The morning sun painted the streets of Ellicott City in a soft golden hue, signaling the beginning of a day full of plans and progress. Steven Blake sat at his desk, his fingers moving swiftly across his laptop's keyboard as he finalized the details of a hiring announcement for Heavenly Dine. The night before, he had carefully outlined the positions available, the required skills, and the timing for the walk-in interviews scheduled that afternoon.
With a final click, Steven posted the announcement on the restaurant's social media page. The post immediately garnered attention, with comments and messages pouring in from interested applicants.
Steven headed downstairs, finding his parents in the kitchen. Natalie Blake was busy preparing the breakfast menu while Morris cleaned the counters.
"Mom, Dad," Steven began, setting his laptop on the kitchen counter, "I've scheduled interviews for new staff this afternoon. We'll need to close the restaurant for the day to focus on this."
Natalie paused, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "Interviews? You've really thought this through, haven't you?"
Steven nodded. "We need to expand the team if we want to keep up with demand. With the right staff, you'll both have less on your plates, and the restaurant can grow even more."
Morris chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "It's not every day you see a high school senior running hiring drives. Let's see how this goes."
At school, Steven's day unfolded as usual. Veronica, Nancy, and Benjamin joined him during free periods, their focus on SAT preparation. Veronica, as always, was relentless in asking questions.
"Steven, how do you simplify this quadratic equation so fast?" she asked, leaning close to look at his notes.
"It's about recognizing patterns," Steven explained, drawing a diagram to break down the steps.
Benjamin, sitting across the table, chuckled. "Man, you're making it too easy for us. With you around, it's like we've got our own cheat sheet."
Steven smirked. "Just make sure you can handle it on test day."
Later, as the final bell rang, Benjamin asked, "Study session at Heavenly Dine again tonight?"
Steven shook his head. "Not today. I've got interviews to handle."
Veronica, intrigued, asked, "Mind if I tag along? I've never seen a hiring process up close."
Steven shrugged. "Sure, but it might be boring."
When Steven and Veronica arrived at the restaurant, it was a hive of activity. Tables had been rearranged to accommodate the hiring process, and a small crowd of candidates waited patiently, clutching their resumes. The usual warmth of the restaurant was replaced with an air of anticipation.
Steven set up a desk near the counter and began reviewing the resumes, while Veronica observed from the seat beside him.
"You're really taking this seriously," she remarked, watching him sort through the papers with a focused expression.
"Of course," Steven replied. "This isn't just about hiring people. It's about finding the right fit for what the restaurant needs."
Using his system, Steven had a distinct advantage. As he read through the resumes, key details about each candidate's skills and experience were highlighted in his mind, allowing him to quickly identify the most promising applicants.
After sorting through the resumes, Steven invited the chefs into the kitchen to demonstrate their culinary skills.
An American-Mexican woman crafted vibrant and enticing fast-food dishes, including tacos, hamburgers, and sandwiches. Her precision and speed impressed both Steven and Veronica.
An Italian chef showcased his expertise with pizzas, pasta, and other Italian specialties, his dishes a testament to his mastery of flavor.
A French woman dazzled with her baking skills, producing flaky croissants, buttery pastries, and decadent desserts that filled the room with a heavenly aroma.
An Indian chef brought bold flavors and tradition to the table, preparing biryani, curries, naan, and dosas with a finesse that left the onlookers in awe.
Veronica couldn't hide her amazement. "These dishes are incredible," she whispered. "How do you know what to ask them?"
Steven glanced at her, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I know what the restaurant needs. Plus, the system gives me an edge."
By the end of the day, Steven had finalized his decisions:
The American-Mexican chef would manage the fast snack corner.
The Italian chef would handle lunch services.
The French baker would oversee the bakery section.
The Indian chef would take charge of dinner preparations.
Steven also hired several waitresses to improve customer service, two security guards for safety, and a professional manager to oversee day-to-day operations.
As the candidates left, Steven instructed them to report the next day for orientation. Veronica, who had watched the entire process, leaned back in her chair, clearly impressed.
"You're incredible at this," she said. "You make it look so easy."
Steven chuckled. "It's all about preparation—and knowing what you want."
With the hiring process complete, Steven turned his attention to another task: buying cars. He explained to Veronica that he needed one vehicle for himself and another for the restaurant's use.
"Want to come along?" he asked.
Veronica's eyes lit up. "Absolutely. Who doesn't love car shopping?"
The pair headed to a nearby dealership, which showcased luxury brands like BMW, Audi, Ferrari, and Rolls Royce. The gleaming cars on display left Veronica in awe, but Steven remained composed, his sharp gaze scanning the showroom.
Steven immediately noticed the lack of attention from the sales staff. While some employees assisted other customers, a group of salespeople stood chatting in a corner, ignoring Steven and Veronica entirely.
Steven approached them, his tone polite but firm. "Excuse me. Can someone show us the cars and explain the details?"
An older saleswoman glanced at him, her expression dismissive. "Kid, can you even afford a secondhand car? Just look around on your own."
Veronica bristled at the insult, but Steven remained calm. "Is this how you treat potential clients? I'd like someone to assist us."
With a roll of her eyes, the saleswoman called over a young, inexperienced employee named Monica.
Despite Monica's inexperience and occasional mistakes in describing the cars' specifications, Steven remained patient, using his system to verify the details. Veronica, meanwhile, fumed silently, still stung by the earlier dismissal.
After some time, Steven made his decision. He chose a BMW M8 Coupe for himself, drawn to its sleek design and powerful engine, and an Audi A7 Coupe for his parents, appreciating its elegance and comfort.
When Monica began the paperwork, the saleswoman who had mocked them earlier suddenly reappeared, her tone overly friendly.
"Sir, let me handle this for you," she said, trying to sound ingratiating.
Steven's expression turned cold. "No, thank you. Monica is handling it just fine." The arrogant saleswoman had to leave in disappointment.
The manager of the dealership soon arrived, having been alerted to the significant purchase. He greeted Steven warmly and offered to expedite the process.
Steven took the opportunity to praise Monica. "She's been professional and courteous throughout this process. I'd like her to receive proper training and the full commission for these sales."
The manager nodded quickly, promising to address the issue.
As they left the dealership, Veronica turned to Steven, her admiration evident.
"You handled that so well," she said. "Most people would've lost their temper, but you stayed calm and made your point."
Steven shrugged. "It's about principle. Respect is earned, not demanded."
Veronica smiled, seeing Steven in a new light. His maturity, confidence, and sense of justice left a lasting impression on her.
By the time Steven returned home, he had accomplished more in a single day than most people could in a week. The restaurant was poised to enter a new era with its expanded team, and the new cars symbolized his hard work and vision.
Later that night, as Steven sat in his room reviewing his plans for the week ahead, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. From hiring staff and managing Heavenly Dine to preparing for his SATs and maintaining his businesses, Steven was proving that his ambition and determination could shape a future filled with endless possibilities.