CEO Locked Herself Out. The Only One Available Was The Struggling Dad Who Fixed Her Door

The Friday Night Lockout

Willow Watson’s perfectly manicured fingernails wrapped frantically against her office door. A sinking feeling in her stomach as she realized what had just happened. The heavy oak door had swung shut behind her when she’d stepped into the hallway to take an urgent call.

And her key card along with her phone purse and car keys was sitting on her desk just 10 ft away. Separated by 2 in of solid wood and an electronic lock system she’d insisted on installing for maximum security just 3 months ago.

“This cannot be happening,” she muttered glancing at her watch. It was 8:42 p.m on a Friday night. The executive floor of Watson Financial was deserted.

All her staff had left hours ago to start their weekends. And security was minimal on this level since the electronic locks were supposed to be foolproof.

Foolproof for everyone except the CEO who had managed to lock herself out of her own office. Willow tried to maintain her composure as she walked briskly to the elevator. Hoping to find someone anyone who could help.

The reception desk on the ground floor was empty too. But she spotted a man in gray overalls kneeling by the building’s front entrance toolbox open beside him as he worked on the door hinge.

“Excuse me,” she called out her voice echoing in the empty lobby. “Do you work for building maintenance?”

The man turned and Willow was struck by a pair of kind hazel eyes in a face etched with subtle worry lines. He stood wiping his hands on a rag.

“Yes Madam Hunter Hansen emergency repairs what can I help you with”. Willow explained her predicament trying to maintain her professional demeanor despite the embarrassment of the situation.

“I need to get into my office immediately”. “Which floor?” he asked already packing up his tools. “35 the executive level”.

Something flickered across Hunter’s face recognition perhaps. But he simply nodded and gestured toward the elevator. “Lead the way miss watson”.

Willow Watson again that flash of recognition in his eyes. But he said nothing about her name or position as they rode the elevator in silence.

Willow found herself studying him surreptitiously. He was tall with broad shoulders that filled out his gray maintenance uniform.

His dark brown hair was slightly disheveled and a day’s worth of stubble lined his jaw. Despite the late hour he looked alert though tired around the eyes.

When they reached her office door Hunter assessed the electronic lock system. “This is going to be tricky,” he said setting down his toolbox.

“These systems are designed specifically to prevent people from doing what we’re about to do”. “Can you manage it?” Willow asked crossing her arms.

Hunter gave her a small smile that transformed his serious face. “I used to install these for a living different career different life i should be able to bypass it but it’ll take a few minutes”.

As he worked Willow’s phone began ringing inside her office the sound muffled but insistent. “Important call,” Hunter asked not looking up from the lock.

“Everything’s important at this hour on a Friday,” she replied tersely,. The phone stopped then immediately started ringing again.

Hunter worked methodically connecting wires from a small device to the locks panel. “So you’re Willow Watson of Watson Financial”.

It wasn’t a question. Willow nodded anyway. “Must be interesting running a company that size at your age,” he continued his focus still on the lock.

“It’s challenging,” she admitted surprised to find herself responding. “But worthwhile you seem to know who I am”.

Hunter’s hands paused briefly. “Hard not to in this city your face was on the cover of Business Weekly last month the refreshing face of modern finance if I remember correctly”.

Willow felt her cheeks warm slightly. She hadn’t expected a maintenance man to keep up with business publications.

“Dad dad,” a small voice called from down the hall followed by the patter of running feet. A moment later a small boy perhaps 6 or seven years old came skidding around the corner.

He was clutching a tattered dinosaur backpack. Hunter looked up his expressions softening instantly,.

“Luke buddy I told you to wait in the break room”. “I got bored,” the boy said matter-of-factly eyeing Willow with undisguised curiosity.

“Are you fixing her door?” “I am Miss Watson this is my son Luke luke say hello properly please”.

“Hello,” Luke said suddenly shy. “Your building is really big”. Willow smiled despite herself.

“Hello Luke yes it is rather big isn’t it”. Hunter returned to the lock his expression apologetic.

“Sorry about this babysitter canceled last minute and I got called in for emergency repair work it was either bring him along or turn down the job”.

“It’s fine,” Willow said though in truth she was surprised that building management would allow children on job sites. She made a mental note to review the maintenance contract terms.

Luke settled on the floor beside his father’s toolbox pulling out a battered action figure from his backpack. As he played quietly Hunter continued working on the lock his strong hands moving with surprising dexterity.

“So what do you do when you’re not rescuing stranded CEOs?” Willow asked partly out of genuine curiosity,. This was also to distract herself from the still ringing phone in her office.

Hunter glanced up a rise smile on his lips. “This is just my night job three nights a week plus emergency calls during the day I’m trying to get my own construction business off the ground”.

“Daddy builds houses,” Luke interjected proudly. “He can fix anything once our toilet exploded and he fixed it all by himself”.

Hunter chuckled the sound warm and genuine. “I think exploded might be a bit dramatic buddy”.

“There was water everywhere,” Luke insisted eyes wide like a tsunami. Willow found herself smiling at the boy’s enthusiasm.

“That sounds very impressive”. “Not as impressive as running a financial empire,” Hunter replied his tone light but his eyes serious when they met hers.

“But it pays the bills most of them anyway”. There was something in his voice a quiet determination maybe that struck Willow.

Before she could respond there was a click from the lock and Hunter straightened up. “And we’re in,” he announced pushing the door open. “After you Miss Watson”.