Thomas Reynolds stared at his computer screen in complete shock; the code his bosses had outsourced, the code that would contain sensitive financial data for hundreds of customers, was complete dog-shit. He was stunned, whatever kid in his parent's basement did this deserved to be shot, God, they hadn't even followed basic syntax!
Thomas threw his glasses on the desk and rubbed at his tired, blood-shot eyes. He knew, he just fucking knew his boss would e-mail him about this and ask when they could launch. As if on cue, his phone vibrated and an e-mail notification flashed across the screen.
"Hey Tom, did you get a chance to look at the code yet? We're shooting to go live this Thur—"
"You stupid mother-fucker..." Tom hissed, there was no way this thing would be ready to launch by then. It would take weeks to go through the code and vet it properly.
He could explain it to them, but whenever he started talking about security infrastructure and how important it was to vet code, before going live, the eyes of his superiors would glaze over. It would inevitably lead to a two hour Zoom call, with them finding new and inventive ways to say they understood his concerns, but they needed it ready anyways. Fuck it, he could work through the week, deliver something half-functional and go on vacation Monday morning.
Tom slid his phone into his shirt-sleeve, sighed and lifted himself out of his office chair with a bone popping groan. If he was going to get this thing delivered on time he needed to make some arrangements. He looked at his watch, 12:30, Jake would be home from school soon. He took out his phone, dialed his wife's number and waited.
"Hey good-looking," he said cheerfully. He walked into the hallway outside his office.
"Hey babe, what's going on?"
"Work just unloaded a real mess on me at the last minute and they're shooting to go live this Thursday; I know you're on your little retreat, but do you think you could call and arrange a baby-sitter for Jake?"
"Again? I thought after the Miller project was finished you'd have some time off."
"I know, Mindy. I thought that too, but remember the outsourced code we got?" Tom put his fingers to the bridge of his nose and squeezed. "Well, it came back and surprise-surprise, they did a terrible job. If I can get this one cleaned up, I'll take you and Jake on vacation next week; no computers, no phone, no boss, no expectations, just some fun in the sun together as a family, how about it?"
"That does sound nice. How long do you need?"
Tom threw his glasses down on the kitchen counter and picked up the coffee pot. "You're at the retreat until Friday, right? Then you're home?"
"Yeah, the flight is booked for 1:30. I should be back in town by 7:00. You know some babysitters do overnight care, right?"
"Really?"
"It costs extra, but it sounds like you need all the time you can get. Want me to call?"
"God yes, you're an angel." Tom tipped cold coffee into his mug and stirred in a massive load of sugar and cream.
"Thank me with a couple bottles of wine and a nice dinner, Tiger. I'll have the sitter call you when she's outside."
"You're the best. I love you, be careful up there. Text me when you've made it to the hotel, ok?"
"I love you too, try not to scream at the computer too much, you'll scare the sitter." Mindy laughed.
Tom smiled, hung up the phone, sipped at his cold coffee and retreated back to his office. He threw open the blinds to get some actual sunlight for a change and sat down in front of his digital prison.
Tom's body, for all intents and purposes, entered power saving mode as soon as he sat down in the chair; mechanically he would read a line of code, say out loud what he thought it was trying to do, make it function like it was supposed to, then repeat. It was hours later when a knock at the door brought him back to reality, he blinked, looked at his watch, checked his phone, took a peek at the lack of progress on screen, wrote a small note in the code to save his place and got back up.
He walked down the hall, setting his empty coffee mug on the kitchen counter as he passed into the living room. When he peered through the peephole, his brain shutdown completely for the first time that day. Tom opened the door for the baby-sitter and she was nothing like he expected.
She was the definition of knock-out in any language; tall with flowing blonde hair, with an icy blue streak at the tips, she had deep green eyes and a figure that was cut from a wet-dream.
"I...uhhh...hmm...h-hello?" Tom stammered out.
"Hi, Mr. Reynolds. I'm Selene, the baby-sitter, your wife called and said you needed some help. I'm sorry, is this a bad time?"
"Oh God, no. I'm sorry, I've been busy with work and just forgot how to talk to people. Call me Tom! Please, come in, can I help you with your bags?" Tom looked down at the concrete landing and wished he hadn't; her blue sundress was strained to the breaking point around a massive bust. The dress hugged her body like a wet-suit, revealing smooth toned curves that rolled into shapely hips.
Selene's red lips stretched into a dazzling smile. "I'm good, just brought the one bag and my purse."
Tom swept his hand in a broad gesture and opened the door all the way. "Well, you're welcome to use the laundry here anytime you want. Thanks for coming on such short notice, I really appreciate it."
Selene stepped inside carrying a small leather purse and a duffle bag. Tom couldn't help but notice how the sundress pulled against her luscious backside as she walked.
"Not a problem. Where will I be staying?"
Tom shut the front door and led Selene down a long stretch of hallway past the kitchen, opposite from his office. "Our guest bedroom," he said. He opened a door at the end of the hall and gestured. "Here you go, home sweet home."
Selene stepped inside and placed her purse on the double bed, framed in dark wood. A small, pine bench sat at the foot of the bed, facing the door. "Your wife said you'd be in your office all week? Just let me know what time you and your son want to eat tonight and I'll have it ready."
