Between chess moves

oor snapped me b

zing it. I didn't mind finishing late-being a workaholic, as you well know-but my assistant and c

n," I c

n front of my desk but didn't speak. The hesitation in her eyes caught my attention. It was unusual-Stephanie always carried herse

Stephanie?"

ck out early today. It's already dark, and I've pr

h? Did somet

She paused, fidgeti

aking her

nie. I don't h

ing. "I have a date this evenin

urprise. Her blush deepened. That was the last

igid, so focused on work, that I assumed she didn't make time for relationships. I had truly thought we were similar in that regard.

she had-or was now pursuing-a romantic relationship didn't make her any less competent at wo

urge to hiss. If he was the kind of person fate was throwing my way, then the universe was

ranged this dinne

ht my lack of response meant I disapproved of her leaving early and felt an expl

I added. "I'm d

t. I watched the door close before returning to my work.

my belongings and reached for my pho

h

ghed deeply and tried turning on the phone, hoping to make the call before leaving the office. Home was my safe hav

ul turn o

to buy a new phone, and although I had a work phone, I wasn't about

my way to the elevator, headin

y driver was already waiting by the door. This time, he

nalyzing the day's events for personal and professional growth. It hadn't been a bad day, excep

even been in and out of relationships. I wouldn't know. I had never

e. Did that mean she wasn't the type to pursue re

ant person?" I blurted out

to me, ma'am?" John

that I obvi

ds on the aspect

gene

when it comes to running your business-picking out small imperfections that cou

m in disbelief

xample?" I asked, pus

e just to come to work, I don't think you'd notice. Same if I were st

etter than most. You don't overwork us, and you respect us. But you do exactly what's expected of a go

nfirmed my flaw. A blow to my person and a

ing about how this deficiency w

n't directly affect work, not even a second later, I proved him

idn't particularly care to, stil

but decided against it. This was som

ng you read in the texts of a book. It is something you experience-you fee

e before driving inside. I had no live-in staff aside from him. My home was my

suited my taste. A small luxury. Well, not

s John made his wa

t, I let myself f

most. Home and away from the drama of h

s prevalent but else lingered, an

his feeling of emptiness, not the usual numbness

ath and tucked it away ju

my room where I took my bath

ty of researches to mak

cial media checking for the latest fashion trends, stucking the page of competition for prog

hours untill I even