Chapter 17: Buying A Truck  (Seth)

"Good morning, grandfather!" I greeted him as I entered his office.

"Why are you here again?" Grandfather asked, annoyed.

"Grandfather, how come you're always annoyed to see me?" I asked playfully.

"Because I only see you when you need something from me." He replied, deadpan.

"Well, should I say what I needed then?" I asked, awkwardly.

"Yes, go ahead." Grandfather sighed.

"I want to take out a loan to buy a truck. Can you help me, grandfather?" I asked and saw my grandfather glared at me.

I swear he was thinking of the worse case scenario right now.

"Before you say anything grandfather, it's for business. It was Athena who suggested it. She wanted to open another shop." I explained and grandfather looked shocked.

I'm not lying. It was really Athena who said it. I mean I wanted it too but it was Athena who said it out loud.

"Can you already open another shop? Didn't you just open one?" He asked, curiously.

"Athena said we can and since the year would end soon, it will be more profitable to open another clothing store now." I explained.

"Does your wife know how to do business?" Grandfather asked skeptically.

"Honestly, she knows more than me." I replied.

"If you loan the car, are you sure you can pay it back?" Grandfather asked.

"Yes, I believe so." I replied.

Grandfather stared at me as if he's seeing through my soul before opening his safe and taking out some documents.

"Here are the stores your mother left for you. Choose which one you will use to open another store." He said as he showed me five documents.

I looked one by one and chose the one that's a little bit closer to our current shop. It was one bus stop away.

"As for your loan, I'll go with you. When do you plan to buy the truck?" He asked.

"I haven't really thought of which truck to buy yet." I replied and grandfather looked annoyed.

He sighed and stood up.

"Let's go." He said.

"Go? Where?" I asked, confused.

"To look for your truck. Do you even know how to drive one? Do you have a license?" He asked and I nodded.

"I learned in the army." I replied.

Grandfather called for his secretary, Uncle Sam, and he drove us to a car dealer.

Grandfather told me to look around and see if there's something I like. I have to say looking at so many vintage cars was really exciting.

The salesman was very eager to tell me about the car and answer all of my questions. After about an hour of looking around, I found a car that's not too expensive and would be ideal for carrying heavy cargo.

"How much did the truck cost?" Grandfather asked.

"It's 4,500 owo. He said if we pay it in cash he'll give us a 5% discount, so it'll be 4,275 owo." I replied.

"Tell him we'll pay in cash." Grandfather replied and I looked at him in shock.

"We'll talk later. Go and finish the paperwork." He said.

I went to the salesman and followed Grandfather's instructions. Once I'm done filling up forms, Grandfather handed them the money.

"Go and drive the truck around this block. Let's see if you really know how to." Grandfather ordered.

I excitedly got the car keys and drove around the block as grandfather ordered.

"Good. Now, lead the way to the shop." He said and I headed back to our shop.

I'm excited to show it to Athena also. I parked the truck in front of the store to show Athena. She was pretty shocked when she saw it.

"I thought you were only going to ask grandfather." She said, surprised.

"Yeah, I did but grandfather said to go look for one now and bought it." I replied.

"Athena, long time no see." Grandfather greeted her and she looked surprised and a bit teary.

I then remembered her nightmare the other day. She dreamt that grandfather would be killed. I'm honestly wondering if it's a dream, a premonition, or a warning because I know that my grandfather will die next year.

"Let's go inside and have a talk. Sam, just wait inside. I'll be done quickly. I'm just gonna check some things." Grandfather said so we led him inside the store.

"Alright then. Let's discuss your payment for the truck but first, Athena, did you really suggest buying one?" Grandfather asked her.

It seems like grandfather didn't really trust me. Am I really that untrustworthy in his eyes?

"Yes, grandfather. I think it would be easier for Seth to buy goods if he has his own truck rather than renting one." Athena replied.

"And you want to open another store?" Grandfather asked again.

"Yes, the business is quite good. I think it would be good to add another shop." She replied again.

"Aren't you being too greedy?" Grandfather asked.

"Grandfather! That's out of line." I intervened.

"It's alright, Seth." Athena said as she patted my hand.

"Grandfather, I'm not being greedy but the truth is, this one shop is not enough of a source of income for us. We have a big family and the children are still young. In the future we would need to send them to university and also prepare for their marriage. All these things cost a lot of money." Athena explained.

Grandfather stared at the both of us before smiling.

"That's good that you know that. Now, for the payment, do you have any suggestions?" Grandfather asked us.

"I'm planning to get a 3 year loan so would it be alright for us to pay you in 3 years?" I asked.

"3 years… hmm… alright. I'm fine with that." He replied.

"How much interest are you going to add?" I asked.

"I don't need to add interest. I'm your grandfather! Consider it as borrowing money." Grandfather exclaimed offendedly.

I felt touched when he said that. Right, this is family.

"Do you have enough capital for another shop?" Grandfather asked and I nodded.

I still have some money and I think it would be enough. Grandfather looked at me before pulling out 300 owo and giving it to me.

"Return it back by the end of the year." He said.

I stared at the money he gave me and felt warmth in my heart. Grandfather might have kept on doubting me but he would always have our back. I should really return the money as soon as possible. I'm sure that this money must've emptied my grandfather's savings.

I sighed when I remembered grandfather's future. I need to think of a way to save him. Based on the script, grandfather will have a heart attack next year.

Should I get him to a hospital and do a full body exam? That's not a bad idea. I should go do that once the shop stabilizes.

Grandfather left after that and I explained to Athena what happened earlier and showed her the deed to the new store.

"Should I inform Cynthia about her promotion?" Athena asked and I nodded.

I told her I'm going to visit the other shop with the foreman today so they could start working on the shop tomorrow.

After we got home that day, I discussed with Athena about my plan to have my grandfather have a full body exam.

"I think that's a good idea since grandfather is already old." Athena agreed enthusiastically.

"I'll bring him to have a check up after we stabilize the new shop." I replied.

"Right, I'm also thinking about sending the children to a martial arts school so they will know how to protect themselves and so that they could exhaust all the excess energy in their body." Athena said.

"Sure. I'll go ask around tomorrow. Are the girls joining too?" I asked.

"Yes, just so they can exercise too." She replied.

I'm not comfortable sending them to learn things that could enhance their chances of being a serial killer.

Should I decline letting the girls learn?

"Ummm… I know we have a lot of expenses lately but I think it'll be good for the children to enjoy their youth even if they don't end up liking martial arts, I want them to know that they can try new things." Athena explained.

I'm not exactly against them trying new things. It's just that my daughter's future is a bit scary.

"Ashley is already 10 too and she's still a bit closed off and shy, all the other girls are the same while David and the other boys are a bit spoiled. If they go to martial arts class, maybe it'll build their character better." Athena continued.

I looked at her and realized that she really wanted to send them to martial arts school.

"Alright then. I'll go look for a good school." I replied reassuringly.

Should I start sleeping with my one eye open from now on? Surely, I have changed their minds about me, right? I'm a good dad now, right?