#11 :: Double Standards

Chapter 9.

Sasha

"You really want this place?" Delilah asked sounding very shocked.

"Yes. I have the money, I'm good for it. I know everyone personally. Who better than to leave it to someone who loves the job that they do? This won't just be for money. It will be to keep up the good reputation you built."

"I can't argue with that. But are you sure this is what you want? I did the same thing and how many times do you see me in here with the kids? Once you become the captain all you do is steer."

"I understand, but I believe this is where things will differ."

"Oh do tell."

"Well... first of all, I'll have two people working here permanently doing all the administration. They may not be in the rooms with the children but they will know who is who and who their parents are. They will know what the rooms need i.e - food, nappies, wipes, etc you name it. I'll attend the meetings that I have to but once I'm familiar with it I'll see what ones I actually have to be there for. I'll overshadow everything and of course give it the final signature. However my heart is here. Whether we expand and have another nursery. This is base. This is home."

Delilah smiled.

"From the day I employed you I remember saying to my husband I could see you running this place and look now."

"So is that a yes?"

"Well... I do intend on leaving the end of 2016. So, you have a year to not just get the money but show everyone why you should be the one who owns this place. However, if you don't have that business savvy like you do for the kids; you could have double the money and it still wouldn't matter. The board won't let you buy. So shadow me for a bit. I'll give you some stuff to research and get you clued up. By April 1st we'll take them by storm; hand them the proposition, by September we'll make you the face of the place - even though you practically are already but more in the sense of making everyone - workers, parents etc. aware. Then in December I'll officially sign everything over to you. January 2017 and it will be all yours. How does that sound?"

My eyes watered. I haven't been this happy in over ten years.

"Sounds amazing."

"Hey hey hey... no crying. When I think about it. You deserve this. There's no one better than you to have this job. However, until we get the go ahead from the board; this needs to stay between us. Okay?"

"Okay." I said smiling.

The rest of the day I was on cloud 9! This news meant my life would be doing a complete 360 and I could not wait!

It was home time and all the parents were coming to collect their children.

"Hey Sasha."

I looked up and it was Orlando.

"Hello Mr Hull." I said.

He smiled.

"So I read Don't Call Me Crazy it was a good book. Candice was insane."

I smiled.

"Indeed she was, but without a man would she have been that way?"

"True. Dwayne didn't have a leg to stand on. But Candice couldn't put all the blame on him. She should know when to walk away. Whether you love that person or not."

"Hmmm... I guess."

"Look, I also want to apologise. I didn't mean to offend you. I just wanted... I don't know, a friend? A fresh voice. Someone new to talk to. It has been a while. Plus, I really enjoyed reading that book. So I was wondering if this time, when you're ready... you would send me a text, recommending the next book to read." He said as he handed me a card with his number on it. "No pressure... when you're ready." He said with a wink.

He then picked up Mya and left.

This man is persistent.

But I guess he has a point. There's no harm in texting him and recommending him another book is there?