Chapter 142 - Alternative Finance

August 3, 2012 – Friday 2pm – Jebung, Nabla

*Grind* *Grind* *Shhaavveee* Liboo is currently supervising his crew as they started refurbishing another car. 

It has been a year since he started his workshop and his business is doing great. In addition to his initial business of refurbishing cars, Liboo expanded his shop to also become an auto repair service.

He profits an average of 30,000 BGC a month from his refurbished cars sales and an average of 20,000 BGC a month for auto repair services. His shop's repair service was an unexpected surprise for Liboo but when Liboo thought about it, he found his decision of his workshop's location a lucky guess: cars from Jebung and the towns surrounding it get their parts worn out due to long drives. 

His competent mechanics and his above average wage for them also gives Liboo's business a huge advantage among other workshops in Jebung and the neighboring towns.

Despite the lucrative business however, if Liboo borrowed from a bank to establish his business instead of getting it from Tayaw, then Liboo only earned enough to break even the cost he used in purchasing expensive equipment like the diagnostic tools. 

"Boss. Someone's here to see you." One of Liboo's mechanics entered the workshop and reported.

"Have you seen him before?" Liboo asked.

"Never. He looks fancy though." The mechanic replied.

"Alright." Liboo said, confused at who it could be. 

Stepping out of the workshop into the display room, Liboo saw the man wanting to see him. While the man indeed looked sharp, he is someone Liboo does not have the pleasure to see. 

"Liboo! Hah! Long time! Stepping up in life, huh? You have a great place going here." The man said. Liboo does not know if the man is being sarcastic or sincere, but the man's voice grates in his ears. 

"Kingbo. What are you doing here?" Liboo asked, hiding his irritation.

"Come on Liboo. That's how you treat your cousin after not seeing him for years?" Kingbo said.

"Well, that is if I'm really pleased to see you. How'd you even find my place?" Liboo's irritation released after not liking the casualty of Kingbo. 

"Ah, the internet of course! I even saw your pictures in America. Oh, I wish I can go as well." Kingbo said.

"What are you here for really?" Liboo did not buy Kingbo's small talk. 

"Okay. Anyway, I'm here to thank you for the tractors. They were very helpful at the farm." Kingbo said, ignoring Liboo's expression. 

This made Liboo's irritation turn into concealed anger.

"And how did you get your hands on them?" Liboo asked.

"Well, Uncle Nungen was very nice to rent the tractors to us." Kingbo said.

"Oh? And are you planning on paying the rent of the tractors? -cousin-?" Liboo said finally revealing his displeasure. 

"Aw. Come on. You're still angry at that debt? I think you're rich enough to write that off, right?" Kingbo said shamelessly.

"It's not about the amount! You know how important that money was for me and my wife! You spent it on what? Cars and booze?! I trusted you!" Liboo yelled.

"Whoah. Okay. I didn't know then. You never asked for me to pay you back since you lend me." Kingbo said.

"You know damn well why I didn't. What happened to your little gang, huh? Still borrowing money from people for your next drink or round of poker, huh? If I knew about your scheme then, I never would have given you that money." Liboo said in indignation. 

"Oh you think that low of me? We don't do that anymore. We've graduated to something else… BOYS!!!" Kingbo called out.

The few "customers" browsing the cars for sale suddenly sprang into action. Half of who are now revealed to be Kingbo's men, surrounded Liboo and the other half, closed the display room's door and window blinds. 

Guerin, Liboo's shop's clerk was about to do something stupid when one of Kingbo's gang members pulled out a knife on him.

"Settle down, big guy. You can't take us alone. So, sit down, and nobody gets hurt." 

"What the f.u.c.k are you doing?!" Liboo is shocked at what is happening.

"This, my dear cousin, is what the cops call 'Extortion'. Like I said, we don't borrow money anymore, we take them." Kingbo's mouth morphed into a sinister grin as he stepped closer to Liboo.

It crossed Liboo's mind that he must be dreaming but smelling Kingbo's bad breath, he knew that he is in a bad position. 

"This is low, Kingbo. We're blood!" Liboo tries to reason.

"You're right! And because we're blood, you get a special treatment! I have a great proposition for you!" Kingbo began.

"You call this proposition?!" Liboo exclaimed. 

"It's best if you are not in a position to refuse…" Kingbo said nonchalantly.

"Anyway. Proposition… Usually with others, I would take 50%, but for you, I only want 33%. A third of your monthly profits, in other words. Quite generous, huh?" Kingbo said, going straight to the point. 

"You're going to -- *Buwahh* *Huff* *Huff*." Before Liboo could speak, Kingbo punched him in the gut.

"And, don't try doing something stupid like calling the police. Seeing as you have shiny cars, it must have taken a lot of equipment and good mechanics, huh? You don't want them great hands with pretty tools broken." Kingbo said. Seeing as Liboo is still catching his breath, Kingbo continued.

"Don't also try something like moving your store. Uncle Nungen would be sad for you to move even further away." Kingbo gave another threat.

"You wouldn't…" Liboo found it unbelievable that Kingbo would involve his father.

"Hah. I don't like the way that old man looks at me anyway. Looking at me like I can't get my d.i.c.k hard. You think I wouldn't?" Kingbo reinforced his threat as he spat on the shop's tile floor.

Liboo seeing as he has no way out, calmed himself down and thought hard.

"Look, man. Even 30% would kill my business, Kingbo. I still haven't paid my loans at the bank." Liboo reasoned.

Kingbo considered Liboo's excuse for a moment and found it reasonable so he nodded.

"Hmmm… Seeing as you're very cooperative. I'll give you a break. How about 20% this year, huh? Then next year, it'll be 30." Kingbo amended, feeling generous.

"Fine. I just don't want anyone else getting hurt." Liboo finally relented.

"Well then. Pleasure doing business with you! I'll have a man come check in from time to time, maybe they can offer some assistance, okay?" Kingbo said, his smile getting even wider.

"Yeah. Whatever." Liboo bitterly swallowed his pride.

"Before I go, can you say to Tayaw, Payew, and little Agew that Uncle Kingbo said hi? They seem like good kids." This comment finally broke Liboo's rationality and he sprang into action.

Before Liboo can take a swing at Kingbo however, Kingbo's men already subdued him.

"Don't you f*ckin get my children into this. If you do something to them, I'll f*ckin take you to hell with me!" Liboo shouted. Kingbo on the other hand was not at all threatened and was instead amused. 

"Ah. Now why would I do something that would displease my business partner? As long as you don't do something that would displease me, we're going to be fine, alright? Now, I can excuse your attempted assault just now ..." Kingbo said as he walked to a car in display. 

"… if you give me this car. I was taking a look earlier, and I have to say, I fell in love with it." Kingbo said as he caressed the newly refurbished 1970s GM muscle car that is for sale for 50,000 BGC. 

"Boss! That's –"Guerin was about to protest, but Liboo stopped him.

"It's fine. Take it with you." Liboo said, defeated.

With that, Kingbo and his men took the car and deserted Liboo's shop as if they were never there.

"Boss, I know some people. That son of a b*tch can't just get away with this." Guerin said in indignation at the treatment and offered his help to Liboo.

"No. I'll think of something first. Don't call the police too." Liboo said. 

"But we've got CCTV footage! We can submit that to the police!" Guerin said.

"Yeah? And how long will it take for them to respond? By the time the police take action, what would happen to my father then?" Liboo countered.

"So, don't tell anyone about this." Liboo concluded.

"Boss. I've seen people like him. Yes, he asked 20 today. But what happens after you paid your loan? He would get greedier and even ask for more than just 33%." Guerin reasoned.

"It will be a while before then. But for now, I've got time to think of a way. Don't worry about it, okay? I'll be in my office." Liboo said. 

Despite his words, Liboo is at a loss. He does not know how to deal with Kingbo at all. 

6pm - Okuba

Agew was just done painting a vase when he heard Liboo's car arrive at their front yard. Usually, Agew would only take a peek at Liboo to make sure it is Liboo and then go back to his pottery. Tonight however, he noticed something different in Liboo. 

Seeing Liboo's downcast expression, Agew felt something was not right and he immediately set aside his pottery matters and hurriedly joined Liboo by the front door. 

"Dad, you look weird. Something happened today?" Agew asked.

"Do I? Well. Maybe it's because I'm just tired. We were working on two cars at once today." Liboo said and forced a smile. Agew knew that Liboo is lying but did not say anything.

'He looks tired, but he looks sadder.' Agew thought to himself however. 

"Okay. Mom must be done with the massage chair by now. I'll go take a shower." Agew said.