Sophia Hart wanted to earn money. Enough money to drown others in jealousy. But the seed money. The prize money from various competitions had been used by her oh-so-lovely family till only a pitiful amount was left. So, she had to search for the right investment.
She was underaged, going to give final exams in few months and fly awayto Kingston University, hopefully. So, a suitable investment, within her budget is indeed a difficult issue.
The memory of her previous life didn't help much. She had turned into a song bird which was allowed to fly within the garden. After roaming around, marking few places which seemed suitable but out of her reach, she found it.
A coffee shop. Retail industry, especially service industry, had high turnover rate. Over 90% cases gave up within a year. But this shop, Sweet Dessert had been running for a decade. Only in recent years had the business come down. From the initial ten plus employees to just one full time employee and two part time workers. The desserts were good. She had tried them few times.
If her memory served her right, the shop would be closed within a year. Finally, a right investment. Now, she just had to persuade the owner.
Brian Gallagher, the owner was full time worker too. After his divorce, he didn't feel like jumping into dating scene or to marry again. So, to escape from his old fashioned parents, he worked in his own shop as full time worker, manger, supervisor, basically all in one. The business was slowing down a lot but he did not have any energy to think of ways to stop it. He had to pay pretty much to retain the ownership of this shop during divorce, so he did not want to give it up too.
Sophia didn't not know the background of him. She learnt all of it later. Few years later, Brian got married too. It was thanks to Sophia, indirectly.
The coffee shop was empty. The lunch rush was over and kids had gone back to school. Sophia ordered few desserts, to fill herself and to confirm that the food was indeed good.
"Business must be slow, right?" She asked abruptly.
"Beg your pardon?" Which customer would sprout such a question?
"I remember few years back there were lots of employees, but right now, it's just you."
"Was there any lack in the service?"
"No."
"Then I don't see how the number of employees in the shop has any relation to you."
"It is if I am thinking of buying your shop."
That is not sound pompous. At all.
"Lady, I don't know think you have enough pocket money to buy this shop."
"Why? You have good idea of my pocket money?"
Brian was angry enough to sit opposite her and chat. Show her the world was not her oyster, even if her parents had assured her that it was.
"I married a young lady of your type. Attended posh school, posh college, always wearing branded items, accesories. You know how much money she had at the end of the month? Her parents used to give thousands of dollars every month as pocket money. Still, by the end of the month, her credit card would be maxed and she would be borrowing money. Even taking into consideration that teenager's clothes won't cost much, others do cost pretty much the same. You wouldn't have saved much.
Then there is a fact that you are sitting here trying to buy a small shop. You don't have enough money."
"Good thinking. But what do you have here that is going to cost me? The decade old decorations? Years old appliances? Slowly dying business which won't need much of the good will? I am wondering right now that how come you have so much confidence? I can't see any basis for it?" Sophia fired back. Right now, lack of money was her trigger. Tell her she is poor and you still hope to be safe?
Mrs Higgins took a sip of tea to hide the smile. This girl was a tough cookie. Suddenly she missed her daughter, who always behaved like a prickly pear.
Ever seen a businessman not showing his best side? Even when he was depressed and uninterested, he would brag. Brian was very similar. It took nearly an hour of volleying before they both were satisfied by the deal. Never mind the fact that Brian initially did not have any intention of selling his shop.
They decided to sign the contract in two days when she would handover over the money. No checks, direct transfer to his business account.
Sophia had some work to do in next few days. As she was still a minor, she had to become emancipated minor. Sh needed to be able to use her money freely.
Thankfully, the legal work for it was very straight forward. Not many used it but it was there. Many kids were dependent on parents even when they were in late twenties, which teenager would decide that he or she wants to be free and independent. Independent based on parents' money, sure. But financially independent, come on! Not many are like Sophia Hart. Even Mrs Higgins's independent daughter was not that independent.
Sophia started paperwork for the emancipation the same day and went home. Mrs Higgins did not snitch on her. Extra points for it. But she did not hide where she went too. Minus some points for that.
The light dinner was not too noisy. The Harts had a party to attend. In normal course, they would have asked Sophia to join. As first born, she had to mingle and make all sorts of connections. Never mind the fact that she was a teenager. Anyone who was interested in her was a pervert or a regular horny teenager. Still they would take her to these parties and get togethers. Thankfully she did not have to waste few hours of life this time, as she was still recovering. She is so going to use this as her response whenever she wanted to escape from something.
Every one dispersed to dotheir own things soon after early dinner. Sophia was feeling bit odd. She decided to sooth herself by painting.
Yep, she painted soothing landscapes and it helped her to calm herself.
Contrary to previous rumours, no hidden yet famous artist was interested in accepting her as student. She was good, but not that good.
But that way the Sophia from before. Who wore rose tinted glasses, who had never suffered, who never thought she was oppressed.
This time, this lady to going to paint her heart out,the selling value of the same be d*mned. If she earns money from it, good. If not, no worries. She had to just vent to have a better mindset and not be bogged down in negative feelings.