Riya leaned forward on her lavish wooden desk as she read another proposal. Unable to concentrate, she stared out the window to see the last of the orange afternoon sun bouncing off the top of the Capitol State building. The tallest building in the city, it stood like a great mother watching over its young below.
Her mind was imagining all the possible deliberations that were going on in that building. Will they decide to award the contract? Would they have the courtesy to call if they gave it to another firm? The meeting earlier that day went about as well as she could have expected, but was it enough?
Just then, a light on her desk phone glowed red followed by a short beep. She anxiously hit a button on the phone before the end of the first beep.
Brent's voice came through the other side, "Good afternoon, Miss Patel, I have lady Pearlmore on the line for you."
"Good. Put her on," she answered quickly.
"Yes Miss Patel," he replied with military precision.
A moment of silence was followed by a beep.
"Wendy, how lovely to hear from you so soon," her greeting was cheerful.
"Yes, I'm just calling to let you know that Vicky and I enjoyed our time at your office. We were so impressed by your company that we decided to award you the contract," the voice from the speakerphone took a congratulatory tone.
"That's fantastic news! You've made the correct decision. Please give Vicky my regards," she gave her biggest smile as she spoke.
"Will do, I'm sure that you would like to celebrate. I made a booking for us and your team to a wonderful new place just off Fairview Avenue. I'll give the details to your firm young receptionist," Wendy took a more playful tone.
"Hahaha, Oh Wendy, you're too kind!", Riya's laugh was genuine.
She didn't expect an old lady near retirement age to be using words such as 'firm' to describe a youthfully attractive boy. She expected her to be less contemporary in her language.
Wendy switched to a more inquisitive tone, "Speaking of which, Vicky and I were wondering something. That receptionist, the blonde one with the pouch. He looked awfully familiar to us both but neither of us could place it."
"Ah yes, that would be our resident sex icon. Are you a fan of Lady Lockwood's early work?"
Riya could hardly believe what she was saying. It wasn't like her to talk about Dean in that way, but ingratiating herself was too much to resist. She suppressed her feelings again; this call was too important.
"Oh Goddess! Well, that's embarrassing!"
"Episode 12 I believe it is," Riya added.
"I didn't know that Vicky watched that show as well!" Wendy laughed.
"Well you clearly both have excellent taste," Riya smiled.
"And so do you, Miss Patel," she replied in kind.
"Oh please, call me Riya," she responded.
"Episode 12 you said?" Wendy asked.
"Yes, the second audition vid. I think he must have been her second hire. It's practically compulsory viewing over here," she joked but grimaced silently.
She hated this anti-male banter but knew that the entire team could benefit from a strong relationship with their new biggest client.
"Hahaha, I can't wait to tell Vicky! I bet that you've ridden that cock one or two times yourself haven't you!?" Mrs Pearlmore joked back, "You know, take him over your lap to teach him a lesson then have him do your bidding!"
Riya laughed politely. Her first reflex was to deny it out of honest modesty but then decided to play along.
"Now now, a lady doesn't tell. It's our little secret!" she boasted with jest.
"I'm sure that it is. Don't wanna turn him into the office whore or anything. Good boys like that don't know how to say no. I'm positively envious," Wendy laughed back.
Riya had always enjoyed a good bit of 'coffee room talk' between ladies. Speaking with the new client at this stage in such a familiar tone was blissfully reassuring. And to have such a powerful femme openly admit friendly envy was a profound rush.
"Well, I'll let the ladies know the good news," Riya sat back in her large leather chair as she spoke.
"Excellent, I'll see you all at 9," the voice on the other end said with a tone of finality.
"Ok I'll see you then," Riya replied shortly before Mrs Pearlmore hung up.
--
A pink glow bounced off a puddle and onto the metallic facade of the hotel. Riya Patel, Wendy Pearlmore, and Vicky Queendale got out of the limousine first. Followed by the team: Eleanor, Danica, Janice, Brenda, young Claire and a pregnant Renee. They were all wearing their work outfits; modest long black skirts down to the ankle with extra padding on the hips, heels, and loose-fitting coats. Each of the ladies differentiated themselves with various colored scarves.
The Jade hotel was nestled in the heart of Gynohale; across the street from the State Capitol. Wendy and Vicky could have crossed the street to get there, but were kind enough to pick up the advertising team in a limousine. The Jade was the tallest hotel in the city but still couldn't out-class the Capitol building next door. The government officials led the way up the marble stairs and through the automatic glass doors into reception.
"Welcome back ladies. How may I help?" the young man behind the long marble desk said.
Riya noticed that he was strikingly handsome and wore a tight button up shirt.
"Yes, we have a 9:30 reservation at Sky Queendom, under Pearlmore," Wendy said.
After clicking his mouse, the boy responded, "Yes I see that you are in the platinum room. Are we all here?"
"Well, there are seven of us here and seven on the booking sweetie," Wendy smirked.
