The next day. . .
It was a weekend, so I got up, fed the babies, fed the living stock, took the eggs, milked the goats, cleaned the animals poop and the human bathroom.
I then went to check the rest of the mail that I had posponed to see until now and found applicants for my restaurant and the apartments. There were five letters for restaurant employment, four for the apartment complex, and two that were asking for both things.
A cook of the restaurant applicants sounded too full of himself and, while it did seemed to have a good record, I discard it, not wanting to deal with the typical misogynist male. No thank you.
The other three on the other hand, were less experienced, yet they were specifically, bakers. 'Hmm. . . Let's send an interview invitation, with the exact dates and time, and then we'll see.' I declared writing small but good man eres letters to them.
After finishing that, I read the applicants' letters. Two were young human ladies, one was a mid-aged man, and the last one seemed to be from a high ranking senior lady.
Out of the four of them, three were letting me know that they be visiting soon to check the place out, while the last one of them was actually one of the people who came to view the place before, the wrote that they were thinking about it for a while and decided moving in and was asking for an immediate home if possible.
Let's see, the letter days they would come around. . . Today at noon!! I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Oops! I covered my mouth, note to self: check the letters much earlier. I determined as I took a key of each of lowest, middle and big floor, to give a bit of options, prepared some paper work in advance and then went on to check the other two letters that were asking for both housing and employment.
These two people are actually a male and female.
The male was a young man who has been traveling in search of a job and had a bit of expertise in carpintery and his family were bakers, which is why he's applying to being a baker in my restaurant. His letter showed that, while he was respectful, his travels have made him exhausted, and he was asking to stay for two years in the complex while he got more experience in work and rested in a safe place.
The female was a young lady who was throwned out by her parents and was searching for a place to sleep in exchange of doing chores and, as a matter of fact, she probably thought the wonder of both restaurant and complex was a man, for she even offered "favors" in exchange for staying for a couples of months. In short, she was clearly desperate.
I quickly send what I know as a "green flag" for an interview and for them to come and see the place for themselves, and to choose their own places since there was still room.
I then went on to check how many people were staying in the complex, how many will probably join, how many apartments were left, and how much money I would be getting.
"I've created in total 16 apartments in total: 8 for men and 8 for women."
"Amount of people living in the apartments:
1) Karga the orc. Guard during the day and half the night for both restaurant and complex. Stay is indefinitive. Resides the apartment #1 of the female section.
2) Meadow the fairy. Guard during the day and half the night for both restaurant and complex. Stay is indefinitive. Resides in the apartment #8 of the female section.
3) Diane Moonlake the half-fairy. Gardener of the complex. Stay is indefinitive. Resides in the apartment #7 of the female section.
4. Josh Willstone the old librarian. Retired. Stay is indefinitive. Resides in the apartment #1 of the male section.
5. Elara Willowlake. Self-Employed housemaid. Stay is indefinitive yet temporal. She wants to find a job inside the city or find a husband. Not in that order. Resides in the apartment #4 of the female section.
6. Ivy Hippit the gnome. Pond cleaner during the summer (employed by me) and cleaner during year round (also by me). Stay indefinitive (has told me it might become permanent unless she finds something something better or feels like returning with her people). Resides in the apartment #3 of the female section.
7. Emile Midwest. Rich man that pays monthly income on time. Stay is for a year. Probably. Resides in the apartment # 5 of the male section.
8. Primrose Steelbrave. Laundry maid who payed two months worth of rent in advance and as soon as the time was up, she accepted to become employed by me for 15 coppers per day. Pregnant. Stay until summer or until the baby is born. Hopefully beforehand. Resides in the apartment #5 of the female section.
Six apartments are being used in the female section, while only two apartments are being used in the male section.
Eight houses are being used, so I have roughly other eight houses. Which is enough to accomodate the other (hopefully) three people coming to live in the complex.
Karga, Meadow, Diane, Ivy and Primerose work for me so their rent is 150 coppers each. 150 x 5 = 750 coppers per month. They've been living in the complex from November til March, so 750 coppers x 5 months = 3,750 coppers until now.
As for Josh, Elara and Emile, they pay 250 coppers per month. 250 x 3 =750 coppers per month, they've been living in my complex for about five months, so 750 coppers x 5 = 3,750 coppers until now.
3,750 + 3,750 =7,500 coppers collected in total from these five months."
I nodded quite proud of myself. Thank goodness I've been keeping track of it and sitting them aside. I smiled to myself looking at the "rent money pouch" I pulled out smiling to myself. Maybe I should invest the money for more apartments. . . Or maybe some decorative things, like oil lamp outside, or maybe just buy more candles for them. I thought to myself as I organized more paper work.
*Knock knock knock* Someone knocked on the main doors of the restaurant.
'Mom! Someone knocked at the main doors!' Liam screamed from the kids' area.
I raised from my seat in surprise. 'They came already!?' I wondered and went to check it out.
I opened the door slightly and checked it out. There were three people. One young man, one woman, and one senior lady. 'Oh! Hello there.' I opened the door completely. 'Please come in!' I offered to let them come inside. 'It's still pretty chilly out here.'
Each person thanked me kindly, and as they passed inside, I started to scan them from head to toe. The young man, had black prune-like bags under his eyes, carried a leather backpack and his clothing, while being of leather as well, it looked pretty tore and worn down. The young woman was not much better, the bags under her eyes were just as (if not worse) the young man's, her skirt was ragged up to a thin line below the knee.
The senior lady was the only one who looked like she didn't even walked all the way here, but brought in chariot. She seemed to ignore the state of the other two, but didn't walked inside like she owned the place.
'Do you all want something to drink? Tea? Hot chocolate? Coffee?' I asked them as I guides them to a table near the kitchen where it was more warm. 'It's on the house, it means there's no need to pay for it.' I offered as I opened up a chair for the senior lady.
'Like a welcome gift?' The senior sat immediately, getting herself comfortable. 'I would like the lavender tea, if you still have it. If not, I'll take coffee with milk but no suggar, please.' She asked.
'Very well.' I nodded to her as I helped the other sit down at another table. 'Do you guys want anything?' I asked them.
'Em. . . Just, black tea, please. . .' The young woman whispered, without looking anyone in the eye.
'Just black? Not suggar nor milk?' I asked her getting closer to heal her.
'Em. . . Two suggar cubes, please.' The young lady seemed to try to cover her face with her hands grapes with each other.
'I understand.' I then walked over to the young man. 'Anything for you?' I asked him by touching him on the shoulder.
The young man seemed to be lost in thought and became a bit started when he felt me. But then he thought about it for a second and exhaled heavily. 'Black tea with whiskey, milk and suggar, please.' He asked exhausted.
I nodded and to the kitchen and, while the water bioled, to the office for the paper work for the interviews.
. . .
Twenty minutes later. . . .
I returned with the drinks and gave both young people space while I talked to the senior lady about the details do the complex.
'So you see, I know you are from high society, and probably have some, "thoughts" about others from below your status, but, since a lot of them, including a few fae, live in this complex, it would be best if you were most cordial with them.' I told her trying to not sound mean and being a empathetic as possible.
'Of course.' The senior lady smiled kindly. 'You do not need to fear me, young lady, I know that there are more commoners here than nobles, and I am completely fine with that.' She promised as she drank her coffee. 'Otherwise I would have moved to the city, not the countryside.' She remarked.
I nodded in agreement. That is true. I relaxed a bit more then. 'In that case, I'll repeat some of these things already in the paper, rent is at the second week of every month for two hundred and fifty copper, sign here, here and here. . .' I instructed her throughout the documents for a few minutes. 'You get to keep this paper as authenticity for accepting the deal and everything, but I ask you to NOT share it, show it, much less even let someone BORROW it, unless is for legal authenticification purposes or plain legal purposes.' I told her.
She nodded taking the paper in an elegant manner. 'Can I fold it?'
'Why yes. As long as you don't break it, drench it, or even burn it, it should be fine, Mrs. Fallbell.' I nodded.
'Oh, just call me Evangeline, or Eva if it is easier.' Mrs. Evangeline Fallbell said smiling more relaxed now. 'The reason for why I came here is to be away from nobility and its, scandals, to put it softly.'
I raised my eyebrows. 'Really? Is it that bad nowadays?' I asked her.
'Oh, the common folk do not even know half of it.' Evangeline assured me rolling her eyes. 'I was already cursed with being a distant family member of the royal family, and I do not want to deal with them anymore than I already had to.' She exhaled exhausted.
'In that case, how about a meal? I offered. 'I have to attend other two people, so, if you want to wait. . .' I vriefly explained things on.
'Oh yes please, and more coffee!' The senior lady smiled raising her cup.
I nodded and quickly got her more coffee, some potatoe soup, sanwhich of ham, lettuce, tomatoe, cucumbers and thin sliced onion and a blueberry muffin. I left the meal with her and then went to the other two. 'Hello again. Sorry to keep you waiting, will want a meal too, or shall we start with the interviews?' I offered.
They looked at each other and then at me as if they didn't know whether I was a person or an angel. The young woman raised her hand. 'C-Can I eat first?' She asked.
'Sure! It is going to be random though since the restaurant is not open.' I clarified her.
'E-Even if it is just a loaf of bread is fine.' She assured me in her traumatized way that she was not picky.
'Very well.' I nodded and then turned to see the young man. 'Want to make the interview or eat first?' I asked him.
The young man thought about for a few more seconds and nodded to himself. 'I'll, do the interview first, and then I'll eat.' He determined.
'Very we'll. My office is right besides the kitchen. The door is open, please enter and I'll be right with you.' I pointed to the office.
The young man nodded and followed my instructions obediently.
'I'll bring your food soon, be right back.' I told her as I took the empty cup from her. 'More tea?' I offered.
The young woman nodded.
. . .
Fifteen muinutes later. . .
I gave the young woman her tea, a bowl of potatoe soup, a sandwich with ham, beef, lettuce, spinach, sliced cheese, and tomatoes, and a chocolate chip muffin.
I then went to the office, where I found the young man waiting patienly and, as dark as it sounds. . . Broken.
'Ehem, hello again, em. . .' I checked the letter again. 'Michael Piercewood, right?' I asked him and he nodded looking down at his feet. 'Okay, please look at me as I consider the eye contact important.' I asked him a bit worried about him.
He flinched a bit as I asked him to do something and turned his eyes up at me.
'Very good. Now, let's start, okay?' I proposed and he nodded seeing as I didn't planned to look down at him.
. . .
Thirty minutes later. . .
'So, in short, you left the bakery because you wanted to follow your uncle's footsteps into becoming a carpenter. Once your uncle finished mentoring you, you left to find works but haven't got luck so far, and now you are willing to return to the kitchen in exchange for a cheaper rent.' I sumaria es his life and his goals. Am I understanding things correctly?' I asked him looking at him.
He nodded shyly.
'Hmmm. . .' I thought about it. He, might get more experience as I keep making more buildings and apartments. I thought about it. I also need a baker while I interview others and he clearly could use both the baking and carpintery money. I looked up and down at him. 'Very well. I Am willing to contract you for both bakery and carpintery.' I declared putting the papers.
'I understand—wait, really?' He asked surprised. 'F-For both?'
'Yes. I am in a desperate need for bakers, and in the summer, since the building renting complex is going really well, I'll need workers to make the buildings for me. And I pay per hour.' I shrugged it off. 'It is your choice if you want to accept both things or not.'
The young man looked like he was about to cry but kept composture. 'Y-yes, I'll accept the employment.' He nodded nervously.
I smiled and quickly brought the documents for the housing and explained what these were for and what he need es to do.
. . .
Another fifteen minutes later. . .
'Well, pleasure to make business with you and to have you on the team, Mr. Piercewood.' I gave him my hand.
He "cleaned" his hands in his coat and streched it with an ackward yet big smile.
'Let's give you your first meal while I interview. . .' I checked the young woman's again. 'Lady Amandine Bridgefort.' I stopped shaking his hand and went to open the door to him.
The young man listened closer when I called the young woman by her name. 'So. . . Her name is, Amandine?' He asked.
I gave him a sideye and raised an eyebrow. 'Have grown fond of Miss Bridgefort, Mr. Piercewood?' I asked him in a low voice.
'Ye—no! No no no! I-It is not that! Hahaha!' The young man laughed nervously. 'I-It is just that, I-I have asked her, her name before and. . . She-She avoided me.' Looked away in shame.
'Oh.' I nodded understanding. That is probably because of what she has endured. I smiled. 'Don't worry. Just like you, she has her own worries and struggles to deal with. It is better if you focus on yourself before thinking of girls.' I suggested to him.
Michael Bridgefort blushed like a ripe tomatoe when he felt exposed and looked away again. 'Yeah, you are probably right.' He nodded in agreement.
'Hehehe, come on. Let's get you something to eat.' I told him while guiding him to the table and letting him sit. 'Lady Bridgefort?' I asked for her as she looked asleep after finishing her meal. She sat up as soon as she heard her name and looked at me with worry. 'Please go into my office and sit down while I give him his meal.' I asked her.
She nodded and quickly trotes her way to the office.
I then went to the kitchen and started to prepare more English tea, with whatever it is that I find.
. . . .
Fifteen minutes later. . .
I gave Piercewood his english tea, potatoe soup, half a sandwich that had beef, cheese, tomatoes and thin sliced onions with rice and chicken bits mixed beside the sandwich, and three small butter flower-shaped cookies with strawberry jam as the pollen.
I then went to interview Amandine Bridgefort.
. . .
Thirty minutes later. . .
'So, in short. . .' I checked the notes. 'Your parents threw you out because they thought you've got pregnant with someone who actually. . . Did horrible things to you, am I correct?' I asked her.
She nodded looking down at the floor again.
'I see. . .' I nodded feeling empathy for her. No wonder she wouldn't look at anyone in the eye. I nodded again. 'And the man who, took your, dignity, wanted to force you to be his wife, so you fled with what little you've had and been barely making ends meat at the hunter's inn, but you decided to take your chance here since you want to leave the inn. . . Is that correct?' I asked her.
She nodded profusely.
I nodded back. 'In that case, I can take you as full-time cleaner. Part-time cleaning the complex and part-time cleaning the restaurant. How does that sound?' I propones to her.
She started to sniffle but she nodded, accepting.
'But! I must warn you this.' I stopped things for a moment. 'This apartment complex, while it maintains a rigid separation between men and women, it does not guarantee you'll be believed. There are guards, sure. But, you can not just scream at every man that comes through a hallway. There's need to be flexible in common places like the patio, the backyard, the library and the common area. Okay? If you do find a man walking through the female's side or the washroom, obviously that is something worth calling the guards for, but in common places. . . It might be difficult for people to believe you are being harrassed by other person unless there are more people being witnesses. Do you still want go live there?' I clarified.
She nodded quickly. 'I-I do not, want to go back to the hunter's inn. It is terrible.' She whispered the last sentence.
I nodded understanding and helped her through the process and documents of housing.
A few more minute later. . .
I guided them through the apartment complex. The people inside waved and said hi accordingly and politely, which helped the three of them feel more welcome.
Mrs. Fall bell wanted a home where there was not much need to use for the stairs (she uses a cane, which makes sense), yet there was enough view for the garden, so I gave her the apartment number two of the female section.
This meant, that Amandine was to have the last apartment of the female section: apartment number six. She didn't mind, she liked the view, but was very wary of everybody, except with Primrose, Elara and Ivy, who they seemed to know what she was going through almost instantly.
Michael on the other hand, had much more rooms to choose from, since, there were not a lot of males in the apartments. So he choose apartment number six of the male section. . . Probably to use it as a conversation starter with Amandine.
Lady Fallbell and I gave each other the sideye when we noticed such thing. But, that is another story for another time.
Coming back to the office, I quickly noticed something: the female apartments are completely full. If I want to get more clients, I must get at the very least one or two more potty bathrooms (since there IS a lot of women), and a few more apartments. But, for now, I need to make it known that the apartments from the female section are completely full and there are five apartments of the male section yet to be firstly used.
After creating some small posters, I went in full "creative mode" and made up some four leaf clover butter cookies with green suggar glazzed, and a green-lime-color-looking beer in a posters promoting the new limited ítem. Then I made a few new menu's ítem options such as chocolate, vainilla and strawberry milkshakes and, and went on to the winehouse to pay for a huge amount of beer.
I then went to the printer's offcice to pay for some new menus with the new ítems (since the old ones didn't have them and needed to be replaced)m and some mini posters for the promoting limited edition ítems. After that, I went to put the posters and menús' up alongside each other around the town Central building, a few posters' board, etc.
Once home, I decided to take it easy and start writing a medieval fantasy love triangle story between a female human, who was in love with her best friend half-elf, who was in love with an elf prince, who was in lov with the human. It was probably going to be cheese and probably drive some people insane because of the clearly "unawareness" of the story, but worth it.
. . .
On Monday. . .
'Hello everyone! This is Michael Piercewood and this is Amandine Bridgefort!' I presentes the new employees. 'These two shall be helping with baking full-time and cleaning part-time here specifically, therefore, please welcome them with open arms.' I requested of them.
Everybody applauded for the newcomers who blushed and looked away.
'Cleaners, please help Amandine to get the hang of learning to cleaning this place, she is going to need it.' I requested the cleaning staff who took her eagerly and dragged her away. 'You, Michael, are going to follow my lead and better put attention because we have new items AND an ítem that will be sold temporarily, so it would be best if you were to not get lost in this kitchen.' I suggested to him.
Michael nodded eagerly and followed me around.
We opened the restaurant, and, as always, the morning rush came like a hammer e¿whacking you in the head, with the orders flooding in like a tsunami, and baking orders for the four clover butter cookie went wild.
Fortunately, the cleaners guided Amandine with easy tasks, like cleaning the table after the others pocked the plates up, sweeping the crumbs through the hallways and tables, and sometimes helping with washing dishes with the dishwashers. They did made her clean the poopy outside bathroom, but only one time.
At two, I guided Amandine to the apartment complex, where I introduced her to the staff, with the "nickname" of "Maddy" because of the fairies. They welcome her as slowly and careful as possible, and then I asked Elara to help her get to know each rooms and what was expected of her to do.
Then, I went back to the kitchen and found Michael trying his best with glacing, he had a good arm, but he clearly lacked the patience (probably why he went for carpintery as a trade). I quickly took over, and made him help with cutting he loaf for to be sold and for the sandwiches, it was more straightforward and didn't require that much patience.
Gotta say, for newbies, they were taking things quite well. Especially for their first day.