3
Amanda's mind was still buzzing as she left the office, her steps quick and purposeful as she walked to the subway station.
The cool evening air hit her face, offering a moment of clarity after the tension-filled day at Matthews Couture.
She pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts, her thumb hovering over her mom's name.
A sense of longing washed over her, the kind that only a conversation with her mom could satisfy.
After a brief hesitation, she tapped the screen, bringing the phone to her ear. The dial tone hummed for a few seconds before her mom picked up.
"Hey, sweetie! How was your day?" Her mom's voice was warm, comforting, a stark contrast to the pace of the city around her.
"Hey, Mom," Amanda replied, her voice softening as the familiar sound of her mom's voice calmed her. "It went well. I'm adjusting. Just—lots to take in. I'm really starting to get the hang of things."
"That's great to hear! How's the new boss? Everything going okay with her?" Her mom's tone was laced with curiosity, as if she knew this was the part Amanda needed to talk about.
Amanda glanced up at the towering skyscrapers around her, the weight of the day still lingering in her chest. "Yeah, Ericka's.
.. well, she's incredible. There's something about her.
She's got this presence, you know? Like, when she speaks, everyone listens.
But there's more to her than just that. I feel like I can learn so much from her.
Her mind is sharp, and she's got this intensity that's hard to ignore. "
Her mom chuckled softly. "Sounds like you're in awe of her, huh?"
Amanda smiled, but there was a touch of uncertainty in her voice when she spoke again. "Yeah, maybe. I just—there's something about her that's... different. It's not just her work ethic. It's like she's carrying this weight, but she doesn't want anyone to see it."
"Is she tough to work with?" her mom asked, concern creeping into her voice.
Amanda shook her head, even though her mom couldn't see it. "No, she's not tough in a bad way. She's just... guarded. Like, there's a wall up. I mean, I've only been there for two days, but I can tell. It's like she's hiding something."
Her mom was quiet for a moment, as if processing her words. "Well, you've always been good at reading people. Maybe she's just not used to opening up to others."
Amanda sighed, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. "Maybe. I don't know, Mom. Today, after everything wrapped up, I noticed she was really tense. I tried to help. Just... gave her a little massage, you know? It felt like she needed it, and I couldn't just walk away when I saw it."
Her mom let out a small laugh. "You really are something, Amanda. Always thinking of others. But I hope you didn't overstep. It sounds like she's someone who doesn't easily show vulnerability."
"I hope I didn't," Amanda said, though doubt lingered in her tone. "I just felt like I should do something. But now I'm wondering if I've crossed a line."
"Sweetie, you're new there. You have to find your balance. You're still figuring out what's appropriate and what's not. But you're not doing anything wrong by caring."
Amanda nodded, the words providing a small measure of comfort. "I guess you're right. I just... want to help her, you know? I can't help but feel like she's carrying something heavy, and I want to be there for her, but I don't know how."
Her mom's voice softened, a gentle understanding behind her words. "I know you want to help, honey. But remember, you can't force someone to open up. If she needs you, she'll come to you. And in the meantime, just keep being you. That's all you can do."
Amanda smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. "Thanks, Mom. I'll keep that in mind."
As she walked further down the street toward the subway station, the sound of her mom's voice stayed with her, grounding her after the whirlwind of the day.
There was still so much uncertainty, but her mom had a way of putting things into perspective.
Amanda didn't know what the future held at Matthews Couture, but she knew one thing for sure: she was ready to take on whatever came her way.
"Alright," Amanda said with a sigh, "I'll let you go now, Mom. I'll check in tomorrow."
"Of course, honey. Love you."
"I love you too."
She ended the call, slipping her phone back into her pocket as she finally reached the subway.
She stood on the platform, waiting for the train, her thoughts drifting back to Ericka.
There was so much more to her boss than anyone could see.
And Amanda felt a strange pull, an urge to get closer, to understand what lay beneath that calm, confident exterior.
But she knew she had to be careful. She couldn't let her feelings cloud her judgment. She had a job to do, and she would do it well. Whatever came next, she would face it head-on.
The train pulled into the station with a screech, and Amanda stepped aboard, her heart racing with anticipation for the days to come.