The Desires of My Boss

ia's

Every waking moment is a reminder of my mom's frailty, of the medica

han I can patch it up. Job after job slips through my fingers, leaving me frustrated

ee first is your face and not what you can offer. A curse that's followed me into every

nnuendo. None of it has helped me find steady work, and the weight of i

e it does. The job offer seems unreal: "Personal Secreta

self, for some sign that this is a scam. It has to be, doesn't it? But even

s, settle every last debt, maybe even give us a shot at a real future. But the uneasy knot in my stomach tig

staring back at me looks pale and worn, her brown eyes shadowed with

face. "You've got this," I whisper, though the words feel hollow.

nd the marble floors inside shine like they've never been walked on. My heels echo sharply as I cross the lobby, feeling smaller wi

ten to spill over, but I force myself to breathe. The hum of the elevator feels unnaturally

les over me. The man seated at the desk exudes authority, his sharp suit molding perfectly to his br

y that makes my skin crawl and heat rise to my face at the same ti

with a smoothness that almost distracts m

manage to

each his eyes. "You're here for the secretary

experience. My voice feels small in the vastness of the room, and I can't tel

" he says, his tone light but with an edge that makes the hairs on

ch twist. There's something unspo

t takes," I say, though the tre

, rising from his seat with a calculated grace. He rounds the desk slowly, each s

f," he adds " it will be different from your salary, as well.

t even in the application. My heart races as his hand lifts, hovering near my face w

rmurs, his tone low and dangerous. It doesn

ds won't come. I can only stare at him, frozen und

epping back as if the moment never

e, leaving me alone in the opp

My hands won't stop shaking as I clutch my bag, replay

een myself and that office. This job could save my mom's life, but I know it comes at a pr