NOT OUR AGE

Chapter 09: First Time

Camila's POV

Christmas was around the corner. Mrs. Wilson asked me to join the Christmas or year-end lunch at the residence this afternoon. It was their annual year-end lunch before they had the long holiday. They usually had it by the last weekend before Christmas, before everyone left for holiday. I was just informed two days ago so I did not have much time to prepare something. What I meant to prepare something was not the food because Mrs. Wilson had them all prepared. It was a Christmas gift for everyone who would attend the Christmas lunch at the residence.

It was not a big party but everyone who worked for Ms. J at the residence would be there. I asked Mrs. Wilson if I needed to bring Christmas presents. She said it was not necessary but it would be lovely to bring something sweet. It did not have to be something big. Since I did not have much time and know every single person well, except Mrs. Wilson, Emma one of the kitchen staff, and Nicholas, I decided to just prepare the same thing for everyone. I would give every single one of them a small jar of cookies, a small card, and a cute little Christmas ornament that they could hang on their trees.

Mrs. Wilson told me we would get a Christmas present from Ms. J as usual. Ms. J definitely did not arrange all the presents by herself. Mrs. Wilson was the one who arranged everything. However, Mrs. Wilson did discuss with Ms. J before she got all the presents. She planned everything and asked for approval before she bought them. Since she had been doing it for years, she could prepare everything properly and fast. We would also get a Christmas present for Ms. J. Mrs. Wilson was the one who arranged it, too. We collected the money to split the bill. As the newest, younger, and part-time staff, I followed their tradition. I would join the lunch for the first time.

It meant I would meet Ms. J again after not seeing her for more than two months. The last time, I talked to her in person was that day, when I skipped the mentoring session in the middle of autumn. A week later, she asked Mrs. Wilson to inform me that she was busy and could not do the mentoring session. She asked me to send her a message if I had any questions. I never met her again. I hardly saw her. I skipped one session and I never had my mentoring session until now. I regretted it but there was nothing I could do. I was still grateful that Ms. J still answered my messages when I had questions. It was it. I never had my mentoring session in person anymore. So, we never talked about other things besides career stuff.

Despite the changes, I still got my job. Mrs. Wilson also made me come to the residence with a car instead of my motorcycle during the winter. She said it was Ms. J's order that I had to take the car during the winter if I still wanted to keep the job. I agreed since I loved the job and I needed it. I took the car as ordered. Mrs. Wilson was the one who handed me the car key. The car was a bit too fancy, but I had no other choices. It was a fancy black SUV that was suitable for winter. It convinced me that Ms. J still cared about me despite her never showing up again.

Honestly, I missed talking to her. She was not only a good listener, but also a good conversationist. Probably, she did not like it when I skipped the session that day. During these past two months, I did not see her but I knew she was home. I knew because I did not have to come for the evening shift. She was home and Mr. Penn had returned last month. I only had one morning shift now. I told Dinah about it when we met last week for Christmas shopping. She said it was unfortunate but she asked me not to overthink. Ms. J might be busier during the year-end.

Dinah also found out about the car when we met. I told her everything including the moment Ms. J and I almost kissed. Dinah was annoyed when I did not tell her earlier about the kiss. I told her that I did not want to talk about it because it was something silly. After I told her everything, Dinah asked me if I liked Ms. J. I admitted to her that I had a crush on my mentor who was also my boss. She thought Ms. J might have the same feeling when she recalled the news and the pictures of Ms. J and I was all over the media and on the internet after we visited the Motor Museum in the summer.