Chapter 2- At Work

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When the elevator reaches the third floor of the building, everyone else exits except Alice. The door begins to close slowly when she hears an assertive female voice yell, "Hold the door, please!"

She quickly holds the door.

Then a slightly tall well-dressed young lady walks in. She is putting on a knee-length off-shoulder wine dress that perfectly complements her caramel skin. Its smooth crêpe-like fabric is cleaving to her curves in such a flattering way that even Alice can't help but turn her head. Never has she seen anyone look this chic in a corporate dress. While this lady walks in, the scent of her deadly-harsh yet sweet perfume slaps Alice in the nostrils, although she tries not to wince. She is quite good looking as well, though her lipstick seems surprisingly faint for a woman of her stature, completely shielded by a thin screen of lip gloss. 'This must be her work look.', Alice gathers. Her mascara as well is quite mild, forming a thin outline just above her lashes and making her eyes look nearly sharper than a razor. While she takes her stance, she carefully adjusts the quintessentially elegant retro bulb hairdo she has on. 'Damn! This lady ain't here to play.' Alice exclaims within. She already quivers for anyone who would dare cross this woman's path. The inspiring image of 'the strong independent woman' who in many ways she has always looked up to, seems so effortlessly apparent in this elegant stranger. The elevator door closes. Turning to stare at her once again, Alice's eyes wander below. On her feet are a glossy pair of nude-colour loub heels, way classier than any of her own knock offs. They almost look like they were cut from the same stone as the silver brooch pinned at the top left corner of her oxblood dress.

While still lost in thought and captivated by the epitome of charisma both in front of her and inside her head, Alice mistakenly drops her purse. Her keys, her phone, makeup and a pack of chewing gum fall out and spread across the floor.

Porsha shifts rapidly in shock.

Mortified to the bone, Alice immediately bends down to begin to gather frantically as much as her hands can carry, "Oh my god! I am so sorry. I can be super clumsy sometimes."

Porsha raises a brow at her and sighs in disappointment. Afterwards, she gracefully bends down to pick up Alice's keys from the other side of the elevator floor. Then standing upright again and shifting her weight to the side like a perfect corporate diva, she hands them over to Alice. "..You should get a bigger purse", she says.

"Yeah.. I was actually hoping to do that later today.", Alice responds, chuckling in such an innocently coy manner that her astonishing beauty radiates again from beneath the glasses.

Porsha keeps looking at the elevator door and eventually, Alice turns to do the same. Then she sighs, looks up at the ceiling and mumbles under her breath, 'Welcome to the corporate world, A.' She sighs again.

When the elevator finally stops on the fifth floor, Porsha gracefully steps out. Alice follows. In slight surprise, Porsha turns back to asks Alice almost condescendingly, although with a half smile on, "Are you sure you're on the right floor?"

"Yes. And I am so late!", Alice replies, seemingly unbothered by Porsha's behaviour. Then she increases her pace, heading towards the office at the end of the hall. Upon reaching the door, she stops, steadies her breath, adjusts her hair and lenses properly and then knocks twice before opening.

She enters a smaller demarcated office first. It has a computer desk with an empty seat, a long waiting couch at the corner and a tall porcelain vase holding broad gold aesthetic flowers. On the opposite end, there is another door leading to the main office where she was interviewed. She walks humbly toward it and then knocks twice again before opening.

Upon entering, she sights Mr. Wrestler, the man who hired her. From his appearance, anyone can tell that he is corporate royalty. He is a little above middle age, with hair already almost fully grey. He is putting on a black expensive-looking suit with loose fitting trousers and his sky-blue tie looks tightly clipped to his pristine white undershirt. The hue of his attire very well complements his slightly freckled cream skin.

"Good morning, Mr. Wrestler. And.. good morning to you, sir." Alice greets them.

Wrestler is currently standing beside a devastatingly handsome young man who is looking sharp by all standards. The neatly cut short black stubble on his chin makes his caramel face look so attractive that Alice can't seem to help but feel a slight tingle inside of her. And the margins of his torso and arms are well built; very so, that she can almost envision the ripped body underneath the grey suit. 'Damn!' she exclaims within. Grey looks good on him.

Both men are standing by the desk at the far end of the quite fancy office. They seem to have been conversing before she came in. Now, they are both staring at her.

"Well well well! Good morning to you Alice. Late on your first day, I see.", Wrestler says, taking a look at his watch. Then he smiles at her and asks, "How are you?"

They shake hands.

"I'm fine, sir." she smiles, although feeling quite embarrassed.

Joe's eyes remain glued to her face the entire time. He seems completely speechless and for a moment, visibly stunned at the sight of the breathtaking woman before him. However, he makes sure to conceal his inner mesmerism with a very professional demeanor.

Wrestler continues, "So, Alice.. let me introduce you to your new boss, Attorney Joseph King."

"And Joe, this is Alice Mendez, your new secretary."

"Hello! Nice to meet you.", Joe extends a hand.

"It's great to meet you, sir!", Alice does the same.

They shake hands.

Once their palms touch, the entire universe stands still. Within split seconds they begin to peruse each other's eyes so intently, that they almost get lost in the moment. Alice is the most beautiful woman Joe has ever seen. He feels as though some sort of magnet is pulling him toward her. Her hand is so tender, so smooth, that he nearly feels like holding it to his lips and planting a warm kiss on it. In fact, deep down, he wants to kiss her right now. Although he knows that it would be a very stupid thing to do, he cannot help but wonder why right now his body does not seem to care.

'For heaven's sakes, Alice! He is your boss. Pull yourself together.', Alice scolds herself within harshly. She finds Joe much too gorgeous for a boss. As though somehow, bosses are supposed to look a certain way. His palms are so thick and they are enveloping hers in a warm affectionate manner, so much so that she nearly feels like she isn't ready to let go; not just yet, maybe a little longer. His ambrosially masculine perfume isn't making things any easier either, because right now because of the aura emanating from his clothes, she finds herself getting hornier by the second. Why on earth the universe would do such a disarming thing to Alice at this moment, she will never know. All she is certain of, is that this is a job she does not intend to screw up. 'So, Mr. Eye Candy can go to hell!', she resolves within.

Their hands drift apart.

Wrestler politely pleads, "She is new to the job, Joe. Please go easy on her. She and I go way back." Afterwards, he turns to leave while Alice simply blushes in embarrassment at his words and responds with an odd chuckle.

Joe smiles and slowly replies with a kind of certainty that nearly makes her quiver, "I will, sir."

Wrestler pats Alice on the shoulder and starts to walk out of the office.

'Oh my goodness, he is leaving. Leaving me with him', Alice trembles in her thoughts, reckoning the possibility of what could happen with just the two of here them together. How she is going to handle the next conversation or the next few weeks without Wrestler here to chaperone, only heaven knows.

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