Sacked

He roamed about the stalls and finally decided to buy a handkerchief.

Instead of going to her, he went to the cashier behind her and while he's paying, he managed to have a look at the little boy sucking on a lollipop and smiling brightly at his mom.

A small smile crept to his lips and soon the boy's and his eyes locked. He giggled at him and the speed in which Mel looked towards that direction was just WOW!

Somehow, he prayed that nothing should ever happen to the baby, because this woman wouldn't survive it.

She sees the kid as her heartbeat.

What a beautiful boy! He couldn't help but admit in his head.

She stingily turned so that he wouldn't be able to look at him again and Bryce smiled.

He wondered if she's still angry that he didn't value a poop.

He took his purchase and left.

It was near closing hours when Mel began to panic a little. 

Will the boss forgive her? She just hoped so.

A part of her feels at ease since the so called boss actually smiled with her son, but something else awaits her.

Mel cleaned up for her son and changed him into a new set of outfits before heading to Kyle's office.

*****

Hearing a knock at the door to his office, Kyle who was a kind hearted soul, knowing he would act opposite to Mel, massaged his temple before telling her to come in.

Mel opened the door and stepped in with her son. 

"Come take a seat." He said politely and Mel didn't do that. Instead, he rushed to him and went on her knees.

That look in his eyes, she has seen it multiple times and the man never asked her to sit down before he starts nagging and her plea will follow, but now, he looked like he wasn't interested in making noise.

It doesn't take a genius to know being fired will be the next thing.

"Sir, I'm so sorry." She said.

The little boy looked serious and stared at his mother, while Kyle took a deep breath and opened his drawer.

"I'm sorry Mel, but I can't tolerate this anymore. No one will agree for you to bring a child along in a mall to work as a cashier, but I did." He said and tears began falling from her eyes.

Her head screaming, 'boss, please be angry. Boss, don't look so calm.'

She always had a chance when he was, but this calmness is scary.

She cannot lose her job. She's so done if that happens.

"I know that sir, which is why I'm always grateful to you." She said.

"Grateful? How are you grateful when all you do is cause ruckus every now and then?" He asked.

"Sir, I never cross anyone unless they attack my baby." She made it clear and he scoffed in return.

"Attacked your baby? Who attacked your baby, Mel? When customers who appreciate kids compliment your son, you start feeling uncomfortable and then they offer to give him something and you rage out, claiming he's not a beggar.

You literally pick on everything and everyone because of him. If you can't tolerate such, then you shouldn't have brought him here in the first place." Kyle said and everything was already getting on her nerves as usual.

"Sir, this is about me, not Collins. He's just a little boy and talking about him like that is not fair." She said, because it was like Kyle was blaming her son or something.

"See? What have I said wrong now? I'm sure you're holding back because I'm your boss." He replied and she lowered her gaze.

"I'm sorry, but I just can't let anyone put the blame on my baby." She replied and he was beginning to feel irritated.

Her baby this!

Her baby that!

Everything is about her son.

Not interested in arguing further, he extended an envelope to her. "Here's your wages. I've added more for you, in case it will take you a while to get a job. Don't report to work, starting tomorrow." He said and dropped the envelope containing cash on the floor.

"No no no, sir, you can't do this. I will change, please don't take this from me. It's the only source that makes me have custody of my baby.

He will be taken away from me. Please forgive me. That man….. He doesn't look angry when he was leaving. Please." She began to wail and Kyle just didn't want to go soft on her again.

The lady will repeat the same thing over and over again. He gave her extra money because of the boy. That's the least he could do.

With tears filled eyes, Mel remained on her knees and clasped her palms together to further plead with him, but he avoided looking into her eyes.

"I'm sorry, but my decision is final." He said he wanted to leave, but she grabbed his leg.

"Don't do this to me please. How about you cut my salary as a punishment? Anything is fine, but this." She pleaded and couldn't help choking in tears while she talked.

The little boy looked scared as if he understood what was happening. His cute eyes glued to his mother's own and eyeballs moving left and right in confusion.

He couldn't help but burst into tears. 

Immediately he does, Mel forgot about pleading with Kyle and quickly wiped her tears.

Within a blink of an eye, she was smiling at her son until he stopped crying.

Kyle, who had sneaked a peek at them shook his head.

No! Enough is enough. He told himself and left.