For the next day, Gray didn’t have any tutoring sessions with Chloe. It was Wednesday, his supposed to be a rest day. But it seed like he won’t be able to rest for today and for the rest of his days.
Gray found himself outside.
He was seated in a small café just a few blocks away from their apartnt. It was not one of the cheap cafes he usually went to. Instead, he sat inside a cafe located on the high street,
High street was a business central district located in the heart of the Riverside District. It was a place where everything looked polished, overpriced, and a little out of reach. Designer shops lined the sidewalks, and tall high-rise buildings filled the area.
Most importantly, aesthetic cafes were everywhere. The coffee here costs more than a full al back in his own neighborhood.
Gray sat by the window. He was inside Coastal Café, one of the most renowned cafés in the street. A halfway finished Iced Latte was in front of him.
He used to tell himself he’d never step foot in a place like this. High Street was too expensive, too far out of reach for him. But now, look at him, casually sipping a cup of an overpriced coffee.
Well, it was not that he ca here for the coffee.
Instead, he was waiting for soone.
He was waiting for the person Jonathan had ntioned yesterday. The director who was supposed to help him get started.
Chloe had given the guy’s contact details yesterday before leaving, saying it was soone whom they personally trusted. When he sent a ssage yesterday, introducing himself and his intention, the director replied to him in the speed of light as if he were expecting a ssage from him.
At the end, they agreed to et, thinking that it would be easier and more efficient for the two of them.
Gray leaned back in the chair, his eyes flicking toward the door. They agreed to et at 10 in the morning. Currently, it was just 9:55.
Gray let out a sigh, glancing at the clock. He wasn’t nervous, but he was alert.
"Let’s see who you are," he muttered under his breath.
As if it was a sign, the bell above the door made a sound, signaling that a new custor had just arrived.
A foreign man who looked like he was in late 20’s stepped into the café.
He had the look of soone who didn’t just belong in High Street. He moved as if he were used to entering overpriced places like this one. He was wearing black slacks and a neatly pressed white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up just past the elbows. A slate gray blazer was draped casually over his arm.
The man’s black hair was slicked back, and a pair of thin-frad glasses sat on his nose, giving him a sharp and composed look.
’Is this him?’ Gray raised a brow. He watched the man as he briefly scanned the room.
There was a slight pause when their eyes t. It was just long enough to confirm they both knew who they were here for.
The man walked over to Gray’s direction, his steps steady and confident.
"Good morning, Sir. Are you, Gray Adams?" the man respectfully asked, his voice smooth and direct.
Gray stood up and offered a hand.
"Yes. That’s ."
The man shook it firmly.
"Nice to et you, Sir. I’m Marcus Choi."
"Good morning, Sir Choi." Gray nodded. "Thanks for agreeing to et ."
"Of course, Sir. It’s a pleasure," Marcus said with a polite smile. "I’ve been expecting your ssage. The CEO personally inford that you’d be reaching out to yesterday."
Marcus sat down across from Gray, setting his blazer neatly over the back of the chair. A server ca over, and Marcus ordered a black coffee without looking at the nu.
As the server walked away, silence settled between them for a brief mont.
Marcus leaned back slightly in his chair, observing Gray with quiet interest.
"Before anything else," Marcus began, "I want to formally introduce myself again. I am Marcus Choi, the Director of Operations. I oversee several divisions under Lancaster Group, but as of yesterday, I’ve been assigned to provide you with full support for your transition into business."
"Oh, I see." Gray nodded once. "I appreciate it."
"Mr. Jonathan Lancaster himself gave this assignnt. He asked to assist you with anything you might need in getting started, from understanding operations to staff coordination, financial systems, all of it. I’ll also be on call as needed." Marcus continued explaining.
"That sounds like a lot." Gray blinked.
"It is. But that’s the nature of business." Marcus smiled before letting out a light chuckle.
Outside, Marcus’s voice remained calm and professional. But on the inside, Marcus was quietly looking at Gray.
’This man...’ Marcus analyzed him. ’He looks simple and plain. He had no signs of old money or any kind of flashy background. His clothes also don’t have any brand.’
Marcus glanced briefly at the half-finished iced latte on the table, then at the way Gray sat. He noticed that he was relaxed, casual, but alert. He doesn’t act like soone used to this world. But if Jonathan Lancaster was personally backing him...
Then he must be sothing else entirely.
’They must be close. No one gets this kind of opportunity otherwise,’ Marcus concluded in his mind.
"Well, I’d like to inform you now that I don’t have any background in business aside from my studies." Gray directly inford the man, thinking it was necessary.
"I’m aware you’re not from a business background, Mr. Adams," he said aloud. "That was perfectly fine. Everyone starts sowhere. What matters is that you’re here now. I just want you to know that Lancaster doesn’t trust people that easily."
Gray gave a short laugh.
"You make it sound like I’m so big shot."
Marcus just smiled at Gray before he reached into the inner pocket of his blazer and pulled out a sleek black folder, placing it carefully on the table between them.
"This has all the essential information about the store. This includes staff nas, store logistics, suppliers, and sales history. They are a summarized version for easier reading. I thought you might prefer that over digging through full reports on day one."
Gray nodded slowly, looking at the folder.
"Thanks. That’ll help."
"You’re welco." Marcus folded his hands, pausing for a mont before asking, "So, if you don’t mind asking, what are your thoughts about managing the store? Do you plan to be active with day-to-day operations?"
"I’m still figuring it out. But I’m not planning to just sit back and do nothing." Gray t his gaze.
Marcus gave a small nod.
’That’s Interesting,’ he thought. ’At least he doesn’t sound like soone planning to run away from the responsibility. I’ll just have to see how he will do in the future.’
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