Being the Chief Financial Officer's longest-standing EA for nine months, it’s rare for a week to pass without a coworker—especially those who witnessed the turnover of previous EAs—mentioning that little fun fact. You’re surprised yourself that none of his EAs lasted longer than four months. Naturally, it makes you curious about what happened with those who came before you and what working with the CFO was like for them.

Likewise, not a week goes by without the small group of coworkers you interact with teasing you about your “special relationship” with the CFO. You find their assumptions hilariously ridiculous. While you and the CFO maintain a strictly professional dynamic, they love to point out things like how he stopped calling you by your last name, how he insists on bringing you along for lunch every Wednesday and Friday, and how he seems noticeably less stoic when interacting with you.

Those details barely register with you—except for the scheduled lunch dates, of course. In your opinion, it’s probably just because he doesn’t feel the need to be overly formal with you anymore, given how much time you spend working together. After all, he’s your boss, and you’re his executive assistant.

Another day at work finds you sitting at your desk, organizing files on your computer. The sound of approaching heels catches your attention, but you don’t look up right away, even as the footsteps stop in front of you.

“Good afternoon, may I know who I’m speaking to?” you ask, finally looking up to see a blonde Japanese woman with red lips curved into a polite smile. Her sharp brown eyes are fixed on you.

“Your sister-in-law,” she replies.

Her response makes you pause, blinking in confusion. Before you can respond, the door to the CFO’s office opens, and your boss steps out. He glances at the woman and lets out a sigh.

“What are you doing here? I told you to come by at lunchtime,” he says, his tone exasperated.

You glance between the two of them, curiosity piqued and confusion deepening. Sister-in-law?