The single mom and her boss

Chapter nineteen - You should behave

Jasmine's POV:

The holidays went well. Chloe and I received gifts from my parents and Adam. She liked his gift a lot. I should say that he has great taste. It turned out that he was my Secret Santa. It's a funny coincidence. I see that he has liked my gift. I see it in his office. He has figured it out. Maybe he saw me putting the gift. Everything is back to normal. I took off the decorations at home. Chloe wasn't happy about it. I can let her decorate for Easter. She loves feeling festive. I think that we can go somewhere for her spring vacation. That's why I haven't taken her anywhere. I couldn't afford it before. Honestly, I would love to spend time with her. I mean, away from everything. My job is not tiring me, but I won't deny a rest. I won't make plans for the future. I don't know what can happen. Mom will say that I should take Adam with us. That won't happen. I don't mind him, but he is only my friend. For now, I don't want us to get so close. Chloe has been my priority and the only close person in my life. I can't think about this right now. I have to help Chloe with reading. She got excited to start doing it. Usually, I read us bedtime stories. Now, she does it. I have to say that she is learning quickly. I think she enjoys it a lot. I hope that I can help with the lessons.

No one can watch Chloe today. I might be in trouble. I leave Chloe with the teachers in the afternoon. Today, the teacher is sick. She can't be replaced. My parents are at work. Miss Stevens might be free, but I'm not sure. I will take her with me to work. I don't think Adam will mind. I'm afraid of the others. She will be in the office with me all the time. No one will get bothered. I didn't want this to happen. Well, I can't hide her for long. It's not right.

Currently, I'm in the office. Soon, my lunch break starts. I have to go and pick up Chloe from school. In the morning, I prepared some snacks. Sometimes, she gets hungry. Usually, I put some in her backpack, but I didn't do it today. I took them with me. When the time came, I walked out. Carla and Kelsey asked me for lunch, but I had to deny it. I'm sorry, but my daughter is more important than some food. She was quiet the whole ride. I noticed the looks of some people, but I ignored them. I'm not in the mood for this.

- Ok, Chloe. I have work to do. Please, be quiet. I'll help you with the homework.

- You won't hear a sound from me.

- Good. How was lunch?

- Delicious. I loved your mashed potatoes with chicken.

- It sounds good.

- What are you doing?

- I have to check the sales.

- What are sales?

- This means how well a product is selling.

- Can I have a snack? You said you had some.

- I do. Here you go.

- I have to finish my math homework.

- Let's see what you have.

- We started with the numbers from eleven to twenty.

- Good.

- I have addition and subtraction.

- Then you will do them while I finish my work.

- Sure.

- Jasmine, Adam wants the report.

- Mommy.

- Hold on, Chloe.

- I won't ask anything. Will you bring it to him?

- Yes, I will. I'll get it printed.

- You can send it to his email.

- Mommy.

- One second. The sales are going well. The line is going up. We do have fewer sales in some collections.

- It's a usual thing. Don't worry about it.

- Thanks. What do you want, Chloe?

- I don't understand what I have to do here.

- You have three friends. Ally, Sam, and Ben. Each one of them has five apples. You have to find out how much they will have after each one gives an apple to a little kid.

- How? I don't understand.

- How many operations with numbers do you know?

- Addition and subtraction.

- Good. Which one will you use to find how many apples the friends have together? Combined.

- Addition.

- Now, what will you use to find how many apples they have after giving away some?

- Subtraction?

- Correct.

- Jasmine, I need the report. Hi, Chloe. I didn't expect to see you.

- I don't have school this afternoon. Mommy is watching me.

- I have a big couch and a coffee table in my room. If you come, it's all yours. That way, mommy can work in peace.

- Mommy, can I go?

- Be quiet and don't bother him. If you need something, come and ask.

- Can I take my snacks?

- Mine are better. - Adam said and took her away

It doesn't matter if she is with me or not. I will do my job. The problem is that I always think about her when she is not around. It's like a thing that I do. At least I managed to finish all my tasks for the day. I saw Adam going to this meeting. I went to leave the papers on his desk when I noticed the office was empty. Where is Chloe? I'm sure he won't leave her alone. I looked around, but I didn't see her. Soon, she came with Carla. This girl will give me a heart attack.

- Your curiosity will kill me. - Carla said, laughing

- Where have you been? I have been looking for you.

- I wanted to use the bathroom. She didn't look like a stranger danger.

- Because she isn't. You have to tell me these things.

- I'm sorry. I'll tell you next time.

- Jasmine, nothing happened. You don't need to worry that much.

- Do you have kids?

- Yes. This is why I'm telling you this.

- When can we go home?

- I still have an hour to work. Did you finish your homework?

- Yes. Adam helped me.

- Chloe, here we talk to people by their last names.

- But I don't know his last name.

- Leave her alone. She is only a kid. I'm sure Adam doesn't mind.

- No, I don't. What are you talking about? - Adam asked

- Your meeting was quick.

- I only needed to say a few things.

- Can I get another snack? Yours were good. - Chloe said, looking at him

- No more candies. - I said

- But I didn't say what it was.

- No more candies. I won't repeat it.

- Can I take some of your snacks?

- Yes, you can.

I appreciate what Adam is doing, but this is my job. I finished everything I had planned for today. The other thing is that she enjoys being with him. We are only friends, but I'll let them have fun. I'm sure she was a distraction, but I won't say anything. I was about to go and get Chloe when Carla came. Kelsey was still in the office as well. I don't want to say anything. I will go home and rest. No one believes it will happen. Me, too.

- Do you need something?

- No, but I thought Chloe was here. Do you mind if I say goodbye to her? - Carla asked

- No, I don't. You liked her, didn't you?

- I haven't seen such a little kid in a while. I have two teenagers.

- Are you sure she is only seven? - Kelsey asked

- Yes, I am. Why?

- She looks older.

- I know when I had her. Chloe is only seven.

- Well, she is cute. I think you should make her piggy tails.

- I have done that. I play with her hair a lot.

- Who wouldn't? Look at her.

- I appreciate the positivism. It has been a long time.

- What do you mean?

- Nothing.

- Mommy, can we go home? I'm bored.

- Yes, we'll go home. Take your things.

- Here is the bowl.

- You ate everything. Will you eat dinner?

- Yes. That is only a snack. I need proper food to fill my tummy. - she said, and we laughed

- We have leftovers from last night's dinner.

- Yummy.

- If you are ready, we can go.

- Yes. Can we take Adam with us?

- I'm sure he has work to do.

- Oh, ok. Maybe on the weekend.

- I'll see about that. Let's go.

- Bye. It was nice to see you. - Chloe said to Carla and Kelsey

- Bye, Chloe. We can see each other again. - Carla said

- You have to ask my mommy for this.

- I will do it.

Before we left, Chloe wanted to say goodbye to Adam. She has made a good impression today. I received some compliments. When we were ready, we went to the car. I left her things in the backseat with her. I would love it if she could sit next to me, but she is too little. I stopped at the traffic light. When it turned green, I started driving. At this moment, someone crossed on red. I felt how the car hit mine. I did a spin and hit myself on the steering wheel. I felt a bit dizzy. I heard some voices.

- Jasmine. Jasmine!

- A-Adam. Where is Chloe?

- She is safe. Breathe. The ambulance is coming soon. Keep talking. Whatever it is. Please, stay awake.

- Is she ok?

- Yes, she is fine. Carla is with her. How are you? The doctors will be here soon.

- Keep her safe. Please.

- Don't worry about her. Nothing happened. She doesn't have a single scratch.

- You have to stay with her.

- Don't talk like that. You will be fine.

- I don't feel so well.

- No, no. Your head is bleeding. Where is the stupid ambulance?

- You will find everything at home.

- You will be fine. Soon, you will go out with Chloe.

- I. I can't.

- We are here. What happened?

- Someone crossed on red and hit her car. The kid is ok, but her whole head is bleeding.

- Miss, can you hear me? Miss?

- You are?

- Ok, put her on the stretcher. We are going to the hospital. Miss?

- What happened?

- I think she fainted. Miss? Can you hear me? Miss?

- Jasmine? Hey, Jasmine. You can't leave us. Jasmine!

- I. Sorry. - I said

- Don't talk, miss. We'll take care of you, ok? You will be fine.

- C. Chloe.

- I'll take care of her. You don't have to worry about that. She is in good hands. I won't leave her alone.

- Don't tell my mom.

- Who?

- Mom. Don't.

- We'll be fine. I can take care of everything.

- I don't want.

- Rest. You should rest. I'll take care of everything.

- Sir, we have to leave.

- Take care. Jasmine.

- Thanks.

- Miss? Take her. Let's go.

- Jasmine.

- Miss? Hey. Don't faint. We are here. Miss? Wake up. Miss? Hello. Can you hear me? Say something. She is losing blood. Clean it and put it in the oxygen. Hurry. We don't have much time.

That is when everything went black. I couldn't hear anything. I don't know what is going on. All I can think about is Chloe. Adam said he would take care of her. I can't leave her, but I can't take care of her. Why did this happen to us? I'm trying to be a good parent. Do you know how hard it is? I can't let her go through this. She will be upset. The last thing I wanted was something like this to happen. I keep failing every day. Sometimes, I feel like I don't deserve her. I love her so much, but I'm not good enough. That doesn't mean I'll give up on her. I hope that she is well.