Chapter 5

It’s Tuesday, the day I go out to the city to look for a space for my pastry shop. I got ready just in time for the realtor I saw online last night to call.

“Amelia? Hi, this is Josh Brown. The realtor from last night.” 

“Oh hi, this is Amelia. Yes.”

“Good. I have three spaces to show you today, if you can come to the address I just texted you in fifteen minutes.”

“On my way. Thank you.”

I end the call and check my text for the address and put it on my map as i go out to my car.

“First day of the rest of Amelia 2.0,” I said to the steering wheel as I adjusted my car seat.

I text  Emma the address for the space and the realtor's address and phone number for cautionary purposes, then hit the road. I get there in ten minutes and Josh is already there waiting.

“Nice to meet you Josh, sorry I kept you waiting.”

“It’s okay. Ready to check the space now?’ he asks, and I nod in excitement.

We proceed to check the space, this one isn’t like I envisioned it. I take some pictures and ask him the price for this space. Even though the price is not so bad, the space isn’t what i’m looking for, so we head over to the next space. I drove us there, and on the drive there I got to learn more about Josh and I could tell he liked me and wanted me in one of his properties. As we got into the street of the second space, which was a five minute drive from the first space, I knew this space would be the one. The street is a busy one, offices and residential houses are scattered around the street. When we pull up in front of the space, I fall in love with it. This was definitely the one. I look across the street and see what looks like a newly completed building with a huge signage that says ‘Hughs wine’, and I smile to myself. This is definitely the universe saying something, wine and chocolate are best friends and this space will be New York’s new favorite place for both wine and my chocolate.

“Josh, this is the one. I’m taking it.” 

“Thing is, a lot of people have booked to see this space next tuesday. To claim it, payment has to be made before or by the end of the week.”

“Can we go over the fees I need to pay? And can I take some photos?”

“Sure, I'll send them to you as soon as I get back to the office. Once you make payments, we sign an agreement and I hand you the key to the space.”

“Like the sound of that. Thank you Josh.”

“You’re welcome. Have a good day.”

“Thanks, you too.”

A car pulls up in front of the space to pick up Josh, and as locks up the space he waves goodbye, enters the car and zooms off. My phone rings, my dad. I answer on the third ring.

“Hey princess, how are you?”

“Good dad, how are you?”

“Better than I was yesterday.”

“Ha ha, still got jokes, don’t you?”

“Always. I read your text this morning. How is that plan coming along?”

“I met with the realtor earlier and saw a space I really love, but I have to pay for it before the weekend so it’s not taken by someone else. The area is good for business.”

“The price okay? I’m willing to invest as long as this is what you want, princess.”

“Will get to know the price by evening, and thank you dad. I’ll pay you back once the business is standing on its feet. I have some money saved that can cover my rent and buy some items I need for the shop. I just need money for rent and pastry items and equipments.”

“Let me know the total cost of what you need soon, okay?”

“Sure dad, thanks. Love you.”

“Love you too princess. I have to go now.”

“Bye dad.”

After the call ended, I got into my car and sent the photos I took to Emma and drove to the farmer’s market that was 20 minutes away. I get there, park by the road and head to the bakery item section. After telling a few vendors what I plan to achieve, they give me prices for the things I need with their contact card and point me in the direction of the flea market where I can get furniture for the space.

The flea market had a lot of beautiful things that were so affordable. I got some tables, chairs, lights, boards, and some utensils. If Emma finds out I shopped for these items before paying for the space, she’d kill me. But those items wanted me to take them so bad. I take the smaller items, and give my address to the delivery man to bring the bigger and heavier ones. I get back to my car and my phone chimes, indicating a text. The text is from Josh about the rent and every payment i’m supposed to make, the rent and utility bill was quite moderate.

I get home really exhausted, after drinking a glass of juice from the fridge I get my journal and start writing out the cost for everything I need. It all summed up as $4,500, I picked up my phone to call my dad. He doesn’t respond, he should be working right now, so i send him a text with a breakdown of everything i need and sleep off. I wake up to the sound of my doorbell.

“Coming.” I shouted to whoever was at the door.

“Hey girl.” Emma greeted as she hugged me.

“I saw a lot of furniture just outside on my way in, who’s moving?” Emma asks.

I can’t lie to her,even if that was all I wanted to do, “All mine for the pastry shop.”

“You paid for it already?”

“Not yet, still waiting to get the money from my dad. But those furniture called out to me and I answered.” I tell her dreamily.

“We both know furniture can’t speak, but they are really beautiful and would suit the place you sent. Proud of you girl.” She looked genuinely happy and not mad.

I check my phone and see a voicemail from my dad and a notification from my venmo. Dad sent $5k. I quickly sent him a text, promising to call him as soon as everything about the business is settled.

“Everything okay?” Emma asked.

“Perfect. About paying for the space and living my dream.” 

“I’m here if you need any help, okay? And I'm staying the night, so we can go over the plan and arrangement.”

“I love you. Thank you.” I hugged her.