Prove your worth

Jodie looked down at her nails she had painted earlier that day, seeing the light reflecting off of them made her smile. The first time she had painted or tried to paint her nails it had been a disaster, but now seeing the smooth glossy surface made her happy. It was a simple act that made her more attractive and she needed that considering what she was lacking. Adam was off at his meeting getting praised and Eric was off on his job site in Jersey. Adam was only a few floors up, Eric wasn’t that far away for a drive, neither were far yet she felt like a great distance. Her mind had snowballed while left alone. The vibrator going off after Adam left made her feel wanted, but when it went away and didn’t come back on it made her think back to him around other attractive woman. He loved her, and if he cheated with feelings like that it just meant she wasn’t enough for him, it didn’t matter that she was planning on breaking up with him and if she wasn’t enough for him how could she be enough for Eric. For her best friend, with as good as he was he would want a real woman and away he had the chance. She couldn’t even blame them if they did, it would be on her. She fought back some tears, her stupid emotions had been giving her so many highs and lows since she had to take those shots and right now she was having trouble keeping it under control. She couldn’t even go to the restroom, she had to stay put, she couldn’t disobey him. If she did it would only make things worse.

Sitting there Jodie wanted reassurance, so she sent both the men in her life a text.

Jodie: I love you! <3 <3

Jodie stared at her phone screen waiting with building anxiety. It was a lie with Adam, but one she had already said and he loved her, saying anything else would only bring her closer to losing him. It didn’t matter if she was going to break things off, she didn’t want to feel like she wasn’t enough… again. Feeling less than was life, or it used to be, as Jodie everyone seemed to like her and she didn’t want to go backwards. If she wasn’t enough for Adam, what if she wasn’t enough for Eric, he was a good man. One of the best and he deserved so much.. He loved her and she really wanted to live up to what he needed, she just wasn’t sure she could. Jodie wasn’t even sure where all these dark thoughts came from, but they just wouldn’t leave her alone. It was like being haunted by past insecurities you thought you had beaten. When her phone chirped some of the darkness in her mind was pushed back.

Adam: I love you more, be down shortly.

A message from Eric would have been better, but he often didn’t respond right away even when he wasn’t busy. He was never one to be glued to his phone, she hadn’t been either not long ago, but now the little pink phone she got from Adam never left her side. She was always doing something on it. Jodie gave a small smile at the pink device sitting on her desk, rereading Adam’s message. He had a bad reputation and wasn’t perfect, but she didn’t think he was a bad man. He loved her and that was what mattered, he was the first person she had been in a relationship with that said those words and meant them. She wasn’t sure if things would be easier or harder if she loved him back like she did Eric, but considering those feelings it was good that she would be able to end this relationship before she hurt him. It was like thinking of the man summoned him, walking across the room she saw a sad face on Adam. “Come into my office, we have to talk.” He said as he got to her desk, no trace of a smile. Jodie’s mind whirled with possibilities as to why he would look upset and say those words. Nothing good ever came from saying we have to talk. Getting up from her desk Jodie smoothed her skirt and followed and closed the door behind her as Adam sat at his desk and let out a long sigh.

“I had a long talk and it seems I will not be getting promoted to VP.” His voice sounded almost monotone to Jodie. “Oh no! That can’t be true.” Jodie said, moving around the desk and sitting herself in Adam’s lap. She looked up to him and put one hand on his cheek with a little pout. “I’m sure you got it, you have to.” She wasn’t sure if this needed to happen for her own move. Adam closed his eyes as he pressed his forehead to hers for a second before pulling back to look into her deep blue eyes, while she looked into his pale blue ones. “They said no one is getting the promotion right now, we have to wait till the end of the quarter for everyone's numbers to come in so that it is fair to everyone.” Sitting down in his lap pushed the device again, but she didn’t feel him getting excited, this wasn’t time for that. “I’m sorry baby, I’m sure you will get it later.” Adam shook his head and pulled Jodie in for a long embrace, just holding her in the hug. Adam kissed her, fondled her, teased her, but he wasn’t one to hug. She could tell he was hurting. “That bitch.. She promised me and not with the normal political speak of maybes and we will see, no she said if I was able to close this deal with a higher profit margin that expected this job would be mine. A job I have earned several times over by now and yet I have to wait for others to have a chance to catch up. You don’t wait for everyone to finish a race before you declare the first person to cross the line the winner. This is bullshit.. Complete bullshit.” Adam said this as he pulled back looking at Jodie for comfort and then let out a sigh as he pulled her close again. “I’m sorry, I know you don’t get all this.”

Jodie wanted to tell him she understood everything he was saying, but he didn’t need that right now, he needed someone to just be there to reassure him. Like he had done to her just a little bit ago with that text, even if he didn’t know he was doing it. “You will get it, I’m sure. You are Adam Wesker, a man that gets what he wants. You earned this, you deserve this and I believe in you.” Jodie gave a little nod at the end to punctuate the sentence as she whispered the message to him in the embrace. Adam pulled back and kissed her in a long, soft, lingering kiss. Giving her a partial smile as he pulled away. “You are the best, thank you for being in my corner.” Jodie gave him the brightest smile she could to help reassure him. “I’m sorry it was just a punch in the gut, that and she brought up taking you from me and I know, I know it was me who pushed you in this direction. It was just a reminder of something I will lose, when you are gone to the upper floors will you still come down to spend time with your boyfriend?” When he said that it felt like she was betraying him, knowing she wouldn’t. “Like, as often as I can.” Jodie lied with a sweet smile and felt guilty for it. “Good, but sadly the bitch is going to make you prove yourself. She has a meeting at four with a client, and anyone she is handling personally is big. I don’t know what she wants you to do, but this is your chance to show her you want this job. That is… if you still want to transfer.” The man was so confident most of the time, but when he asked that it was like him asking if she was going to abandon him. Jodie gave him a quick kiss and resumed her smile.

“You know I like attention, but you know what they say about the heart growing.” She said trying to be cute. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Though if you are absent you are more than likely shopping.” Jodie scrunched up her face at how accurate that statement was, but let out a giggle as Adam’s fingers tickled her on the back of her knee. A spot he learned tickled her over their last trip. “Stop that!” Jodie said, giving a light slap to Adam’s chest. “I’m, like, totally sure I can handle whatever test they throw at me, I’m smarter than I look.” Not having to think lately had been wonderful with the lack of stress, but she was determined to use her critical thinking skills to show that she could handle much more than getting coffee if it meant securing her future. “You have many amazing talents my love, don’t try and force yourself to be someone else. If she doesn’t want you lifting her up, then I for one will love every extra day I get to come into the office and see your smile. Speaking of smiling…” Adam said, turning on his phone screen, allowing Jodie to see the app he had up to control the device inside of her. “Don’t you dare! I have to be ready for this meeting. It would be better if I could take it out so that I can perform better though.” Adam rubbed his chin briefly like he was considering the request. “Sorry, I told you to keep it in till tonight and I meant it. I guess it was a good thing you chose not to be under my desk all day.” Adam’s mood had improved greatly over the last few minutes of her sitting on his lap and as he mentioned her under his she could feel his manhood coming to life. The thought of him removing the device and taking her so she could clear her head sounded amazing, but if he said it wouldn’t be till after hours, then it wouldn’t be till after hours and she had hours left of him edging her. Jodie gave a peck to the man’s cheek, happy she could cheer him up.

It was hours later when Jodie stood in front of the Vice President of Acquisitions of Mega Corp. She was taller than Jodie, or would be if Jodie didn’t wear six inch heels to work every day. She had her blonde hair cut in a crisp bob haircut that came half way down her neck, with not a hair out of place. She was wearing a black dress that came down to her knees and a turquoise blazer, tan hose and simple three inch black heels. She looked Jodie up and down, looking displeased at what she saw. “We meet again, Miss Applegate, Adam has been singing your praises with how you have increased his productivity and how you helped with the Jenkin’s deal.” Ignoring the distasteful look she was getting, “I’m, like, so happy to see you again! Oh, and you can just call me Jodie, everyone else does.” She said with a smile hoping to get on her good side. A brief memory of the first time she saw Cynthia Sairiff, when she tamed the two men with just a few words and how it was the first time she introduced herself to another person as Jodie. “Well Jodie, I don’t know about you increasing productivity, but I do believe someone with your skill set can be useful to me. In a few minutes Mr. Darson is coming to speak about a current deal that fell through, and I am going to be picking up the pieces. You are going to get us refreshments, take the minutes and distract Mr. Darson.” Jodie tilted her head a little hoping to God that she wasn’t talking about giving the man a blow job under the table. She wanted to prove herself, but not like that and yet with as horny as Jodie was she couldn’t help herself from licking her lips. She didn’t want another man’s cock near her, she was truly happy to know the thought was disgusting, yet the thought of a blow job did things to her. Cynthia let out what sounded to be an annoyed sigh with an added eye roll.

“No, Miss Applegate, let me make something clear to you. Working for me will not mean you sleep with or blow every client so you can get your way. I’m sure that has worked for you in the past, but no longer. I don’t expect you to woo anyone with your knowledge, I just want you to be personable, flirt while asking some personal questions to keep the client interested in you and distract him from considering the down sides of signing any deal I put forward.” When Cynthia saw the perplexed look on the young secretary's face continued. “It’s simple, smile at him, be kind, flirt, keep him interested in you, but no sleeping with him or any clients. In fact if you start working for me I don’t want you doing anything like that here. That includes your boyfriend, but what you do on your own time away from work is your own business. If I can teach you anything it will be that you do not have to sleep your way to the top. Now, back straight, chest out and try to look demure, men love that. He will be here shortly.” Jodie was a mix of emotions, she hated that this woman just assumed she was some slut that fucked any man and yet happy that it was off the table. Back when Adam brought her to Florida she had thought he might make her do something like that, and he might have if he wasn’t so possessive. Miss Sairiff didn’t seem to have a high opinion of her, but she had just made it a rule she couldn’t go and have sex with Adam at the office, and that was good. That would make breaking up with him easier she thought, but it would also meant she couldn’t have sex with Adam and while her mind said that was good, it felt bad. With Adam it started with him just using her and it had to continue to keep the job, but when you live a life with no one really wanting you, when you run into those people that do. Even if it is just to use you, you know they at least want you, or something from you and it felt good. That blossomed into love, she wished she could feel the same way back with how wonderful it felt to be looked at and thought of in that way. Yet she knew the only real path forward for a good life would be with Eric, but it meant giving up on one of the two people that actually said those wonderful words and meant it.

The snap of Cynthia’s fingers caught Jodie’s attention. “Pay attention girl.” The woman’s face was stern and Jodie noticed for the first time her current assistant Ashley Hancel had arrived with her laptop under one arm, she too looked at Jodie with disapproval. “Hi Ashley.” Jodie tried to sound upbeat and happy to see her, but received a scowl and a rebuttal to her use of the first name. “I would appreciate it if you called me Miss Hancel if you don’t mind.” Jodie gave a bashful nod at the terse words and decided to do as her potential new boss Cynthia, or Miss Sairiff as she was sure she would want to be called, had told her to. Jodie held her hands before her, clasped together as she looked to the ground as if averting her eyes from everyone around her. There she stood trying to stay in the moment and not think about the device in her rear that could turn on at any second, her need to get off or what the near future would bring and what she would have to do. Soon enough a man that was a little taller than Eric, with a slightly smaller build came walking down the hallway as if he owned the place. Jodie would have said he was in his late thirties if it wasn’t for the extent of the white in his short, dark hair. “Good afternoon Mr. Darson, I’m glad you could come so we could discuss the offer and work past the missteps that have been made.” Jodie glanced up at the man and then looked back down when she caught his eye looking at her. “If you told me I would have the attention of three beautiful women I might have come down faster.” Cynthia gave a small smile at his comment and Jodie looked at Ashley for the first time. She was a tall woman, almost six foot tall with pixie cut for her blonde hair, while she wore a black pants suit, with a light blue shirt that matched her eyes. She also might have been one of the only girls Jodie had seen at Mega Corp that didn’t wear heels and Jodie didn’t think she was wearing any makeup. Internally she scoffed at the idea that this man found her to be beautiful.“

If you need any refreshments please let Miss Applegate here know.” With her name said Jodie wanting to jump right into this role, get this mans attention and hold it. Looking up Jodie caught the man’s eye again and gave him a sheepish smile and held out his hand palm down. When he took her outstretched hand she brightened her smile a little before averting her eyes. “You can call me Jodie if you like.” She added a little giggle at the end not to entice the man further, it just came out as she thought about flirting with the man or how she could. “A pleasure to meet you Jodie, would you mind getting me a coffee, no cream, three sugars.” Jodie looked back into the man’s eyes and flashed him a full smile. “Absolutely! Be right back.” She said before walking off down the hallway away from the conference room. It wasn’t till she rounded a corner that she realized she didn’t know where the break room was on this floor. “Excuse me, ahh where is the break room where I can make some coffee?” Jodie said as she knocked lightly on the side of a frost glass wall in front of an office that had an open door and the name tag of Ivette Facundo. She had no idea who the person was, or what they did, but she was friendly enough and gave her directions, but it would mean walking back in front of the conference room she had just walked away from. Jodie hoped they didn’t see her and hurried along to finish the task of making the coffee for the man, not even thinking about how she didn’t ask or even wait to see if Cynthia or Ashley wanted something too.

Biting her lower lip as she stirred in the sugar in the hot liquid before looking up to the ceiling, pleading with whatever power might be listening to make this go better than how it started. When she looked back down an idea struck her and she put the made coffee on a tray she found in a cabinet, added two more cups upside down and filled a pitcher with the already made coffee. Lastly she added a few bottles of water to the tray, smiling at herself as she picked it up, happy to have come up with an idea to potentially save face from who she hoped would be her new boss. She had long been used to walking around in the incredibly high heels, but carrying a tray full of liquids, one already in a glass and doing so without spilling was more difficult than she would have thought, but soon enough she was backing into the conference room door to open it with her hands full. “I got your coffee and some more in case anyone else wanted something.” Jodie placed the mug of coffee in front of Mr. Darson under a white napkin. “Here you go Mr. Darson, hope you like it.” She said standing purposely in his personal space, with how he took a deep breath, more than likely smelling her perfume he was enjoying the attention. “Thank you Jodie, and please call me Phil.” his fingers touching and running across Jodie’s fingers for a second as the touched the mug of coffee before she let go. Jodie started to move to a seat opposite him, when Cynthia spoke up as she took a mug for herself. “Would you mind getting us some packets of sweetener, sugar, creamer packets and milk please.” Cynthia made it sound like a request, but when she said it Jodie looked at the tray and knew it was her being polite about pointing out a mistake. “Yes, Ma’am.” Jodie said before escaping the room, before anyone notice the blush on her cheeks from the embarrassment.

It was just one thing after another, she wasn’t a ditz, she really wasn’t, yet she was having so many problems thinking things through before acting. In the break room she slapped her cheeks once with each hand lightly. “Get it together Applebottom… I mean Applegate, Jesus I’m getting my own name wrong, I need to calm down… I need.. I need God I need to have sex.” Jodie said the last word much quieter than the others. With every sway of her hips she could feel the plug and she hoped Adam didn’t decide to have any fun with it while she was out here. Collecting herself she returned to the conference room, placing the requested items on the tray before sitting next to Phil as he offered her a seat. In the meeting Cynthia was doing almost all of the talking while Jodie tried to follow along writing on her notepad. She briefly wondered what Ashley was doing typing on her laptop, but focusing on the meeting became harder when she felt Phil’s hand on her knee and gently rub it and the inside of her thigh. The notes suffered greatly, but she was able to hold enough attention to what was going on that when Phil spoke up she knew she had to do something. “I don’t know, I think you are underestimating the projected profits in next year's third quarter, we always pickup from any dips in the first two about then.” Jodie put down her pen and reached under the table, putting one hand on top of Phil’s as the finger tips caressed her stocking tops, driving her wild. Leaning in closer she touched his crisp yellow tie in two fingers and whispered to him. “I love your tie, yellow is so pretty it reminds me of gold. I just love gold, don’t you?” Looking away from Cynthia, his eyes looked into the playful mascara and eye shadow covered eyes of Jodie. He was already nodding a little at her question, leaning in closer to her as she pulled on his tie just enough for him to feel the tug. Cynthia continued her presentation, Jodie wasn’t sure if she answered his question or not with her own attention focused on what could only be described as her prey. By the end of the meeting Jodie had maybe four lines of writing on her pad of paper, a doodle of a smiley face, a few musical notes and Phil’s name written with a phone number in a different handwriting.

Jodie watched Mr. Darson shake Cynthia’s hand, happy with the meeting. “Well I do have to say I’m much happier with you handling this, but you haven’t sold me on anything yet. What do you say you send Jodie out with me to discuss a few details. Then the two of us can close things up over the phone sometime tomorrow?” Cynthia pursed her lips and shook her head slightly. “I’m afraid she doesn’t know any particulars about your account and while I’m sure the two of you would enjoy each other's company, she has other work to do.” The disappointment on the man’s face was evident, both of them knowing what he was asking. “If you have any questions on the packet today we can schedule a follow up meeting with the three of us for tomorrow if you like, I’m willing to bet Miss Applegate would enjoy seeing you again before you sign the deal.” Jodie caught the glance from her would-be boss and rushed over, taking Phil’s arm into both of her own, holding it to herself. “I would really love that, can I see you tomorrow Phil?” Jodie could feel his body’s reaction as she laid it on thick and extremely happy the woman wasn’t offering her up to him. It was disgusting he was even asking with the ring she could see on his finger. “That sounds like something we can work out, I will reach out to you about a time. Now if I can’t extend my time with you girls somewhere more comfortable than an office I think I will take my leave. Have a wonderful day ladies.” Jodie watched the man walk out with the same swagger he came in with. “That was well done Miss Applegate, I don’t really approve of these methods, but I can’t deny the effectiveness of having someone like you on my team. If you can assist tomorrow like you did today…” Cynthia’s eyes moved over to the coffee pitcher. “Perhaps a little better, then I don’t see why I could sign off on your transfer. With the red tape I would suspect you will have a desk outside my office by mid december. So enjoy the time with your boyfriend at the office for the next few months, after that you will have to see him on your own time. For now though, please tidy up and then you are excused to head back to your desk.”

Jodie nodded, proud of herself, this was a strong powerful woman and she was accepting of her. She even told her she had done a good job and considering her starting opinion of her that felt like a huge success. Moving the coffee mugs to the tray Jodie looked up to see Ashley hold the glass open for Cynthia, after Cynthia walked out but before Ashley could Jodie called out to her. “Have a wonderful day Ashley!” The woman gave Jodie a cold glare before leaving without saying a word. “Don’t be mad at me for being replaced, maybe if you took a little pride in your appearance this wouldn’t be happening.” Jodie said out loud to herself with some satisfaction. She didn’t know what was going to happen to her when Jodie started being Cynthia’s assistant, and she didn’t want her to be fired, but if she was being honest with herself she didn’t care. Ashley had been cold to her from the start, she wasn’t sure how someone like that could be in the position she was in. Someone like Tiffany should have it, someone pretty and kind, the type of person people wanted to be around. Jodie made a mental note to text her when she was done here and tell her how it all went. Today was turning out to be the oddest day.