In 2003 I took a job at a multinational company. There were two groups of employees, the 'fast trackers' and the salt mine workers with two percent raises. To be a fast tracker you went along, you became the girlfriend of a front office man, you did what you needed to do. Fortunately for me my mentor actually liked me and took care of me and never showed me off publically. I lived in a high rise apartment subsidized by him. I 'paid attention' to him there and fell head over heels in love with him.

Because of my age, moving me along the promotion ladder took time, but I moved up much faster than any of my 'class' peers.

I don't regret my choice. I know I was lucky, my relationship was respectful and I fell in love, but I was the exception. Today I am tied to him with two kids and the fifty year old man I fell in love with is sixty five and retired. I have a high paying job and he continues to have tremendous influence.

I am no longer his young 'girlfriend', after fourteen years I am 'the' other woman, his work 'wife' and lover.