Farah Dowling WRITOBER 2O22

I can't explain and I won't even try

When you had first laid eyes on her during the job interview you had thought she was way too distant. She had seemed a cold and stern, albeit kind, woman, with perfect hair and no sense of humor. Her profile had appeared flawless and impassive, as if she felt nothing.

But then she had smiled, and something had changed.

Her eyes had shone with a playful, childish light, so bright that you had wondered what they might look like when she performed magic. Her cheeks had lifted creating small expression lines that you found charming. And her smile was so sweet. For a moment, you weren't sure this was the same woman who had just formally welcomed you into her office.

And suddenly her words had taken a different meaning. You had picked up on the sarcastic undertones she had used and realized that you were facing someone who was not only smart, but also funny. Perhaps not in the classic sense of the term, but still – the woman was clearly brilliant.

And her voice, low but not too low... you would have liked to hear her read Shakespeare...

In less than an hour, during a freaking job interview, you had found yourself madly in love with your future boss. Nothing of the sort had ever happened to you. Nor had you ever felt something like this for a woman her age. You couldn't explain what had happened, and you didn't care.

The assistant work was not easy at first. You were not a fairy, and you had struggled to understand the complex mechanisms of Alfea. You had to keep in mind commitments, names, magical powers and protocols without making mistakes; and it wasn't easy, especially since miss Dowling's presence had proved to be a constant cause of distraction. You worked together, you laughed together, sometimes you had lunch together, chatting about magic and books... at least there were times when you wondered whether you distracted her as well – you thought you had seen her looking at your legs once or twice, and sometimes she would be unusually quiet and you'd catch her staring at you with an odd, melancholic expression.

Distractions notwithstanding, you had carried out every work task with enthusiasm and had never messed up, managing to get to the end of the three-months trial.

Miss Dowling hadn't said anything, but since she hadn't thrown you out, you guessed you could consider yourself permanently hired.

To celebrate the event you brought sweets to her office along with the tea you usually served in the late afternoon just before going home.

She looked surprised and frowned.

"I don't eat while I work" she said simply. "It would distract me."

"You are always so disciplined, Headmistress. You can allow yourself an exception for a special occasion. "

"And what would be the special occasion?" she asked, genuinely confused.

"Three months."

"Oh. Of course" she replied with a smile, making your heart beat faster. "That's right. You've done very well. I knew you wouldn't let me down. "

"I did my best, Headmistress."

"Do you need to hear me say it, then?"

"If you don't mind... it would be nice."

"As you wish" she replied with another smile, shifting her weight on her seat and looking into your eyes. "Your trial is over. You are hired as my assistant for an indefinite period, my dear."

You swallowed. Had she just called you my dear?

A shiver ran down your spine. Once again you couldn't explain what was happening to you, but you found it incredibly erotic. You couldn't help but imagine for an instant miss Dowling repeating those two words while making love to you, and you suddenly felt yourself blush.