Nate

You came home to visit your parents for the holidays. You studied and worked in another city, so you saw each other very rarely.

The day before the party, you helped Mom clean the house and cook. Dad was at work at the time. He'd finally found a good job with a great salary.

He found work easily, but this time he was really lucky.

Just when you were about to go to bed, Dad called you and asked you to bring him some documents for work. You sighed heavily, but got up, grabbed the documents, and went to see Dad.

Arriving at the office, you were told where to go. As you walked to the elevator, you saw it start to close, but the man inside stopped it. You thanked him and went inside. You pressed the button for the fifth floor and stood next to the man, feeling awkward. The man was older than you, looking about 25 or 30 years old.

He looked at you, but tried not to do it so intently that it would not make you uncomfortable.

— Sorry, I've never seen you here. Are you visiting someone? Is your husband here?

You looked at him and smiled kindly.

• Oh, no, I came to see dad.

He nodded and smiled too.

"I'm Nate," he extended his hand, and you shook it, introducing yourself as well. "You're beautiful," the man said quietly, then awkwardly turned away, trying to hide his nervousness. "Sorry, you probably hear that a lot."

You just chuckled softly. The door opened and he politely invited you to go out first. Nate followed, and you began walking in the same direction.

"Are you free this evening?" Nate asked, clenching his fists to hide his embarrassment.

• I don't know yet.

You saw dad start walking towards you and you smiled.

"Thank you, dear. I see you've already met my boss," your father said.

You raised your eyebrows in surprise and looked at Nate, who was also looking at you and your father with confusion. You hadn't expected Nate to be your father's boss.