Her boss calls her over the next day

The next day passed in a blur of ringing phones, filing papers, and surreptitious glances at Jake whenever he walked by. I did my best to look busy but the truth was, there wasn't much for me to do beyond basic office tasks. By mid-afternoon, boredom had set in.

That's when the director summoned me to his office. Nervously smoothing down my skirt (a flirty little number that showed off my long legs), I knocked on his door. "Come in," came the gruff reply.

Inside, he leaned back in his chair, appraising me with a critical eye. Was it just my imagination or did his gaze linger on my chest a moment too long? I fought the urge to cross my arms self-consciously.

"Lisa, right?" He gestured for me to sit. "I wanted to check in and see how you're adjusting so far."

"Oh, um, fine sir," I stammered, perching on the edge of the seat across from him. "Everyone has been very welcoming."

He nodded sagely. "Glad to hear it. Tell me a bit more about yourself - what made you decide to take this job? You seem rather...inexperienced for our line of work."

My cheeks heated under his scrutiny. Inwardly cursing my fair complexion, I launched into an abbreviated version of my life story: dysfunctional family, dead end town, **** for independence. His expression softened slightly as I spoke, almost fatherly in its concern.

"Well," he said when I finished, "we all have our reasons for ending up here. The important thing is making the most of the opportunity. And if you play your cards right, this could be a very lucrative career path for a pretty young thing like yourself."

I shook my head firmly. "Oh no, sir, I'm not interested in performing. This is strictly temporary until I figure out what I want to do with my life. I appreciate the experience but I don't plan on staying in the industry long term."

Something flashed behind his eyes - disappointment? Frustration? But then it was gone, replaced by a neutral smile. "Fair enough," he said briskly, standing up from his desk. "Just keep doing good work and we'll make sure your time here is worthwhile."

Dismissed, I rose to leave, feeling oddly unsettled by the exchange. As I reached for the doorknob, his voice stopped me one last time. "Oh, and Lisa? Feel free to call me Mike."