Sealed with a kiss (WomanxWoman)

3

Charlotte pov:

It's 7:30 in the morning. I don't expect anyone to come in yet. I like my quiet mornings in the office and the peaceful evenings when I can have some time to myself. But today, something unusual happens. This newbie-what is she doing here?! I glance at the office security cameras, trying to figure her out. She's wearing a dark grey vest with long black elegant pants and small black heels. She looks really professional, like she's trying to dress the part. I appreciate her effort, though I don't think she'll survive in this place.

She's really beautiful, with her long wavy dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes, but she also looks so fragile, like she'll break at the first opportunity. She looks so young, so inexperienced. I don't understand how she even got here. My dad dropped this bomb on me last month when he told me his best friend, John-who works at some godforsaken college in the middle of nowhere-recommended her. Since when do we hire people straight out of college?!

Never mind. However she got here, she won't last long and will no longer distract me. I mean, what could someone like her possibly contribute to the firm?

I try to get back to my work, stealing glances at the camera, even though I know she can't see me. She probably doesn't know there are cameras. Good. That way, I can make sure she doesn't do anything stupid, like taking our campaign materials out of the office.

At 8 o'clock, like usual, Claire arrives. I see her chatting with the newbie; they're both smiling and laughing. For some reason, Claire seems to really like her. Claire then glances toward my office-oh, she's probably letting the newbie know I'm already here. The look on Jenny's face is priceless.

Claire gives her a pastry from her bag. I hope she's not giving her mine! Claire has been bringing me my morning pastries for years now. It's our morning routine. She arrives at 8 a.m. sharp every day to take care of me, make sure I'm eating properly, and remind me to take breaks. She's a lifesaver.

She finishes her conversation with the newbie and heads toward my office. I hear a soft knock on the door and tell her to come in.

"Morning, honey. How are you today?" she is the only one I let address me like that.

"Hi, Claire. Working, as usual. Did you bring me the good stuff?" I say, eyeing her pastry bag.

She takes out my strawberry vanilla cake, and the smell is heavenly as always.

"What would I do without you?"

Claire smiles. "Let's not think about horrible situations like that," and we both laugh.

"I see you're making friends with the newbie. Don't waste your time. I don't think she'll last long here."

Claire looks at me with her all knowing, motherly eyes. She's always been like the mother I never had. I lost my mom to cancer when I was just one and a half. After that, it was always me and my dad, along with a few au pairs until I was old enough to take care of myself.

"You know, I have a feeling Jenny will surprise you."

So, Jenny, is it? I hadn't even bothered to learn her name.

"I doubt it."

Claire gives me that all-knowing smile of hers. "Well, just wait and see. I'm going to make you your coffee." And with that, she leaves the room.

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The meeting started, and everyone was on time. I hand-picked almost each one in this room, so I know I have a winning team. "Okay, everyone. I hope you have something for me. Let's start." People start pitching their ideas. Most of them are really good, but not that original.

"Mark, please tell me you have something that I haven't heard already today."

Mark looks lost and starts to stutter.

"I would like to present an idea."

Everyone, including me, turns toward the newbie. "Jenny, right?" I ask.

"Yes, if that's okay." The question alone shows me how insecure she is.

"Well, go for it." It's not like I have anything to lose, except for precious time.

"Um, okay... so, I was looking at our demographics, and because those lipsticks are intended for mostly women and some men between the ages of 16-40, the way we're advertising can't just be through TV commercials and magazines. Today's generation spends most of its time on cellphones and social media."

Now I'm intrigued. She did her homework. "Okay, so what do you suggest?" I ask.

"Well... I was looking at this page... I mean, a lot of advertising agencies use social media influencers to promote their products. What if we launched the whole campaign through social media? We could choose influencers with followers similar to our demographics. For example, they could kiss people or objects and post the photo of the kiss on Instagram. I'm pretty sure people would search for those places to find the kiss mark."

Wow. In a million years, I would never have thought of this idea. It's brilliant, original, and just... wow. I'm stunned and don't yet know how to respond. Everyone is quiet, waiting for my verdict. I guess the silence has gone on too long because I see panic starting to show in Jenny's eyes. That's my cue.

"Interesting. Finally, something no one has thought of doing before. I believe that's all for today. Jenny, since it's your idea, you're in charge of the campaign."

Everyone is stunned. They probably don't understand why I'm letting a newbie take charge. But I need to see what she can do. Also, I want to make sure she didn't steal someone else's idea. It's a smart pitch, and I don't know her well enough yet to trust her. This way, I can keep an eye on her.

I dismiss everyone and head back to my office. A few moments later, there's a knock on my door.

"Come in."

Jenny opens the door and steps inside, looking around with the expression of a deer caught in the headlights.

"How can I help you, Jenny?" I ask. She looks at me with those beautiful hazel eyes, and I feel butterflies in my stomach. What is that?! Why am I reacting like this to this young woman standing in front of me?

"Um... I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity, but I've only been working here for two days, and I've never led a project like this before."

I try to hide my smile. "Well, of course, you won't be doing this alone. I intend to supervise you closely. This is still one of our biggest clients. I want to see what you've got." And whether you're genuine or a fraud riding on someone else's ideas. But she doesn't need to know that.

"Let's start by finding an influencer and thinking about how to represent this project. I'm going to talk to 'Frederique' representatives and sell them the idea. I need more information to proceed."

Jenny looks at me with this adorable smile. God! What is she doing to me? I clear my throat.

"If that's all, I have more work to do."

She breaks eye contact, and I already miss it. "Ahh. Yes... sure... see you later."

And she leaves in a hurry.

This is going to be exhausting.