Passionate Love Every Day

7

Back to the grind of my job.

I busily tapped away at my keyboard, the monotonous clicking becoming melodic in its own way.

The once-blank PowerPoint was halfway done in no time.

"Emily, I heard the boss is coming back today! Finally, we'll get to see what he looks like," Abby whispered excitedly beside me.

As a fellow intern, she was practically buzzing with enthusiasm.

I was a senior this year, taking classes only every few weeks, and I wanted to find an internship before the fall recruitment. My advisor recommended this company. It might not be well-known, but it was growing rapidly and was run by a senior from my program.

The location and benefits were great: a nine-to-five schedule, weekends off, an internship salary of $5,000 a month, and the possibility of being hired full-time afterward at around $8,000 with salary increases.

That was enough for me; I wasn't looking for luxury—just a stable, easy-going life.

Seeing my light chuckle, Abby leaned closer, her big brown eyes wide with curiosity. "Aren't you even a little bit curious?"

I shrugged and replied, "If curiosity paid, I'd be all in."

"Ahem."

At the sound of a dry cough, I turned to see a familiar face that left me in shock.

8

The boss was Brandon Elliott!

He wore a white shirt layered over a white tee with some letters on it, his face still lit up with that warm, friendly smile.

In my mind, I automatically labeled him: "A 26-year-old sunny, cheerful guy."

"Good morning!" he greeted, his eyes crinkling into a smile. His voice was cool and refreshing, like a gentle breeze in the summer heat.

I mechanically responded, "G-Good morning."

He continued greeting everyone as he walked by. "Hi, everyone!"

As I watched him disappear down the hallway, it suddenly hit me.

No wonder he looked so familiar.

Back in freshman year, I attended his lecture. The huge lecture hall was packed, and I could only catch a glimpse from the back row.

9

"Wow, I had no idea the boss was this good-looking. Now I actually have the motivation to come to work every day."

Abby seemed satisfied, but I was in despair.

I remembered my goofy little brother delivering his fiery speech in front of him, and it made me cringe.

And worse, I wasn't sure if Brandon overheard my comment earlier. I'd barely been at this internship for a few days, and I was already thinking about asking for a raise—what was I thinking?

Feeling stressed, I scratched my head and pulled out my phone, opening up his WhatsApp.

We exchanged contacts during that dinner and had texted a bit since then. The conversation was mostly about him apologizing for teasing me about some embarrassing stuff.

I figured I should clear things up with him, but I kept rewriting the message and never hit send.

I didn't want to risk sending a text now and have the boss think I'm slacking off.

Even though I kind of was… but no one's dumb enough to show it to the boss, right?

Frustrated, I switched over to my brother's chat.

If I was having a hard time, there was no way he was getting off easy.

Me: You're done for.

Me: Do you know who that "evil boss" you insulted is?

Me: Your future brother-in-law.

I sent a few smug emojis for good measure.

He replied with a "sky is falling" meme.

Him: Sis, help me, please!

Me: Sis can't even save herself right now.

Just then, Brandon's chat moved up my screen.

10

Brandon: So, that "evil boss" you mentioned... that's me?

Brandon: I don't think I've ever asked you guys to work overtime, though.

He added an adorable "sad bear" sticker, looking all hurt.

The anxiety I'd been carrying suddenly disappeared, melted away by that sticker.

I found myself suppressing a smile.

This guy, for a boss, was seriously down-to-earth.

I gave him a quick explanation.

Brandon: I've been framed!

This time, it was a "pouting bear" sticker stomping its feet.

I couldn't hold back a chuckle.

Abby glanced over at me, "Are you possessed or something?"

"I was just thinking of something funny."

I couldn't exactly tell her my boss was being super cute, could I? It was hard to admit that someone so tall and grown-up could also be... this adorable.

Me: Sorry, boss. I'll work hard to make up for my mistake.

My apology was serious and sincere.

I had a ton of random stickers—mostly of pigs doing silly things. But since Brandon seemed to really love his bear ones, I found a matching "cheering bear" sticker and sent it his way.

The chat box showed that he was typing something back, but his reply hadn't come in yet.

In the end, he just sent a simple "Good luck."