Frustrated Acceptance

[Tseranc]

Frustrated Acceptance
By Masume and Tseranc

A closed thread about the hazards, and benefits of the forbidden fruits of an office ‘relationship’

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Nicholas Dudzik stared out the window of his newest office. This one a mere one floor from the top of the sky scraping Zik Inc. headquarters. As of yesterday the sign on the door had been changed to place his name above the new title this corner office came with – ‘Vice President of Marketing.’ One o the more coveted position in the international imaging and camera company.

His father, the CEO, had him promoted out of managing the Research and Development arm, and placed more in the lime light as he groomed his son to one day take over the family started corporation. But Nicholas had more idea then just Pop’s wishes concerning Zik Inc.

At twenty seven, the tall dark and rouged looking man had proved a worthy, if not screwed manager. His promotions were based on the pleasure of his father, but that was only one aspect to consider in his greater scheme. And those promotions hadn’t all ben entirely without merit, Nicholas was effective.

He rubbed the dark hair on his chin that he kept trimmed to a sinister looking point as he thought of what the next step might be after this post. Looking out over the downtown skyline, he decided plotting could wait, and he’d best just get a grip on the marketing section. The old man that used to ‘run’ this section apparently left most everything up his assistant while he played golf. His game improved so he decided to finally retire and play more professionally, leaving his slot vacant for Nicholas to step into.

He pressed his intercom button; speaking to the secretary he was provided, “Get that supposed assistant of mine in here, I want to know what this department has been up to before I blow it all down and start fresh.”

 

[Masume]

Chantelle Cooper loved everything about her job. She loved the freedom, loved the money and most of all she loved the power. She had complete creative control over her department. She craved power and she earned her spot. Through the occasional rough spot. Even at her lowest moment (homeless for three months), she managed to rise above it all and became the powerhouse of a woman she was destined to be. She could only go up from here….

Or so she thought.

Nicholas Dudzik threatens her entire life worth. She shouldn’t have to be worrying about whether or not her spot was secure at Zik. For years, she worked her butt off studying the company inside and out. She hadn’t even seen the man before and already he was throwing his weight around. She was ‘ordered’ to his office. Ordered! The very word made her fume.

It took everything for her to remember, she did not know him. By the end of their meeting, she would have him wrapped around her finger. She had done it before. The amount of spineless testosterone males that walked into her life couldn’t be counted all on both of her manicured hands. She was more than confident she could do the same with this Nicholas. Even if he carried her career in his veins. Cursed Zik blood.

She purposely looked the way she looked today. Using the window of her office as a mirror she double and then tripled checked her outfit. A crisp beige suit, a white, subtle, low cut blouse hugged her form underneath the waist length oat that matched the snug dress pants. Her hair was swept up in a uniquely styled bun; drop curls curled around her oval face and somehow made the hazel orbs that were hidden by thick lashes pop.

“Here goes nothing.” Sheer adrenaline got her through her door. When given the “ok” by his secretary Chantelle slowly pushed open his office door.

“You wanted to see me Mister…” Once he turned around to face her words stuck in her throat. “Uh…Dudzik.” She finally finished.

 

[Tseranc]

Amazing, that old fool left to golf instead of eyeing this beauty up all day? Nicholas thought to himself as his ‘assistant’ entered the room.

He cleared his throat, “Yes, I did. I want an update on all the projected marketing strategies and campaigns. I hear you have been pretty much running the show around here. If that is so, consider this a test of your continued employment.”

He sat down, never offering a seat to her even though two sat directly in front of his desk. He flopped his feet up and continued. “There will be some changes here now that Frank is gone, and I’m not prepared to carry anyone along who isn’t working in the same direction. Please have that presentation available to me by tomorrow morning.”

Damn she was hot though. Looking over the past marketing models she seemed to be competent at her former bosses job as well; but Nicholas was out to break the mold. The American market was full of crap that could be sold cheaper then Zik products, but his last two years in R&D told him what was coming next, and now he wanted to focus all his efforts into getting a much wider customer base for the new equipment coming up.

He glanced back at her, wondering why the amazing creature still stood there in his office. “Was there anything more Miss…..?” He’d heard her name, but never bothered to remember it, until now. Now he wanted it, and wondered if she might just be worth keeping around…for more then eye candy.

 

[Masume]

“…Continued employment?” She repeated as a question. She chuckled in confusion walking towards his desk. “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

From what she knew. And she knew a great deal. She had her seeds planted firmly in the company. She had a great deal of money invested in Zik. They way he waved his words around, it made her feel as though she was just another interviewee and he was testing her. Not just a simple test, no her job was on the line. It was like…probation.

“With all due respect. I feel as though we need to go over some ground rules and common knowledge with one another.” Leaned over the desk ever so slightly, her hands placed firmly on the edge she looked down at her boss. A bold move yes but she was just a bold person.

“Care to bring me up to speed.” Though not meant to be threatening or even sexual, she felt like her advances as subtle as they may be would come across bizarre with him. He didn’t seem like the easily wrapped guy. Show a little cleavage and he’ll let you walk all over him, no he was different. His feet propped on the desk caught her attention. She had a disturbing urge to knock them down. She wanted to knock him off his pedestal in general. And that thrilled her…a lot.

 

[Tseranc]

“Sure, it’s pretty simple really. You were the defacto leader around here, and now you’re not. Unlike my predecessor Frank, I don’t need anyone to do my job for me while I run off and beat a little white ball around the grass. So, either you’re current plans for the future of Zik marketing will be adaptable to my own, or they won’t.”

His eyes did stop at her chest that was slightly most exposed when she leaned over his desk. Perhaps a moment too long as he hurried their focus to somewhere, anywhere else before he was accused of staring. They landed on her hazel eyes, which spoke of her passion in this matter. Good, he liked dedicated employees, so long as they were dedicated to him, and not just his old man.

Just then his cell phone rang, and his eyes rolled, and a sign escaped him. He pulled his feet from his desk and took the phone from it’s belt clip. Very few had this number, and only one would call him at this hour.

“Yes?” he answered impatiently. “No I really don’t care.” Muffled yelling erupted from the small flip phone, and he pulled it form his ear. “Look, you’re going to buy whatever you like anyway, so why should I bother pretending to care what damned color a new couch we don’t need is?! Look, I’m working so I gotta go.” A pause. “Yeah, I love you too.” And he flipped the phone shut. Some days he meant telling her that, others it was just more a reflex.

He looked back up at his angry assistant. “Sorry about that…wife.” He scoffed as he placed the hone back on his belt. “So where were we? Oh yes, the ‘ground rules’ – basically it boils down to I don’t need anyone around that isn’t playing the same game I am. I’m sure you can understand that.”

He began to massage his temple to alleviate the headache his wife had caused. Their courtship has been fast and furious. Both the heirs to a family fortune, both in the upper crust of society; they met and partied in Hawaii during his vacation. She had the money to come visit him often, and since she was so great in bed, if figured it was the love everyone talked about…the one woman you could put up with. Some days, like today, he doubted very much if he could put up with any of them for more then a few hours.

“Any other rules not clear? If you can’t adapt, you are out. So is anyone else in this department.”