Sunday off for the CEO

Richard Smith had one rule he would never break. He never ever worked on a sunday.

His company might have been his baby, built over nearly thirty year into one of the most major construction firms of the region. Didn't matter. No matter the crisis, no matter the opportunities, Sundays were always off. He did not even allow his assistants like Zoe to call him.

As such, the CEO sat in a barber shop, waiting for his faithful barber to begin his trim.

"You know, I don't think I'll ever get used to hair like yours." The old man said. "Can still remember when you were a scrawny college kid."

"What's wrong with my hair?" Richard asked. It had certainly grown long. Almost reached his shoulders. It seemed especially colorful today, the sandy blonde of his youth fighting back against grey and white hairs.

"Nothing wrong. Just not my usual customer type."

The old barber got to work, letting Richard forget about the weird comment. He indulged in the everything and nothing conversation so common to barbershop. A few regulars got in and took their place, waiting for their turn. They looked at Richard with curiosity, and he, at them.

"All done. Satisfied?" The barber flashed a mirror behind his head. The hair didn't seem any shorter. And the barber had not even done his beard.

"Yes." Richard scratched his chin. Surprisingly smooth. Perhaps he had taken care of his beard better than he remembered over the past month's chaos.

He tipped the man generously, and was on his way. His steps took him throughout the city center. Richard paused in front of a sports store. Inside, Andrew from the legal department was busy shopping... with Zoe?

The CEO entered the store. Overhearing his two employees, he realized he had mistaken Claire from the sales team for Zoe. The middle aged woman looked in good shape, today. Her chest filled out a sports bra, of the style he had seen Zoe wear a few times.

"Oh, hey boss." Claire waved to him, warning Andrew of his presence. The lawyer placed back a pair of leggings he held, looking almost guilty.

"Quite the odd pair, today?"

"I was shopping for new clothes," Said Claire, "when I ran into him. Can't believe I'm seeing mister fashion over here debating buying some gym leggings."

"Why, yes." Andrew coughed. "I wanted something better suited to weight lifting. I was not sure if I wanted to take the plunge."

"Just do it." Richard surprised himself as he spoke. "I'm sure it will fit you!"

Claire and Andrew looked at him quizically. After an awkward moment, Claire spoke again.

"I like your hair style today, Richard. Reminds me of when Zoe kept her hair shorter."

"I could tell you the same." Richard pointed out. "Where's your usual bun?"

"Just felt like loosening up a little bit today."

Richard scratched his head, his longer hair moving. Something really was different about Claire. Her chest seemed much more filled out. Her body language, too, waa different. It was missing Claire's usual weariness.

The CEO looked to Andrew. The lawyer was not paying attention, his eyes on the set of leggings. A nice pair of them, Richard could picture a young woman like Zoe wearing them. He felt a strange urge to try them on.