You’re the Boss, Boss
Moments Later...
Joseph stepped forward and gestured toward the small crowd of staff watching from below the podium. His commanding presence hadn’t faded. The sunlight caught the silver buttons on his tuxedo as he raised his hand with a charming smile.
“Please,” he called out, “everyone— come up here. Let’s take a group picture.”
There was a ripple of laughter and applause from below. Teachers exchanged glances. Some gasped softly. Others straightened their clothes, patting their hair as they made their way to the stage.
Principal Emily Jones led the way, her heels clicking against the wooden floor of the conference room. Her lips were stretched wide in pride. She stepped beside Joseph and Susan, positioning herself in the center.
“Alright,” said the professional photographer as he adjusted his camera, backing away. “On the count of three— everyone say cheeeeese!”
“CHEESE!” the crowd echoed, some children’s voices from the hallway outside even joining in faintly.
Flash.
The stage lit up with multiple bursts of white light.
The press positioned at the sides snapped pictures furiously. Microphones hovered in the air. Cameras blinked red lights, recording every second of the moment.
“Okay, one more!” the photographer shouted. “Three… two… one—cheese!”
“Cheese!” everyone beamed again.
Smiles everywhere. Real, fake, awkward, perfect. Teeth glimmering— white, brown, crooked, gold-plated, all on full display. Arms around shoulders. Hands on backs. It was joy frozen in time.
Joseph’s arm lightly brushed against Susan’s as they stood side by side. His eyes, beneath thick lashes, drifted again toward her. Her smile was flawless, but her heart was racing. She could feel his gaze pressing on her skin.
He didn’t look away.
Not once.
His stare was slow… intense… disarming.
Susan’s eyes dropped immediately to the floor. Then to the check. Then to anywhere but him.
She tried to keep smiling. Tried to keep breathing. But she could barely hold her posture. Her fingers trembled slightly around the edge of the giant ceremonial check.
Another flash.
Then—
A suited man in dark shades stepped up quietly beside Joseph. His lips moved close to Joseph’s ear.
“Sir,” the man whispered, “you have a hearing. We need to leave now to be on time.”
Joseph blinked once. “Now?”
“Yes, sir.”
Joseph let out a short breath. “Wow,” he muttered under his breath. “I thought I had more time.”
He straightened up, clapped his hands softly together once, and turned to the gathered staff.
“I hate to do this,” he announced, flashing that winning smile, “but I have to excuse myself.”
There was a light wave of groans and laughter.
“I’ve truly enjoyed every minute spent here with all of you,” he said. “If it were up to me, I’d spend the rest of the afternoon getting to know each of you better— but unfortunately, duty calls. Something about the Constitution says I need to show up for hearings.”
Light chuckles.
“But before I go…” His voice softened. His gaze shifted. Straight to her.
Susan.
He didn’t blink.
She saw it.
Felt it.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Her hands clutched the check a little tighter. Her eyes fell to the floor again. Heat rushed to her face. Her feet wanted to move— somewhere, anywhere.
“…thank you, again,” Joseph concluded. “I’ll make sure this isn’t my last visit.”
He gave a small bow, then waved to the crowd. “Goodbye, everyone.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hudson!”
“We love you!”
“Come back soon!”
A flurry of goodbyes and hand waves filled the air.
Joseph turned and made his way off the stage, his security tightening formation as he walked. Every step echoed with calm dominance.
Outside, the midday sun lit the school parking lot. A fleet of black Cadillac SUVs lined the curb. One of his agents in black tux stepped forward, opened the back door, and bowed slightly.
“Thank you,” Joseph said as he climbed into the vehicle.
The door shut quietly behind him.
Inside, the cabin was cool, quiet. The windows were dark-tinted. His closest aide, Eric— also a Secret Service agent— sat beside him, a tablet resting on his lap.
Joseph loosened his collar, then turned toward Eric.
“That woman,” he said.
Eric glanced up. “Which woman?”
“The one who received the Educator of the Year award.”
Eric raised a brow. “What about her?”
Joseph stared out the window for a moment. Then a half-smile crept onto his lips.
“I think I’m in love with her.”
Eric’s eyes widened slightly, then narrowed in disbelief. “Wait— what?”
“Find out who she is,” Joseph said, leaning his head back against the seat. “Do a full background check.”
Eric chuckled, scrolling quickly on his tablet. “Yes, sir.”
Joseph turned his head slightly. “Why are you smiling?”
“Just surprised to hear you say ‘I’m in love,’ that’s all.”
Joseph let out a low, exhausted yawn. His fingers tapped the armrest.
“I’m serious, Eric.”
Eric raised both brows, then nodded. “Alright. I’ll get her full profile before the end of the day.”
Joseph’s eyes drifted up to the SUV’s ceiling. His lips barely moved as he whispered, “I’ve found my wife.”
Eric scoffed playfully. “That’s what you always say.”
Joseph turned his head, locking eyes with him. “No. This time, it’s different.”
“If you say so, boss.”
“I do.”
“You’re the boss, boss,” Eric said with a smirk.
Joseph closed his eyes.
Eric did the same.
The rest of the ride rolled on in silence— except for the quiet hum of the engine.