Author's Notes:
Everyone in this story is eighteen years or older.
A heads-up for those looking for hot sex -- there isn't any in this story. Sorry. It's an ENF story about a career woman who had to strip at a work-related event.
I hope you enjoy it.
* * *
"A prize is only a prize if it's valuable to the recipient." I smiled at Lance.
"Meaning?" he asked.
"Having you nude at the party for an hour isn't very valuable compared to what's at stake." I looked around at the others in my team."It's an office party. I have to work with the same people the next day. A 50-percent chance of having to be naked there is too much."
"I see," said Lance. "Risk-averse Luciana."
Amee and Drake laughed. I had called my team for a meeting in the cafeteria, and our business was done. Lance had proposed a wager based on the result of our local election. It was generally considered too close to call, so I saw the wager as a fifty percent chance of losing.
"What Luciana is saying," said Winona, the fifth person at our table. "Is she isn't all that interested in looking at your package."
"No offense," I said quickly. "It'd be fun to have you naked at a party, but it's just not appropriate for an office affair."
"And not enough incentive for Luciana to strip off before coworkers," said Drake. "Including us, who report to Luciana. You need to offer something more valuable, Lance boy. Work out a good offer. You have time -- our party is next month."
The company had done exceptionally well for three quarters in a row and our branch manager had announced a celebration -- a party at a popular restaurant. The result of the election would be declared the same evening. Since Lance and I favored opposing candidates, he'd suggested the bet.
I went back to my cubicle, and the others dispersed to make calls or visits. The silly wager had made everyone in the company laugh but was binned. Or so I thought.
"Herbert's running five minutes late," I said. My team was sitting around the table again. Our branch manager had asked to speak to us urgently. Ours was a company of young people, and informal meetings around a cafeteria table were encouraged. Unless there were confidential matters to be discussed.
"Hello, Luciana," said Herbert, striding up to us. Our branch manager was just the other side of forty. "Hi, guys. Sorry I'm late. Let's begin."
"Sure, boss," I said. It was unusual for Herbert to be so abrupt. He was a cheerful and fun guy most days.
"Touche, Luciana!" He leaned back in his chair and smiled. "I have an offer for you guys. The company's advanced the new product launch, so we have to finish it by month's end. They've sent us leads, too, so you people just have to convert them and fill up the order book.
"Luciana, you're the newest team manager, so I'm offering it to you first. It's a great opportunity for you."
"I see," I said, trying to control my excitement. These special campaigns usually carried higher bonuses and raised standing in the company. "But we already have a lot on our plate. Month-end is just 11 working days."
"Put routine stuff on the back-burner," Herbert suggested. "Our branch has exceeded targets this quarter anyway. Get after this and give me something to show when I go to headquarters next month."
"We'll do our best," I promised him. "Get on it right away."
"Love that attitude," Herbert said, smiling. He looked at Amee, Lance, Drake, and Winona. "Incentives will be one and a half times the usual, so bend your back for this one!"
"I heard about your bet, which Luciana turned down," Herbert said, looking at Lance. We all laughed. Lance protested, saying it was just a joke.
"Well, I'll add something nice and with spice," said Herbert, grinning at me. I felt a frisson of fear. "A one-bedroom suite at a luxury resort in the Bahamas and two business-class tickets."
I held my breath and tried to remain calm. This incentive was worth several thousand dollars. A Bahamas vacation had been a dream for as long as I could remember.
"The target is half a million dollars of orders for the new product. Our success party's on the second of next month, and that's where we'll announce the sales figures." Herbert smiled at me. "If you get there, you go home from the party and start packing. If you don't get there, you undress on the stage and remain naked till the party ends."
I froze. This was utterly unexpected, coming from our branch head. I heard a dozen people cheering and clapping. It wasn't just my team, I realized. People at nearby tables had joined in enthusiastically. At 29, I was the youngest manager in the branch, and I knew not everyone was happy about it.
I was quiet for several seconds. "So if we don't hit the half million, I don't pack my bags but get naked in front of sixty coworkers." I kept my voice low.
"Well, there has to be some challenge," said Herbert, grinning. "Lance's wager caught everyone's imagination, though you didn't take it up. And it'll be a good incentive for you."
"What were the sales numbers for our last launch?" I asked. I'd been a manager only a few months and didn't have the information others had.
Herbert waved his hand airily. "You'll get all the data. But decide now, Luciana. The launch is soon, and I have to finalize the team today."
I could sense everyone in the cafeteria holding their breath, wondering if I would have the courage to take on this challenge. My team was quiet. Around me, I heard people chuckling. I thrust my hand out at Herbert.
"Deal," I said, and Herbert shook my hand. "We'll give it our best shot.
* * *
"We'll all work double hours and fill that order book!" Winona tried to cheer me up after Herbert left.
"And think Bahamas!" said Lance. "You'll have an amazing time."
The next two weeks were a blur. My team and I worked long hours and visited multiple potential clients every day. I started visiting clients with my team members, hoping for more conversions. On the last day of the month, I took potential clients to lunch and dinner, desperate to meet my target.
And all through these two weeks, my coworkers stopped to talk to me. How's the campaign going? New product taking off? It's a tough target, let me know if I can help.
And the unspoken thoughts, which I could sense from both men and women. Hope you get stripped at the party. Can't wait to see you naked.
The first of the new month was a Thursday, and I met with my team in the morning. "We've ignored our regulars over the past two weeks. Let's go back to talking with them and providing them service." Then, with a forced smile, "Party tomorrow!"
"And the Bahamas!" said Lance. "Who's going with you? Do you have a boyfriend?"
"If we win," I said. "We'll exchange the two business class tickets for five regular ones. And we'll figure out something for an additional room. What do you guys say?"
I held out my hand, and all four crowded around, joining the handshake. The four of them had been resentful of being put into my team at first, but had worked smoothly together after the early weeks.
Winona came and hugged me from behind. "That is so incredibly generous of you, Luciana!"
I shook my head. "You people have put your all into this. I've seen all of you stretching yourselves. Wouldn't be fair for me to hog the prize." I paused. "If any."
Amee lingered after the others had left. "How's it looking, Luciana? Are we likely to hit it?"
"My running count is a little over the half million mark. But clients sometimes cancel or reduce their orders." I shook my head. "We won't know till Herbert announces it on stage tomorrow night."
Amee looked me up and down, then hesitated. Looking at me again, she asked," Luciana, you've always been in great shape. But these days, you're looking leaner, more toned. Are you working out extra hard to get in shape for, you know, just in case?"
I blushed. I felt my face and throat get warm. "No, nothing like that." I looked up to see a broad grin spread over Amee's face.
* * *
It's a little bright, I thought, looking at myself in the mirror. But it is a party dress, after all. Deep blue, sleeveless, and a high neck. Reached below my knees, too. Tonight, of all nights, I wanted a sober look.
The party started at eight, and everyone had group pictures with their team and friends. The company had hired a photographer for the party. Then Herbert took the stage and thanked everyone for their performance and gave out performance awards. Gene then took over as master of ceremonies.
Gene was the manager of one of the sales teams, making us colleagues and competitors. At 9.15 he invited me onto the stage.
"Friends," he announced. "We're all waiting for this moment. The new product launch, handled by our youngest manager. If she meets her target, a magnificent prize will be hers. If not..."
The incomplete sentence was met with oohs and cheers. Half the people got up from their tables and came near the stage. I was quite sure they weren't so excited about watching me get a vacation voucher.
Gene raised his hand. Althea, head of Accounting, walked over and made a show of handing over a sealed envelope.
Gene opened it slowly, extracted a single sheet of paper, and unfolded it. "I am happy to inform you that our branch has had the second highest sales, countrywide, of the new launch."