CHAPTER 17: WHY SHOULD A WOMAN MEDDLE IN BUSINESS?
"It has to do with the inn," Terrence replied.
Gari's brow furrowed, and a scowl came on his face as he said, "This is why women shouldn't meddle in business. Are you ready to demolish that inn?"
Terrence was taken aback when he heard this, but he had no way of changing Gari's opinion. All men shared Gari's way of thinking.
Women were expected to care for the home and children. Men should start their businesses, according to the rules.
Even Gari's wife had never worked her entire life, despite the fact that this was supposed to be the standard. So, for him, finding such a hardheaded young lady trying to operate a business and, worse, competing against firms run by men, Gari always thought Chipo was a joke and that with time, she would realize how naïve she had been and finally give up her mad ambition of doing the impossible.
"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. She doesn't wish to demolish the inn per se but rather renovate it while also building a few more buildings. Would you like to take the job?"
Gari froze as he heard the exact opposite of what he was anticipating, so he inquired suspiciously, "So, is she still going to keep running the business?"
"That is the plan. When I heard her discussing the improvements, the first person who came to mind was you. So, are you interested? We don't have a lot of time!" Terrence responded urgently before asking.
Gari shrugged his shoulders as he realized what he wanted to see wasn't happening, but quickly calmed down and replied firmly to Terrence, "Sure. Why should I stand by and let money disappear when I desperately need it?"
Terrence gave a real smile and finally relaxed, "That's good then. I'm afraid you'll have to return to the inn with me now that you've accepted the job. When you meet, the young lady will tell you more about what needs to be done."
Gari had accepted his fate. Although he despised watching a woman doing what males should do, he wasn't the kind to pass up opportunities to make money, so he agreed to Terrence's remarks.
Ten minutes later, the two friends were on their way back to the inn, and they were all grins as they talked about various topics.
They eventually arrived at the inn, where Chipo was waiting inside her office.
"I've brought brother Gari here, young lady. He is a builder I know and trust," Terrence said as he walked into Chipo's office.
Chipo smiled as she approached Gari, the famous builder she had heard so much about, and respectfully remarked, "It's a pleasure finally meeting you in person, and I sincerely hope that we will work well together without any prejudices."
Gari nearly choked when he heard Chipo's remarks. He never expected the young lady who was known for her quietness to say such harsh comments on their first meeting.
Terrence was caught aback as well, and seeing Chipo's warning stare, he knew what to be intrigued about and what not to.
"Hehe, I hope so as well. What do you want me to do for you, young lady?" Gari cooled down and began to wonder why he was here in the first place.
Chipo had heard a lot about Gari, and his attitude toward women wasn't something she could smile about.
She despised it when men tried to disparage women, ignoring all the hard work that women put in, every day so that these men might have the energy to do whatever they did best.
She also understood how most people, men, and women alike, looked at her whenever they saw her. She was already desensitized to it, but all she wanted was for no one to speak to her in a negative or self-deprecating manner in her face, or even demonstrate that they were thinking about it.
She only desired that everything move quickly and cheerfully.
"I hope that whatever I tell you from now on will be kept confidential and that whatever designs I have drafted will be followed to the letter. Because I will be paying for your services, I genuinely hope that you would supply me with what I have requested and not something else different."
Gari listened intently while becoming increasingly intrigued by Chipo. She was the first woman or girl to speak to him in this manner because she wasn't married yet.
She sounded demanding and rebellious, and something about it made his blood boil.
Something deep down inside told him that he was in for a crazy trip as long as he worked for her, and to be honest, he was looking forward to experiencing whatever was in store for him.
"Don't be worried, lady boss. Whatever you ask for, that's exactly what I'll offer you. So, could you please show me the draft of what needs to be done?"
Hearing this, Chipo cracked a genuine smile, 'hmpph, at least he knows how to compromise and survive!'
"All right, so what I want is..."
Chipo began to describe her vision to Gari. Because Gari was the expert, Chipo decided to convey everything she could to him so that he could see what she was seeing in her head.
And the more he listened to her, the more Gari grew to appreciate and view Chipo positively.
There weren't many women with such brilliant ideas, especially when it came to architecture or business.
He was used to women's plots to keep their husbands' favor, and witnessing them chatter about other women they are jealous of and acting like shrews from morning to night.
"This is the plan draft. It is for the current inn as well as the extra structures that I require. So, my question is, how long do you think it will take to complete everything?" Chipo inquired, her bright eyes full of ambition and drive staring directly at Gari.
Gari, who had just received the plan designs and was savoring it with every pore of his body, didn't even raise his head as he replied, "With such a design and additional buildings required, the construction will take at least two months with my current team."