His sexy, successful boss
Rita knew men fell for her. Tall, sexy and exceedingly well-spoken, she had risen to become the young editor of a lifestyle magazine.
Some of her older junior colleagues wondered how she had become so successful at 28 years of age. A few insisted that she had had a ‘long affair’ with the owner of the media house.
Luckily for Rita, however, most knew that she had got the job since she deserved it – and not because of some non-existent affair with a happily married owner whom she had met only once.
When Rita hired Ravi, a talented like-aged man for the position of an assistant editor, neither of them could have guessed what life had in store for them.
“We can pay you Rs 40,000 a month. It is 20% more than your previous salary. That is the best we can offer, and not a 30% hike which you are looking for,” she had said matter-of-factly, staring at him as she spoke.
Ravi was gobsmacked: both because of how gorgeous she was and the confidence with she said those lines. He had come across other bosses in his brief career, but the girl sitting in front of her was something else.
“I am okay with it,” he said without taking his eyes off her.
Rita left her seat, and so did he. He felt his limp palm crumble inside her firm grip as they shook hands. She smiled at him and said, “Welcome to our family.”
Related reading: How to romance your cubicle buddy
Some shared interests
Ravi joined his new office a fortnight later. His boss introduced him to his future colleagues, who seemed friendly and relaxed. He had joined at a time when the magazine’s pages were supposed to be sent to the press for printing. It didn’t take him long to figure out that people were reeling under work pressure because the all-important deadline had to be met.
Rita and Ravi used to mostly interact when she summoned him to her cabin. As they spoke, the two of them discovered that they shared two common passions – one for reading, the other for movies. Gradually, both of them started discussing books and movies whenever they were relatively free.
“If you read so much, why the hell are you in journalism? Few journalists enjoy reading books, you know,” she purred in jest one day.
“But you are a journalist too, right?” He asked a little uneasily.
“Hey, tell me something,” she sounded serious all of a sudden. “You appear to be very friendly when you talk to your colleagues. Why are you acutely conscious when you and I speak?”
“You are the boss, right?”
“So what? I am just like anybody else. Let us talk as friends in future. Is that okay with you?”
She stared at him and grinned.
He murmured, “Okay, done.”
“Louder please.”
Both of them started giggling.
When Ravi left the cabin, he had forgotten that the second-in-command had given him a deadline for submitting his article. One quick reminder and he buried himself in work once again.
Related reading: Spouses are and should be friends first…
Let’s do a movie
One week or so later, Rita called him to her cabin and asked him whether or not he had watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a recent Hollywood release.
“I saw it yesterday. What about you?” she asked.
“Not yet. But I will,” he replied before sharing his plan about watching it on coming Saturday.
“Please don’t skip it. I liked it a lot. You too should,” she said.
“Oh no, I don’t miss any film,” he said and quickly corrected himself, “I don’t miss any good film, I should be saying.”
“By the way, I have heard something. May I ask you frankly?”
“Please do.” Ravi didn’t know what was coming his way.
“I believe there is some gossip floating around – about us. Have you heard any such thing?”
“I believe there is some gossip floating around – about us. Have you heard any such thing?”
A couple of his colleagues had started teasing Ravi that Rita had the hots for him. But he chose not to bring it up, and said, “I haven’t heard any such thing. Have you?”
“I know you have because some guys pull your leg occasionally,” she looked at him and winked.
“They are not serious about it,” he grinned sheepishly. He had been caught lying.
“Who will you watch the film with? Do you have a girlfriend?” she asked.
“No, I will be going alone. I am, well, single,” he told her.
“Would you mind if we watch it together? I want to see it again. You buy the tickets, I will treat you to a dinner,” she said.
Dating the boss
Inside the theatre on Saturday, Rita whispered into his ears, “This is weird. I am your boss. We are out on a date of sorts, aren’t we?”
“Seems like.” His search for a few more words thereafter proved to be futile.
“I like you, Ravi. Now, just relax.” She held his left arm as she spoke.
“So do I. You are the boss. But I do,” he said.
The theatre was dark. Ravi smiled at the thought that a beautiful presence had lit up his life – as he watched a story unfold on the screen in front of his eyes.
Married but open about their office affair…how right or wrong is it?
Office romance is no cake’s walk, especially when it’s a boss lady and a male employee. But then we are humans at the end of the day. It’s not impossible to succumb to the longings of our heart. Attraction has its own way of operating on human mind.
What an honest and interesting piece! Waiting for more…
Office romance can go really South if there are any complications. I personally feel that one must keep their personal and professional lives apart. But then, you know, the heart wants what it wants ! Hope Ravi’s promotions do not depend on his career graph with his boss!