He looked at her and saw how serious she really needed the shop. “I have one extra, but I ain’t sure if you will love it.”
She wanted one out of the three, but since the extra shop was from him, she had no choice but to accept it. “Fine. Can I take a look at it?” She requested.
He showed her where the shop was built. Anastasia was expecting some thing lesser and not really attractive like the other ones but hell no! This was the best she ever wanted! It was as wide as the others but was in an open area compared to the other ones.
“How do you see it, Miss Romanoff?” He asked, looking at her for a response.
“This is exactly what I need for a start.” She looked at him. “Thank you so much, sir, I especially love this.”
“It’s nice having business with you.” He stretches his hand for a handshake.
“Thank you, sir.” She said, returning the handshake. He turns to leave but she stops him, “I know I shouldn’t be asking, but if you don’t mind telling me your name, sir?”
“Call me Donaldson.”
“Okay, Mr Donaldson, how much is this store for?” She asked.
“That’s a discussion you should have with the secretary.”
She smiled. “Thank you.” He left.
She went into the store to survey the interior view, it has the best part of a shop she needed. Now all she needs is to get the equipment ready.
After she had study every where, she asked for the secretary’s office which she was directed to. She knocked on the door, “Come in.” She permitted her in.
Anastasia walked in. “Good day, ma’am.” She greeted.
The young lady stared up at her, she looked so young and probably the same age as Anastasia. “How may I help you?” She asked.
“My name is Miss Anastasia Romanoff, I booked one of the stores, I just want to know how much I am to pay for it.” She informed her.
“Which of the store houses, if I may ask?”
“The one by the roadside.” She answered.
The secretary smiled. “You have a good taste I’d say, Miss.” She went through the store info, searching for the prices. “Well, the price for the store you booked is two hundred dollars per month.”
“Two hundred dollars?” She asked, surprised.
“Yes, Miss.”
How?
“Isn’t there a reduction for it?” She asked.
“No, Miss, that’s the fixed price and likewise the cheapest among the four stores.”
Anastasia thought of what to do. If she has to forfeit the store, she will have to search all over for a better one with a cheaper price. But this in particular has the best site for a business for starters like her, and she did notice one thing for sure about Chicago.
It was the best place for a business.
“Can I pay through transfer?” She asked.
“Yes, you can.”
“Send me the details, please.” She requested. Anastasia called her digit numbers and the secretary sent the details immediately. Anastasia ran the transfer as soon as possible. “Done.”
“I’ve seen it. Thanks, Miss Romanoff, it’s nice doing business with you.”
“You too.” She left the office. She boarded a taxi which drove her to the shopping mall. She bought every thing she’d need, and without delay she took them to her new store. She was just so serious about this. It was better off than staying at home doing nothing.
She was some how beginning to love the way she had left New York though a part of her still misses Pablo so much, but she has to be strong if she really wants to survive.
Though she did have some experience from those years she had stayed with her aunt in Texas, she knew she needed a helper to run the business perfectly well. But now that seems to be the bigger problem. Where can she find one, a trustworthy and faithful one?
Maybe, she just has to start day one alone, or probably her first week. Then she’ll have to think of a way to find this helper for herself.
She returned back home, feeling excited with her new plans and business. She picked her phone, and she wished she had some how leave with Pablo’s contact in her mind.
But she was staring at her new mobile phone, a new life, a new beginning. A new home, and a new hope.
She didn’t forget to set her alarm before going to bed.
****
≈THE NEXT DAY~ 5:30AM≈
*
Anastasia woke up to the loud sound of her alarm clock. She jerked up. “Happy first day at work, Ana.” She said happily to herself, stepping out of her bed.
She rushed to the bathroom, she had a quick brush and shower too. She opened her wardrobe, taking out a simple navy blue shirt and a black knee level pencil skirt which gave her a perfect match for her body.
She applied a little make-up on her face, dressing her hair in the best way she can. She took her small handbag with her, staring at herself for the last time in the mirror.
“Wow, Ana, never knew you were in such good shape. Micheal almost took that away from you.” She scoffed. “That @$$h0le.” She cursed.
For Micheal’s sake, Anastasia haven’t stopped thanking heaven for Vito’s idea to send her here. Now she’s free like the birds without thoughts or worries.
She boarded a taxi to her store. And with immediate effect, she started cooking different kinds of dishes. After she was done with all these, which was around a few minutes to seven, she turned the shop menu to “OPEN.”
For a start, what do you expect?
She never expected such a number of customers in her shop though there were only a few of them, yet, Anastasia was grateful. Some thing was bothering her, some thing that seemed important for her storehouse.
She looked around her shop, what is she forgetting? “Come on. Come on, Ana, you’re forgetting some thing.” She slapped her forehead. “Think, Ana, think.”
She went outside, staring at her shop. The outside looks a bit naked to draw customers. But what is it that was actually missing? She thought hard.
“f_ck, why didn’t I think of this.” She remembered she had forgotten to hang a sign on her shop. “That’s a job for tomorrow.” She said to herself.
She returns into her shop, parking every thing and washing the dirty plates. The weather was becoming dark, and the road slowly grew scanty with vehicles. It was time to go home.
She was lucky to find a taxi which drove her back home. Dropping her bag on the couch, she headed to the bathroom for a warm shower.
She felt some part of her body was paining her, so she felt reluctant in the water. “First day at work, not bad after all.”
~~~~
To Be Continued…