I had never been good at golf.
I consider myself relatively athletic, having played on the basketball team during high school and dabbled in various intramural sports during college. Recently, I started an excercise routine that toned my body considerably, putting me in the best shape of my life. But golf was one of those sports I've never took an interest in. Heck, I've never even picked up a golf club in my life. Just about the only thing I know about golf is that you don't want to hit the ball into the water or the trees.
That was what I told Emily when she sent me a text, inviting me to be her playing partner on the company outing at the local golf course.
"Miniature golf maybe. That stuff's for little kids and amateurs so I might have a chance."
"Oh, I couldn't care less if you don't know how to play"
was her response.
She went on to explain that she needed to find her own partner so she wouldn't get paired up with this clingy male colleague who has been relentlessly making passes at her, constantly throwing himself at her feet, and just generally encroaching on her personal space, in spite of her reciprocating zero interest. He even went as far as to exaggerate the nature of their relationship, bragging to the guys in his department about the "close, personal bond" he shared with Emily, fabricating rumors that they would have secret, intimate rendezvous at night when in fact, it was exactly
one
late-night assignment together, and Emily had not found it the most pleasant experience. When the company outing was announced, he expressed how excited he was to be her golf partner so he can 'guide' her on how to swing properly. She's certain that he will use the outing as an excuse to make unwanted advances and feed into his own rumor that they were a couple. She needed to send a strong message that they were not dating and she was not interested.
"Doesn't the cosmetic firm mostly just have female employees in the offices?"
"It does, but he works down in accounting. They don't need to know anything about cosmetics."
"Why not just tell him you're seeing someone?"
"He doesn't believe me. He thinks I'm playing hard-to-get. Can you believe this guy?"
So at last I relent, and now here I am, standing on the green alongside several company employees, most of whom female. I look at the outfit of the closest man to my left, and then to my right, and then glance down at my own cheap white polo shirt and casual tan khakis. I have no idea how to dress for the golf course and just hope I don't stick out like a sore thumb.
"Relax, you look fine."
As if reading my mind, Emily's soft, angelic voice chimes out from behind with a little giggle. I turn around to greet my golf partner, who is wearing a navy blue short-sleeved polo that cuts off just above her belly button, offering a glimpse of her slender midriff, a light pink golf skirt that goes about halfway down her thighs, exposing a generous portion of her silky smooth upper legs, the rest of her slender legs covered from knees down in a pair of white knee-high golf socks. Her long, wavy black hair, usually free-flowing over her shoulders, is tied neatly into a ponytail. She struts over in a pair of pristine white sport shoes, beaming with a delightful little grin on her glossy lips, in one hand carrying a rental golf club and the other hand shading her squinting deep-brown eyes against the blazing morning sun.
"Thanks so much for coming out, Mr. L."
"Why do you still call me that? I thought we're on a first name basis now?"
"Oh! That's still a bit unfamiliar for me." A light blush reddens her cheeks powdered softly with makeup.
"Sure didn't sound unfamiliar in that video you showed me in the washroom."
My mind creeps back to the amateur video that Emily showed me on her phone during our last intimate encounter: one of her eagerly pleasuring herself in the ass with an 8-inch dildo while passionately moaning my name over and over. I feel a rush of blood pulsing into my cock, slightly stiffening against my pants as the image resurfaces in my head. Good thing these khakis are loose fitting.
"Ah! Don't talk about that here."
Emily shushes me with a sharp whisper and gives me a soft punch on the shoulder, the shy little smirk on her blushing face showing no signs of anger.
"Anyways, there is somebody I'd like you to meet."
She turns her head as a middle-aged woman approaches from behind, dressed modestly in a burgundy-colored polo and navy blue golf pants, her black hair tied into a stiff knot with silver strands here and there. On her firm, lightly wrinkled faces shaded under a visor, she wears the look of a superior who is both strict and compassionate.
"This is Dr. Yeh, my department supervisor. She has looked after me ever since I joined the company."
"You must be Mr. L. Emily has told me many things about you. I heard you were once her instructor and now works for us as a security guard. How did that come about?"
I shake hands with this regal, motherly figure and goes on to explain how I took time away from my previous teaching job and wanted to dabble in some part-time work in different areas, and when Emily heard about it she suggested working as a security guard at her company, so now here I am.
"Well, Emily speaks very often and very highly of you. She often references the things you've taught her. She must be very fond of you."
"Emily has done very well for herself. I'm quite fond of her as well, Dr. Yeh."
More so than you know
, I think to myself and dart a little glance at Emily, who throws a mischevious little wink in my direction. I maintain my gaze on her just a bit longer with curiosity.
"Well, it was a pleasure to meet you. I'm pleased to see Emily invited you as her golf partner. I hope you two have fun at the outing today."
Dr. Yeh slightly bows her head and formally excuses herself, wandering off to greet other employees. As she takes her leave, I shift my full attention back to Emily.
"You remember things from my class?"
"Of course! I wasn't as distracted as you might think, you know. Especially since you were the best teacher. I even finished that book you gave me!"
"Book? Which book?"
"You know, the one about cosmetic science. I took it home and read it cover to cover."
"You actually
finished
it?!"
I blinked at her incredulously: Back when she was my student and had mentioned that she wanted to work in the cosmetic industry, I wasn't sure she knew what she was in for. But I said nothing and simply nodded, not wanting to pile on the discouraging comments- she had received enough of those from her peers and counselors. I found a book about cosmetic science and placed it on her desk before she arrived in school the following day, more as a show of support than anything else. I never thought she would actually read it. In fact, I thought she had lost the book.
Emily must have read the thought behind the wide-eyed, gaping-mouth look on my face as she lets out a little giggle.
"You thought I lost the book, didn't you?"
"I did. I'm sorry I underestimated you. You're just full of surprises."
"I hope you mean that in a good way." Emily leans in and narrows her eyes like a prosecutor cross-examining her witness, wearing a devious smirk on her lips.
I let out a slight chuckle and crack my silly little grin, then press on to a more serious subject:
"Does Dr. Yeh know about the male colleague who's been harassing you?"
"She does. She reported him to the accounting supervisor but he says she was just being overly protective. Human resources says there's nothing they can really do unless he makes me feel unsafe." Emily nods while slightly pursing her lips.
"Well, doesn't he?"
"Not really...he's not the kind who could make people sca...here, see for yourself."
Emily darts a quick glance past my shoulder. I take a few steps to the side and pivot my body slightly to steal a peek out of the corner of my eyes, catching a glimpse of what I can only describe as a slight-framed, unassuming man, hovering behind a few others and throwing shifty gazes in our direction, the only remarkable thing about him being a shiny custom-made golf club that looks quite different than most other people's cheap rental. Upon initial impression, I can see why Emily's complaints went unheeded- Had she not pointed him out to me, I would have never even registered his unspectacular, almost invisible presence.
"He hasn't stopped looking over here since we arrived."
I pause for a moment, then something else occurred to me.
"Does he or Dr. Yeh know about...us...our current relationship?"
"Nobody knows, as far as I can tell. At least I haven't told anyone. Well...maybe a few girls from my department suspect. But the only person who would know is your cousin Ashley. After all, she was the one who helped us hook up."
That's right, I haven't forgotten about that. I have to find a way to repay Ash someday for that memorable Valentine's evening, when she brought me to the speed-dating event where I was able to meet Emily again.
Reminiscing on that passionate night, I take a few steps and position myself next to Emily, gently cradling one arm around her slender waist.
"Well, I might be a bad golfer, but that's not what I'm here for, is it?"
Emily, taking the cue, draws herself closer to me, sliding one hand over my arm and softly nestles her head against my shoulder, allowing me to catch a whiff of strawberry-scented fragrance in her hair.
"That's right. You can be terrible at golf as long as you're a good bodyguard."
