Billie Bossa Nova

7.

She couldn't ask Finneas about this guy just yet. Any communication with Finneas would leave traces for Adan to follow. For the duration of the mission, she couldn't link herself to CRO or any of her family members. No call, no nothing. Except for status reports that came every end of the week, where she would say she was meeting up with a friend.

That meant she had to sit there with her own thoughts as to who the guy was and what he possibly had on Rivera. After hours of brooding in her bedroom, she decided to get some work down and set out to it.

She had an event to plan within two days. She looked up venues that she thought would be suitable for the occasion, as well as professional decors and caterers. Luckily, after not too much digging, she was able to find a catering company called Comida del Amor that seemed to have alot of collaborations with Luna International. After calling and setting the date, she looked for the decor next.

Luna International wasn't really consistent with who they relied on to decorate for their events, so she had much trouble choosing. It was close to ten pm by the time that she did decide on a decorating company, but their business hours went up to nine pm and she could no longer call. The same was the case with the venues that she had chosen.

Instead, she noted down their names and numbers and went downstairs for a glass of water. Tomorrow, she would have to compose a guest list and then send them all the email of the invitation. Hopefully, there would be at least a few willing to come on short notice.

She wasn't too shocked to see that Juanita was there, finishing up the last of the day's dishes. The woman worked too hard for her own good.

"Hi," she greeted softly.

Juanita greeted back with a grin, and Billie fetched a glass and poured herself some water from the dispenser. She sat down on the barstool and took a couple of gulps.

"Is it the work that's keeping you up this late, mijita?" she asked as she packed away the last load of dishes.

Billie rubbed her eyes. It wasn't even that late, but it felt like she'd been working for hours. "Yes, unfortunately."

"Don't stress yourself too much. It's only your first day. And Kai hasn't even had his first day yet."

She sighed. "I know, Juanita."

"Would you like some coffee? I can prepare it for you quickly, " Juanita offered.

Billie couldn't help but grin. Juanita was so gentle and kind. Like a second mother. She wondered what such a woman was doing in the Rivera household.

"How long have you been working for Mr. Rivera, Juanita?" She asked this out of shear curiousity. Maybe it would do no help to the mission, but she wanted to know. She wanted to know more about this kind, warm woman.

"Oh, since Kai's mother, Amelia got married to Señor Rivera in 1999. Julianna was already two years old back then."

"How exactly did Amelia die?" Billie quickly added, "If you don't mind me asking, of course."

Juanita gazed at her with a warm smile. She was now standing across from her at the other side of the counter having been wiping the surfaces but halted abruptly.

"I don't exactly know what to say. It was a mean heart attack that took our Amelia from us. Oh, and Kai, he took it the hardest. He used to love his mamà very dearly. Amelia was a stay at home parent and Kai was home schooled by her, so they spent every waking moment together," Juanita explained in malencholy.