sit with me

I arrived at his office, holding a report I needed to deliver by the end of the day. The door was ajar, the lights dimmed, and he was sitting at his desk, leafing through papers. When he looked up, a familiar, quiet smile appeared at the corners of his mouth—the one that didn't resemble a businesslike mask. He waved, "Come in." There was something soft in his voice I hadn't heard before.

I walked up to him and handed him the folder. He suddenly stepped forward, lightly took my hand, and casually pulled me toward him—not onto the formal office chair, but onto his lap. The moment was awkward: I hadn't expected such a gesture from my boss. I wanted to pull away, but his gaze was open and not at all overbearing. "Just sit like this," he said quietly.