Loveless♣

Chapter Thirteen

"But how is it that you own that company, Nini?"Emiko asked,frowning."I've known that company for years now."
"Yeah,"Joshua said,agreeing with him."I buy the products for my sister sometimes."
Nina rolled her eyes and sighed.
"Okay,listen.When Bella and I were kids,say fourteen years old,we used to go work for this large company during the summer.It's called Black Glass Corporation, ever heard of it?"
"Yeah,"they replied eagerly,urging her to go on.
"We used to work there intermittently:during school breaks,summer,Thanksgiving etcetera etcetera.Bella was the one who got us the job.She was well known,still is anyway."
"That we are well aware of,"Emiko said,nodding at Joshua."Right,Josh?"
"Right,"he agreed,remembering Terrence.
"We worked there for five years,doing all sorts of things,"Nina said.
"What sort of things?"Joshua asked.
"Marketing,sales,distribution and all that.We were paid well.We also served as intermediaries between the company and our peer groups.We were very interactive with the EDs,too.That is,the executive directors.Like I said,Bella was well known,so they were fond of her.Especially Ian."
"Ian?" Joshua asked suddenly."As in,the Ian Glass?As in the owner of Black Glass Corporation?"
She frowned."Yes,Joshua.Now don't interrupt me,please,let me finish."
"Right,"he said."Sorry,carry on."
"Now,Ian had a daughter,René, and he'd assigned to her a division of Black Glass.As you know,Black Glass deals mostly in automotives and avionics.But,they have numerous divisions.They have a division for toys that bear remarkable resemblance to the actual automobiles Black Glass creates,and because Ian loved to gamble,he built many casinos under Black Glass.Anyway,René made her division of Black Glass Corporation about style and fashion.She opened a subcommittee and Bella and I were part of it.The name of her division was Tigresses...,"Nina said,and watched as the boys' eyes widened."I'm getting to the part where you'll finally understand how Bella and I acquired the company."
They nodded.
"Now,for someone who came up with such a stupendous idea for Black Glass,René was frightfully dull when it came to managing the division.She would sell thousands of clothes and shoes,and use all the profits to carouse about in various countries.The revenue de-escalated month after month,until the division began to cause a huge setback for the company.Ian wanted to shut it down,but Bella suggested that we buy it from them.Like I said,Black Glass had paid us well and over the years,we'd saved a small fortune...through discipline and determination, of course.We'd been saving all our money since we were fourteen,Bella's idea,and we worked at Black Glass for five years,so you can imagine how large the amount was.And,voilà, we bought the entire division and started our company.We sold the remainder of the goods,shipped in only beauty and hair products,which were cheaper to manage,and changed the name to Bellina Tigresses.We rebranded all the goods.We didn't even have to get a marketing team.The fact that we were once connected to the prestigious Black Glass Corporation gave us the boost we needed.That's why we're so popular,even though we started just three years ago.Do you understand now?"she asked.
Joshua blew out a long breath.
"Wow."
"Yeah,it's unbelievable," Emiko said,looking at Nina."So that's why you're carrying this expensive weave on your head,huh?"he joked,tugging her hair a little."You're a walking bank."
"No,"she laughed and slapped his hand away."This is my real hair.And focus on the most relevant thing here,Emiko.We were talking about why we needed you guys,right?"
"Because you want to manage your company fully?" Joshua suggested.
"Well,that's part of it.Since our company is such a huge success,Bella and I have decided to open a salon.It's perfect for us.It has state of the art equipment,and we already have a large customer base so it should start off just fine.But..,"her voice trailed off.
"But what?" the boys chorused.
" Right beside the shop is another salon.They're enjoined,which means that most of our customers might interchange at intervals whenever we aren't available.This would not have been problem for us if the shop was separated from ours,but our customer base is large,and we'd just be enhancing our competition's reputation if we're unable to keep a constant relationship with our clients,which will be hard since we have to attend classes,too."
"Hence,you need tutors to cover up for all the classes you'll miss,"Emiko said."Smart."
"So,"Joshua began slowly,"you'd rather go to a salon than to school just so you won't lose clients?How much do you think you'd be able to gain by learning from another student instead of your professors?"He shook his head.
"I'll double your pay,"Nina said.
"Deal,"Emiko said instantly.
Joshua frowned deeply."I think you're missing the basic point here.There's a reason we have classrooms,Nina.It's a conducive and interactive place for learning.You can communicate with your professor and other coursemates on anything you don't understand.I assure you,you'll get more from attending classes than just hiring a tutor,who happens to be a student,just like you."
"Joshua,"Emiko whispered quickly."What are you doing?"
Joshua was still focused on Nina."Why do you need to be at the salon?You own a company,can't you place some workers in the salon or something instead of ditching classes?"
Nina sighed heavily."We can't,Joshua.We need to have a one on one relationship with our clients these first few months.It's very important that we-"
"Right,"Joshua said,cutting her off."More important than your education?"
She lowered her head a little.
"Joshua,"Emiko said sharply."If you had to choose between school and a million dollar company, which would you choose,huh?Don't reprimand her for making a good choice.Heck,I'd do the same.Besides,it's not like she's skipping school entirely,right,Nina?"
"Yeah,"Nina said,raising her head a little."We'll attend classes sometimes.Plus,we'll take all the tests and exams.We're in our final year,after all.There's no way we'd jeopardize it."
"Don't worry,Nini,"Emiko said,rubbing her arm lightly, "we'll make sure to teach you better than you've ever been taught!"he enthused.
She smiled."Thank you,Emi."She looked at Joshua,wishing he could be just as understanding.She knew she shouldn't care like Bella,but people's opinions about her mattered a lot to her.Her insecurity stemmed from her shaky background.
Joshua shrugged and rose."It's your life,anyway.I'm leaving.I'd better get started on my tutoring,right?We haven't much time,and my student is a 'tigress'."He gave a wry laugh,and walked away.
"Be careful,"Emiko called after him."I heard she throws a good punch."He laughed when Joshua gave him a withering glare before leaving.
Nina didn't laugh."Why's he like that,Emi?Why doesn't he like me much?"
"Neh, don't listen to him.Joshua's dad was pretty hard on him while he was growing up.He was expected to be the best at whatever he did.He even got beaten with a stick if he ever came home with a B."
Nina gasped.
"Yeah,"Emiko said."Joshua's been through a lot."
"We all have,"Nina replied,sighing.

Hey guys!What do you think about Bella and Nina's company?Do you think education is more profitable than a million dollar company?Don't forget to vote!

Audience poll :Do you have enough savings to buy into a company?

;-)Read on.