Building a Business Empire with my Technological System

Chapter 285: Mother is Flexing

From PICC to Tagaytay, the trip took about one hour and twelve minutes. It was a short trip, and Michael was glad that it was. Normally, an hour and twelve minutes would be like going from any part of Metro Manila starting from Manila. Traffic was hectic and it's getting worse by the year.

At Tagaytay, Michael felt nostalgic as he watched the scenery blur past the window. It had been so long since he had visited Tagaytay, and he felt guilty knowing it as it meant that he hadn't seen his mother.

As they neared their destination, Michael noticed the familiar gates of the luxurious subdivision where he had bought a house for his mother as a gift. The guard at the entrance recognized the car and waved them through with a smile.

The car finally pulled up to a beautiful, modern house with large windows and a well-maintained garden. Myra's eyes sparkled with excitement as they got out of the car.

"You did a good job of managing the house that I gave you, ma," Michael commented, his eyes scanning every inch of the house's exterior.

"That's because, in my free time, I take care of it myself," Myra replied with a smile. "It gives me something to do and keeps me busy."

Michael nodded, appreciating her dedication. They walked up to the front door, and Myra unlocked it, leading Michael inside.

There, he saw a group of maids standing in a neat line, waiting to greet them. They all smiled warmly as Michael and Myra entered the house.

"Welcome home, Ma'am Myra, Sir Michael," they said in unison, bowing slightly.

"Thank you," Michael replied, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the warm reception.

One of the maids stepped forward. "Ma'am Myra, we have prepared a special dinner in the dining room. If you and Sir Michael would like to follow us?"

"Of course, thank you," Myra said, gesturing for Michael to follow the maid.

They walked through the beautifully decorated hallway and entered the dining room, which was elegantly set up for the occasion. The table was covered with a pristine white tablecloth and adorned with fresh flowers. An array of traditional Filipino dishes was laid out, filling the room with mouthwatering aromas.

Michael's eyes lit up as he saw the feast before him. There was adobo, lechon, sinigang, pancit, lumpia, and various other Filipino favorites. A bowl of fresh fruits and a selection of Filipino desserts, including halo-halo and leche flan, completed the spread.

Michael couldn't help but chuckle at the sight. It was a true feast, and it made him feel even more at home.

"You really outdid yourself, Mom," Michael said, smiling.

"I wanted it to be special," Myra replied. "You've accomplished so much, and you deserve a proper celebration."

They took their seats at the table, and one of the maids began serving them. Michael reached for the adobo, savoring the rich, savory aroma.

As they started eating, Myra looked at Michael with a warm expression. "I'm so proud of you, Michael. Your hard work and dedication have paid off."

Of course, Michael had heard those praises a lot from his mother, who always shared her appreciation and support for him. And he grew accustomed to the point that he'd simply nod and accept it. But it doesn't mean that he doesn't care for her at all.

"Thank you, Mom," Michael said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I couldn't have done it without your unwavering support. I have grown so much at a young age and I always thank the Goddess who has blessed me."

"Goddess?" Myra tilted her head to the side. "You mean God?"

"Oops…" Michael slipped out, realizing his mistake. He quickly corrected himself. "I mean, I always thank God for the blessings and opportunities I've received."

Myra nodded, satisfied with the clarification. "Yes, we must always be grateful for the blessings we receive. You've done so well, Michael. And sometimes, I miss you. Normally, we'd talk over the phone and update one another but now it's getting infrequent."

Michael frowned and Myra noticed his expression and immediately covered it with a gentle smile. "I understand you're busy, Michael. You have a lot on your plate with the company and your projects. Just remember to take care of yourself."

Michael nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. "I'll try to call more often, Mom. I promise."

Myra reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "That's all I ask."

They continued eating, enjoying the delicious food and each other's company. The conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and memories. The warmth and comfort of home surrounded them, making the evening feel even more special.

After dinner, they moved to the living room, where they sat down with cups of coffee. Michael looked around the room, appreciating the cozy atmosphere Myra had created.

"So, what did you want to show me, Mom?" Michael asked, curious about the secret she had mentioned earlier.

Myra checked her watch and spoke. "It's still open."

"What's open?"

"Nothing, I want you to take me to the convenience store that you had given me. I have made some changes and I want to know what you think of it," Myra revealed.

"Modification huh? Okay, I'll call the driver," Michael picked up his phone to call the driver, but Myra gently placed her hand on his. "No need, Michael. Let's just walk. It's not far, and I think you'll enjoy the stroll."

Michael agreed, finding the idea of a quiet walk with his mother appealing. They left the house, the evening air cool and refreshing. The path was well-lit, and they walked side by side, all the while his security team followed them from a distance.

"This could have been perfect mother if you just showed it to me in the morning," Michael sighed, glancing at his mother with a playful smile.

Myra laughed softly. "I know, Michael, but I just couldn't wait. I'm too excited to show you what I've done with the place."

Michael nodded in agreement, feeling her enthusiasm. As they walked, he took in the peaceful surroundings, the trees swaying gently in the breeze, and the quiet hum of the night.

When they arrived at the convenience store, Michael was taken aback. The store had grown significantly since he last saw it. There were more parking spaces, and the exterior was brightly lit, giving it a welcoming glow. It was much larger now, resembling a small supermarket rather than a simple convenience store.

"Wow, Mom, you've really expanded this place," Michael said, clearly impressed.

Myra beamed with pride. "I wanted to make it more accessible and useful for the community. Come, let's go inside."

They walked through the automatic sliding doors, and Michael was greeted by a clean, well-organized space. The aisles were wider, the shelves were well-stocked with a variety of products, and there were even new sections for fresh produce, a bakery, and a small café area.

"This is incredible, Mom," Michael said, walking through the aisles and examining the changes. "It's like a one-stop shop now."

"I thought it would be convenient for the residents around here," Myra explained. "They can get everything they need without having to travel far."

Michael nodded. "You've really thought this through. It's impressive."

They continued to explore the store, with Myra pointing out the various improvements and additions. The bakery section smelled delightful, with fresh bread and pastries on display. The café area had a cozy atmosphere, with a few tables and chairs where customers could sit and enjoy a coffee or a snack.

As they walked back towards the front of the store, Myra turned to Michael with a hopeful look. "So, what do you think?"

Michael smiled warmly. "I think you've done an amazing job, Mom. You've created something really special here.

Myra's eyes sparkled with happiness. "Thank you, Michael. That means a lot to me."

Michael smiled.

"You know, Michael…One of my dreams is to build a mall similar to SM."

When Myra said that, a system interface appeared.

[New Mission Suggestion: Fulfill your mother's wish."

[Rewards: 100,000 System Points.]

"100,000 system points for opening a mall?" Michael read the sudden message from the system.

"Are you saying something, Michael?" Myra heard him mutter some words and Michael quickly dismissed it with a wave of his hand.

"It's nothing, mother. I'm just thinking of something. The way you handled your convenience store and how you turned it into a supermarket made me realize how good you are in business. Like I'm thinking, what if you build your own mall?"

"My own mall?" Myra exclaimed. "Michael…that's a huge undertaking."

Michael nodded, a smile forming on his lips. "I know, Mom, but you've already shown that you can manage and expand a business successfully. Why not take it a step further? I believe you can do it."

Myra looked thoughtful, her eyes scanning the supermarket she had built. "It would be a dream come true, Michael. But it's an expensive undertaking. I don't have money…"

"You don't worry about the money, I can invest on it," Michael promised.