Corporate Punishment

Paying Debts

Back at home, Sam poured himself a celebratory drink for still being employed, but was fearful of what Macy will say to him on Monday.

Shortly after five, he sent Tiffany a text to see if she was available for coffee this weekend.

"I thought you owed me big time. Coffee isn't big time."

"I still owe you big time. I just need you to help me process something. After that, you can figure out what I owe you."

"As long as you remember, you owe me. Let's meet tomorrow at the Cinnabon outside the mall at the normal time."

"Sounds good. See you then." No longer worried about finding a new job, Sam played video games late into the night. In the morning, he drug himself out of bed and got ready to meet Tiffany.

He trudges into the coffee shop and Tiffany waves to him excitedly. He gets a black coffee and sits beside her. "You seem to be rather cheerful this morning."

"I had a good night with my friends and I hope to have a good night tonight as well. So what did you want to talk about?"

Sam blows on his coffee before telling Tiffany about what happened on the trip, excluding most of the interactions with Whitney. "When we got back, we had to answer to Macy and Mark in HR about the kerfuffle. When Sally saw things looked bad for her, she accused me of sexual harassment. Thanks to your warnings, I had enough evidence to refute the claim." He takes a long drink of his coffee.

"Damn. You sure me a lot then. But what do you want my opinion on?"

"On Friday, Mark asked me if I wanted to file sexual harassment against Sally. I want to be done with her. However, if I do, they may fire her. Even if she isn't fired, it will at least set a precedent in case others file against her as well."

Tiffany chews on her stirrer. "If it was me, I would make the claim, but there isn't the same bias for me to submit one. If Mark suggested it, then you probably have pretty good evidence. In most ways it probably can't hurt you, but I'm pretty sure Sally will use the rumor mill on Monday to damage your reputation. You are a nice guy, Sam, but sometimes you have to be mean to look out for yourself."

"Thanks Tiffany. I value your opinion. I'm guessing we are going shopping today. What's the occasion?"

She blushes slightly. "Well, while I was out with my friends last night, I was flirting with this really cute guy and he asked me out tonight. So I need a new outfit."

Sam knew the disappointment of being asked to help her prepare for a date with another guy was written across his face. He took a deep breath. "So how ravishing do you want to look?

Are you going for an ask me on another date look, or more of a please ask me back to your place look?" He didn't want to hear either answer, but braced himself.

She grinned mischievously. "Another date on the outside, but something more tantalizing underneath. It is just a short dinner date."

Sam swallows hard, his mind racing in the "more than just friends direction". His voice squeaks. "So we are looking from the ground up?"

"No. You already bought me those amazing shoes. Let's go over to the mall and see what we can find there."

As they walked through the mall Sam jokingly pointed out the bridal and prom store, to which Tiffany chastised him that she didn't want to scare him off before she even had the chance to fuck him. The first store they stopped in, neither saw anything interesting. In the second store, Sam pointed out a few skirt and top sets, but Tiffany didn't think they would go with the shoes.

The third store, they found three sets for Tiffany to try on. The first skirt was too short, the second didn't fit well, but they both liked the third. It wasn't too short, but was still a little flirty with the way it flowed. To go with it, they chose a black camisole under a sheer black shirt with gold threads running through it.

As Tiffany was about to come out of the changing room, she heard Sam. "Tiffany, what room are you in? I saw something that I think you will look amazing in."

She pokes her hand past the curtain. "Over here Sam."

He could hear the frustration in her voice, but Sam was feeling greedy. He passed a dress to her and was waiting to be admonished for his choice. Instead, she responds, "Stay there for a few minutes, please."

He nervously stands in the hall of changing rooms, waiting for something to happen. Eventually Tiffany slides open the curtain, holding the front of the dress in place. "Come on in and zip me up."

"C...C... Come in?"

"Yes, silly. I can't hold the dress in place and work the zipper at the same time."

He nervously steps in as Tiffany makes room for him and turns around, exposing her bare back to him. His finger trembles as he tries to pull the zipper up without touching her.

"Geez Sam, you pick out this dress and then you get put off by a little skin? You will need to work both the zipper and the dress at the same time."

Sam collects himself and pulls the zipper up. He forces his hands back down to his side.

Tiffany turns around and Sam doesn't feel like he could breathe. A strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline that reminded him of Jessica Rabbit. The skirt of it flowed down like water, ending at her ankles. The fabric was black and covered in dark blue and dark green iridescent sequins.

"It is a gorgeous dress, Sam, but I think it is a bit much for a first date."