Miss Assistant

It had been a week since Angela had surrendered her innocence in exchange for a midnight passion. She was left unable to walk for days afterward. Four to five times? She had lost count. Consequently, her friends could tell something was amiss the next morning when she arrived home, moving with an exaggerated stiffness.

Ever since then and until now, Amelia, but mostly Maya has insistently inquired about the model's identity.

To Angela, however, he's becoming a blurred image, a chance encounter, her “Mr. Stranger.” The bitterness of its reality never ceases to hurt, each time she recalls how contently satisfying that night with him had been.

He had moved in, elegantly seducing her that she forgot to request his name.

Today, Angela is left with the fading memories of his facial structure, the sensations he made her body feel, and daily fantasies of their time together.

It had happened that, during the dawn hours and when Angela was much sober, she had extracted herself from his intimate grip, creeping out of his crib before he woke up.

Angela had long thought she would spend her first time in the embrace of her husband, with candlelight illuminating the bedroom and expensive wine to enrich the taste of their lips.

Stuck in thought without knowing what else entailed, when visualizing the ceremony of a woman's first time, Angela reached for the pink balm inside her purse to lubricate her lips with. Indeed, today wasn't a good time to wish he had filled the bed with roses.

“Oh, oh, oh, I think you should wear this piece to your introductory time at the office today, Angie,” Maya suggested, drawing Angela's attention back to the present. Still, the word worked to remind her of how long it took her career to get to this time.

After unsuccessfully scouting for a job for a long time, Angela felt overwhelmed. In just an hour, she would be working as the assistant to Rex-field's CEO, the topmost and largest communication company in their region. They offer a wide range of services to Web communities, with feasible variations of intellectual services to enhance their knowledge. With millions of active reader's their reputation is not only attributed to its choices writer's, but also to the behind-the-screen executives. In the competitive communication industry, it's an honor for Angela to be a part of its servitude.

“Maya, don't you think the shorter skirt is more appealing compared to this appalling suit?” Amelia countered.

What, then, do you recommend, Amelia? Should she put on a seductive dress that would create the impression she's out to seduce the boss?

Being her initial day at the office, wouldn't it be rather rational that she wore a professional piece? This would give the impression that such a position was indeed academically merited.

“And you believe this acrobatic suit is most suited for the role?”

“Oh please, people judge by first impressions. Or just admit it already, my choice not only looks office-oriented, but it will aid in gaining her teammates’ respect.” Maya assured.

Well, while yours will achieve an aged, haggard appearance, this other attire will ensure she feels less uncomfortable. Ever considered the environment she's stepping into? She would need to move without the stress of tripping and falling face down in such a long dress.

Maya scratched her head, not expecting Amelia to view things from such a perspective. Feeling like she hit a nerve, Amelia continued.

Angela, you don't have to borrow from Maya if you don't wish to. Please wear mine for a change this time, okay?

“What? You still root for her to appear a misfit before their sights?” Maya asked.

“Well, unlike you, sincere hearts treasure a fashion piece when they sight one, and … dearest roommate, you see this baby here? It speaks alluringly professional.”

“Shut up, Amelia. Don't you realize a thing or two about office plotting?” Maya blasted, starting to get upset.

Oh yes, I do, but you know what? You're just being an old-fashioned, cloth-dressing jealous friend and …

But in whose house do both you and Angela still squat?

Hopefully not for long, and definitely not for free. We do pay your caretaker on a monthly basis.

“Look, Angela, should I return this suit to my wardrobe or not?” asked Maya.

“More like back to the forgotten box she scrapped it out from. Angie, trust me, you will rock heads if you wear mine instead.” countered Amelia.

Gosh, there they go about it anew, trying to decide what Angela wants versus what she would love to adorn.

These ladies are the annoying voices of my existence. And also the reason I ended up getting intoxicated enough to sleep with a stranger, Angela inwardly thought.

It's her first day at the office today. And yes, she passed the job interview.

She's now a staff member of Rex-fields. Dressing up today to leave for work, Angela is thankful to have left her doors of opportunity unlocked. She briefly imagined what would have occurred if she had never sent out her application letter.

But just as it had started, Amelia was once again right. Indeed, initial impressions matter a lot. Heck, people will notice your shoes before acknowledging your overall appearance.

A second glance at Amelia's choice, and Angela's consciousness gets torn between putting on comfort versus offending Maya.

No, I'm never getting caught wearing that. I will flaunt my sensuality.

Angela reconciled and exclaimed to Amelia, “Give me that!”

“Took you long enough,” Amelia replied.

Thirty-five minutes' drive afterward, Angela stood before the sophisticated building of the Rex-field company. To think it's rumored to be owned by the city's most eligible bachelor had Angela gasping out, “Wow, what a dream come through!”

While the elegant beauty still couldn't believe her luck, finally standing within the frame of the Rex-fields, her feet nonetheless carried her to her new office.

Therein, she sat, arranging documents in order of significance. Her boss had yet to arrive at work. He's also rumored to be a ladies' man, a male who doesn't have sex beyond a one-night stand, thanks to Nicole's insights. Nicole's her new office friend; they met during orientation. A foot noise, however, nudges Angela to the incoming presence of another.

“ Rosa, the deal with the O—hems is not beneficial to our company goals. Tell them we are offering a 60-40 percent profit, or they should give up on the bid. We won't spend resources to revive a dying trade and expect low returns as gains.

That voice, layered with vibrations, with words of thoughts carefully measured. It appears I know that tone, or at least I suspect to whom it belongs. The handsome stranger? No way. Whatever was he doing here?

Frustrated, Angela paced her office in circles, panicking because only her door leads to the boss's office, and the unknown voice was approaching her.

A few seconds later, she is, indeed, standing to greet none other than the source of her sexually induced dreams. The driver to a peaceful sleep.

Delivering his mobile back to his pants, Rex paused in his strides to face her.

Initially shocked, he quickly masked his face with an unreadable expression.

It's even more surprising to see him heading toward the CEO's office, which can only mean he didn't come to see her.

Angela felt a pang of disappointment, but then realized he was probably here for her boss, who had yet to arrive.

Angela quickly shouted, “Halt! Excuse me, sir, but only the CEO is allowed through that door.”

The CEO? You must be new here, Rex said before turning to leave, leaving Angela standing there confused.

To her surprise, the mysterious man she had an intimate encounter with is now her boss!

Things are certainly interesting. Life takes unexpected turns.

Angela returned to her desk, ready to start her new journey with the enigmatic stranger nearby.

Lost in activity trying to get a report reviewed, a light thud on her desk had Angela looking upward to meet with Rex's annoyed face.

Read this, he said flatly, and then left without further explanation. Angela's heart raced as she picked up the booklet. It was titled “Rex-field By-Laws”.

Angela spent the next fifteen minutes reviewing the book's content.

Finding nothing out of the ordinary, all except for a rule prohibiting office romances, Angela checked her watch and saw that it was break time.

With her purse slung over her shoulder, Angela left the office, passing by a handsome CEO in the neighboring office.