My Boss Is A Dragon

Seasonally, Eric disliked autumn the most. He was often confused about what to wear outside his residence in North America—a pullover, a winter coat, or even just a t-shirt. The weather was hot today. It was the kind of day when you could barely walk around in shorts without getting heat rash on your thighs from the oppressive humidity. Taking a vacation from work too soon was all Eric's fault. Geriatric onlookers and ungrateful brats swarmed the town's beaches and pools. Even though the city he lived in was somewhat large, Eric still felt stuck. The Chinese woman selling flowers in front of a scarcely discernible business was about to be swallowed by two buildings in a couple of years, so he courteously waved at her. Eric grabbed his regular latte—two sugars and two creams—on his way down the street to his favorite coffee shop. He went to a car dealership to haggle over vehicles he had no plans to purchase after two lethargic sips. Eric saw a guy pleading for money at a busy crossroads. Eric gave the man a dollar and the coffee he hated, even though he knew most beggars were acting. It was an enjoyable adventure for Eric, and the gesture made him feel like he had accomplished something significant. Eric exhaled hard as he approached the automated doors of the vehicle dealership. He stepped beyond the threshold and went to the farthest car, pretending to be someone he was not. A voice behind him called out, “Eric!” to him. “Long time no see. Since we graduated from college, I haven't had the chance to see you. Did you finish everything you said you would the night before we became adults?” No matter where he was, Eric would have identified that voice. He had been his most annoying dorm roommate in college. What Eric imagined being ‘Mr. Perfect’ was this individual. The ladies, the parents, and the instructors all thought highly of Dan. “Dan, it's been a while. Doing well, huh?” By changing the subject, Eric courteously responded. “This is my workplace, or more accurately, my business. It is rather surprising to meet you.” With his arms wide extended, Dan embraced his former companion. “Lucky me.” Eric murmured, not as animated as his conversation partner. “Come to my office. We can catch up.” With a firm grasp on his shoulder, Dan invited Eric to go upstairs with him. It was a roomy workplace for Dan. It was true that he enjoyed bragging. On the shelves, certificates and trophies were displayed among miniature cars and relatives. With a seat offered to Eric, Dan reached for the black phone resting on the corner of his oak desk. He contacted his secretary. “Yes, Cheryl. Bring tea, please.” Dan said, pressing a button on the electronic device. As Eric surveyed the space, his gaze fell upon a stack of newspapers scattered on a coffee table, situated close to the windows that provided a glimpse of the street and the dealership's interior. Bad news and more bad news. What was happening to this world? He wondered. The entrance of a woman too beautiful to be real brought Eric’s jaw down. He threw a glance at Dan who replied with a wink. The blonde curly hair of Dan’s secretary waved down her tight red dress cut open at the knees. The woman smiled and Eric’s heart skipped a beat. “Hi! I’m Eric.” He stood up and clumsily greeted the young woman about his age. “Eric, let me introduce Cheryl. She is my wife.” Dan explained, pushing his chair back, so Cheryl could put down the tea tray. “Get out of here.” Eric exclaimed, not believing a word. “He is too good for me, I know. I am a lucky woman.” Cheryl said, grasping Dan’s face between two fingers. “No. If anything, you are too good for him,” Eric sincerely replied. “Did you get married?” Dan asked, grabbing his phone on the desk. “I can hook you up with someone. Cheryl has friends, but not everyone is up to their taste. Ladies are picky when it comes to choosing the right mate. “Give me the number. I’ll go on a blind date, or double date. Anything is fine.” Eric’s expression made Cheryl laugh. “I am not sure about this, but let’s give it a try.” She replied, sharing an accomplice look with her husband. Eric spent the whole week corresponding via text messages with a friend of Cheryl's. According to Dan, she was the group's most restrained female member. It made Eric laugh to think that his former roommate had likened women to a pride of hunting lionesses. Even though it was out of character for Eric, Dan promised that the four of them would meet on Saturday, and he wasted days experimenting on clothes and scents. Playing video games while devouring entire bags of chips was his usual style, not this. Eric surprised himself caring about meeting someone. The mystery surrounding the young woman made her difficult to decipher. Regardless of Eric's exploration of various business websites and similar resources, he was unable to find a profile photo of her. In the modern era, wasn't it considered part of the dating process to do some research before going on a date? As far as Eric was concerned, she was a member of a major trading firm. Although Eric was not as lonely as his friends thought, he was nevertheless unhappy living alone after COVID-19 disrupted his life. There was a ring on Eric's phone. He blinked at the screen. He was addressed directly by his boss. Since the outbreak, Eric started doing remote work as an expert for social media equipment. His previous position was that of bank security guard. His dismissal was a result of the pandemic's circumstances, including the confinement orders and obligatory closures. His previous boss informed him that a locked bank could be adequately guarded by a single individual. The news of Eric's unemployment made him laugh. Just two days after that, the bank where he had previously worked was robbed. Oh, wasn't it called karma? Eric stared at the screen and read the message. His supervisor knew Eric was on vacation, but he still needed his assistance with a large client's posts immediately. Intent on lending a hand, Eric persisted in reading the message. He paused at the final line. Help me, please. I know you don't have anything else to do. Like a mimicking child, Eric muttered and repeated his boss's comments. He turned off his phone and threw it on the couch next to him. “I don't have time for you.” Eric muttered under his breath as he switched on his PlayStation 5 to cope with his growing tension. Eric played until the clock struck two in the morning. He went to bed when his eyes imagined movement at the corner of his eyes in his apartment, which was absurd because he lived alone. He had a dream about monsters roaming the city as he attempted to return home on his way back from a work meeting. Eric woke up covered in sweat. He walked to the small kitchen of his apartment and poured himself a glass of water. Instinctively, he reached for his phone in his pocket and remembered he had left the device on the couch. He returned to the living room and searched for the cracks and under the furniture. Eric capitulated, too tired to care. He returned to his bedroom and looked down at his wooden bedside table. His phone was there. Eric frowned, attempting to recall the moment he brought it along to the bedroom. “Whatever.” He concluded, going back to bed. In his chair, Eric patiently awaited the arrival of Dan, Cheryl, and the other woman. Sweat was trickling down his back as he felt uneasy in his navy blue suit. It had been a long time since Eric had felt this anxious. Eric sat up abruptly as the entry bell rang. Dan, donning a dapper brown suit, waved to his longtime friend. His luxurious wife accompanied him. A knot formed in Eric's chest as she flashed him a radiant smile. Over Cheryl's shoulder, Eric caught sight of a woman in a skimpy black gown. Eric was free to let his mind run wild as he observed her long legs encased in black stockings. Eric thought Cheryl's companion was around five feet five inches tall because of the size of her heels. Exactly right for Eric, who stood at five feet eight inches tall. Her eyes were mesmerizing. They were brown with a golden hue. Her light brown hair was tied up elegantly, but Eric barely noticed. His eyes shifted to her lips. She was simply gorgeous. The mysterious woman was on the phone, finishing her call on the threshold of the restaurant's entrance.