The single mom and her boss

Chapter eleven - Special event

Jasmine's POV:

The special event is in a few days. Mom thinks I should go. I don't go out often. She and my dad will take care of Chloe. It will be for a few hours, but I don't want to leave her. Lately, I haven't been feeling well. I don't know what is going on. I started getting upset. No one has told me anything. The only reason I agreed to go out with my boss was because of my mom. She thinks I need to spend time with people my age. I can't leave Chloe alone. She is old enough to take care of herself. I know it. The thing is that I won't feel good. I don't want to be obsessed with her. It's not healthy. At least she is doing great at school. I haven't heard the teachers complaining. She doesn't say anything as well. I don't think she will hide something from me. Let's say that we have a special relationship. Whenever I leave her, I feel like I'm losing her. That is one of the reasons I spend so much time with her. She is everything I have. I love my parents, but there is something different about it. Chloe is my whole world. Maybe it's because I raised her alone, but I got addicted to her since the day she was born. Sometimes, I sit and hold her for as long as I can. She won't go anywhere, but I can't be sure. I hope that I won't think about her at the event.

Today, there is a special event. My boss moved it to Saturday night. I have a busy day. Chloe and I have to go out before lunch. I have to do the grocery shopping. In the afternoon, I should cook and study with her. My parents offered to do this instead of me, but I denied it. That is part of my chores. Later, I'll get ready for the night. I'll borrow some of my mom's dresses. I don't want to spend money on this. I probably won't wear it ever again. That is what I'm hoping for.

Currently, Chloe and I are in the grocery store. I let her pick whatever she wants. Of course, I check the price. I earn more money, but it doesn't mean I'll spend all of it. I'm trying to make her eat healthy. Well, I like junk food as well. That is why we have pizza on Friday night. I have put most of the things I need on the shopping card. Chloe likes candies. I let her eat as long as she doesn't take too much. I know how sugar affects kids. I was one as well.

- Ok, Chloe. What else do you want? We already have a lot of things.

- Can we have marshmallows?

- Why do you need them?

- We can make hot chocolate with them. Please. Can we afford it?

- Yes, we can. I already have a full-time job.

- Great. The boss liked you.

- Maybe. Do you want anything else? We need cocoa for that.

- Can we go to the park today?

- Chloe, we have to go home and eat lunch. Later, you will study, and I will cook.

- Maybe tomorrow.

- I'll think about this. If you want, I'll stay with you tonight.

- Grandma said you have to go to the event.

- It's not obligatory. I can skip it.

- You have to go. Grandma will get mad.

- Don't worry. I will deal with her.

- I don't think so.

- Mom? What are you doing here? How did you find us?

- I wanted to make sure you will go out tonight.

- Mom, I'm not a kid. Why do you want me to go so much? I don't want it.

- Because it will be good for you. Go out and have fun.

- Why are you here? I have to go home.

- I'll cook and study with Chloe. You will go out in the afternoon. Chloe, what do you want us to eat?

- Hot chocolate.

- I said food.

- Mom, I won't do it.

- Who asked you?

- I said no! Chloe is mine, and I'll take care of her. I don't want to do any of the things you want.

- It will be good for you.

- That is my choice. Can you leave us now? I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay at home. You can't do anything about this.

- Honey.

- No! We are leaving.

- Bye, grandma. I'll see you tonight.

- Chloe, we are together tonight.

- But you have to go.

- I changed my mind. We can watch another Disney movie. What do you say?

- Snow white?

- Why not? I'll make us hot chocolate with marshmallows.

- Yay! Thank you.

I shouldn't have reacted this way while Chloe was with me, but I couldn't hold it anymore. Mom is annoying me. I am old enough to do whatever I want. That means I can take care of her. When we finished shopping, Chloe and I went home. I have some leftovers from last night. We had these for lunch. Later, I started cooking. I pulled out the math notebook I bought for Chloe. I want to make sure she understands everything. I'm making chicken porridge. I'm glad that my daughter is not a picky eater. It's not that I'll let her be one. She will eat whatever I put in front of her.

- Seven plus three is nine.

- Chloe, that is not correct. How much will you have if I give you three candies and you have seven?

- Nine?

- Take these candies. Please, don't eat them. Here, you have seven.

- Yes.

- I give you these three. How much will you have? Count them.

- One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten.

- How much is seven plus three?

- Ten.

- Good. On to the next one.

- Nine minus five is four.

- Correct.

- Five plus three is eight. Four plus two is six. Eight minus one is seven.

- Good job. Keep practicing.

- Will you go to the event tonight?

- Chloe.

- Please. Grandma will watch me. You should go.

- Why do you want me to go so much? What have you planned?

- Nothing. You don't go out anywhere without me.

- I like spending time with you.

- Me too. Five minus three is two.

- Yes, it is.

- What are you cooking?

- Chicken porridge. Why?

- Yummy. Can I try it? I won't burn my tongue.

- Sure, but it's not ready. You can ask your grandma to serve it to you tonight.

- Will you go? - she asked, excited

- Yes.

- Can I see you in the dress before you leave? Please. I won't tell anyone. - she said, and I laughed

- Sure.

I called my mom to come and take care of Chloe. I know what I said, and I apologize for that. Later, I went to get ready. Mom brought me her dress. I'm glad that it fits me. Chloe was cheering me up the whole time. I won't put that much effort. The only reason I do it is because it's my first time. I can't miss it. Next year, I might skip. I didn't plan to drink, so I took the car. I arrived in fifteen minutes. The traffic is now low.

- Jasmine? You are so pretty. Come here. - Carla said

- Thanks. You look good as well.

- Not as good as you. He is over there.

- Who?

- Adam.

- And?

- And what? Go there.

- I'm here only because it's my first time. I didn't want to come at all. Mom convinced me.

- You two look alike a lot. He is doing the whole thing for us.

- Really?

- Come with me. - she said and grabbed my hand

- Wait!

- She is here, sir.

- Oh, hey, Jasmine.

- Hi.

- We see each other again. - a woman said, chuckling

- Yes, I remember you.

- That is my mom. - my boss said

- Really? Then why is she so young?

- I wish I was. That was a long time ago.

- It's still worth it.

- Do you want food? Drinks? You don't have anything.

- Thanks, but no alcohol. I came in the car. Also, I don't drink alcohol.

- You are perfect. We need to go out sometimes. When do you have free time?

- Mom, leave her alone. Look, Carla is over there. You can go and talk with your best friend.

- I'm watching you. - she said, chuckling, and left

- I'm so sorry about that.

- It's ok.

- Dad is a chiller. He is over there.

- I either have seen him, or he looks like someone else.

- Both of these are possible. Are you sure you don't want anything?

- I can take a glass of water, but I'll go and take one.

- No, I'll bring you one. I don't mind.

After some time, I went to the bathroom. I wanted to call my mom. She told me that everything was fine. Even if it hadn't been, she wouldn't have told me. I wanted her to say yes. That way, I could go home. Nothing happened. I had to go back to the event. I went to my office and opened the window. I wish I hadn't been here. I have to go out more often, but I can't do it how I want. Also, I'm not going anywhere without Chloe. I hate leaving her with someone else.

- Hey, are you ok? Did something happen?

- No, sir. I'm fine.

- You can call me Adam. We are not at work. Well, you can use it at work.

- It doesn't feel right.

- I'm the boss. I think you should do whatever I say. - he said, chuckling

- If you say so.

- What is going on? You are not in the mood.

- You shouldn't worry about this.

- Feel free to go home whenever you want.

- I would love to, but my mom won't like it. She says I need to go out more.

- No one should make you do things you don't want to.

- She is not wrong, but I can't do it how I want.

- What do you mean? Is there something else?

- I don't want to talk about it. All I will say is that it's complicated.

- Can I help you with that?

- No. It's my responsibility.

- If you ever want to go out, call me.

- Thanks. I don't know when I'll do it. Lately, I'm busy.

- Everyone needs a break. You, too.

- It's not that easy. I have a lot of work at home.

- Why don't you let someone help you? I'm sure your parents will agree.

- They will, but I won't let it. I don't accept help that easily.

- Why? You can't do everything alone. You will break.

- I learned to do everything. There is a reason why I multitask.

- I have an offer for you. One day of every week we'll go out.

- Why should I accept?

- Do you have friends?

- No.

- Then? What do you have to lose?

- I.

- I'm not forcing you. I barely go out as well.

- You can find new friends.

- It's not that easy.

Adam and I kept talking. He might be my boss, but I felt like I was talking with a friend. I might accept the offer. I don't want to leave Chloe alone, but it will be good for me to go out with someone. Mom won't deny watching her for a few hours. Honestly, she insists a lot more often. I'm the one who doesn't let her do it. I have my reasons. I love my parents, but it's my job. No one else should take care of it. When she grows up, I'll have more time for myself. It's not a bad thing. Well, I have no idea what I'll do. Maybe my boss can help me. I hope that it will end well.