Zander looked down and was confused as to why his Harmonia Shark 36 pro was ringing, as that was a phone only a few people had access to. Both he and Sophie agreed getting new cell phones for personal use would be best and the other ones they could use for business.
It was Ella.
"Hey Ella, what's up?" Zander asked.
"I have a Mr. Thomas Franklin in my new office, he said he would like to meet with you and Sophie about a business pitch you told him to propose. I've looked it over, it's probably worth your time to get down here." Ella said.
"Sure, tell him we'll be there in 10 minutes. By the way, do you like your new office?" Zander asked.
"That wife of yours sure has a knack for design but yes, it's nice and quiet and opened up a lot of room for the other bankers, and the tellers also love the new break area for customers and employees," Ella said.
"Hey Sophie, can you swing with me to Ella's new office? You remember that tailor I told you about, he's waiting with a business pitch Ella said is worth our time!" Zander yelled upstairs.
"Sure," Sophie said as she excitedly grabbed the keys and ten minutes later, they parked in the "Elrod parking only."
Zander rolled his eyes and Sophie chuckled.
"You have to start showing how great you are so the world knows we're kind and good like your parents," Sophie said.
"You're doing just fine for both of us in that department, I'm just amazed we're going to a business deal, have Graduation later today and then you and I start our adventure together." Zander smiled.
"Aren't you going to ask Cyrus to come along?" Sophie said with a frown.
"I suppose I should, but can we at least wait one week after graduation before we go? It's only been four months total with you. I selfishly want one more week with just you and I enjoying life," Zander pleaded.
"Fine, one more week," Sophie said with her scrunched up angry face.
"You're so cute when you make that face but think about it. We make a business deal, graduate, spend a whole day packing then leave, it's all so rushed and forced," Zander explained.
"Actually that is a good point, let's go see this business deal." Sophie said and before she knew it, her door was open for it with Zander's hand reaching out.
He closed the door and they walked in. They were greeted by Ella and a clearly very, very nervous Thomas Franklin.
Thomas was in his late twenties and made quite a name for himself as a tailor, when he started working there after he graduated high school in Harmonia's capital. Despite being young, the owner thought Thomas was young, good looking and a great communicator, which is why he took the gamble on Thomas.
"Tom, don't be so nervous, just pretend you're selling me a new suit. Ella already mentioned it was worth our time coming," Zander said as he patted Tom on the back and sat down at the desk Ella had prepared.
"It's so nice to meet you Mrs. Elrod, you have a beautiful wife Zander," Tom said nervously.
"Thanks but call me Sophie, so Zander here tells me you have a suit and wedding/dress shop in one type store. Where are you thinking of opening it and how do you have the means to acquire funding?" Sophie asked.
Both Zander and Ella looked at each other and smiled, and Ella took the lead.
"Mr. Franklin has made very good investments with his commissions over the years, most notably he made over $150,000 off your wedding parties' commision total, was was nearly fifteen grand. He did so in various investments, including your resort, which he had no idea you were renovating," Ella stated.
Feeling much more comfortable and confident, Mr Franklin explained he wanted to start, here, in Central Harmonia, then eventually expand to the east and west, as well as having his biggest shop, in a 5 year plan, in the capital city.
Zander and Sophie looked through the illustrations.
Sophie asked Zander via bind if she could make some contingencies and suggestions.
He responded, "one of these days you'll remember you don't have to ask.
"Mr. Franklin, I do like your proposal and are these designs your own?"
He nodded yes.
"Great, now how much funding would you need from us and I'd like to add a few contingencies. For building design, you are to use Jed's architecture and construction firm because we don't want to buy out old property. Second, we have to tweak to design a bit to make it feel more, 'connected."
Sophie had grabbed Ella's laptop, fired up a design program and whipped up something and then turned around to show the room.
"Wow, that looks amazing. With a few tweaks here and there I agree, I like what you did by putting the middle as a section for bridesmaids and groomsmen, it brings a togetherness touch. If I'm buying a building outright, I'd need a loan of around 1.2 million for the first building." Tom stated rather nervously.
Zander asked, "and what and why do you want to go through Sophie and me?"
"Because you're good people. My store will be non-commission based and because I'll be the owner and head designer, I'll need to hire a CFO, store manager and both men and women to sell the suits and dresses and I'd like to pay them a solid salary. This industry is so cut throat and I believe if you pay for performance and not commission, people are more inclined to not be pushy and greet every customer. As you can see I also have a section designed for those with lower budgets, which is something I thought you three would like."
Tom finally spoke with confidence as he made his sales pitch.
"Do you want a loan or do you want us to own a percent of your company?" Zander asked.
"I came here prepared to offer 150,000 down on a 1.2 million 20 year loan or 40% of the company for you and Sophie, and I agree to all the contingencies." Tom stated confidently.
"Can you give us five to discuss Tom?" Ella asked.
Tom went white as a ghost.
Noticing this, Zander said, "don't worry it's just the finer details we have to work out. We have Ella because you know, we just graduated high school a year early."
Zander walked him out with a kind smile and a pat on the back, and winked and said, "don't stress."
As Zander walked back in, Ella said, "I already know you're not going to take 40%, but you should. I appreciate that quick decorational display, Sophie, and thank you for recommending my husbands firm" Ella said.
"Oh, you're welcome, but I suggested your husband because of how well he did on the renovations to our resort, it was in all of our best interest and I don't want to take 40% either we have enough money and this is surely going to do well, don't you two think?" Sophie asked.
Zander immediately nodded and Ella showed them both the projections on a 1, 3, 5, 10 year plan at 40% and the Elrods eyes almost shot out of their heads.
"This will make us that much," they asked in unison. 'But why?"
"I believe his non commission approach and a lack of competition due to the domination of the tailor shop he works at and the dress shop we bought your dress from will work wonders for us," Ella said.
"Alright Sophie, are you good with 10%?" Zander asked.
"No, this is a big investment and if we're going to be away and it's this profitable it could work wonders for other things we could improve for the city, so I'd say 20%." Sophie said and Ella shook her head laughing.
"You two need to learn negotiating for yourselves, I'll go get him." Ella said.
Tom walked back in and Ella handed him the proposal.
"Wait are you all serious?" Tom signed quickly as he began crying tears of happiness.
"So generous, it'll be worth every penny trust me!"
Zander's phone alarm went off, "crap, Sophie we're going to miss graduation," Zander said.
Tom and Ella burst into laughter as Sophie quickly grabbed Zander's hand and teleported the two out of there.
"Well that goes without saying that last part is in your contract, not to speak of that," Ella said with a smile.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said with a goofy wink and they finished up the paperwork.
"We break ground in two weeks, I already bought the land." Ella said.
"Huh? How?" Tom asked in a stupor.
"Let's just say I know those two well," Ella said with a smile.
Zander was glad Sophie teleported them home, they got in their gowns quickly and teleported outside their school and rushed in, as they were late.
As they walked in, a loud roar came from the crowd and the two of them walked to their top 2 chairs together. Sophie had passed Cyrus, although Zander was certain Cyrus performed poorly on his final exam on purpose. Cyrus played dumb and said he had a bad day, but Zander knew better.
Surprised by the giant roar, Sophie was happy to see her brothers and parents standing and cheering next to Cyrus' parents and even Mr. Johnson had brought Jackson along.
"Now, as tradition at Harmonia's school of the gifted, I take pride in presenting our five scholarship winners. Samuel, will you please come to the stage, say a few words and announce to the world which University you will be attending," Prinicipal Hammond, a stern, yet charming woman in her late 40s politely said into the microphone.
"Remember to stay calm in our speeches, the whole world will see and protection spell or no protection spell, the world is gonna figure out who Sophie and I are today, and Cyrus too." Zander thought.
After a loud roar of "Harmonia Central," Samuel walked off stage and Miss Bishop, one of their teachers, started waving Tanisha to the stage.
"And our fourth ranked student, Tanisha Watson, please come and say a few words." Principal Hammond said over the microphone.
She gave a quick speech, thank you, and also announced Harmonia Central, to which the crowd erupted.
Next, Miss Bishop was waving Cyrus to the stage. He looked at Sophie and Zander and gave them a big smile with a thumbs up.
He put on a Kabuki mask, which was lined with white and yellow, with the symbol of a lightning bolt on it.
"And for our third ranked student, please welcome Cyrus Hart. Please come and say a few words and announce the University you have chosen," Principal Hammond said, rather cheerfully this time.
"First, I'd like to thank my parents, my friends and most importantly my best friend Zander, for always pushing me to do my best, to stay loyal and forge your own path in life. I told myself one day I'd pass him, and through someone I have the pleasure of getting to know, thanks to one of our transfer students, Claire, I now sit third, which I still take as a great accomplishment." Cyrus paused and he got a nod from Zander and Sophie.
The crowd started to chant "which univeristy and we love you Cyrus!"
"Had I not met Claire, I would have never met the young woman who passed me for the number two spot, as I now have a sister, as she's married to my best friend Zander.
Mom, Dad, I am donating my scholarship to Claire Harmony and despite graduating early, I will not be attending University. Let the other two present and share why."
Confused, there was a delayed response before everyone cheered and Cyrus walked away, leaving his mask on.
Claire was in the crowd and her family was celebrating. She was glad they remained friends and that by meeting Cyrus, her best friend met her husband.