The Boss' Daughter

Chapter 16

While Molly was doing my hair and makeup, I thought back to what it was like my first day here. Molly was pretty much a brat...someone you did not want to be around and avoided at all cost. Now, though, Molly is someone I enjoy being around. She's a great thirteen year old and is actually pretty helpful now. We've grown to like each other and I knew I'd miss being around her.

"Get changed and I'll meet you downstairs." I did as she instructed. I took one last look in the mirror, remembering that I only had two days left after tonight of coming to Mr. Adams' home to watch Molly. It was sad to think about. I headed downstairs, hearing the faint sound of Molly's voice carrying up the stairs.

"It took you long enough." Molly bobbed her head a little as she spoke.

"Sorry."

"Are you okay?" It felt weird for me to be on the receiving end of that question instead of Molly.

"I'm fine."

"You know you can tell me. I've told you some things." I nodded, knowing what she meant.

"It's nothing, Molly. I'm just nervous. I'll be fine, though. I am excited."

"Good. I'm excited for you...and for my father. He better not screw this up. He'll have a good one if he doesn't." I smiled at her, taking the compliment. "Let's sit. He should be here any minute." We sat at the bat, waiting for Mr. Adams' arrival. "It's hard to believe a week is almost over."

"It is. It went by fast."

"Can I tell you something, Ms. Burke?"

"Of course you can, Molly. What is it?"

"I'll miss you." If I continued to think about what she said much longer, I knew I'd cry.

"I'll miss you, too, Molly." I wanted to change the subject but didn't know how or what to say.

"I hope things go good tonight."

"Thanks, Molly." The door opened and Mr. Adams walked in. Molly and I stood up.

"Good evening. Are you ready?"

"Yes, I am."

"Molly, I'm not sure what time I'll be home tonight."

"Wait...you're leaving me here alone?"

"You want more responsibility, correct?"

"I do."

"Well, this is your chance to show me that you can handle being her by yourself. You know what I expect from you." Molly nodded.

"Ms. Burke?" He stretched out his hand and I took it. Mr. Adams' had a driver for us so we were able to talk on the ride to dinner.

"How did your day go? Did Molly give you a hard time?"

"Oh, no. Molly was great. She's been very helpful."

"Like helping you pick out a new outfit and pair of shoes to wear tonight?"

"Huh?"

"She used my credit card, Summer. I get alerts when something is charged to it."

"I apologize. I'll give this all back to her when we get back so it can be taken back tomorrow."

"Don't worry about it. It's no big deal. I have the money to spend and besides, you look very nice in that dress." He gently placed his hand on my knee. I smiled. We arrived and went inside. Once inside, we were immediately taken to our table. We ordered and began eating. We were struggling to find things to talk about and I was starting to worry.

"Summer, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm alright. This food is amazing."

"I thought you'd like it. This is one of my favorite places." I took another bite, acknowledging the awkwardness between us.

"I only have two days left of watching Molly."

"Two days? I guess that is right."

"I'll miss it."

"Really? That's hard to believe."

"Why?"

"Being around Molly all the time...it's not the greatest thing in the world." It was a very rude comment for him to make. She's his daughter. "She makes life hard sometimes.

"Don't all kids make life hard for their parents from time to time?" I was trying not to sound so defensive but I hated the way he was speaking about Molly.

"Well, Molly is different."

"Yes, she is different, but she's a smart girl who..." I paused, realizing I was about to say too much.

"Who what?" I didn't speak. "Answer me."

"She sometimes feels alone. Quite frankly, she feels like you don't want much to do with her unless it benefits you like telling her she had to go to the business dinner with you the other night."

"And how would you even know any of this?" I thought back to my talks with Molly in her room and on the front porch swing.

"She told me. She's actually opened up to me lately."

"And I'm supposed to believe that?"

"Mr. Adams..."

"John." His correction kind of made me mad.

"John, your daughter just wants you to spend time with her. If you don't believe me, that's fine. I do think you should talk to her, though. You could take her out to dinner one evening, just the two of you. She'd enjoy that. You spend so much time at work that you don't have any time for Molly and it's not fair to her." I thought back to how my dad was. He never spent any time with me, but he always made time for my brother and sister, which always upset me. I didn't want that for Molly.

"How about you leave me to do the parenting. I'm Molly's father."

"Well, you sure don't act like it."

"Excuse me? What gives you the right to talk to me like that?" Tears formed in my eyes. John's face had turned slightly red with anger.

"I've been so good to you. I've done everything you've asked of me since you hired me as your assistant and I even took this week to watch your daughter, even though it was my vacation week. I have treated her like she was my own and I've listened to her. She's upset. She has no friends, so she doesn't spend time with anyone. She feels like you don't love her because you treat her like someone you've hired at work, where you only invite her to things when it will make you look good. I've been nice to you, trying to let you know how she feels and all you've done is take offense to everything I've said. You've basically calling me a liar, but I'm telling you the truth. What I've said is what Molly's told me, but if you don't want to hear it, I will keep it keep it myself from now on. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to the ladies room." I got up, tears in my eyes, and went to the bathroom. I cleaned up my face and used the bathroom, thinking about how awful things were going. I had definitely screwed up dinner and I could only imagine how upset Molly was going to be when she found out how the date went. She was so excited. I was, too, honestly. I wanted the night to end.