Here’s the first chapter. I hope you enjoy reading this. 🙂
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Chapter One
Genevieve was driving her car somewhere in New Manila when something suddenly piqued her interest. She stopped the car and then opened the window in order to have a better view.
What she saw was a turn-of-the-century ancestral house. It seems even though no one lives there, it was still well-maintained – from the wrought-iron gate ’til the driveway trailing a grand entrance. On the second floor, there are big doors opening a way to the wide terrace adorned with green and flowering plants.
This is not the kind of place that came to her and her friends’ minds, but when she laid eyes on it, there’s something that caught her attention. She felt it, instinctively. This is the place for them.
The house will be soon named Dreams Cafe…
Only this last Saturday had they began talking about starting a business owned by them…
They were at Seattle’s Best for a snack. She put her big Gucci bag atop the table. “God, I am so tired,” she announced while taking her seat and burying her head on that bag.
“Drinks are here!” Issa arrived, carrying their orders – brewed coffee, tea and frapuccino, in a tray.
Isabel is the vice president for operation of the company owned by her parents. In her office in Makati she has two executive assistants. This woman has someone to bring her coffee and whatever she needs but when they are together she loves acting like their servant.
She reached for the decaf brewed coffee and took a sip. She frowned, unsure why she ordered decaf but always find coffee with no caffeine lacking.
Lexie took her frapuccino which was overflowing with whipped cream. Ivy – Genevieve’s nickname – can’t think of the reason why her friend remained slim despite her big appetite. On the other hand, even while looking at her frapuccino, Ivy felt her waist getting bigger.
Lexie sipped her drink with her perfectly shaped lips. If she did that for television, the pay will surely be very high.
Meanwhile, Mylie mixed the honey to her tea. The woman is a chef in a five-star hotel. “Me, too. My God! I thought it’s already Lean Season but nothing actually changed. I swear to God, when I hit thirty years old, my legs will be full of varicose veins due to a whole day of standing at the kitchen.”
They have been friends for long and no matter how busy they are in their respective careers, they always look for chances to meet with each other. They always have a month’s worth of complaints to share about how they are already tired and discontented with their professions.
Ivy is a corporate strategist. This job was perfect for her who was almost a genius. Her average income for a month is six digits and she is sought after by big companies because of her brilliant evaluation and strategizing capacity. But she is already tired of this job.
She voiced out her mind. “I just think of it. Girls, instead of me ranting here, why can’t I just do what I really want? What if I quit my job and then do whatever I please.”
Her friends looked her way simultaneously because of her words.
“It seems I also want that,” Issa said in a weak voice.
“Me, too,” Lexie and Mylie said in a duet.
“Eh, what do we want to do, for real?” she asked her companions.
Lexie replied first. “I don’t exactly know what I really want. Maybe I’ll be a photographer if there’s a chance or study film-making. I don’t know. What I’m sure is I know what I really don’t like anymore. I no longer want to be a model. I’m through being made a doll by others.” She flipped her long silky hair.
“I want to explore other things,” Issa chimed in. “All my life it seems I was only traversing a single straight line. Contrary to what others believed in, I also want adventure.”
“As for me, simple. I no longer want a boss.” Mylie said. “You, Ivy, if you’re not going to plan how to make those rich companies earned more billions, what do you plan to do?”
Ivy took a deep breath. “I really want to write. Seriously, I want to win a Palanca award and publish my own book – books maybe.”
Mylie gave her a glance. “I see. You know, Ivy, you are a very good writer. When we were in college, I had always been copying your poems. I think they were really good.”
Issa agreed. “Correct. Even your journal can be made a book.”
She smiled at the three women. She was lucky to have friends who always believe in her. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. I already have an idea.”
“What?” The three chorused in asking.
“What if, we use our savings to start a small business? That way, we are sure to have a source of regular income, even if it is small. Then, while the business is running, we can explore and do what we really want?”
“Aye, I like that,” said by Lexie before cupping her face with her hands. “But what business? It must not be high-maintenance. We can’t do other things if it makes us busy with it.”
“I also thought of opening up my own restaurant or a small cafe but—” Mylie said but did not manage to finish her words.
Three women simultaneously clicked their tongues.
“That’s it! A cafe. That’s absolutely perfect for us.” One of them said.
“Correct! Then we’ll serve pasta dishes and then those delicious sandwiches you love to make.” Another one of them added.
“And then we’ll have our home-base and a place to ourselves.”
“Exactly. Even with only our other friends, we won’t run out of customers.”
They agreed to the name Dreams Cafe due to a simple reason – on that place they will face, search and start what they truly dreamed to be.
“Okay, everyone,” Ivy said, “here’s to us and to Dreams Cafe,”
They raised their cups for a toast. “To Dreams Cafe,” they chorused.
Palanca award – a fili literary award
New Manila – somewhere in Quezon City, Philippines
Makati – a city in the Philippines’ Metro Manila region
SHARRAMYCATS TRANSLATIONS 