Desirée smoothed her skirt prior to pressing the com button. She was once again in front of the small office building where she had the aborted interview the previous day. She used the glass of the front door as an improvised mirror, making sure her makeup was all right and the wind hadn't turned her sandy blonde hair into a complete mess.
This time, she was a lot more confident about the company she was interviewing for. She had researched the agency both online and by calling various agencies and everything she had seen and heard told her both Veronica Franco and this firm were both legitimate.
Despite the fact that she knew she was nothing wrong with the company, butterflies still mated in her stomach. She still didn't understand why she had that sudden attack of nerves during the interview that caused her to masturbate furiously. She had quickly rejected the notion that Veronica had somehow given her something; Desirée didn't know much but she knew that aphrodisiacs were a myth. There was no drug on the market that would provoke that kind of reaction.
However it happened, Desirée was glad that her prospective boss hadn't noticed a thing, even though several people had stared at her strangely while she was taking the bus home. Nothing could have killed her chances of getting a job more than being caught masturbating during the interview!
Even more strange was that she still felt the remnants of arousal, only waiting for another attack of nerves to turn into full-on desire. "Keep it together, girl," she told herself while giving herself one last once-over. "Don't mess this up."
She checked her watch; right on schedule. She pressed the com button.
"Hello, Desirée," Veronica said, even though the teen saw no evidence of any cameras in front of the building. "Please come in."
The front door buzzed. Desirée opened it, walking inside. Veronica was waiting for her by the stairs, a welcoming smile on her face.
"It's good to see you again," the older woman said. "Did you check us out like I suggested?"
Desirée coloured. Her pale skin blushed easily. "Yes, I did," she admitted.
"Good," Veronica replied, leading her down the hall towards her office. "A young woman should be extremely careful about prospective employers, especially overseas firms. There are a lot of people who might take advantage of an attractive young lady like yourself."
She opened the door, waving the teen through. "By the way, I had some enlightening conversations with your high school teachers, and your former employers at Cletus' Crab Shack. They all think very highly of you."
"Thank you," Desirée said. The corner office was more comfortably furnished than the room where they had yesterday's interview. A large wooden desk dominated the corner, and sunlight shone through the large windows.
"No, thank you." Veronica sat down in the leather chair behind the desk, while the younger woman took one of the overstuffed chairs in front. Desirée placed her purse beside her left leg. She sat straight in her chair, the very model of the eager, competent young would-be employee.
"After reviewing your references, and from what I gleaned from our chat yesterday," Veronica said, "I feel that you are definitely someone we would like working for our firm."
"T-thank you," Desirée said, trying to control the sudden rush of excitement. "That's great."
Veronica crinkled her eyes. "I'm glad you think so. However, instead of teaching English to Japanese students, we have another position in mind for you."
"What's that?"
"Well," The older woman trailed a red-painted fingernail across the solid wood desktop. If Desirée didn't know better, she would have thought it was a nervous gesture. "This firm is actually a subsidiary office for a guild. I would like to offer you the chance to prove your acceptability in joining this guild."
Desirée frowned. "A guild? Like a union?"
"Yes. A union: a very old, well-established union." She pressed a button; the Venetian blinds on the windows turned, blocking the view of the outdoors.
"What is it?"
"The Guild of Courtesans."
Desirée blinked in shock. She half rose out of her chair. "What, like prostitutes?"
"No, not at all like prostitutes and I will thank you not to use that term in relation to what we do." Veronica's voice hardened. "We are educated, respectable professionals who provide a service to a distinguished, discerning clientele. A Guild Courtesan is a respected member of society: many artists, writers and diplomats in the Confederation began their careers as Guild Courtesans."
"I don't understand." Panic edged Desirée's voice. She was still half out of her seat. "What and where is this Guild? And what's the Confederation?"
"The Intergalactic Confederation." A voice spoke behind Desirée. The teen found herself staring at something that resembled a cross between a human and a toad. It had green skin and three eyes, blinking at her from behind wire-rim spectacles.
Desirée leaped out of her chair, holding her purse protectively in front of her chest. The frog-like creature made no movement towards her, other than holding out its 3-fingered hand.
"Desirée Tanner, meet Professor Ssurhuk-T'at," Veronica said dryly. "He's one of the senior teachers at the Guild School."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Tanner," the frog-like creature said, still holding out its right hand. It was wearing cotton pants and an argyle sweater. "By the way, an open hand possesses the same connotations in the Confederation as it does on your planet. You are perfectly safe with me, child."
Desirée gulped. She slowly extended her right hand. Ssurhuk-T'at's fingers were warm and damp against hers, clasping her hand in a firm grip.
