David

I always worked late. I didn’t really have a life apart from running my company, so my office was like a second home.

Usually, there was no one in the building this late at night, except for the security team and members of the cleaning crew.

I was re-analyzing the sales strategy for the Chinese market when a cart rolled into my office.

All staff were supposed to know that I was not to be disturbed, so I was ready to give the guy an earful.

That’s when I saw his face. A strong brow, long lashes, piercing blue eyes, a perfect nose and sculpted lips over a dimpled chin.

He pulled out an earbud and stared at me in shock. His glance flashed to the plaque on the glass door, then back to me.

“Mr. Reynard! I’m so sorry…” he fumbled. “I didn’t realize this was your office.”

“I’m assuming you’re new?” I asked kindly, trying to mitigate his stress.

“Kind of, Sir,” he said, taking off his cap and holding it against his chest.

“Please, call me Nathan,” I insisted, in a second attempt to make him less nervous.

“Yes, Si… Nathan,” he said, moments before starting to cough uncontrollably.

I grabbed a bottle of water from the minibar and handed it to him, as he struggled to say that he was Ok.

He drank carefully and was about to hand me the bottle back when he realized his mistake. He immediately looked embarrassed again, but I pretended not to notice.

I didn’t want him to go just yet, so I asked him, “Can I pick your brain for a moment and ask you what it’s like to work for my company?”

“Oh, I’m very grateful, Sir,” he said. “I earn an honest living, and I work without much supervision.”

“Well, it’s good to hear that we're making a difference…”

I looked at the name stitched onto his uniform.

“…David.”

That’s when he spontaneously started to cry. What the fuck?!

“The truth is the company saved me,” he said, as he furiously tried to dry his eyes.

“My dad has cancer and HR gave me access to the emergency fund, so I could hire a night nurse whilst I work.

“I used to be one of your junior accountants, but now I’m taking Dad to chemo during the daytime.

“I know that cleaning offices in the middle of the night isn’t the most glamorous of jobs, but…

“I have a bit of time to myself without having to see my father suffer. It’s so brutal, I barely sleep.

I’d invited David to sit for a moment because I found him strikingly beautiful. I didn’t expect an outpouring of blue-collar wholesomeness.

“Sleep deprivation and I are old friends,” I said knowingly. “Can I offer you my comfortable sofa for a quick nap? It can be our little secret.”

David’s face progressed through a journey of emotions. He was clearly trying to harmonize his sense of duty with a golden opportunity. He finally caved and hesitantly took me up on my offer.

Curled up on my sofa, David immediately drifted off. I kept admiring his pretty face… I could hardly concentrate on my work.

When I carefully shook him awake an hour later, he blinked at me in shock. When realization returned, he said, “I haven’t had a nap like that in years.”

I wanted to tell him that it was a pleasure to have him occupy my lonely office.

“Thank you for your kindness,” he whispered before quickly returning to his responsibilities.

For an entire week, David passed by my office and took a moment to smile and wave. Then, one night, he carefully knocked on my door.

“Sorry to disturb you, Sir,” he said, having forgotten to call me Nathan.

“Please come in,” I said enthusiastically.

“I wanted to thank you once again for the other night,” he said, his head bowed slightly.

“My sincere pleasure. Can I offer you the use of my sofa once more?” I asked, ready to admire him if he did so.

“No, Sir,” he said, nervously. “As a matter of fact, I wanted to reimburse you for the hour I owe you.”

He handed me an envelope with my name written in a neat hand. I looked inside to find exactly eighteen dollars in cash.

“I would've brought it to you earlier, but I had a few bills to pay,” he said with a grimace.

He made all this effort to give a CEO with a six-figure salary less than twenty bucks? David singlehandedly restored my faith in humanity. If only a fraction of the world were this humble.

That’s when I decided to take a risk which could potentially backfire catastrophically.

“How about you keep this envelope, and you join me for dinner Friday night,” I said.

My ears immediately started to ring from the silence that followed. David stared at me in wide-eyed confusion.

“David… I’m asking you out,” I said, as if further clarification might influence the outcome.

He opened his mouth and then closed it. He took a deep breath and said, “Nathan, I’m truly flattered, but I’m not…”

Oh, fuck! I’d totally misjudged, hadn't I? So much for taking a risk.

“…I'm not in a position where I can leave my father alone,” he said. “I’m so sorry.”

Interested but unable? I considered it progress despite my blatant insensitivity to his situation. I’d fucked up, yet he was apologizing!

“Please… take this,” he said, trying to hand me the envelope again.

I decided not to insult his attempt at doing what he thought was right and took the money with a quiet ‘thank you’.

After declining my initial proposal, David showed up one night and carefully asked if he could spend his mid-shift breaks with me.

Obviously, I didn't refuse.

He proved to be exceptionally smart and insightful. He discussed complicated topics with ease and held well-informed opinions on the state of the world.

Our interactions never crossed the barrier of a friendly chat, however. He knew I liked him and I was fairly certain the feelings were mutual, yet he deliberately kept me at arm's length.

Regardless, his visits soon became the highlight of my day.