Chapter 4 The Past 4
Promptly at 4 PM, Jenny walked in, her bright eyes scanning the room until they landed on him. She smiled, that same radiant, youthful smile, and made her way to his table.
"Rick, you're here early," she said, sliding into the chair opposite him. "Eager to impart more of your wisdom?" She teased, but there was a genuine warmth in her tone.
"Always," Rick said, a genuine smile spreading across his face, one that hadn't felt so free in years. "What can I get you?"
"Just a tea, please. Chamomile, if they have it."
Rick nodded, signaling a waiter. Once the order was placed and they were alone again, he leaned forward. "So, about what we were discussing earlier. Joana's bakery. It's a wonderful start. And it will be successful, I'm sure of it. But what if you saw it as a stepping stone? Not just to a restaurant, but to something even bigger. A hospitality group. Maybe even a real estate holding company that focuses on properties for your future restaurants."
Jenny stirred her tea, her brow furrowed in thought. "A hospitality group? Rick, that's… that's a massive undertaking. And real estate? You're serious about that, aren't you?"
"Absolutely," Rick affirmed, his voice firm, resolute. "Look, Jenny, the secret to building a lasting legacy isn't just about hard work, it's about smart work. And foresight. Bee City is on the cusp of a boom. The population is going to swell, the economy will diversify, and urban areas will expand. People will need places to eat, to gather, to live. Those humble properties near the textile mill, the ones Marcus scoffed at? In twenty years, they'll be worth a fortune. Imagine if you bought just a small plot there now, or even an old, derelict building, for a song. Then, as the city grows, that asset appreciates. It becomes your collateral, your future capital for expansion, or simply a massive reserve."
"But how do you know all this?" Jenny asked, her eyes searching his face, a mix of curiosity and skepticism. "Are you just making incredibly bold predictions, or do you have some inside information?"
Rick laughed, a little too loudly. "Inside information? No, no, just… a lot of reading, a lot of thinking. I've always been good at seeing patterns, you know? And I've been analyzing the city's development, the regional trade routes, the demographic trends. It's all there, if you know where to look. Trust me on this, Jenny. The biggest mistake people make is thinking too small, or reacting to events instead of anticipating them. You and Joana have a golden opportunity here, a chance to get in on the ground floor of something truly monumental."
He paused, taking a breath. "And it's not just about wealth. It's about security. Imagine never having to worry about money again. Imagine being able to provide everything for your family, without sacrificing your well-being. Without having to push yourselves to the brink of exhaustion." The last words were almost a plea, a stark memory of the tragic fatigue that had claimed her.
Jenny's gaze softened. "That sounds… idyllic, Rick. But also a little overwhelming. My main concern right now is just getting the bakery off the ground. Joana and I have a dream, yes, but it's a modest one. A cozy place where people can enjoy good pastries and coffee."
"And that's a beautiful dream," Rick said gently. "Don't lose sight of that. But it doesn't mean you can't have a parallel, grander vision. While you're baking those delicious pastries, be laying the groundwork for something more. Start simple: maybe create a separate savings account specifically for future property acquisition. Even if it's just a few dollars a month at first. Start researching property values, land plots. Network with local real estate agents. Understand the market. Knowledge is power, Jenny. Always."
He leaned closer, his voice earnest. "And here's another thing, something I've learned about life: prepare for the unexpected. Always. Have contingency plans. Don't rely on old, unreliable equipment. Especially when it comes to transportation." He saw a flicker of confusion in her eyes. "I mean, our parents' car, for instance. It's fine for now, but as you grow older, as you build your business, you'll be on the road more. You'll be tired. You need the safest, most reliable transport you can get. Don't skimp on that, ever. It's an investment in your safety, in your future. It's not a luxury; it's a necessity."
Jenny looked down at her hands, turning her teacup slowly. "You're talking about my parents' old sedan, aren't you? It's been so good to us. A bit creaky, but reliable."
"Reliable for now," Rick agreed, trying to keep his voice steady, to mask the tremor of fear. "But technology advances, safety features improve. As soon as you can, prioritize getting a newer, safer vehicle. One with all the modern safety bells and whistles. Promise me, Jenny. It's important."
She looked up at him, her eyes searching his, sensing the unusual depth of his concern. "Rick, you're acting… differently today. More serious. More… weird. Did something happen?"
Rick hesitated. How much could he reveal without sounding insane? "I told you, I had a very vivid dream. One that felt incredibly real. It was about… the future. Our future. And it showed me things. Things about the potential we have, but also the pitfalls. And it impressed upon me the importance of planning, of foresight, of safeguarding what's most precious." He reached across the table, his hand hovering over hers, resisting the urge to touch her. "You are the most precious thing, Jenny. To me. To our future family." He almost said 'our son,' but caught himself.
A blush rose on Jenny's cheeks, and she looked away, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Our future family? Rick, are you… are you proposing future family planning already?" She giggled, a light, carefree sound.
Rick felt a pang. He had crossed a line, revealing too much of his deep affection for her, an affection that was decades in the making, but to her, was still just budding. "Well, you know me," he said, trying to recover, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips. "Always planning ahead. But seriously, Jenny. Think about what I said. About the real estate, about the financial buffer, about the safe car. It's all interconnected. It's about building a future that's not just prosperous, but secure. A future where you don't have to work yourself to exhaustion, where you have the freedom to enjoy life, to truly thrive."
"I will, Rick, I promise," Jenny said, her tone more serious now, sensing the underlying earnestness in his words. "I'll talk to Joana about it. She's much more practical than I am when it comes to finances, but I think she'd be open to exploring these ideas. Especially the real estate part. It sounds… daunting, but also potentially very smart. I've always admired your… unconventional thinking." She smiled, a genuine, appreciative smile. "Thank you, Rick. For caring so much."
Her sincerity was a balm to his aching soul. He had planted the seeds. Now he had to nurture them, to reinforce them in subsequent dreams. If there were subsequent dreams. He dreaded the thought of waking up, but he also knew his time here was limited.
"It's nothing," Rick said, shaking his head. "Just… looking out for you." He glanced at the café clock. It was nearing 4:30. He could feel a weird sensation as if something is trying to urge him to hasten what he needed to be done.
"So, what are you working on these days, Rick?" Jenny asked, changing the subject, perhaps sensing his intensity was waning. "Any new 'schemes' besides advising fledgling culinary empires?"
Rick chuckled, trying to sound light. "Just… honing my skills. Learning how to be more adaptable. How to seize opportunities. And how to… appreciate every moment. Every person." He looked at her, truly seeing her, the vibrant, optimistic young woman she was, and the incredible, irreplaceable woman she would become.
"Well, you certainly seem to have found a new sense of purpose today," Jenny observed, her eyes twinkling. "It's good to see, Rick. You've always had so much potential, but sometimes you just… drifted."
"I'm drifting no more," Rick said, his voice firm. He felt the pull stronger now, an irresistible force drawing him back. He knew he had only moments left. "Jenny, listen to me. This is important."
He leaned forward, his voice low, urgent. "Whatever happens, no matter how successful you become, always remember your family comes first. Your well-being, your health. Don't ever sacrifice that for work, no matter how much you love what you do. And if you ever feel tired, truly exhausted… please, just stop. Rest. Don't push yourself. Promise me."
Jenny's playful smile faded, replaced by a look of profound confusion, even a hint of concern. "Rick, what are you talking about? You're scaring me a little. Why are you saying all this?"
"Just… a strong feeling," Rick stammered, scrambling for an explanation. The edges of the café, the sounds, the light, were beginning to dim. "Life is precious, Jenny. So incredibly precious. Don't take it for granted. And always, always prioritize your safety. Your car… get a new one. As soon as you can. No matter what."
His vision was blurring, the colors fading. Jenny's face, once so clear, was now shimmering, becoming indistinct. He could hear her voice, distant, questioning, but he couldn't make out the words.
"Jenny… I love you," he whispered, the words tearing from his throat, a desperate confession decades overdue. "I always have. And I always will. Stay safe."
The world dissolved into a kaleidoscope of swirling colours, then darkness, a familiar void. The sensation of falling returned, faster this time, pulling him down, down, down, until there was nothing but silence and the lingering echo of his own voice, "I love you."