Bab 14: Property Lines
The warehouse looked different in daylight, its potential written in brick and steel. The property assessor, Mr. Chen, scribbled notes as we walked through empty spaces I could already see filled with studios and innovation.
"Building's got good bones," he muttered, tapping a support beam. "But the renovation costs..."
"We've factored those in," Mom interrupted, pulling out her research. In my previous timeline, she'd developed this same commanding presence in corporate boardrooms. Now, it was emerging in an abandoned warehouse. "Comparable properties in the area have seen a forty percent value increase after similar conversions."
I hid my smile. She'd already mastered the language of real estate development, skills that had taken years to surface before.
"The electrical system needs a complete overhaul," Chen continued, shining his flashlight into a fuse box. "Not to mention HVAC, plumbing..."
"All accounted for in our renovation budget." I pulled out the plans I'd drawn up, carefully based on both past experience and future knowledge. "We're thinking bigger than just basic repairs."
Mom spread her documents on a dusty windowsill. "The zoning allows for mixed-use development. Studio spaces, production rooms, maybe even a small performance venue."
Chen raised an eyebrow. "Ambitious plans for a teenager and his mother."
If he only knew. In my other life, this building had become luxury condos, a missed opportunity that had haunted our early years. This time, we'd claim it first.
"Sometimes ambition runs in the family," I said, watching Mom confidently walk Chen through our financial projections. In both timelines, her business acumen had been there all along. The only difference was how soon it emerged.
My phone vibrated – Derek sending me a video of his progress with the new techniques. Even through the phone's tiny speaker, I could hear the future taking shape. His natural talent was evolving faster this time, unconstrained by the detours of our original timeline.
"The bank meeting's in an hour," Mom reminded me, gathering her papers. "Mr. Chen, we'll need that assessment report as soon as possible."
Chen nodded, still scribbling notes. "Should have it ready by tomorrow. Never seen a teenager so interested in commercial real estate before."
"My son's full of surprises," Mom said, and I caught the pride in her voice. The same tone she'd use years later announcing our company's IPO – in another lifetime.
Outside, the Bronx sunshine painted possibilities across the warehouse's facade. A group of kids walked by, carrying instruments. In my future memories, they'd become successful producers themselves, shaped by the creative hub we'd build here.
"You're sure about this?" Mom asked as we waited for our cab to the bank. "It's not too late to start smaller."
I thought about the empire we'd built before, the opportunities we'd missed, the lessons learned too late. "Trust me, Ma. Starting big is exactly what we need to do."
The cab ride to the bank was quiet, both of us reviewing documents. Mom had spent her night shift studying real estate terminology, preparing herself for this meeting. In our original timeline, she'd done the same thing years later, teaching herself business fundamentals between hospital rounds.
"Rico's cousin better be as interested as he claims," she muttered, adjusting her blazer – bought yesterday, another sign of her transformation beginning.
"He will be," I assured her, remembering how Thomas Rodriguez would eventually join our board of directors. "He can see potential. Just like you can."
She squeezed my hand, a gesture that transcended both timelines. "When did you get so grown up, Marcus? Sometimes I look at you lately, and it's like..."
"Like what?"
"Like you've seen things I haven't. Like you know something I don't."
If she only knew how right she was.
The bank building loomed ahead, glass and steel reaching skyward. In my memories, we'd own the top floor eventually. But for now, we were just a teenager and his mother, armed with dreams that looked impossible to everyone but us.
Time to make those dreams reality. Again.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone