The fall weather in New York City was beautiful today. The light breeze prickled my skin as I sat on a wooden bench. I was in a park that was just a block away from my apartment, staring into nothing in particular. The leaves had fallen onto the ground as the trees were getting ready for winter.

　　I had been trying to steal my thoughts away from what had happened the past week. A very well-respected woman like Linda Anderson didn't deserve this. She was my boss and at the same time, She was already like my mother. I had worked for her as her assistant for the past three years. Never had I encountered a hard time working for her. She was always so cheery and full of life. She may lose her temper at times but she never failed to apologize right after she had cooled down. I didn't blame her though; she was after all the CEO of Anderson Corporation. The pressure from running a business successfully was her responsibility.

　　Anderson Corporation was one of the biggest companies in the hotel industry. They had several hotels all around the world with exceptional building structure and first-class services were offered. I had never been to any of them except for the one that was located here in New York. The place was beyond spectacular if you asked me.

　　I was never the type to own or live much in luxury since my parents had left me at the age of sixteen. I had lived an ordinary life during my childhood days. We didn't have much but I was contented because I had my own perfect family. We had each other. We were happy.

　　At twenty-three years old, I had been living on my own. I had stayed with my grandmother until I graduated from high school. After graduation, I had packed all of my things up to find a job opportunity in New York. I was already of legal age so I tried supporting myself from then on. I still visited my grandmother from time to time, especially during the holidays. I knew that I shouldn't have left her behind since she was the only family I had but I couldn't live off of my grandmother for the rest of my life.

　　Linda Anderson found me three years ago. It was around a year and a half after I left for New York City. That day, I woke up early to dress into corporate attire. I wanted a change of scene from waiting tables. So, I decided to submit applications to several companies that needed a rank and file employee.

　　Anderson Corporation was my fifth stop that day. My feet began to hurt when I walked in heels all morning trying to impress everyone. I was also smiling too much as my cheeks started to ache from greeting a lot of people who worked inside the building. I was exhausted. There was no way these people were going to hire me. I thought sourly. I was on the verge of giving up but I kept moving forward. I dragged my feet onto the tiled floor without really looking to where I was going until I bumped into someone.

　　The force made me lose a step and was about to fall when I suddenly felt support from behind to steady myself.

　　"Oh god, I'm so sorry!" I practically yelled in panic.

　　Wide-eyed, I tried composing myself and stepped back from the person that I just bumped into. I looked up and saw those golden eyes looking at me in amusement.

　　I heard her chuckle and said, "Woah there, you should watch where you're going and maybe try to relax. You look tired."

　　"I'm so sorry, Mam. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." I said nervously.

　　She then smiled warmly at me, "Well, may I ask what a young boy is doing here inside my building?"

　　Did she just say that this was her building?

　　I gulped, "Excuse me?"

　　"What's your business here in Anderson Corporation?"

　　"I-I was hoping to submit my resume at Human Resources," I said, stuttering my words.

　　She nodded in understanding. She then stared at me intently for a few seconds before she said, "You have no idea who I am, do you?" She paused as she waited for me to reply. When I didn't answer, she grinned at me, "Linda Anderson, owner, and CEO of this building. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr.?" She extended her hand to offer a handshake. I was pretty surprised at how she didn't sound arrogant as she introduced herself. I just stared at her awkwardly and then came into the realization that she wanted to shake my hand.

　　I then began to stutter, "O-oh...um..." I laughed at my silliness since I wasn't usually this nervous. "Michael. My name's Michael Roy." I formally shook her hand and I knew that my hands began to feel sweaty. I had been a nervous wreck in front of the CEO of Anderson Corporation. It was not a good first impression.

　　"Such a nice name." She smiled warmly then an unexpected question escaped from her lips. "I'm headed out for lunch. Care to join me? I have a proposition that might interest you."

　　We just met and she immediately wanted to have lunch together? I didn't even know this woman. If she was interested in me, I wasn't the type to date older women. When I meant older women, like grandpa old. I wasn't going to lie; she looked good for her age. How she dressed in a well-tailored suit made her look pristine. SHe had hazel eyes that were wrinkling from the side. Her silvering hair was noticeable which gave away that she was probably around in his fifties.

　　I was silent for a while, contemplating if this was a good idea. Why would she even suggest that we have lunch together? What was so special about me? I was just an ordinary man with a job experience that was not worth bragging about.

　　I heard her chuckle all of a sudden. I looked up and met her warm gaze. "If you're thinking that I'm asking you out to a lunch date then you're wrong. I'm interested in the potential that I see in you right now. I might offer you a position here in this company. Are you up for a lunch interview?"

　　Was she serious?

　　She was willing to give me a job that easily?

　　"Really?" I couldn't contain the excitement that bubbled inside of me but I had to hold it in until after I finished lunch with Mrs. Anderson. I couldn't believe my luck. I never thought that this kind of opportunity could happen to me. I was still a bit wary about all of this but it might turn my life around for the better. We would just have to see.

　　She smiled at me again. "Yes. I'm not usually this informal but I have a different feeling about you. Have you decided if you're joining me for lunch?"

　　I just nodded silently. She then asked, "Shall we?"

　　I gestured my hand for her to go first. She started to walk as I fell into step with him. I looked up and smiled at her brightly, "Thank you, Mrs. Anderson."

　　"Please. Call me Linda."

　　***