Chapter 4: Boss

Jasmine's POV 

My sister and I waited for the midnight bus to take us back home. The night was still, calm and quiet. Well, at least that was what it felt like to me because I became numb. 

"Your mother's health is at a critical stage. There's nothing more we can do unless she gets that lung transplant. Without it she'll only have three months to live, or less. I'm sorry."

Those words were haunting me and hung on my shoulders like a piece of clothing I couldn't shake off. I had absolutely no idea on how I was going to be able to pay for my mother's lung transplant. The given total was over half a million dollars, and I wasn't sure what her Medicaid would cover. Regardless, I would have to hit the lottery to obtain that kind of money.

I had to pay the bills and the rent at my apartment, support and provide for my sister's education, put food on the table and provided for myself as well. It was all too much. I didn't know what to do or where to turn to. My mother was dying and there was nothing I could do to save her. I wouldn't be able come up with all that money in the span of three months or less.

The tears flooded my eyes again as we got onto the midnight bus and found a seat. 

Zenia's arms circled around my waist. "It's going to be okay sis. We have to pray. That's all we can do for now," she comforted me with teary eyes.

We loved our mother so much. She had been through everything with us since our first day on this earth and she did it all by herself. We had no relatives and no friends. It was only my mother, my sister and me. 

I wiped my tears away with the hem of my T-shirt. It was at that moment I noticed what I was wearing. I did not have a chance to change into anything decent. I was wearing a worn out shorts and a plain T-shirt that was a bit over-sized for my form because it belonged to Mom. I had on flip-flops and my pedicure was so horrible it looked like it was done by a blind person. My hair was uncombed, but I just couldn't be bothered. It was late and there weren't many people on the bus. 

When we got home, I threw myself on the couch. The same couch Mom was sitting on before the incident. I cried again and, right there, I fell asleep. 

___________

I woke up to my phone ringing. My heart skipped several beats as I thought about my mom. 

What if it's the hospital with the awful news I would never be prepared to hear?

I held the phone with trembling hands. 

My workplace number flashed on the screen. 

I heaved a sigh of relief. 

''Miss Blackman,'' his voice spoke from the other end. 

"Yes Mr. Hollen?" I answered but I couldn't understand why he was calling me. 

I looked at our wall clock, it showed 9:30 am.  

9:30 am! 9:30 am!

Holy shit, I overslept and I was late for work. Oh, dear God, I could be fired for this. Mr. Hollen didn't tolerate things like this. 

"Sir, I'm... so... sorry," I stuttered. I couldn't tell him I overslept, that wouldn't be something sensible to say to the world's strictest boss. 

''Miss Blackman,''  his voice spoke again. 

Oh sweet God, he just repeated my name. I'm in big big trouble. I think I'm fired.

''Why aren't you at your desk?''

I took a deep breath. 

"Sir, my mom got sick last night and I've been at the hospital with her. I came home late and I... I..." I answered while already bracing myself for his response. At any moment he would tell me that I was fired. 

''Be here in one hour,''  he said and hung up.

I exhaled my fear. I still had a job.

I got up from the couch quick as lightening and ran towards the bathroom. I took the fastest shower performed by man and put on one of my formal work dresses. It was easier to get into a dress than a shirt and pants. I combed my hair and threw it into a high bun. I grabbed my makeup; I would do it on the bus. I took my house keys and ran out the door, locking it behind me. 

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me to a bus stop. Luckily, I got a south Brooklyn bus as I soon as I arrived at the stop. I looked at my wrist watch: 9:50 am.

The ride took fifteen minutes so I arrived at Hollen Tower's premises at 10:05 am, which meant that I had exactly twenty five minutes to find myself behind my desk. 

I already had my employee pass so I wasn't held up by security. I ran to the entrance and into the elevator. I didn't care who saw me acting like an animal who was making a run for it from the zoo. I found myself behind my desk at 10:15 a.m. There were two faces sitting across from me, looking at me with sarcastic pity.

The interviews! My mind recollected.

I heaved a sigh from exhaustion and got myself busy immediately. 

My line rang. 

''Send in the other person.''

"Who is the other person, sir?" I asked. 

''If you were here on time then you wouldn't be asking me that stupid question now. Send in anyone! I don't care!'' 

His words were hurtful, like a carving knife cutting away at my flesh. Why was he so mean?

"Next person, please," I said to the applicants.

A young woman, who could have been around my age, got up and walked towards Mr. Hollen's office. 

The tears crept onto my chest, waiting to be spilled out of my eyes; but I was not about to cry at my desk. 

It became too heavy.

I excused myself from my desk and went to the bathroom and cried for five minutes. I wiped my eyes with some tissues, gathered myself again, and went back to my desk. 

I stopped short of my desk when I saw the same young lady who had gone into his office a few minutes ago, behind it and the other no where to be found.

"Are you Miss Blackman?" she asked. 

I nodded yes. 

"Mr. Hollen would like to see you in his office immediately," she said. She already sounded and looked professional. 

Oh no. 

He had already replaced me, and if he used the word 'immediately' to seek someone's presence in his office, trust me, that's not good news. 

I headed towards his office, knocked and turned on the door's handle. I opened the door and walked in, fear putting a slow pace on my movement. 

His back was turned towards me. 

He swiftly spun around in his chair and faced me. His eyes locked on mine, getting darker and darker by the second. 

That's definitely not good.