For two hours now, Clinton has been thinking and not working. The files that were placed on his desk by Linda his office assistant have not been reviewed and signed. He left them because he couldn’t focus. Today was an awful day for him after having dreamt about his wife, Sarah last night. The heartbreak she had caused him is starting to torment him again. For this reason, he has been thinking also what he can do to alleviate the pain in his heart. Spending his time drinking alcoholic liquors after work, seemed to be a good option for him. Just then, his doorbell rang. “Who is there?’’ He asked.

“I’m the one sir,’’ replied a faint voice.

He recognized the voice. “A second please.’’ Quickly, he arranged himself and maintained a good posture on his office seat. “You may come in.’’ the door opened and to his surprise, she was whom he had not expected at the moment. Nevertheless, he proceeded to ask her what the problem was. “What is the `problem? You seem to have another set of documents for signing, am I right?’’

Linda appeared with a worried look. “Yes sir, pardon my negligence. It appeared I left some of them on my desk because, I was in a hurry to arrange your meeting with Jackson petro limited, next week. I’m sorry,’’ she placed the documents on his table.

The sweet scent of her body-spray filled the air. Clinton could perceive them. Not just her body-spray that made Linda special to him but also, her personality. It was something he has been admiring ever since Linda began to work for him. He had once initiated a little flirt between them but that did not go well as he had expected because he thought Linda had failed to get the message he was trying to send to her. That was the first week he learned about Sarah’s despicable act. Nevertheless, today is a different day, he might as well try again.

Linda was almost close to the door when Clinton called her. “Linda!’’ She turned innocently, to face her boss. “May I have a word with you before you return to your work?’’

Linda was not sure about what they were about to discuss however, she had the feeling that whatever they will discuss will not deviate from the company's affairs. She thought, ‘maybe she had made some mistakes with the files or some other things, and his boss is certainly, not happy about that. For months now she had noticed a new Clinton, he was not the usual boss he used to be. Something is not right. Whatever it was, it was just a matter of seconds before Clinton lets the cat out of the bag.

“I know I messed up with those files sir but, I can assure you I have instructed my subordinates to look into them. We will fix the problem as soon as possible. I’m very sorry for the inconveniences I might have caused you with my mistakes.’’ Linda quickly confessed her sins, before her boss reminds her about them. How wrong she was, for Clinton was not even about to talk about her flaws or even had any knowledge about them. He had always believed that Linda is the right candidate to be his private assistant, and that’s why he chose her.

“What mistakes Linda? I have no idea of what you are talking about.’’

Surprised, she went on to explain, “The mistakes in the previous files you signed two days ago. When I reviewed them, I was shocked to discover some flaws. I’m so sorry, it shouldn’t have happened in the first place.’’

“As I said, I have no idea of what you are talking about. Moreover, this is not the reason I called you back. I have something to tell you, altogether different from what you are talking about.

If he has something different to tell her then, what could that be? Linda seemed to have developed a high level of interest in what Clinton was telling her that afternoon. “Okay sir, I’m all ears,’’ she smiled.

Linda's smile emboldened Clinton to make the demand that had only popped into his mind that afternoon when Linda came in. "I was thinking about how your schedule will be after work today?"

As strange as Clinton's question may sound, she refused to conclude quickly that, it was personal. "Well, nothing much sir. I think I will stop by the home of an old friend of mine to say hello. After that, I will head straight to my house, where I will cook dinner, take my bath, eat and sleep. That's all I will be doing."

"That's all? Are you kidding me? Seriously, is that how your routine after work looks like?" Clinton showed some humor in his voice as he spoke. He seemed excited by her answers.

"Yeah, that's all I will be doing today," she reaffirmed. "Sir, I hope there's no problem?"

"There are no problems, not at all," He placed one of his hands on his desk to assume even a more comfortable posture. "Do you think we have a problem?"

"Not at all, sir. It's just that, this is the first time you are asking for something more private. I was taken unawares you know?" Linda's voice slowly was becoming intense.

"Oh I see, you are not comfortable with my question? If you are not then, I will never ask you such again okay?" He pretended he meant his last words. He prayed silently in his heart that Linda gives him the go-ahead order.

"No, I'm comfortable! Who said I'm not comfortable? I am. I'm only inquisitive about what prompted your question, sir," she eased a polite smile. She knew more personal questions like that would come since she had given him an order to go on.

Satisfied, Clinton continued, "Well, I was thinking about something when you left my office some hours ago," he cleared his throat and stood up from his seat, and began walking towards Linda who has been standing close to her boss's desk. "A friend of mine is organizing a party on Saturday evening. One which is imperative I must attend. Linda, I want you to accompany me to the party. Consider this an important request from me. And oh! Since you have nothing very important to do this evening you might as well skip cooking dinner because I can make a substitute for that. I was wondering maybe, we can go out there, to a special restaurant for a dinner together and have a good time. What do you think?"

Although she had the feeling that, he might head in that direction, his request was the last thing he expected at the moment. "Are you asking me asking me out on a date?"

"Yes, I mean we can call it a date," he smiled nervously. ‘What if Linda turns him down on the spot?’ That could spell emotional troubles that day.

Meanwhile, Linda seemed to have gone dumb. She was stunned. Nevertheless, she managed to speak again. "What about your wife? You and I know she is not going to like it when she finds out. You are aware she doesn't even like our friendly day-to-day business here in this office? I once reasoned maybe, Sarah had the feeling I'm flirting around with you in the office. You are the only one who can vindicate my innocence. Imagine how she would react when learns about this? Please, sir, I think we should forget about this, it's not a good idea," Linda explained.

"Oh come on! We are not even together anymore! Listen to me, Linda. Sarah cheated on me. She broke my heart into pieces. Going out to have a good time with my favorite employee is all I can do at this point to alleviate the pain in my heart. Why can't you see that?" His voice was soft and tender, drawing pity from Linda who thought their dinner together was a bad idea. However, she can't resist the pity in her heart. She wished she could do anything else as a friend to make him happy rather than hanging out with him. The more she thought about that, the less she see any suitable option. 

"Please Linda, don't turn me down. This is the first personal request I have made from you."

His pleas compelled Linda to do the unthinkable. She couldn't stand the sight of seeing his boss beg her for a favor. "Okay, fine! I will go with you for a dinner," she said, reluctantly.