The rain was falling like a haze against the office window. I gazed outside as commuters bustled on the pavements, heading for home in the fading daylight. The worst excesses of Winter had passed, but Spring had not yet sprung. It was Friday evening after a long week. I would have been heading for home myself but had to remain in the office for my performance review. I felt a slight sense of apprehension as I waited for the meeting. Not least because of the intimidating presence of my Boss. Cassandra was breath-taking by every measure of the word. Her classical good looks were arresting at even a single glance, with a head of fiery flowing red hair. One could be forgiven for thinking her finely sculpted body was the work of some of the finest renaissance sculptors, but it was a testament to her driven commitment in the gym. This drive was echoed in her work life. I had been intimidated even from first applying to work with her firm. She had worked tirelessly through the property business to build her own business. She had endured much over the years and each setback or slight had only served to fuel her ferocity. She was known for running an all-female office of estate agents, but keen to change career and move into the business I had chanced an application. Her questions had been probing and challenging, but she had clearly seen some potential as here I sat a year later as part of her team.
Much as I had managed to conceal it, I had found a particular pleasure working in an all-female office. The ability to admire their flawless feet in a wide variety of designer heels was an added perk. All the women Cassandra had hired shared her passion for designer shoes. Killer heels, perfect for showing clients around apartments and houses as well as navigating boardroom meetings. I had garnered a reputation as the sweet 'office nice guy', helping more than a few of them home after raucous nights out. I even had the privilege of chivalrously offering a couple of them foot massages, struggling to contain my lust for their pedicured toes and succulent soles. I had even taken the liberty some evenings whilst working late and alone in the office to sneak under their desks, drinking in the aroma from their pairs of spare, discarded heels. Indeed, it appeared as far as my tastes went, I had found myself an ideal environment. Yet I could not be certain how my meeting with Cassandra would go. She had asked me to remain behind alone for our meeting. I snapped out of my daydreaming as I heard the sudden opening of the boardroom door and the distinct click of Cassandra's Louboutin heels on the floor. I turned to see her striding towards me, wearing a delectable silk blouse paired with a tight pencil skirt that modelled her athletic legs. Her shapely feet were perfect with the black patent Louboutin heels she loved so much. I had glanced at them more than a few times as she dangled them from her feet during meetings. From my experience, I guessed her dainty feet were a size 4 or no more than 5. She was speaking on the phone in her familiar authoritative voice.
"...I don't think you understand. This client is very important to us and is flying in from Dubai specifically to view these apartments. They should have been ready weeks ago and his plane arrives tonight. Either you have them ready for 9am tomorrow or I will be taking legal action..." She scolded.
As she reached my desk, she gave a brief flicker of a smile and mouthed 'two minutes'. I nodded in reply and she continued on to her office. I busied myself finishing some emails and heard the continued murmur of her phone call through the wall. There was a brief silence before the familiar click of her heels as she appeared at her office door.
"Sorry about that, come on in." She said with a smile.
I rose and followed her into her office as she walked around the desk and sat down. She beckoned me to sit in one of the two chairs facing her imposing desk. As she sat, I noted a flicker of a set of fiery red lingerie beneath her blouse.
"So sorry for the delay. Having an absolute nightmare with the contractors on the Beaumarche apartments. They were supposed to be finished for showing by now, at least one show home anyway for clients to view but between incompetence and delayed materials they are now rushing to finish. I have a very good client coming in specially to view them and could be a bulk purchase hanging in the balance."
"Not at all. I understand totally that needs to be the priority. I know how much client satisfaction is important. I just took the time to follow up on some of the leads on the Willow Hill properties. Looks promising." I said, trying to impress.
"Good stuff. Marcus is a good lead, should be interested in them at the price. Miss Devaire might be a good shout too. She is an heiress who spends most of her money on a property portfolio, when she is not sailing around Monaco and the Amalfi Coast. I hope you don't mind me saying but she has a bit of a thing for younger men so with some charm you might be able to work something out."
"Duly noted. I will try and get a meeting in the diary."
"Sounds good. I like someone who is proactive. Speaking of which, thanks again for staying behind for this performance review. I know it maybe seems a bit intimidating being asked to wait behind after everyone else has gone home, but I thought some privacy might be best and means we aren't interrupted. I want to give this my full attention."
"Of course. That is much appreciated. I just hope it is all good news." I replied.
"Well, let's make a start and see, shall we?" Cassandra purred, giving nothing away.
She opened a file and looked over the contents intently. I swallowed and sat forward in my chair, surrounded by the uncomfortable silence.
"I actually think you have done very well to get up to speed. I can see here your sales and client satisfaction scores are exactly where I would hope for them to be. You are on par with some of the best achievers in the team. You haven't found it too awkward working in an office full of women?"
"No, it has been fine. I feel I have a good working relationship with everyone and the team has been quite welcoming."
"It is a good team. I was quite careful and considered in picking them. Spent too many years early in my career with a lot of back biters and catty women. I was keen to avoid that so have made a point of picking high performing professionals. I admit I surprised myself and the team opting to hire you, but it seems to have worked out well. What made you decide to apply here?"
"I really wanted to make the best start in changing my career direction and I admired the reputation you and your business had. I saw it as a great opportunity to make progress fast and learn a lot."
"That is good. I like someone who is ambitious but also gets on well with the team. You came across as someone who can be flexible and adaptable to meet different needs, which is good. I think overall your performance has been good enough to merit a bonus. But, there are just a few more things I wanted to explore."
"Of course. Fire away."
"Well, I see these meetings as not only an opportunity to review performance figures. I want to learn more about the person as well as help guide them into roles and opportunities that work for them. I think that is key to having a strong team I can depend on. So, what would you say your greatest weakness is?" Cassandra said, her steely eyes burning into me.
"Well...I suppose I would maybe say having the confidence to just go for things. Grabbing opportunities."
"Ah, I see. So, you would say you perhaps lack confidence in taking risks?"
"I would say so yes."
"Hmm...interesting..." Cassandra replied. She flicked her gaze back to her notes, considering a response before she continued.
"I will be honest. As I mentioned before, the team dynamics and how the team get on with each other is far more important to me than pure performance numbers. For me, key to that is honesty and trust. The behaviours that people exhibit at work. And, based on what I know of you and feedback I have heard, I am not so sure you are that risk averse..."
"Wh-what do you mean?" I replied.
"Well. Let me put it this way. In the interests of honesty being the best policy. I have had some feedback from some of the girls in the office that they have felt your...attention...shall we say, around the office. Attention on a specific part of them. They have fed back to me noticing that you seem to have a habit of...well...looking at their feet. Particularly when they are either wearing particular heels and shoes or changing their shoes. What would you say to that?"
"I...I don't know what to say Cassandra. Honestly, I think it seems a bit blown out of proportion."
"So, you admit you have been looking?"
"Well...maybe once or twice as a fleeting glance. But only if they happened to be showing a new pair they have bought."
