Undersold(4)

After a half hour, my phone buzzed. It was he. I know it’s strange to say, but I missed your texts today. Let’s try to meet tomorrow.

It wasn’t strange at all. The strange thing was that I felt exactly the same way, like the lack of the phone’s buzz was a hole in my hourly existence.

I typed back. OK, let’s meet tomorrow.

I couldn’t believe I agreed to meet him, but it was too late now.

Good, I’m looking forward to it. I keep staring at that picture you sent me, he wrote back.

Oh yeah? And why is that?

Because I love your body. And I want to feel your breath against my neck.

That made me grin like an idiot. Don’t get your hopes up too much. We haven’t even met in person yet.

I already have plenty of things up right now. Because of you.

I smiled again. When we weren’t being serious with our sexting, we both thought it was funny to make cheesy sex puns. He was definitely much cheesier than me.

Go take a shower then, you poor guy. I’ll see you soon.

Tomorrow was going to be a huge day.





4.


The lobby was full of people in expensive suits. I had never seen such a lavish place like this, with marble floors and huge flat screen TVs showing stock market analysis. The front desk girl told me I’d have to wait, which was what I expected. I sat down in a thick leather chair and watched the people go by, each new face looking happier and calmer than the next. Adstringo was known as one of the best places to work in the city, if not the whole country, and I could see why. There was free food, oranges and apples and bananas, plus free coffee and energy bars, and that was just for the visitors. Inside, I had heard there was a full free catered kitchen, plus gyms, rooms for power naps, and more.

It was my dream job. I nervously pulled down the hem of my slim fitted grey pencil skirt, the one that showed off my ass. I was going for attractive but still professional. I felt like I didn’t belong here in this expensive-looking lobby, surrounded by all the happy people, but I was determined to make this happen. My hair was up in a tight bun, and I decided to wear my glasses for once. I was beginning to worry that I came off more as a sexy secretary than as a serious business professional. Not that I really knew what a serious business professional actually looked like. I had never held an office job before, and this was my first experience at a large company.

They kept me waiting for about a half hour. People streamed in and out, seemingly without appointments, and everyone was dressed in designer labels. Except for me, and I hoped I didn’t stand out too much. I clutched my simple brown leather bag, which was once my mother’s when she worked in an office years ago. It now held everything in it, my notes and my laptop, and I suddenly felt protective. The contents of this bag would determine my future.

“Miss Woodall?” the receptionist said.

“Yes?” I replied, standing up.

“They’re ready for you.”

The door to the office opened and a tall woman with short blonde hair stood smiling at me. I walked over to her and she extended her hand. We shook, and her fingers felt strong but soft, and her nails were neatly manicured. Her legs were long and she was absolutely stunning. She was what I imagined Darcy would become in a few years, mature but still radiant.

“My name is Janice Shear. I’m Mr. Green’s assistant.”

“Nice to meet you, Miss Shear.”

“Please, call me Janice.”

I laughed nervously. “You call me Amy, then.”

“Great! Please, right this way.”

I instantly liked Janice. She was warm and kind and something about her put me at ease. Maybe it was the way she looked like she was really listening when I spoke, even if we were only exchanging pleasantries.

Janice led us into the office, and I looked around. I couldn’t help but stare like a kid in a museum for the first time. The space was open, with very high ceilings and rows of long flowing desks down the middle, sectioned off by seven-foot plastic dividers. Someone occupied each section, and everyone’s desk looked like it was out of a movie. They were decorated with personal items, like pictures and toys, and it was all so colorful and lighthearted. Instead of the somber business look most places had, this one was modern and sleek. It was the opposite of the lobby I just came through, which was classic ornate and meant to show off their wealth. I couldn’t spot a single man wearing a suit jacket, and the women weren’t wearing heels, with the exception of Janice. The atmosphere was upbeat, loud but not overwhelming, and people were milling about, chatting in groups, or sitting at their desk with headphones on typing away.

There were other side rooms everywhere, and I thought I saw the kitchen. We walked down a short hall to our right, which was lined with glass enclosed conference rooms, some empty and some full, and took a left at the end. Up ahead were two large doors, wooden but simple. Janice stopped before we reached them.