Plan

"No, I'm not going to let you fob me off again," I interrupt her, boiling with rage. This stupid buckle doesn't have to fear for its existence! She sits in her posh dress behind the desk and types on her keyboard while she gets rid of annoying callers like me. I, on the other hand, am in great trouble and desperate. That's why I promptly forget my good upbringing. “I want to speak to your boss right now! And if you don't put me through, I'll come by in person and camp in front of his office until you let me see him or evacuate me. Did they understand that?"

"Frau Leimann, please calm down."

I swear inwardly that if she keeps talking to me like I'm insane, I'll be blown away. Well, I yell around and threaten her, but this is about my everything; my baby if you want to look at it that way. And every mother would defend her baby to the blood!

“I'll see if Mr. Mynard has time for you. Please stay tuned. "

I exhale with relief and pace up and down in my small but very cozy living room, listening to the horrible music on hold. Then there is a click and a man's deep voice is heard at the other end.

"Frau Leimann, how can I help you?"

I'm so surprised because I actually got through to the oh-so-busy boss of the company that I have to gasp a few times before I can answer. “Good afternoon, Mr. Mynard. It's about Café SchLemma on Brennerstrasse. I'm Emma Leimann, the owner. "

"Yes, right, our latest investment."

I exhale noisily and clutch the telephone receiver with all my might; have to hold on to something to keep from going crazy. “Yesterday I received a letter from you which, among other things, set out the conditions for a new lease. It's about the rent increase of thirty percent. "

“Thirty percent?” He sounds surprised, then I hear leaves rustle and he speak softly to someone. "Ms. Leimann, the rent we can offer you in the future is perfectly acceptable for the size of your café and the location," he finally continues.

"But so far I have -"

“I'm sorry to have interrupted you, but I have important deadlines to keep. If you do not agree with the conditions, we will be happy to buy the premises from you. «

"You might like that, you money vulture!" I gasp in shock when I can no longer hold back the words that have haunted my head all the time. Damn it, I shouldn't mess up with the future landlord at the first conversation! But on the other hand - he wants to drive me out of my shop after all. He's the bad guy, the villain who threatens my existence. I'm just fighting for what's important to me!

"Frau Leimann, we can go on at another time," he says now, and I'm relieved that he didn't just hang up after I insulted him. "I have to go."

“When is it convenient for you, Mr. Mynard? Can you even squeeze me into your busy schedule? ”I bite my lip and caution myself not to overdo it. But I'm so angry and desperate and on the verge of a crying fit.

"In the right situations, sarcasm can be quite entertaining," he remarks in the next instant and now no longer sounds so relaxed, but slightly out of tune. "Let my assistant make an appointment and we'll see." He politely says goodbye and hangs up.

I slam the phone back on the charger and let out a few wild curses before taking a deep breath and calming down again. My angry tongue and my slightly impulsive streak have often brought me into difficult situations. I really need to be more careful how I talk to someone who is completely in control of me. No way should I cause unnecessary trouble. I'll get an appointment from his assistant and take a closer look at who I'm dealing with. As soon as I can assess it better, I will come up with an exact strategy. But one thing is certain from the start: I will never give my café away, no matter what the cost! 

Five minutes and one more phone call later, my mood is at rock bottom. Mr. Mynard doesn't have an appointment until next month. Next month! My God, this business guy can't be that important, can it? And what will happen until then? Should I worry days and nights about how the hell I can afford the increased rental costs?

"I urgently need a plan," I mutter to myself, and make my way to the café. "And a damn good one, and as soon as possible."