Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Jessica walked dejectedly to her office. It was a beautiful enclosed compartment just beside the CEO's office. She sat down in her chair, dropping the documents in her hands.

Her mind went back to her boss's cold demeanor. He must still be angry with her, that's why he sounded cold towards her. She was grateful he didn't let anyone know what transpired between them.

She wondered if she should send him an apology mail. But he said he doesn't like mixing office work and personal matters. How was she supposed to apologize to him if she can't even say it in the office?

The only place Jessica can meet her boss was the office. But she can't even apologize here.

"Hmmm, I should focus my attention on these documents so I can finish them before lunchtime" she muttered to herself.

Jessica delved into the documents on the desk first. Fortunately, these jobs are areas of expertise. If not for her knowledge of computers, she was sure she would spend more than a day analyzing all these documents.

Halfway through her work, her boss sent the remaining files to be worked on. She eagerly worked on them so she could prove herself and sustain her job too.

At exactly five minutes before lunchtime, Jessica knocked on her boss's door so she could submit the file.

"Sir, I am through with all the analysis. I sent the ones that require documentation down to the appropriate office and I… " Jessica explained all the steps that he had told her to follow in the email that he sent to her.

Listening to the young girl, Edwin was genuinely impressed. She indeed deserved to be recruited. Too bad, she just has to be his prey.

" You can go. It's time for lunch and when you are back, you will find the rest of the task in your mail" Edwin said, dismissing her after she finished explaining.

Jessica bowed before leaving the office. Her heart was beating so fast at the cold expression on her boss's face.

Just then her phone beeped and it was a text from Misha. It was time for a lunch break and they promised to eat together. Jessica grabbed the lunch box before walking down to the company's cafeteria.

When she got there, there were several workers already seated or ordering food.

"Over here, Jessy!" Misha waved at her.

Jessica walked briskly towards her friend who had reserved a table for them. She brought out the ready-made lunch and they started eating.

"Girl, this is damn sweet! Your mom is a good cook! Will you be bringing lunch daily?" Misha asked, woofing down the food.

"Left for her, she is ready to feed me five times daily!" Jessica complained.

The girls both laughed as they continued eating. Meanwhile, the other workers were staring at Jessica's dress as they mocked her.

"I wonder how she managed to go around with such rags!"

"Yeah. Me too. And the worst thing is that she even works with the CEO looking like that! Isn't she embarrassed?"

"I heard that her dressing was worse on the day of her interview! I wonder what they saw in her to hire such a lowlife!"

As they were discussing, Misha wanted to answer them but Jessica stopped her. It wasn't worth it. She had been bearing all sorts of insults for more than two years, one more month won't be an issue.

Besides, she was worried about something else.

After the lunch break, Jessica went back to her office. She brought out her phone to call her uncle. Since she is working now, he might be able to lend her money so she could pay the twins' tuition fees.

As she was calling her uncle, she didn't notice that her boss had heard what happened at the cafeteria and also heard the call she just made.

*********

As soon as she finished her work for the day, she immediately signed out and left the company in a sad state. Jessica couldn't believe that her uncle would still refuse to help.

Still thinking of what to do, Jessica received a message beep on her phone. She checked the message and saw it was bank alerts. She has been credited by the Turner Group for the first month's allowance.

It was simply termed wardrobe allowance.

She rubbed her eyes so she could check if she was dreaming. It wasn't a dream. She was very happy as she hurried back home.

Once she got home, she was so tired that after she freshened up she fell into a deep sleep. The first day at work was very hectic for her but it was worth it as she remembered the alert she just received.

The next day, she woke up early so she could give her mother her credit card. She was so tired yesterday that she slept off. By the time she woke up, her parents were already asleep.

Yawning loudly, she quickly freshened up and got dressed for work.

When she got downstairs, her mother had prepared another sumptuous meal for breakfast. Jessica knew her mother was very happy because she always expresses her joy in the form of cooking.

"Come and eat, Jessica," her mother said, hurrying her.

Jessica was very excited too. Finally, she can send the twins back to school. The allowance was just enough to cover up the last fees and the recent one.

"Mom, where are the twins?" Jessica asked.

"Oh! I told them to get ready for school. I asked Mrs. Simpson for a job and she found one for me. They are willing to give me an upfront today. Once I get it, I will take the twins to their school to pay out the tuition… "

" Mom, you know I won't let you. I am working now. And who is going to take care of the father? And what kind of work is that?" Jessica asked, gazing at her mother.

" Princess, I can take care of myself till your mom returns. We can't burden you with all the bills" her father cuts in.

" Am I complaining? Dad, mom, why would you want to work now that I have a job? Who is going to take care of the house? Dad, you know you are still in your sensitive state. You can't be alone" Jessica said, refusing her mother's suggestion.

" Jessy, it's not a strenuous job and…"

"Mom, no. I won't let you work as long as I am alive. Your job is to take care of us and daddy. Besides, I already have the money for the tuition fee" Jessica said.

"You have the money? Were you given an advance at work?" Her mother asked.

"Yes, mom. But I think it's a clothing allowance. I will use it first, then when I am paid my salary I can buy a few things then" Jessica said, smiling.

" What if your boss gets angry at you? Why don't I just work… "

" Mom! I told you no, already!" Jessica refused. Then she placed the credit card in her mother's hands.

After persuading her mother, Jessica quickly left for work.

She knew that her boss was going to be so angry at her again. But she just can't afford to put on new clothes when her siblings are not going to school.

Jessica got to the office earlier than her boss. Deep down she was praying he would just ignore her dressing.

"Jessica, come to my office"

She looked up to see her boss looking at her, a frown on his face." Yes, Sir"

As soon as she got to the office, her boss's eyes were glued to her clothes.

" Didn't you receive any money yesterday on your way home?" Edwin asked, frowning. He specifically told them to transfer the money early so she could do some shopping.

But why was she still putting on the same old rags?

" I… I did sir. I am sorry, sir but I had some very pressing needs at home that required that money. I… I promise to change my wardrobe as soon as I get my first salary"' Jessica said.

Edwin's frown was even deeper. Wasn't it because she was mocked yesterday for her clothes that made her call her uncle yesterday? Wasn't it to buy new clothes?

"What pressing needs?" Edwin asked, his gaze fixed on her.

Jessica was reluctant to tell him about her family issues but she had no choice. After all, she was the one that misused the money. She needs to give an account for it.

Biting her lips, she decided to tell him the reason.