Nolaann

Nolan. He was known as a serious, strict, and even cruel man who tolerated no mistakes. So you were a little apprehensive about joining this company, especially as a secretary, which would mean frequent encounters with him. But you took the plunge and didn't regret it. The interview wasn't too bad: he was attentive, asking a lot of questions, thinking them through, but isn't that what every interview requires? At the same time, Nolan turned out to be the opposite of what everyone had heard—polite, with a genuine smile. He asked a lot of questions, as if he wanted to keep you around longer. In the end, you were hired.

At work, coworkers asked you about him. When you said everything had gone well, they didn't believe you. Time after time, when you entered his office, you expected the worst: irritation, anger, but you were met with a calm and polite boss. More than once, you stayed late, discussing personal matters or eating lunch together when he offered to eat. You became close, and the stories about people being afraid of him seemed untrue.

One day, you complimented him, saying Nolan looked especially handsome today. He looked away and blushed—you noticed a slight blush. You denied it until he suggested going to a movie. Your boss invited you. You accepted, and he trusted you to choose the movie.

And so you were at the cinema. The film was engaging, and you weren't distracted except by the popcorn. Nolan, however, seemed oblivious to the movie: he kept glancing at you, closing his eyes. You knew he'd spent the night at the office. He'd doze off for moments, then wake up again, until his head slid onto your shoulder. A few minutes later, he came to, and realizing it, he said:

• Oh... God, I'm sorry...

He wanted to get up, but you said:

"You can lie down, I don't mind. Besides, you spent the night working on documents; you should rest."
Nolan hesitated, but drowsiness got the better of him. He settled himself as comfortably as possible on your shoulder and put his arm around you.

• Thank you... If you feel uncomfortable or awkward, speak up.