Yours, Until Needed
Chapter 63: Candidates

Chapter 63: Candidates

Her enthusiasm made it difficult for us to interrupt her. Thankfully, she stopped on her own.

She even looked horrified as she realized her earlier behavior. On our part, it was great to hear about local information that we would have had to gather ourselves.

"Ms. Greene, it’s great that you are interested in our project," I said, but I continued with something more pressing.

"But we’d like you to understand that we aim to develop more than just one location. We fear that your enthusiasm may only be for that place?"

She sat upright, her eyes widening like a deer caught in headlights.

"Oh no, ma’am!" She then waved her hands in panic.

"As much as I love Loretta, I understand that the company cannot be limited to just that. Participating in the development of tourism in various places would be a dream come true for me." Her eyes glittered, and it was good to see that someone was still excited about this venture.

Rina and I started this with such enthusiasm but have been mellowed out by the realities of starting our business ourselves.

"Then are you also prepared to take a risk with us? We don’t want you to have false impressions of the company we’re building. We’re a start-up that carries just as much risk as the next. In fact, our operations won’t fully begin until we finish the development and construction." Rina explained, devoid of her cheerful aura from earlier.

It would be unfair to attract employees with empty promises, and only by doing this would we be able to hire people who could represent us.

"You’re currently employed with a great company, and your career is stable. While we could offer you growth and comparable benefits, we are only a start-up with a probability of failing. Would you really be okay with giving up your current employment to be able to work with us?"

This was important for us and for our future employees so we want to be as transparent as possible.

"I understand the risk, ma’am. And since you’re being honest with me, I’d also like to be honest about my determination."

She pushed up her large glasses and looked ready to go to war.

"When I left our village, I promised to come back and help. So much that I understand the risk of changing my career, I have also long prepared for it."

I have to say that she may be even more courageous than I am when it comes to wanting something and pursuing it.

"But I promise it’s not just a fixation on helping Loretta. I really do enjoy the industry! I am doing finance right now. And much that it’s great, I still feel like I could do more."

She added, probably worried about looking like she only cared about her hometown.

By the time Alyssa left, my stomach had already protested. I’ve been living off pastries today, so I should’ve expected that.

"She should be a good fit for us, right?" Rina asked, now sipping on a different drink. This girl’s ability to mix drinks in her stomach is something.

"I think so, too."

We promised to inform her about our decision before the weekend. If we’re being honest, it might even happen before that.

"I’ll try asking about that guy Mom recommended. If it takes this long to find just one person, it’ll take forever." We’ll be good for a while if he’s anything like Aunt Cynthia, Mom’s most trusted assistant.

"Maybe Dad’s got people he could lend to us, too. I know we promised to try and do things by ourselves, but we’ll miss critical deadlines if we’re too rigid."

"Let’s try. Right now, we need people for the backend, so we only need a handful."

I paused in between, munching on my cookie.

"But I’ll also have less time because I will be asked to show up for the family business."

"Then there’s no helping it. You’ve been delaying it for long enough." Rina shrugged at the news. We’ve both long expected this eventuality, anyway.

"When do you start?"

"I should’ve started today. But I asked to start tomorrow instead. I must be prepared for that Construction Summit, which is pretty soon."

"Psh. You were born prepared. It’s not like you didn’t keep yourself updated with your family businesses."

My Dad was open about how he managed the companies, and he gladly told me about them as I grew up. So, I was invested from an early age.

"We know that, but the others don’t. It’s to keep up appearances. Who would respect a boss that visits the company like it’s a bi-annual medical check-up."

Rina laughed because we really did visit our companies that rarely.

"There was the excuse of going to school before, but not anymore. Maybe they’ll give me time before the actual graduation ceremony, but the summit won’t be as forgiving."

"Prepare well, my girl. The amount of loitering snakes alone should make you run for the hills."

"Then you better bring a net. You’re coming with me, you lil’ shit."

She squirmed on her seat and made a face. "I thought you were coming with Lucian. Why drag me there?"

"How heartless could you be, you witch? I’m going because Idris asked Lucian to go, and the guy wanted to drag me into that misery. Dad could force me to go, but knowing him, he’d rather keep me hidden. So I could’ve not gone."

"But for the designs you wanted, I’m going. So your ass better be there too."

"Wow. Such friendship and loyalty."

"Loyalty your face. You’ve been selling me out for the last month." I laughed, flicking over a cookie crumb at her.

Rina wilted dramatically but eventually accepted her fate.

We both worked through the night, but Rina had to go home earlier than me because, unlike me, she still had classes.

After she left, I decided that it was time to contact Mom for help.

"Hi honey, it’s good to hear from you. Is there anything wrong?"

"Hi, Mom! Nothing really wrong. I just wanted to ask if Aunt Cynthia’s son was still available. And if he’d consider working for us?"

I chewed on my lip, hoping for a positive response. Finding people sure is hard.

"He should be. I’ll ask for you. But you should consider him as a personal assistant. We could hire him like your Aunt Cynthia, and he could help with all your ventures. This time, you really need one."

Normally I would offer a slight protest, but not today. The sooner I can handle things independently, the sooner I’ll stop being a burden.

"Thanks, Mom!" I smiled as I thanked her, even though she couldn’t see it.

"Are you coming home soon? Your father has been eagerly waiting for your visit. We haven’t even celebrated the end of your schooling, honey." Mom sounded melancholic, and so I promised.

"I’ll come by tomorrow, Mom. I know there’s a lot of things waiting for me."

"Really?! I’ll tell your Dad right away, sweetheart!" Now, she sounded excited. And I am too because I haven’t seen them in a while.

"I’ll see you tomorrow. Love you, Mom. Tell Dad I love him too."

I hadn’t felt much longing until today. Surprisingly, I suddenly felt homesick. But that’s okay; I’ll see them tomorrow.

So, I continued with my work, preparing our funding sources and schedules for at least a quarter of the year based on the proposal we reviewed.

And that ate all of today’s remaining time.

Just as I had wanted.