Under My Boss's Control

“Yes,” I said. “This made perfect sense. Now I feel bad for snooping around the man’s house.”

I rushed back to my bedroom. The smells coming from the kitchen were really good.

Whoever was cooking — Julius, most likely — was putting together quite a feast. Rushing into the bathroom, I touched up my makeup. I did a tiny bit of eyeliner and touched up my lips. Not too much, but not too little.

Then, the negative thoughts went into overdrive. What if he was some kind of weirdo? Rich guys had some pretty odd habits. What if I saw something private and he got paranoid about it? He could end up throwing me right out of his house.

What if he was a veteran? Maybe he’s suffering from PTSD and would scream through the night. That would explain the big, empty house and the isolation from his neighbors. Maybe he had some disfiguring scars under all those expensive clothes! That would be uncomfortable — or was I being superficial? I wiped off the lip gloss, bringing it down to a more casual level, and tried to imagine a conversation at dinner.

“So, what do you do?” I said to the mirror.

I frowned. No, that’s not going to be good. I guess talking about work is the next best thing; it’s something we both have in common. Then, at some point, I could somehow signal to him that I’d like to be more than just co-workers, maybe in a way that could be interpreted two different ways. If he accepted, we would end up having sex, and if he got offended, I could just pretend I didn’t mean it that way.

With one final check of the mirror, I headed out of the bedroom and downstairs. Hopefully, I wouldn’t make a fool of myself at dinner.

Chapter Seven

Dixie

In the kitchen, Julius was chopping up scallions for garnish on the ossobuco he had just prepared.

“Wow, you’re quite the cook!” I said, genuinely impressed. “Is there enough for two?”

“Usually, I make dinners for a couple of nights and just reheat it,” he said. “But since you’re here, it’s only the best.”

“The best, huh? I like the sound of that,” I said.

I sat down and we started eating.

“Seriously,” I said. “This is amazing. You could cook in a restaurant.”

“Nah, I just follow instructions. Anyone can do it, really.”

“I tried to make beef Wellington for Shawn once,” I said. “It was burnt on the outside and raw in the middle. What a mess!”

“I am curious to get your thoughts on something,” he said. “We had this training seminar coming up, and I’m wondering if we should get everyone together on Zoom or just let each person figure it out?”

“Oh, well, uh,” I said, blushing. “Thanks for asking.”

“Well, you know the office pretty well, I think. You got a good work ethic, and you’re smart — I value your opinion.”

“Thanks, Julius… I almost called you Mr. Lamb. I think I should call you Mr. Lamb when we’re talking about work,” I said.

“As you wish,” he said.

“Mr. Lamb, I think the Zoom meetings would be best,” I said. “That way, people can ask questions.”

“Good call.”

“And I’ll use my laptop in another part of the house when we do it,” I said. “That way, no one will know I was here.”

“Well, I don’t want people to think you’re my secret shame or something, but I guess that would be prudent,” he said, laughing.

“Oh, secret shame,” I said. “I’m so forbidden.”

I’m wasn’t sure, but I thought he almost blushed at that moment. Hmm. He’s thinking about it, isn’t he? There’s no way he’s gay.

“I’ll tell you a little secret,” he said. “The other partners and I have you on the fast track for a raise and a promotion come the fall. Things now might get delayed, but you have been doing very well in the office.”

“Thanks so much!” I said, beaming. “You know, when things started to go bad with Shawn, I threw myself into my work. I guess it was a way for me to forget he was such a train wreck of a man.”

“People who drink too much usually are,” he said. “A man that can’t control his vices is hardly a man.”

I nodded. It was such a strong motto. So manly! Like something a gunfighter would say!

“When we were building the company, when I was younger, I knew there would be sacrifices. It was hard work, long hours, but, in the end, it pays off. People have forgotten that. They’re very undisciplined,” he said.

“That’s important to you,” I said.

“I think it’s important to everyone, really. Imagine all these undisciplined people running around, doing things,” he said. “Your boyfriend, for one. What kind of man acts that way if he has his life together?”

“I see what you’re saying.”

“You have a good work ethic. You show up on time, you work hard, you listen. It’s important in a business,” he said. “You and I have a contract. It’s a work contract. Your labor for my money. Were your parents strict?”