Page 5 of The Tycoon's Pet

I’ve kept myself restrained to his shadow when I should have been working to make myself the center of my own world.

Gosh, I wish Grams was here to guide me.

I think of Grams and how she always encouraged me to find my happiness. In her rare lucid days during the worst of her Alzheimer’s, she would always tell me: “Your happiness comes first, Kayla honey, always remember that. Don’t dim yourself to fit into someone else’s life. You are the star.”

I miss her so much; I know she would help me move on from Paul and follow my dreams. I decide to take the rest of the day to firm up my business plan.

I make a call, hoping the Carlton’s lawyer will be available to help me finalize some logistics.

It’s time to take control of my own life.

***

Every detail in John Cowell’s office, from the sleek, minimalist design to the subtle yet luxurious décor, reflects his attributes: precision, power, control. It's like every aspect of the room, including the man himself, is designed to intimidate.

John himself is a tall, imposing figure with broad shoulders and steely blue eyes that seem to see directly into the soul. John's reputation as a powerful attorney precedes him; he's rumored to have an uncanny ability to dismantle opposing arguments in a matter of seconds, and he's known to only represent a selected one percent of the wealthy elites in town.

“I was surprised to get your call, Miss Jones,” John says as his pretty blonde office attendant gently places a cup of tea in front of me.

“Thank you,” I mutter, flashing her a quick smile. My hands tremble slightly as I pick up the cup and raise it to my lips, trying to compose myself. Finally, I drop the cup on the table and look up at him with a small smile. “I'm sorry for coming at such short notice. Thanks for having me.”

John nodded. “I couldn't turn you back when I heard you were acquainted with Paul. How may I help you?”

“I– uh…” I clear my throat lightly and start again. “I want to start my business and I would like your opinion on the legal aspect of things.”

“What kind of business are we talking about, Miss Jones?”

“A flower shop,” I reply with a small smile.

John raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “A flower shop? That's a bit of a departure from the type of ventures I'm usually consulted on. But, of course, I'd be happy to help. What specifically are you looking for in terms of legal advice?”

“I want to make sure everything is set up correctly from the start,” I say, gaining a bit more confidence. “I’ve saved up enough to get it off the ground, but I’m not sure about the legal requirements, permits, and any potential pitfalls I should be aware of.”

John nods thoughtfully. "Starting a business, even something as seemingly straightforward as a flower shop can be complex. You'll need to choose the right legal structure, such as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. Each has its own legal implications and tax considerations."

I nod, trying to absorb everything he’s saying. “I’ve been reading about that, but it’s still a bit confusing. What do you recommend?”

For the next thirty minutes or so, John guides me through the permitting process, business establishment, and everything else I could ever want to know about opening the shop. It’s overwhelming, but I’m glad to be getting the information up front. It will make things easier in the long run.

I take a deep breath, as the weight of my endeavor suddenly starts to dawn on me. "I didn't realize there was so much involved. But I'm determined to do this right," I add with a nervous chuckle.

John offers a reassuring smile. “It’s a lot to take in, but with the right preparation, you can get things off the ground. I can help you draft contracts, review leases if you’re renting a space, and make sure all your paperwork is in order.”

"Thank you so much, Mr. Cowell. I appreciate your help," I say, feeling a wave of relief.

He nods, his expression softening just a fraction. “It’s my pleasure, Miss Jones.”

I clear my throat slightly, my cheeks heating up as I lean forward in my chair. “I-uh– how do I go about consultation payment?”

“This one's on the house, Miss Jones,” he replies, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “Have a good day.”

I leave the office feeling productive and ready to finally start taking my business plan seriously. I head home and start surfing real estate sites to see if there are any shop spaces available. Nothing immediately catches my eye, but it’s always fun to look.

As I am searching, Bonnie calls and I excitedly tell her about my meeting with John and this newfound enthusiasm for opening the shop.

“You sound so excited," Bonnie teased, her voice tinged with amusement on the other end of the line. "I haven’t heard you this enthusiastic in a while. It’s good to hear."

“I know, right?” I said, laughing softly. “It’s just… I finally feel like things are falling into place.”

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