CHAPTER 79: A TOAST TO AN ALLIANCE
Sam had invited Emma for a little time_out at the beach that morning. It was a sunny day and before her shift that night, Emma felt she needed the time-out. Sam had ordered for some orange juice while they stretched themselves on the camp beds facing the sea.
“So what’s your take on this beach? ” Sam asked her while directing the waiter towards her to hand her a glass of orange juice.
“I like this place. ” she replied collecting the glass of ice filled orange juice from the waiter.
“You know” she said while taking a sip. “You are making Chicago quite eventful. ” she told Sam who immediately smiled.
“I am glad I am helping. ” he replied placing his almost empty drink beside his camp bed.
“There is so much to write about here. ” she told Sam. “The ocean precisely. ” she outlined.
Emma could feel the effect of the sea breeze on her skin.
“Well I brought you here to relax but it seems your senses have started to work already. Relax Emma. ” Sam said with a smile.
Emma giggled and said “My inspiration is mostly driven by relaxation and recreation centers.” She was playing with the straw in her drink.
Meanwhile, Sam had been reading some of Emma’s content which she made available to him.
“How is business? ” she asked him centering the discussion on him now.
“With our latest accomplishment and partnership, I’ll say business is blossoming. ” he said and went for his glass.
“You are doing well Sam. ” she commended him and he nodded with a smile uttering “Thanks. ”
“I have thought about your proposal. ” Emma said after sitting up.
At the mention of accepting his proposal, Sam sat up too. He couldn’t hide the excitement on his face.
“I am in. ” declared Emma and Sam immediately smiled.
The proposition was for sam to teach Emma all there is about owning a bar and stuffs centered around building her own business.
“Why don’t we have lunch in the cafeteria nearby then we start work immediately. ” Sam said to Emma and she nodded in approval.
After they had eaten Lunch, Sam drove Emma to the outskirt of the town and she kept wondering why they were driving there. He parked the car in front of a bush bar with a bold inscription on top titled “SMITHS. ”
“Welcome to one of my bars. ” Small said pointing at the bush bar to Emma.
The place was zinc roofed which gave it a unique feature. The customers could be seen from the outside because there were no windows just a door. It was an open area and the vicinity had the settings of a conventional club except that it was made of bricks and roofed like an old building.
“Wow! ” Emma said marveling at the sight before her.This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .
“Come with me. ” Sam said inviting her to take more steps further which she did walking closely behind him.
“Mr. Smith. ” said the waiter Emma and Sam first came in contact with.
“You are welcome sir. ” the waiter greeted taking a bow and waving at Emma after lifting his head up.
Emma took more steps after Sam as they entered into a different section of the bar which was disintegrated from the whole building. Emma knew it was the office building. It was small and uniquely built.
“Mr. Sam. ” greeted the man they had met seating inside the first office they went into.
The man immediately stood up and offered to shake Sam who reciprocated. Emma and Sam sat in the two vacant wooden chairs before the man. Emma looked around and noticed the traditional equipments that were used to decorate the place.
“How’s work? ” Sam asked the short plumb man which Emma assumed to be the manager there.
“Everything is good sir. ” the replied placing his hands on his desk. “I’ll send my report of the week later. ” he added and Sam nodded.
Few minutes later, they were out of the office and were taking a stroll around the bush bar.
“I never knew you had another bar outside the city. ” Emma told Sam.
“I have two other more. ” he replied adjusting his Rolex watch.
“That’s impressive. ” Emma commended.
“Sit. ” he said to Emma while pointing to a large chair carved out of wood in the VIP lounge of the bush bar. Emma was surprised that a VIP lounge was carved out in the bush bar. She and Sam were seated in it. Shortly, a waitress dressed in the exact uniform the waitresses wear at the bar in town placed a bottled of wine before them.
“In business Emma. ” Sam began opening the bottle of wine the waitress had just placed before them.
“You need to expand and that is why it is important to create branches around but only when you are strong enough. ” he said to her while handing a glass of wine to her.
“Before I opened this branch, I had ensured my presence was dwelling among the people. ” Sam said while returning the cap back on the bottle.
“Capital, Passion and partnership is what you need to grow a business but all this without expansion will take you no where. ” he explained while Emma paid keen attention.
“In business. ” continued Sam while taking a sip of wine from his glass.
“There will always be competition. ” he continued. “There are thousands of clubs and bars scattered across Chicago but Smith’s club has the farthest reach.” narrated Sam while Emma nodded. He is right.
“Don’t loose focus in business Emma. Approach your competitors in the market by snatching away their targets and use their weakness to form your strength” he explained with his hands while Emma kept nodding.
“You must involve the people in all you do and don’t you dare joke with investors and your sponsors. ” he warned as Emma drank from her glass.
“Do you understand why I was mad when Larry spilled Vodka on Mc Bryan the other day? ” he asked and Emma watched his eyes.
“Elate your customers, pamper your investors and they shall carry you to a greater height. ” Sam said relaxing his back on the wooden chair.
“So are you ready Emma ?” he asked staring directly into her eyes. She heaved a deep sigh and nodded.
He smiled and said ” I’m happy to help you work on your business and most importantly get revenge Emma” Sam said and they shared a toast.