a grandmother and a child. The Malcoms were very comfortable. Freddie thought of earning money without having to work so diligently for a CEO and yet get so little pay. After working at winery where he learnt how to produce wine, he thought of becoming a CEO himself which was his dream from on set. The journey wasn't going to be easy, that he knew very well before deciding to build his own company. Freddie has dreams for his company. Big dreams of expanding his business further. Though he had some branches under the Malcolm's Winery but he needed something bigger, something to make his family richer and more comfortable. A big contract would be the perfect tool for a financial success. Aimee wasn't going to work for money, rather she'll take her father's legacy which he has been working to acquire for a long time.
Even as the winery was in good business, the Malcolms owned the business of selling apples at good prices to manufacturers of apple juices and also to the market. Grandma Elizabeth was in charge of this business. Fresh apples were taken from the suburbs, in grandma Elizabeth's house to the busy markets of the city to be sold. Grandma Elizabeth liked making pie out of the fresh apples which she sold in the Malcolms winery to employees. Either way, the family was financially ok, at least enough to buy all necessities and still have cool things.
As Aimee grew up, arrangements starts falling in place for her academic life. Her education became a priority to Frederick and Emily, her parents. Getting her into a standard school at the moment wasn't an issue at all as the finances were available. Aimee's parents business was in good shape and it was obvious she came in at the right time.
FREDERICK'S ASSOCIATES
Now, Lewis Horace on the other hand, also had good wine business. He was an ambitious man who could stop at nothing to keep himself financially buoyant. Lewis grew up in a large family where everyone was to fend for his or herself. Money was a hard commodity and only the strong at heart could get himself and remain high up financially.
The Horace winery made really good wine, especially the alcoholic ones, that was their specialty. He desires a contract to set him on a big financial trail so he would never be referred to as a person from a humble background. Unlike her husband, Maya wasn't so ambitious till she met Lewis who taught her to be strategic in business management. Lewis was already in the business before he married Maya who was also from a humble background. No one would ever be able to guess their beginning.
On the other hand, Gilbert Moore is a handsome business man who graduated from the University same time back as Freddie, unlike Freddie, Gilbert wasn't so hard working but his family had some certain level of financial buoyancy so he was able to have his own wine company after graduation. More than anybody else, Gilbert has stayed in the neighborhood. His childhood began in this street. Gilbert's parents ventured into different businesses that fetched them money but he only wanted one, winery.
Dennis Brown who is also in the neighborhood is also another business man who grew up in the suburbs just like Freddie. Dennis and Freddie have been friends all the way from childhood. One would say that they literally grew up together. They were like brothers and enjoyed each other's company a lot. Unlike Freddie, Dennis was a play boy who loved the party life. He got invited to most parties back then when they were in school and once in a while, he would tag Frederick along with him. Dennis only managed to become settled when he met Helen after graduation which meant a final bus stop to him on the play boy life. He loves Helen so much and they have a boy.
Michael Smith, a neighbor to all four men, also owns a winery. Though he had other businesses but wine too was something he produced and sold to restaurants, hotels and other places where wines are bought. He was a lover of the good life and loved making money a lot. Mike has a wife who condemns him of his greed and tries to make him see reasons why he shouldn't be so greedy. But he doesn't care, as long as he gets what he wants at any time, he's happy. Michael has no children yet and to him, it's better that way so he could enjoy himself as long as time permits.
In the neighborhood, and in the group of friends, Benard Wilson, also called Ben, was the most quiet. He had a silent personality and barely talked about himself but the crew knew in the university days to be a strict person. No one knew what could be going on in the man's head. Ben hailed from a humble background. He grew up with his single father who never really had time for him. He was sad most of the time. Ben's father worked from clock to clock without acknowledging the fact that he had a son. The little money his father made was mostly for his upkeep but even still, Ben didn't have all he wished for as a child and especially not attention. Benard grew up to become a tactical business man who calculated his loss and profit properly before taking any business actions. Since he doesn't talk much, he always gets enough time to think before reacting to anything. Unlike the rest, Ben isn't married yet. His love life was an open secret to the group in the university days, Ben was no lover of women.
Samuel Taylor, the last of the group, also leaves in the neighborhood. He too is a business man but he works with Freddie as a business associate. They are sort of partners who believed in hard work to establish greater financial stability. Sam is very nice and straightforward too. He likes being honest too but he is not as strong willed and tough as Frederick. Sam isn't married but is in relationship with a pretty girl he met not long ago. Sam hailed from a middle class family with divorced parents but a happy family. His parents maintained a cordial relationship as friends but had their different partners. Sam didn't let his parents divorce get to him when the heat was on between them, he lets all incidents roll off his back.
As friends, Frederick Malcolm, Gilbert Moore, Dennis Brown,
Michael Smith and Sam Taylor, owned the neighborhood as business men before Lewis Horace came into the picture. Other families in the neighborhood owned their own businesses of various interests but wine was what kept the bond of these men together for a long time. Time passed by and their friendship seemed to grow stronger and stronger. They used to have time outs on weekends before they became serious business men with families but they still maintained a healthy interaction with each other.
"Hello, Dennis, what's up, man?" Frederick said smiling. He was on his bed when his phone rang
"I'm good, man, tomorrow's Friday and I think you already know what that means" Dennis asked from the other of the phone call.
"Well I think I will, if you actually tell me what's going on tomorrow" Freddie said as he adjusted himself on the bed.
"Oh common, it's party night tomorrow and the guys have already agreed on a night out together so you're coming too" Dennis said excitedly.
"The guys agreed on a night out, are you guys forgetting I'm married now and so are you" Freddie explained, Emily wasn't in the bedroom yet.
"Don't be a kill joy, Freddie, it's been a while we've hung out, let's just have a small time out from the week's work" Dennis said trying to convince him.
"You are right, it's been a while since we've hung out with the guys, tomorrow sounds ok, but I hope it's not in worst bars in town" Freddie said making Dennis laugh.
"It won't be worst, Freddie, it will be the best bar in town" Dennis said.
"No girls, Dennis, no girls" Freddie warned in a friendly manner.
"Not even one..." Dennis laughingly.
"Dennis!" Freddie called loudly.
"OK, OK, just joking, I'm married now, I know that" Dennis replied laughingly.
"Well, that's great, see you tomorrow night, bro" Freddie said as Emily walk into the room.
"OK, tomorrow it is" Dennis said and the call disconnected.
"Having a guys night tomorrow?" Emily asked adjusting the blanket on the bed over her.
"You heard us?" Freddie asked.
"You were too quiet for me not to have heard you" Emily replied sarcastically with a smile.
"OK, we are having a night out tomorrow, and I don't know if that's going to be okay with you" Freddie said in an appealing manner while Emily smiled.
"You are the best man I've ever met and I'm glad it's you I married darling, having one night out with your friends shouldn't hurt, you've worked all week, you deserve a time out" Emily said.
"Thanks love, you are the best" Freddie said snuggling her cheek while Emily blushed.
"Aimee's growing up so fast, Freddie, she's turning two soon" Emily said.
"Wow so soon" Freddie said.
"Yes, I think Maria Montessori School will be the perfect place for her to start up school, don't you think?" Emily asked.
"Well I believe you'll put her in a good school" Freddie commented.
"It is a good school, all in the kids in the neighborhood attended the preschool" Emily said.
"Maria Montessori It is" Freddie said making Emily smile
On Friday night, which is the very next day, Frederick and the guys met up at the Crystal bar, a very cool bar in the place. It was like old college days again. The six always had hangouts like this back in the university. Those were the fun days that were meant to be exploited in the best ways possible.
"My wife hates it when I talk about achieving greater business heights and I honestly can't help it, it is my destiny after all" Michael said and they all laugh. That was typical of him.
"To be married is a sweet thing guys, Ben, Sam, you both are missing out" Freddie said taking in a glass of wine.
"Oh, you mean being bound in a marital cage is a good thing, right" Gilbert said with his wine cup in his hand.
"Well, that's one way to put" Dennis said and they all laugh.
"Hey, Dennis, that bar lady looks pretty attractive, won't you like to talk to her" Sam said teasingly referring to a lady serving drinks at the next table making Dennis roll his eyes as they all payed attention on him for his reply.
"True to say, she is attractive but not as beautiful as my honeycomb" Dennis said smiling.
"Whoa, did you just say that Dennis" Gilbert said.
"Yes, Gilbert, I'm married now, Helen's the real deal" Dennis said and they all hummed in surprise.
"A toast to a changed Dennis and a still quiet Ben" Freddie said raising his wine cup up and everybody laughed looking at Ben who has been quiet the whole time.
"Cheers" They all chorused except Ben who only smirked. They all clinged their glasses and drank at the same time.
The night was a fun one but they had to retire to their homes when it was time to leave for the night.