Blurred Lines

by Naughty Aphrodite

  I heard some chairs pull out and the door knob turn. I stood up as Darek walked out, shaking hands with the interviewee. “Great, Jake. I’ll email you in the next few hours so you can get started.” Jake walked off, smiling. “Thanks for the position. I’m looking forward to it!”

  I approached Darek, concerned. “Excuse me, Darek. Are we still doing my interview?”

  He glanced at his clipboard, crossing out some names. “I’m sorry, Gloria. The position has already been filled.”

  I interrupted him. “Yes, I can see that. But I didn’t get a chance to even interview.”

  He lowered his clipboard. “Jake is the most qualified candidate and we have to move fast; the event is the week after next.”

  “I’m also very qualified—” He walked away before I could even finish my sentence.

  But I wasn’t ready to give up. I followed him into the HR department, where he handed Jake’s resume to one of our three bitter assistants. They were all hipsters, plucked from Brooklyn, who sat at their computers, frowning all day. None of us complained, though, because they created a successful social media campaign.

  I leaned over to Stephanie, our charity event manager. She gave me a sympathetic look. “I just heard the news. Don’t take it personally…” Chuck, the building’s maintenance manager, glanced up while watering the plants. “Sorry, Gloria.” He whispered something to the plants then continued watering them. Normally, I would tease Chuck for talking to the plants but I wasn’t in the mood.

  “I looked through the records. Darek has only hired men for the past six years, never once a woman.” Stephanie lowered her voice. “Five years ago, his wife left him for another man. He’s been a prick ever since, and totally incapable of working with women. I only talk with him via email, even if he’s in the same room as me.”

  My mom taught me to be strong; I wasn’t giving up without an interview. “Where is Mr. Ford’s office?” Stephanie and Chuck both looked up at me in disbelief.

  “Really?”Stephanie raised one eyebrow, her body language giving me a hint that this might not be the smartest idea.

  “Yes.”

  “On the top floor.”

  “At your own risk,” Chuck added as I passed by him.

  I stormed into the elevator and pressed the button for the 50th floor. The elevator ascended, revealing a magnificent view of Wall Street. I suddenly got nervous. Mr. Ford had a reputation for being very intimidating and demanding. This could easily backfire and lose me my job. Finally, the doors opened, putting me in direct eye line with his secretary; Mr. Ford had the only office on the top floor. Everything and everyone had to go through her. I knew that if I didn’t take the risk, nothing in my life would change. And my school loans would take twenty years to pay off. I took a deep breath and passed through the doors just before they closed.

  I knew his secretary would never let me in so I walked directly passed her and into Mr. Ford’s office. She almost knocked her computer over, trying to stop me. “Excuse me, Miss! You can’t go in there.” I shut the door and put my back to it, preventing her from entering.

  Mr. Ford remained seated in his chair, looking across the room at me with a surprising calmness. His light hazel eyes penetrated me intensely from across the room. His command of himself was palpable and his sexual prowess took the air out of the room. My heart was pacing as Mr. Ford’s phone started ringing; it was obviously his secretary. He didn’t say a word, but his body language said everything; My time is valuable. What do you want? Every detail of his appearance was beautiful and meticulous, creating an overall impression of wealth and vitality. His silky brown hair was slicked back, giving a full view of his gorgeous mid-western face and angular jaw. His custom fitted suit, outlined the physique of a professional athlete. Aiden Ford was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. I stood there speechless like a teenager suddenly alone in a room with her favorite pop star. He rattled his fingers on his mahogany desk.

  AIDEN

  Some cute employee barged into my office like a fugitive. She was either in trouble or felt very strongly about a company issue. Either way, I owned a multi-billion dollar company and only focused on big picture issues. I hired managers to deal with small fish like this.

  “I give you credit for getting past Nancy. You have 30 seconds. Tell me what you want.”

  She cleared her throat, making her voluptuous breasts raise up and down. “Hi, Mr. Ford…My name is Gloria Haggerty and I am the outreach coordinator for your charity for Africa, and… Darek hired some guy named Jake, who I think was his college roommate, and never even gave me the chance to interview.”

  “That is not my problem.”

  She took a step forward. “But this is the sixth year in a row that Darek has hired a man. And I promise you I am just as capable as he is. I’ve been the head coordinator of a charity before and I’ve assisted Luise for the past two years. It will be an easier transition for you and the charity with only two weeks left until the event.” She had a point, but before I could respond, Darek plowed into my office, waving a piece of paper. He could be very dramatic sometimes.

  “Mr. Ford, Ms. Haggerty has never been the coordinator of a charity; I just called up her references. She is lying!”

  I crossed my hands and glanced back at Ms. Haggerty.

  “Ok, I was the assistant coordinator at the charity I worked for, but neither Darek nor his college roommate understands the children in Ghana the way I do.”

  Darek interrupted, “Jake is not my college roommate, Mr. Ford. I’ve never met the man in my life.”

  Ms. Haggerty rolled her beautiful blue eyes. “You guys were in there together for an hour.”

  She moved closer to my desk and looked at me, her face suddenly freezing. She noticed the two, tiny beauty marks next to my left eye. I squinted my eyes and noticed two similar beauty marks beside her right eye. She cleared her throat. “My father was an art dealer from Ghana, the country where your charity focuses its support.”

  Darek raised his voice, “remember that our biggest donor, Mr. Hayes, is thinking of leaving our charity this year. Jake knows Mr. Hayes personally and would be a strong referral for us.”

  I raised my hand. “Give us a few minutes, Darek. I will call you when I’m ready. Sit down, Mrs. Haggerty. I will interview you, but if I don’t think you’re fit for the role then it will go to Jake.”

  She glanced at Darek as he exited. “Thanks for interviewing me Mr. Ford like everyone else.”

  Ms. Haggerty was sassy and it was getting me hard. I tamed my instincts because this regarded my charity. She softened a bit, without Darek in the room. “I have visited my grandfather in Ghana a few times…I know what those children are going through because I witnessed it first-hand. They don’t have anyone to care for them or connect with them.” She looked to the ground, revealing a hint of vulnerability. “They’re alone.”

  She crossed her legs, revealing her well-shaped and firm thighs beneath her skirt. She was turning me on, but I had to stay objective and make the best decision for the company. It was annoying me that Darek may have disqualified her because she was a woman. I could tell Ms. Haggerty was not only an attractive young woman but also had an inner strength.

  She continued, “it would be great to have the pay raise, but if you give me the job then I’ll also be motivated by the cause.” Her tenacity impressed me.

  “I don’t generate any profit from my charity, but I’m very proud of it. We’ve had a perfect track record with raising money six years in a row. You broke company protocol by walking into my office without an appointment. You don’t have any experience overseeing a charity event, and you don’t have a degree in non-profit work. Darek is right. Jake is more qualified than you.”

  The room went quiet and she stood up. “I’m sorry for wasting your time.” She walked to the door, defeated.

  “But,” my words paused her, “I want someone with both experience and heart. The job is yours if
you agree to my terms.”

  She turned around with a smile stretching across her face. “Thank you, Mr. Ford!”

  I walked over and opened the door for her. She bit her bottom lip and I envisioned her naked body on my bed. “This is a long-term position. You will receive a 20% pay raise starting today. You will work directly with me and be in charge of all communication with the rest of the team. You will make yourself available to me at all times of the day over the next two weeks, leading up to the event. I expect you to work with me at my apartment a few times, where you’ll find a lot of additional paperwork. Luise and I have been working there in the evenings lately. Think everything over and if you still want the role, come back up here at 6 pm and I will get you up to speed.” I shook her hand and a wave of warm tingles moved between our bodies.

  GLORIA

  I was standing in the elevator, returning back to my office. What the hell is going on? My heart was beating 100 miles per hour. His smell was intoxicating and vaguely familiar. I felt like I had known Mr. Ford for hundreds of years. The doors opened to the HR department, returning me to reality. I walked to my desk, contemplating my dilemma. Everything in me wanted the promotion, but another part of me was worried about working so closely with Mr. Ford.

  I sat down and Stephanie leaned over, shaking me out of my daze. Chuck was pottering around in the distance, chatting with the plants as usual. “Sooo? What happened? I saw Darek, he looks put out.”

  A victorious smile appeared on my face. “Mr. Ford offered the position to me but…”

  “What’s the problem?! Isn’t that exactly what you wanted?”

  I scratched my head. I wasn’t entirely sure myself. “I’ve never actually been in charge of organizing a charity event before, and Mr. Ford takes it very seriously.”

  I could see the confusion on Stephanie’s face. “You have been assisting Luise for two years now. It’s your time to shine, girl.”

  Damn, why isn’t she helping me pull out, and relieving my nerves?

  She persisted, “how hot is he?”

  “He’s stunning. That’s why I’m concerned.”

  “You have your dream job, working for a dream guy. Why are you hesitating?”

  I leaned back, trying to defend my point of view. “Exactly, it can be a distraction and I want the event to go well.”

  But she wasn’t buying it. “Who cares? Give him a blowjob if he asks for it, and then finish the event. That’s what I would do,”said Stephanie, half joking, half serious. She certainly knew her way around men.

  However, I must admit, the idea of holding Mr. Ford’s manhood in my hand was making me wet. I bit my lip and Stephanie squinted her eyes at me like if she was reading my mind. “When was the last time you got laid?”

  I turned my computer screen back on, hoping to change the topic. “A long time ago.”

  She pushed her chair closer. “How long is a long time ago?”

  I puffed like a little girl. I did not want to answer the question but I knew I had no other option. “With Jonathan.”

  Stephanie almost jumped out of her chair. “You haven’t had sex since your fiancé? That’s a lot of pent up energy. I’m surprised you don’t scream at everyone you talk to.”

  I pretended to search the web. “I have ways of releasing it, Steph.”

  “Even if Mr. Ford breaks your dry spell, he’s never been married or even has a girlfriend at the moment so why not give it a change? Also, you need to think about your school loans. You’re going to make more money.”

  She was right. I wouldn’t find another job that offered this kind of salary with a cause that I cared about so much.

  “He’s not what I expected him to be like.”

  Stephanie put her hand on my lap. “Tell me everything. Did he make any comments? What did he say?”

  I put her hand back on her desk. “Ok, that’s enough. You are the nosiest assistant I’ve ever had.” I stood up and took a deep breath. “I’m taking the job and I’m going to nail this event.”

  Chuck placed a small plant on my desk. “Good luck with the new job.” He adjusted one of the leaves that were dangling. “Water it twice a week and talk to it a little bit every day.”

  “Thank you! I will water it, but I haven’t talked to inanimate objects since I was three years old. That’s not a habit I’m picking back up at twenty-six.”

  “Plants need more than just water, Gloria. They also need connection.”

  I glanced at the plants lined up in our waiting area; they were vibrant with all of their leaves perking up towards the light. I teased Chuck, but I also knew it was a sweet gesture that was rare in today’s world. My mom always taught me that nobody was obligated to give you gifts, so I should appreciate them. “Thank you, Chuck.”

  ***

  The elevator doors opened at the top floor of Eco-Farming Enterprises and I was greeted by my new best friend, Mr. Ford’s secretary, Nancy. She forced a smile, aware that my leverage was growing. “How can I help you, Ms. Haggerty?”

  I reciprocated her fake smile. “Mr. Ford would like to see me.”

  She dialed Mr. Ford’s number and her smile faded. “Ms. Haggerty is here to see you.” She nodded to me and I opened the door myself, entering my new master’s office.

  He greeted me from his desk with a devilish smirk. I brushed my hair back and gave him the most professional look I could muster up. “I’d like the position.”

  He dialed some number. “I’m glad to hear that.” He stood up while Darek answered over the speaker phone. “Please tell Jake there has been some restructuring and that the position is no longer available. Ms. Haggerty will be coordinating the charity event.”

  There was a brief silence. “Yes, Mr. Ford…Is Ms. Haggerty in the room with you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Congratulations, Ms. Haggerty. I need you to send an email to John Dee, confirming the amount he has generously donated ahead of the event. I will send you the link to the VIP donors contact list, where you’ll find his email.” Mr. Ford glanced at me, putting the ball in my court.

  “Absolutely, I will hop right on that!”

  Mr. Ford hung up, putting on his jacket with a smirk. “Why don’t you hop on that at my apartment? There’s some paperwork I want to show you.”

  My eyes glanced briefly at the large bulge in his pants, then back up at him. “Yes, Mr. Ford.”

  He grabbed the keys to his Porsche. “Gloria.”

  I swallowed the lump in my throat while following him out. “Yes?”

  He opened the door for me. “Call me Aiden.”

  AIDEN

  We took a smooth, night time ride in my favorite Porsche along Manhattan’s East River. We arrived at a building I lived in on Park Avenue. My bellman swiftly took us to the top floor, and we stepped out of the elevator directly into my living room. I had shown my apartment to countless women, but for some reason, I was anxious to impress Gloria. Her regular gal quality and sass were fun and refreshing.

  Her eyes lit up at the panoramic view of Central Park at night. She walked straight over and touched the windows. I took off her jacket and hung it up. She spun around, admiring the design. I chuckled at her excitement.

  “It’s amazing!” She almost ran into my arms and then stopped, switching to a more professional tone of voice. “So where are all the files for the event? I’d like to start uploading them online and make them more accessible for my team.” I pointed to the stack, sitting on a glass table on my Persian rug.

  “What can I get you to drink? Some Fiji water, tea or coffee?”

  Gloria took out her laptop and leaned over the documents, revealing her inviting cleavage. My cock was throbbing at the thought of bending her over my glass table. “Coffee, please.” She was sexy when she tried to act seriously. I could tell she liked to play around and have fun. She was naturally lively.

  “Little milk. Little sugar?”

  She looked up, surprise
d. “Exactly.” I was surprised, too. I guessed wrong most of the time, but with her, I got it right.

  When I returned from the kitchen; she had already scanned half the pile and emailed John Dee with his confirmation. I handed her the coffee and she sat back on the sofa. “I know you’re Mr. Mysterious who only hangs out on the top floors of different buildings but--” My face straightened, unsure where she was going with this. She paused, picking up my defensiveness. She rephrased her words more carefully. “Well…I guess what I’m trying to say is…Your mission statement is a bit impersonal which makes it hard for me to upsell donors. Why do you care about these children in Africa?”

  I sat in the chair across from her.

  “I will tell you, but you’ll have to find another strategy for drawing donors. I like to keep my personal life separate from my company.”