Chapter 7 Collars Aren't Just for Dogs
The next day was Saturday and Emily was going to have lunch with Mark. She was still in bed at 8am and she texted Mark, "Meet me at the Panera Bread in Watertown, 11:45. Have my lunch waiting. You know what I like."
Her text roused Mark from sleep. He read it and quickly replied, "I'll see you there."
Emily arrived at Panera at noon. She intentionally arrived late because she didn't want to have to wait for Mark. She wanted to be low key so she wore comfortable, loose-fitting jeans and a loose sweatshirt. She had her hair tied back in a ponytail and she wore a Boston Red Sox baseball hat with no makeup.
Mark was thrilled to see her. He had her favorite lunch ready, a Mediterranean Veggie sandwich and iced tea. She walked toward Mark and he stood to pull out her chair.
He moved her chair back in as she sat. He took his seat opposite her and she smiled at him. She said, "Thanks for lunch."
He smiled back and said, "You're welcome."
She took a sip of tea and said, "So how is it working at McDonald's?" She took a bite of her sandwich.
He shrugged his shoulders and said, "Honestly it kinda sucks. It's nice to have a paycheck but the hours are bad. I have to work tonight from 3 to 11pm."
She nodded and said, "What would you say to working eight to five, Monday through Friday with no weekends."
He nodded and said, "I guess it would depend on the pay."
She took a drink of tea and said, "I'm not sure what the pay would be but," she winked at him, "You'd be working with me."
His eyes lit up and he said, "Really?"
She nodded and said, "Yes, at least until I go back to BC in the fall. But even then I'd want to see you on the regular to keep up on what's happening at Driftstone."
Mark liked the sound of that. The main reason he stayed at Boston College so long with failing grades was that he liked being near Emily.
Mark said, "How do I apply?"
Emily said, "Don't worry, I'll figure that out."
He said, "What's the job anyway?"
She said, "You would be the personal secretary to the CEO."
He frowned then said, "A secretary?"
Emily nodded and said, "Yes, a secretary. Is there a problem?"
Mark said, "Uh no, not really."
"Good," said Emily.
They spent the rest of lunch chatting about what it was like for Emily working at Driftstone but she didn't let on how she had been manipulating the CEO.
A couple hours later it was time for the annual company picnic. It was an event for company associates and their families. There were games for children and adults and the festivities were well underway.
Emily had dramatically changed her appearance. She carefully applied makeup to enhance her natural beauty without seeming slutty. She chose a summer outfit that she was sure would turn heads and get Steve's attention.
Steve saw Emily walking across the park. She was wearing cutoff jean shorts, a pale pink crop top with spaghetti straps, and pink converse shoes that matched her top. Her small top revealed a sliver of her flat stomach and a generous amount of her ample cleavage. Steve was talking with Veronica Dover as Emily walked up. Veronica looked her up and down and was burning with envy. Veronica said, "That outfit does not meet the company dress code."
"Okay Martha," retorted Emily in her best bitchy voice.
Veronica scowled at Emily then looked at Steve. She said nothing as she turned and walked away. Steve looked at Emily and quietly said, "I don't think she likes you."
Emily said, "Well that's just fine because she's a bitch."
Steve smiled and said, "Like I said, you're a threat to her, both professionally and just as a woman. I'm mean, you look amazing."
Emily smiled at him and said, "Thank you."
He leaned over to her, lowered his voice and said, "Although, I think Veronica is right. Your shorts are too short and your top is uh, too revealing.
Emily acted surprised and said, "Really? Do you want me to leave Steve?"
He shook his head and said, "Absolutely not."
Emily smiled and said, "There's my playful CEO."
Steve was looking past Emily and said, "Oh, it looks like you get to meet my, soon to be, ex-wife."
Emily saw that Steve was looking over her shoulder. She turned around to see Sarah walking toward them. Steve said, "Emily, I'd like you to meet Sarah. Sarah, this is my uh, I mean our, summer intern Emily Stone."
Emily extended her hand and Sarah looked at it but did not reciprocate. She looked Emily up and down and said, "I don't remember Steve mentioning anything about an intern."
Steve retorted, "I don't remember you mentioning anything about your boyfriend."
It was suddenly awkward and Emily tried to lower the tension. She glanced quickly at Steve then back at Sarah and said, "Oh, well, Mr. Harris and I don't really work that closely. I don't know why he would mention me."
Sarah looked at Emily skeptically then she handed Steve a large sealed envelope. She said, "I've signed everything. I'll be at the house tomorrow to move out."
Steve took the envelope and Sarah took one more look at Emily, then Steve and walked away. A short distance away was the man who had been in bed with Sarah. He was staring at Emily.
Steve said, "I can't believe she brought her boyfriend with her to drop off the divorce papers.
Steve kept watching him and he said, "Either that guy knows you or, he wants to know you."
Emily pursed her lips and said, "His name is Nick."
Steve was surprised and said, "You know him?"
"Not well," said Emily, "I know his roommate."
"Oh?" said Steve.
"Yeah," continued Emily. She pursed her lips thoughtfully then said, "Well, Nick, is a uh, he's a personal trainer."
"He is huh?" said Steve.
"And," continued Emily, "I heard that he was sleeping with one of his clients. A uh, wealthy woman. I didn't know she was your wife." She fibbed a little. She reasoned there was no point in telling Steve she knew about Sarah and Nick.
Steve nodded and stared off into the distance. He saw the young man get into the driver's seat of his wife's Mercedes and Sarah got in the passenger side. They drove away.
Emily saw Steve watch his wife drive away. She said, "I'm sorry that you're going through this Mr. Harris."
He looked at her and frowned. Then he said, "Thanks Emily."
Emily suddenly thought of a way to move things to the next level in her "relationship" with Steve. It was imperative for her to get him alone and she had a thought.
She said, "Mr. Harris, I have an idea."
"Oh? About what?" queried Steve.
She said, "A way to help you now that your wife is uh.... I know a good cleaning service. Why don't I see if I can get them scheduled to clean your house. They are very good and reasonably priced."
Steve thought for a moment and said, "That's actually a good idea. Sarah used to take care of the cleaning and I don't know where to begin."
"Leave it to me," said Emily. I'll get something in your schedule for them to visit you at home and quote you a price.
"Thank you Miss Stone," said Steve sincerely.
Emily smiled at him and said, "You're welcome Mr. Harris."
Steve noticed the growing crowd of people and said, "Well, it's time for me to give my speech." He pulled a folded paper out of his pocket.
Emily looked at it and said, "Did you double check it for any, extra, naughty comments?"
He looked at her and said, "Do I need to?
"Do you even know me?" retorted Emily.
He smiled and said, "Yes Emily Stone, and I'm enjoying getting to know you better every day." She gave him a wink.
Steve made his way over to the temporary podium, delivered his speech and he found that it was verbatim to what he had dictated. Emily hadn't changed a word but she achieved her goal which was to keep herself at the forefront of Steve's thoughts. This time it was, as he was speaking to the employees. She was standing nearby and Steve made frequent eye contact with her throughout his speech.
After his "official" speech he announced that, after 30 years with Driftstone Inc., his secretary Martha was officially retired and that he will be lost without her on Monday. Martha was there and received a round of applause.
Emily had already decided that her friend Mark would be perfect to replace Martha. She knew how beneficial it would be for her to have a close ally in the CEO's office to keep tabs on things for her.
After about an hour, Emily decided to leave the picnic and she worked her way back over to Steve. She made sure no one was in earshot and she said, "So Steve now that Martha is retired, you're all mine, aren't you?"
Steve saw the confidence in her eyes and his penis stirred in his pants. He said, "Uh yeah, that's what it looks like." He felt nerves in his stomach. He didn't know if he was excited or scared.