Yours, For Good (Cozy Latine Billionaires #4)

14. Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Date : December 17 To : Mr. Smith From : Eleanora Subject : December Panic

Dear Mr. B.,

I write in a hurry— I have two things to discuss.

One, I'm in the middle of preparing for some major reports and presentations and 99% of my attention is going to work (they call the December tasks "Touchstones" which should give you an idea of their importance, if you don't know already).

We get a two-week break in December, as you may know. I was hoping to lie low and stay in San Francisco. Sally and Julia are going to their families' and there's no way I'll tell either of them (not even Sally) that I have no one to go to for Christmas, either. There is a point where my friend's generosity could turn to pity and I have no interest in learning if the holidays are the breaking point. So alone in your condo it is.

Or so I thought. The mentors insisted we have to go somewhere and research/network. I thought to look up something here in the city…?? You know, something casual. But then it finally clicked for me— I missed it before, somehow, and now I'm beating myself up—

I need to add the results of my networking to my next report!

If you've read the documents and plans I've sent you, you'll know that my business is an educational organization where, through the articulation of different levels of supports— private teachers, tutors, mentors— we match the needs of a child with the strengths of a provider. If everything goes to plan (AND IT WILL), it will grow to a one-stop service supplier for caregiving and youth support. It will have after school care and community outreach and it will be EPIC.

Now I can't just say I tried and this is what I found locally; I need to find someone who has experience in this realm and do it asap.

This can't be the thing that makes me fail, Mr. B.!!!

I don't know what to do or where to go. I suppose I could stretch out the requirements and ask Mrs. Lippett to let me go to the John Grier Home and interview her, since she works with youth and organizes tutoring and internships…………………

I don't want to go back to the JGH!!! I don't want to interview Mrs. Lippett. She's not even the right candidate, as hers is not a business but a charity. I just don't know anyone else and now I don't have enough time to prep accordingly.

I don't know what to do. Please help? Just don't send me more money! I got Mr. Griggs's email (this was issue #2) to say you would send me more money in December so I could do something extra fun, buy myself a few gifts from you, do self-care things and WOAH, Mr. Smith. This is too much. You're spoiling me.

Please, if you can, help me with this interview issue instead! I'd be forever indebted. I already am.

Nora

PS: cross your fingers that this tickle in my throat isn't another cold. I can't afford getting the flu!!

Date : December 18 To : Mr. Smith From : Eleanora Subject : Thank you!!!

Dear Mr. B.,

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I just received Mr. Griggs's email! He described Mrs. Semple's fame among the rich as the best tutor/nanny/governess/teacher/mother-like figure to have ever lived (he did so in a much more polite, politically neutral way). That she's retired from that life now, but occupied any and all of the roles I will have in my business with different children and teens at one point or another. How she runs a bed and breakfast in Connecticut, and that my airplane tickets and stay with her are arranged for me. Spending time there will be PERFECT!

Also, wow. Just wow. I got your cold medicine delivery this morning. The tickle in my throat was not a cold— I'm doing perfectly well at the moment. Except I had to fill a cupboard with the pills, syrup, and lozenges you sent. It was sweet, but you didn't need to send me half the drugstore! Super adorable, but unnecessary. And thank you 3

The soup you sent for dinner was lovely, though.

I have to go back to finishing everything up for Friday's meeting with my mentors, but I'll be going to Lock Willow (what a magical name!) on Sunday. I can't wait!

Yours most sincerely,

Nora

Date : December 23rd To : Mr. Smith From : Eleanora Subject : The Lock Willow B&B

Dear Oh Dear Mr. B.,

Lock Willow is a dream! Mrs. Semple's B&B is set in an old house near the bay in what used to be a big, stately farm house. She and her husband and a maid and her husband all live here, and administer the property and the business, which seems to be quite successful. Mrs. Semple explained that Christmas is typically quiet, but that we should expect an influx of guests right after. I'm caught in the flurry of excitement of it all, and I'm so thankful to you and to Mr. Griggs and to Mrs. Semple and to everyone involved in me being here today.

I've attached a few pictures of the place. I hope they please you nearly as much as it makes me happy to be here.

Tomorrow I'll have my first interview with Mrs. Semple over breakfast. I can't wait!

With true affection,

Nora