38 The Approaching Date (2/2)

Alan thought about it.”It should be fine.My cake is an effective dieting tool anyways.”

Tom shook his head.”Good luck convincing her of that.”

Alan shrugged.”In any case, it's what I have to serve.If Gerald wanted something different he could have gone somewhere else.”

”Gerald wants the date to tank though.He's only doing it to get the fashion line in his store.On the other hand it would be a big deal for you if Natasha Bianchi said she liked your cake.She might even send some models your way.Think about it, having models in your cafe.”Tom looked wistful as he imagined it.

Alan shook his head.”I'm not interested.”He didn't think it would really make a difference.A few more people wouldn't help his cafe.It would at most be some temporary fame.He'd learned from his experience with Twitter last time.What he was pursuing now was a more steady client base.Even if the models came, most of them would travel too much to ever be considered regular customers.

Tom scoffed.”How can you call yourself a real man if you're not even interested in models coming to your cafe?You could treat them to coffee and take the chance to get to know them much better.”He wiggled his eyebrows up and down suggestively.

Alan looked at him doubtfully.”Why would I treat them?I still have bills to pay.Besides what year do you think this is?I'd consider it if they offered to treat me to a meal.”

”You still want them to treat you to a meal?You'd be lucky if they gave you the time of day.”Tom was helpless in front of Alan who only cared about money.

”I have bills to pay.I don't have time or money to pursue a woman, let alone those high maintenance models.”

Tom threw up his hands.”I give up.You and Gerald are crazy, only having money on the brain.”

Alan shrugged and turned his attention the door as another customer entered.Tom went to his usual spot while Alan served the customer.

The sky darkened as evening arrived.Gerald stopped by to get a cappuccino late in the evening.

”Is everything ready for tomorrow?” Gerald asked.

Alan nodded.”I already tweeted out that the cafe was reserved for a private party tomorrow and would open at 11:00 AM.Aside from that, I'll make sure to have fresh coffee and coffee cake ready.”

Gerald nodded.He didn't really care about the food and drink.He mainly chose the cafe because it was luxurious.He could justify it as a good location for the date to Natasha, so she couldn't complain that he hadn't taken the date 'seriously'.

Gerald drank his cappuccino while ruminating about the next day.Alan wiped down the counter as he would be closing soon.

Gerald finished his drink and left.Alan meanwhile focused on the system.

”System, how much progress have I made towards the mission?”

”Host, the system has tracked how many times the same people have come into the cafe.Host has managed to increase the regular customers significantly.Currently Host has 76 regular customers.”

Alan was surprised, but then he thought it made sense.He only really remembered the customers who came in nearly daily.Otherwise it was too hard to keep track of how many people came in.He supposed he had seen more familiar faces recently.

”Only 24 more to go,” Alan thought to himself.

Finishing cleaning up, Alan went upstairs and thought about what else he could do to bring in regular customers.He soon fell asleep.