Lunch date.

"Why not? I'm not going to complain about an early lunch," you say after a bit of thought.

"Okay then," grins Jackie. "I'll just power down my terminal and we'll be off."

A few clicks later, Jackie gets up with a purse clutched in her hand, smiling pleasantly at you as she nods. You follow her back through the corridors, turning your head to the side every now and then, as though curious or concerned what people might say if they saw you freely associating with the boss' secretary. All you get for your troubles are the sight of more empty desks and cubicles, and even the security guard at the entrance doesn't give you much more than a passing wave of acknowledgement.

"Any preferences?" Jackie asks as you enter the parking lot. "It's your call," you shrug. "I don't usually go further than the building cafeteria."

"You're missing out then," she teases. "Here, I'll bring you to one of my favorite places."

A short drive in Jackie's Mazda later, you reach the nearby mall - with its trendy multicolored facades and bustling variety of shops, it's a stark contrast from the dreary commercial building you're used to. Flashy displays, bubbly groups of teens and young adults pass you by, as Jackie leads you to one of her choice eateries.

"A salad bar?" you muse. "Didn't figure you to be the weight-watching type."

"Hey, even I need to watch my figure every once in a while," pouts Jackie, giving you a friendly nudge you in the ribs, smirking when you wince from the light but critical hit. "Don't worry, they've got carnivorous options if you want."

It doesn't take you too long to make your selections. You don't really have anything against raw vegetables; you've just never been particularly adventurous. Soon enough you carry a bowlful of iceberg lettuce and carrot slices to a small table in a corner, heaped with bacon bits and ranch. You barely start to tuck into your lunch before Jackie reappears with her own bowl, stuffed with rocket and capsicum and other produce you can't quite identify.

"No dressing?" you ask as Jackie sits opposite you, but she simply gives you a suggestive look before leaning in closer, giving you another eyeful of her cleavage. Not knowing what to make of it, you start spooning sauce, bacon and veg into your mouth, pleasantly surprised at how fresh and tasty it is. You raise your head to make a remark, but oddly enough, Jackie is no longer in her seat... and her salad bowl is gone as well.