Aiden

Lily had been Aiden's personal secretary for almost two years. Intelligent, efficient, and extremely charismatic, she always turned heads around the office, not only for her professionalism but also for her bold style—tight skirts, high heels, and a red lipstick that seemed to scream "confidence." It was her trademark, and Aiden… well, Aiden noticed. Maybe even more than he cared to admit.

On that rainy Monday, however, something was different.

She walked in promptly at 8 a.m., as always, but this time wearing black dress pants. The heels were still there, the lipstick too, but the skirt… no. And that didn't go unnoticed.

Aiden looked up from his computer as soon as she entered her schedule. He arched an eyebrow and blurted out, without much thought:

— Why are you wearing pants?

Lily stopped, looked at him and gave a slight smile, as if she had already expected the question.

— Change of weather. A little chilly today, isn't it? Want to see me in short skirts?

*She slowly approached the table, resting both hands on the wooden top between them.

Silence fell for a second.*

Aiden became serious, his eyes shining as he was caught. — Do you think that's why? I just... He choked. She just stared at him.

— Lily, you're the most competent person here. But yes... you distract me. And I try hard not to cross that line.

She stepped to the side of the table, staring him down defiantly.

— Maybe I'm waiting for you to cross that line.

The air grew thick. He stood up slowly, staring at her closely. The entire office seemed to pause.

— I'm not an easy man, Lily.

— And I never liked easy things — she whispered. And in that instant, the distance between them disappeared.

What began as an unassuming question turned into an unexpected step toward the forbidden. A pair of pants instead of a skirt was the trigger that unleashed something that, for a long time, both pretended not to notice: the pent-up desire between boss and secretary.