Open for Business

"No, don't worry... it's fine," Zoraida said with a warm smile, somewhat relieved that it wasn't just her. She really had no clue about office plants - usually, it was an assistant who took care of it for her - unfortunately, that assistant hadn't wanted to relocate to Manta Carlos and now Zora was on her own with this. All she really knew is that she liked plants, enjoyed the smell of them and how they made the office feel.

"Peppermint sounds good..." Zora said, nodding at the suggestion, "Is it possible to have other herbs as plants? Like maybe lavender, rosemary or sage?" she asked curiously, Zoraida was aware that they were garden plants but wondered if they could be grown inside too. They'd probably make the office smell wonderful - especially in winter.

When Azalea said it was not necessary to call the office, Zora just smiled, put her phone in her oversized red leather shoulder bag and gave her her full attention, glancing down at the fern and thinking it might be nice for the reception area along with a few other leafy plants, also remembering herself not to forget about the cut flowers too.

"That's great..." Zora said with a friendly smile when Azalea told her that it was quite possible to have the herbs as potted plants. Watching her bring over a potted lavender plant, Zora thought about where it could go. Probably in her office, or in the assistants even. Maybe, she could get two or three... one for each office. The thought made her nod. Yes, she liked that idea.

"That sounds perfect. Actually, I was wondering if you might have three lavender plants? I'd also need them replanted into the pots that you suggested." Zora said as she looked at the ceramic pot that matched the flowers perfectly.

"And the mint too..." she said suddenly, thinking that maybe she'd get herbs instead of the typical ficuses or rubber plants - which were nice, but every office seemed to have them. "Oh, and do you have a few aloe vera plants?" she said turning around, sure she had seen a big beautiful one somewhere.

"Oh, and before I get too crazy picking out plants..." Zora said, "I should ask if you deliver them, and if it's possible to maybe have somebody come by, maybe twice a month to make sure the plants are healthy?" she asked as she put her bag on the counter and started rummaging through it looking for a business card.

"Thyme sounds good. Any nice smelling herb or plant that you can think of I'd be open to..." Zora said as she considered the plants in front of her, wondering if she had forgotten anything. She really wasn't great at this, Celeste was... her aunt always had a knack for these kinds of things. She was the homely person who could turn a shabby space into an inviting room with some throw pillows, paint and a few plants.

"Oh, and rosemary. I completely forgot. No rosemary, please." she suddenly said, remembering Celeste's allergy to the plant. "Any other plant is fine, but not that one."

"Actually, I like the idea of you coming down to the office and setting everything up, bring whatever you need. And it there's a charge for it, that's fine too. I don't expect it otherwise." she said with a smile.

"I honestly have no eye for that sort of thing, and Marie, my personal assistant, well, I already have her running around and I'd feel bad asking her to do it," Zora confessed to Azalea. Her assistant was a godsend but Zora didn't want to bother her with more things to do... even though she knew Marie wouldn't complain about it.

"Do you take cash? Or do you prefer another method of payment?" she suddenly asked when Azalea mentioned a fee. "I don't mind either, though I know some people prefer cash to avoid bank fees." she explained as she pulled out her wallet that contained her business cards too.



@Dreams

"Not at all, " Zoraida said with a smile as Azalea started to write the things down she had asked for. "I know I'm asking for a lot, I'll probably end up driving you crazy with my request," she admitted with a laugh.

Zora listened attentively to Azalea and only glanced down at her business card briefly when she handed it to her, satisfied with everything she was hearing and so just slipped it into her wallet. "That's fine. That works for me, and if I'm not there my assistant Marie will show you around," Zora said, going over her schedule mentally and being pretty sure she'd be around, but just in case, she'd let Marie know.

"Oh, and I would like to put in an order for an assorted bouquet to be sent to this address," she said passing another card across the counter. "It's my home address," she explained, "I enjoy having cut flowers." Zora said, "Makes the house feel cheerier."

@Dreams

"I didn't realise today was the first day you were open..." Zora smiled, "You have a very nice shop indeed." she said as she gave Azalea a credit card with her details and some ID so she could ring up her purchase and put the card on file if she wanted to.

"Let's see, maybe this one here," Zoraida said to Azalea as she glanced at the bouquets on the laminated paper thinking they were all rather nice and deciding on one that delicate purple flowers mixed with red and pink roses, carnations and babies breath.

"And just charge everything to the same card, I'll let my PA know you are coming, and thank you for all your help today." Zora remarked with a warm smile, very impressed with the service she had been show.