The single mom and her boss

Chapter six - You are hired

Adam's POV:

I checked all the job applications. There were only five. Only one woman has applied and she is the only one without experience. I won't lie. She got my attention. She looked desperate but enthusiastic. I want to give her a chance. I'm not sure if this is the right decision. I have to think about the company, not her needs. Many people need a job. Jasmine was clear about why she applied for the job. I understand, but I'm not sure if I can help her. It doesn't hurt to try. I can give her the job with a test period. I'll find someone else if she can't do any of the tasks we give her. That opens up more work for me, but I don't mind. Let's pray that it won't be the wrong decision. I don't have time to educate a slow learner. She said that multitasking is part of daily life. It's a good thing but not always successful. At least it's not when it comes to me. That doesn't work for me. I prefer to do everything one at a time. I talked with my dad about this. He told me it was risky, but the final word was mine. The thing is that I want to help her. Jasmine's goal is to have a better job and free weekends. I believe she didn't share everything. There was no need for that. I'll be her boss, not her best friend. She doesn't need to tell me. I hope that I'll make the right decision.

I called Jasmine yesterday to tell her that she got the job. I'll explain to her everything she needs to know. That will be her one-month test period. If she fails, she has to look for another job and me for another employee. I'm sure she has much to learn. I have high hopes. She looked like a person who was ready to do everything for this position. Maybe her life is not that colorful. I don't ask my employees about their personal lives. We only talked about work. Who knows? She might be the next one I invite for lunch.

I'm in the office, waiting for Jasmine. We have scheduled a meeting for today. Hopefully, she can make it. If she plans to work here, she has to quit her current job. I'm sure she will be happy about this. Even if things between us don't work out, I'll pay her the salary for the month. I saw her coming with my assistant. She knows how to dress for every occasion. We don't have a dress code here, but I don't want to see her in shorts and a T-shirt. Well, she already knows it.

- Sit down, Jasmine.

- You have no idea how happy I am to see you. I mean.

- It's ok. I understand. I'll be direct with you.

- I'm listening.

- You will have a one-month test period. I'll watch over you to see how well you do the work. If you do it well, you will have a full-time job here. Otherwise, you have to find another one.

- Yes, sir. I won't disappoint you.

- You don't have any experience, so we'll start with something easy. My assistant will give you some tasks. She has a lot of work. You will help her. If any other employee needs help, you might go there as well.

- No problem. I'll do whatever you say.

- I'm glad to hear this. Your official start will be on Monday. I hope you will quit your current job.

- I already did. I received my last paycheck yesterday.

- Even if things don't work out, I'll still pay you for this month. Is this salary good enough for you? - I asked and gave her a piece of paper with the number on it

- Are you kidding me? That is almost triple compared to what I have received up to now.

- Really? I'm sorry to ask, but how low was your salary?

- You don't want to know. Thank you so much. I didn't expect that.

- I value my employees. Since you will help my assistant, you will be in the same office as her. Do you have any questions?

- It's not about the job, so no?

- Go on. I'm curious.

- How old are you? I'm sorry, but you look my age. Also, way more successful than me. - she said, and I laughed

- I'm twenty-eight.

- Only?

- How old do you want me to be? Fifty-six?

- I'm sure you have worked a lot to be here.

- What about you?

- I'm twenty-four.

- You have a lot to earn, but we can help you. Come to ask me whenever you don't understand something.

- Thanks. I'll try not to annoy you much.

- It's ok. That's why I'm here.

Jasmine and I talked for a while. I had to explain to her what she would do from now on. Kelsey will take care of her. She has a lot of work. Jasmine can help her with that. I continued with my work until lunchtime. I will have one with the new employee. I'll need first impressions. I want to be sure that I made the right choice. I called my dad for lunch. We don't go out often during work. He might help with some tips. It's not like I don't know what to do. I took him to my usual place. People already know me there.

- It was a surprising invitation.

- Can't I go out with you for lunch?

- Of course. Well, I believe it won't be only a lunch.

- I decided to hire the only girl I had.

- Didn't you say she had no experience?

- That is true, but it looks like she needs the job. Also, she is like a person who works a lot. She will be on a one-month test period. If things don't work out, I'll find someone else.

- Ok, but this means more work for you. Why are you doing this? Is there a personal motive behind this? - he asked, with a slight smirk

- What? No. I hadn't met her before.

- First impressions are something important.

- Dad.

- Be happy that your mom is not here. You know what she will say.

- Don't tell her anything. I don't want her to have high hopes.

- She won't find out anything. We don't know how your new employee will work for you.

- I have high hopes. I don't know why.

- Because you believe everyone is like you.

- Well, when I wrote her the salary, she said it was almost three times the one she used to receive.

- Where she used to work?

- In a restaurant.

- I hope you know what you are doing.

- I do.

I have my hopes for this girl. Hopefully, she won't disappoint me. I don't want to do more interviews. We'll see what will happen. My team and I started working on another collection. I don't want us to release new products too often. I have to see how the current ones will perform. After all, I want the sales to go higher. When the workday finished, I went to the grocery store. I need to fill my fridge a bit. No one will cook instead of me. I was in the bread section when I saw Jasmine. Judging by her shopping cart, she is not getting food only for herself.

- Hello.

- Oh, hey, sir.

- I'm not at work. You can call me Adam.

- I prefer to use your last name.

- The way you want it.

- How are you?

- I'm good. I need some food. I see you are doing the same.

- Yes.

- Can you eat all of this?

- Some of these things are for the month. I like to be restocked.

- That is a good thing. Sometimes, there are good discounts.

- I always check the weekly brochures for this.

- Your salary wasn't enough. Was it?

- I'll say that it could've been better.

- What was your old job like?

- I had to deal with ungrateful customers. They don't like it if their food comes after half an hour. Some things take time to prepare. I had nothing to do with this because I was only a waitress.

- I think you will like working with us. There are no ungrateful customers. - I said, and she laughed

- I hope so. Also, I would like to rest on the weekend.

- You will have this, for sure. No one works on the weekend.

- That will be a good thing. I won't deny some rest.

- Everyone needs it once in a while. I'm sure you have other work to do.

- Yes, I do.

- I won't take more of your time. It was nice to see you, and I expect you on Monday.

- Thanks, sir. Have a good evening.

- You too.

I think we can understand each other well. The shopping cart wasn't for one person, but I didn't want to ask. It's not my business. She might not tell me anything. After all, I'm no one. I went home to leave my things. Dad invited me for dinner at lunch. Mom and I fixed our relations. I haven't heard from Stacey soon. It's not like I want to see her. It's better if she stops calling me. I won't respond to her messages, either. This girl can forget about me.

- Your dad told me that you hired a girl. I'm sure you made the right choice. - my mom said

- I hope so. By the way, I saw her in the grocery store.

- I won't say anything, but you know what I think.

- That was occasionally. Nothing will happen. Please, don't have high hopes.

- I won't.

- Her shopping cart was full. I didn't ask, but I bet it's not only for her.

- Maybe she still lives with her parents.

- It's better if I don't know. I'll be her boss, not her friend.

- You said it, not me.

- Mom, I don't have time for this. Every girl wants attention. I can't give it to her at the moment.

- Why? What is more important than this?

- My job. That is my main focus.

- So you plan to spend your whole life focusing on your job.

- Not my whole life. Only, most of it.

- I'm sorry, Adam. This time, I'll agree with your mom. I think you should go out more. I know you have friends.

- Dad, I'm not like you in every aspect.

- I never said that you have to be like me. Don't you want to go and have fun?

- No. I'm not a kid anymore.

- It's your choice. I won't say anything else.

- Thanks. I don't want to hear it.

- Honey, we only want to help you.

- You better stay away because you know what you did.

- I have apologized for that. What else do you want?

- Nothing. I don't want anything from you.

- I didn't think our relations would end this way.

- They haven't ended. Mom, please don't pressure me about this.

- I want you to be happy.

- I am. Not everyone feels happy with girls.

- That is because you have never tried. You don't know what being in a relationship is like.

- I don't need to know.

I understand what my mom wants, but I don't see it happening. I don't have time for kids. This takes too much time. My job is not everything, but I like what I do. I want us to be close together. Nothing else. It will be good for me to be away from everything and hang out with someone. The thing is that I want to have a close friend. I mean, someone who will understand me. I haven't found such a person yet. I have friends, but we became distant. Their interests weren't mine anymore. I'm glad that I found something that makes me happy. I hope that such a person will appear as well.