Chapter 4

The next morning, after signing the divorce agreement with Lina, I went to the eastern side of the city with Gary.

“Smooth Rides Repair Shop? It really is located in a very secluded part of the city.”

I stared at the signboard.

It was surrounded by old houses, and the cars going inside for repairs were fewer than half of what Safe Driving Repair Shop had.

Clyde Clark was squatting at the entrance of the shop while smoking. When he saw us, he put out the cigarette and stood up.

“Mr. Clark, I’m Gary. I came here last time. This is my teacher, William York.”

“William York from Safe Driving?!” Clyde’s eyes lit up as he shook my hand. “Mr. York, why are you here at my rundown place?”

Clyde had us sit on the stools by the entrance, and we started talking.

I did not answer why I came to his place, though. Instead, I asked him some questions. I had already learned my lesson.

I had to work with someone who shared my ideals to be able to work well with them. I had to choose a good partner.

“How long have you been running your shop?”

“Eight years. Business was pretty good in the past, but now, all the car repair shops are franchisees. Business has been going down for me.

“I’ve been losing money over the past three months. If things continue next month, I’ll have to close down shop.”

“You can earn a lot of money repairing cars. If you change a part, you can earn a markup between dozens to hundreds of dollars. The customers don’t know anything about this.

“If you want to earn money, you have plenty of ways to do so.”

I stared at him fixedly to see his reaction.

Suddenly, Clyde stiffened up. His expression changed between anger and indignation.

He shot to his feet.

“Gary told me about you before. If you’re such a person, you can leave now. We have nothing else to discuss.”

He then turned around with teary eyes.

“If I have to close down my shop, then so be it. Even if I have to be poor, I’ll be poor with a clear conscience.”

I felt as if I could see my own shadow on him. “Please don’t take what I said to heart, Mr. Clark. I was just being careful.”

Gary then told Clyde about what had happened to me, and Clyde shook my hand.

“Mr. York, Matthew can’t see a gem for what it’s worth. If you have nowhere else to go, you can come here…”

But very abruptly, his voice faded to a whisper. “But my shop is just a small place. Would you mind…?”

My phone rang right then. It was from Matthew.

“William, where the hell are you?! Look at the time now! Why aren’t you at work yet?!

“If you’re late, I’m deducting five hundred dollars from your salary!”

“I should have made myself clear to you. I’m not working at your place anymore.”

“You have no place to live, and you’re still sulking? I’ll let you stay at the shop, alright? Just get back here to work!”

I could hear Matthew’s anxiety through the phone.

“The engine of Mr. Lane’s Rolls-Royce is shaking like a tractor, and the check engine light just keeps flashing. He’s going to kick up a fuss soon!

“If we can’t get it repaired, he’s going to file a complaint to headquarters!”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“Don’t push your luck, York. At most, I won’t deduct your salary for being late today. Get your butt back here right now!

“I’m going to deduct your entire year’s salary for the losses we suffer today! You won’t be able to handle it!

“If it weren’t for the fact that Mr. Lane only wants you touching his car, I would have switched the engine for him instead of having you putting on airs here.”

I rubbed my ear. He was just too loud. Then, I hung up and blocked him.

After turning to Clyde, I asked, “How much can you offer me if I work here?”

Clyde still had not recovered from his shock from the phone conversation just now.

“Huh? Oh. If you’re willing to come, I can give you the shop.

“All of us know how skilled you are. I’ll take only 20% of the profits. How’s that?”

“You’re very decisive, Mr. Clark. I’ll take it, but you won’t be taking 20%.”

Clyde became nervous and rubbed his hands, not knowing what to do.

“I’m adding another 10%.”

“What? How much did Safe Driving offer you?”

“Mr. York, Mr. Lane just sent me a message asking me where you are. I’ve sent him our location.

“He should be here soon,” Gary said after checking his phone.

As I continued staring at Clyde, I questioned him.

“Why are you still daydreaming? Sign the contract already. Work is about to come to our doorstep.

“We’ve got money to earn.”