For the millionth time, maybe even 2 million, Zoë wondered what she had ever done to deserve this.
She worked in the same office as Jeanine, Jeanine of the perfect size 5 dress and the distinct impression that in a previous life, she'd studied under Elsa, She-Wolf of the SS.
The two were from totally different backgrounds, Zoë, married for a long time, good wife and mother as opposed to Jeanine, an old maid who never ceased to talk about her huge standard poodle. OMGGGGG did she not realize what people thought of her, as she continually bragged about not needing a man, Pierre was all the love she needed, she'd go on and on about how much space he took up in the bed, and repeated instances of him trying to Dominate her, gee wonder how he did that? Ewwww, poor Zoë was mortified whenever anyone came into her office and Jeanine would interrupt to regale everyone of Pierre's latest misadventure.
She had to get out of this place, it was driving her nuts. There wasn't much on the job board, she didn't want to have to go back to shift work and weekends so she was putting up with the crap until something better came along.
Zoë is bilingual and her chances of getting a post were better for her and so it happened that a new research specialist was joining the team and he was not very fluent in English, he needed a bilingual assistant that would transcribe from French to English. She jumped at the chance and posted her application to Human Resources, within days, she was called up for an interview.
Oh she was nervous, Zoë's proportions are on the Junoesque side and she has seen some discrimination for this before, it's hurtful to think it's only the packaging that counts but the sad truth is, in many cases it is so, specially if the boss is a man.
She had a new outfit to wear for the interview, simple lines in a gorgeous colour that brought out a sparkle in her. Her eyes shone, she was excited about meeting the good doctor, he'd be at the interview giving her a test to see if she could meet the requirements of this job.
When her time came one of the ladies in HR came to show her into the conference room, where Mrs. Meyers, the Personnel director and Dr. Desjardins were seated. He stood as she entered and she could feel his eyes stare right through her, a frisson raced up her spine and tingled in her brain. His eyes were very compelling, it was hard to look away.
Mrs. Meyers introduced them and told Zoë to please sit. Dr. Desjardins began the interview in French, it had nothing to do with her knowledge of office procedures, it was questions about what she would do in a certain situation, and she had to explain why.
She tried to figure out the pattern to the questions, there must be one but its intricacies baffled her. The good doctor looked at the file in front of him and smiled, this tells me you are capable of doing the work I need, those answers you gave me told me you would be exemplary at your work, I would like to offer you the position.
Zoë was thrilled, she smiled and accepted and was told she wouldn't have to finish her 2 weeks notice, she'd be seconded immediately. Oh that was wonderful, just to see the look on Jeanine's face when she told her bye bye bitch.
She had to call Joe and tell him. He'd be puttering around the kitchen likely, making coffee and talking to the cat. He was Mr. Mom because of a construction accident 10 years earlier, he'd fallen almost forty feet onto a cement floor, damn near broke everything he could, they didn't think he'd live, let alone walk again. It was a harrowing time, a very long convalescing period and constant pain as a daily reminder.
They had been through a lot these past few years but it had brought them closer, closer than they'd ever been. She'd quickly realized that he needed to know that he was still the man she needed, especially sexually. He started going to the Exotic Sex Shoppe and quizzing the middle aged female clerk, about what she recommended, he was never disappointed in her choices, Zoë was very appreciative of his efforts, what's not to like, he gives me better O's than I've ever been able to give myself, now that's saying something.
So their sex life was a very regular thing, at least three times a week and sometimes more. The incorporation of toys into the bedroom inspired little games too, cuffs and blindfolds and a soft flogger, nothing too violent but they liked to flirt with the possibility.
Joe was thankful that his wife was a horny woman, still after 20 odd years of marriage, she loved sex, she loved coming in all the ways they'd discovered together. He was convinced this was why they were both happy, their sex life was everything each desired. Not many guys he knew could claim that or girls either for that matter.
They didn't have much spare money, there were never any vacations unless it was to go visit parents who lived three hours away. But they made the best of it and the kids didn't mind really, they got to go visit on the family farm, fascinated by the animals and the machinery and their cousins the same age. The brothers would go fishing and the girls would go shopping, everybody seemed to have a great time. But it was always nice to come back home, to be just the two of them in the house, making noise. Both looked forward to it with great anticipation.
Joe was quasi congratulatory when Zoë relayed her news. He found it a sore point that his wife had to work and now she was going to work for one guy alone. He wasn't so sure he liked that idea but what could he do, he could easily understand her joy of getting away from the wretched Jeanine, he didn't know how she helped herself from smashing that woman's face in. So he resigned himself to the fact that she'd take the job and really couldn't blame her, a raise to begin with and cushier hours, with lots of paid time off but and this was the stickler for Joe, it would mean she would have to travel with the doctor to a yearly one week conference in another province.
He knew he could trust Zoë, she'd never do anything out of line, he knew she was embarrassed about her weight and would be much too shy to let anyone see her naked. He'd seen her progressively get heavier, he'd gotten used to the handful of woman she was, and he liked her that way, she was far more sensuous with some weight on her than she'd been when she was thin, before the babies, maybe getting older had more to do with that but he didn't think so.
Zoë started her new job the following Monday, a newly renovated office suite, a large reception area with top of the line electronics and a warm and pleasant décor. The doctor's office was huge with a lovely view of the river below and the university track next door.
There was a bathroom with a shower and dressing room adjoining the office. Next was the bathroom Zoë would use, it was spacious and newly appointed as well. Next was a conference room, with a large mahogany table and twelve chairs. There was video equipment she'd been told she would be taught to operate. After the conference room was the kitchen, fridge, wall oven, counter top stove, microwave, dishwasher and cupboards, and of course the coffee makers, one for 12 cups one for 48.
