Billionaire's Single Mom

“It’s just getting me down. I worry he’s going to explode on me like he has before. I don’t think I could take the humiliation. I struggle to sleep at night when I think about work,” he said and sighed.

“Well, you have to do what’s best for you. As my mother keeps telling me, ‘If you’re unhappy, it will only play on your mind and lead to other problems.' Then, before you know it, you will become stressed. You’ll stop eating, you know, things like that,” I said, trying to be supportive of the guy.

“Well, it’s the weekend. I’ll step back and really think it through and see what my options are. I just think I won’t be here for the long term that for sure,” he said.

“Personally, I have not really been here long enough to make a real decision. I know he’s an asshole, but I’m in a different position than the rest of you because I’m with him more, so for me, it’s hard to decide,” I replied. “Sometimes he’s supportive of me in front of others, and then he’ll rant and rave behind closed doors. I just try to see the good in people, even if it’s me that ends up suffering,” I added.

“Oh well, knocking off time, we should be getting going, no need to stay longer than we need to eh?” Jefferson added as he grinned at me.

“Sure, have a nice weekend, and take it easy.” His face lit up.

“You too, and see you on Monday Kendall… maybe!” Jefferson added with a raised brow.

I watched Jefferson and the others pack up their things and head off home, I started to finish up and sat thinking of the conversation I had just had with Jefferson. It was hard, should I consider leaving? Or was that too much. Hmm, and would it be my choice? Or was I being swayed by everyone else’s thoughts and opinions? I would consider it carefully, and watch what happened over the next few weeks.

I left the office as I had already arranged to go to Mandy’s house for drinks. I decided that I would speak to her about it. Although she was a bit of a wild one at times, she still had a wise head on her shoulders. Thankfully, she was street smart rather than book smart.

I turned into Mandy’s road, the kids were playing ball on the sidewalk and stood to watch me as I passed them, I gave them a small wave, and they all stood to wave back at me with grins on their grubby little faces. I often looked at kids playing like this and imagined what it would be like if they were my kids that were running and playing.

The car came to a halt in Mandy’s driveway, and I turned off the engine and could see Mandy’s face pressed against the window looking at me with a huge grin. She was such a funny girl. And by the time I reached the house the door, it was already open, and Mandy stood there with her arms outstretched for me.

“Hey girl, what’s up?” she beamed.

“Hey girl!” I replied in a false, silly accent.

“Come on in, make yourself at home, not that I need to say that,” she said as she checked her painted nails.

“Glass of wine?” She held a bottle and two glasses up high in the air still trying to look at her multi-colored nails.

“Sure, why not, it’s the weekend after all!” I loved being with her.

“Steady on girl, I said a glass, not a bottle,” she said with a laugh as I poured from the bottle.

“So, what’s new with you?” I smiled. “You found the man of your dreams yet?”

“No, still looking, a few potentials though, I did start reading a new book. It’s 20 chapters on how to find a man and keep him. It’s a good read. It tells you how to be true to yourself. You should read it,” she commented and sounded as if she were being serious for a change.

“I don’t think I need a book on how to find a man,” I said as I sipped my red wine.

“No, it has plenty of information you could use toward other parts of your life as well, not just relationships, but like your job for example.”

“Funny you should say that I have just had a conversation with Jefferson about the same thing,” I replied. “He said he’s thinking of leaving.” She checked my nails to see if they needed painting.

“You should follow him, your boss is a real ass-wipe and treats everyone like crap,” she replied in an angry tone.

“I know, but I can see past that, I think he’s a lost soul who just needs something to bring him out of his bad self,” I replied.

“That may be the case, but why does it have to be you?” Mandy added as she chose a color for my nails.

“I don’t know, in a way, I’m drawn to him, it’s strange, but I think he may feel the same somehow,” I said. “It’s just his attitude I can’t really handle. He has a really crappy mouth sometimes.”

“Just don’t take any crap; what have I tried to teach you? Remember, you are in control of your own destiny,” Mandy said as she refilled the glasses with more wine.

“I know all that, and the pay and the perks are excellent, but there is no way I could find that sort of offer anywhere else. My resume would look woeful if I left too quickly,” I added.

“Nearly everyone knows what Elijah’s attitude is like, I’m sure it wouldn’t be a problem,” she said, not letting me make any excuses.

“That is true, but it shows I have given up quickly without trying to resolve the matter,” I replied. "What does it say about me as a person?”