Sonya
"It's kinda okay," I complimented. "It looks better than the one in the photo."
"Really ? It just looks the same to me." Olivia tilted her head.
Olivia and I stood outside of the shop, judging it by it's entrance whiles the shop owner's representative waited patiently for our approval on the offer. When we had enough of debating on the entrance, we walked into the shop.
"We will be done soon," I said to the representative as we walked into the shop.
Olivia has repeated a couple of times that she has already inspected the shop and she thinks it's okay, but I'm not having that story yet. I want to see it for myself first, before I approve that we should buy it.
Olivia led the way and showed me around. The entrance led right to a medium long empty room with long glass windows. Olivia directed that it was the main room, where clients can make orders and plan an event and a dining space for clients to sample food items. She also pointed out where the office spaces were in the shop.
She showed me the kitchen, washroom and the storeroom. Everything was in place. But as she said, we needed to renovate the place which I now understand why. So the first thing I did was to go to the representative and buy the shop from her. I also had to sign as proof and when I was done, she handed me all the keys to the shop and left.
Olivia came from behind and patted me on the back. "Well, the shop is now all yours."
I faced her. "We need to get the place 'lively' before anything else. What do you think ?"
"Of course," she nodded. "The first thing I suggest is painting the place. I'll get you a painter right now, so he can get the job done fast. By 12pm, the paint will be entirely dry."
"Alright. Good point." I agreed. "I still haven't thought about a name for the shop. We don't even have a shop signage yet."
"You'll need a name before you get your shop signage," she chipped in. "And relax. I'm going to call a painter for you. Let's deal with that first. He will come paint. Also I'm going to call a glazier. He will come replace the dented window glass and the glass door too."
"Also, we need to install the air-conditioning," I added. "Plus, the lighting needs to be changed."
"Okay. As you wish then," she looked at her wristwatch. "I'll be going to work now."
"I thought you were going to be with me as the shop gets renovated," I muttered.
"No no no," she laughed. "I'm going to work, girl. You are going to be here to supervise since you have been given days off work. The men will come and do their part. Just supervise them."
"My bodyguard and driver are still there," I whispered in her ear. "What if they think the shop is mine ?"
"Stop being panicky. We talked about this. It's my shop, not yours. And your dad doesn't suspect a thing. Chill..."
"Fine. I'll do my part by supervising. When they are done, I'll go home to rest."
"Okay. Tomorrow is the day we are going to buy the equipments and tools." Olivia reminded. "I'll be going now. You know what to do."
Olivia left and a few minutes later, the painter arrived with his paint buckets. He went straight to work and started painting the exterior of the shop and later the interior. The electrician also came moments later. He had to go buy lightbulbs I ordered and started to replace the old ones with the new ones. He finished with the painter, they got paid and left.
The air-conditioning installment took time. Two HVACR technicians came late with the air-conditioning and had to wait for the paint to dry up. They got to work and started filling in the space of the previous air-conditioning with the new one. I took a break from supervision and went to Golden City mall to eat.
When I returned, the HVACR technicians were done. They went off with their cheque. The last to arrive was the glazier. He did his part and replaced the glass windows and door. When everything was done, I went around the shop admiring every detail. I was driven home by my driver when I finally locked up the shop and that's how I spent my Monday morning and afternoon.
Luckily for us, after I gave Olivia some painkillers that Sunday morning, she went to sleep. Having nothing to do at her place, I left her house and proceeded to church. At night, she called to thank me and inform me that her migraine was gone and her body pains had lessen. She also notified that she had posted the flyer online.
That Monday evening, I called her to inform her of the progress that has been made with the shop. The renovation was complete. It was now left with the actual equipments and accessories for the catering services. Olivia and I discussed what we needed and where we would get them from.
After reaching a consensus, we ended the call and I went to bed. I left home quickly the next day that I forgot to eat. Olivia and I met at a restaurant supply store she had found online. We got inside and did a lot of shopping on the things we might need for the catering shop.
A worker also helped us choose the necessary equipments and accessories. We had bought a lot of stuff and I was worried how we were going to move them to the shop. Olivia calmed me down and explained that the restaurant supply store had contacted a moving company to come take care of the movement. I was relieved.
After buying everything we needed, from chairs and tables to utensils and stoves, we waited and as Olivia said, the moving truck came and everything was packed into it. When they were done, the truck left the shop and we followed next. The truck got to the shop, which was located near the main road and the men started offloading the contents in the truck.
Olivia and I watched as they diligently placed everything into the shop for us. When they were done, they got in the truck and took off.
I took a chair and sat down. "Finally, the movement is over. We have to now actually organise and arrange the place."
Olivia also took a seat on another chair. "Have you thought of a name for the shop ? We need the shop signage on the shop today."
I placed a finger on my chin and mused. "I was thinking 'The Catering Angels', since we both collaborated to make this work."
"That's a nice name," Olivia complimented. "But you know I have nothing to do with the shop. It's all yours. And about the organization of the place, don't worry. I got that covered."
"Really ? How are you going to pull that off ?"
"I have ideas on how the place should be," she explained. "We also need a delivery staff and truck. That's very important in the catering services."
"That didn't cross my mind," I admitted.
"Well, we need the labor force of course and a way to deliver the order a client gives."
"So when do you think the workers will show up ? In a few days time ?"
"Actually, it's tomorrow," she informed. "That's what I typed on the flyer. That's why we need to make sure everything is on check before tomorrow."
"That's quick. I didn't us expect to move at this pace."
"Tomorrow is your last days off from work," Olivia reminded. "We don't want this shop to distract you from your work which might bring suspicion to your dad...."
"Yeah, you are right." I agreed. "So what do we do now ?"
"I'll get some people to come help organise the place," she suggested. "I'll show you a place to get a shop signage. That's where you will go for it. We will deal with the delivery vehicles and staff tomorrow."
"Alright, let's get to work then."
.
Delilah
I woke up early the next day and after preparing myself for school, I got right to learning for the exams I had at noon. As I learnt, there were instances my mind went on to Leonard and I was worried if he wasn't feeling well or not. Or something bad might have happened to him. It took sheer willpower to forget about him and fully concentrate on my learning.
By 8am, my food arrived in my quarters and I had to pause my learning to energise myself. I sat down to rest for a while when I was done eating. I played some music on my sound system to lighten up the mood.
Fast forward, I was back to learning and when the time struck 10am, I called my driver as I used the elevator quickly. He arrived and the annoying bodyguard was inside with him. I kept my thoughts to myself as I was driven from the house to campus.
By the time we arrived, I was right on schedule. I did some last minute revision before finally going to my exam venue whiles my bodyguard sat outside the venue, waiting. I hissed when I realized he was waiting. I'm not comfortable with someone following me around all the time. Luckily for me, this was my last day on campus. I wouldn't be planning to go out unnecessarily after this.
The exams began and with what I had learnt and revised, I was able to do my best to answer most of the questions. I finished before regular time but I had to wait briefly before I was allowed to submit and leave. Normally, when majority of my colleagues finish their exams, they make some jubilations as if they have won a million dollars.
I wouldn't want to be there when the loud jubilations start, so I submitted when I got my chance and left the venue instantly. As I was approaching the car, my dad called me.
"Congratulations Delilah," he said proudly.
"Thanks Dad," I replied. "I didn't expect this from you right now."
"What do you mean dear ? You know what we have planned already. So congratulating you should be nothing."
"But I don't want it to come on," I protested.
"Come on, stop whining dear," my dad laughed. "We talked about this. Last year you had your way. This year, we are going with mine."
"But do I have to be there ?"
"Certainly," he answered. "Who doesn't attend their own birthday party ? You are going to be the centre of attention dear."
Hearing those words wanted to make me scream. It's bad enough I'm having my birthday party this year but do I have to be the centre of attention ? That's not what I want but my father has already made it clear that there's no convincing him out of this. It's decided.
"You just finished your tertiary education," he went on. "You deserve a grand party of course. And when you are done graduating in two weeks time, I'll also make another party for you."
"Ok, fine dad," I finally spoke up.
"Congratulations once again. I'll be going now." he said as he hanged up.
I was happy that I was done with my university but now I'm anxious and irritated that I'll be having a birthday party based on it. This must be the worst.
At home, I laid on my bed, sulking about the birthday party. I was thinking of how it was going to be like and if there were ways I can avoid it completely. My thoughts got interrupted with another phone call and this time, it was from my dearest.
"Hello mum..."
"Yes my darling," she responded. "How have you been doing ? Is everything okay at home ?"
"Perfect timing," I sighed. "Everything is not okay. Dad wants to throw me a party on my birthday for finishing my final exams."
"That's why I even called you." she began. "Congratulations dear. I'm so proud of you. I wish I was at home to hug you tight."
"Yay thanks mom," I said sarcastically as my face became emotionless.
"Are we having a problem ? I can sense something isn't right..."
"Of course mom," I replied immediately. "Where have you been for the past week ? You didn't call to check up on me or even asked someone to send your greetings. You just continued with your work in France whiles I'm here stuck with Dad."
"Don't you say that, Delilah." my mom fired back. "There's nothing wrong with living with your dad and sister. I told you that as I was leaving the country. Also, stop pretending it's entirely my fault that I don't call you. You know my schedule already. Did you even bother calling me ?"
"Uhm, no. You told me not to call you...."
"Oh right, I forgot," she paused. "Well, your sister called and I was less busy at that time. So I spoke with her and told her to inform you that I won't be coming home this week."
"She didn't tell me that," I exclaimed.
"Relax dear, it's okay." my mom soothed. "With the way you have been acting towards her, it's understandable. Just ignore what she did. I'm informing you myself. I won't be able to make it this week."
"Why ? You told me this week."
"Plans have changed here. I'll spend a few more days but don't worry. I'll be home before your birthday party."
I didn't want to vent my frustration on her so I quickly ended the call. "Fine. Goodbye mom."
I hanged up and laid on my bed. I didn't know what to do. It's like the little joy I had in me was sucked up. After mustering some strength, I took my laptop and checked to see if Leonard was online. Shockingly to me, he was online a few minutes ago. Which meant, he wasn't as busy as he said. How strange.
I didn't want to let Leonard add to my worries. To my delight, Sena was online. It was a no brainer, so I called her and she answered.
"Hi Delilah, how is it going ? You look moody."
"Nevermind," I brushed off. "It's just some family issues."
"Congratulations. You are now done with UG." she beamed. "It feels great right ?"
"Yeah, kind of," I shrugged. "I'm wishing you good luck on your exam tomorrow."
"Thanks very much," she replied. "And yeah, there's something I've been meaning to ask. Yesterday, the guy in black was following you around. Are you in some sort of trouble ?"
I haven't told Sena about the kidnapping attempt and I didn't plan to. It didn't even cross my mind. But now, I'm guessing she deserves to know what happened. So with a heavy heart, I narrated to her what happened and why I had a bodyguard. When I was done, she bombarded me with more questions. Not the relevant ones too.
"So did they catch the men who tried to kidnap you guys ?"
"No,"
"What about the guy that saved you ? What happened to him ?"
I sighed. "He works here now. I don't know how that happened but I couldn't care less."
"He works with there ? That's nice. At least you have thanked him right ?"
"No I didn't. We haven't spoke yet. Look let's not go there. Have you spoken to Leonard ?"
She took a while before answering. "Yes...."
"What ?!" I bellowed. "When and where ? Why didn't you tell me ?"
"Relax and listen. It's not a big deal...."