Chapter 1 The request
Sandra adjusted the lapel of her blazer as she stood before the frosted glass door of her boss’s office. Her heart beat fast, not from fear of her boss, but from the weight of the request she was about to make. She inhaled deeply, whispered a silent prayer for courage, and knocked.
“Come in,” Mr. Hensley’s sharp voice cut through the door.
Sandra stepped in. The office smelled faintly of expensive cologne and coffee. Her boss sat behind a mahogany desk piled with documents, his glasses perched low on his nose as he typed furiously on his laptop. He barely looked up.
“Miss Sandra, you’re five minutes early. What is it?”
Sandra clasped her hands together, steadying herself. “Sir, I—I need to request a leave of absence.”
Finally, Mr. Hensley looked up. His gray eyes narrowed. “Leave? At this time? We’re in the middle of finalizing reports for our new drug trials. Why now?”
Sandra swallowed hard. “It’s my sister, Clara. She’s… she’s been battling leukemia for months. Her condition isn’t improving. The doctors say…” Her voice wavered, but she forced herself to continue. “…they say time is uncertain. I want to spend a little while with her. Make memories while I still can.”
The room fell silent except for the faint ticking of the office clock. Mr. Hensley leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. His expression was unreadable.
“You’re one of our brightest staff, Sandra,” he said slowly. “Losing you, even temporarily, could disrupt things. But…” he paused, tapping his pen on the desk, “family is family. How long do you need?”
Sandra blinked, hope flickering in her chest. “Just a few weeks, sir. I promise I’ll return and catch up on everything.”
Mr. Hensley stared at her for a long moment before sighing. “Fine. But make no mistake, Sandra—when you come back, I’ll expect twice the results. Don’t make me regret this.”
Relief washed over her. “Thank you, sir. Truly. You won’t regret it.”
He waved her off, already returning to his laptop. “Go. And Sandra?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Sometimes, sacrifices must be made for the greater good. Don’t forget that.”
Sandra frowned slightly at the cryptic remark but nodded politely before leaving the office. As she stepped into the hallway, her phone buzzed. A message from Clara lit up the screen:
“Can’t wait for you to come. Let’s make this trip unforgettable. 💜”
Sandra smiled faintly, her heart heavy yet determined. Whatever time Clara had left, she would make it magical.
But just as she walked away, inside the office, Mr. Hensley picked up his phone.
“She’s leaving for Japan,” he said quietly into the receiver. “Keep an eye on her. She may be more valuable than she knows.
