This is my second foray into writing ENF/CMNF content, and the first installment of what I hope to be a series of misadventures for the intrepid young Kimberly. I love knowing that people get off to my work, so if you enjoy yourself, please leave a comment to let me know! Thanks!
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Passing through a pair of massive glass doors leading into the cavernous and opulently decorated lobby of an office building, Kimberly paused to catch her breath and regain her composure. She carefully ran a hand over her straight, chestnut hair, making sure that no strands had escaped from their tight bun. The same hand then smoothed out the soft fabric of her black, cashmere dress to insure the tight fitting, knee length garment had not shifted or bunched during her mad dash from the subway station. She glanced at her watch and sighed in relief. She still had ten minutes to make it to her interview.
As she started across the room, the click-clack of her heels against the polished marble tiles echoed softly off the distant walls of the room, and the effect made her feel small and even more nervous than before. She approached the reception desk after what felt like a mile long march, and addressed the young woman seated there with a smile that she hoped looked as warm as she intended and not as panicked as she felt.
"I'm- I'm here for a job interview with Mr. Wright, from- from the law firm upstairs" she stammered. She could tell this was already off to a bad start, but struggled to maintain her smile and soldiered on.
"Of course! Welcome!" The young woman's response seemed friendly and unphased by her guest's unease as she tapped at the keyboard in front of her. "He seems to be expecting you. As a visitor, you will need to check in with security. They will store your valuables and issue you a guest pass, then you'll take the elevator to the top floor."
At this, she paused and looked up from her computer monitor to address Kimberly directly. "I will warn you though, parts of the building are still under construction, and the elevator is a bit temperamental. It's perfectly safe, we've had the cables and brakes inspected a half dozen times, but it sometimes makes unexpected stops along the way. You only have clearance for the top floor, so don't be alarmed if the doors don't open. Just give it a moment and it will start up again and let you out at the top. You're welcome to take the stairs if you prefer, but it's a long way up."
'A long way up' was an understatement, Kimberly thought to herself. The towering new skyscraper had dominated the skyline for her entire walk from the subway station, and the thought of showing up to her interview fifteen minutes late, gasping for breath, and dripping with sweat from her hike made her stomach knot with anxiety.
"The- the elevator will be fine, thank you. Say, could I use your washroom to freshen up before I go?" Kimberly asked. The receptionist nodded and pointed to a restroom sign that could be seen at the end of a neighboring hallway. As Kimberly started down the hall, the young woman called after her, "Good luck with the interview! I hope to see a lot more of you around here!"
Kimberly rushed into the empty restroom and plopped her purse down on the shelf above the row of sinks. She ran cold water from the tap into her cupped hands and patted her neck and chest to cool herself down, careful not to smudge her makeup or soak the low cut neckline of her dress in the process. She glanced up at her reflection and held her own gaze for a moment as she tried to slow her breathing and steady her nerves. She had one more chance to get her foot in the door at the most prestigious law firm in the state, but would it be enough to salvage her prospects after what an abysmal failure her last interview had been? Her mind began to wander back to her disastrous first meeting with Mr. Wright just a week prior...
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With the building still under construction, the firm's office hadn't quite been ready to receive guests yet, so when Mr. Wright had responded to her application for a new lawyer to join his firm, he suggested a nearby coffee shop as an alternative. Kimberly, eager to make a good impression, had shown up early, purchased herself an iced coffee, and anxiously waited at a table with a view of the door, pouring over her resume and silently rehearsing answers to common interview questions in her head. Her coffee sat untouched, as the butterflies in her stomach seemed to reel at the thought of taking a sip and it seemed unwise to add caffeine to her already addled state. But it felt rude to take a seat without making a purchase, so when it was served to her she hastily slapped the to-go cup's plastic lid into place and promptly ignored it.
When Mr. Wright finally walked through the door, Kimberly's racing heart was given a moment's reprieve as it promptly skipped a beat. The folders he carried bore the firm's logo and gave his identity away at a glance, but that soon became an afterthought as she took in his tall, lean form wrapped in a tasteful and clearly well tailored suit. Kimberly timidly raised a hand to get his attention, and he waved back, flashing a dazzling smile in the process. Seeing that she had already purchased a drink, he took a moment to order a simple black coffee for himself and walked over to make an introduction. They exchanged pleasantries and a firm handshake that Kimberly was all too willing to let linger just a bit longer than necessary.
Kimberly produced a pristine, carefully formatted resume from a manilla folder and the two began to go over it, stopping to ask a question here and clarify a detail there. As the exchange went on, she gradually began to relax. Mr. Wright's demeanor was infectiously at ease, and his occasional jokes and frequent smiles set an amicable tone that almost felt... flirtatious? Kimberly promptly attempted to stifle that thought. She desperately needed to focus, and now more than ever couldn't afford to let her imagination run away with her.
The conversation paused for a moment, as Mr. Wright stopped to take a careful swig of his piping hot coffee. Kimberly realized that she still hadn't touched her own beverage, and was relieved to discover that the butterflies in her stomach had calmed enough to hazard a sip. However, as the drink rose to her lips, she realized much too late that in her distracted state, she had failed to adequately secure the lid, and all at once the entire contents of the cup erupted onto her chest.