Love Stitches

I still miss him

Hazel's POV

"Hey! The Shakshuka lady"

I turn around and I see the rich i***t who paid for my bill yesterday. I smile at him and he smiles back. I see the blonde on his lap slowly get up and she looks at me questioning.

Once she stood up from his lap, she slightly shoves her aside to get a clear look of me.

"What are you doing here?" He asks me and I show him the papers.

"Newly appointed fashion adviser?" I ask the question more like to myself, just making sure if that is what I do here. Because I don't know, now I find him intimidating.

"Oh My God! Hazel Torres. Is that your name?" He asks.

"Yes. Do you remember all your employees names?" I ask him with a smile.

"No. I don't know I just came across your name. Usually, Ruby takes care of the whole recruitment. But I personally took you in. I find your resume impressive" he says and I don't think I can fly higher than I am doing right now in my dreams.

"Thank you" I smile.

We both hear someone clearing throat and it's Ruby. I don't know what kind of relationship she has with the boss. But I definitely know that he is going to break her heart.

I mean, the way he shoved her aside so quick as if she meant nothing to him., That says a lot.

He stares at me and I stare back at him. He smiles at me and I smile back at him. And then, he raises his eyebrow and that is when it clicks me. I came here for a purpose!

"I am sorry. So sorry. I am here to tell you this.... This that.."

"Oh For God Sake! Tell that fast and leave" I hear Ruby's voice.

And I am taken aback for a moment. I did not expect her voice to come out this harsh but it did. Before I process my comeback, boss takes it over.

"I would appreciate it if you stay in the professional terms, Ruby Johnson" He says and I see Ruby's jaw almost hitting the floor.

"Ignore that. So tell me what it is" he smiles at me as if he just did not glare at the girl who was dancing on his lap few minutes ago.

"I-I personally don't think these trends should be out in the market. Several other brands already used this. Of course there is just a minor change, but that won't stop the public thinking that we copied their concept and changed it a little" I tell him.

"Here, this is what we approved. And this is a strikingly similar trend from Fad. Here is another that we approved. And now this is another similar trend from Yohola. Not just these there are few others like this too" I explain him showing all the pictures.

He takes a look at that and then looks at Ruby with a questioning stare.

"What? I cannot remember every fashion trend that there is" she scoffs.

"Remember, you are talking to your Boss. I can fire you right where you are standing, Ruby Johnson" our boss stares at her and she stands straight.

"I will take care of it, Hazel. And I am impressed with your working skills. I can see that we are going to shine with your skills" my boss says.

"Thank you" I whisper with a smile.

I nod at him and I walk out. I take care of the rest of the new trends and talk to few of my colleagues. We even grab some lunch at the cafeteria that has so many options. I feel like I am at a restaurant at this point.

Another hour later, I walk into the boss's office and I don't see Ruby this time. He takes a glance at me from his laptop and nods at me. His glance then falls on the laptop again.

"Can I leave an hour early? It is my daughter's first day at school and she must be waiting for me to pick her up. Tomorrow is my first day of work, but I just dropped by to see how it works. My job, I mean" I tell him and he smiles.

"Oh! Today is an exception. But what about tomorrow?" He asks.

"Uh.. I am going to hire a nanny. I just have to take care of my schedule" I tell him.

"You don't have anyone else to take care of your daughter?" He asks me.

"I am a single mother. My husband died in a car crash before my daughter was born" I tell him as I show him the ring that I now wear as a pendant.

"Actually, forget about it. Your working hours are on loose ends from now. Drop your daughter at school and come to work. Leave when it's time for your daughter's leave for the day" he says.

"No no, Mr. Montgomery. I can-"

"I am not joking, Hazel! I mean it. Being a single mother must be tough. Moreover you just proved today that you can work efficiently. I am very much impressed. Your schedule and timings are now negotiated. Have a nice day" he smiles at me and gets back to his work like he just did not give me a reason to celebrate.

I just stand there for another minute and wait for him to laugh and say it was all a joke but he indeed looks dead serious about this.

"Have a nice day" I greet him and walk out.

Why does everyone here portray him as if he is a Monster in the body of a human? He seems pretty nice and he is understanding.

I tell Jennifer my bye and she smiles wide knowing that boss had given me a loose schedule. I did not tell her the reason. I didn't know there was a point to let the whole world know that I am a single mother.

I drive to my daughter's school and she is already waiting for me.

"I am so sorry for being late, Savannah" I say as I take her bag.

"It is okay mommy. I was not waiting for that long anyway" she says.

Like I said, sometimes I have hard time believing she is a six year old. But maybe that is how kids grow up alone and with a depressed parent.

On the way home she talks about how she likes this school better than the previous one.

"Jaylen brought pasta for lunch. And we shared our food" she says.

"Oh! You already made a new friend. That is good. Tell me more about Jaylen" I ask her as I stop by a small ice cream shop just at the corner of the street where we now live.

She asks for chocolate ice cream while I go for raspberry. We sit at the table with our orders. This place is not busy at all. As if we have the restaurant only for ourselves.

"Jaylen is Ameya's brother. They are twins. Ameya has other friends. She didn't talk to me today. Jaylen did" she says and I nod.

"This ice cream is tasty. Shall we come here often mommy?" She asks.

"Every time you behave like a good girl, we come here. Is that a deal?" I ask her.

"Yessss. Deal" she smiles wide and finishes her ice cream in no time.

We both go back to our home and I ordered food for both of us. The home delivery service is so fast here. And Savannah finished her homework by the time the food arrived.

Like the good kid she is, she went to sleep quickly. She must be tired. She finished watching half the movie, Pocahontas.

I walk to my room, take a nice warm shower. And I miss Adrian more than any other day. The hole in my heart, that belongs to him.. it seems to only grow day by day.

Today had been an eventful day. I have so much to talk about. I have so much to share. But I don't have him by my side to do so.

I keep staring at our texts from six years ago, that I still preserved. And I let sleep take over me.

Tomorrow, will be a new day. Tomorrow, is going to be a better day.