Fic: A matter of taste
Title: A matter of taste
Author: Lazaefair
15minuteficlets
Six years later, she's out of business school and climbing the corporate ladder faster than she sprinted through college.
The cocktail is badly made and too sweet. She laughs and compliments the maker anyway, because he happens to be a high-level executive who has an unfortunate delusion about his drink-mixing skills, so he subjects everyone at his parties to his specially made cocktails.
"Created this one just for you," he says and hands her a second glass. Their fingers are doing more than brushing, and she deliberately pulls away a few seconds too late. It's not quite a prearranged signal, but there's a glinting smile in his eyes, because for all his ineptitude with mixed drinks, he knows the outcome of this party will be favorable for him.
Four hours later, she emerges from a spacious closet tucked away in an obscure corner of his house, smoothing her skirt (she somehow failed to don panties while preparing for the corporate party) and wiping her mouth.
Six hours later, the notice comes through for her promotion.
Twenty minutes later, she's asking her childhood friend (they've been friends since third grade) to leave her office. Her face is cold and rigid and she buries herself in paperwork to forget his accusing words. He's still several levels down in the hierarchy.
What happened to doing things ethically? You're being nothing but a slut. How can you take pride in your promotions, when you're getting them that way?
You're better than that. I know you are.
I have work to do. You're taking up my time.
Maria...
Please leave.
Please.
Five and a half hours later, she's receiving another drink, exceptionally well-mixed this time, from a bartender who knows to keep his face neutral and keep the drinks coming for as long as she's paying.
Rough day at the office, huh?
Yeah.
Forty-five minutes later, she's staring at the lip of a cold, wet toilet, and wiping her mouth again. The taste isn't much better this time either.
Author: Lazaefair
15minuteficlets
Six years later, she's out of business school and climbing the corporate ladder faster than she sprinted through college.
The cocktail is badly made and too sweet. She laughs and compliments the maker anyway, because he happens to be a high-level executive who has an unfortunate delusion about his drink-mixing skills, so he subjects everyone at his parties to his specially made cocktails.
"Created this one just for you," he says and hands her a second glass. Their fingers are doing more than brushing, and she deliberately pulls away a few seconds too late. It's not quite a prearranged signal, but there's a glinting smile in his eyes, because for all his ineptitude with mixed drinks, he knows the outcome of this party will be favorable for him.
Four hours later, she emerges from a spacious closet tucked away in an obscure corner of his house, smoothing her skirt (she somehow failed to don panties while preparing for the corporate party) and wiping her mouth.
Six hours later, the notice comes through for her promotion.
Twenty minutes later, she's asking her childhood friend (they've been friends since third grade) to leave her office. Her face is cold and rigid and she buries herself in paperwork to forget his accusing words. He's still several levels down in the hierarchy.
What happened to doing things ethically? You're being nothing but a slut. How can you take pride in your promotions, when you're getting them that way?
You're better than that. I know you are.
I have work to do. You're taking up my time.
Maria...
Please leave.
Please.
Five and a half hours later, she's receiving another drink, exceptionally well-mixed this time, from a bartender who knows to keep his face neutral and keep the drinks coming for as long as she's paying.
Rough day at the office, huh?
Yeah.
Forty-five minutes later, she's staring at the lip of a cold, wet toilet, and wiping her mouth again. The taste isn't much better this time either.