From Grass to Grace

CHAPTER 6

"What do you intend to start up?" Seff asked Jake when he was back.

"I'd love to go into the shipping of goods" Jake replied smiling.

"I think that's a good idea. There's a lot of money there. You are a smart one. I knew that from day one" Seff was smiling.

"I'm glad you think I made a good choice, Mr. Newtons". Seff was laughing now.

"We could be business partners. What do you think about shipping my company's gold and diamonds?" He offered.

"I'd love that. Imagine working with the richest man in Los Angeles" Jake was overjoyed and Seff smiled.

"On one condition, Mr Martins. You'd have your ships for the shipping, I don't want you renting other people's ships as they are not to be trusted. I want you to buy yours and not worry about it as I'll refer lots of the other companies I am collaborating with to you" Seff offered once again.

"I am very grateful Seff" Jake was on his feet now thanking and almost prostrating on the floor out of happiness.

"You are welcome, Jake. This is just the beginning and there are lots of things you should learn which includes not showing excitement over a small business deal, more are to come so employ more hands" They were both laughing now.

"Thank you very much, Seff. You know I'm just new to this business" he said laughing.

"Yes, and I'm here to plan with you. Let me make a call first" he said and picked up his phone.

"Hello, Marina. Morning again" Seff spoke into the phone but Jake could hear what the other person was saying.

"Cancel all of today's meetings and reschedule them for tomorrow. Thank you" Seff said into the phone and hung up. Jake's eyes widened in surprise.

"I could come back on a free day, Seff. You don't have to do that." Jake was worried.

"No, Jake. You are here already so let's talk. I'm not doing this entirely for you. I can't wait to meet the kids you talked about with so much love" Seff said and Jake was so comforted that he smiled genuinely.

You've said a lot of Thank you today. So it's okay. What's the name of your business? Let's start from there"

"I haven't thought about that," Jake said and Seff smiled.

"Think now my friend. I'm waiting".

"THE REBIRTH," Jake said after a few minutes smiling.

"That sounds powerful," Se,ff said and they began laughing as he drew out a file from his desk and gave it to Jake.

"Take this, it contains a list of the top 50 companies in Los Angeles as of the beginning of this year. Give them a call and meet up for business deals. I have ticked the trusted ones and not all of them are necessary. Since you are a baby company they won't give you much attention but I am one of your most important clients, so you can mention that I am a client and most of them will love to give you a try. I know you won't disappoint" Seff said and Jake was nodding his head with all excitement.

"I'm glad I am already talking to the first on this list and I definitely won't disappoint sir," he said to Seff making him smile.

"You'll need a business card and employees. You won't do all of this alone. Find a few trusted people to work with. By next month, you must have achieved the following: a safe car, not that little thing I see out there, at least two people to work with, a business card, a large office, bought at least 20 ships for a start, signed contracts with at least 20 of those top companies, moved into a safer area. Only then can you come back to me for a signed contract, Mr. Martins" Seff said and stood up as Jake stood with him.

"It'll be nice doing business with you Mr Martins," Seff said, stretching his hands for a handshake.

"I look forward to working with you too, Mr Newton. Thank you for being a blessing to me. I'll forever remain indebted to you sir." Jake responded, shaking his hands with so much vigor.

"I'm glad I can be of help. Don't fail me" Seff said, smiling.

"I won't sir. That's your sister right?" Jake asked, referring to the large portrait that hung above his head and Seff turned and leaned on his table to stare at it with him.

"Yes, she's the only family I have left after our parents passed. That's why I don't joke with her". 

"Does she work, she's begging to but I haven't found a trusted company for her yet, so she remains here" Seff replied. 

"Oh, I see," Jake sighed.

"Do you have anyone to begin the business with you? " Seff asked and it sounded like he was changing the topic. 

"Yes, I have someone in mind. I have to pay the person a visit first and ask". Jake said to him. 

"Run along, my friend. There's no time to waste. You have a lot to do" Seff urged Jake and he thanked him one final time before leaving.

***

"Hey Samara" he greeted as he entered the house he had known to be home.

"Welcome home, Mr. Billionaire. How may I be of help to you" she asked, laughing at him. 

"Samara, what's your problem? Can't I come to the place that housed me? " he asked as he walked towards the kitchen to serve himself juice from the fridge. 

"Ah, I'm not pursuing you, this is your warmest welcome". She laughed. 

"You know I am still expecting you to visit my home. Since the day you helped me put up the curtains and sofas you've never visited" Jake complained with a pout face. 

"That was two weeks ago, Jake! I'll come in 2 months" she laughed. 

"That's too far, I already miss your presence" he whined and Samara laughed as there were no dull moments with Jake and she loved him for that. 

"Stop being a child, you are a grown man with kids" Samara smacked him on his back as she laughed heartily. 

"Yeah, Thanks for reminding me" he scoffed and hit his forehead with his palms as he drank his juice. 

"Yeah, I had to. Your kids are missing you already. You've got to go get them. What exactly is keeping you? " she asked. 

"Business, Samara. That's why I'm here. I want Michael to work for me. Do you think he would accept? Did he get the job he went to apply for? " he asked her as Michael had come into his mind when he thought of someone to work with.

"Jake, as much as I love my brother I would not recommend him. He doesn't like you and I doubt he will be honest with you in business. It is better the world for someone he doesn't know so he'll be more serious '. She argued. 

"I'll be very strict with him. And also, he was in the States and could be a link to people he knows over there which will make my work easier" Jake promised. 

"I'll still say no to that Jake. But if you insist, make him sign a contract for a temporary job and don't keep him for a long period, let him go when you have more hands" she advised.

"I'll consider that depending on how he will respond to the job I'll give to him" Jake concluded. 

"Okay then. Suit yourself. I wish you luck"

"Thanks, ma'am. Can I have his number now?"

"Yeah, sure. Check my phone, it is over there. Be careful, Jake". 

"Yes, I will. By the way, I went to visit Seff Newton" I told her and she sat upright. 

"And? She was very interested in the conversation. 

"I met his sister. She's so beautiful but rude. I mean you needed to see the way she spoke with me like I was some woman trying to take her brother away from her" Jake said laughing but Samara wasn't laughing and was keeping a straight face. 

"What's wrong? " he asked suddenly. 

"What if he is gay? " she asked with a serious face and it got Jake laughing so much that he almost fell. 

"That's absurd Samara. And even if he is, why are you so interested in his life" Jake asked her and noticed her cheeks turn red as she tried to keep a serious face. 

"Nothing. Just saying" she replied and turned on the television. 

Jake couldn't believe his sight, he grabbed the remote from her hands and began laughing as she blushed harder. 

"What? Have you met him before? Why are your cheeks suddenly bright red? " Jake was laughing so hard now. 

"Okay, stop laughing. Let me tell you the truth". She said trying to keep herself from smiling too much. 

"I've stopped laughing, tell me" Jake stopped laughing for a bit and was breathing so hard as he faked a serious face for her. 

"Well, the day you told me about the money he gave you and you transferred such a huge amount to me even though I convinced you not to, I was so happy I looked him up on G****e and… you know, I just find him handsome and… it's nothing serious" she tried to lighten up the mood but Jake was having none of it as he began laughing again.

"Someone has a crush" he began singing around and laughing as Samara pursued him around begging him to stop as her red cheeks were becoming brighter. 

"I could hook you up with him, you know" Jake teased her and she blushed harder. 

"Stop it, Jake," she begged. 

"Okay, okay. I've stopped. I would've been blogging with you too because I can't stop myself from admiring his sister, Sanaya but then I have a wife and kids and no woman would even consider a man with two kids" he said his demeanor changed. 

"Ex-wife you mean," Samara said and Jake turned to her with an eyebrow raised. 

"I never got a divorce paper," Jake told her. 

"Well, I got one two days ago in my mailbox and hoped to deliver it to you. It was accompanied by something amusing and annoying". Samara said as she walked to her drawer, pulled out an envelope, and handed it to him. 

Jake opened the envelope carefully and pulled out the divorce papers coupled with another envelope. It was a wedding card.