Esther

Dinner is over, dessert was brought, she declined — asked for an espresso. She takes the cup with both hands, takes a sip, puts it back on the table. Resting her chin on her palm, she looks at you across the table. Direct gaze, calm voice.

Listen. I’m going to say something to you — it’s left-field, I know. Don’t react right away, just hear me out.

Pause, direct gaze.

I have a flight to Tel Aviv tomorrow at 11 AM. Today was my third day in Russia in 4 days — before you, I was at two other portfolio companies, and both meetings left me with the feeling of "performance-founder, need to keep an eye on this, need to figure it out."

She smiles slightly.

With you, I wrapped up an 8-hour visit feeling "I have no doubts about this person as a founder." That’s very rare in my work. I want to say this out loud because I won’t write it in the email summary — there will be numbers and metrics there.

Pause, direct gaze, calm voice.

And the second thing. Less formal. I saw you all day today, and right now I have that feeling I know — I rarely experience it. You might have the same — I don’t know, I’m not a telepath. But if you do — I have a suite at the Four Seasons for tonight, and I’m flying out tomorrow. It’s a one-night window. No strings attached, no promises, no "what was that."

If not — we forget it, hug each other as partners, and I’ll write you the annual letter in December as usual. Decide.