They left Richard completely broken, as they walked hand and hand out the apartment. A loud sigh of relief escaped Heather's lips. Freedom feels good.
His car was parked in the usual parking spot. Heather's hand reached for the door handle. Roman shot her a quick look. The kind of look that told her she did something wrong. Her hand returned to her side. Roman walked around the car to open the door.
"Get in." Roman ordered
Heather climbs in. Roman returns to the driver's side opening the door. The car starts and they are off. Cruising down the street headed to Roman's meeting.
The line is wrapped around the building. This is different from the small dispensary he had seen a couple of days ago. Inside all four registers are open. Workers are running around shouting. Nicole is in the middle of all. Controlling the flow like a point guard. She is working at the middle register but also giving orders.
Bruce was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. It seemed crazy but there was a fluidity to it. Roman's gaze met Nicole's.
She called for someone from the back to take her place. She needed time to take the meeting with Roman.
She buzzed Roman and Heather into the back. They met in the same office as the last time.
The dispensary had done a complete 180. Nicole had been struggling to keep the doors open. Now she is struggling with an overflow of customers. In the time since she talked to Roman, profits had skyrocketed.
His face was mix of shock and pride. An investment he made on a whim is paying off big time. How could he not be excited? He may be presenting a calm demeanor on the outside but inside he is doing backflips.
Roman had received and signed the contract. So he and Nicole are officially business partners. Just when he thought his day couldn't get any better he got a notification.
[System Notice]
Passive Skill: Profit Monster
Skill status: Active
Skill description: When a business the user is invested in turns a profit the profit is increase 10X. The system then divides the over profit by 5. That amount is then deposited into the user bank account.
Business Overall Profit: $300,000
Skill Reward: $60,000
Account Balance: $378,500
His smile went from one ear to other. He was making an killing with just one investment. Off the dispensary alone he has made $160,000. $260,000 on Friday when his passive income skill kicks in.
Seeing his account grow only made him want more. More money, more women, why just settle for revenge when he can have so much more. He could own this city and turn it into his personal playground.
"One Step at a time. First, I need to build my wealth. Wealth will guarantee more influence. Influence will guarantee that when I am ready to their lives a living hell I can. " Roman muttered to himself.
His account balance is growing steady. $378,500 isn't chump change by any means. He is confident that he can grow his account to over 3 million in 3 weeks. Sure he could easily just throw money into garbage investments. But he wants to be smart. Grow his account on two fronts. The profits he receives through the investments themselves is one way. The other way is through his system benefits.
The meeting was quick. Only about 10 minutes tops.
Driving home his thoughts drifted to his mother. She worked every day at a shitty motel to make sure Roman and his sister had everything they needed. He remembers waking up early to pack her a lunch. The days she fell asleep at the kitchen table after helping his sister with her math homework. He remembers the days she would bring them to work with her.
He remembers how she dreamed of owning her own hotel. The look in her eyes as she talked him through the design. The excitement in her voice when discussing even the mundane details. Things that most people would dread. Like filing the necessary paperwork and taxes.
Heather placed her hand on his thigh. Her touch brought Roman back to the present. A gentle smile formed on his face as he placed his hand on top of hers. From the look in his eyes she knew something was bothering him. But she didn't want to pry. That was something she learned from her mother. Give people time they will open up when they feel they're ready. Asking too many questions too fast can make a person uncomfortable. The best thing you can do for a person is to show them that you are there for them.
"Thank you." Roman said gently caressing Heather's cheek.
It may be a small show of affection but for Heather it meant the world. Just that small bit of affection makes her feel valued. It makes her feel seen. That's all she ever wanted. A man to see her and value her. In the short time they have known each other Roman has done that. He listens to her. Like really listens. He wants to understand her point of view.
He made a left turn on 24th street. Taking Exit 10 heading east. Heather sat in the passenger seat enjoying the ride. The radio played out school R&B which Heather sang beautifully. She hit every note. Her performance almost brought a tear to his eyes. 25 minutes later they were sitting in front of an open field.
He was silent. Just staring at the field. Tears began running down his face. Remembering how his mother would have him pick up the trash outside. They had the corner house, so a lot of times people drove pass and threw their trash out the window. Remembering how she parked her Green Tarus on the side of the garage that opened to the street. He misses her more than words could ever explain. She was his strength, his light, his best friend, and ever since she passed the world hasn't seemed right.
Drying his tears Roman got back in the car. His eyes red nose snotty.
"I love you Mom" Roman uttered to himself while staring down at his tattoo.
10039 Heyden
"Is everything alright babe?" Heather asked wearing a look of genuine concern.
"Yeah, I'm Okay"
"You were crying just now. Can I ask why? It is perfectly okay to tell me to mind my business."
"No, it's okay. There used to be a house there and that house is where my mother died."
Her heart sank.
"I'm sorry babe."
"It's okay. I come by here every so often. Being here just gave me an idea about something."
After visiting his old neighborhood his mind was made up. Since his mother never got to realize her dream. He is going to do it for her. He is going to open the best hotel. It's going to be decorated exactly how she would want it.
[System Notice]
Bonus Quest: Open and Grow a Hotel Chain
Quest Details: User must open a grow a Hotel business. User must establish multiple locations in different cities within the specified time frame. Failing this quest will result in the user losing 10% of his wealth.
Quest Time Frame:2 years
Quest Reward: Skill upgrade-the skill Profit Monster will be upgraded from bronze to Silver. Silver Profit Monster increases the payout to the user.
Quest Reward: Skill: Motivator- The Motivator skill is a passive that allows the user to motivate others simply by being in his presence.
Quest Reward: Skill: Dominating Aura- This skill makes others bend to the user's will.
Quest Reward: 10X the initial start-up investment paid in passive income once a week.
Would the user like to track his progress on this quest?
Yes or No
"Yes" Roman said under his breath.
[System Notice]
The Bonus Quest: Open and Grow a Hotel Chain has been moved to the top of quest list.
Quest Progress: 0%