"I love you too. And I have the best mom ever."
Tears threatened and she had to blink them back.
"I have the best son in the world." Blowing him a kiss, she hurried upstairs.
Chapter 8
"I want you to stay late today." Jessica breezed into her office and spoke without preamble. The computer company was a product of a settlement from her second husband, and she ran the place like an army general, without mercy and a complete lack of compassion for staff members. As her assistant, Melanie received the full brunt of her spiteful nature.
On her way to work this morning, after sitting in her car for a few minutes, she had decided that it was time to start speaking up for herself and stop letting this bitch walk over her. She needed the money, but there was a limit to how much she was willing to take.
Looking up from the invoice she was typing, she spared her a glance. "Try asking."
That stopped her in her tracks and had Jessica gawking at her.
"Excuse me?"
Calmly hitting print, she rose to retrieve the document before coming back to the desk. "It sounded as if you were ordering me to stay over. Unless I'm mistaken, I'm supposed to leave here on the dot of five and it's up to me if I want to stay for overtime. In the past, staying past five has never reflected on my paycheck. And I distinctly told you that I am a single mother."
"You need this job."
"I can get better."
The two of them stared at each other as if waiting to see who blinked first. Jessica did, light green eyes flashing. "What's gotten into you?"
"You mean, why am I not stretching myself out at the threshold and inviting you to walk over me? I'm starting to wise up." She handed her boss the folder. "The invoices you wanted done ASAP. You have a meeting with Caltech at ten and luncheon with your ex to sort out the details of the house."
"And no, I will not be staying after five. I have my son's soccer practice to go to and there's no way on God's green earth am I missing that."
Grabbing the folder, Jessica stood there for a minute, deciding if she should flex her muscles. She had become so accustomed to people jumping when she said the word, that this, what she called blatant disregard for her authority made her wary. The truth of the matter was that Melanie was the best assistant she had ever had.
The woman was a gold mine. Jessica was often envious of the woman's natural beauty and her graceful ways, not to mention her bastard of an ex-husband had mentioned Melanie several times during various conversations. Melanie Foster might dress in department store clothing, and she might pin back that glossy weight of hair behind her head, but it still did not detract from her looks.
She had also seen her brother-in-law fishing around. The woman attracted men like bees to the honeypot and was not even aware of the power she had in her hands.
"Is there anything else?"
And, she had grown a pair over the weekend.
"Not this minute." Turning around, she wheeled out the door. Melanie waited until she was certain the woman had cleared the tiny room before leaning back and closing her eyes. She had taken a chance there.
If Jessica had told her to pack her things and leave, she would have ended up apologizing and giving her more ammunition to walk all over her. Despite what she had said about leaving, she needed the job. It was convenient and in close proximity to her home and her son's school. Until things improved, she was stuck.
But telling her boss where to shove it certainly felt good.
*****
Her friend stared at her openmouthed. "You said that to her face?"
"Right to her face." Melanie nodded with a grin as she poured dressing over her salad.
"And she did not boot your ass out?"
"She needs me. I happen to be very good."
"Too good for that place." Stretching out her left hand, she showed off the bling she was wearing.
"Wait! Is that diamonds?" Melanie hissed as she grabbed the wrist and brought it up closer to stare at the stones.
