Breaking Free From Envy

Kabanata 45

"So, what do you think?" Tanong ko kay Asher na matamang nakinig sa proposal ko.

"You have it all thought in just a month?" Tinanguan ko siya. Well, I don't go out for a battle without preparing. Muli niyang binuklat ang bawat page na nakaipit sa see through folder. Inside of it were the documents I made research within a month after naming pag-usapan ni Jem ang tungkol sa pagtatayo ko ng private investigation and security firm.

That includes the plan of the specifics of the business such as the name of the business, scope and limits of the kind of service to be provided, the startup and ongoing cost, target market, and customer's charge. 

The business will not be a sole proprietorship but a partnership. That's why I'm asking him to be my partner. The documents also include the papers needed to process it legally upon its registration for taxes. That's why I already applied for an EIN via mail. 

Why did I choose him as my partner in this business endeavor? Well, bukod sa he's a trusted friend, proven and tested, we already had a business bank account together. We'll just have to get a business insurance and business credit card. Since naging hobby na namin ang mag-invest ng pera sa kung saan-saan. Gusto yata niyang mapabilang sa top 10 youngest billionaire in the country.

Kaya sigurado akong hindi siya tatanggi. And because I have good connections, I already had people in mind who will work in the accounting section, security, detectives, ITs for our Web presence,  agents, business service information, promotion and market for the firm's brand, legalities for services contract and even in the administration. I had it all planned.

"Wow. Requirements... nailakad na? Ang galing."

"That's what you get if an Uncle favored you so much." Natawa pa ako nang maalala nang malaman niya, hindi ko alam kung paano at kanino, na magtatayo ako ng sarili kong firm.

"An ally or an additional competitor?" That's what exactly he asked me. I just answered - neither.

I don't want to accept his offer of help but he insisted and it's not as if I'd like to apply and get all the requirements needed to establish a business as big as this. It is not just a simple business with two or three offices for all the employers. But we will be putting up our own 5-storey building in a 1,000 sq. m. lot. 

"This is ambiguous."

Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Does it sound impossible?"

"How- Where did you get the money for the lot and the materials para sa itatayong building? And-"

I stop him from talking. "I just need your yes. If you can't... just say no-"

"This is..."Naiiling niyang wika. "Saan ka nga kumuha at kukuha ng napakalaking pera?" pag-uulit niya. Ibinagsak niya ang folder sa pagitan naming dalawa. We're here in a fast food restaurant. Dito kami nagkita para pag-usapan ang proposal ko.

Nagseryoso ako ng mukha. "I sold my other kidney..."  bulong ko.