Paula was the most recent addition to the office staff. A petite brunette, about 5'3", who seemed incapable of any other facial expression except a large grin or a beaming smile. The whole office was captivated by her. Even Brian, a confirmed gay, doubted his sexuality a little as she walked by. She greeted everyone she met the same way, from the managing director to the office janitor; a cheery wave, a bubbling 'good morning' or 'how are you today'; she quickly became the darling of the office. As for the men they all thought, except Brian, that she was most certainly, eminently fuckable, and at eighteen, all of them were ready to do the job. What would have surprised the guys was that one other thought the same way.
Linda was the mainstay of the accounts department. Although only thirty she had been there almost twelve years already and every major or even minor decision went through her. Tucked away in the corner, behind a large desk, she watched over the others like a mother hen watching over her chicks, or on a bad day like a wolf waiting to pounce on some unwary prey. Linda was a stickler for office decorum, any hint of romance between employees was to be frowned on; it reduced productivity. That is, until she saw Paula.
Linda had never doubted her sexuality; she was, she thought, 100% heterosexual. Even when her husband, of eight years, brought home the odd porn film she insisted that he 'fast forward' through the lesbian parts as they held no interest for her. Now here she was watching for 'her'. Glancing up every few minutes, afraid that she might have missed her walk by, even a fleeting glimpse of her reflection in some polished surface would send Linda's heart racing. She was smitten.
At first she dismissed it as an attraction some women have for each other, more sisterly, than sexually . . . but soon she yearned for her. Days that Paula was absent from work were devastating for Linda. The day seemed empty and without purpose. Others noticed but did not associate the two events. Linda even timed her breaks to coincide with Paula's, unfortunately so did others. Paula never seemed alone, she was always surrounded by admirers, although she never seemed to court it. Try as she may, Linda never had Paula's undivided attention.
Linda devised a plan, and then dismissed it. Would she want to risk everything for what amounted to a schoolgirl's crush on a classmate? No way. But each day more flesh was added to the bones of her plan, until others noticed her preoccupation.
"Problem at home Linda, you seem a little distant today?" one asked.
"No, just a little under the weather, I think I have a cold coming on, you know how that effects you," she answered, making a mental note to concentrate more on her work.
The days, weeks and months merged until the end of the financial year approached. A busy time for the accounts department. It was also time for Linda to put her plan into action.
At this time of the year it was customary to have a staff party at the local pub. A strange time to hold one, but because of the increased workload their social life would shortly be put on hold. Everyone would meet at the Red Admiral at seven and the drinks would flow until closing time, then tomorrow the heavy schedule of work would start. Most of the people left the office slightly earlier than usual to have time to dress up and return for the get together.
For Linda all was going to plan, until about mid afternoon when the doubts set in. Suddenly she realised the risk she was taking. What if she was rejected? Worse still, that she was rejected and the office found out? And her husband, he would be devastated, if he knew. One minute she abandoned her plan and the next she was embellishing on it. As it was her plan was put into action without her doing anything.
People drifted away until Linda was alone in the office. She looked about the deserted room and thought that perhaps it was for the best. Her plan was to ask Paula to help with some fictitious filing job but her courage had failed her.
She stood up from her desk and began to pack her belongings away. I'll give the party a miss, she thought, she wasn't in the mood now. Then she heard the tapping of feet in the corridor. Could it be?
"Hi Linda, not going to the party?" Paula shouted, "I can help you finish up, if you want?"
Linda looked across the room at the dazzling smile that belonged to Paula.
