Family Business (closed)

[alex_v]

Thomas Jeffery Grogram sat in his spacious office, behind the large desk going over a stack of applications for the tenth time. The 48 year old was owner and founder of a mid sized manufacturer for custom made bathrooms and showers. They mainly sold their goods to hotels and resorts that required special designs and up-to-date features for their newest projects. Business was good and there was a high demand, since Thomas’ company was known for being creative and reliable at the same time.

Not satisfied with the selection, Thomas Grogram pushed the applications aside. He was looking for a new personal assistant. His last one, Amanda, was leaving the company after 15 years to enjoy an early retirement. However, nobody that had applied, seemed to be the right kind of person that Thomas looked for. He needed someone reliable, that he could trust with the most sensitive materials, someone smart, energetic, and dedicated. Thomas knew, that the job was hard, but also paid very well, compared to other secretaries in the company.

When he got up to ask Amanda to do a new search for possible candidates, his eyes came across the wedding picture of his son and his lovely bride on his desk. James was dressed in a black suit and his young wife, Grace, in a beautiful white dress. Both of them worked for the company as well - it was indeed a family business. James was a vice director in the production department, working his way up become one day Thomas’ successor. Grace was a secretary in the marketing department, where she was doing a very good job.

Suddenly Thomas had an idea. Grace was the perfect candidate for becoming his assistant. She was smart, dedicated, good looking, and she and Thomas understood each other really well. Some people in the company might look a bad at the idea of him promoting his own daughter-in-law, but Thomas didn’t care and Grace was performing well, so she deserved it. He dumbed the applications in his trash can and grabbed his phone.

“Hi, Grace, how are you? Do you have time for an early lunch? I have something important to discuss with you.”

 

[sweetblueeyedgirl]

Grace Grogram was twenty years old. She Started working for Thomas Jeffery Grogram a year ago when she married her husband. Grace worked hard and was always the last one to leave the office. she loved work. she would often stay late to make sure everything was ready for her boss in the morning. Grace and james were always working and never really saw each other and thus were slowly falling apart from each other.

Grace was at her desk when her phone rang." Hello ah yeah i can do that sir i will be up in a few moments." Grace hung up and grabbed her purse and started for the elevator. she pushed the very top button. Grace was nervous maybe she was getting fired. no she was a hard worker there is no way. she tried to calm down but jumped when the doors opened.

Graced walked out and knocked on Thomas's door." you wanted to see me sir," she stepped in and closed the door. she smiled as she saw one of her wedding pictures on his desk." what did you want to see me about sir," she looked down and bit her lip nervously."

 

[alex_v]

Thomas smiled when he saw his daughter-in-law enter his office. She looked great and was obviously a bit nervous about being called to the top floor. “Hi, Grace, it’s great that you could come up here so quickly, thank you.” He got up and rose to his full 6’2’’ height. His habit of staying connected to the actual construction work had preserved Thomas’ muscular body that he had gotten as a young man.

“How do you like working in the marketing department, Grace? As you might have heard, my assistant Amanda is going to leave the company in a month. It has been very hard to find someone to replace her. There are not many people out there, who are capable of handling the workload as well the commitment to the company.” He walked over to wardrobe to get his jacket.

“Actually, I just found one suitable candidate… “ He turned toward his young daughter-in-law and smiled at her. “You, Grace…!” He opened the door to the office, like nothing special had just happened. “How does the little Italian around the corner sound for lunch, while we talk about this?”

 

[sweetblueeyedgirl]

Grace was shocked she could not believe what had came from Tom's mouth. Sure she knew Amanda was leaving but she did not expect this to happen." Tom I don't know what to say. Am I even right for this. Sure I am a hard worker but won't people talk. That place is great."


Grace walked out with Tom and smiled. She was not sure she was right for the job but she would hear out Tom's proposal. As they walked Grace would look at Tom and think how hansome he was. She loved this man already but she was not sure if it was daughterly love.


Grace smiled at the small cafe. She loved conning here. It was nice and quite. She smiled as Tom pulled her chair out." So tell me Tom what's all this about. I'm sure you came find someone much better then me to assist you. Plus James will flip you now how controlling he is. Your asking me to spend all my time at the office. James already hates it that I'm never home before . He is. I don't know if I can do this." Grace sighed she did want this but she wasn't sure it was worth her husband's wrath.

 

[alex_v]

Thomas sat down on the other side of the table, facing his daughter-in-law. The 20 year old looked beautiful and Thomas thought that his son had really been lucky to get a girl like Grace as a wife. “Well, actually we have been looking for quite some time and spend a lot of money on head hunters, but all those men and women they suggested weren’t what I have been looking for.”

The waiter appeared and gave them the menus and took their orders for a drink. “I build the company on family values and hard work. I didn’t feel good about hiring some person from the outside that doesn’t fit 100% with our company culture. As my assistant you have to work with lots of customers and most of the companies employees, hence it’s a very important function. So, I need someone that I can totally trust and who is smart and a hard worker and you is accepted inside the company. And you fit all those criteria, Grace. You have proven yourself, you know the company, and you are family.”

Thomas loved the blond hair, which reflected the light from the lamp above Grace. The blue streaks were not really Thomas taste, but they were part of Grace personality. He would have to talk to her about them, when it came to meeting clients, but that wasn’t his current problem. “I guess the message here is, you are fully qualified for the job. And James will understand that and if not, I will make sure that he does.” He smiled at Grace. “This is a great chance for you, Grace. It will mean more work, that is right, but it also will triple your salary. You will see interesting project and get to interact with lot of our clients.”

The waiter appeared again with their drinks and Thomas ordered one of the chef’s specialties that weren’t on the menu for both of them. “Just give it a fair chance, that’s all I am asking, Grace. Maybe you give it a try and we see how it goes.”

 

[sweetblueeyedgirl]

Grace smiled when Tom said she would talk with James." if you think i am the perfect person for the job i am in." Grace smiled and began eating her lunch." when will i begin this new position." Grace looked at tom. It had been a while since she saw him. tom was still built. for a man his age. he was just now showing a few grey spots. Tom was a very good looking man for his age. But his son did not get the beauty gene.


grace finished her lunch and sat talking and laughing with Tom for hours." Tom I have loved this but i think we better get back. Plus i need to get home early and make sure dinner is ready for James. he has had quite the temper lately and i dont want to upset him." what time should i be in the office." Grace looked at tom and smiled. she kissed his cheek and walked back to the office with him.

 

[alex_v]

While they walked back, Thomas steered the conversation back to the new job. “You will start at your new position tomorrow. Amanda is only around for one more month and I think it would be helpful that you two get started on handing over all the open projects and tasks.” He smiled satisfied, knowing that one problem was solved. Additionally Grace was far better to look at than Amanda. The 20 year old was actually pretty hot in Thomas’ eyes. She had a nice, fit body, with the right cloth she would be a real eye candy for Thomas office.

“I guess James will have to get used to cooking his own dinner. Or you send that extra salary on someone to help you in the household. But your hours at the office will start early and usually last way past 6 or 7 pm. Additionally, there will be business trips to visit the various development project, clients, and trade fairs.” He looked a bit concerned at Grace when she mentioned that James had developed a temper lately. “I don’t want to get between you two. But I honestly think that this is a great chance for your two. Additionally it can be quite good for a relationship to spend some time apart. Carol and me usually have the best sex when I’m coming back from week long trip.” He laughed and smiled at his cute daughter-in-law.

 

[sweetblueeyedgirl]

I Grace giggled with excitement." I cannot wait to work for you Tom. And James won't allow help. He says it's my job and that I shouldbe home all the time.we are trying for a baby but no luck yet and I think this is why he hates me working. Tom he thinks I should be a maid. Grace blushed at the sex part of the conversation and looked down." Me and James we....do...don't have sex. I need to lose weight he says." Grace blushed even redder.


Grace kissed Tom on the cheek got in her camero and waved bye. At six am sharp she stood at Amanda's desk in a tight black dress with black stilettos. Her long hair in a bun and she was ready for work. Amanda came into show how things were done but had to leave.


Grace made sure she was by Tom's desk with his coffee and work files." Good morning Tom here is your coffee and files. You have a one thirty and a four o'clock meeting. James called in said he had to take a business trip and won't be back for a couple of weeks is there anything else I can do for you."

 

[alex_v]

Thomas had been a bit worried about Grace’s and James’ relationship after hearing about their problem. The 48 year old couldn’t understand how his son could expect that his wife would stay home and be the mother of his children. Although Thomas and his wife Carol had raised their kids in a similar fashion, the business man was aware that times had changed and that women like Grace wanted the best of both worlds. They wanted to combine family and their jobs at the same time. They would not settle for organizing charity functions and tennis lessons like Carol did, nowadays.

Actually, Thomas had been worried that Grace might decline his offer once she had talked to James, but when she was waiting with a steaming coffee right at his desk when he came into the office, he felt joy and satisfaction. The young wife looked great in her black dress and her stilettos. The blue streaks were a bit of a clash, but for some reason it matched Grace’s personality.

“Morning, Grace. I hope you got everything sorted out with James. I don’t want to be the one that messes up your relationship.” He smiled at her and took the coffee from her hand. “Can you prepare some additional material for the four o’clock meeting? It’s with a new potential client and I want him to know what we could do for him. And would you like to join the meeting? It would be good to get you moving in your new job right away.”

 

[sweetblueeyedgirl]

Grace handed the hot cup and files over. She smiled at Tom." Are you sure you want me at today's meeting I'm still learning and I have not gotten the hang of things yet. I a m afraid I would be of little use to you in there.

Grace sat across from Tom and pondered at jumping in right away. She smiled up at him. She could not believe how this amazing man could have such a cruel son. She sighed." When will this meeting end. James will kill me if I'm not home by five. He is making it almost impossible to work here."

 

[alex_v]

The client Thomas was going to meet later on was a younger fellow in his 30s, who was in charge of developing a new resort in the Caribbean for a larger hotel chain. Thomas was sure that just Grace presence would help to create the right atmosphere for the talks. “Oh, I am sure you will be a big help, Grace. And you will newer start to learn anything if you don’t dive right in.” He smiled at her and had trouble to take his eyes of her himself.

It was saddening to hear that James was treating his beautiful wife not as well as she deserved it in Thomas eyes. “I guess the meeting will take up about two hours. But if everything works out well, I usually take them to dinner later on and you would be more than welcome to join us. Amanda got me a reservation at the Polo-Bar just in case. It’s always good to keep the customer happy, especially when there’s lots of money to be earned.” He winked at Grace and was about to face away, when a thought crossed his mind.

“Oh, by the way, do you have a cocktail dress for events like that? If not, and if you want to come tonight, you should go shopping during your lunch break. And when you are at it, you can test whether that new corporate credit-card of yours is working correctly.”

 

[sweetblueeyedgirl]

Grace looked at tom with a huge smiled when she heard credit card." i do have a few dresses. James demands I look presentable at all times. is my attire today not proper meeting clothes." Grace could not stop staring at Tom and his handsome features. Grace walked closer to his desk and leaned over so he got a good look of her chest. Grace just smiled and acted all innocent with Tom.


Grace looked at Tom." Sir if there is stuff i need to change for this position please let me know. i want this to work out and as you have said i am perfect for this position." Grace didn't want to change but she would do anything to stay away from home. her husband was cruel and mean. she loved work and wanted to be here and make her boss happy.

 

[alex_v]

“Don’t worry, Grace, you look great and very professional, so there is no need to change anything. I was just thinking about that dinner afterwards, which will be more like a dinner party and a chance for yourself to let your hair down. For us men it’s always easy, we just wear a suit in every situation. But women have to have the right dress for every occasion.” He smiled at Grace, thinking that she would actually look great in about everything. Although James might have a point that a few points less and a more toned body would make her look even better. However, unlike his son, Thomas would never tell a woman something like that.

“I was just thinking that you should get something nice for yourself, in case you decided to join us for dinner and drinks after the meeting. Everything else is perfect…” Thomas thought to himself that Grace actually could use a bit of a tan, but he didn’t want to make her life more complex than it already was. Especially since it would take away more time from James, which would of cause create new problems at the same time.

 

[sweetblueeyedgirl]

Grace smiled at her bosses complements. she would do what it took to make him happy. " thank you sir. I think i will join you for drinks," Grace just smiled and headed back to her desk. She sent James an email saying she would be home late not ten minutes later he called her yelling and screaming at her. she held her emotions in and went back to work. The one thirty appointment was about to begin.

Grace was walking to her meeting. Grace walked into the room and sat down at the other end of the table. she smiled as her boss was at the other end. Grace sat there listing to the meeting. during the meeting she realized they would be going on a business trip. grace hated what James might do but this was her job.

Grace smiled as she was at her desk with her heels off and getting ready to head home and change for the drinks after work. Grace saw tom coming to her." hello sir is there anything else you need before i am gone for the day."

 

[alex_v]

Thomas looked a bit surprised at his watch, when Grace announced that she wanted to leave. “Oh, I will need you stay for that four o’clock meeting as well, Grace. I don’t care what James is saying, this is your new job now and I need your full commitment.” He looked at her and deep into her eyes. “If you want me to talk you James, just let me know. But you shouldn’t let him make your decisions. You are a smart, young, and independent woman, so it’s time to act like one as well, Grace.”

He looked over some papers on his desk and then checked his mail quickly. “By the way, when the 4 o’clock appointment comes in. Please take him into the large boardroom and make him feel as comfortable as possible. This could turn into a very lucrative contract and I want your client to get a positive first impression.”

 

[sweetblueeyedgirl]

Grace grabbed some files for the meeting and went to the broad room. she took her place across her boss and smiled and said hello to all the men coming into the room. she was a natural at this. she was laughing and making the men belly laugh. she tried to make them as happy and comfy as possible. Grace smiled and took notes. she got up when the meeting was done and went to her desk she put the files in a drawer and grabbed her purse and car keys. grace knocked on her bosses door.