Page 92 of Insufferable Boss

"Then what is?" she asked, and I shrugged.

"Nothing comes to mind right now. But when it does, I will sure as hell let you know."

"No," she leaned back into her chair. "Decide on something now, or I'm going to take a nap."

"What do you want?" I asked, and as mischief came into her face, I knew that I was going to hate it.

"I want you to sing me a song."

42

Lena

I might not be a hundred percent certain what I felt for him, but as I watched the blood leave his face completely white as it drained out, I was convinced that it was the closest to love I had ever felt for someone.

From powerful and impenetrable, he became uncertain, terrified, and even annoyed, and the range of expressions nearly brought me to tears with amusement.

"Not funny," he said, and only when I could catch my breath was I able to respond.

"Actually, it is," I replied. "It's fucking immensely funny."

He sighed then, and I shook my head.

"Never happening."

I knew that I could push it, but I didn't want to over wield my newfound power over him, so I thought of what else I could want. And then it came to me.

"I want to ask ten very personal questions about you, and you have to respond without lying whatsoever."

"Ten questions?" he asked. "Who has ten personal things about them?"

"It includes history, fears, wishes, all of that, and you have to be honest. It will be the foundation of our relationship."

He watched me for a while, and then he nodded.

"You have to be honest," I reiterated again. "They'll be vulnerable questions, and I need you to be able to share these parts of yourself with me."

"I might not be able to share all now," he said. "That takes time."

"I know," I replied, my gaze lowering.

I felt sad all over again because the need for time once again reared its ugly head. Of course I knew it took time but how was I to tell him that I didn’t have any time? That both of us no longer had any time?

"Okay," he said, and my head snapped up.

"Okay," I understand you, and even though I can't reveal all... at least I can't promise that I will be able to... maybe I will. I do promise that I will be completely honest with you."

I stared at him, and he stared back.

"Lena," he called. "I don't think I've ever had a relationship that has gone beyond two months, and even those, I don't think have ever been more than two."

"Really?" I asked, and he nodded.

At first, I found it strange, but as I began to think about my own story, I realized that I wasn't any better, and this immensely amused me.

"What?" he asked, and at first, I hesitated in telling him, but eventually, I decided that it was for the best. That I had to succumb to my own desire as well and tell him what he needed to know.

"I'm the same. Actually, I've only had one serious relationship ever, and it lasted a mere seven months. And for most of that time, it was long-distance."