Alan's next words took me aback. "You seem tense. Let's step outside for a smoke," he suggested, a concerned tone masking his usual stern demeanor. Agreeing reluctantly, I followed him out, my thoughts still a whirlwind of uncertainty.

We stepped out into the cool evening, our figures illuminated by the soft glow of the nearby streetlights. As we lit our cigarettes, I sensed his head inching closer to mine, his movements subtle and carefully measured. His approach was as if something had fallen and he was leaning in to pick it up.

And then it happened. Alan's face came so close to mine that I could smell his cologne—a rich, intoxicating fragrance. As he feigned dropping something, he took a deep breath, inhaling the scent from my neck, his closeness making me uncomfortably aware of our proximity.

At the smoking corner, under the guise of a casual smoke break, the atmosphere between us changed palpably. I felt his eyes assessing me, a touch of curiosity and something else I couldn't quite put my finger on. His interest in me seemed personal, out of place, and highly unusual for a strictly professional setting.

I knew Alan was married, with a few kids even. We'd shared casual conversations about his family in the past. But his recent behavior was giving me an unsettling feeling. It was then, during that unusual smoke break, that I started to suspect my boss's interest in me was more than just professional. At that moment, I realized, without fully understanding why, that Alan might be interested in people who are transgender like me.

(TO BE CONTINUED...)