Noah sat quietly in the coffee shop, soaking in the atmosphere that buzzed with potential. Surrounding office buildings teemed with activity, filled with professionals likely earning good salaries. This thought comforted him; a steady demand for quality coffee seemed promising.
As he sipped his latte, he envisioned adding a glass cabinet to showcase pastries, creating a dual-purpose establishment: a coffee shop that also served light bites. The constant foot traffic from nearby offices would give him a solid base to assess the first month's sales before deciding whether to expand further. He also noted the proximity to a university—this could provide a steady stream of curious students eager to try something new.
"Maybe I could even host open mic nights or study sessions," he thought, excited by the possibilities. However, he knew these were all idealistic visions. The real world had a way of testing even the best-laid plans.
He glanced down at the business card in his hand and decided to call Mr. Andrea. "Hello, Mr. Andrea? This is Noah. I hope I'm not interrupting. I have a few questions about the coffee business if you have a moment."
"Of course, Noah! What do you need?" Mr. Andrea replied, his voice warm and inviting.
"I was curious about your training programs. What do you think is essential for someone starting out?"
After a brief conversation, Noah realized that learning from the same family as Jay wouldn't work out. Jay's coffee skills were rooted in a different city entirely, and Noah needed a fresh start. He locked up the shop and took a moment to admire the bustling street outside, filled with people coming and going. It made him nostalgic—he had once been part of this world.
Just then, a familiar face appeared. "Noah! Didn't expect to see you here," Felix said, rubbing his hands together against the chill. "Are you here for coffee too?"
Noah tilted his head, gesturing towards the empty shop. "Actually, I'm the new owner. The boss transferred the shop to me. You won't be able to taste his coffee craftsmanship anymore."
Felix's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? I just came here yesterday to grab a drink, but it was closed..."
His disappointment was palpable, and Noah couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. Felix had planned to bring an Americano to his friend Sam, who was having a rough morning.
"The boss must have had his reasons for closing up so quickly," Noah said, trying to reassure him.
"That's a pity," Felix replied, forcing a smile. "But hey, it's good for you! I'll be able to take care of you more easily once you're up and running. Just a quick trip downstairs."
"Exactly! We can catch up often once I officially open," Noah said enthusiastically.
Felix glanced at his phone, then waved apologetically. "I've got to take this call. Let's chat more later!" He hurried off, leaving Noah to ponder his next steps.
Noah opened his phone to check for coffee training courses and found several options. He considered hiring a barista but decided it might be worthwhile to try an experience course first. If it didn't pan out, he could always hire someone later.
With a determined mindset, he followed the navigation to the training center. As he pushed open the door, he was greeted by the rich aroma of chocolate mingling with floral and fruity scents, a comforting welcome.
However, the three-hour session quickly became a reality check. Noah struggled to identify different coffee bean varieties, had trouble grinding, and found it challenging to time the brewing process. Despite his best efforts, he realized that perhaps his skills were best suited for management rather than hands-on brewing.
Checking the time on his phone, he noticed a message from Ethan.
Ethan: [This is a first draft. Take a look and let me know if you have any suggestions. We can discuss details over a call if it's easier.]
Noah felt a surge of appreciation for Ethan's efficiency.
Noah: [I'll read it carefully.]
Ethan was on the other end, idly tapping his fingers on his thigh, waiting for Noah's response. He had expected a quicker reply; after all, Noah had read his message within seconds. But he also knew Noah was busy settling into his new role.
Just then, a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. "Mr. Harrison, your meal is served," came the voice of his assistant.
Ethan glanced at the spread before him with mild irritation. He had waited an hour for this meal, and yet he felt as though his mind was elsewhere. He reminded himself that good things came to those who waited.
Not willing to sit idly, he decided to reach out. "Hello?" he said as he called Noah.
"What do you think?" Ethan asked, clearing his throat slightly. "I noticed you didn't reply after I sent the draft."
"Oh! Sorry!" Noah replied, flustered. "I was preoccupied with other tasks. I think it looks great; I'm quite satisfied with it."
Ethan chuckled softly. "Don't be nervous. I'm not scolding you. We're partners now; there's no need to feel pressured."
Noah seized the opportunity, blurting out, "Have you had lunch yet? I'd love to treat you."
"No," Ethan replied, glancing at the untouched food before him.
Caught off guard by his own offer, Noah hesitated. "Um, what do you like?"
"I really enjoy Korean food," Ethan said, a hint of enthusiasm creeping into his voice.
Noah quickly noted that a popular Korean restaurant was about a kilometer away, but he knew it would take at least half an hour to get there, especially with potential traffic.
Feeling guilty, he stammered, "How about I treat you next time? I'm actually on Xiyuan Road right now, so it might be late if I head over."
Ethan considered suggesting he could wait, but he refrained, wanting to avoid coming off as too attentive. "That's fine. Let's plan for another time."
Noah sighed, relieved yet disappointed. "Okay, I'll make it up to you soon, I promise."
"Looking forward to it," Ethan said, his tone softening.
As they wrapped up the call, Noah couldn't shake the feeling of excitement mixed with nervousness. Ethan's support was reassuring, but he also felt the weight of expectations.
After ending the call, Noah took a deep breath, refocusing on his plans. He knew he had a lot to learn, and every step he took brought him closer to his dream. He looked around the empty shop, envisioning the day it would be bustling with customers and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air.
"Time to get to work," he murmured to himself, ready to embrace the challenges ahead.