Abigail placed several photos of buildings right in front of Flavia. "Those are some of the locations suggested by my friends." Said her friend, now her cousin, while sipping her cold juice. Currently, they are sitting relaxed in one of the shops in the campus area. "I prefer this location." She pointed at a two-story shophouse that had just been renovated. "Compared to other shophouses, the rental costs are indeed higher. But everything is appropriate because the building has just been renovated." She said, explaining.
Flavia examined the photos that Abigail gave her one by one before making a final decision. It's not that she doesn't believe in Abigail's choice, but this is a matter between them, so they must reach a final agreement together.
Abigail and Flavia have worked together to manage the cafe for the last five years. Even though they initially started the cafe with funds from their parents, their hard work gradually paid off. They became owners and managers of their cafe, which has expanded from one cafe to three cafes with different offerings.
Korean, Japanese and Western. Flavia and Abigail established three concepts in each cafe with contemporary models. Of course, their target market is young people who like to hang out and culinary lovers.
One of their cafes that burned down last time was a Korean food cafe-one of their cafes with the highest level of visitors and guaranteed reciprocal income.
Flavia took a deep breath. Her final choice is ultimately the same as Abigail's. Abigail's instincts regarding business so far have rarely failed, so this time, Flavia will follow suit.
"When can we check the location?" Flavia asked as she returned the photos to her friend.
"We can survey the field as soon as possible. I'll contact the owner first." She said as she grabbed her cell phone and made a call while, at the same time, Flavia felt her head throbbing wildly. She had not slept enough for the past few days, and his concentration was split between lectures and cafes. This caused his body condition to decline.
Currently, Flavia should have started working again at her father's company after submitting her resignation a year ago because she had to focus on writing her thesis. However, instead of returning to work, she focused more on taking care of her cafe and completing her master's degree.
People might think that Flavia is chasing titles. But that's not the fact. What happened was that she wanted to finish college because Flavia felt she was pressed for time and mainly because Flavia was afraid she would be too lazy to study.
You know, when you feel comfortable with your job and satisfied with your salary, some people don't even want to continue studying and prefer to work. Meanwhile, Flavia thought she couldn't work, study and develop her cafe simultaneously. His tiny brain will not be able to carry all that burden. Moreover, after starting her career, her interests tended to be more in the culinary field than construction. She prefers flexible time rather than being stuck with office working hours. Even though her father often grumbled about it.
Abigail had sat back down. "We can go there this afternoon. Don't you have any other classes?" Flavia shook her head. "Are you okay?" she asked worriedly. "Your face is pale." Abigail touched Flavia's forehead with the back of her hand. "But you don't have a fever."
Flavia brushed her friend's hand away with a smile. "I'm okay." The answer was calming. "Just a lack of sleep."
"Didn't I tell you that you shouldn't be too tired? Don't overthink about it. The loss that the cafe is experiencing won't make our cash run minus Via."
"Yeah, I know. But it can't be helped. Every time I close my eyes, I imagine cafe problems." She answered with an amused chuckle that made Abigail shake her head.
"Want to rest first in the apartment?" Flavia's nod answered her offer. The apartment in question is the apartment belonging to Abigail's uncle, which Abigail now lives in because the owner is not there. And that place is the second most comfortable place after her parents' house.
They left in Abigail's car. The throbbing in her head didn't subside; instead, it got worse every minute. Flavia should have asked Abigail to stop her car at a pharmacy or minimarket to buy headache medicine. But before she said it, they had already arrived at the basement of Abigail's apartment.
They walked in silence towards Abigail's apartment, which was on the fifteenth floor towards the apartment where Abigail had lived for the past two years. Four years earlier, the owner rented the apartment to someone else before Abigail finally used it. And since Abigail lived there, Flavia also spent more time there. Flavia is reluctant to admit it, but she likes spending time there to relieve her longing for the apartment owner who chose to continue his comparative medical study program in Germany.
The owner of the apartment is Gladwin-the younger brother of Abigail's father and also the older twin of Flavia's stepmother, Claire.
Gladwin is a man who has always been Flavia's idol. Even though until now no one has ever known, because she kept all those feelings tightly to herself.
Gladwin Hampton. A handsome man with a cheerful smile who always brightens Flavia's heart when she sees him, even though the man himself never knows.
Hmmm… Gladwin. How is her step-uncle?
It had been five years since her uncle had left America, and for two years, they had not seen each other even though there was a big family event. Did he miss her? Because honestly, Flavia herself missed him.
She misses him even though she never says it.
Flavia wanted to close her eyes, hoping the figure she missed could stop by for a moment in her dreams and replace the nightmare that had been haunting him for the past two weeks.