Two days later he received one of those
phone calls. In school. Luckily it came during a break, or the
teacher would likely have gone ballistic. As it was it only served to
undermine his persona as a member of geek squad.
“Ulf Hammargren speaking,” he answered in
English.
He listened to the request while he walked up to
the blackboard.
“My fee as a temporary employee is 5000 hourly.
If you want to sign me up as an independent contractor it's 10000
hourly. Minimum one hour whenever I initiate work.”
He started taking notes on the blackboard,
fervently wishing it had been a proper whiteboard instead. Sure, the
chalk felt nostalgic in his hands, but it was a poor substitute for a
set of differently coloured whiteboard markers.
“Yes, that's correct. I'm sorry, but that part
isn't open for negotiation. I've received too many urgent emails and
phone calls forcing me to be on standby.”
He jotted down the main outline of what the other
party wanted. Pacing back and forth in front of the blackboard he
quickly estimated the scope.
“Twenty hours, including lectures. I'll bring a
chaperone who stands in as contractee on my part.”
The blackboard showed a schedule for a day of
preparation, two workshops, two lectures and a few hours to wrap it
all up.
“Eh, yes, you'll be billed separately for the
chaperone. I don't employ any personnel.”
Ulf wiped all superfluous data from the
blackboard.
“Thank you. You'll receive a formal offer later
today. I'm available from next week, but I strongly suggest we
schedule the events for next month.”
With that the phone call was done, and Ulf
photographed the blackboard.
When he was about to wipe it clean he heard the
murmur from the classroom. Bloody hell, they heard my
business voice! In English to boot. My act is
falling apart quickly now. People were certain to start talking.
He had to act quickly to get the club set up before he broke the 3:1
monopoly on rumours.
Behind him his classmates had already started
talking. It was only his perceived being a geek that prevented any of
them from approaching him directly.
If I can keep it together until summer break. That
was probably the outer limit. Sooner or later they'd find out he
worked part time as a management consultant. And eventually they
would learn of the exorbitant fees he charged returning customers.
Between 30 and 50 thousand yen per hour.
If the teachers found out he averaged well over
half a million yen a month there would be hell to pay. Worst of all,
Amaya would find out he paid for the extra security she believed was
part of the increased rent. He didn't want that. She needed to feel
that she could care for both of them.
Daughter mine, you always try to be my mother.
I'll keep you safe. I won't lose you as well. His
legal guardian, his daughter.
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