Her Boss’s Private Desire

I almost turned around and went back home, but hell, I need this job. The building was too tall and the glass doors too clean. My new shoes already hurt and the blouse Mama ironed for me felt stiff around my neck. I took a deep breath the way she taught me and pushed the door open anyway. The lady at the front desk smiled when she saw my name on the list. “First day, honey?” “Yes ma’am.” “Elevator to seventeen. Mrs. Hale is waiting for you.” The elevator was full of people who already knew where they belonged. I stood in the corner and tried not to look lost. When the doors opened at seventeen, a woman with short gray hair and kind eyes waved me over. “You must be the new intern. I’m Mrs. Hale. Come, let me show you around before the morning gets busy.” She walked me past rows of desks. People looked up and smiled. “This is Tasha,” Mrs. Hale said, stopping at a desk with photos of two little girls. “She handles the client files.” Tasha grinned and held out her hand. “Welcome. Don’t let the quiet fool you. We talk too much once the coffee kicks in.” Next was a young man named Kelvin who fixed the printers and made everyone laugh. Then two older ladies who shared a desk and finished each other’s sentences. By the time we reached the small empty desk near the window I already knew three names and had been offered gum, a spare pen, and advice about the best lunch place downstairs. Mrs. Hale set a stack of papers in front of me. “Start with these. Alphabetical. If you get stuck just ask Tasha. She’s good with the new ones.” Tasha rolled her chair closer the moment Mrs. Hale walked away. “So where you from?” “Across town. I stay with my mom. I’m Maya Rivers, by the way.” “Nice to meet you, Maya. My first day I got lost looking for the bathroom and walked into the supply closet. You’re already doing better.” We both laughed. The sound made the office feel less strange. For the next hour we sorted papers side by side and talked about everything. She told me about her girls and the traffic that made her late every Monday. I told her about Mama’s cooking and how nervous I’d been on the bus this morning. Other people stopped by to say hello. Someone brought extra muffins from the break room. Kelvin joked that the new girl was already more popular than him. By lunchtime I felt like I belonged a little. Tasha and I ate together at her desk. She showed me pictures of her daughters and asked if I had a boyfriend. I shook my head. “Not right now. Just focusing on this.” She nodded like she understood. In the afternoon the work got quieter. I was halfway through a new stack when Mrs. Hale came back with a white envelope in her hand. “Change of plans,” she said. “The CEO’s assistant is out sick. This file needs to go to his office on the top floor. Can you take it?” My stomach did a small flip. “The top floor?” “Yes. Just knock. If no one answers leave it on the desk inside. Don’t stay long. Mr. Blackwell doesn’t like interruptions.” Tasha gave me a look that was half teasing and half serious. “You’ll be fine. Lucas Blackwell isn’t as scary as people say. Just busy.” I took the envelope. It felt heavier than it should. The private elevator to the top floor was empty and silent. My reflection in the mirrored wall looked younger than I felt. When the doors opened the hallway smelled expensive. Soft lights. Thick carpet. At the end stood a dark wooden door with a gold nameplate that read Lucas Blackwell, CEO. I stopped in front of it and fixed my blouse one last time. Then I knocked. No answer. I knocked again, softer. Still nothing. Mrs. Hale had said to leave it inside if no one answered. I turned the handle carefully and stepped into the quiet office. Sunlight filled the big room. The desk looked empty at first. Then I heard something. A low sound from the other side of the inner door. Rough. Like someone was hurting or trying not to make noise. I froze with the envelope still in my hands. The sound came again. And I couldn’t make myself turn around and leave.