From Trusted Employee To 'honey'

Part of my job requires meeting with customers that are behind on their accounts. Our industry accounts run in the hundreds of thousands to several millions. These meetings are always stressful and nine times out of ten the customers are choosing not to pay, as opposed to being unable to pay.

So the situation was with a foreign customer, owed millions, we were withholding any further shipments, including parts and supplies. This customer sent their rep, a middle aged man with a surly attitude. He attacked me personally, not unusual, and he became sexual. That's where I draw the line. I have a 911 code with my boss. I sent him the code, come and rescue me.

My boss is too close for comfort with me, no personal space, and he can get pretty handsy with me. That day he walked in, bent over to kiss me, on the lips, and casually reconfirmed 'our evening date for the theatre'. Turned to the rep and laid out the options, pay up or no more shipments, period. The customer threatened to drop us as a supplier, my boss told him that without payment he wasn't a customer. My boss stood up and told the rep, one more untoward comment to me, and he would personally throw him out on the pavement. It was personal, he had insulted me.

We got paid, but I was no longer just his favorite, he exercised his option. From that day forward my picture is on his credenza, my name is 'honey', my calendar is merged with his. I don't so much as ask permissions, I keep him advised of my whereabouts. My duties include his personal activities, balancing his bank account. Not quite the 'Mrs.', but close to it. The date is set, the guest list is set, including the owner of that customer, and a deep secret honeymoon. Not a clue as to how to pack, be ready for anything.