The single mom and her boss

Chapter thirteen - Friends or more

Jasmine's POV:

Chloe got sick. I'm not happy about this. Whenever this happens, I get in panic mode. It's nothing serious, but I can't know. We have been to the doctor. She will be fine in a few days. I'm sure about this, but I get worried for her. I can't keep seeing her like that. She doesn't want to eat or do anything she likes. The whole weekend we spent together. I mentioned the park, but she cut me off. It's not like I would've done it. I don't want anyone else to get sick. Mom came to visit her as well. She cooked out food. That's why my dad stayed with us. They know how I feel when this happens. It's like I have failed to keep her safe. That might not be my fault, but I always feel this way. Most of the time, she was sleeping. I can leave her alone, but I won't do it. I tried to keep this away from my work. My boss has already asked too many questions. I know he wants to be my friend, but I'm not ready. I can't tell him about Chloe. The whole company will know. I can't let her deal with more criticism. Somehow, I'll find a way to deal with this alone. Mom thinks I should trust him more. She might not be wrong, but I don't care. Chloe will always be a priority. Also, I got used to being only us. I can't let someone else into our lives. I hope that she will get better soon.

Chloe feels better now. She will go back to school. I'm so happy about this. It made me feel better. Mom keeps saying that I worry too much. I might take lessons from her. She wasn't like that with me. Things like that happened. I can't do anything about it. Maybe a kid in her class was sick, and she got it from him. I don't know. I'm happy that she feels better now. I could've taken a few days off, but there will be questions. Mom took care of this. She planned to rest anyway. It wasn't the way she wanted, but I appreciate it.

I came to the office a bit early. I wanted to finish the designs of the new products. Who knew that my boss would like them? I'm glad that they can come true. We need a unique color palette. Winter is coming, so we can focus on white and grey. Of course, I'll add more colors. Kelsey came, but I was too busy to greet her. When I finally finished, I went to my boss's office. He was talking on the phone. I can wait. It's not something urgent.

- I'm sorry about that. What do you have for me? Sit down.

- Thanks, sir. Here are the designs you wanted from me.

- Let's see.

- I thought since winter is coming, we should focus on this color palette. Of course, we can add other colors. I'll do whatever you say. It's your collection.

- What you said about the winter is interesting. We can do this and a summer drop of the same collection.

- If you want to.

- I like the simplicity of the whole collection. Do you see younger people using it?

- I can. If you mean teenagers, I don't know. Maybe.

- You know what? We'll give it a shot. We already have great products. Nothing bad can happen.

- I don't want to be the reason behind the company's downfall.

- That won't happen. I guarantee you that.

- I'm only saying.

- Do you feel better?

- Yes, thanks for asking. I resolved my problems.

- You won't tell me, will you?

- I can't. Try to understand me.

- Can I at least take you out tonight? We can have dinner.

- I'll think about this.

- Don't tell me you are busy again.

- I am busy every day, but my parents can take care of my chores for a night.

- I can do it if you let me help.

- Then we can't go out.

- You are a whole mystery, but I like that.

- Why? You make me think that you have never been with a girl.

- I haven't.

- What? Really?

- Not the way you think. I have tried to go out with a few. It didn't end well. We were too different. Also, not everyone wants to have a boyfriend who works that much.

- I don't mind. After all, this is how you have your salary.

- Spending time together and all the other stuff.

- Bullsh*t. I don't care about this. There is a reason why I don't go out often.

- Why?

- I love my work too much. I mean, the one at home.

Part of me got excited about the invitation. It's like I was a girl in high school. I should go out more often. These are the times when I wish I didn't have a kid and could go out whenever I wanted. I can still do that, but I should think about Chloe. No man or friend will replace her. She will always be my best friend and partner in crime. I stayed in the office until lunchtime. Kelsey and Carla invited me to go with them. I don't know why I'm so excited. It's not a date. Calm down, Jasmine. He won't do anything. It's not what you think, and it will never be.

- While eating, you will tell us what the smile is for. - Kelsey said

- What?

- Something has happened. You have been like that since you came out of his office.

- Whose office? I don't understand. - I said innocently

- Don't play these games. I know that look. I had the same one with my boyfriend.

- I have no idea what you mean.

- Kelsey, it's obvious. He asked her out.

- Really? It was about time. What took him so long?

- He didn't ask me out. I'll be at home.

- Yeah, right. Spill the tea.

- It's like I'm in high school, gossiping.

- Haven't you done that?

- No.

- Never?

- I didn't have time for this. Some mistakes were time-consuming.

- What is that supposed to mean?

- Nothing. The food is delicious.

- Don't change the topic.

- There is nothing wrong with that. Adam is a nice guy. I have known him for some time. - Carla said

- Since when?

- His mom and I are good friends. Maybe like seven to eight years.

- That's a long time.

- He was still at university the first time I met him.

- Did he look the same? - Kelsey asked

- Yes, but younger. He has turned into a very handsome guy.

I don't know why they care so much. I won't tell them that I got invited. The thing is that I'm not sure if I want to go. I left Chloe with my parents for the special event. This can't happen too often. It will be a tough decision. If I tell my mom, she will tell me to go. After work, I went to pick up Chloe from school. I want to know what she will say about this. Someone will say she is only a kid, but it's not true. She grew up a lot faster than I wanted.

- Chloe, can I ask you something?

- Yes.

- One friend invited me to go out. Do you think I should do it?

- You have friends. - she said, and I laughed

- Kind of.

- Does this mean my grandma will watch me?

- If you want, I can ask miss Stevens.

- Will you? I want to stay with her.

- It's a last-minute request. I'm not sure if she will have time.

- Let's go and ask her. Please.

- Why do you want to stay there so much? What about me?

- You will go out.

- I haven't accepted yet.

- Why not? Who is your friend? Can I see her?

- It's a he, and not now. I haven't told him about you.

- Do I have to hide when he is at home?

- No. He won't come home.

- Why not? You can invite him. Grandma will watch me.

- Because I don't want to. That is our place.

- Does this mean I can't invite friends?

- No, you can invite whoever you want. Do you have friends at school?

- I don't.

- I thought you had found some.

- No one is like you.

- They don't have to be like me, so they can be your friends.

- Will you go to miss Stevens?

- You want to get rid of me, don't you? - I asked, chuckling

- Noo! I want you here.

- Then I will stay here.

- Go with your friend. I'll be fine.

- Alright. If something happens, tell miss Stevens to call me.

These are conversations I want to have. I don't want everyone to tell me to go out. Chloe might be a kid, but sometimes, it feels better to talk with her. She doesn't understand everything, and I like it. That makes things ten times easier for me. Miss Stevens agreed to watch her for a few hours. I don't mind leaving her alone. Well, I will think about her every minute. Also, she won't have anyone to talk to. Like every kid, she loves having the attention for herself, and I love giving it to her. After an hour, Adam and I were in a small restaurant. If I didn't have a kid, I would've answered immediately.

- I'm sorry for the late answer. I had some things to do.

- It's ok. You know. It's better late than never.

- Next time, I'll try to answer faster. Well, if there is a next time.

- There will be. Only if you want to.

- Maybe. I don't go out much. It might be good for me.

- As I see it, both of us work a lot.

- Chores never end.

- Why don't you accept help? You can't do everything alone.

- I took some things as my responsibility.

- Everyone has responsibilities, but we can't put them on top of everything.

- I wish I could believe in this. You have no idea what is going on.

- I don't expect you to tell me.

- Do you need to know so much about me? I don't want to keep talking about myself. I'm not that interesting a person.

- You are for me.

- Really? Why? I haven't drunk wine in a long time.

- Do you drink alcohol? Whatever it is.

- Not often. It's rare.

- You are clean for that.

- Being an alcoholic in my condition is not a good idea.

- What do you mean?

- Nothing. What about you? Do you drink?

- Yes, but only when I'm with someone. That includes my parents. I'm not a fan of alcohol.

- We have something in common.

- I hope it's not the only thing.

- Why? What else do you want us to have in common?

- As many things as possible.

- Why? Are you trying to set me up with yourself? - I asked, and he laughed

- Maybe. Would you mind?

- No, but so soon?

- I have nothing to lose. You can't be worse than the last girl I was with.

- Don't be so sure.

Adam and I kept talking. I haven't laughed so much in a long time. Well, the red wine helped me. Usually, I don't drink. Not in front of Chloe. I don't want her to think that I'm an alcoholic. It's not true. The other thing is that I'm not from the people who solve their problems this way. That is not a solution to everything. I'm trying to be a good role model for Chloe. One day, she might be like me. I would love that. There is no better feeling than watching your kids grow up to be who you want them to be. It's like a dream turned into reality. I hope that I will tell Adam about her.