THE BOSS

r while she was out. Nothing, the assistant said. And what about the rest of my afternoon, she asked again. Still nothing

r Roy's building that she was a member of. She turned back and parked at the same building in

mpty. It was a nice walk toward the cardio section. Her long legs helped he

tion of being an independent business manager was accompanied by a feeling of loss, akin to entering adulthood and leaving the patronage of loving parents.

d and pointed at the earbuds in her ears without trying to take them off. He seemed t

her company who had the same role-with different clients-had all suggested s

to a meeting, can I not? Indeed, she could. She could call them to join her wh

pretended that her boss was still with her, as if

ny threw in new perks: a new car, club memberships, more vacation days-though the latter was not much of an incentive for her-she felt she had indulged in too much 'vacation' during her recent past. The salary wasn't

She got off the bike and walked to the other side of the room. Leg press, let's do that. She started straining the muscles of her thighs and calves. From the distance, she saw the man on the bike was discreetly trying to look f

the conversation she

t? Is it hard?

t sure what her friend meant by h

her eyes. "Y

Gina's cheek

t two years on the job, but always as the direct extension of the Boss. He would always be with her, ready to catch her

trary, she felt she had to be less daring. She second-guessed herself more than she did in her fir

Cardio after cardio? Humph. Leave me alone, please. Or, maybe she should leave him alone. That she did. One last press,

rd the meeting poi

e guys from work would like to take us out tonig

I can't. I'm still

e are

ay to Pr

ou're going to have fun.

a client. So, it is work," she continued, still chuckling. She could just imagine Rhonda