Chapter 41: The Grocery Deal

Chapter 41: Chapter 41: The Grocery Deal

"Well then, how much would you sell this whole inventory to me for?"

"Well, give me a second and I’ll add up the total sum. Please note that taxes will be included regardless of it being a cash transaction." The store owner replied readily.

He walked over and started adding everything up diligently. After 30 minutes or so, he walked back with a pleasing smile and said "The total sums up to 4 million dollars."

Erik nodded and asked "Would you like the payment in cash or in gold bars?"

The store owner felt like he was floating when he heard that question. One had to know that with clients like this, you had to be careful not to sound too greedy.

"Gold bars would be preferred." He answered. Just incase this was not ’clean’ money.

Erik nodded and walked out toward the vehicle. He returned 20 mins later with a bullion case. He handed it to the store owner and said "There are three 400 ounce gold bars worth a total of 6 million dollars. The extra two million is for your discretion." He said in a stern voice. He needed to make sure that this transaction will stay quiet.

"Yes, yes of course. Here are the keys. I’ll be on my way." He said happily after inspecting the gold. He was practically skipping as he rushed out of the store.

Once he was gone, Erik had his mother close the window blinds and flip the sign to close.

"I’ll be stepping out for a few minutes. I will come back with a delivery truck. To make it all look believable. Once we have transferred all the goods away we will head home." Erik said.

He returned twenty minutes later with a 40’ foot shipping container mounted on a truck.

Ben ran up to him and asked "Erik, where did this come from?"

"Found it parked a few blocks down. I had to jump wire the vehicle. *cough*" He looked towards his mother while he said that.

Aunt Mary pretended not to hear him and began asking Ben and Erik to load the truck. They wanted this to look as believable as possible for any prying eyes.

After everything was ’loaded’ onto the shipping container, they decided to return the shipping container back to where Erik had taken it from.

****

Penelope’s side

Arriving at the new residence, Killian and Kai were talking about their favorite workouts. Penelope took out the keycard to enter the residence lobby.

"So, we technically own a total of 9 condos. We own each condominium from the 21-24th floor and one on the 25th floor. We are not exactly sure who owns the other condo on the 25th floor." Kai said.

Killian smiled and looked at both siblings. He wasn’t if it was the same location at first, but once they arrived he realized he owned a condo here as well. What were the odds.

"Hmm...It appears, I am the owner of the second condo on the 25th floor." Killian answered as he took out a keycard from his ’pocket’.

Penelope had a bewildered look. "What a coincidence, and here I thought we would need to break in." She said with a mischievous grin.

Killian laughed and proceeded on entering the elevator. "So, who will be staying on what floor?" He was hoping this family would be on the 25th floor with him.

"Well, I was thinking we could stay on the 25th floor and Aunt Lucy and Ben can stay in one of the apartments on the 24th floor." Penelope answered.

"I can stay on the 24th floor with them. That way they won’t feel too separated from us." Kai answered.

"Are you sure?" Penelope asked. She wasn’t really concerned since they could enter the space on their own.

"Yes, so big little sis P, can you give me the keycard to that floor?" Kai said with a wide grin.

"Hah." Penelope laughed and handed him a keycard. "Are you staying in the same apartment with them or the opposite one?"

"Hmm...opposite. We may be best-friends, but we definitely have different living habits." Kai said as he rubbed his chin.

Penelope handed him the keys to both apartments.

Killian was paying close attention to their conversation. He realized how deeply this family valued friendship. Good, this meant they were less likely to betray him. He was confident that he would soon build a strong friendship with them. Afterall, he already noticed his relationship with Penelope becoming less professional and more on the ’friendly’ terms.

Kai decided to stay on the 25th floor and wait for his family. He was sure that Erik would choose to stay with him. Their mother would most likely stay with Penny. This was fine by him. He didn’t want to hear his mother complain about his sleeping habits. Kai was a man who loved to sleep.

"Well, it seems we will be neighbors from now on." Penelope joked.

"Hmm, yes." Killian said dryly. He had an urge to tease her but felt it would be better not too. At least, not yet.

"Well, this is not awkward at all" Kai said as he stared at them.

Both Penelope and Kai turned to look at him, baffled by his comment.

"You two are acting odd. I would have thought your relationship would have been closed, given that both of you have known each other longer." Kai explained with a deadpan face.

"Well, we don’t know each other outside of work." Penelope mumbled.

"Yes, before I would be the one giving the orders and her following them. Now, it looks like it will be the other way around." He said with a smirk. ℯ

"Penny actually listened to your orders? Did you ask her for a cup of coffee? Like my brother did with his secretary?" Kai asked intrigued.

Penelope groaned. "Don’t enable it. He won’t stop once he starts." Penelope said to Killian.

Killian laughed and responded "She makes a killer coffee. Best cup of coffee I’ve had in all of my years of drinking caffein."

"Really? She’s never made us a cup of coffee. Heck, she’s never even offered a cup of water to us." Kai scoffed.

"What a joke. Why would I when you have perfectly good working hands?" Penelope responded.

"Why would you make him one and not us?" Kai responded.

"Why wouldn’t I? He was my boss. He signed his name at the end of my checks." Penelope responded.

"So, you also fell at the feet of the capitalist?" Kai responded.

Killian scoffed and responded. "Excuse me, but isn’t your whole family considered capitalist?"

"Well said." Penelope agreed.

"Hey" Kai said as he raised his hands in defeat. "Don’t categorize me with the rest of them."

"True, he would need actual capital to be considered a capitalist." Penelope said.

"I have money!" Kai responded in a childish manner.

"Yes, the money big brother and I gave you. Hence, not yours." Penelope said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"It’s still money I earned by being a cute little big brother to you and Erik. It’s tough work, okay." Kai said as he puffed his cheeks.

"Yes, yes. You earned it. Fair and square." Penelope pretended to coax Kai.

Killian couldn’t help but laugh at their antics. He realized that living next to Penelope would be fun. Undoubtedly, very much fun.