$200,000

Anisah, admitted, "Only $200, 000"

"Fine. Then it will have to be South Fields."

After a 5-minute drive they were in South Fields. The city centre romantic restaurants, scenic café’s and popular trendy fashion shops were replaced by urban decay.

Anisha noticed that instead of modern street furniture and luscious trees there were only grotty litter, dirty stray dogs, drunks and prostitutes.

The empty shop was in the middle of a modest housing estate. Every street seemed to have as many derelict houses as they had potholes. At the cross junction, a large gang of young teens wearing hoodies and masks populated the corner. No doubt causing trouble and selling things they shouldn’t

Anisah felt her heart slipping.

But a mile further on Anisah’s eyes were drawn to giant cranes in the distance. Anisah asked, “What’s this going to be?”

“The bottling plant.” Elvis grinned, “It’s huge isn’t it?”

“Yes. It looks like they’re building an airport rather than a factory.”

“They’re not messing around. I’m telling you, South Fields is the future of the town. Property prices around here about to explode. I would get in while you can.”

“All this for water?”

“It’s not just any water, thought. Is it? This is Misty Peaks water. It’s going to revolutionise the health supplements industry.”

Just thinking about the water made Anisah feel thirsty. She took out a bottle from her handbag which Cindy had given her then took a sip, tasting the natural goodness. “I do feel great after drinking it.”

“It fills you with energy, makes you feel positive, and you just want to be active. After a couple of mouthfuls, I go for a workout or ring an ex for a quick fuc… never mind.”

“Too much info, Elvis. Too much.”

“Sorry. I just get excited thinking about the potential.”

“I can tell.”

“The best thing about the water is that it’s perfectly natural. No additives. It’s just the minerals in the rocks beneath the earth here. Misty Peaks is built on a geological wonder. It’s going to make this place rich.”

“I hope so. But how can you be so confident?”

“Don Murray is the guy who opened the original bottling business a six years ago. I was reliably informed that last year he sold the controlling shares to one of the cola giants. They're expected to ramp up production from 2000 bottles per day to 500,000. And that’s only to begin with.”

Anisah didn’t need to further question Elvis. As he turned onto the next street the massive investment was there for everyone to see. She looked out of the passenger side and could see the huge steel skeletons of the warehouses being built, then above those were giant cranes scraping the whispery clouds. She also felt a buzz from the water which she couldn’t get enough off. And if the local populace was anything to go by… it was great for the physique.

The red Dodge pulled up outside the outlet and outstepped Anisah. It was quiet suburban high street less than half a mile from the huge bottling plant. Anisah took a moment to take in her surroundings. She could see a row of 12 business outlets each side of the street, a few of which had ‘to let’ signs, but there was a burger joint and a café doing decent business, there was also a bar and liquor store. Her immediate neighbours were a dodgy looking small-claims lawyer and a small-time bookkeeper. There were also a nail salon and a hairdresser which Anisah could see herself making use of.

Elvis grunted then flexed his muscles before reaching down to pull up the graffitied roller shutters of the store. He slipped the keys out of his pocket then unlocked the glass door before letting Anisah to step inside.

The inside of the shop smelt musty and because of the lack of light the air was cool. The empty shelves were coated in dust as was the serving counter. Anisah asked, “How long as it been empty?”

“Just short of eighteen months.”

Anisah rounded the serving counter and noticed a flight of stairs. “What’s up there?”

“A one-bedroom apartment upstairs with a galley kitchen and bathroom.”

“Wow.” Anisah screeched then ran up the stairs. She quickly went from room to room. “It’s perfect. Humble but perfect”

“I agree.” Elvis followed Anisah upstairs. “That’s why I brought you here. The price is only going to go up too.”

“I can already see myself living here.”

“Good. Music to my ears.”

Anisah couldn’t help but smile as she further inspected the bare rooms. It was basic, for sure, but the potential was awesome. It all felt very promising. But of course. Anisah knew there would be bumps in the road. She just didn’t know how many.

“Where do I sign, Elvis?”

“Fantastic. I’ll go and get the paperwork.”

~

Anisah signed. She stayed with Cindy for the next two weeks on discounted rates while the contract was approved by the leasing company and the fund released by the bank. Of course, Anisah wasn’t bored during these weeks, spending her days getting to know her suppliers and wholesalers, as well as getting a feel for the local’s needs and wants.

Elvis had the keys and although not strictly legal he let Anisah inside to clean the inside of the shop and even helped her out a little with the heavy lifting. He also sourced t her a discounted double bed, “The lengths I go to get laid, Anisah.”

“It’s not happening, Elvis.” Anisah chuckled as the pair carried the bedframe through the shop door. She wasn’t blind to Elvis’ cringy jokes or cheesy chat up lines. Most of the time she tried to humour them but on other occasions she had **** but to ignore Elvis.

Elvis also helped Anisah paint her new shopfront sign, well, held the ladder while he painted, checking out her bottom on her tight jeggings.

He also noticed her tits were looking a little larger than he remembered. She was obviously enjoying the water.

~

It was the first of May, the day she finally got the keys for good. As always, the morning began with a shower. Standing in front of the mirror she looked at her naked self. Anisah smiled as she felt she looked well, she had finally put on a bit of weight. Her breasts looked particularly fulsome, as if she was pregnant... Which was impossible. A smirk crossed her face as she weighed her tits in her hands, then stroking her sensitive nipples. The clock struck 7. So Anisah did her prayers and had decided to fast for the rest of the day – to bring good luck and show her gratitude.

The shop front was spotless, and the storeroom was so clean it looked as if it was new. She had signed up for her utilities including broadband internet. The stock was due to start arriving in the afternoon.

She was ready to go it alone.

But as she polished the front window once more, she spotted a large gang of teens standing across the street. They were wearing caps, and some had their faces covered with bandannas. All were staring ominously at the new shop. Anisah smiled but it wasn’t returned. Instead, the leader of the group pointed towards her as if he aiming an imaginary gun, then pulled the trigger.

The leader gang member laughed as did the rest, there when then racist shouts of ‘smelly Muslim’ and ‘Go home’ before moving on. One of asked her to suck his cock.

Anisah but on a brave face. She always did. But inside she felt deeply troubled.

~

The shelves were stocked with goodies and essentials while the refrigerated units were packed fresh produce. First day excitement meant worries of the gang were soon pushed to the back of Anisah’s mind.

The morning’s trading proved to be a slow burn. Only three customers before lunch. Anisah’s first was a friendly but dithering elderly woman who just wanted to chat about her health issues rather than buy the magazine she had in her hand.

Next was a tramp who wanted freebies.

A charitable Anisah gave him a cheese salad sandwich and hot coffee from her new fancy vending machine. And the third customer was a lost delivery driver who wanted directions – but bought a packet of beef jerky as a thank you.

Anisah needed to heighten her profile.

Anisah bought a chalkboard sign which she used to advertise deals on fresh goods included her homebaked middle eastern sweets. Weather permitting Anisah took to standing outside and chatting to passing locals. She thought this was a good idea not just to generate custom but also to weave herself into the fabric of the community.

As the days rolled on the customers soon started flowing through the door.

~

It had been her first busy week and Anisah had growing confidence that she could make the business a success.

Two thirds of her takings were card payments, so she only needed to bank twice a week. The bank was literally across the road, less than a two-minute walk. So as long as she was vigilant. she felt no reason worry.

Tuesdays and Friday’s were Anisah’s banking days. It was a Friday afternoon and Anisah finished her counting and placed all the money into a heavy fabric bag, then slipped it into a rucksack. She locked the safe then closed the storeroom door behind her. Making her way across her shop she felt once she gets back she needed to give it a sweep. It had been a very busy day.

As Anisah stepped out of the shop she was jumped on by two masked men who bundled her backwards.

Anisah’s head smacked against the tile floor. As her world began to slip into darkness she watched in horror as a well-built masked intruder locked the front door of the shop.

What happens next?

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