"..."
Silence could be heard in the booth as both Adrian and Rowland stared at each other for more the thirty seconds.
Adrian held his breath as he waited for the answer to his not so direct question.
And yes, buying cannabis seeds was illegal or highly regulated as of 2014 at least in this world. Marijuana is considered an illegal or extremely controlled substance. And growing of cannabis was also extremely controlled as licenses were needed before venturing in the business.
Adrian knew that the easiest way of gathering funds for his other projects was through illegal weed dealing. The weed business was one of the most profitable and easy to enter businesses in this early stage of his empire.
Rowland on the other hand was surprised at the fourteen or fifteen years old kid in front of him. Who despite his age, could have such courage.
Normal teenagers his age were occupied with school, winning their crush's heart or watching porn while jerking off. He on the other hand wanted to buy illegal seeds.
Yet in his surprised state he could not help but be amused at the image of a fourteen years old drug lord. So, after recovering his smile he continued with an amused voice after letting out a small laugh.
*HAHAHAHAHA*
"Boy, you are funny. I've never seen kids your age have that kind of emotion I see in your eyes. It's almost as if you've got a plan."
Adrian rolled his eyes after that comment and the continued
"I assure you sir, I am not a boy. And don't worry I've got the cash. just give me the goods or use your information network to point me in a direction"
Adrian interjected, after having enough of the man's antics.
"Don't worry kid I've got you. But you know those things are...well....high priced"
Rowland said
Adrian further emphasized
"Like I said don't worry about the cash"
Rowland smiled, then bringing out his phone, he proceeded to dial a number and waited. when the call was connected, he spoke
"Hello,bones,bring me one bag of the seeds, , yes, the special ones, I've got a customer here and don't worry i'll get your cut"
Adrian overheard the call and could not help but hold his breath as he waited.
"Don't worry he's on his way"
Rowland relayed.
Adrian simply nodded in acknowledgment. Inside he was very excited at the prospect of starting his own drug business, but on the outside his facade was calm with an occasional glint in his eyes.
Adrian related while also bring out a hundred dollar note.
"Most appreciated. In the mean time,I hope to buy some Information
Placing the money on the table he said
"I want to know which gang runs these streets and possibly others In the neighborhood"
Information is power as they say and Adrian needed to harvest as much information as he could get his hands on. Entering head first into the underworld without any prior information could be very well dangerous.
When he knows the organized crime groups that lurk around this neighborhood, he would know how to enter and which path to stay clear off.
Rowland seemed to catch a glimpse of what Adrian was thinking so he took the money from the table and then replied.
"Although, they are a small time gang, they are not to be underestimated. They own three streets and have more than seventy men.They are called [THE STREET TIGERS]"
In this world, most of a gangs power is measured by how many streets they control.
They more streets the control the more cash they got flowing in. With influence growing.
Adrian weighed Rowlands words. If he was to start his business here, he would run into the street tigers sooner or later and conflict would occur. He had to be ready. Plans ran in his head is he tried to figure out a way to deal with them.
'lets leave that for future me'
As he was about to continue his internal monologue, the door of the booth opened, and in came an average guy whom Adrian presumed to be 'bones'
Rowland seeing bones dropped his whiskey and said, as always with a smile.
"Ah bones, welcome, this here is Jackson and he's the one that wants to purchase the seeds"
Bones turned towards the little boy in front of him then snorted.
"Rowland you pulled me out of my joint for this small matter. If not for the promise of money I would not have come here"
Rowland's laughter echoed in the booth as he said to his old friend
"Don't worry the kid's not as small as you see him be. Just hand over the seeds"
Bones snorted again and then handed the large plastic bag he took from the pocket of his oversized jacket to Adrian.
Adrian said nothing and then looked ad the bag. After confirming the goods, he said
"Thank you, and the price?"
"600 dollars"
Adrian could not help but think that this guy was ripping him off. But he said nothing. Adrian reached into his pocket and brought out the exact amount. Handing it over to bones with a bleeding heart.
Bones took the money and left without even saying goodbye to Rowland who himself didn't seem to mind as he was used to his friend's personality.
"Thank you again Rowland. I guess this is goodbye"
Adrian said his thanks and stood up and walked towards the door of the booth pausing when he heard Rowland voice.
"Be careful son.Don't treat this as a game .This path can lead to your death"
Adrian turned his head slightly, gazing upon Rowland who still had that smile on his face which after the statement was starting to look eerie. But he continued on his way while dropping a goodbye intimidating statement of his own.
"Don't worry, the devil does not fear the dark. Does he?"
Rowland chuckled then thought inwardly
'I hope you're right kid'
********************************************
Stepping into the living room, Adrian tried his best not to make any noise and alert his siblings as it was quite late and they were all asleep. They've all had a long day and longer day awaited them is they wished to survive.
On his bed Adrian thought of all steps from the beginning till now and how he was going to proceed.
'Tomorrow I would plant the seeds but I don't know the first step of planting cannabis. I can't just insert them into the soil can I?'
Adrian decided that tomorrow he would journey to the internet cafe to acquire some knowledge while also ordering some equipment for the mini indoor grow room he wanted to set up in his basement.
Adrian though of all the equipment his money could acquire.
'I need grow lights, and an old heater also I need some fertilizer. Well, thats enough for the night tomorrow morning I will check it out"
And with that thought and several others he drifted off to sleep.
*RING* *RING* *RING*
"Oh for the love of God what is it?"
Adrian woke up and could not help but notice it was morning already and he could not help it. He went on to help himself to some morning rant.
"Sigh. Alright time for business"
Adrian did his morning necessities. Afterwards, he arranged his room in an oddly specific order as if he knew where each piece was meant to be. It seemed he had a slight case of OCD
The kitchen sang as Adrian made breakfast for him and his siblings. During breakfast, Adrian informed his siblings about his plans for the day. And also he delegated tasks to them.
Vivian took care of the twins while also seeing to their home study as there was no money to send to school. Not like their 'legal guardian' was of any help. And there was really no need. Those two were as smart, if not smarter than high school kids.
Adrian turned to Pierce and said with a slight tone of reluctance.
"Pierce, before I go to the cafe, me and you are gonna set up a garage sale".
Adrian still needed some more money as the one in his hand was quickly being drained by his expenses.
Pierce stared at his brother for a short moment before nodding without saying anything. He would do as his brother said. Sometimes at least.
After breakfast, Vivian went with the twins while Adrian and Pierce proceded to scowl the house for anything of value. From the tv to the antic looking clock to the AC in the living room, jewelries, shoes, watches, bags, a weird looking lantern and some other collectables.
Placing them outside on the front yard, Pierce set up a sigh that read ( for sale or bater). Then, they waited.
It was not long before customers trouped in. Adrian knew his limits and set reasonable prices, selling off most of the useless junks in the house. And as they say, one man's trash is a source of income for him if sells it to those who consider it treasure.
At the end of the day, they earned about one thousand dollars or so. With a Bater exchanging the tv for an old and worn out computer which Adrian knew was gonna help him in the long run till he could change it.
Getting a computer was a surprise as Adrian already planned going to the computer cafe to lookup some things. Spending unnecessary money.
After setting it up, he powered the machine and waited. A thought crossed his mind seeing the old ancient relic of a machine.
'what if it explodes'
And with a shudder, he moved back a bit fearing for his life.Thankfully it did not explode. And it booted up.
"Let's see, what do have here".