The law firm of Osborn and Wilke was big. With 350 attorneys, it ranked third in the state. So, Sarah felt proud to be a new associate...and intimidated. Never the most secure person to begin with, she tried to convince herself she belonged.
She knew there were many other 25-year-old attorneys ready to take her spot if she faltered. One way or another, Sarah was determined not to let that happen. But, it didn't mean she wouldn't be insecure. That was just her way.
Sarah also knew her looks alone wouldn't help her now. She was an extremely attractive young woman with short blonde hair. But, one of those was in every third office. And if the attorney was average, the secretary might be a model. Showing a little cleavage wouldn't buy Sarah any breaks within Osborn and Wilke.
This was not a good day for showing skin anyway. It was late November, but felt like January. Sarah rushed from her car to the office with her head down against the biting wind.
She took the elevator to the third floor and headed down the hall. The smell of coffee made her feel somewhat warmer as she neared her office.
"Good morning, Chris," Sarah said cheerfully as she passed the secretary's cubicle.
"Hi, Sarah. Can you believe how cold it is?"
Sarah turned the key in her door and it swung open.
"No. This is crazy. I'm not ready for it," she said while throwing her coat over the back of a large chair.
"We have white chocolate cappuccino again in the machine. Do you want one?"
Chris was leaning around the corner of Sarah's office, watching her settle into the chair behind her desk.
"Oh, cool," Sarah said. "Yes. Please."
Chris enjoyed working for the young attorney. Although Chris was 34, she looked much younger and the people in Human Resources were probably the only ones that knew she wasn't in her twenties.
Chris did little to dissuade people from thinking she was younger, but her maturity couldn't be denied. She was particularly adept at picking up on other people's strengths and weaknesses.
In Sarah she saw an intelligent, beautiful attorney capable of going wherever she wanted in life, but with a fear of being revealed. What was behind this insecurity, Chris didn't know. She was still working on that one.
Chris returned with two cups of steaming brown cappuccino, setting one on Sarah's desk.
"Thanks," the young woman said.
In the three weeks they had worked together Chris learned to tell when Sarah wanted company or to be left alone. The tone of the attorney's voice, the shuffling of papers—they all gave clues.
This morning Chris interpreted things as "leave me alone." So, she was surprised when Sarah invited her to sit and talk.
The conversation took no specific direction until Chris mentioned how well she thought Sarah was adjusting to the firm.
Sarah stared at her intently.
"You really think so?" she asked.
"Sure," Chris replied. "I've seen older attorneys take longer than you to figure everything out. Especially the guys. I think it's their egos."
Chris stopped, looking up at Sarah a little sheepishly.
"I mean, you have the right to be proud and all, but..."
Sarah didn't let her finish. Or rather, didn't let Chris dig a deeper hole.
"Oh, stop it. I know what everyone thinks of attorneys. Especially ones like me right out of school," Sarah said. "But I can't believe you think I'm getting it."
"Sure you are. Just remember that I'll help you with anything you need."
Sarah took the opportunity to ask about some billing procedures she still wasn't sure of and, soon, nearly an hour had passed. She felt better after their talk; something that was happening more and more as Sarah got settled in.
The two women often met one last time late in the day. On this day the discussion was non-business related and very casual. Sarah complimented Chris on her sweater and jacket combination, which accentuated the secretary's full and firm breasts.
Sarah had already determined that Chris probably didn't own anything that didn't highlight some part of her perfect, long body. And she was jealous of the woman's dark blonde hair that fell gracefully over her shoulders.
But, it was a mutual appreciation of beauty. Chris was stunned the first time she met Sarah, despite the surplus of stunning people at the firm. Sarah's was a natural beauty with minimal help from makeup and never a lessening of good taste by way of cheap, revealing clothes.
In fact, both women could have whichever man they wanted. And they both knew it.
Sarah was looking forward to the firm Christmas party. It was scheduled for the second week in December and she was anxious to officially kick off the holiday party season. The two attorneys she was paired with...both men...promised to make her feel comfortable among all the new faces.
She went to Chris, of course, for better advice on what to wear. Chris' advice: "Knock 'em dead."
Chris assured her that anything she put on would impress the crowd. Chris, herself, would be wearing a dress she found on sale the week before. Sarah could sense the excitement in Chris' voice and she couldn't wait to see it.
Chris also listed who to avoid and who to "suck up" to. Sarah took mental notes between laughing spells.
By the day of the party, Sarah had worked at the firm for almost two months. Chris had become her most trusted confidante, but Sarah tried not to let the other attorneys know to what extent she relied on the secretary.
It was a caste system, she told herself, which was undeniably under the surface. And then there was the problem with the fact that Sarah just really, really liked Chris. They never socialized despite both women being single. Neither felt that the other necessarily needed the company.
An hour before leaving for the party, Sarah slid on the black pants of a suit she decided to wear. They were half a size too small and she turned in front of the mirror with an approving smile. The top was a cotton blouse with a large collar. As she often did, Sarah went braless. The material felt good against her skin and she stopped two buttons from the top before tucking it into her pants. The blouse fit snugly against her breasts without giving away her lack of a bra. In the mirror, just a hint of her cleavage appeared.
Sarah pulled her arms through the waist-length jacket and watched it settle into place. She was ready.
The party was at a private club downtown that Chris said had several floors and rooms off of rooms, which made getting away from people you didn't want to be with easy. Sarah assumed there was a good chance she'd have to use the escape routes before the evening was over.
She parked and walked quickly in the cold night air to the club. Two couples were just ahead of her and they, too, entered through the ornate wooden doors of the club.
The small group checked their coats and went up a set of three steps to a large, open lobby. Christmas light and decorations were everywhere. Overstuffed chairs were sprinkled comfortably throughout the area. Two or three were occupied with older gentlemen conversing with other men standing beside them, drinks in hand. It all reminded Sarah of Dorothy Sayers mystery novels. She hoped there would be no "unpleasantness" at this club tonight.
"Sarah. I'm glad you made it."
The young woman turned at the abrupt sound of the voice to face Brian, one of the attorneys she was paired with in her litigation group.
He was a short, dark man of about 35 who she had found to be extremely helpful and friendly. They got along well and often went out to lunch together. Brian was married and Sarah trusted his friendship to be just that.
