FOUR WEEKS LATER.
As the weeks flowed by, so also did the money purse of the Sinclairs increase. For the past three weeks, Adrian and Michelson worked hard to deliver the goods on time. As each day of the week had a venue booked, Adrian split the workload between him and Mike.
Each week saw a successive increase in income for the House. Orders had doubled and clubs were going crazy over the
If not the adequate preparations made by Adrian before hand, they would have long since run of 'products' to sell.
First order of business, Adrian got a phone for himself. Specifically, the Samsung S6. He used it to surf the internet as it also happens to be faster that his computer.
Adrian knew that this was the year cannabis production would be legalized for medical purposes in New York. This legalization would spark a revolution in the health industry both legally and illegally.
Vivian, in the past few weeks, had her work cut out for her. She mostly handled the team's accounts. And with the recent influx of 'mulah', she made sure every penny was accounted for. Literally.
Michelson on the other hand, acclimated quite well to the change in environment. One moment he was a worker juggling numerous part time jobs together the next, he is a 'tycoon' earning 3500dollars a week. What more could he ask for.
Though sometimes, his job could very well be quite hard and dangerous.
Carrying almost ten grand in a neighborhood chuck full of gangsters was not an easy feat at all. Mike had to use his wits and his familiarity with the neighborhood to prevail.
His training commenced almost the day after he agreed to join the Sinclairs. One time during training, his orientation of the sweet and kind Vivian was knocked out with the rest of the air in his lungs.
As heart wrenching as his training was, he also noticed the benefits after a period of time. One, his reflexes improve drastically as he trained in
Second his muscles and tendons became extremely strong. His phisique was radically improving at an alarming rate. So also did his theoretical knowledge increase under the tutorlage of the twins.
Adrian, the mastermind behide the scenes reveled in joy as he now possessed sufficient funds to commence some of his base plans.
First of all, he had to find a legitimate front for his business. Somewhere sizable with sufficient space to hold people and discreet enough to not attract attention from the wrong audience.
As he thought extensively, he came across a small memory. A worn down dojo which he came across on his way to [Joy Grove Bar].
He initially thought of seeking a job opportunity at the dojo but now, he had a plan in mind for that dojo.
Freshening up, he powered the small second hand scotter he bought and journeyed forward towards his destination, [SHOTO'S DOJO]
Upon arrival, Adrian disembarked from his scotter after finding a proper place to park it.
Reaching the sliding doors of the dojo Adrian tried to cook up a plan in his head for acquiring the dojo.
From the name it seems the dojo owner was japanese. And the Japanese were known to be strict in their ways. He was sure that they won't just willingly hand over the dojo to him. Even if the dojo looked like it was going to collapse.
Adrian shook his head the opened the sliding doors, interest painting his expression.
Getting inside, you'd notice the visible size of the dojo. There was a fighting square dead center in the middle which at this time happened to have a duo practicing their skills with wooden katanas.
To the left placed directly opposite the fighting square was the weapons rack. On it was placed katanas,tontos, spears, shurikens, daggers, various blades, short axes, chain weapons, ecetra.
Adrian tread quietly making sure not to make too much too noise but that plan was quickly twarted as the floor creeked with every step he took.
The practicing duo turned towards the newcomer who interrupted their sparring session. One of them upon noticing him walked towards him a bit..... excitingly.
When the individual came close, Adrian bore notice that it was a female in her early twenties. She seemed of Asian descent, probably Japanese. Her hair was done in a straight long bob hairstyle and was dyed white still, streaks of black hair could be seen streaming down. Brown irises sat comfortably in her eyes. She had a cute nose and supple pink lips.
She walked up to him with a smile, bowed then greeted.
"Good afternoon. My name is Hatsuki Shoto. Are you here to enroll?"
For Hatsuki, life had been trickling downstream slowly. Their dojo, once the centre of attraction for all martial arts practitioners in the entire borough of The Bronx now looked like a broken house hit by a hurricane.
It all started with a brilliant and ambitious disciple tought by her father. And from then, a series of unfortunate events took place resulting in the current state of things for the once great dojo. The students left one after the other till there was no one left.
These days the occasional one or two individuals would gain interest in the dojo. The mentorship fee was about a 100dollars an hour.
Because her father's dojo focused more on weapons, it was quickly becoming empty as the years rolled by. These days you'll not see anyone walking around with a katana at their waist anymore.
But here she was, looking at a boy still in his teens she presumed. He had an apologetic look on his face. His cold grey eyes looked at her guilty. She was confused at that but let it go. This was an opportunity. Someone was finally interested in their style of martial arts.
Adrian, who planned not to enroll but buy the dojo looked guilty because, he could feel the girl's zeal and determination in keeping her family's livelihood afloat. These type of people were mostly stubborn, head strong and would not easily part with their cherished possession.
Adrian sighed then introduced himself.
"Good afternoon miss Hatsuki. My name is Adrian. Pardon me but I have a business proposal for you or the person in charge"
Hatsuki was briefly taken aback by the acsent coming from the teen. It was a dead giveaway that the young man was British or at least part Brit.
Apart from that, he was not here to enroll which disappointed her but she became intrigued by the deal he was going to offer.
"My father owned this place. Am the current owner. If you have anything to discuss you can do so with me"
Adrian stared intently at her then conceded.
"Can we talk in private"
Hatsuki nodded then gestured with her hands towards the back room.
"Miriam, please continue practicing I will be back ok?"
The other half of the sparing duo nodded then sharply replied.
"Yes Sensei"
Hatsuki and Adrian walked towards another wooden sliding door which led to a small hall. At the end of the said corridor was a door. Hatsuki slid open the door unveiling a small living area behind it
A living room with a tea table in the middle, a kitchenette towards the left, and the right side had a closed door which Adrian assumed was a bedroom.
Portraits ordained the walls sealing in them pictures of a small girl, an Asian man, and a woman. Probably western.
Hatsuki sat down on one of the couches gesturing in turn for Adrian to seat opposite. Which he obliged.
Adrian cleared his throat then initiated the Convo.
"So, tell me Hatsuki, how is business of late"
"Well, business has not been doing well of late but, it's still standing. People are mostly interested in boxing or it's kick. Almost no one is interested in carrying a katana these days and those that do, only do so to look cool." Hatsuki sighed after that.
The dojo had really gone downhill these last few years. Technology was getting more and more mature as the days rolled by. Mobile phones, systems, game consoles and the likes, these factors served to debar people from enrolling in "Ancient" dojos. If this trend continues, she may not have any means to take care of the dojo which would prompt her to sell it.
Hatsuki was sad within. She refused to take any other jobs insisting on upholding the family's legacy. It was also what was left of her memories with her father and mother.
Adrian listened attentively. He saw crystally that she was at an end point. He had to be smart about this.
"I have a deal for you, if you'll indulge me"
Leaning back on the couch, Hatsuki shrugged.
"Let's hear it"
Taking a deep, Adrian continued.
"To come out frankly, I am interested in this dojo. Now hear me out, I wanted to buy it but after seeing you, I wish no more instead,I only wish to rent certain sections"
Hatsuki calmed down after Adrian stated that he was not here to buy the dojo. Even though she was at an end, she would give up so easily. She still had other means to make money. Never would she just sell her father's legacy to a boy nonetheless.
"Hear me out. Don't freak out. I happen to deal in some shady stuff. Specifically, marijuana production and sales is what I specialize in for now. I just need some of the space in this esteemed institution. I will pay the agreed upon rent."
Although Hatsuki did not like this one bit, she needed the money and from the tone of the British boy, he was not afraid of some cash.
She thought that was all but, the boy continued.
"Also, I will imploy your services to train certain customers. You will get double the hourly pay for each person trained"
"Training and renting of space, all these could put you on the right track to fufil your dreams for this dojo"
Hatsuki's heart quickened. The 'boy' sitting opposite her was a drug dealer and a potential gangster no less. it seems he had enough money to spare.
If she agreed, she could potentially solve all her money problems. But, on the other hand, she could also embroid herself with some shady people which could one day, come to bite her in the butt.
Tough decisions to make.