24 Completing the Mission (1/2)

Gerald's driver took him from the cafe back to his local residence, a large penthouse apartment in one of the tallest buildings in the city.

He nodded a greeting at the doorman, and walked to the elevator.He scanned a card, and the penthouse button lit up.He pushed the button and took the long ride to the top floor.

As the elevator reached the top floor, the doors slid open revealing an unbelievably luxurious apartment that took up the entire top floor.Windows revealed the city lights on all sides.A butler stood by and took his coat as he walked out of the elevator.”Welcome back, sir.”The butler said.

Gerald nodded, paying little attention.”Ask Chef Monroe to order some coffee beans from Prosperidad, it's a Colombian coffee farm.I'd like to have a cappuccino made from those coffee beans as soon as we get them.”

The butler nodded, and left the room to hang Gerald's coat and talk to the chef about this latest demand.As someone who worked for the super rich the butler was used to random, extravagant demands.

Gerald went and sat on a long leather couch, picked up a remote and turned on the television.However, this television was actually an entire wall of windows.

As he sat, not really paying attention to what he was watching, Gerald pulled out his phone and looked at the picture he'd taken of the cappuccino from Alan's cafe.

Comparing it now to the view he had in front of him through his windows, he realized it was actually extremely accurate, and captured the feeling of looking out over the city.

He couldn't help but admire it.He thought about it, and opened up a social media app on his phone.As the CEO of a large chain of department stores, he had a large number of followers, many of whom were young and aspiring businessmen and women who hoped to gain hints about how to be successful in business, or even to see how someone with so much money lived their life.

In general, Gerald didn't post often, and when he did it was usually analysis of various markets or speculation about taxes on imports or that sort of thing.

However, he was so impressed with the cappuccino that he decided to share it as a lesson to those with entrepreneurial spirit.

He typed a message on his phone.”The key to success for young entrepreneurs isn't just passion or intelligence, but a selling point that is unique to you.Take this cappuccino from Lux Cafe in City A; it's a good cup of coffee, sure, but the real selling point is the artistry.”

Then he added the photo and uploaded the post.

He saw it almost instantly got reposted and commented on by his followers.He didn't pay too much attention to it though and turned off his phone's screen as he redirected his attention to the television to catch up on the day's news.

***

The next morning, Alan got up early.He'd slept very well last night, satisfied with the way last night had gone.

He took his time showering, getting dressed, brushing his teeth, and washing his face.When he'd finished his morning routine, he went downstairs to the cafe below.Still somewhat muddled with sleep, he went into the kitchen to make himself a cup of coffee.

Carrying his coffee back into the main area, he prepared to sit and enjoy it when he heard a loud knocking on the door.He startled, jumping slightly and nearly spilling coffee on his hand.

He cursed softly under his breath as he turned to look to the door to the cafe, where the knock came from.As he looked, his mouth dropped open.He saw a man standing at the door.

It was a super famous author!Just kidding, he'd never even seen that author before, he must not have been very popular.What shocked Alan wasn't the impoverished author at the door, but the long line of customers stretching out behind him.