Chapter 1
Let me set the record straight, this wasn't always the way i was or how i imagined my life to be. I was by no means a prude or a virgin but i may as well of been.
I've had the same mediocre job for the last 3 years working in digital content publishing. My boss Will is retiring at the end of the month and today's the day he starts showing our new boss of K&D the space.
No one has heard much of this mysterious new person, and somehow they are the source of all gossip in the break room.
I'm nudged by Nancy sitting next to me as the excited chatter fills the big space. "Kat you're doing it again" confused i look over at my best friend of the last three years "what?" i ask absent mindedly. Laughing as she sips her coffee, we've had this conversation before as i have a tendency to zone out. Nancy isn't really bothered by it but i can't help but notice our differences. Nancy is carefree, engaged to the man of her dreams and gorgeous, jet black hair frames a small oval face set with jade green eyes. I'm by no means ugly with my rich brown hair and piercing blue eyes set nicely with my summer tan but i'm wound tight and achingly single. My last relationship didn't last long as i found everything about him dull, no spark and maybe thats to blame on the nature of my job. Writings been my passion since i discovered how lost i can become in it.
Much like me getting lost in my own head which is made perfectly clear as i blink back to reality with fingers snapped directly in my face.. "Seriously Kat, today is a BIG deal can't you focus for a few minutes?"
Shaking myself mentally "Okay okay what did i miss?" with a small squeal Nancy launches into all the gossip her little hands could find between 7am-10am and surprisingly it's not that much. Nancy is known for having the tell by our first break, "Jay Salvador is 30 and well onto becoming a double digit millionaire and that's not including what all his businesses are worth, private life is kept off the tabloids and Janet was gushing in the washroom about how, no joke quote on quote" zoning out the slightest bit a commotion by the lunchroom door draws my attention.
Sex on legs walks in, i mean he wasn't the most attractive man i've ever seen, but he was all man. Tall and toned arms beneath his grey suit led up to a close cut beard the same shade of brown as his hair. Nothing in particular set him apart from anyone else except this dominant aura that seemed to just scream i'm in charge. With a sharp inhale he looks up and oh sweet heavens his eyes are like liquid chocolate, dark pools that held my own that i wasn't even consciously aware he was making his way over to our little group huddle until it was too late
"She'd love to sit on that face and soak his beard" Nancy finishes just as he stops short of us. Choking on the spit in my mouth as a hint of a smirk appears before composure takes over and Will who i hadn't even noticed standing beside us clears his throat "Ladies, i'd like you to meet my replacement Jay Salvador, Jay this is Nancy Cobwell and Katherine Bennett" Calloused hands reach out towards mine as i am again locked into dark chocolate eyes "Kat" i somewhat harshly blurt out before shaking his hand. I am never this nervous or flustered around anyone as i watch him shake Nancy's hand.
"The company is in good hands with this one, and these two ladies are some of my best. We won't keep you from your lunch." Will announces as he strides towards the door again, with a slight raised brow and a hint of that smirk, Jay follows after.
Chapter 2
"So let me get this straight" Nancy says as we have pizza back at our shared apartment, feet tucked under me on the couch "you Kat, who somehow has never felt super attractive to anyone is hot for the new boss?" Chewing slowly while for some reason feeling self conscious "I don't know why i even told you it's not like anythings going to happen"
"oh Kat i'm not trying to make you feel bad, this is great! I've been slightly worried you will go your whole life orgasmless. You just never seem interested in anyone"
She isn't wrong because i'm usually not, the short flings i've had start off with a small flutter of hope before i realize how big an idiot the guys i go out with are. "Can we move on please?"
Nancy sighs before changing the topic "Okay, well your one on one is with Mr. Salvador tomorrow morning" with an evil smile she asks me "What are you going to wear?"
Laughing hysterically as she dodges the throw pillow flying towards her head.
Do not ask me how i came to wear this tight red dress with a casual shawl overtop with little heels because i will not let Nancy have the satisfaction of picking the outfit she laid out for me before leaving this morning. I had on pants and a dress shirt as i stood in front of my bathroom mirror this morning and somehow the dress mocked me into leaving in it.
So here i am sitting outside Mr Jay Salvador's office nervous i'm going to sweat right through my shawl as the door opens and Patty the office secretary of the last 30 years walks out "You can head on in dear" with a friendly smile i muster up the courage and march on in.
Back turned toward his cabinet he instructs me to have a seat
As i sit on the edge of a black leather chair he hums with satisfaction before swivelling towards me with a file folder in his hand "Ms Katherine Lynn Bennett 25 years old, born August 26th 1997, active years at K&D incorporated 3. Single, but recently dated Henry Caul for 3 months." Before he could utter another word before my brain could catch up with my fiery anger i ripped the file out of his hands
Katherine Lynn Bennett
DOB: August 26th 1997
K&D Editor for section C- 3 years
Single
History: Dated Henry Caul- 3 months, Jason Dune 6 months prior.
Membership at Fun fitness
The list went on but i was too worked up to finish reading before handing the file back over with a quick and clipped "Sorry"
"You seem surprised by your file, were you not aware this company has this information for all of it's employees?"
I knew going in that this is a gossip news outlet, i just didn't realize my personal life was there" With a shuddering breath i realized it wasn't that big of a deal. Spouses were listed all the time
"I apologize for my outburst Mr. Salvador it will not happen again. If we could get on with this meeting i would love to know why i've been called in." as pleasantly as my frazzled mind could piece together i think i managed to sound professional.
Dark eyes examined me, making me quite hot. Shit, i thought i was done worrying about my sweat cover shawl and thank god i was on the edge of this seat with the way my whole body flushed with his gaze. "This is a get to know the boss meeting and vice versa. I want to know what kind of employees are under my rank before i make final decision on who is staying and who is being let go"
My stomach lurches as i realize the severity of the situation, mouth agap i must've looked like a floundering fish "Well i can say i've never had an emotional outburst at work like this, i am usually very put together but something about you." i trail off realizing my mistake. Something twists in his expression but i can't be sure what it is and before i can inquire he's excusing me from our meeting.
I head for the door so embarrassed with myself. First week with the new boss and i've already put my job on the line. "Kat?" Jay calls my attention as i reach the door, i turn with my hand on the knob and nod not trusting another word out of my mouth "keep up the good work, i'll see you for another work analysis in two weeks, please shut the door on your way out." With that he turns back to his filing cabinet and i'm dismissed.