CHAPTER 22: THE FIRST POT OF GOLD

"Aunty, before I go any further, I'd like to ask you a few questions. Is that all right with you?" Tapiwa inquired, her gaze fixed on Ma Michaels.

Since they were already there, a few more inquiries would be unnecessary.

When she heard Tapiwa's query, she immediately thought of this.

"Of course, go ahead and ask. I will give you the answers as long as I have them," Ma Michaels replied calmly.

Tapiwa was relieved to hear that, so she started asking questions right away.

"Aunty, do you happen to have lots of sweet potatoes?"

Ma Michaels had not expected such a question. It sounded ridiculous, and it didn't seem like the type of inquiry that would lead to later business.

But because it wasn't an offensive hat, she decided to say honestly, "Yes, I have a lot of them. You happen to know a lot of people who have a lot of sweet potatoes. Would you like to purchase some?"

Tapiwa smiled and shook her head, saying, "Since you have access to them, everything will be perfect then."

"Come on, don't keep me waiting," Ma Michaels insisted, making Tapiwa laugh.

"I'd like to sell you a few recipes. I can pledge and sign a contract with you that I will not sell them to anyone other than myself. Do you want to go ahead?"

'What the heck can you do with a sweet potato other than roasting and boiling it?' asked Ma Michaels of Tapiwa.

'Is she trying to make me look foolish? But she isn't the type to make one look like that. What exactly does she want?'

"Are you serious about this and not joking?" Ma Michaels inquired; her voice unsure.

Tapiwa chuckled, not irritated at being questioned. After all, she had no idea that sweet potatoes could be prepared in so many other ways than the recipes she knew when growing up.

So, Ma Michaels' behavior was extremely normal and anticipated, and she hoped that the lady would be enticed enough to sign the business deal with her and give her some money.

"I will never joke about anything related to business," she said calmly.

Ma Michaels breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Tapiwa, saying, "How about you show me one and I will consider if it is suitable? As long as it's tasty enough, I'll buy the recipe for a reasonable price," she conceded.

Tapiwa didn't mind and agreed to the offer, "Sure. I'll go out and get a few things first, then create a dish later evening. And we may proceed from there. What are your thoughts?"

"How about you use some of my ingredients?" Ma Michaels inquired; her tone was urgent.

"This can only be done later. Besides, since we haven't reached an agreement yet, I prefer to utilize mine."

Ma Michaels was sad when she heard this, but that was to be expected. Tapiwa's caution was understandable, given that the formula had not yet been sold.

"All right, let's do it the way you want," Ma Michaels finally agreed.

Tapiwa smiled and gently excused herself from the restaurant after hearing this.

She could have simply made a meal and finished everything in under an hour, but she didn't.

She wanted Ma Michaels to be excited about what she was going to cook tonight and to think about it all day.

Tapiwa returned to her room, took a few items, and placed them in the cabinet before leaving.

She had not forgotten why she had come to Karoba in the first place.

When she returned to the first floor, Ma Michaels was cleaning the kitchen, and she bid the lady farewell.

"Be careful and wary of strangers!" Ma Michaels was kind enough to remind her.

"Don't worry, aunty. I'll be careful!" she exclaimed as she exited the inn.

It would take her at least an hour to walk from the inn to the tax administration department where she was going.

She would either walk or take the transport carriages, but since they were in the city, the transport cost was simply too exorbitant, and she was very loath to part with her money, especially since her money was very low and half of what she used to have.

She was going to sleep on the streets if she didn't do something to get money, and she didn't want to become penniless.

Tapiwa eventually chose to walk, and as she was going, she acquired as much information as she could from other individuals traveling.

During this one hour, she also researched the current fashion, transportation, and other intriguing events.

'Thank heavens there aren't many people outside!' Tapiwa felt relieved as she stood at the tax administration department's gate.

The last time she saw this place, the queue was so long that she didn't bother trying to see what was going on.

She chose to come to the RAD despite arriving at approximately eleven a.m., not expecting to be served, but rather to learn about the existing requirements for her to register the firm.

"Oh, you're lost?" Tapiwa was lost in her thoughts when she heard a raspy male voice behind her.

"Huh!" she said, turning around to face the person who was speaking.

She couldn't tell if the inquiry was aimed at her or someone else. After all, she was the only one there when she arrived earlier.

When she turned around, she saw a man in his late twenties or early thirties wearing the usual uniform of black trousers and light brown pullover shirts with no turnover collars or buttons.

Because the use of buttons was limited to the wealthy, most tailors manufactured cloth fasteners out of threads.

"Are you talking about me?" Tapiwa gestured to herself, noticing that there were only the two of them at the gate.

The man smiled sweetly at her and said, "Yes, I am talking to you. Do you require assistance? I'm employed here."

Tapiwa smiled back, observing how the man was kind to her and not acting rudely just because he was a man.

"I'd appreciate it and thank you for asking."

Hearing that, the man felt relieved. It was already a miracle that the lady didn't sneer at him; after all, he'd been having poor luck with ladies lately, especially those who came to the RAD.

"Then follow me inside, and while we're there, you can tell me what kind of assistance you require. I'll point you in the right direction," the man said again, offering his assistance.

Tapiwa was trailing after the man, and just hearing him speak so sweetly warmed her heart, and hidden feelings burst, 'Just how different would it have been if I had found such a polite man for a husband?'