Carrie Bender's mind raced as she nervously made her way to the 12th floor and the office of Richard McLish, CEO of McLish Exports.
"He is going to tell me I don't have a chance at this promotion." She thought to herself. "But why would he call me to his office and tell me himself. Maybe I am getting the promotion. No way!"
McLish, the powerful 51-year old corporate leader, was the driving force that had made McLish Exports a global business success story. His father Earl had begun the business in the 60s and had made a fortune.
Over the years the old man had carefully prepared his only son to take control when the time came for him to step down.
Upon retirement, Richard McLish assumed the title of CEO and took over the reins. If anything, McLish Exports was financially more successfully under his tutelage than during his father's time.
Carrie Bender, 36-year old employee, wife and mother of two, carefully checked her attire as she rode up in the elevator. Carrie took a deep breath as the doors slid open and she stepped onto the plush carpeting of the "McLish Floor."
Carrie had been preparing herself for the worst for weeks. She wanted this job so badly. Carrie really needed to get this promotion.
Her husband Bruce, six months ago, had been forced out of a lucrative mid-management position at one of the local branches of a major communications company. The entire balance of the Bender's lifestyle had gone steadily 'down the drain' over the past months.
Things were difficult at home and not getting any better. Even their two children, Jennifer and Mark, had been feeling the pinch lately and complaining loudly about no longer being able to swim at the Country Club. Other cutbacks in the budget were adding stress to the entire family.
McLish was in the process of replacing his Executive Secretary and Personal Assistant Sheila Andrews, who was resigning to accompany her husband on an out-of-state job transfer.
Sheila had been personally trained by Richard, knew the office in and out, traveled frequently with him, organized his days, fended off unwanted invasions of his schedule and most importantly, had taken care of Richard's personal needs for the past two years. She was invaluable.
Carrie had been with the company for seven years, beginning as a lower-level clerical person in a large office pool. Beginning pay was low and the work was hard. Like all the beginning, lower-level staff, she toiled on the second floor.
After two years of service, she received her first promotion and moved to the 5th floor as an Executive Secretary to one of the Division Vice-Presidents. For the past two years she had worked on the 9th floor as Executive Secretary to the Director of European Marketing.
Her reputation for efficiency had grown. She never missed a day of work and Carrie was well liked by just about everyone who came in contact with her. It came as a surprise to none of her friends when she was asked to interview as McLish's right-hand-person.
Despite a persistent rumor that the job was going to be filled from the 'outside,' Carrie had accepted the invitation to apply for the position.
Carrie had met Richard McLish on a few occasions; at company parties and she occasionally chatted with him on the days he popped into her department for one thing or another. He had a reputation as a good man who could be ruthless if he had to be. He was not a man to be taken lightly.
Carrie had met his wife Joanna once at a business meeting and chatted briefly with the early 40s, auburn-haired beauty.
Carrie vividly remembered Joanna's easy smile and air of confidence as they chatted. She remembered the way that Joanna often reached out and touched Carrie on the arm or shoulder to emphasize what she was saying to her. Her touch was comfortable, but her gaze penetrating, intimidating.
Joanna McLish had been married to her husband Richard nearly 25 years.
The first interview had been not much more than a screening with McLish and two of his senior vice-presidents.
Carrie had been scared to death, but managed to keep her composure throughout. After the interview was completed, she felt as if she had done her best. It helped that the important men talking to her were somewhat informal, friendly and encouraging.
Carrie was very surprised to receive an email the following week informing her that the list had been narrowed to three candidates and she was one of them.
Carrie rushed home to tell Bruce that maybe there was a chance she might get the job. They both decided it was still a long shot and they should not count on the extra money that the position would bring.
Bruce meanwhile, was having little luck finding a similar position in the area in which they lived. With Jennifer set to enter her 9th grade year and Mark his 7th grade year, the family had decided to try and avoid relocating if at all possible.
The position of Executive Secretary to the President of McLish Exports carried a hefty pay increase plus many additional benefits not enjoyed by other employees. The job was almost more than she could hope for in her present financial dilemma.
Just as important to Carrie, was the prestige of being the top Executive Secretary in the business and the challenges that the job presented. What a thrill it would be to land this job after starting at rock bottom in the company.
Richard had interviewed the three finalists personally during their second interview. He was looking for a 'special something' in one of the three.
Actually he liked all three candidates and felt each could handle the responsibilities of the job. Each of the women was attractive, had good reputations in their current positions, had displayed loyalty to their respective companies and seemed to have the 'moxie' to work in a fast-paced office environment.
Sheila had been doing all that and much more for the past two years.
He would miss her morning blow jobs, the special treatment she gave valued clients, the wild, erotic fun they enjoyed on their various trips together.
Most of all he would miss her visits to his estate where she would loyally serve both he and his wife Joanne.
Sheila had to be replaced and he was not prepared to go without that which he had become so accustomed to.
Of the three women, he hoped that the job would go to Carrie Bender. Richard had noticed her long ago and frequently made trips to the division in which she worked.
Though he had official business in mind, he always looked forward to their brief conversations where he would gaze discreetly at the mid-thirties mother of two who seemed to have no idea just how 'hot' she really was.
Carrie was tall, 5'11" and very slender. Richard had a weakness for tall, lanky women, especially if they were blondes. He guessed her weight under 125, which he thought unusual for a woman approaching middle age with two children.
Carrie's husband Bruce had given up on his waistline long ago, but Carrie diligently went on her long walks, watched her diet and kept her figure. She was truly 'long and lean.'
