The Boss's Surprise

Alan had a surprisingly good day at work. Usually, his employees showed up late and took too many breaks, especially David and Sally, but not today. Although Alan caught both of them giving him weird looks, he wondered if they had planned a party for his twentieth anniversary with the company, hoping it was at Fogo de Chao for lunch. He would refuse if they invited him to dinner since he had other plans. 

But there was no mention of an anniversary party, not a card, gift, or congratulations. Alan felt hurt, but the nameless woman would make him feel better. As long as she showed up, everything would be okay. Who needs recognition when he has a number 10 waiting for him in a downtown hotel room?

Alan left work several minutes early and stood in front of the Center City Hotel at 222 E. Alpine Street at five sharp with the woman's business card in her sweaty palms. He arrived ten minutes early and waited thirty minutes, wondering if she would show. Maybe it’s for the best, he thought. He worried about his flabby midsection and saggy underarms and feared he would disappoint her in bed. He thought about leaving, but he couldn’t resist the temptation. This kind of thing comes around once in a lifetime. So, Alan kept waiting.

At the end of the block, he saw two familiar people approaching. As they drew closer, it was David and Sally, his employees. He must have thought up a hundred lies to tell them why he was standing around in front of a hotel.

They both walked toward him and had odd grins.

"Hi, boss,” said David. “What are you doing standing around?”

David turned to Sally, trying to keep from laughing.

Alan wasn't a good liar.

“Waiting for an old college friend,” he said.

The two couldn’t restrain their laughter.

“It doesn’t look like she’s showing up," David said.

“What? I’m waiting for a male friend,” said Alan
  Alan's face turned bright red when he lied.

David and Sally bent over in laughter.

"You were pranked, Alan. That was my younger sister on the train," said Sally.

The two hugged Alan.

"Happy twentieth anniversary, Alan," they said. “This is from the team.”

Alan was mortified as Sally handed Alan an envelope.

"Well, aren’t you going to open it, Alan?” said David.

Alan tore open the pink envelope. He stared at it for a moment, not knowing what to say. It was a reservation for a weekend at the Inn of the Luv, a romantic getaway for Alan and his wife.

"They have a hot tub, a fireplace, a heart-shaped bed, and ceiling mirrors in your suite if you want to get kinky," said Sally.

"And this time, take your wife," David said, rubbing Alan’s shoulder. “I dated Sally’s sister. She’s no bargain; you’re not missing anything.”

Alan stood stiffly, holding the envelope, watching David and Sally walk away, and feeling like a fool. He was happy his employees didn’t forget about him but worried about them knowing his secret. He considered giving them a raise or a promotion to keep them quiet.