Ball and Chain

Jorge Papidakis was just getting over his recent mistake. Marlini Powels. The woman blew through his life like a twister and threw his heart far out of his grasp. Jorge swore not to fall for another woman the way he had fallen for Marlini. All he could think about any given time when he was with her was her, \"It\'s not worth it,\" he had said to himself one day as he thought about what had happened. But one can never swear on something that has to do with the matters of the heart. As he sat in his office, it was so hot that he removed his jacket and tie, he started thinking about why he had to wear a bloody suit when it was his company. Then finally his shirt. It was a Saturday and no one was coming in to see him today. Everyone was busy with family affairs today, so he was not in an unfamiliar position shirtless. Besides, the only other person there was his secretary, Jada Ana. Jorge tried to get some work done, but couldn\'t. His mind just wouldn\'t focus on the task at hand. He got up from behind his desk and walked over to the window and stared out at nothing in particular; Just stared. Nothing going through his head. Not really seeing anyone in the next building or the people walking below. Just staring, when there comes a knock on his door. \"Come in.\" He said without looking. By this time he had forgotten about his shirt. \"Mr Papidakis,\" came a curious voice, \"Are you ok?\" He turned around to face his secretary, \"Yeah Jada, I\'m fine. You wanted to see me?\" But instead of answering, Jada\'s eyes went blank and she started to fall.

In a flash he was catching her. He caught her and placed her on his sofa. He opened one of her eyes, then the other. \"Come on Jada, talk to me. Jada!\" He fanned her to get some coolness back into her face, \"I told you that you working too hard.\" He said to her. \"Jada, please answer me.\" Jada stirred, \"You don\'t have to scream sir, I heard you.\" Jada pleaded and tried to sit up. Jorge pushed her back to lay down, \"Don\'t you dare move Jada. I warned you that you were working too hard. Don\'t move.\" He got up and got some water from a pitcher on his desk, \" I could hire someone for the weekends Jada, and you could get some rest.\" He then he came back and knelt beside her.

He took her head gently in his hand, raised it and helped her drink some. \"Now,\" he said after she had drank and laid back down, \"I want you to go home and get some rest. I will still pay you for the rest of the day and any amount of time that you need off, just get some rest.\" He smiled at her then added, \"Might I remind you Jada,alivalive secretary is much more dependent than a dead one.\" He smiled again then noticed where she was staring, \"I\'m sorry if this offends you,\" he apologized, \"It was so damn hot.\" Jada closed her eyes and turned her head away.

Jorge got up and dragged on his shirt then said to her with a smile, \"I\'ll take you home.\" Jada started to protest, \"You don\'t have to do that sir. I\'ll be fine, I guess it was just the heat.\" But Jorge would have none of it, \"You can protest all you want, but I\'m taking you home and I think you\'ve been working with me long enough to start calling me Jorge or George don\'t you?\" Jada smiled and hung her head. He knelt beside her and lifted her chin, his eyes smiling, \"Come on you can do it.\" he prodded. She smiled at him again, \"Jorge,\" He laughed, \"See, that wasn\'t so bad now was it?\" He took her hands and dragged her to her feet then they headed out.