Chapter 4. Annalita/Aiden.

I had to confirm that this wasn't a hoax. I found a contact number at the very bottom of the email. Blowing out a breath, I tried to steady my shaking hands as I punched the numbers into my phone. My finger hovered over the call button, 'Put on your big panties and push it', I berated myself. I closed my eyes as I closed the gap between me and my phone.

It rang for several moments before a curt, young sounding woman answered. "Warner Labs, Aiden Warner's office, how may I be of assistance today?", there was a nasal quality to her voice as she spoke.

"My that's quite a mouthful", I respond with a nervous chuckle. "Anyway, I'm Annalita...Taylor and I was wondering if Mr. Warner was available to discuss the details of an email I received from him?", 'way t'go Anna you blithering idiot', my inner voice was feeling particularly snarky today.

"Hmmm quite.", so much for hoping she'd bypass my moronic opening line. "May I ask what the email is in regards to? In order to prioritise the urgency of Mr. Warner's response, you understand?", condescension with just a hint of bitch, laced her tone.

"Of course,", I replied sweetly, while silently cursing her, "It's in regards to a job offer made by Mr Warner to myself. I was hoping to speak to him to iron out the details, cross the t's and dot the i's so to speak.", two can play this game.

"If it is for a position out with Warner Labs, may I suggest you try emailing him directly, so as to be...discreet?", okay I was wrong, she's full on, hard-core bitch. I wonder if Mr. Warner knows what a raging bag of hormones his receptionist is?

I put on my nicest voice before answering her, "Thank you. I agree, discretion is key. Have a good day now ya hear.", I quickly hung up the phone, not bothering to wait for a reply. 'Cheeky mare!', I puffed out.

Turning back to my laptop, I angrily clicked to compose a new message that read:

Mr. Warner,

I contacted your office today after receiving an email offering me the position of research and development assistant. Firstly, I wanted to thank you for such an exciting opportunity.

I had hoped to discuss the details with you personally, seeing as you are the one who offered me said position.

Under the advisement of the wonderful woman I spoke to from your office, I've decided to be more prudent in my enquiries. She made it clear that I should email you directly instead of tying up the company phone line with a lesser prioritised enquiry.

She was also under the impression that I would be interested in being employed within the more private sector of your business. As you can surely understand, I didn't press for information about this. I was painfully uninformed when I phoned, not knowing anything about your other forms of employ and did not want to appear so.

I can assure you that my only interest is in gaining experience in the field that I have spent the last four years passionately studying for and for one day be a part of a solution that may make many peoples lives better.

Again, I thank you for the opportunity and look forward to hearing from you soon, providing there are not too many urgent enquiries ahead of mine.

Yours,

Miss Annalita Taylor.

Pressing send, I congratulated myself in effectively talking myself out of my ideal job. My mother always told me that my mouth would get me in trouble. At least I can tell her it wasn't my mouth this time. I wonder if I could convince her that sarcastic finger syndrome was real.

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Sitting in my office, I pressed the intercom, " Any messages for me Julia?", It had been a few hours since I had sent the job offer to Annalita. I had deliberately left out the specifics, what facility she be working at, when she would start etc. so that she would have to phone to speak to me.

There had been a call, I had seen another line light up on my phone but I was busy talking to one of my dispensaries. "No sir, no messages. Can I do anything else for you?", she practically purred down the line to me. Julia was a relatively new hire but I think a little chat about professional courtesy may be necessary.

"Just a coffee, thanks. Black. No sugar.", I lifted my finger from the button, feeling disappointed that she hadn't phoned yet. I felt edgy, needing to blow off some steam. It was almost five, I could leave and go for a run soon.

Julia knocked the door and entered. Her hips swaying in an exaggerated way. Her bra could be seen through her sheer, white blouse that was tucked into a belted, high waisted, black skirt. it was skin tight and finished around mid thigh. She had long, silky smooth looking legs, the open toed stilettos adding to the illusion. Thick, blonde curls reached her shoulders. I guess she was pretty, too much make-up perhaps, besides I wasn't interested.

She came over to the desk, placing the cup beside my computer, before perching on the the edge of it. "Is there anything else, sir?", her finger trailing up my bicep.

I removed her hand causing her to pout. She actually pouted! I don't think this was going to work out long term. I made a mistake with a previous assistant and now every single one of them since has been looking for 'more'.

"No. There is nothing else. Please excuse me but I have some more work to attend to and would like to leave on time tonight.", there was a strong dismissive tone to my voice. Just take the hint lady. Visibly disappointed, she slowly got up and left, maybe she hoped I'd change my mind? Not a chance.

Sipping on my coffee, I turned on my laptop to do a little more snooping. I was just going to click on some more photos when a ping sounded, alerting me that I had mail. Thinking it was going to be a spam message, I was ready to ignore it until I spotted the name I hadn't been able to shake from my thoughts since learning it. Annalita.

Eagerly opening the link I perused the letter. I had taken a drink and had not yet swallowed it, the ability to do so forgotten as I read on. I spluttered coffee over my screen as I deciphered her veiled assumption about the supposed private employ. Wiping the screen, my eyes darted back and forth as I scanned the message repeatedly.

A ball of laughter rumbled up from my chest and exploded from me. The kitten has claws it would seem. I debated whether I should call Julia in here and fire her on the spot but she had inadvertently handed me a golden ticket. A chance to play with this kitten and to see just how sharp her claws really were.

Game on beautiful.