My Mister

Chapter 22

As Sebastian prepared to send the document to Mia, he paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. With a determined nod, he reached under his desk and pulled out a sleek laptop, its surface gleaming in the soft office light.

"Mia, I almost forgot," Sebastian said, his voice tinged with excitement as he presented her with the computer. "As a token of appreciation from the Saint family for participating in the program, I'd like you to have this."

As Sebastian presented Mia with the laptop, a gesture of appreciation from the Saint family, she hesitated, a furrow forming on her brow. "Sebastian, I appreciate the gesture, but I work for the Haven Unified School District," Mia began, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I can easily get a laptop from the district once I inform them of my involvement in the program."

Sebastian nodded, understanding Mia's hesitation. "I completely understand, Mia," he replied, his tone respectful. "But consider this laptop a personal gift from me to you. I want you to have it as a token of our partnership in this program."

Mia glanced down at the laptop, feeling a swell of gratitude wash over her despite her initial reservations. "Thank you, Sebastian," she said sincerely, her voice filled with appreciation. "I'll accept it, but I'll make sure to inform the district about my involvement in the program."

Sebastian smiled, pleased that Mia had accepted the gift. "That's perfectly understandable," he replied, his tone warm. "Just make sure to use the laptop for work purposes only, as we discussed."

Mia nodded in agreement, her determination renewed as she prepared to dive into her new responsibilities.

Throughout the entire day, Mia poured over the profiles of the students Sebastian had given her, her focus unwavering as she delved into each one with meticulous attention to detail. Despite the workload, she was determined to make the most of this opportunity to positively impact the lives of these students.

With each profile she read, Mia carefully considered the individual strengths and challenges of the students, taking note of their reading levels, writing abilities, and areas for improvement. As she sifted through the information, she couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility weighing heavily on her shoulders. These were real students, with real hopes and dreams, and Mia was determined to do everything in her power to help them succeed.

After reading through about twenty profiles out of the first fifty students, Mia began to form a clearer picture of their needs and preferences. Armed with this knowledge, she turned her attention to the samples of beginning curriculum that Sebastian had provided.

As she reviewed each sample, Mia carefully weighed the pros and cons, considering which ones would best suit the unique needs of the students she had read about. With each decision she made, she felt a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that she was one step closer to making a meaningful difference in the lives of these students.

As Mia worked quietly at her desk, her focus laser-sharp on the task at hand, she couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation from Sebastian, who sat adjacent to her. He answered phone calls one after another, his voice a constant presence in the office.

Between the rustle of papers and the hum of the office, Mia caught fragments of conversation about the Saint's Education Foundation and its involvement in the literacy program. She listened intently, piecing together information about the program's objectives and goals.

But amidst the professional discussions, Mia also caught glimpses of Sebastian's more personal conversations. She heard him speaking to his mom, their voices warm and affectionate as they exchanged pleasantries and caught up on each other's lives.

As Mia listened to Sebastian's conversations, she couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for his dedication to the program and his commitment to his family. Despite the demands of his busy schedule, he always made time for the people and causes that mattered most to him.