Winter had come to Washington DC, bringing with it bitter cold. The forecast for the next few days was frigid temperatures -- the warmest day being twenty-three degrees -- and snow over the weekend. The weatherman had said as much as a foot of snow could accumulate, and there was the potential for ice buildup. Certainly anything but ideal conditions, Mark Rogers thought as he stared out his office window on the eighth floor of Displace International. He stared out over the road below, and Highway 267 beyond. He was deep in thought, mulling over whether or not to offer an intern a permanent position as an analyst.
Mark was the Deputy Director of Intelligence for the company, the world's largest private corporation dedicated to the rescue and relocation of refugees from the world's hot spots. Displace has numerous contracts around the globe with several governments. And being a private corporation they didn't have to worry about government bureaucracy or red tape. They were a billion dollar company, and they're security forces rivaled that of any military. Violence was always a last resort but still an unfortunate necessity.
Mark walked back to his desk and sat, looking over the personnel file of Samantha Carter, a twenty-one year old intern and Georgetown graduate, who had spent the past six month in Displace's intelligence division. She'd been set up with a team of analysts from the East Africa desk to get a feel for how things worked and to see if she'd be a good fit. During that six months, she'd made some rookie mistakes, yes, but she had also helped the team thing outside the box on several key assignments. Many on the analysis team respected her "people first" attitude, and had admitted that without her input they would've been stumped. Mark made some notes on his computer then hit a button on his phone.
"Please have Miss Carter come to my office," he said.
A minute later there was a knock on his office door.
"Come in."
The door opened, and in walked twenty-one year-old Samantha, or Sam to her friends. She was 5'6" with long blond hair to the middle of her back and hazel eyes. She had a very attractive figure which didn't hurt either. Though very happily married, Mark had caught himself staring at her on more than one occasion. Another thing Mark admired about Sam was that she was always professionally dressed. Today she wore a long-sleeved baby blue sweater and black pencil skirt. Her hair was down and looked very nice.
"Please, sit, Miss Carter," Mark said, gesturing to the chair in front of his desk.
Samantha took a seat, smoothing her skirt as she sat.
"As you are aware, you are nearing the end of your internship here at Displace. How have you enjoyed it so far?"
"It's been an amazing experience," Samantha replied. "I've always had a passion for helping people, and I really admire what Displace does for those who are unable help themselves. I think it's a great idea being a private company. Gives you freedom to get things done quickly."
"I would agree," Mark said. "Being free from government bureaucracy is what allows us to move so quickly during a humanitarian crisis. How did you enjoy your assignment in intelligence analysis?"
"It was definitely a challenge, sir," Samantha said. "There's only so much textbooks can teach you. But it was a good experience in learning to find solutions by thinking in ways we hadn't though before."
"That's good!" Mark said. His eyes narrowed, the look on his face became somber. "Do you think you have what it takes to do this job?"
"I believe I do, sir. I can't promise I'll always have an answer or even a good or right answer for every problem we encounter. But I can promise to always try to find a solution, no matter the circumstance, and it will always be one that benefits the people we're trying to help."
Mark sat back in his chair and folded his hands. He mulled over Sam's responses. Sam sat nervously, shaking, hoping her nerves weren't too obvious. Mark sat back up and stood. Samantha was ready to take whatever decision her boss had made.
"Welcome to Displace, young lady," Mark smiled, extending his hand.
Sam smiled and shook Mark's hand, biting her lower lip; it was quite seductive. Mark's cock twitched in his pants.
"Thank you, sir!" she said excitedly.
"Now, as to the conditions of employment, HR will have your contract ready by the end of business today. Now, as you are aware Displace offers a generous relocation package which will be available to you. I assume you would like to continue working in analysis?"
"Yes, sir."
"Very well, I will be assigning you to the Caribbean desk. Starting salary is fifty-eight thousand yearly."
Samantha's eyes lit up. Here she was, a college graduate, and her first position paid nearly sixty grand a year! She couldn't wait to call her parents and tell her the good news. Mark finished his welcome, and she stood to leave.
"We have a tradition in my department," Mark said. "Per my wife's insistence I always invite new hires over for dinner. Gives us a chance to meet and talk outside of work, be casual and informal. I like to know those working for me, know what makes them tick, what motivates them. Are you free around six?"
"Yes, sir."
"Excellent. I'll have my driver pick you up at five. Of course you may leave early. Attire for the evening is casual. Make sure to stop by HR on your way out."
Samantha almost felt as if she was floating out of the office as she walked to the elevator and headed downstairs to Human Resources. She couldn't wait to see what opportunities this career would bring.
Five o'clock arrived quickly. Sam had just finished getting ready when she looked out her bedroom window and saw the black sedan pulling up. She slipped into her knee-high boots and walked downstairs. The driver was waiting by the rear passenger door. He opened it without saying a word. Once Samantha was in he closed the door. A moment later they were off. The drive took nearly an hour due to traffic. They arrived with only a couple minutes to spare. The driver again opened her door. Samantha thanked him, and he silently nodded in reply. She walked to the door and rang the doorbell. The door opened.
"Welcome!" said a lovely brunette. "I'm Emma, Mark's wife. You must be Samantha!"
"Yes!" Sam said, entering the large house. "Nice to meet you!"
"Pleased to meet you, too," Emma said.
Emma was a few inches taller than Samantha, curvier and bustier. Sam couldn't help but notice Emma's romper. It was a bit revealing and quite sexy, Sam thought. Sure, Emma was older than her but it didn't mean she wasn't attractive. Sam wore a gray v-neck wrap sweater and jeans. Emma looked over her husband's new hire.
"Please come in!" Emma smiled. "Welcome! Care for a drink?"
"Rum and Coke please."
"Excellent choice," Emma said, leading her to the living room. "Please, sit."
Samantha nervously took a seat. A moment later Emma appeared with her drink. Emma was also holding a drink.
"Mark will be down in a minute," Emma said. "So how do you like DC?"
"Definitely a busy place," Sam answered nervously. "Lots of fun though. I really love all the museums. I love learning."
"Smart girl," Emma said. "Shows initiative and intelligence, something a lot of people in this city seem to lack."
Sam laughed a little at the blatant jab. She took a sip of her drink.
"Good?" Emma asked, taking a sip from her own glass.
"Very," Sam said. "What did you get?"
"Crown Royal and Coke. It's my favorite."
They heard footsteps approaching. Mark appeared in the room a moment later. He was wearing khakis and a purple polo.
"I thought you said the attire was casual," Sam said.
"For him, that IS casual," Emma laughed.
Sam laughed as well. Mark rolled his eyes at his wife's comments.
"Shall we eat?" Mark asked.
Mark led the way to the dining room. They sat down to what looked like an amazing meal. Emma informed Samantha the dish was rosemary chicken, roasted root vegetables, and grilled asparagus. The food was divine. Sam had never had anything so delicious, even from a DC restaurant. She loved to cook.
"This is delicious!" Sam said. "What's the secret with the root vegetables?"
"Little bit of olive oil and salt and pepper," Emma said. "Nothing complicated."
"I love cooking, and I love veggies. I will have to try making this sometime."
They continued eating, mostly in silence. Once they finished, Mark cleared the dishes. Emma suggested they take a relaxing dip in the indoor jacuzzi.
"Oh, I don't have a swimsuit," Sam said.
"It's quite alright," Emma smiled. "Our daughter just went off to college. Her room is upstairs, first door on the left. I am sure you can borrow something of hers. She and you about the same height and body type. Should be in the mahogany dresser by the closet. Top drawer."
"Are you sure?" Sam asked nervously.
"Quite," Emma said. "We're going to change as well."
Sam went upstairs and entered the daughter's room. Their daughter was very pretty. She, like her mother, was a brunette, with beautiful blue eyes. Sam saw what must've been a high school senior class photo. The frame read "Ella". Sam saw a full-body photo of Ella on the dresser; she was gorgeous. Curvy and busty, like her mother. Sam went to the mahogany dresser and opened the top drawer. Inside were several bikinis and a few one-piece suits. Sam tried on a few of them before deciding on a yellow halter top one-piece. She walked downstairs where Mark and Emma were waiting. Mark was wearing dark blue trunks, and Emma wore a very flattering, very low cut sky-blue one-piece with ruffles along the neckline. Sam noticed herself eyeing Mark's wife. She could also see Emma eyeing her.
"Shall we?" Mark asked.
He led the way to an enclosed back patio. The jacuzzi was in-ground and already bubbling. A bottle of pink moscato and three glasses were waiting next to the hot tub. Sam gingerly stepped in and sat. The hot water felt good; it was a nice respite from the cold air outside. Emma entered next and sat next to Sam. Mark then stepped in. He popped open the wine and poured everyone a glass. The wine was delicious. It was
semi-sweet but not too strong.
"So, Sam, tell me a little about yourself," Emma said. "I want to know all about you."
"Well," Sam began. "I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Only child. Dad was, well still is, a doctor; mom is a retired teacher. I went to college at Georgetown and here I am."
"Very nice," Mark said. "What kind of doctor is your father?"
"Cardiologist," Sam replied. "How long have you two been married?"
"Almost twenty years," Mark smiled. "We met at Ohio State University. I was an political science major, and Emma was a business major."
"We met our junior year in an economics class that was required for both our majors. We ended up paired together on two projects. Next thing I knew he asked me to homecoming. The next day he asked me out, and I said sure why the hell not, thinking it wouldn't develop into anything. Famous last words."
