‘A fling with my secretary is making my life miserable’

 One morning, when I got to my office, Pamela my secretary was not looking her cheerful self so I asked her to come into my office. “Pamela what is the matter?” I asked. “There is nothing wrong sir,” she replied. “There is nothing wrong and you are almost in tears?” I stated. Immediately she burst into tears and since I cannot withstand the tears of women, I went close to console her and she rested her head on my chest while I stroke her hair and cleaned her tears with my hands. 

When I realized what was happening, I pulled back and went back to my seat while I asked her to sit down and calm down. “Pamela if you have any problem at home, you can take the day off,” I suggested. But she shook her head and said it was not necessary.

Minutes later, when she had calmed down, she told me her boyfriend of three years just broke up with her on the grounds that another woman was pregnant for him. A man everyone in her family had concluded was her husband. At that moment, I felt pity for her because she confided in me months back that she would be getting married soon and as her boss, she would like me to be the chairman of the occasion. I just smiled and asked her to remind me when the time draws near.

Anyway, I assured her that the right man who truly loves and deserves her will soon come for her. Later, I noticed that she was back to her normal self and that made me really happy. About two weeks later, she walked into my office to thank me for my understanding and advice. She assured me that although it has not been easy but she is gradually forgetting about him and moving on.

I was in my office one afternoon when Pamela walked in and said she had something important to discuss with me and of course, I asked her to sit down. She stretched her hands forward from her side of the table and emphasized, “Vincent, there is no need for us to pretend anymore. I know we love each other so why don’t we start something.” I was shocked to my bone marrow; I looked at her straight in the eyes and said, “Wow! Pamela, you called me by my first name? When did this start? Fine, now I want you to be more specific about what you just said. What gave you the idea that I love you and I am pretending about it?”

She smiled sheepishly and said, “Vincent, I know you are my boss and you are married but I cannot hide it any longer so I am here to tell you that I love you. Is that a crime? After all I noticed the way you were stroking my hair and consoling me that day I was crying here. There was so much closeness between us.” Then, confidently she stood up, walked up to me and stressed, “Tell me you don’t feel anything for me?” I was speechless for a while because I was trying to comprehend what gave her such confidence to talk to me the way she was doing. Then I emphasized, “Pamela, I like you as a person and nothing more. Don’t forget you are my secretary so please leave my office before I do something drastic to you.” She looked at me from head-totoe and stressed that she would leave but she would not rest until she gets what she wants. Although I didn’t understand what she meant but I was glad she left my office.

Things started getting worse gradually because anytime Pamela bring files or documents to my office, she would grab my shirt and ask me to kiss her. Most times, to avoid my shirt from being ruffled, I grant her wish so that she would leave me alone. Sometimes, she would intentionally unbutton her shirt to reveal her cleavage and this make me lose concentration when I am discussing official matters with her. I have pleaded with her a thousand times to stop this new attitude but she refused.

Some weeks later, she met me in my office once again and as usual wanted me to kiss her but I refused. Straight away she started unbuttoning her shirt and promised to scream rape if I don’t do what she wants. I pleaded with her to button up first and the kiss will follow and she agreed. Well, I thought this was the height of her madness until Pamela revealed that she would stop harassing me if I slept with her just once. “Pamela please I cannot do what you are asking me. I have never been unfaithful to my wife. Why not stop this madness,” I pleaded. She told me everything lies in my hands and she is giving me just two days to think about.

Well, I gave her condition a serious thought and decided that if sleeping with her will be the only solution to her leaving me alone, then I will do it. When I told her I was willing to do as she wants, she was so elated. She promised to make all the arrangements and get back to me as soon as possible. On the set day, we went to a hotel and she got what she wanted. I thought Pamela will live up to her word but I guess I was mistaken. She still kept harassing me but I had made up my mind that I will never sleep with her again.

These days, any woman that comes to look for me in the office is her rival including my wife. I am so tired of Pamela. At a point I wrote to the Human Resource department that I needed a new secretary but they turned down my request saying that Pamela is one of the best secretaries in the company. To crown it all, she is the CEO’s cousin.

Should I resign from a well paying job because of a woman who is sexually harassing my life? What excuse will I give to my wife? Pamela is making my life a living hell or am I under a spell? I think my mistake was giving into her antics. How am I sure it was not even a plan? What do I do because I leave my house everyday not sure of what she would do next? I need my once peaceful life.