Sugar

Tokyo, Japan PT. 2

Lucia’s PoV

Today has been quite an interesting day. Since the first event, I get to watch how Tiffany handles a couple of business owner who thinks they could get lucky by kissing up to her, but in the end, it’s fruitless because Tiffany has such sharp eyes to find fakes.

I must say, I didn’t expect to see a couple of scammers in such a prestigious event. Tiffany seems rather disappointed when dealing with people who think highly of themselves without caring about the world.

“Today has been quite fruitless for me. I thought I would be able to find at least one potential investor, but everyone seems to be carried away by lying their way to get my attention. Don’t they realize that I made my investigation? Sometimes people can be hopeless. Anyway, what do you think of your first business convention? Did you learn something from it?” I nodded.

“Today, I learned that business owners are not that different from politicians. Please do not be offended.” Tiffany smiled.

“I’m not. But do elaborate on this claim. What makes you feel we’re alike?” I hope I won’t be in trouble for this.

“In business, you have to take care of your customers or clients. You have to make it clear and quantifiable to the target market you choose so it would continue to be profitable in the future. In politics, you have to understand your voter the same way. So in a sense, you have to be both relevant and appealing in business and politics to keep your target market happy. Am I wrong?” Tiffany laughed.

“I see. And I thought you recognized some of the politicians here in this room. But you’re not wrong. A politician needs funds when they’re running a campaign. That is why business owners are quite diligent in kissing up to them. But I am not one of them. Instead, politicians are the ones who want me. For example, a man is approaching right now. That guy will start by complimenting you and me before going straight to his real agenda. Watch this.” And once again, Tiffany’s prediction is spot on.

None of these people even try to hide their desire to succeed in their careers. I wonder how Tiffany got herself to be respected by this group of people. I wonder if I can be like her one day. But of course, life will always give you a lemon. Hell, even before I graduated, many things happened to my family and me. Life is not fair.

“Excuse me. My name is Barbara Hunts, and I work as a volunteer for an orphanage. Would you take some time out of your busy schedule to hear what benefit you could get if you invested in an orphanage?” Why does this woman seem familiar to me?

“Hello, Miss Hunts. I didn’t expect someone like you to have the courage to spark a conversation with me. Congratulation, you manage to gain my attention.” The woman seems a little happy to hear that. I have a feeling that Tiffany wants to hear more about the orphanage.

Lia mentioned that Tiffany is quite a philanthropist, and she is weak when it comes to children. It’s understandable since she used to be a mother before. Even though in a short amount of time, she still gave birth to a child.

This woman talks about the children in the orphanage and how bright they are. She begins to tell us why she is here and how heartbreaking it is to see that the house they build for the children is about to be taken by those who are greedy and only think about money.

“Even if the developer gave us some time to move, we have nowhere to go because we can’t afford to move. I am a business student who volunteers at the orphanage. My lecturer gave me access to be here, and I will take this opportunity to talk to business owners like yourself to help these children. And I can’t let the irresponsible developers take advantage of the kids. We also have an event to gather more supporters or perhaps get some funding. The children have been so excited planning everything so they could keep the house.” This woman's words seem inspiring enough to convince me to help them.

But Tiffany, of course, can’t show that expression. She is a businesswoman.

“I would like to visit the orphanage. When will the fundraising start?” The woman smiled from ear to ear.

“The day after tomorrow. Here is the brochure and also the address of the orphanage. Thank you for taking some time off your busy schedule.” Tiffany took the brochure from the woman.

“See you there.” The woman smiled before bowing to us and excusing herself.

“Some detour wouldn’t hurt, right?” I smiled at Tiffany. I can see in her eyes that she was moved by what that woman said.

“I’ve been watching her since she first arrives. I didn’t expect her to come at me without asking my name. I will give her some chance to convince me to give my money to the orphanage. Let’s see how bad she wants to save their orphanage.” That sounds a bit sinister, though.

“What do you think? Was that woman sincere? What was her name again? Was it Agatha?” I’m beginning to think that Tiffany is not good at remembering names.

“It’s Barbara Hunts. And I think I saw her before. I don’t know where.” Tiffany hummed as she took her phone out.

“Are you going to ask your people to investigate the orphanage?” Tiffany nodded.

“That woman risks her future to be here. Maybe it’s a scam; maybe it’s not. But I do admire that woman’s courage to come up to stuck-up business owners and try her hardest to help those children. And she did mention that her lecturer was the one who gave her access to be here. There’s a lot of possibility as to why the lecturer did.” Wow- she is a true businesswoman. How could she figure out everything with that short conversation?

A FEW DAYS LATER,

As we were on our way to the orphanage, I noticed that most of the buildings around the road were vacant. There are only a couple of business owners that seem adamant about keeping their shops intact.

“They’re wary of us. The business owners probably thought we’re here to force them to sign an agreement.” Tiffany seems calm even though everyone out there is staring at us.

When we finally arrived at the orphanage, I was surprised by how old and obsolete the building looked. Is this really where children live? This is not it.

“You came! I didn’t expect that you would be here, miss.” Honestly, where did I meet this woman?

“Miss Barbara, I am someone who never backs down from her promise. But I fo feel a little bit concerned about how the building looks. Are you sure this place is suitable for children? At this point, whatever pays the developer offered is better than this.” The woman sighed.

“The developer only paid the tenants here five hundred thousand yen. That money is not enough to even find land to rebuild another orphanage for the children.” How much is that in our currency?

“That is- not much money at all. The children seem a bit sad. Why, though?” The woman sighed.

“There’s not much going on, and they’re beginning to feel discouraged. Even though they did their best for this day.” The developer must have done something to scare the people away.

“Those who took the money from the developer are too scared since the president hired some gangsters to help them. The only ones that leave us are the orphanage, the grocery store, and that little restaurant that sells sushi.” Tiffany waved her hands at the children who came to greet us.

“Where is the owner?” I asked.

“Oh, she is inside. The owner and her daughter have been doing their best to prepare refreshments for the guests.” It must have been cozy a lot for them to do this. What will Tiffany do?

“How did your meeting with the other businessman a few days ago?” I asked.

“Some of them seem promising, but I guess they are too scared to show interest because of the developer. I wish I could do something to those gangsters and the developer because this is too much!” We were interrupted when a group of people came to the orphanage and called for this woman’s name.

“Oh- it’s my friends from the school. If you want to meet the owner, please go inside. The children will be of assistance too. Excuse me.” I smiled at the woman before making our way toward the building’s entrance.

“Everything seems legit. The children are trying their best, and I don't think the owner abused them. I can see that they want to save this orphanage.” Wait- I didn’t even notice that Tiffany has been watching the children and that woman since we arrived.

When we entered the building, I was surprised by its coziness. While the little ones are getting their toys off the floor, the older kids seem to be helping the owner in putting food and refreshment on the table for the guests.

“Welcome!” The children greeted us. Barbara must have been the one who teaches them how to say it. Tiffany began to speak in Japanese as I waved at the little children who looked at me with their mouths open.

“Kawaii.” Huh? I turned to Tiffany, who only smiled at me.

“That child said you’re cute or pretty.” Oh- what a cute child. This kid reminded me of Karina when she was a child. God, I miss those days.

“Is it alright for you to be here while I talk to the owner?” I nodded with a smile.

“Great. I’ll be back.” I watched Tiffany talk to the owner before they went to a more private area. The owner’s daughter smiled at me.

“Thank you for coming. It means a lot for us that there are even people coming here. The children have been doing their best to prepare for these days.” Oh- thank God she knows how to speak English.

“We were touched by miss Barbara’s words. That is why we decided to come and see the place for ourselves. Besides, who wouldn’t want to help children in need.” The woman smiled.

“My name is Hikari.”

“I’m Lucia. Nice to meet you, Hikari.” Hikari smiled before offering me a glass of water. Hikari then tries to make small conversations while playing with the little children. While we were having fun, Barbara came into the building with worried looks.

“They’re here again! My friends are trying their best to hold them off. What should we do, Hikari?” What is going on?

“The gangsters are here again. Those people must have known that we invited people to the orphanage today. I’ll call for my mother.” Barbara nodded before she went back outside.

“Should we call the police?” Hikari shakes her head no.

“The developer bribed the police. They won’t do anything even if we call them. Sometimes we have to take things into our hands.“ I stayed with the children while Hikari went to get her mother.

They rush out while Tiffany seems to be on her phone.

“Lia, do it.”

Tiffany hung up her phone before smiling at me.

“It seems I have to do something about those gangsters outside. Stay here and take care of the children, okay?” I nodded. Tiffany went to the door and went outside. I rush towards the windows to see what sort of things she would do.

The man in the suit must be someone from the developer’s office. Tiffany just stood there watching as they continued to harass the owner. Hold on, those bodyguards! When did they arrive?! That’s right! Show them who’s boss! They must have been following us since we leave the hotel.

A few minutes later, the guards were standing by the main entrance as Tiffany and the others entered the building.

“Who are you?” Hikari asked.

“My name is Tiffany Iscariot, and this is my partner, Lucia Reid.” I smiled as I took Tiffany’s arm with mine.

“Wait, Lucia Reid? Did you go to Madden Hills High?” I nodded.

“Oh my God! That’s why you have looked familiar since we first met! Don’t you remember me? I’m Barbara- the kid who sat behind you in History class. The one who asked for tutoring before every exam!” Wait- oh my God!

“Barbara! So you did go to Japan to further your study! Oh my God!” We hugged.

“Nice seeing you again and all, but how did you end up with someone like Miss Iscariot? Damn girl, you did well for yourself too.” Is that a compliment of shes teasing me?

“You should catch up with your friend. I have some manner to discuss with the owner.” I nodded my head as I continued to ask how Barbara had been doing for herself.

What an unexpected trip this has become.