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" Claire? Is everything okay with you today? You seem overly sensitive", Henry said gently, folding his hands on top of his desk.
Claire glanced up, a flush creeping up her cheeks. That's when it hit him. It was probably that time of the month for her. Shit. No wonder she was so emotional.
" Womanly troubles?", He asked, one side of his mouth kicking up.
Claire nodded, " Sorry, I'm not usually this bad, and I'm also still adjusting to getting up so early", she croaked, swiping at the tears that ran down her cheeks.
Henry sighed and leaned back in his chair, " I didn't mean to upset you earlier Claire, I'm just in a bad mood, I shouldn't have taken it out on you"
Claire shrugged helplessly. " Okay", she whispered.
" Claire, look at me", Henry said and leaned forward again, placing his hands together on his desk.
Claire's blue eyes met his and he could see her apprehension and fear. She really was afraid that he was going to fire her. Her eyes were bloodshot from crying. Her makeup was forming black smudges under her eyes. She looked more beautiful then ever.
" I am not going to fire you so get that out of your head", Henry said sternly. Claire's eyes widened slightly but she looked confused. " You are doing a great job and catching on much faster then any of my other assistants. Everyone messes up now and then and you are still learning. So stop worrying about your job because it's secure. I swear. And I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier", he said sincerely.
Claire sighed in relief, " Thank you. I'm just so afraid that I'm not doing good enough. I don't want to lose this job. I like working for you"
" And I like having you work for me. Believe me when I tell you that you are doing a great job and I couldn't have asked for a better assistant. So just relax, go take a fifteen minute break, collect yourself and then get back to work"
Claire gave him a grateful smile and stood, " Thank you, Mr. Beck"
Henry groaned and hung his head, " Claire, do me a favor?"
Claire froze halfway to the door and turned around, " Okay?", she asked cautiously.
Henry lifted his head, " Call me Henry, Mr. Beck makes me sound so old"
Claire's tremendous smile just made his day. " Okay", she agreed then headed out of his office.
Henry sighed. What was this woman doing to him? She was making him soft. Goddammit!
Claire had a great first month at work. Henry seemed to be pleased with her progress, which is what mattered most. Claire was exhausted every day when she got home at 6pm. Ethan was transitioning well to the new schedule. Her dad had him Monday, Wednesday and Friday's while Claire took Ethan to daycare on Tuesday and Thursday's. Her father had offered to watch him all week, but Claire couldn't burden her father like that, plus he needed to learn to socialize with other kids.
The second month went just as great also. Her and Henry were getting along great and had really fallen into a routine. Asher had been shocked that Henry was letting her call him by his first name. Asher assured her that was something none of his other assistants had been allowed to do. Claire had beamed with pride for the rest of the day, apparently Henry thought she was special. He usually called her "Darlin'". Claire liked the pet name.
One day, Claire was sitting in her office, preparing for a meeting that Henry had with a client when the phone on her desk rang. Claire answered it with the standard, " Claire Russell speaking"
" Ms. Russell, this is Tammy Jacobs, the director at Happy Times daycare", the female voice said on the other end.
Claire froze, her heart sinking into her stomach, " Yes? Is everything okay?", she asked anxiously.
" Ms. Russell, your son has been taken to the hospital, we think his appendix ruptured, he was screaming and crying and clutching his stomach, we had to call the paramedics. They think it's his appendix and are taking him to St. Christopher's"
" Oh god, okay, thank you! I'll leave right now", Claire said then after a quick goodbye, hung up.
Claire rushed to clean up her desk, then she grabbed her purse and raced down to Henry's office. His door was open and he was sitting behind his desk looking over some papers. He was so not going to be happy, but Claire could care less at the moment, her son came first.
" Henry", Claire squeaked as she walked into the room. She was on the verge of a panic attack.
Henry's head shot up at her tone, his face going from annoyance to concern in a matter of seconds. " Jesus Claire, are you alright?"
