Dress Up

I fidgeted with my hands as I saw Mr Lawson moving into the laundry room, his wheelchair creating a buzzing sound.

He moved towards me. "What is taking you so long?"

He stopped before his burnt jacket which laid on the floor close to me. He arched his brow, rested a hand on the armrest and bent to pick the burnt jacket. Instantly, I snatched it from his hold and folded it in my hand.

He looked at me with a frown, his eyes questioning my careless action. I bit my lips and dared to look him in the eyes. He needed an explanation for my action so I gave him one. A lie.

"I haven't ironed it yet."

I knew it was a lame excuse and he might not even believe it because my eyes spoke the truth I tried to hide.

He must have noticed I was hiding something, because he sat up and stretched his hand out.

"Give me the jacket." It was a command.

I shuddered as I took a deep breath and reluctantly gave him the jacket. He took it and whirled it around in his hands. I stood before him, fidgeting with my hands and holding my breath like a criminal suspect behind the court bar. I knew what would happen next. My heart broke as the thought sank deeper into my mind, he would definitely fire me this time. I messed up real bad.

He paused when he saw the burnt part of the jacket and dropped it in a huff. His forehead creased. Then, he looked at me and I froze. The whole room seemed to be closing in on me as I tried to remember how to breathe.

"Why are you so clumsy?" It was more a statement than a question.

I couldn't even move my mouth.

"I gave you a few clothes to iron and you ended up burning it, how dense are you?!"

I flinched, lowered my eyes to the floor and released a puff. His words cut through my heart and I couldn't retort back at him because I was actually at fault.

"Are you still a kid that you don't know how to properly iron clothes?!" he looked at the burnt jacket in disregard, "even a three years old can iron better than this!"

He shook his head and moved out. I slumped on the ironing table and held my phone to my chest. I blinked back the tears that were clouding my eyes and went to get a glass of water.

I took a bottle of water from the fridge and closed it. I didn't mean to burn his jacket, but it seems he won't understand that. I sat on a stool before the kitchen island and texted my mom.

~Are you still in the hospital? How is Zoe now?~

Immediately, my phone buzzed.

~We just got home. Zoe is better, she is asleep now.~

I texted back.

~Okay, I'm coming home soon.~

I sighed and pocketed my phone. Suddenly, it buzzed. I brought it out again and saw a text message from Mr Lawson.

~Come to my room now.~

I turned off the phone, staring into space. "Why should I go to his room?"

I just hoped he wouldn't fire me.

I bit my lips and walked out of the kitchen.

Was that jacket that precious to him?

I got to the master suite and knocked once. The door automatically opened. I walked inside and saw him dressed before his mirror stand. He was struggling to knot his tie.

He stopped what he was doing and beckoned to me. I approached him and he told me to knot his tie.

I nodded and helped him to knot the blue striped tie. He stared ahead of me, looking at the mirror. I don't know if he was avoiding locking eyes with me or maybe he was still angry at me.

When I was done, he adjusted his collar and rested a hand on his armrest. "You will be following me to a meeting this evening." He turned to me, "so, get prepared within twenty minutes."

I wanted to tell him I couldn't escort him because I wanted to go home earlier because of Zoe's illness. But I didn't want to disappoint him again.

"Alright sir," I nodded and turned to leave, "I will go and prepare now."

He raised a finger, indicating he still needed my attention.

"The stylist will be here very soon, wait for him downstairs." He said while checking out the tie.

I frowned.

A stylist?

For who?

Me?

But I didn't need a stylist. I wasn't his date so there was no need for me to dress up glamorously.

"I don't need to change clothes," I said.

My job was to assist him, not to go on a date.

He sighed. "Annie, this meeting means a lot to me and I can't let it get ruined just because it bothers you to change your clothes."