An encounter as they approach the study room

Kathy and Jennifer approach what appears to be the study. As they approach, Kathy notices someone waiting outside, drinking a glass of wine.

It is David: a fairly senior assistant manger that had helped her settle in. David was fairly nice at work, and helped her out a few times with the budget. He had always been friendly but professional, and tended to make a few harmless jokes whenever they met, which kept their interactions light.

As Kathy and Jennifer approach the study, David gestures them over. He is dressed in a black suit with an expensive looking silver pen in his top pocket.

“Hi, Kathy! It's good to see you here. Who’s your friend?” he said studying their party favours closely as he gave her a hug.

“Hey David. This is Jennifer,” she says. She looks to Jennifer, and sees her eyes sparkling at David.

"Well hello," Jennifer says, seductively. She reaches out an arm to hold out her hand, palm down. David obligingly kisses the back of her hand. Jennifer laughs gently.

Kathy is surprised: Jennifer hasn't even had anything to drink yet.

“It's lovely to meet such a charming -- and may I say, sexy -- lady as you, Jennifer." Jennifer giggles softly at the come-on.

Kathy is surprised at David's forwardness. She tries to defuse the situation slightly, saying: "Behave, you two." Jennifer smiles coquettishly at Kathy, and David just chuckles.

"Have you two been here long?" he says, gesturing at the mansion.

"No, we've just arrived," says Jennifer.

"I have to say," adds Kathy, "this place is absolutely enormous. It's like a hotel."

Jennifer raises an eyebrow. "Imagine all the empty rooms there must be to get a private moment," she says, suggestively. She looks to David.

"Uh, yes," says Kathy, awkwardly.

David just smiles. "I suppose that you haven't had much of a chance to work out what's going on with the necklaces, yet?"

Kathy's brow furrows. "No, Jessica just put these on us, and said it was a 'fun secret'. Is it important? I see you're not wearing one."

"Oh, no," says David, pulling up a sleeve. "The men get chain bracelets instead. " He showed off a bracelet with a golden chain, some very small electronic-looking boxes on each link. "I don't know what they do, but they all seem more similar to one another than the women's necklaces."

"Do you know what they're for?" asks Kathy.

"Some of them," David says, smiling. He looks to Jennifer's and to Kathy's necklaces like he had a secret. At least, Kathy considered, I think he's looking at our necklaces.

Jennifer adjusts her blouse self-consciously. "Oh! Do you know what ours are for?" she asks, slightly over-enthusiastically.

David taps his nose. "I can't tell you. You might be able to work it out, though, if you pay close attention." He sidles up to Jennifer, conspiratorially. "It's all part of a game, you see. One where I can do things like this," he says, cupping Jennifer's left breast from underneath.

Kathy is shocked at David's behaviour. She can't quite muster anything to say, however. But she is even more surprised by Jennifer's reaction.

"Oooh, I like this game, David!" she smiles. "Does that mean I can do this?" She reaches down into his trousers --- Kathy notices for the first time that he's not wearing a belt --- and seems to take something into her hand. "Mmmm, that's nice!"

Kathy doesn't have to work out what Jennifer has taken hold of. Without warning, the thought of David's cock comes to mind, compelling. Her mouth begins to water. She manages to snap out of it, wanting to break up the situation between David and Jennifer. Who knows what stories they will end up telling about Jennifer --- or about her!

Kathy manages to say something. "Um, Jennifer," she says. She wants to ask her what she is doing, but she can't make out the words. She tries to think of how to get out of this situation. "Ah, shall we go find some punch?"

Jennifer turns to Kathy with an arched eyebrow and a smile, but nods. "Sure, Kathy. Hold that --- thought, for me David," she adds saucily, as she daintily extracts her hand from David's trousers.

"It's nice to meet you, Jennifer," says David, unperturbed by the interruption. "Let's chat later. See you, Kathy."

Kathy and Jennifer walks into the study, and Kathy pulls in close. "Jennifer, what's gotten into you?"

Jennifer turns and smirks. "Nothing. Yet," she quipped. "I think David might be willing to help out with that."

Kathy turns to Jennifer. "Jen! What's going on?" she hisses.

Jennifer stops, and shrugs. "I don't know. All I know is that I'm feeling really good. Come on, it's a party, relax!"

Kathy fumes sliently. "But it's a work party. And you were talking about working at the firm. Is this the first impression you want to make?"

Jennifer cocks her head slightly. "I can take care of myself, Kathy. Besides, David started it," she added in defence. "Not that I mind," she says, turning her head to look at him.

Kathy's brow furrows. "Just be careful tonight, okay?"

Jennifer smiles. "Don't worry about me Kath," she reassures her friend. "And don't worry about what I was doing with David, either. I look forward to engaging more with him, later." she sais, looking back at David.

Now it is Jennifer's turn to furrow her brow. "Though maybe you should worry about her," she says.