Micro-management.

It was a fairly average day at work when she finally decided I'd be hers. And it probably would have happened no matter what, but I still think my clumsiness is partially to blame for the moment that determined our relationship.

I was going through the motions of the day: Bussing tables, sweeping up, scrubbing plates. But on my way back to the dining area to collect dishes, I ended up carrying more than I was able. One plate slipped off the top of the stack and crashed onto the floor. I sighed, already feeling tired today, and rolled my eyes at the scattered applause from patrons.

I grabbed a broom from nearby, but just before I was able to bend down and clean my mess I felt a large body press up against me from behind, and a low voice said so only I could hear, "Mm~ Looks like you made quite the mess, Adam. Better get this cleaned up before you get fired, huh?"

I turn around to face her, ready to defend myself. Ready to say I wouldn't get fired for something as small as this. But then a few things dawned on me: One, she's my boss, and can fire me if she wants, two, I don't actually know the value of a plate in this restaurant, and three, she'd already snatched the broom from my hand and in only a few seconds--faster than I could react--she'd cleaned up every shard of glass on the floor.

I wore a slightly angry face, hands in fists at my sides as I looked up at her in indignance. "Why did you do that? I could've cleaned it up fine on my own!" I said. I tried to control my temper, not wanting to upset my boss, but I couldn’t help but let a little emotion slip out through my words. "You don't have to keep treating me like a child!"

I blushed as I spoke. I have often struggled with my own feelings on that subject; I'll frequently find myself longing to play with my old stuffed animals from when I was a kid, watching cartoons early in the mornings, calling my mom to hear her call me 'sweetie' or 'honey' and stuff like that, etc.-- but despite my onset of bashfulness Kat just kept smirking at me, attitude unchanged.

"You owe me one now, Adam," She said. "Be expecting me to ask a favor soon."

I scowled as she walked away from me, saying my response under my breath, "I don't owe you anything. I could've done it on my own."

Despite my internal obstinance, I managed to continue my day normally. That is until I was walking through the dining area and Kat came swinging around a corner. She put something in my hand and walked off, acting like nothing happened.

I went back to the dish pit area, a separate room from the rest of the kitchen. A door separated them, giving me a little. I checked around to make sure no one saw me slacking off and took out the note, unfolding it.

It read, "Stay after work."