The following story takes place in Taiwan. I got the inspiration from a story I read a while back and of course some of my personal experience/fantasy. For those who do not know much about betel nut, please search it online if interested.
(1) Introduction
My name is Pam. I'm 36; married with a 18 years old daughter. I'm about 169cm tall and about 54kg. Da Hua, my husband, who is two years older than me. He used to be a supervisor in a textile factory and is unemployed due to recession. Life has been tough for us ever since the lay off. After unemployed for more than 8 months, he finally gives up finding a similar job and starts driving taxi at night instead.
"What's for dinner", asked my husband.
"Nothing for dinner tonight. Stop by to eat noodle soup before you go to work."
All he cares for is what to eat. We only have $5000 left in the bank account. The money he makes barely covers our living expenses, let alone Sara's tuition fees. Whenever I think about this, tear come out of my eyes.
Da Hua is a good husband. I met him when I was 17. He is my first boy friend and my only man in my life. I was pregnant at 18 and married him shortly after. Over the years, he tries hard to provide everything we need. We bought the apartment we currently live in 7 years ago. However, we will be forced to sell this apartment if we cannot make the next few mortgage payments.
(2) Business proposal
Not long after my husband left for work, Jim calls.
"Is Da Hua home? I bought some gifts for Da Hua and you during my trip to SuZhou"
I say, "He has gone to work".
"Can I drop the gifts off? I'm just a few blocks from your apartment."
A few minutes later, the doorbell rings and I let Jim in. He looks me in the eyes and must have seen the tear marks and ask, "Are you OK, Pam?" I quickly turn away and wipe the tear mark off my face.
"I am OK."
"Anything wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Is it about money?"
"...."
"I've asked Da Hua to come to work for me and he refused."
"He does not know how to operate a business." I said.
"Let me know if you need anything, I'm Da Hua's best friend."
Tear came out of my eyes again. Without wanting to be seen, I quickly get up: "I will get you some tea."
I offer him a tea and leave the cup on the table. When I face up and I see him looking down my V neck top. I'm worried about money and do not pay attention to what I wear. The V-neck top is loose; when I bend down, he must have seen the bra or even cleavage. My face turns red. I sit down and pretend nothing has happened. I pulled my top up a bit; don't want to expose myself one more time.
The weather has been hot lately and I usually just wear a tank top and a short when at home. I'm always proud of my body shape. My breast size is 34C after giving birth to our daughter. I have a pair of long legs and I love wearing short and skirt. Someone who does not know me will think that I'm in my late 20's. There is so many times the college boy living next-door eyeing me up and down discretely in the elevator. I'm confident about my body.
Jim is my husband's best friend. They graduated from the same high school. He is from a rich family and studied in UK before coming back to Taiwan inheriting his father's family business. He is a good-looking guy. He is still single but from what I heard, he is a playboy.
"I have a new business idea and I think you'll be a great help." Jim says excitedly.
"What business idea?" I ask curiously.
"You are so pretty and I think you will be a good sales woman." I laugh.
I used to own a small florist business many years ago and it did not work out well. I sold the business. I know how tough it can be to operate a business.
"We don't have money to start a business. Even if we do, rent is too expensive and it is hard to become profitable." I say.
"That's true. But I know of a business that does not require too much capital and will earn a lot of money."
"There is such a business?"
"Selling betel nut!"
My eyes opened widely. I know what it is. It is the type of business which girls wears super skimpy outfit selling betel nut. The shop typically has a big window at the front to catch attention of drive by traffic. The driver of car/motorcycle would stop in front of the shop to buy betel nuts. The main selling product is not betel nuts, but the girls in sexy outfit.
"It is not a good business." I protest.
"This is a good business. It is the same as selling flowers or selling clothes. It is just a business. Taiwanese spends millions in buying betel nut each year." He adds, "The cost of betel nuts is really low. The cost of a box is no more than $2 or $3 but it is sold at $100 a box. I asked a friend who is in this business, he said he makes about $10,000 to $20,000 of sales each day." He says confidently.
Jim quickly adds, "I have a store by the highway. It is a perfect location for this type of business. We can save on rent."
I cannot argue with him when comes to business. He runs a successful family business. If I know anyone who knows about business, it has to be him. $10,000 a day -- that is $300,000 a month.
"Even we want to do; we still need money to start. We don't have any money to invest." I say.
"Yes, we have to keep the expenses low at the beginning. Da Hua can work delivery all the supplies during the day before he goes to work and you can work night shift. Once it is making money, we can hire others. It is just temporary. I will invest the initial investment and you and Da Hua will look after the business."
"I'm too old for this." Even when I say I'm too old, I'm still flattering knowing that at my age, I can still attract attention of many guys. In fact, Jim just peeps into my blouse just now.
"I will call Da Hua tomorrow to discuss. It is just a temporary arrangement; you won't need to work there for too long." He drops the gifts and leave.
I couldn't sleep all night, thinking of the money we could earn. If it is true, we don't have to watch every penny we spend and be able to pay off the mortgage in 2-3 years.
When my husband comes back around 5am, I told him about this business proposal. He says he is fine with that idea since he can continue working at night. The only concern he has is I wearing skimpy outfit in front of others. I told him it is just a temporary arrangement.
I say jokingly, "Now you know I'm still attractive and can sell betel nut at this age."