It was Wednesday. The middle of the work week; hump day. Stephanie awoke to a cloudy morning sky. The forecast the night before had said there would be a decent chance of rain. Stephanie showered and got dressed. Today she chose a deep blue short-sleeved knee-length wrap dress. She grabbed her umbrella and headed to work. When she arrived at the office there was a voicemail waiting on her office phone. She pressed the voicemail icon and entered her password.
"Hi, Stephanie, this is Marcella in New York. I just received confirmation this morning that the Kenyan government is going to be hiring teachers for their EFL programs, and they would like our help with recruiting. They want to start advertising by this upcoming Monday. If you could put something together and have it to me by Friday, I'd really appreciate it. Ciao."
Stephanie saved the message and turned to her computer. She pulled up her work email and shot a quick message to Marcella, asking for details about she wanted. She didn't have to wait long for a reply. Within ten minutes, Marcella had responded. She wanted Stephanie to send an advertisement to all EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teacher recruitment companies about the programs in Kenya. She also wanted a short thirty second to one minute video promoting the program.
"I don't have a video," Stephanie said to the computer. "Where the hell am I going to get one?"
"Get what?"
Stephanie looked up to see Ella walking through the door. Her hair was up in a bun, and she wore a knee-length pleated khaki skirt and a white button-up blouse. Stephanie though she looked very pretty.
"Good morning, Ella," Stephanie said.
"Good morning, miss."
"I just got an email from one of our government liaisons in New York. The Kenyan government is going to be hiring EFL teachers for two of their schools, and they want to start recruiting right away. I have to put an advertisement together for the various companies that recruit English teachers, and I need a short video promo."
"That sounds like a lot," Ella said. "How soon do they need it?"
"Friday," Stephanie replied. "By the way, do you have that report?"
Ella had nearly forgotten she'd brought it with her.
"Oh, yes, miss," she said, pulling a folder from her tote.
She handed the report to Stephanie. Stephanie flipped through it. Upon first glance it was neatly written and seemed thorough. Hell, Ella had even thrown a chart in there.
"It looks good," Stephanie said. "I'll read it over and let you know. In the meantime, here."
Stephanie handed Ella a thick manila folder.
"This is the proposed budget for two high schools in Rwanda. Right now it's way over budget. I need you to look through and see where we can make cuts to ensure we can get these schools up and running. Bring your recommendations to me when you're done."
"Yes, miss," Ella said, taking the folder.
"Oh, Ella?"
"Yes, miss?"
"Since that room will be your office for the summer, feel free to decorate it as you wish."
"Really? Thank you, miss!" Ella smiled.
Ella walked to her office, opened her laptop, and began looking through all the budget proposal papers. Stephanie turned her attention to Ella's report. The report was nearly fifteen pages long. As Stephanie read through it she was amazed at how much detail Ella went into. Ella had clearly done her homework. It took Stephanie a little over half an hour to read the report due to the level of detail. When she finished she put the folder down.
"Damn, this girl's good," she said to herself.
She smiled and swiveled her chair to get up. As she did, her legs spread and, for a brief moment, one could see her black lace panties. Ella happened to be looking into Stephanie's office at that moment. She had been lost in thought and had quickly looked up to clear her head. She watched as Stephanie's legs spread, for an instant. She saw her boss' lacy undergarment. She quickly looked back down, so as not to seem to be staring. She didn't think Stephanie had seen her, but she couldn't be sure. There was a knock on her office door. She looked up. It was Stephanie.
"I read your report," Stephanie said.
"Yes, miss," Ella replied, not knowing what to expect next.
Stephanie smiled.
"You did an amazing job! The level of detail you gave was exactly what I would expect from someone who's been doing this job for awhile, not from a college intern. And all the facts and figures you included? You really know your stuff. Well done!"
Ella was elated.
"Thank you, miss!" she said.
"You've really proven yourself. How's your analysis coming along?"
"It's quite a lot, miss. But I should be done in a few hours."
"Take your time," Stephanie said. "I'd rather you be confident in your decision and be right than go too quickly and make a mistake."
"Yes, miss."
"What would you like for lunch today? My treat for a job well done."
"I would really like some Indian food," Ella suggested.
"Always a solid choice in my book," Stephanie said. "Ever been to Bindaas?"
"Oh, yes, miss. I love that place."
"It's a date, then. See you at lunch."
Lunchtime arrived, and the two ladies headed out. They walked south on 18th Street, then turned and headed west down Pennsylvania Avenue. They arrived at Bindaas, which was unusually empty for this time of day. They were seated right away. They both knew what they wanted and placed their orders.
"Any plans for the weekend?" Stephanie asked Ella.
"My roommates and I are going clubbing," Ella said. "Soundcheck."
"Never been there," Stephanie said. "I've heard of it, just never been. Jake and I don't really go clubbing much anymore."
"It's fun, you should try it."
"Well, let's just say Jake and I prefer things a little more...wild."
Ella didn't know what Stephanie meant, but she she smiled and nodded.
"Things can get pretty wild at Soundcheck," Ella said. "One time I got so drunk, I made out with one of my roommates."
"Really? Are you bi?"
Ella blushed. She didn't know why she had told Stephanie about the night she'd kissed her roommate. It had been hot, yes, but she'd been drunk.
"Yes," Ella answered uncomfortably.
"It's ok," Stephanie said. "I don't judge. If you're bi or gay, that's just how you are. You can't help that."
Their food arrived. Stephanie and Ella were hungry. They dug in, not talking at all during the meal. They finished, Stephanie paid the bill, and they headed back to the office.
"Thank you for lunch, Stephanie," Ella said.
"You're very welcome," Stephanie smiled.
As they walked back, Ella couldn't help feel that Stephanie was attracted to her. She was being very nice, which Ella just chalked up to human decency, but there were other signs, too. She'd seen the way Stephanie looked at her. This was the second time in a week Stephanie had taken her to lunch; she'd even called it a "date". She'd complimented Ella on her looks, and asked about her boyfriend and her sexuality. Then there was the whole panty peek incident that morning. She didn't know if Stephanie had done that intentionally, or if it was just a case of looking up at the wrong time. Ella began to become confused and nervous. Sure, she thought Stephanie was an attractive woman, and she found herself slightly envious of Stephanie's husband.
"Pull yourself together," her conscience told her. "You're an intern, and she's your boss. Not to mention she's married."
They arrived back at the office, and Ella went back to work on her budget analysis. Stephanie returned to her office and began to work on the advertisements for the Kenyan schools. After what seemed like only a few minutes, Ella knocked on her door and entered. Stephanie looked at the time. It was three o'clock already, and she'd barely gotten anything done on her project.
"I haven't finished, miss," Ella said apologetically. "But I will take it home tonight and try to finish it."
"Don't worry about it," Stephanie said. "You can work on it tomorrow. It'll be your big project. Now I have to try to figure mine out. I'll be here late. You are free to go."
"If I may ask, miss, what are you having trouble with? Maybe I can help."
"I am not quite sure how to word the advertisement," Stephanie said. "And where the hell do they think I can get a promo video of African schoolchildren?"
"I have a friend who's a teacher in Johannesburg. She can send me some videos, and I can put something together. One of my roommates is a video wizard," Ella offered.
"Ella, you're amazing," Stephanie said. "If you can pull this off, I just might have to hire you."
Ella came around and looked at Stephanie's computer. She looked over what Stephanie had written so far. She leaned over Stephanie's desk to type on her keyboard. As she leaned forward, Stephanie could see that Ella had unbuttoned her blouse a bit. Ella was wearing a lacy white cami. She began to wonder if the downstairs matched the upstairs. Her mind began to wander. She imagined them alone in the office, her laying Ella back on the desk...Her mound began to swell with arousal.
"There, miss," Ella said.
Stephanie was shaken out of her daydream. She looked at what Ella had written.
"You're good," Stephanie said. "I still have to stay to finish some things."
"I'd like to stay, if I may," Ella said. "Maybe I can get this budget finished."
"It's up to you," Stephanie said. "As long as you don't work over forty hours, and we pay you for the time you do work, you can work as late as you like."