Franco started his first day at Educational Resources with the typical round of introductions mumbled through mouths of bagels and donuts moistened with hot coffee. The C.E.O. led him to the offices of every vice president and manager located on the floor. He was impressed with their politeness and professionalism, though a bit disappointed he wasn't introduced to any third tier personnel. It was too obvious to be an oversight. He filed a mental note to correct this rather antiquated attitude when he completed his assessment of the company he had just acquired. Of course his "boss" had no idea that Franco had recently purchased E.R. or that Franco made it a part of his take over process to secretly observe the company from within prior to making it known that he was the new owner. Sneaky? Yes. But a distressed company had reasons for being in trouble...and what better way to find out than from within the organization itself.
He was finally shown to his new office and left alone to settle himself into his new surroundings. The office was plush, perhaps a little too plush for a struggling company. He let this one slide, reflecting on the fact that at one time money was flowing like water and E.R. was at the top of the textbook publishing companies. Then again, he thought...a little belt tightening never hurt anyone.
"Mr. Pauli," a voice called out. He turned and smiled. At last, a real person with an honest smile greeted him. "I'm Deborah Carpenter, your able bodied assistant." She grinned and put out her hand. "Welcome to E. R." He took her hand and shook it firmly returning her grin with one of his own. Sunshine on a cloudy day, he thought.
"Please call me Franco...and I am glad to meet you. You have one hell of a resume. Made me wonder why they didn't give you the job instead of me." She laughed softly. If he had hit a nerve, she certainly didn't let it show. He took a quick and discreet scan of the charming and beautiful woman that still held his hand. Able bodied, indeed she was. Black, beautiful, professional, great dresser and a smile that lit up the room quickly started a list of positive qualities that could only get longer. However, the secrets would follow...and they would tell the real truth.
"Well, Franco, don't forget that when you become president." They both laughed and finally let go of each other's hand. "My office is right next to yours. Let me know when you want to begin, I'll be right here. And, by the way, I'm Deborah."
"That's perfect...the Deborah part. And, I do need some time to figure out where the hell I should put all that stuff." He pointed to the boxes the porters had set next to his desk. "How about after lunch?"
"Back at one, then." She smiled then turned and headed to her office. He couldn't help noticing the way her lovely bottom moved under her fashionable skirt. The thin material clung to every lovely curve, dipping into the wide cleft between her cheeks, making him wonder what she was wearing beneath the flowing skirt, a thong...or nothing at all. Secrets, he thought...secrets.
Franco carefully unpacked his personal things and set them around the office. It was important that he looked authentic...your typical chief financial officer crap, mixed with the family pictures were a significant part of his cover. He stared at the picture of him and his wife, taken on their last vacation together. Separate vacations were taken these days with any excuse used to spend as little time together as possible. It was only a matter of time. That they would be parting ways was certain. When, was still up in the air. His lawyers kept insisting they needed just one more bit of incriminating evidence to make his petition bullet proof. Sometimes he just thought they enjoyed looking at the countless pictures of her naked body, under, over and beside her current fuck of the month. He had once loved her deeply, but now his heart was stone cold. He placed the picture on his desk and picked up the phone.
Curious, he thought. The C.E.O. was already at lunch. The C.O.O. was "out" for the rest of the day and the countless other "C's" were someplace other than in their offices trying to dig this ailing company out of the red. This was going to be too easy. He looked at is watch. It was just about twelve. He pushed the button and paged Deborah. "Have you had lunch yet?"
............................................
