The surrogate boss next door.

g buzz. The sudden stillness was a relief, but sleep was far from her eyes. "Ugh, stupid alarm," Emily muttered, releasing

de her way to the bathroom and stepped into the shower, unable to shake off the feeling of dread. She wondered what the new week h

ront of her mirror, contemplating the day ahead, when her phone beeped. Emily picked up her phone and smiled as she

rs, she noticed her mom was absent and called out t

apartment next door

to the adjacent apartment. "Is someone movin

her mom said

reeted, smiling as she pecke

Hope you slept we

st like a baby,

you have breakfast al

have it at work,"

ls. Promise me you'll eat once

let me distract you fro

t get on your boss's nerves again," her mom war

. Bye," Emily sai

*****

at them. "I don't know if you guys think this project is a joke, but you had t

er eyes shooting lasers. It's a good thing glar

Emily cursed un

o say, Miss Emily?" Alex

g to sacrifice her job. "Not at all, Mister Alex. And I apologize o

r, or your salary will suffer if anything go

eft, heading to their var

rat! It took us a whole week to come up with that, and he just flings it like

, he is our boss. And I think all he do

n?" Emily asked, givi

d. "I'm on

sting until Alex call

ace her boss. "Oh, fuck," she muttered

ing to do with your time,"

rn in your resignation letter. My door is always open. Then go find a company where you can get all the praises you desire." Alex said then walked away

ok almost knocked me out of breath." Emily said as she tried to s

You're still thinking about

e first... I have learned to get past his words

*****

ing too hard on your worke

ould come down to their level?" Alex asked,

ed. "But sometimes, give them a

n the only one who understood him. Ethan is a year old

visor now or P

just to help you," Ethan said with

t. "How's my search for

aid. "It should be ready by the end of today. You ca

kay, then," and

tip?" knowing how hard it was

lare, which only formed

*****

up for the day as she bid her other workers goodbye.

r mom, still at the apartmen

m," Emily

already. How was work today?

dull look, "I don't w

"I guess you had another frust

g on here? You guys are still working

icular, so we're trying to meet th

nant is, I hope they're not as extravagant as the

ly, I think our tenant ha

the workers did an amaz

They're incredibly skilled. (

exhausted, Mom. G

, "Make sure you hav

How about you?

ate," her m

mily said, head