Chapter 3 success

to discuss is confidential." Dulce addressed her directly, but I felt like he phrased the confidentiality of the meeting more as an assurance to me. "I trust that won't be a problem." "I'm a professional," Naomi said before Dulce could add anything.

"I know how to keep confidential information confidential." Her words were innocent enough, but they didn't sit well with me. I felt like there was some information missing, like she knew something I didn't, at least not yet. "Good." I pushed the sentiment aside to focus on the matter at hand. "Let's get started, then." I gestured for them to enter the office ahead of me. When Naomi walked past, she refused to look at me. This should be interesting. Dulce's office was large but sparsely decorated. As I sat down at the round table in the center of the room, Dulce gestured to a small counter in the corner. "Can I get you anything? Some coffee? Water?" "No, thank you."

- I set my bag on the floor and picked up my tablet. - I assume you both know I wouldn't be here if the situation wasn't serious. Naomi and Dulce sat down. Naomi was directly across from me, her expression more guarded than it had been earlier. - Yes, I spoke with Mr. Mayfair this morning. - Dulce sat back in her chair. - He just briefed me on what he asked you to do. - That doesn't surprise me, - I said. - Many employers want us to make a genuine first impression when we walk in the door. - You mean they want to catch their employees off guard. I glanced at Naomi, whose disdainful expression had returned. - If they're doing what they're supposed to do, that shouldn't be a problem, right? - We're happy to help in any way we can. - Dulce interrupted. Naomi looked like she wanted to say something else, but seemed to think better of it. Instead, she set her tablet on the table and busied herself taking notes. - Could you start by sharing your accounting files with me? "I need all the sales reports, personnel files, expense reports-everything." "Of course. Naomi can provide you with everything you need." Dulce inclined her head toward her. "I'll send you the most confidential files myself." "After I review the files, I'll make some preliminary changes-small changes to help with day-to-day business. It's important that I have your support for these changes to ensure a smooth transition." "You're the expert," Dulce said. "If it helps us get back on track, we'll do whatever you suggest." "I should warn you that I don't beat around the bush. I'm required to report everything I find to Mr. Mayfair, and I'm not going to sugarcoat the truth." Naomi narrowed her eyes hard. "You sound like we did something wrong." "In my experience, when a company loses as much money as this one, it's because a lot of things were done wrong."

Still, I don't think we should jump to conclusions about incompetence or mismanagement. There are as many reasons why businesses fail as there are businesses." "I agree with that," Dulce replied. "I'm not going to sugarcoat the truth," I repeated for emphasis. "Still, I like to investigate things as thoroughly as possible." I pulled my notes out of my bag and looked at them both expectantly. "Now, could you show me around?" I didn't know why I bothered setting my alarm anymore. Mommy's cat, Schmoopes (a combination of Schmoopy and Boots-Mommy and I couldn't decide, and as a result, Schmoopes was born), was better than any alarm. Every morning, she would shove her cute, wet nose into my eyes, startling me awake. She meowed loudly. "Good morning, sweetheart," I whispered, and reached out to pet her. Only then did she stop and curl up next to me. I hugged her tightly. I had just started to doze off when I heard a thud and the squelch of little feet on the thin old carpet. I still loved him. He really ties the room together, I thought, remembering a quote from my favorite movie. When Timmy was a baby, I would always get up at dawn to feed him, and even though he was three years old now, he still loved being with me early in the morning. He would climb into my bed, a blanket over his head as he snuggled close to me. My poor babies (the cat and Timmy) probably had to cuddle with me more than they would have liked, and I allowed myself a moment of happiness. There were times when I was really down, and a day would go by and I would feel like my feet were stuck in mud. Yesterday was one of those days. I had eaten almost an entire box of cookies. And a brownie (okay, two). And half a chocolate bar.

Needless to say that my feelings were not a solution, but my usual self -control had been changed and becoming unmolding after getting home from work. - Hi, Mom.I kissed his forehead. "I know, honey." He put his thumb in his mouth and fell asleep soon after, but I wasn't so lucky. Consultants were usually not a good sign. When Bart first told me that Mr. Mayfair had hired a consultant, I expressed my concern. "I don't like the idea of ​​someone new coming into our little family and changing things." "He's just coming in to make some adjustments. There's nothing to worry about." I had believed Bart-until Jonah Michaels showed up and opened his mouth. It was bad enough coming face to face with the man who had abandoned me after that one-night stand. To make matters worse, the bastard looked better than I remembered him. Damn it! He was also the one who was going to make changes, and no good could come of that. Not for the staff, at least. Schmoopes started meowing again. Not wanting Timmy to wake up, I got out of bed to feed our little cutie. The room I shared with my son was small and cluttered. I pushed my way through her toys and headed for the door. My mother's bedroom door was ajar, and I stepped inside to check on her. Her room was full of clothes, and a finished dress hung folded over my mother's sewing machine. For years, she had taken on odd jobs here and there, doing alterations to earn extra money. A few months ago, I had helped her set up an Instagram account to showcase her work, not that she needed it. Still, she was now gaining a large following among the hipster crowd as well as her regular customers.

Her reputation was spreading to a whole new generation. Despite her success at what she did, she only had time to work at night, between taking care of Dad and babysitting Timmy for me. God only knows when she actually slept last night, I thought worriedly. She was fast asleep, so I closed the door completely, wanting her to get as much rest as possible. In the living room, Dad was sitting in his recliner, watching TV. He spent most of his time there, as walking was extremely difficult for him now. I paused on my way to the kitchen to kiss him on the forehead. "Did you get any sleep?" "A little, but not much," Dad said gruffly.

"I forgot to take my meds before bed." I picked up the dirty dishes from the side table next to him. "Why didn't you call me or Mom to help?" "I didn't want to wake the kid. Besides, you and your mom have enough to do." "We don't care, Dad, you know that." He looked at me with a slightly affronted expression. "Well, I do care." I said nothing, sensing he was in one of his moods. There was no point in dwelling on the subject. He was a