Just Another Day at the Office

I.

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It's only nine-thirty am and already I can smell his armpits from across the large, shiny desk. What a complete creep! If I didn't need the money, I would've cut the interview short and made my escape by now…

How is he sweating so much? It's October, not mid-July!

My brain is on autopilot as he witters on about what he expects from me, I try to keep eye contact to a minimum while uttering generic responses where appropriate.

"Yes, I understand," I say.

Punctuality is important, got it . My eyes wander around the room, over the posed photographs of him sharing a handshake with some equally pompous looking d***s. d**k-an appropriate nickname for Richard Porter-purchasing manager at the large electronic components distributor where I hope to be working soon.

By now I've seen enough of the over-dressed office from which he rules his domain and I stealthily glance through the window that overlooks the office floor. The desks are arranged in groups of three or four with low partition walls surrounding each cluster. All of the work areas that I can see are fully occupied except one.

"Yes, indeed I'm very excited to start my career here …" I hear myself say.

Just what the question was which prompted this response, I can't quite remember.

I give Richard-d**k-a quick glance. Pointless, he's still looking at my cleavage. Perhaps I should offer him a tissue. I shuffle uncomfortably in my seat. Can I go now?

Outside on the office floor the man who sits alone in a grouping of three desks catches my eye. He turns around in his chair as he answers the phone and only now can I fully appreciate him.

My age, or at the most thirty, if I had to guess. His full head of dark blond hair looks slightly longer than intended and somewhat messy. A perfect face, if there can be such a thing. Completely regular features and a straight nose as if copied from an ancient Greek statue; not that I recall seeing many Greek statues of a man of his build. Cuddly would be an appropriate descriptor.

I can't tell the exact colour of his eyes from here but even at this distance they express a certain kindness. He looks so serious, speaking into the phone with his full, sensual lips and a thoughtful look on his face.

I let my eyes travel down over his body-he's definitely a big guy, but it's hard to get a good look while he's sitting down. I can tell that he's straining against the white pinstriped shirt he's wearing. He should probably go a size up, not that I mind the look personally.

I'd prefer the shirt off altogether.

He is so exactly my type, it's unnerving. My mind instantly conjures up images of him, on top of me, his broad arms cradling me as he leans in for a kiss. Oh, what I could do to this man.

"So, you'll handle a few easier accounts at first, then we'll re-evaluate, subject to successful completion of your three-month trial period," d**k says.

"Right," I answer. "Three months trial, okay."

I try to regain my composure, to hide the breathlessness I feel, but I can't take my eyes off my favourite future colleague. Will one of those empty desks become mine soon?

Suddenly, the fantasy disappears. The gorgeous face I was just admiring has twisted into an expression of shock, sadness. He's still on the phone, but he's stopped speaking. My heart starts beating even faster, only this time it's with concern. It's as though I can feel his pain from all the way over here.

I close my eyes for a moment and recover.

"So, who will I be working with?" I turn to d**k who is now finally looking up from my chest.

"You'll be working under Jonathan Hall, Senior Purchaser here at Aspect Technologies," he says as he motions over to the one occupied desk in a cluster of three, at my Mr. Perfect.

"Great, I guess I'll see you in two weeks then." I shake d**k's clammy hand as I get up.

Not certain how I should feel after all that, I take a few shaky steps toward the door. I've got the job. But what have I just witnessed out there?

As d**k walks me towards the elevator, I steal one last look at Jonathan. He is sitting completely still, staring at nothing while still holding the phone in mid-air. I try to give him a warm smile as I walk right through the path of his gaze, but he is completely oblivious.

I wish I could have overheard that phone call.