Chapter 7: Mantra

Claire had a great night!

She was already laying in her bed, ready to sleep. Jamie dropped her off an hour ago, it was almost 10:00 PM. After dinner, they went to a nearby coffee shop. Jamie didn't want to go home yet so she asked her to accompany her which she obliged.

Claire really enjoyed her company. She knew she was her boss but at that moment, she felt like she was having a conversation with a friend. Sometimes, she talked about things that she thought were too deep but she just listened to her. Her sad eyes made her wonder, she wanted to ask her personal questions but she was afraid it would be too much and she'd take it like she was prying.

Most of the conversations they had was about random things, nothing personal, nothing about work. She didn't ask about her family so she didn't too. She never asked again about her personal relationship which was a relief coz Claire was never comfortable talking about it with people.

Live your life like it was your last. That stuck in her mind.

That phrase, there was something in it. 

She had planned all her life. Which school she wiould go to, what course she would take, the companies she would apply to, taking her masters, the house she would buy, planning a family. 

She was brought to this world with her Mother already hating on her and a Father who never cared. She was just so lucky that her Step Father was kind to her and cared for her like his own. So, she had to plan. She couldn't be careless, she couldn't be distracted, she need her life to go in the right path. She wanted her Step Father to be proud of her, it was his sweat and blood that took her to where she was now, Claire wanted to repay him. She wanted to be able to take him to places, different countries, eat different cuisines, buy him things. So yes, she planned her life, She needed to plan her life.

Live your life like it was your last. It echoed in her mind before she drifted to sleep.

Claire woke up with heavy eyes. She didn't know what time she fell asleep last night.

She didn't usually stay up late, she slept around 09:0 PM as she needed to wake up early.

It was 04:40 in the morning, she got up, made her bed and went to the kitchen to get a banana.She was eating it while she changed to her gym clothes. Once done, she went to the bathroom, brushed her teeth, did her business and head out.

Her gym was just a couple blocks from her building so she jogged, it helps her warm up.

"Good morning, Claire." It was Max, he was a regular too in that gym. He had been asking her to go out with him but she didn't have the time and also, she was not really interested in him.

"Good morning, Max." Claire smiled at him and went straight to the treadmill.

She fixed her airpods and concentrated on working out.

It was almost 06:00 in the morning, by the time she finished her routine and headed out. She went straight to the shelter and caught up with Linda preparing the breakfast of the dogs and cats. She joined her and they fed those beautiful souls.

"Why don't you adopt one of these babies?" Linda said.

They were both hand feeding some of the dogs with special needs.

"Ohh, I want to, really. But, I'm afraid I won't have the time, I just started my internship and soon will take my masters." Said Claire looking at the puppies lovingly.

When she was a kid she wanted to have pets, but her Mom of course, didn't allow it. She used to feed strays from her lunch box, play with them in the street after school, she just felt like, somehow she related to them.

They finished the hour feeding and petting the animals and she was on her way home, She was kind of in a hurry as she wanted to come to office a little bit early from the others.

As soon as she reached her apartment, she threw myself in the shower, she thought she would have coffee in the office.

Remembering coffee, her mind traveled back from yesterday's incident. How she poured her coffee on herself and how Alex took care of her.

Her hand automatically reached her chest, it was still red and the blister popped already, it didn't hurt anymore.

Jamie's hand touching her chest, her eyes focused on her wound...

She shook that thought and hurried herself, she was gonna be late if she continued on day dreaming in the shower.Jamie was picking her up and she didn't want her to wait for her. Last night before they parted ways, she told her she would be ready at 07:30 AM so she could come and pick her up anytime after that.

It was 07:30 AM, she just finished blow drying her hair, put a bit of make up and hurried going down the building.

She didn't get her number last night and she didn't get hers too so they couldn't have any contact with each other.

If she was already in front of her building, she had no way of knowing unless she went down. And there she was. Standing on the side of her car looking so stunning with plaid partnered pants and blazer. She looked really beautiful.

Am I attracted to my Boss?

"Good morning!" Jamie greeted her as she walked towards her.

"Good morning, I'm sorry I was..."

"Nonsense, I just came." She cut her off.

As usual, she opened the door for her before she turned to the driver's seat.

"Did you have breakfast?" She asked while driving.

"Umm, no. I don't eat breakfast." 

"What? Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, how come you don't eat breakfast?" She asked her in disbelief.

"Well, I just don't eat breakfast, I'm on I.F.." she told her.

"I.F.?"

"Intermittent Fasting." 

They were heading towards a red signal and hearing Claire say the intermittent fasting, it made her slam on the break a little bit harder.

"You're doing fasting? For what?" She looked her from head to toe.

To her surprise, she pinched her arm, her stomach and her legs.

"There was not a single fat in your body and you're fasting?" 

Claire didn't know if she was aware that what she just did affects the hell out of her.

Her touching Claire, even if it was just one finger that touched her skin, sent shivers down her spine.

How could she be this affected?

"Seriously, Claire. Why are you fasting?"

She composed herself before she answered her.

"It is... It is part of my healthy diet. I... I have a... fatty genes."

Jamie laughed at that, she didn't even notice the light turning green and if it was not because of the car behind them honking, she would not stop laughing and driving

She was mocking her she knew.

"Three of my aunties are, you know... they are big women, even my grandmother and some of my cousins. My Mom is not but you know, I'm just trying to take care of myself." I reasoned to her as she continue to laugh.

She knew her cheeks were all red now, not sure if it was from her touching her or the teasing and mocking.

"Claire, you're beautiful. I know, you must be used to people saying that, but you really are. Just, let loose a little. Live your life."

"Live your life. What's with you? Are you dying or something?" Claire asked her directly.

She burst out laughing.

"Nobody's dying! It's my.. mantra or whatever."

We reached W&B building talking about what she ate and routine to keep her body and health in shape and most of the time, she was laughing about it.

So what if she took care of her health, shouldn't they all be doing it?

From the basement, they needed to go to the lobby first to tap their IDs, as soon as they came out of the elevator, all the employees started looking at them.

Maybe because she was frowning and Jamie was laughing. Or maybe just because they came together.

"Good morning, Ms. Miller."

"Good morning, Ma'am."

The employees greeted her as they walked towards the elevators at the lobby.

She just nodded and smiled at them. 

When they passed them, Claire could hear the whispering and mumbling.

"Get used to it. People talk behind our backs, it's human nature." She heard Jamie say before they both entered the elevator.