Elaine's work email inbox pinged late Monday afternoon with an email about upcoming new hire headshots. Skimming it, she read that a photographer would be there Thursday to take headshots of all the recent new hires, like herself. She wasn't one to spend a lot of time on her appearance, she liked to think of it as "prioritizing beauty sleep" over spending an hour in front of the mirror. She had perfected the dashboard-heater-blow-dry method during her commute, which was the extent of her hair care routine, and occasionally adding some lipstick in the parking lot.
But her new company featured their staff proudly on their website. Even the executive support staff, like herself, were posted. The last headshots she'd had taken were probably from the year she graduated college. She didn't love them; she thought she looked too plain. Elaine typed "blow out near me" into her browser search bar and sure enough- there was a salon just down the street from her work with an 8am opening. She booked it, figuring that the one-time cost would be worth it if it resulted in a gorgeous headshot. What could it hurt?
The next morning Elaine and her coffee were the first ones to the salon. The stylist, after taking one look at her thick, long hair, made the executive decision that today they were going to "go big". When she left the salon at 9am, gorgeous long curls framed her face, cascading down her shoulders like an auburn waterfall. The stylist had taken a few minutes to apply some makeup too, foundation, eyeliner, mascara, and a touch of eyeshadow to highlight her hazel eyes. Then a little bit of bronzer, and the perfect shade of lipstick to compliment her complexion and outfit. The transformation from girl-next-door to office bombshell was complete. Elaine, delighted with the results, tipped extra and bought a tube of lipstick in the same shade from the stylist. She wanted to look like this every day if she could!
Walking in to work, Elaine turned more than a few heads. She was already the "new girl" so she was a bit of a curiosity. But because of the makeover, all the extra attention didn't bother her. If anything, she found herself enjoying the spotlight, she felt freer and more confident. When it was time for her headshot, posing for the camera felt natural. She couldn't quite be sure but she got the impression the photographer took a few extra snaps.
Whether it was the makeover that broke the ice or not, Elaine was finally invited to eat lunch with a group of her coworkers. So, instead of passing the hour reading a novel in the quiet of her car, she and her turkey sandwich joined a group of sales and support staff in the company lunchroom. Then, by the end of lunch she was invited out for drinks after work.
At drinks, she found that conversing with her new colleagues was surprisingly easy, especially outside of work. She was also surprised because quite a few members of the Executive team were there, though they arrived separately from the larger group. Even the CEO joined the group. And the entire party, whether a member of the C-suite or not, all seemed to get along well and enjoy each other. That was a good sign, she thought to herself, this is hopefully going to be a fun place to work.
Elaine had left her last role, a remote position where she was the executive to the CEO, because she realized that working remotely as a young, single girl was not all that it was cracked up to be. She liked the occasional work from home day, but for a naturally quiet person like herself, work was basically the only place she was likely to make friends. Or even to meet anyone. She hadn't had a serious boyfriend since college, and her mother was beginning to joke that if she got another cat she would stage an intervention.
There was a lull in the conversation just as the cocktails hit her bladder so Elaine excused herself to the ladies room. As per the custom, a couple other women decided to join her. One, Kristi, was an executive assistant, like herself. Kristi supported the CEO, while Elaine supported the less important COO. Miranda came too, Elaine thought she worked in the Sales Department
"You know what they say, a girl can't go to the ladies' on her own!" Kristi joked as the women navigated the crowded bar towards the restrooms. Elaine scanned the room on the way, thinking of the possibilities. Who knows, maybe she'd meet a sexy stranger tonight?
In the restroom, the women each did their thing with Kristi chatting a mile a minute. Currently she was on the topic of each of their co-worker's office dating histories, which Kristi seemed to have a keen interest in. Up until today the woman had barely spoken two words to Elaine, but for whatever reason she wouldn't shut up tonight. Maybe it was the drinks, she'd had more than a few. Or perhaps she finally regarded Elaine as "part of the club".
As much as she hoped to fit in, Elaine also didn't enjoy gossip. She zoned out Kristi's words as she washed her hands and touched up her lipstick. Her blowout was still holding strong. Once everyone seemed ready, Elaine led the way to the door. She was anxious to escape the bathroom and finish this conversation. Stepping out, she exclaimed as she came into contact with what felt like a brick wall. To her horror she had barreled into the company CEO, Chris Connery, who must have been trying to walk past the women's room on his way to the mens'.
"Whoa, where's the fire?" Chris exclaimed while feigning injury. At least she hoped he was faking, she had definitely made some solid contact so perhaps he really was feeling it too.
Elaine began trying to apologize. Just when the night was going so well, then clumsy, awkward Elaine just had to butt in. By body slamming her new. hot. Boss. If it wasn't so mortifying it could be funny, considering how he towered over her, taller by at least a head.
"It's ok..." he replied quickly, waving off her apologies. He sounded sincere at least "I'm Chris, and you must be... the Incredible Hulk?"
Great, cute AND a sense of humor. Was he flirting?
"Yep that's me, after a couple of cocktails then no one is safe!" She flirted back. Where was this banter coming from? Certainly not her. But she could feel her mouth was moving, and yes, that was her voice. And he was laughing!
"You should see what's left of the bathroom attendant." She quipped.
"Well then I guess I'm lucky." He told her with a smile while leaning in towards her. "I'd rather run into you than Bruce Banner seven days a week."
OK yes, he was definitely flirting. But he probably does that with everyone, she told herself. Realizing that Kristi and Miranda were stuck in limbo in the bathroom doorway behind her, Elaine had to move even closer to her boss in order to pass him in the narrow hallway. As she brushed by him, his hand encircled one of her wrists, causing her to pause, their bodies almost touching, her face inches from his.
"It's Elaine, right?" He queried. "I meant to ask you actually- there is something we need to discuss tomorrow. Come to my office, say 4:45pm? It won't take long, I promise."
Elaine blinked slowly, the thrill of flirting replaced by racing thoughts. What could he possibly want to discuss with her? She thought and thought but came up with nothing. She just prayed she wasn't getting fired already. Maybe if they did they would at least send her her headshot so she could use it on the next job search. Since it had proven such good luck here, clearly.
Elaine wasn't even sure what exactly she said, but she knew that she had agreed to the meeting. The entire walk back to the table was hazy too. She spent the rest of the night pretending to follow along with the conversation, but in reality she was just waiting for someone else to call it a night, so she could cut out, too. While nursing the melted ice of her remaining drink she tried not to despair. Mercifully someone finally called the first Uber, and soon after Elaine followed suit, saying goodbye around 9pm.
