I had just hung up the phone after a long call with my client when I heard the familiar crack of my manager’s door behind me. There was a brief pause to the sound of my colleagues busily typing away as her footsteps approached my desk.

“Kathy, I need you in my office for a quick meeting,” her commanding presence loomed over me.

The wondering looks on my colleagues’ faces didn’t help my nerves as I slowly got up from my desk. I couldn’t think of a single reason why I’d be ‘called into the principal’s office’ since I’d done nothing but hit all my targets for the past year. But still, that nagging voice in the back of my head wouldn’t quiet down.

“Am I in some kind of trouble?” I peeked my head through the door to my manager’s office before walking in.

“Not at all,” she said, laughing softly. Probably because I looked like a nervous wreck. “Quite the opposite, really. Take a seat.”

A wave of relief washed over me and I went to sit down. She offered me a glass of water and I took a small sip, hoping it would have a calming effect. Then I waited, my fingers drumming the side of my chair.

“How do you feel about relocating to New York?” Straight to the point. Just like that. A small half-smile played on the corner of her lips.

“New York?” I nearly spat out my water. “You’re asking if I’d move to New York?”

My manager nodded. “Your performance metrics for this quarter have been excellent, Kathy. There’s a position that just opened up in our New York office, and I told upper management you’d be perfect for it.”

I swallowed the shocked lump in my throat, my mind reeling from the news. “Starting immediately?”

“Yes,” she noticed the unsure expression on my face. “Listen, I know it’s a big decision, but you’ll be working directly with the CEO, which is great for your career. Throw in an attractive joining bonus and a 15k raise…”

“Fifteen thousand dollars?” I gripped the edge of her desk, suddenly dizzy.

My annual income was already the highest it had ever been, right now, and my small-town brain could barely figure out the instant raise she was talking about. Then there was the question about the city itself. I chewed on my lip as I considered her words. New York sounded so exciting, but also daunting and big. I’d never traveled outside of New Jersey before. It would be a whole new start for me. A whole new life.

Then it dawned on me. I would start a new life. These last few months had really taken a toll on me. I’d be leaving behind the scars of a messy break-up with my cheating ex and the wound from a heartbreak that kept me holed up in my apartment…except when I was burying myself in work.

Maybe a change of setting was exactly what I needed.

“I’ll take it,” I said, a surge of unexplainable confidence calming my nerves.

“You will?” My supervisor seemed pleasantly surprised by how fast I had made the decision.

Frankly, I never thought I’d do something like this, either. When I was dating my ex-boyfriend, he would always discourage me from taking trips outside of town.

‘What’s the point? You can stay at home. I’m here and that’s all that should matter to you.’

And since I was totally in love with him, I listened. Now that he was gone, I knew I had to make changes and step out of my comfort zone.

“I’m sure,” I said, and the corners of my lips curved upwards into a smile. “I’ll move to New York.”

Accepting this new position felt like a whirlwind, but it was a step in the right direction. It had to be. Before I knew it, I was packing my bags and getting on the next flight out.

“We’re going to miss you so much,” my mother hugged me tightly as I was about to board.

“I’m going to miss you, too,” I replied, feeling emotional.

My mother and I were very close, especially after a drunk driver took my father from us when I was a kid. I was too young to understand the grief of losing a parent back then, but even so, my mother made sure that I never felt his absence. She tried her best to be there for me in every important moment of my life. So, saying goodbye to her at the airport was a bittersweet experience.

“I’ll call you every day,” I promised, before giving her a final kiss on her cheek.

This was the start of a new chapter in my life. One I was going into completely alone.

New York was electric. There was something about the air in this city that made you feel like there was so much more that you could accomplish in life. So much freedom. I felt excited to be here and on my first night, I knew I had to celebrate.

I put on my best dress—a black silk body-con that hugged me in all the right places. Usually, I never put too much makeup on, but I felt like a brand-new person in a new city. I wanted to make a good impression and so, I did my makeup and styled my hair. Feeling like a million bucks, I was ready to take on a first night out in this fun city.

I made my way into one of the hottest bars in New York City. The place was clearly popular, but it was just exclusive enough that not everybody could get in easily. They apparently had a strict dress code. I walked in feeling confident and excited about where the night was going to take me.

“I'll have a martini, please,” I told the bartender and then, considering my new identity and new life, I added, “Make it dirty.”

“Strong preference for a girl who looks as delicate as you,” a deep voice suddenly came up from behind me, sending goosebumps down my arm. “It’s on me,” he slid his black credit card down the bar.

I turned to see who this mysterious figure was who had just decided to pay for my drinks, and if the rest of him was just as attractive as his voice. He didn’t disappoint. Standing next to me was a man who looked to be a little older than I was, with a sharp jawline and handsome features.

I blinked twice, gathering myself before I could respond.

“I’m not as delicate as you think,” I replied, then held out my hand. “But thanks for the drink. I’m Kathy.”

He seemed impressed by my gesture.

“Dylan,” he held my gaze under the dim bar lights.

He had this intensity about him, and all he had done up to this point was to simply look at me.

I felt myself growing increasingly flustered but just then, the bartender brought the drink I had ordered. Feeling grateful for a distraction, I quickly grabbed my glass and began to take small sips out of it.

“May I ask what’s a girl like you doing sitting all alone at the bar?” he asked, before ordering himself a glass of whiskey without ice.

“Let’s just say that I’m celebrating my newfound freedom,” I told him with a grin spreading out on my face.

“Freedom?” he repeated, and then his eyes dropped to my hand and the noticeably bare ring finger. “Oh, that kind of freedom.”

I laughed. Even though I had just met this man, there was something about him that made me feel automatically at ease. Or it could just be the martini I was sipping on. I’d always been a lightweight.

“Yeah, I’m not looking to get tied down again any time soon,” I admitted to him with a chuckle.

“I’m not sure if someone as pretty as you can stay single for too long,” he complimented.

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, and I quickly took another sip of my drink to hide the fact that I was feeling flushed.

“If my track record says anything, then all the boys I date end up being bad news for me,” I said with a small sigh. From the corner of my eye, I could see him observing me intently.

I hadn’t meant to get that serious or personal right out the gate, but the gorgeous stranger had broken through all my defenses. I didn’t stand a chance with him.

“Maybe that’s your problem,” he said to me in a deep, sensuous voice that elevated all my senses.

I snapped my head up to look at him. “What is?”

He held my gaze without wavering. “You date boys. When you start dating men, you’ll see the difference for yourself.”

He said the words in such a self-assured way, as if he knew exactly what he was talking about and wasn’t afraid to prove it either. He really had a magnetic presence and I felt myself being drawn toward him despite the fact that we had just met.

I downed the remainder of my drink quickly. Being around Dylan was making me nervous, I needed all the reinforcements I could get.

“Maybe you’re right,” I finally conceded. “But where do I even find these men that you speak of?”

He smirked at me. “Sometimes the answers you’re looking for are right in front of you.”

I didn’t have time to hide the blush on my cheeks this time, and Dylan’s lips curled into a knowing smile. I dipped my head shyly, thankful that at least he couldn’t hear the way my heart was hammering.

“Another round of drinks?” I suggested.

He agreed with a slight nod and put his card down again.

“Let me take care of that for you,” he said to me in a low murmur, and I felt a rush of heat pool between my legs.

The bartender brought us another round and I found myself completely fascinated by the man in front of me. He seemed to be very intelligent, talking about various topics with ease. As we kept downing drinks between the two of us, he went from being an attractive stranger to someone I felt like I knew. Time seemed to fly by and when I looked at the clock again, it was well past midnight.

“It’s getting late,” I said, leaning into him. The alcohol in my system had emboldened me.

“I’ll take you home,” he spoke in such an authoritative way that I felt like I had no choice but to say yes. “It’s too late for you to be out there on your own.”

As we walked over to his car, he snaked an arm around my waist. I leaned into him more, putting my weight on him. I was surprised to see that he had a driver waiting for him outside. Usually, I was used to being stuffed in the back of an Uber and then asked to split the fare. I guess there really was a difference between boys and men. If I’d known men like Dylan were hiding out in the city, I would’ve moved out here years ago.

He opened the door for me, and I slid onto the cool leather of the backseat. Once he got inside, I moved closer to him and, without hesitation, he put his arm around my shoulders.

“I’m not ready for the night to end yet,” I whispered in his ear.

If he was shocked by how forward I was being, he didn’t let it show. Instead, he slid his hand down to my waist and firmly grabbed onto my side.

“It doesn’t have to,” he answered in a deep voice. His face was so close to mine that I could feel his hot breath on my face.

He moved closer and closer until he closed the gap between our mouths and finally kissed me. His lips felt so soft as they moved against mine, slowly and patiently as if we had all the time in the world and he wanted to savor every endless second of it.

“My place?” he suggested, breaking the kiss.

His words made my lips tingle. I wanted more.

I gave him an impatient nod and pulled him back into me. By the time the car pulled over to his apartment building, I could hardly wait to be alone with him.

“Patience,” he let out a low, throaty chuckle when he noticed how eager I was. “Your generation always wants to get things done straight away. Sometimes it’s good to wait.”

I pouted a little and followed him into the elevator. He kept his hand on my waist the entire time and guided me into his penthouse apartment when the elevator doors opened again.

“Wow,” I sighed as I took in his apartment.

It was massive, and he clearly had good taste for decor. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by large post-modern paintings. I found myself admiring them in awestruck silence.

“Do you like them?” he asked, coming up behind me. “I had them commissioned.”

“They’re beautiful,” I breathed out.

“Just like you,” he winked at me and then took my hand. “Come with me, I’ll show you the bedroom.”

My heart began to beat faster in anticipation of what was about to happen. He led me into his room and closed the door behind him. Before I could say another word, he had me pinned against the wall of his bedroom and his lips were on mine. These kisses felt different from the ones in the car. They were more urgent and demanding.

“I thought you wanted to be patient,” I spoke against his lips.

“I’m done being patient,” he murmured in a low voice before moving his mouth to my neck.

He began to leave a trail of kisses down the side of my neck, and I couldn’t help but knot my fingers in his hair, gasping at the contact. Then he picked me up with ease and walked us both to the edge of his bed before setting me down again. He wasted no time. As soon as my body hit the soft mattress, he was on top of me. In this position, I could feel the hardness between his legs and my desire grew even more. He began to slide the straps of my dress off my shoulders.

“This needs to go,” he said.

I put my hands over my head and slipped out of my dress. His eyes darkened at the sight of my newly exposed skin, his breathing getting shallow. I knew I had him exactly where I wanted him.

“Like what you see?” I smirked as his eyes trailed down my body, admiring every inch.

“I’ve been thinking of what you’ll look like without that dress since the moment I saw you in it,” he whispered against my ear in a hoarse voice.

I began to tug at his shirt, and he discarded it quickly. I felt the hardness of his muscles under my hands and let out an involuntary **** at the sensation.

He pinned me back down on the mattress and began to kiss me again. His kisses were sloppy and urgent as his other hand began to squeeze my breasts. In a swift motion, he undid my bra and replaced it with his mouth. His tongue drew little circles around my ****** and I gasped out loud.

I felt a like breathless, mewling mess under his touch. Not wanting to wait anymore, I began to tug at the waistband of his boxers. But he shook his head, pulling my hand away from him. Dylan then gripped my wrists tightly and pinned my hands down.

“Not yet,” he said, before dipping his head between my legs.

I let out a low groan as I felt him kiss the inside of my thighs before swiftly moving my underwear to the side and diving straight in. I couldn’t control my moans. His pace and technique were perfect, and very soon, he was pushing me over the edge.

“Fuck,” I cursed loudly. “That feels so good.”

Right before I could reach climax, he stopped abruptly and began to roll off me.

“What?” I said with droopy eyelids, intoxicated by my desire. My need for release.

“Come.” To my surprise, he pulled me up by my hand and brought me over to his window. I looked at him with a confused expression.

“Don’t you like the view?” he asked.

From his window, we could see the New York skyline. In the darkness of the night, the city was illuminated, even at this late hour.

“I do,” I finally let out, trying to ignore the needy ache between my legs.

Before I could say another word, he bent me over the windowsill and gripped the sides of my waist tightly. I responded by grinding back into him, feeling his hardness against me.

“I want to **** you with a view,” he said before thrusting into me finally.

I let out a loud **** as I adjusted to his girth. He had filled me up completely, stretching me to accommodate his size. God, it felt so ******* good I immediately began to tremble.

Slowly, he began to ****** in and out of me. This angle felt amazing, and I felt like I was about to come already.

“I want you to tell me you want this,” he demanded in an urgent voice, as he began to increase his pace.

“I want it,” I panted, barely able to string together a fully coherent sentence.

“No, try again,” he urged, gripping my sides even harder.

He was speaking to me in such a domineering way, I felt he could make me come just by his voice alone. It was what piqued my interest, after all, when he’d spoken to me in his low voice back at the bar.

“I want it, Dylan,” I moaned his name.

It seemed to do the trick. He began to ****** harder and I felt my legs shake from the intensity of what he was doing to me. Our ruin didn’t take long after that. Soon, he pulled out of me and spilled his entire load on my back. We came at the same exact time.

“God, that was amazing,” I panted, still trying to catch my breath.

He smirked at me before sitting me down on the edge of his bed again. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

I woke up the next morning, still entangled in the arms of the handsome man I had spent the night with. He stirred in his sleep as I slowly got out of his grasp and reached for my phone to check the time.

“Damn it,” I cursed under my breath. It was already 7 A.M. and I had to show up for my first day at work in two hours.

I began to tip-toe out of his room, careful not to make any noise that would wake him up. Last night was fun, but I wasn’t sure whether it would be the same in the harsh light of day. We hadn’t exchanged numbers, and maybe that was for the best. I gathered all my discarded clothes from the night before and quickly got dressed. Luckily for me, his apartment had mirrors everywhere. I caught my reflection in one of them and groaned at the sight.

I was a total mess and my head pounded from my hangover. I ran my hands through my hair to smooth it out so I wouldn’t look completely unpresentable when I walked out of his place.

The window where he’d fucked me caught my eye and I paused. Now that the sun was out, the view from his apartment looked even better. Given how ridiculous the rent was in New York, I could guess that this guy was probably very wealthy. I couldn’t afford a place like this even if I had double, triple the salary I currently earned.

I called a cab and exited his apartment, feeling grateful that he didn’t wake up in the process. The night with him was exactly what I needed, but I couldn’t get distracted now. I had to focus on the workday that was ahead of me. I had to make a good first impression.

“Maybe I’ll see you again,” I muttered as I left, already planning to visit that same bar with the hope of running into him.

With little time to waste, I swiftly changed into suitable work attire as soon as I got to my place. I carefully picked out my favorite pair of high heels and fixed my makeup. After a quick cup of coffee while brushing my hair, I felt refreshed and ready.

I walked into the office, exactly on time and dressed to impress. Just by the looks of it, no one would even guess that I’d had such a wild night.

“You must be Kathy, the new hire,” a warm smiling face greeted me at reception. “I’m Marsha, I’ll be your supervisor.”

“Great to meet you,” I smiled brightly, ignoring the thumping in my head. She must’ve been waiting for Kathy’s arrival.

“Why don’t we go into my office, and I’ll brief you on your role?” she said.

I nodded and followed her, glancing around my new office. It was undoubtedly an upgrade from my last. Just the size alone was at least twice as big.

“We have a very dynamic workplace and everyone’s really friendly. I’m sure you’ll fit right in,” she said as she handed me a few documents to sign.

“I just need your initial here,” she pointed to the document.

I nodded and signed the papers. “I’m excited to get started.”

Marsha returned my smile with ease. “I’m sure you’ve already been notified of this, but you’ll be working directly under the CEO. But he’s usually busy, so I might step in every now and then as your manager.”

“Is he here now?” I was curious to meet this man I had heard so much about.

“Actually, he’s a bit late today and hasn’t come in yet,” she said. “But don’t worry, I’ll set up a meeting for you to meet him later.”

I felt nervous. Now that the excitement of moving to a new place was wearing off, I started to realize that everyone in his office seemed super competent. I knew I was going to have to bring my A-Game.

“Of course, that would be great,” I smiled.

“Your office is right outside of his,” she told me. “So, I’m sure you’re going to see him a lot in passing anyway.”

I nodded, glancing over some of the paperwork she had laid out in front of me.

“You were an urgent transfer from the other office. Your supervisor there spoke very highly of you and I’m sure you’ll be a great fit in this role,” her tone was more serious now.

“I’m ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead,” I assured her confidently.

“Since this was an urgent hire and you were called in to replace a previous employee whom we had to let go, you’ll be taking on the projects that she was looking after. So, there might be some tight deadlines for you in the coming week,” she told me.

“Yes, I was told that there might be some extra workload in the first few weeks,” I replied. “But I’m confident that I can handle it.”

“Good. That’s what I like to hear,” she grinned. “I’m not gonna lie—It’s a high-pressure job and we want people that know how to handle it. But you can use the morning to get acquainted with the place.”

Loud laughter filtered into her office and I looked over to where a few staff members were talking on the floor.

“You can go now and get to know some of your co-workers if you want,” she said. “They’ll help you settle in.”

My last role was more relaxed, and I had a lot of downtime to myself. From the sounds of Marsha’s brief breakdown, it didn’t seem that it was going to be the case over here. My mind automatically went to my ex-boyfriend. He would throw tantrums whenever I had to stay back at the office. Now that I was single, I had a lot of time to give to my work.

“Hey,” a woman with short, layered bob haircut greeted me as I walked out of Marsha’s office. “You look lost. Can I help with anything?”

“It’s my first day here,” I told her.

“Oh, new girl,” she grinned and then gestured for another employee to join us. “I’m Caitlyn, by the way. And this is Jeff. We both work in sales.”

“I’m Kathy,” I introduced myself timidly.

The guy named Jeff strutted over to us and did a dramatic twirl for his entrance. His eyes widened when he saw me. "Are you the new hire that's replacing Gemma?"

"Um," I fidgeted with my hands. "Yeah, I guess so. I'll be working directly with the CEO."

Caitlyn and Jeff exchanged a knowing glance among themselves.

"Well, good luck to you," Jeff scoffed. He seemed almost sorry for me.

And Caitlyn was actively avoiding eye contact. It all felt a little too suspicious for my liking. I remembered Marsha talking about having to fire the previous person who had my role, and my anxiety spiked.

"Am I missing something?" I asked, suddenly curious to know what they knew.

"I just think it's really brave that you decided to take up this position," Jeff replied, solemnly clasping both his hands in front of him.

"Oh, quit scaring her,” Caitlyn slapped Jeff lightly on the shoulder. "It's her first day here."

"I’m just being honest," Jeff replied, rubbing his arm on the spot where Caitlyn had swatted him just moments ago. "She should know what she's getting into."

"Someone really needs to explain what's going on here," I reasserted myself.

They were so busy talking about the horrors of my position that they seemed to have forgotten I was still standing there.

"Don't listen to him," Caitlyn turned to me with a warm smile. I didn’t know her, so couldn’t tell if it was fake or not. "He’s totally exaggerating."

"He must have some reason to," I countered, looking between the two of them for an actual answer.

"It's just that your role is one that requires close contact with the CEO, and he's known to be a bit..." she sucked in her bottom lip, contemplating her word choice before settling for, "...particular."

"In a bad way?" I questioned, raising my eyebrow.

I didn’t have much experience with it but had heard stories about higher ups and their unique ways. If all I had to deal with was a man and his over-inflated ego, then I think I’d manage just fine. However, if it was more serious than that, I deserved to know. Preferably before he showed up to work.

"The last girl in your position was fired just after a month of working for him," Jeff said in a hushed voice. "Dylan was never happy with whatever she did and one day, he just fired her on spot."

"Was she not good at her job?" I asked, feeling a nervousness settle in the base of my stomach.

"Oh, she wasn't that bad," Caitlyn interjected. "It's just that Dylan has really high standards for all of his employees."

"He’s notoriously hard to please," Jeff added. "And a total workaholic."

"Yeah, I've seen him put in 12-hour days whenever there’s an important project that needs to be completed," Caitlyn nodded.

From the descriptions these guys were giving me, I was beginning to paint a horrendous picture of my boss in my head. My concern probably showed on my face, because Caitlyn put a comforting arm over my shoulder.

"But don't let us put you off," she said. "Maybe he'll like you. You never know."

I masked the nervousness I was feeling and put on a brave face. I didn't want my new co-workers to see that I was terrified on my very first day. Impressions matter and I wanted to be taken seriously in this office.

"I think I'm up for the challenge," I feigned confidence, even though I was having all sorts of doubts already.

Jeff passed Caitlyn a look before turning back to me.

"I'm impressed by your grit, woman," he laughed. "Usually, this would be enough to send anyone running."

"I like pushing myself," I shrugged and then looked down at my watch. "Speaking of the boss, where is he? He hasn't come in yet and it's almost ten-thirty."

"He was probably working late again," Caitlyn chuckled. "Even on the weekend."

"Seriously," Jeff joined in, "Does anyone even know what he does in his personal life?"

"Maybe you should ask him," Caitlyn teased Jeff, nudging him playfully with her shoulder.

Just then, the main door to the office opened and a man walked in. He had a confident stride. Even if you had no clue about who he was, you’d know he was in charge just by the way he carried himself.

"There he is," Jeff mumbled out of the corner of his mouth. "He's finally here."

As he got closer, I managed to get a glimpse of what he looked like. I felt myself grow pale and adrenaline shot into my veins immediately. Suddenly, I knew the answer to what my boss was doing this weekend. Because I had been with him.

Dylan—none other than the man I had slept with last night—was my new boss.

I woke up to the sound of my alarm blaring. Slowly opening my eyes, I shielded my face from the sun peeking in through the open window in my room.

"What time is it?" I muttered to no one in particular and reached out to grab my phone.

I saw that I had missed all my alarms this morning and was already late for work. My head throbbed as I groggily pulled myself out of bed, serving as an annoying reminder of what I had gotten up to last night.

"Kathy?" I called out as I stepped out of my room in my morning robe. "Are you still here?"

To my surprise, I was met with silence. I strolled around the living room, noticing that her bag wasn't there anymore. A faint disappointment settled over me as I realized that she had likely left before I had woken up.

"Must be an early riser," I mumbled to myself, and went over to the kitchen to get a glass of water. The cool liquid poured down my throat, acting as a remedy for my parched mouth and aching head.

At forty-four, I just couldn't handle a night full of drinking any more as I used to ten years ago. By no means I was in my prime anymore.

As I looked out my window at the city skyline, my mind immediately went back to the night before and how... useful that windowsill had proven to be. Something stirred in my crotch and I felt the remnants of my primal arousal.

I was no stranger to one-night stands. Plenty of women were interested in me. If it was for my good looks and charming personality or the fact that I was a billionaire heading a successful company, I wasn't sure. But I liked to think that it was likely a combination of both.

The chase was exciting. I would find myself courting these gorgeous women, impressing them with my charm, and then ending up sleeping with them. But the next morning, the excitement would wear off. They'd make breakfast for me and try to convince me to start a relationship with them, never succeeding. Without alcohol to dampen my senses, they all seemed boring and the only thing I wanted was to be rid of them.

I found my mind circling back to thoughts of Kathy. Maybe it was the fact that she didn't even try to stick around and get my phone number that made her stand out to me. It was refreshing and it added a sense of mystique.

Did she have more important things to do that she couldn't wait for me? From the way she carried herself, I could tell that she was a woman who meant business. She felt like a challenge.

My phone rang, pulling me out of my thoughts. The caller ID flashed my mother's name. I hesitated for a moment before answering, wondering what she wanted at this hour.

"Dylan!" my mother's excited voice greeted me from the other end of the line.

"Hello, Mom," I tried to sound cheerful.

"How are you doing?" she asked in her usual doting tone. "I waited for you to call me this weekend."

"I'm sorry, I just got busy with work," I replied.

"It’s alwaysworkwith you," she said. "Sometimes I wonder if you ever take any time off."

A mischievous smile formed on my face as I thought back to the night I’d had. But I wiped it away quickly, clearing my throat.

"You know how it is, Mom," I replied. "It's not easy running a multibillion-dollar company."

"I know, and I'm so proud of all of your accomplishments," she replied. "I was just talking about you with your father at breakfast earlier. It's a shame that you haven't come home to visit in a while."

I frowned at the mention of my father. Even the mere mention of him was enough to bring up several unpleasant memories. The two of us had a strained relationship, to say the least. Growing up, he had been an absent father. It wasn't as though he didn't love me, but his love for the bottle came before anything else. All my memories of childhood consisted of him coming home late, drunk and neglecting most of his responsibilities.

“How have you been doing, Mom?” I changed the topic swiftly, bringing the focus to her.

“Oh, no,” she resisted. “I haven’t called to talk about how I’m doing. I have something more important that I need to discuss with you.”

“And what would that be?” I questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“Dylan, as your mother, I constantly worry about you,” she replied in a serious tone.

I let out a chuckle. “Mom, you just admitted that I’m doing quite well for myself. You don’t have anything to worry about.”

“Of course, your work life is excellent,” she conceded. “But I meant your personal life. When are you going to settle down? You always used to tell me that you’re too young for that, but now I think it’s time that you find a partner to share the rest of your life with.”

“I’m married to my work,” I replied tartly. This wasn’t a new conversation.

Relationships were a sore subject for me. Years ago, I’d thought I found love with a woman. I had been so in love that I felt sure she was the person I would spend the rest of my life with. But life threw me a curveball when I found her in bed with one of my associates. Since then, my trust in relationships had shattered completely. Commitment felt like it was too much of a gamble and I never played a game where I stood a chance of losing.

“Does work wait at home for you at the end of a long day?” she questioned, not ready to give up.

“Mom, I know your heart is in the right place but I’m just not looking for a serious commitment with anyone right now,” I sighed. Her nagging was making my headache worse, and I wanted to get rid of both.

“Dylan, I’m only getting older. It’s my dream to see you get married in my lifetime,” she said earnestly.

“It’ll happen when it wants to,” I said, hoping that would be enough of an explanation to satisfy her. Her concern for me was genuine and I didn’t want to disappoint her by outrightly denying her.

“It could happen next week if you really want it to,” she said coyly.

I scoffed. “What are you talking about?”

“Well, I’ve been thinking about this for a while now and I have someone in mind. I know you’d like her,” her tone was confident.

“Are you thinking of setting me up?” I let out a small laugh at the ridiculousness of her suggestion.

“Why not?” she countered. “I know you better than anyone else does. I gave birth to you, didn’t I?”

“And who would this hypothetical person be that you’re setting me up with?” I asked, deciding to humor her.

“My friend, Brie, has a beautiful daughter who’s single. I met her the other day at brunch and she’s really pretty. I think the two of you would make a great match,” she announced, seeming proud of her little discovery.

“I can’t just go out on a date with your friend's daughter,” I fought back feebly. “I don’t even think I have the time for it, let alone the will.”

“As your mother, I’m staging an intervention,” she said firmly. It was seldom that she used that tone of voice with me.

I straightened my back, realizing that she was indeed serious about this whole idea, and I couldn’t just talk my way out of it this time. I prepared myself for the worst.

“And what does this intervention entail exactly?” I asked.

“I can arrange for the two of you to meet,” she said. “And then you can get to know each other.”

“Mom,” I protested weakly.

“I’m serious,” she responded. “You can speak to your assistant about freeing up an evening sometime this week. She’s in town and would love to meet you.”

“Fine,” I sighed, giving in. At this point, arguing with my mother wouldn’t lead me anywhere.

Whenever she decided to set her mind to something, she always made sure that she saw it to completion. It was something that I admired about her, although at this current moment it was proving to be an inconvenience.

“I’m so happy that you’ve agreed to this,” her tone brightened up immediately. She even sounded surprised, as if she didn’t know I was going to do exactly as she said.

“More like forced against my will,” I grumbled under my breath.

“What was that?” she asked.

“Nothing,” I said, looking at the clock. “I’m late for work, so I have to go now. I’ll call you later.”

“Okay, I love you,” she said. “Make sure you free up a slot for this week.”

“Love you too,” I said, shaking my head as I hung up the phone.

You could be the boss in every single aspect of your life, but no matter how old or successful you were, whenever your mom asked you to do something, you couldn’t say no.

Not wanting to waste any more time thinking about my love life and my mother’s advice about it, I walked back to my bedroom to get changed for the day. There was one consistent thing in my life that I was willing to commit to. And that was work.

It was the only thing that had never let me down.