Mrs Jackson's secretary

Chapter 7

Michelle's POV

I looked out of the window. I didn't register how much time passed, but Lorraine fell asleep next to me. I was scared. I was scared of what exacly?
That something could happen to her and her kid?

She needs to divorce that bastard and move out if she doesn't want to report him. I should help her. No. I have to help her. She trusted me so I can't fuck it up.

I made toasts for breakfast for both of them. Toby ate them and gave some salami to Zu. I'd usually scold people for feeding her like that, but I made an exception for him.

Lorraine hasn't eaten much, instead stared out of the window, too deep in her own thoughts. I had an occasion to admire her side profile. Her jawline, her cheekbones were just perfect to me. I wondered if she had any facial feminization surgeries. I figured out it was a sensitive topic and to better not start it unless she does it herself.

She turned to me, propably seeing that I was staring at her. I just smiled because I didn't know what to do to make it look less creepy. She smiled too. It was weak and a little forced but I was happy she tried to.

"Toby!"

She called her son and started preparing to leave.

"Wait, why do you want to go? And where? To your house? "

" No, he's still there."

"Who's property it is? "

"Both of us."

I cursed quietly.

"I'm gonna stay in a hotel. I can afford that."

"But why? You can just live here for a while."

"Ellie."

I calmed down and looked at her.

"I appreciate your help, but I can't rely fully on you. It isn't fair. Goodbye."

"Bye!"

I heard Toby shout to me when I was closing the door behind them. A tear threatend to fall down my cheek so I wiped it.

Why was I crying? It was her decision. But I was so fucking worried. Why?

Lorraine's POV

Toby was staying with Morgan and I booked a hotel room for myself. I needed to be alone. It was propably my bad habit, to isolate myself from everyone when something was happening. I mostly went to work and shops. Michelle avoided me for a few days and then called that she's sick.

She was absent for a whole week and then at the beginning of the next one, I started to worry.

When I finished work for today, I went to the shop with an intention to buy her favourite snack and visit her. But then I realised I don't know what should I pick. I thought I knew so much about this girl and then I realised that I have no idea what she even likes. So I just bought the biscuits that she helped me with when we first met. And a bottle of wine, more for myself but who cares.

Michelle's POV

I was so glad that Lily agreed to take Zu for a longer walk. I didn't have fever finally after a few very rough days, but I still coughed and my throat was sore.

She came back and stayed for a while to drink coffe I made her as a 'thank you' .

"Oh I nearly forgot. Your brother is cute."

I looked at her, confused.

"I don't have any family here."

"So that blonde lady with the brown haired boy weren't your family?"

Did she seriously think that my boss is my mother? I laughed to myself and then explained everything.

"Must've been hard for you."

I nodded without saying anything.

"If you'd ever want to, you know, chill."

She made a sign in the air.

"You can come to me."

She reached to her pocket and showed me a little plastic bag with pills. And some joints.

"You're a drug dealer?!"

"Shhh Elle you don't have to be so loud. My buddy sometimes is too generous."

She winked.

"So, you seem like you're a good friend. I leave you with that new posibilities."

After I closed the door behind her I sighed. She was strange, but I liked her in some way.

I fell onto the couch and propably fell asleep because loud knocking woke me up. I groaned and walked to the door, almost tripping over Zu.

I opened, thinking it was Lily again and had to open my mouth slightly when I saw Mrs Jackson in front of me.

"What happened?"

"Nothing, I was just... I was... Nevermind. I was coming by and decided to see how are you."

She was worried so she checked on me? I don't know what to say.

Instead I moved so she could come in.
We sat on the couch and she took a pack of biscuits from her bag. And a bottle of wine.

"Oh sorry, I can't drink I took meds."

"Are you feeling better?"

"A little bit, yeah."

She didn't ask when I can come back to working, I was surprised.

I opened the pack and we started watching a random movie on TV, occasionally reaching for the snack. After a while of thinking she opened the bottle and took a sip from time to time.

Surprisingly the movie was really interesting, so we were watching it in silence, focused on the screen.

I reached for the food and she did the same. Our hands touched. I took mine away quickly, knowing it had to be awkward as hell for her too. But after a while she looked at me.

"Can I hold your hand?"

"Yes."

She took my hand and placed on her lap, tracing patterns with her thumb on my skin. The movie got closer to the end and I felt a little sleepy again so I unconciously laid my body on hers. She didn't protest.

I placed my head on her chest and she started caressing my back. I coughed from time to time, ruining the atmosphere, but she just laughed at it.

"I think I'm gonna fall asleep."

I whispered, looking up to her. She's  propably gonna leave now. To my surprise, she continued to caress my back and kissed the top of my head.

"Goodnight Ellie."

She whispered.

"Goodnight Lora."

I muttered and fell into darkness.