Author's Note:
Charlie and Tonya were first introduced in the Humor/Satire story "Led by His Cock" - I encourage you to read this tale if you want to get a more detailed viewing of their back story. It isn't necessary, but it is a fun read and explains why the title fits this story. Feel free to vote and comment, but mostly I hope you enjoy this work. ~ Red
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The tension was easy to read. Her body language spoke volumes though her smile gave one the false sense of security. Tonya kept the grin plastered on her face as she looked over the prospective candidates that had been called in for an interview. One man's appearance had caught her off guard; she was surprised that he could still hurt her, especially since she had only met him once, conversed with him for maybe an hour, and had never seen him again after he left with her -- then -- best friend, Heather.
Heather's face popped into Tonya's head. A tall woman, blonde and adorable. Her hips were perfect, her smile warm and bright; her eyes - stunning. Heather presented the world with something society had taught her was necessary to get what one wanted in life. It was after the incident with Charlie that Tonya had finally decided to accept the ugliness of her friend. She'd not spoken to Heather in over two years; the last time had been the morning after Heather had left Charlie's apartment. She had wanted to meet for coffee and bagels. Tonya had told her how hurt she was, and how she was done being abused by not only men, but by Heather herself.
Now the man that had made her wake up to reality sat beside several other men that had barely given her a once over. It hurt more coming from Charlie because he hadn't recognized her when she shook his hand. He had sat across from her, talked to her, laughed with her, joked with her, paid her attention -- but all of it had been a ploy to snag another woman. Tonya shouldn't have been surprised the man had forgotten her, but she was and the pain stung.
"Mister Charles Keith."
She stared at him again, almost willing him to remember. He smiled, the same smiled he had used on her a couple years ago. She frowned. "This way," she told him, before turning away and having him follow her into another room, where she could have a one-on-one interview with him.
Tonya tried not to sway her hips, as she felt his gaze on her ass. She hadn't changed much; she still was heavier than her once-friend; her hair was still the same brunette color it had been when she entered the bar; her eyes were still brown, though she had picked up a pair of reading glasses -- aging seemed to have crept up on her and her eyes were now affected. Once inside the room, she closed the door and offered Mister Keith a chair.
He took it and she claimed the one behind her desk. Again she looked him square in the face and waited. He squirmed in his seat; licked his lips nervously and waited for her to speak. Tonya frowned, shrugged her shoulders and began to conduct the interview for Vice-President of Miralo and Conmorate Investments.
"I see you've been working in finance for almost twenty years."
He sat up straighter. "I have, almost right of high school really. I worked part-time with our area accountant, handling taxes when tax-time came around, and then quickly moved through college -- gaining degrees that would make me more marketable and knowledgeable."
She scanned his resume. "I understand that you're seeking new employment because you are looking for a higher seat on the totem pole." Her brow rose slightly. "Not happy with the simple things in life? Looking for something more showy? Stunning? Exotic?"
The bitterness was easy to read. Tonya mentally chastised herself for her hostility but said nothing to ease the stress now evident in the room. "I am just hoping to broaden my horizons. I guess that could be seen as looking for something more," he paused, "exotic. The money is certainly not the reason I'm here. If you look at my resume you'll notice what your company is offering me is grossly under what I am making now. However I am not ever going to be given the position of VP with my current employer -- there are too many family members with their hands in the cookie jar."
Tonya had to agree. "So tell me about Charlie Keith -- beyond what this tells me." She tossed his resume onto the desk. "What makes you so special and the other guys -- just another bunch of lackeys with degrees?"
"I'm single," he said with a lopsided grin.
She eyed him with contempt. Inwardly she thought,
"I'm not surprised."
"Because I'm single I can be counted on not to have to leave for sick kids, or a needy wife."
"Needy wife?" Her voice was laced with disgust.
"Well, I don't mean needy. I'm just -- well -- you know -- I'm easy when it comes to scheduling my time. I'm able to get along with just about anyone and I am quick to pick up on people's moods; I'm a great judge of character and..."
Tonya laughed. "Are you?"
"Am I what?"
"A great judge of character and able to pick up on people's moods?
He stared back at her. "I am. I can tell right now that you don't like me. Not sure why, but the minute I stepped into the lobby you were gunning for me. Your mood is sour and scornful. I assume you've had a bad day or something you ate didn't agree with you. I'm hoping I've misjudged you, but you seem like a woman who has her mind set on making me feel like an ass for just breathing."
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, laid her pen on the desk and leaned back in her seat. "Yep, you're a good judge of character and you pick up on people's moods. Good for you."
Charlie rose from the chair, shook his head and turned to go. "Have a nice day Miss Waterside."
"Tonya," she said.
"Excuse me?" he asked, as he looked back at her; his hand reached for the door.
"My name is Tonya Waterside."
"Oh, well have a good day Miss Tonya Waterside."
She watched him open the door and leave, confirming what she had already known. He didn't remember her at all. Tonya swallowed the lump in her throat, took a sip from her water bottle, and smoothed her suit down with her trembling hands. She hadn't changed that much -- he simply hadn't cared enough to recall her.
The day ended with no one from the lobby filling the position her bosses were looking to fill. The only man who was exactly what they were looking for was the one man she refused to call back for a second interview, this one being with the President himself. She left the resumes on her desk with Charlie's placed on top, along with a post-it note for her secretary to destroy "Mister Keith's" and file the rest.
Two days passed before he was back in front of her and looking down at her sour expression. "Surprise, surprise," he said.
She couldn't help but notice the condescending attitude he projected. "Mister Miralo will be with you in a moment, take a seat over there."
He smirked; she glared. "You weren't expecting me to get the call were you?" he asked. She said nothing, pretending instead to focus on the ledger in front of her instead of the man who had darkened her path. "I bet you threw my resume in the trash the moment I walked out the door. What happened, someone with a bigger ego than yours find it? Saw my potential and made the call to have me come in."
"Something like that," she muttered. In fact, she had made the decision. She'd gone home that night, and knew that to deny Charlie a second interview, because of her own personal feelings, would hurt the company. He really was the best man for the job. She'd called the office, reached Matt from maintenance and had him remove the post-it note from Mister Keith's resume.
"Well, whatever -- or whomever it was that saved my credentials I'll be sure to thank them -- if I ever meet them. You wouldn't tell me who, would you?" he asked.
"Not on your life," she admitted.
Tonya got the call to escort Mister Keith into Miralo's office. She did so, again noting the intense feeling of him checking her out. She frowned. He certainly didn't have any reason to. Heather wasn't there, in fact no gorgeous woman was within ten feet of them, so he didn't have to pretend interest in her. Once she had passed Charlie over to Miralo she returned to her desk and busied herself with work.
It came as no surprise to her with two hours later Miralo was walking with Charlie, shaking his hand and congratulating him on joining the team. She had known it was going to happen, but now that he was officially a co-worker her stomach was churning with dread. "Miss Waterside will go over the final details as far as insurance, benefits, retirement, and of course she can answer any questions you may have," Miralo said before shaking Charlie's hand again and taking his leave.
Tonya opened a drawer in her desk and handed Charlie a file. "It's pretty self-explanatory. If you have any questions, my number's inside."
He opened the folder, and thanked her. "Are we okay?" he asked.
Both of her eyebrows rose in confusion. "Why wouldn't we be?" she asked.
"Well, the other day it was apparent you didn't want me here and now we'll be seeing each other every day and..."
She smiled, lifted her hand and waved off his concern. "I'm the one with the problem. Not you. You just - well -- you remind me of a man I had a bad experience with once and," she shrugged her shoulders, "I'll forget eventually -- its pretty obvious he has."
He tilted his head. "You remind me of someone too, but I just can't place it. Well, here's to a fresh start. No hard feelings?"
His hand was extended toward hers. She took it, felt the warmth and the firmness of his grip. Her lips wore an uneasy smile. "No hard feelings," she whispered, stared back at him and again tried to make him see who she was.
