Not quite ...

For the first time, Jenny saw this man as a man, not a boss, not a blackmailer, nor a perverted creep. She could feel a certain aura emanating, and was quickly succumbing to it. It could have been the power he possessed, his mere size, the finely muscled features, the ebony color of his skin, or even the bulge she had initially glimpsed when introduced; she was excited by the way his eyes seemed to undress her. She was reminded of Brad, and how he made her feel much the same way, but there was something more intense in his mannerisms.

The two sat motionless and speechless, Jenny awaiting his verbal appraisal of her performance.

“Well! You said you were a quick learner! That is definitely a very good trait to have around here.”

Mr. Roselle's evaluation had filled Jenny with pride and hope, not to mention the increasing wetness between her legs as well as the tightness in her chest. She could feel her nipples puckering into hardened nubs, wondering if they were visible to the man sitting across from her. She dared not look for herself though.

Once again, Jenny's euphoria was short lived as the boss's demeanor had suddenly changed, a saddened expression filling his visage. “However, as I stated Miss McArdle, training takes time and time costs money. In order to run a profitable business, one has to have a return on investment. In other words, if I were to spend time and money on you, when would I recoup the initial lost revenue? How long till I saw profitable output? Missy makes me money by ensuring I have happy guests on arrival, by relieving me of mundane tasks, giving me time to focus on making more money, by keeping the staff motivated and happy, and most importantly keeping me free from worry and needless stress. I can't be spending time, ensuring you are putting files away appropriately.”

The wind had been completely taken from Jenny's sail. She had lost. Euphoria was quickly being replaced by distress. Despair in her voice, Jenny began to plead. “Please Mr. Roselle! There must be some way I can prove that I'd be a great employee. There has to be something I can do that will save you time and money, enough to cover my pay. I promise not to be a burden on your time or your profit. Besides, it's only for the summer. Then I'll be away at college and I won't be on your payroll anymore. Is there anywhere else I can perform? I don't want Missy to lose her job because of me. Maybe there's something she does that I can do to help her be more productive. Maybe I can handle some of her chores to free up her time to do more tasks for you? Please Mr. Roselle! I really need this job!”

Jenny could feel the desperation in her plea, praying that the boss could find the generosity and resolve to find something, no matter how small or trivial, to offer her as gainful employment. Her hopes were glimmering in the distance as he seemed to be contemplating some various options.

“So, Miss McArdle, what is it that you are doing now to earn money for college? And, why is it that you want to work here so badly? I may have something in mind ...”

Jenny felt a wave of euphoria envelop her once more as her level of anticipation rose. However, she was drowning in the reality of her situation, scrambling for a respectable answer to his question.

“Well, I was doing some babysitting,” she offered. “The problem is that it doesn't pay that well and it's kind of sporadic.”

The large figure behind the desk, leaned forward once again, his face intensely examining hers. He didn't say a single word, or utter a single sound. The sound of his index finger tapping away on the wooden desk filled Jenny's ears. The otherwise silence was nerve wracking, causing Jenny to fidget. After what felt like an enormity of time passing by, Jenny elaborated slightly on her predicament.

Lowering her head in apparent shame, and in an effort to avoid his unnerving gaze, Jenny half-heartedly, and half-whispered, “And ...”

“And what, Miss McArdle?”

Every time he said her formal name in that manner, it sounded increasingly demeaning, raising her feeling of submissiveness to the imposing one sitting across from her. She felt small answering her potential employer. “Some things have come up recently, and my services may not be needed anymore.”

Jenny held her breath, pleading silently to any god that would listen, that she not be **** to divulge more than she already had. She couldn't bear to tell this man that she had been blackmailed to apply for this job in order to keep pictures of her having sex with the father of the children she was charged to care for, reaching the mother of the children, nor her own parents, who were close friends of the family. She said no more, listening to the continued 'thud' of the finger tapping on the desk that separated her from the boss.

“That's a shame,” Mr. Roselle stated, finally breaking the strained silence. “Unfortunately I don't have any children for you to babysit.” He had shifted once again in his seat so that he was reclining once more, his finger no longer making the deafening drumbeat. “However, you had raised some good points.” His eyes portrayed a glimmer of their own, as if there was an idea floating around, giving Jenny the tiniest bit of hope to cling to. “It's obvious that you can't replace Missy in her capacity. You're administrative skill sets don't compare to hers. It would be a complete waste of my time and money to retrain you, or anyone else for that matter, in her abilities.”

Ron knew every little dirty secret Jenny was hiding thanks to Mark. He knew how to play on the emotional strings of the unsuspecting filly. He was determined to keep her on the emotional roller coaster, until she was so broken and **** that she'd clutch at the first real opportunity given. Little would Jenny realize how intricate the web had been woven. She was such a minute piece in a much larger, grandiose scheme of events that he and Mark had created. He glanced at his watch, noting that he had wasted the better part of the afternoon away, and that the entire office staff, including Missy, were leaving for the day. This left the two of them alone, for the time being.

“You were right about a few things though. As you had proven earlier, you are a fast learner. You proposed an alternative I had not considered, and now I sit here contemplating the return on investment I had spoken of. You may indeed, be able to perform 'some' of the tasks Missy performs. That would free her up to perform additional duties, in essence, decreasing the workload of myself and others in the office, which in return would hopefully lead to increased production, sales, and revenue.”

Ron was thankful that Jenny had been the one to propose an idea that he could expound upon. He initially thought she just may resort to sex at the first implication of not being hired. He was glad that she had a little bit of a fight within her, trying to maintain a sense of dignity. It was the game he wanted to play with her, pushing her buttons, making it seem as everything was her idea.

“Periodically throughout the year, and especially during the summer months, there exist business expos, sales seminars, and various business gatherings. ABC prides itself on creating and maintaining lasting relationships with various business partners at these events. We set up a booth to advertise our company, and attend the various networking events to bolster the relationships and close deals made. These events are held at various locations across the states, and occasionally overseas. Missy has some assets and skill sets that makes her presence at these events desirable. However, when she is at these events, her administrative tasks are set aside until she returns.”

Jenny was a little confused at this point. She wasn't as good as Missy, but Missy wasn't around all the time? He didn't want to train her, but he wanted her to fill in for her while she was away? Did he want her to be like a temp agency employee, on call, only when she was needed? She continued to listen, pushing the questions aside for the time being.

“From what I've seen so far, Miss McArdle, you definitely possess the same 'assets' Missy provides at these events.” Jenny had missed his emphasis on the the word 'assets'. “What I'm unsure of, is whether you possess the same skill sets.”

Again, Jenny felt the crush of a million bricks upon her soul. She fought back the tears that were threatening to fill her eyes, focusing instead on controlling her breathing. She said nothing as the employer continued relating his thoughts.

“Missy also coordinates all the company hosted events, whether they are for clients, business associates, or employees. She handles all the entertainment and amenities needed to make each event a huge success. Again, I think you have the 'assets' to pull this off, but I'm not sure if you have the skill sets.”

Jenny couldn't take it any longer. She was chasing the dangling carrot that the owner of the company had put in front of her. “Mr. Roselle, sir? I can assure you that once I set my mind to something, I can surely excel in whatever I am faced with. If only given a chance, I am sure I can prove to you that your faith in me will not go without reward. I promise to do whatever is needed, and will do my best while doing it. What do I have to do to prove that I am worth taking a risk on, by hiring me as an employee?”