Kate and Shawn had what they considered to be a perfect relationship. He was 30 and she was 26. They were good-looking, healthy and well-educated. Shawn had travelled the world building a successful and lucrative career, while Kate's natural beauty and elegant dress sense made her the perfect executive's partner. They had already decided they would get engaged in the near future and, after they wed, start a family.
Recently however, Kate had noticed that Shawn wasn't himself. She'd seen him stressed before but this was different. He was eating less, wasn't sleeping well and was going into the office ever earlier and staying ever later. Previously when she asked him about work he'd relate stories of the latest contract win or office gossip. Now when she tried to engage him when he came home, he simply mumbled that it was fine and immediately changed the subject. She decided that she had to get him to open up. She cooked him his favorite meal and when he was done laid it all out in the open.
"Baby something's obviously wrong. You need to tell me what's bothering you so I can help!"
"I'm sorry hon, I just don't want to worry you. There's nothing we can do about it so I just have to push through."
"What is it Shawn? What has you so stressed out all the time?"
"It's my new boss, Mr. Williams. He hates me, Kate. He's always putting me down and making me do menial tasks. He criticizes everything I do and laughs at me. It's just really hard to take."
"Well why don't you call him out on it baby? None of your other bosses ever had a problem with you so just tell him to cut it out, it's not acceptable."
"I can't honey. This guy has my career in his hands, I can't risk pissing him off even more. He already says I'm incompetent."
"Isn't your end-of-financial year gala coming up soon? I can get to know his wife and you can get to know him socially and then he'll see you're a decent person and give you more leeway."
"Yeah, it's next Friday but he's divorced. He's slept with half the girls in the office and not just the single ones. One time he made me clean up the boardroom after he had sex with one of the secretaries on the table during lunch! It's so demeaning and unprofessional."
"That's gross! Look, we can get to know him together and fix the problem. You shouldn't dread going to work hon. I know we need the money but I'm sure together we can make it better."
Shawn kissed his beautiful girlfriend and silently thanked God he had such a supportive partner.
The gala dinner was a black-tie affair and Shawn rented a tux. He wanted to treat Kate as a thank you for her support and so bought her a new little black dress. The hem was to the thigh and it plunged on both the back and the front. With her trim Asian figure and small, pert breasts, she pulled it off with an elegant sexiness few could match. The company always went all out with the end of financial year gala. They held it at only the best hotels and invited a celebrity speaker to give a motivational speech. This year's guest was tennis player Rafael Nadal, one of Kate's favorite sportsmen. They were both excited at the opportunity to meet him.
As they arrived at the ballroom of the 5 star hotel that was hosting the event they checked the seating chart to see where they would eat. Shawn sighed when he found their names.
"What is it baby?"
"We're on the interns' table, at the back of the room."
"Why don't you say something Shawn, you're a Vice President! You shouldn't sit down the back!"
"It's no big deal, no point in causing an argument."
The enjoyed the elaborate dinner and listened to the tennis star recount his insights on competiveness and the similarity between sport and business. When he was done people began to mingle and Kate asked Shawn to point out his boss.
The man he indicated was standing at the center of a circle of men and women listening to him speak. He was the tallest of the group at 6'5, and broad of shoulder and chest. Kate guessed he was in his late 40s or early 50s but spent a lot of time in the gym. With a full head of dark hair (greying a little at the sides) and an engaging smile he had an air of fatherly, powerful handsomeness about him. He was holding a cigar as he spoke and when he laughed, everyone listening to him laughed too.
"Come on Shawn, go and introduce me so we can start chatting to him!"
As they approached Williams did a double-take when saw Kate. He made direct eye-contact with her and smiled. Kate felt her mouth getting dry under his gaze. He moved towards the couple and the circle of hangers-on parted immediately. He strolled confidently towards her, took her hand firmly, raised it, and kissed it gently.
"Which one of my employees was lucky enough to bring you as a date tonight my dear?"
Shawn cleared his throat to speak, trying to sound less nervous than he actually was.
"Mr. Williams, this is..."
Before he could finish, Shawn's boss turned to him angrily, still holding his girlfriend's hand.
"O'NEILL! How many times to have to tell you – you address me as SIR! Don't forget your place young man. And can't you see I'm busy?"
Shawn froze to the spot while Williams turned back to Kate.
"Now my pretty, you were about to tell me who the luckiest man in the room is?"
Kate couldn't help but smile at his compliments and the way he looked at her. His physical presence and charisma made her feel like she was the only girl in the room when he gave her his attention.
"I'm Shawn's girlfriend, Kate. It's nice to meet you Mr. Williams."
"Ah Kate, I've complimented your photograph on Shawn's desk many times. Please, call me Jim. We're all friends at this company."
Shawn reddened as he remembered the lewd comments Williams had made at Kate's photo, how he said she looked like she wasn't getting fucked properly and that she'd be much happier if she had a real man satisfying her.
"Where are you sat beautiful? I didn't see you at dinner."
Kate explained they were at the table at the back of the room. Jim leaned into her and whispered with a grin.
"I fear whoever placed you so far from my table may have just lost their chance of a bonus this year."
She giggled. Jim pecked her cheek before saying he would find her again before finally releasing her hand.
"We're about to give out the annual awards, I'll come and find you afterwards."
When he left Kate turned to Shawn.
"I think that went really well baby! He was so nice to me!"
"Yeah, he was...but I still made him angry."
"Don't worry Shawn, he said he'll talk to us again later and then we can make sure you get to show him how nice you are."
She kissed her boyfriend quickly on the lips and then led him back to their seats as the awards (distributed by the tennis star) got underway. The bulk of the awards were a standard corporate affair – best salesman, employee of the year (both won by Williams), best new employee and the like. Then there were semi-jokey personality awards. Williams picked up two; 'most likely to be the last man standing in the pub' and the 'female choice award'. Nadal looked at the card that described the final award and laughed into his microphone.
"The last award is very special. Least likely to get a coffee order right!"
Shawn cringed visibly.
