CHAPTER 11: RETAIL BUSINESS

The funds that she was given weren’t a lot for her to start a large business, at least the kind that most people would want.

Being a foreigner limited her greatly, and there wasn’t much that she could do. However, she had a perfect short-term project which could give her profits in the last three months she was going to spend in Botwaru before returning to her homeland.

In her yard, the landlady built a small shop. This shop was located alongside the road, and with their road being one of the main streets in the neighborhood, if she was to open a retail business, the business would flourish.

Her landlady once encouraged her to start that kind of business, however, her lack of trust in other people caused her to decline politely the matter of doing so.

She was afraid of the staff pilfering the inventory. It was quite tiring to count the inventory daily to record how much sales had been made. If she were to sell by herself, then that problem wouldn’t occur. But when goods for sale exchange hands so many times, then embezzlement of money or loss of goods would occur.

She didn’t have the luxury to take such risks, so in the years she had been staying at this compound, she didn’t dare open such a business.

But now without any job, her time was free. She could sell in the shop and write as well while being at home. So why not try?

With that thought in mind, Trinity started getting busy as she jotted down the inventory list of what she would need if she were to start this business.

As someone who buys her groceries at a wholesaler, she knew the prices of certain things, so she jotted down what she knew versus the quantity.

Once she was done, she also noted down some of the crucial things that she would need. For example, the trading license. It was quite cheap and only accessible to the locals. She would have to talk to her landlady.

After jotting everything down, she was quite unsettled, seeing how her list required more of which she didn’t have.

Anyway, she would remove some and only buy what she deems necessary once she visits the shop.

Once she was done, she climbed down from the bed, wore her slippers and walked to the door.

Trinity opened the door and got out. She locked the door and stashed the keys in her pocket. With her house secured, she started walking towards the main house where her landlady lived.

She wasn’t working anymore and relying more on the rent plus selling some of her farm fresh produce. So, most of the time, she would be at home watching TV. She was a homebody and not one of those women who loved going around the neighborhood to gossip.

“Trinity, good morning!” as she made her way to the main house, another tenant greeted her cheerfully.

Trinity looked at the female tenant with a smile and responded cheerfully as well, “Morning, Pelo!” waving her hand at her.

“Going to see, Mma?”

“Um,” Trinity responded. “Are you going somewhere?” asked Pelo, who was dressed beautifully and making her way towards the gate.

Pelo smiled at her as she answered, “Going to town. Need to pick a few things.”

Trinity nodded in understanding and added a few more words before they went their separate ways.

Trinity reached the landlady’s house and knocked on her door lightly.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Moments later, a response came. “Who is it?”

“Mma Gorata, it’s me, Trinity!” she answered, listening to the sound of footsteps making their way to the door.

“Oh~~ it’s you! Wait, a moment!” the landlady sounded, and Trinity waited indeed.

Creak.

After a moment, the door opened, revealing the middle-aged woman who was quite friendly and acted more like a mother to everyone in her yard.

“Good morning, Mma!” upon seeing the landlady, Trinity greeted her with a smile.

Mma Gorata smiled back at her as she stepped aside, responding, “Good morning to you too. Please get in!”

Trinity didn’t stand on ceremony but entered the house naturally.

Mma Gorata closed the door behind her and the two of them settled on the sofas in the living room, which was the first when entering the house.

After sitting down, Mma Gorata looked at Trinity and asked, “Is there any problem? Why are you here to see me?” curious about why the other wanted to see her.

Trinity was expecting such a question. After all, she wasn’t a person who loved visiting the landlady all the time. Unless it was time to pay for rent and other utilities, the only time that they met was when the landlady was paying back the loans, she took from her.

So, visiting her around this time aroused suspicion.

Nevertheless, she smiled at Mma Gorata and revealed her intentions. “I wanted to ask if you have plans for your shop. I wanted to rent it for three months.”

When Mma Gorata heard that, her eyes lit up as she looked at Trinity amusedly. “You have thought about it, finally?” she asked smilingly, loving what she was hearing.

Hearing the anticipation in her tone, Trinity couldn’t help but scratch her nose shyly, not expecting such enthusiasm.

“Yes. So, I was wondering if it’s still possible!”

“Oh! It is still available. When do you want to start?”

Hearing that Trinity beamed and started to discuss the matter with the landlady. She didn’t hide anything from her and even exposed the fact that the job was gone and that she would be returning to her home country in early April.

For now, she just needed to find a way to multiply the money she had on hand. That way, when she headed back home, she would have something.

“It’s indeed quite a pity, but thank goodness you aren’t giving up. I will rent you the shop for a good price. But if you are starting this month, then I will let you use it for free. That way, you can recoup something, but starting next month, I expect you to pay. You don’t need to worry about the license. I will get it done as soon as possible.”

Trinity felt grateful when she heard that. Rent was another expense that she didn’t like a lot.

“Thank you very much. I truly appreciate it!” she gratefully thanked Mma Gorata for her magnanimity.

With the main problem sorted, Trinity received the keys and bade Mma Gorata farewell. Time didn’t wait for anyone.

There was still time before nightfall, so once she returned to her room, she changed her clothes and packed her small bag before leaving.

She was going to hit the iron whilst it was hot. Procrastination would only delay her earnings.