The single mom and her boss

Chapter twelve - She won't tell me

Adam's POV:

The special event was good. Jasmine came. She looked great. I haven't seen it in a dress. She told me this was a rent from her mom. I still liked it. We talked a lot. It might have been one of my best nights. I don't go out much. My friends and I are not a group anymore. Let's say that we got distant enough. I need to find new ones, but it's not that easy. I don't want them to use me for my money. I might be rich, but it doesn't mean I'll allow it. This is why I offered Jasmine to go out with me. I liked it the first time. She is always busy. I don't know what is going on. I don't think she will share. It's not like I need to know everything about her. She told me that she doesn't accept help that easily. If I want us to get close, it won't be easy. Maybe I should try with someone else. I can't have closer relations with an employee. This might not end well. Also, I don't want my mom to have high hopes. She talked with me after everyone left. I understand her, but it doesn't happen like magic. I don't have much time to go out with girls and get to know them. If I wanted to, I would've done it. My interests have changed too much. Not every girl likes to have a boyfriend who works that much. I hope that I can keep my work away from my personal life.

The new launch is happening. After the success of the second drop of one of our collections, we decided to do another one. Jasmine is taking care of the handwritten notes. The creators loved them. She had even better ideas. I might put her on the team. Last week, Carla showed me some samples. I can't believe Jasmine did them. I don't think she will ever show them to me. I won't use them now. We have already planned a launch. It doesn't mean that it will never happen. Maybe the next time, I'll use her ideas.

I came to the office a bit early. Today is the new launch, and I want to be ready for it. A few people were here. Jasmine has already sorted my mail. I have told her to slow down her work, but she won't do it. I appreciate her effort. In that case, I can make myself a cup of coffee. Jasmine was there for the same reason. She looks so tired. I don't think I can help her, even if I want to. I didn't say anything and walked up to her.

- Hey. Are you always an early bird?

- It depends on the day. How are you?

- I'm good, thanks. I came for a cup of coffee.

- Well, I can make you one.

- You don't have to do it.

- Here you go. It was a pleasure.

- How was the event? Did you like it?

- Most of the time, I was talking with you. So, yes.

- Good. Feel invited next year.

- I don't know if I will be here next year.

- Why not? Will you quit?

- No, but you can fire me if you don't like me.

- I don't think this is possible. Your work is good.

- Thanks. It means a lot.

- What are your plans for the next week?

- Why do you want to go out with me so much? I'm not that interesting person.

- I won't say that. I think you should believe in yourself a bit more.

- Really? What do you see in me?

- Potential.

- Potential of what?

- Everything. You can do whatever you want. Don't let anyone tell you what you can't be.

- Thank you for the words.

- I mean everything I have ever told you.

- About going out. Can we postpone it? I'm busy on the weekend.

- No problem. I would love to do it whenever you say.

- If you have other plans, you can say it.

- No, I don't. I started making some since we went out.

- Really? Why?

- I have told you that my friend and I got distant.

- Don't you go out at least a few times a month?

- No. I prefer to focus on myself.

- That's a good thing. I have tried it, but it takes too much time. I don't have it.

- Won't you tell me what that thing is? It looks like it stops you from doing whatever you want.

- It's the best thing that could happen. I only wish it had happened a bit later.

- Maybe it was meant to be. If it makes you happy.

- It does. I can't live without it.

Now, I'm getting curious. I know she won't tell me. Maybe she is not ready for this. I took my coffee and left her to work. Kelsey came and gave me her work from yesterday. I'll have another meeting soon. At least, it's before lunch. The launch is already available on the website. We already have a few orders. My team takes care of posting this on social media. I don't want to deal with this. Our business has more than five million followers on all platforms. That is great. I didn't think it would happen. I'm happy about this.

- How is the launch? I see we already have a few orders.

- Everything is going great. People love the new products. - Cassie said

- We should redo our collections more often. - Ben said

- That is a good idea. At the same time, we should make new products. I have some ideas. They are not mine.

- You wanted to see me, sir.

- Sit down, Jasmine.

- Did something happen?

- Do you recognize this? - I asked and pulled out the papers

- Where did you get it? It was in my backpack.

- Carla found it and gave it to me. I should say that I'm impressed. We might use some of your ideas.

- Look, this is a plot of my imagination. Nothing of this is good.

- Cassie, check this out and tell me what you think.

- This is good. We might have success with this.

- Give it to Ben and the rest.

- Yes, we can do that. What colors should we get?

- Are you serious? - Jasmine asked

- Yes. You are younger and know what the trends are.

- I don't stay much on social media. I don't have time for this.

- But you had time to make this.

- It was one time. I don't think it will happen again.

- Why not? Collect your ideas. From time to time, we might use them.

- I'll do this.

Jasmine's ideas are good. I'll keep them for the new launch. I made her pick designs and colors. For now, she has only the products. I'm sure she will choose something new and refreshing. Today's lunch will be with Kelsey. She was in a good mood. If something happens, she might get married. I'll be happy for her. She works a lot. I wanted to take Jasmine with us. I received a no, but Kelsey saved the lunch. I don't know what she did, but it was enough to convince her.

- Thank you for coming, ladies. What will you eat?

- I will take the steak. I'm so hungry.

- Kelsey, are you pregnant?

- What? No, I'm not. Well, not yet.

- Do you expect it to happen? You are in a good mood all day.

- Well, I had a great night. His parents came for dinner. Later, we continued on our own.

- I see. It's good that you have fun.

- I always go. Right, Jasmine?

- Jasmine?

- What?

- Won't you eat? You haven't ordered anything. - Kelsey said

- I'm not hungry. I'll have a bottle of water.

- At least one salad. You have to eat. - I said

- Fine, I'll take one.

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

- Nothing. I'll go to the bathroom. - she said and left

- What?

- Insist. Only you can find out what is going on. - Kelsey said

- Why me?

- I saw the way you two were talking at the event. You understand each other.

- She doesn't want to tell me anything. Whatever it is, that thing keeps all her attention.

- I know you don't want only a friendship, but this is all you can give her.

- I never said that I wanted any of this.

- There is no need to. Everyone knows it. You could've hidden it better. - she said, chuckling

- Very funny.

- There she is.

- Hey, are you ok? What happened?

- Nothing. I have to go. I'll see you after lunch.

- But you didn't eat anything.

- I'll eat at dinner.

Something is bothering her, but I can't do anything to help her. The whole afternoon she spent in the office. She only went out to the bathroom. After work, I stopped her before she went to the car. I care, and I'll show it. Somehow, I convinced her to come home with me. The whole ride was silent. I wish I knew what had happened. It doesn't mean I'll be able to help her. The problem is that this affects her social life and her work. I wanted to make us dinner, but she didn't let me. She has to eat.

- Why are you not eating? You have tried my food.

- It's not that.

- Then? You can tell me.

- I prefer to keep this for myself. If I tell you, things will get worse. I don't want to go through this again.

- What do you mean? Jasmine, talk to me. I won't tell anyone. I'm not your boss, I'm your friend. Tell me.

- I can't do this right now.

- But it affects your work, and I don't want it.

- I'm sorry. I'll keep my personal life away from my work.

- Hey, I didn't ask you to do it. You can talk to me. I'll keep it private.

- I don't even know why I came here. I want to go home.

- Are you sure? I'll drive.

- But I have to take my car.

- I'll drive your car. Then, I'll come home.

- How?

- I can walk.

- No, you can't do that.

- I won't let you drive in this condition. You can hurt yourself.

- I'm not drunk.

- Maybe, but you don't look good. Please accept my help.

- Do I have a choice? I guess you can take me home. If you want, take the car later.

- No, thanks. I don't need it.

- Are you sure you don't want to eat?

- Positive. You'll waste the food.

- Where do you live?

- I promised to go to my parents' house. I haven't seen them in two weeks.

- No problem. Tell me the address. I'll take you there.

- Can we go now?

- Yes, sure. Here, take this.

- Water? Why?

- You wanted it for lunch. Remember?

- Thanks. If you are ready, we can go. I want to go home.

- Sure. Do you like music?

- Yes, who doesn't?

- We can listen to the radio.

- Why not? Play station five. They have the best songs.

Whatever it is, she will never tell me. I don't know what else I can do for her. I hate to see her like that. It makes her work more. People usually do this to get their minds away from the problems. Maybe she is doing the same. I can't blame her. I have done this when things with my friends didn't work well. That wasn't a good decision. I couldn't think straight, and I have made many mistakes. Well, I won't give up on her. Her parents can tell me more, but I won't do it. That is an invasion of privacy. I can't do this to her. She won't trust me anymore. I hope that Jasmine will feel better.