Saved By A Bully

Chapter 2 : Stingy boss

I asked her with a frown, "How do you know that? Did you- " I did not have to complete my sentence when she nodded at me with a soft smile. I smiled back at her. I looked at my baby who was giving me a toothy smile. I heard her saying, "She is a fast learner, you know. We practiced a lot yesterday with the words, mommy, grandma, and please. You heard her uttering those words, right, Ana?" I nodded at aunt Lina.

I hung my head down by thinking about how terrible a mother I am that I can not even manage my time for my baby to play with her and teach her uttering words. I should be the one to be her first teacher, but I, I am struggling with everything from the very beginning. What if I failed to be a good mother to her when I can't even make some time for her, let alone be there for her? I am blessed that I got a good neighbor like aunt Lina. I have to work hard for my baby to admit her to a good school after two years. I need to do it.

Aunt Lina sensed why my mood became sour. She patted my back and said with an encouraging smile, "You don't have to worry about her, Ana. Your daughter will understand your struggle and never judge you in the future. She will be proud of you and tell everyone that she wants to be like her mother when she will grow up. Be brave and strong just the way you are. You need to stay happy, Ana. Look at your daughter how much she is struggling in calling you her mommy. Now straighten you back and face this world."

She is right. Aunt Lina is always right. She is the only person I trust the most. I know my daughter is safe with her. Taking a long breath, I told her with a nod, "You are right, aunty. Anyway, - " I kept my daughter's bag on the coffee table in her living room and said, "Here is her food and clothes in this bag. I kept some fruits and muffins in a small tiffin box and also inside another tiffin box, I packed her lunch, water bottle, and her milk bottle. I will be back in the afternoon to take her home as today is my off day in the departmental store. And please call me to let me know if you face any trouble with my baby. I will come-"

I was cut off by aunt Lina who called out my full name, "Anastasia Ivona!" I winced with her tone. She was giving me a stern look before saying, "Sit down, Anastasia." I shook my head and was about to say something, but she bit me in it and said, "Sit on the couch and try to catch your breath, Anastasia."

My daughter was giggling which made my eyes narrowed at her. She was having fun to see her mother receiving a good scolding from aunty, Lina. I obeyed my aunt and sat on the couch. Closing my eyes, I began inhaling and exhaling rhythmically. Then I opened my eyes and left that couch. I gave her a firm nod before saying, "It helps. Thank you, aunty." She smiled at me. Walking toward her, I pinched my baby's chubby cheeks and said with narrow eyes, "I will get back to you for laughing at me, you little human."

She shook her head with her large blue eyes and said with a small pout, "Noooo! Mouuuuuummmyyyy." 

Aunt Lina and I laughed at her cuteness. My daughter is turning herself into a drama queen every passing day. She asked, "Did you receive mail from that school where you applied for your scholarship, Ana?" 

I sighed helplessly. Yes, school. I am waiting for their mail for months. After coming to New York with my six months old daughter, I applied to lots of school for my admission in pre senior year. I sat on admission tests and also applied for the scholarship in every school where I passed their admission test paper a few months ago. It has been over seven months since I am waiting for their mail. I did not stop there as I need to earn money for living and paying the bills every month. I work as a waitress in the day time in a restaurant and then in a famous departmental store in New York from four in the afternoon to till night.

I told aunt Lina, "I did not check yesterday as I returned from my other job late at night. I will check my email after coming back from the restaurant this afternoon. I have to leave for the restaurant, aunty. I don't like to hear her scolding today. My daughter made my day beautiful by calling me her mommy."

I kissed my daughter's cheeks and told her, "Don't give a hard time to your grandma, okay? I will be back soon." I told aunt Lina with a small smile, "I am leaving now, aunty. Take care." 

She nodded and smiled back. She held my forearm and told me, "I will take care of Emma, Ana." I nodded.

After kissing Emma, I walked out of her home and entered my garage to bring my scooter out before drove off toward my workplace. I looked back and watched my daughter who was waving her right hand to me in my aunt's arms. I also waved back to her. I hopped off when I heard aunt Lina said, "Drive safe, Ana." Giving her a nod, I drove off toward the restaurant with my helmet on. It took ten minutes for me to reach there.

Parking my scooter in the garage, I turned toward the restaurant before walking toward the entrance. As I entered the restaurant with a neutral expression, I came face to face with my boss who was giving me a scolding stare. I did not back away with her hard gaze. She said in a hard tone, "You are late, Anastasia." 

This is not new to me. She has a problem. But not within her. Even when anyone comes before the time for work, she tells them the same that they are late. But the truth is we all come on time. Just like the other days, I tell her the same thing in the same way she repeats the same words to me. I sighed helplessly.

Locking my gaze with her, I told her in a serious tone, "And you did not find it necessary to repair your wristwatch, boss. How many times do I have to tell you to give me your watch so that I can fix it myself?" 

My colleagues snorted which turned our boss furious. She looked at her employees and scolded them, "I don't pay you all to stand here and laugh at me. Go and take orders from our customers. And you- " She turned toward me and ordered me, "Follow me, young lady. You need to know your boss is not stingy."

I bit my tongue, preventing myself from laughing at her face. I followed her to her cabin and she gestured me to take a seat. As she sat on her chair, she opened her drawer and took out something before pushing that toward me. I frowned to see she pushed a box toward me. I looked at her and found she was giving me a worried look which did not suit well to me. She told me, "I saw this on my doorstep when I went to my home after closing this restaurant, Anastasia. This is yours." Why? Why can't they just leave me alone?