I wake up and face my closet. My company doesn't have a strict dress code, but because I believe in the power of clothes to change a person's demeanor, I usually try to dress nicer. So what message do I want to send today?
Leather, torn jeans, boots. Man, if only I had a bike I could roll up on. I walk out of the house feeling like a take-no-BS badass. My co-workers read me right away.
Opal spots me immediately and gleefully announces. "Kinsey has come to play."
"Damn, Kinsey. You're going to be in their dreams as either their worst nightmare or wildest fantasy." Zander scopes me out.
Opal winks at me. "Why not both? I'd both fuck you and fear you."
"Enough you, two. I was just feeling the vibe this morning. Don't read into it." I tell them to settle down.
"Red, my office." Mitch demands.
"Here we go." I mutter and walk into Mitch's office. He takes me in from head to toe. I try to shove off the feeling of discomfort and hold my head high.
"What's up, Mitch?"
"I have Alan bringing over the three new hires. Try not to eat them for lunch, okay Tiger?" He gives me an amused smirk.
"While I have you alone for a minute, you mentioned this was a promotion. Does that also mean a pay hike?" I catch him off guard.
He looks up at me slowly. Motherfucker, he gave Alan a 10K raise and he didn't expect to pay me a thing!
"Let's see how this goes and we'll discuss it." He replies.
I am about to fire back, perhaps even say something that would get me fired, but a knock on the door ends our awkward conversation.
"Later, Red." Mitch snaps. "Come in."
"As requested...oh good morning, Kinsey." Alan flashes his pearly whites and his blue eyes brighten.
"Hi Alan." I say quietly, not returning his smile.
"Allow me to introduce the new team. Elliot Runyon, Suki Wong, and Lex Baker." He gestures to each.
I am caught off guard when the first guy I shake hands with is the guy who insisted on buying me a drink last night. His smile widens as he recognizes me too. The Chinese gal next to him extends her hand and I accept it.
"Nice to meet you, Kinsey. We have heard from Alan that you are the best at what you do. I look forward to learn from you." She says politely.
"Be careful about what this guy says. He's also a part of what makes this work so well." I give Alan his dues.
I turn my eyes to the last guy, Lex. He is taller than nearly everyone in the room which must look funny to an outside observer. But more than his height, I'm drawn into his kind eyes, the color of dark caramel right before it burns. He smiles a perfect smile of sparkling teeth, extends his hand, and speaks in a low, deep voice. "Nice to meet you, Kinsey."
"Kinsey, what a pleasant surprise." Elliot disrupts the moment I'm having getting drawn in by Lex's good looks. I withdraw my hand from Lex's warm grip.
"It's great to meet all of you." I say with a tight smile.
"So gameplan...we are going to have you all sit with Kinsey and Alan and get a sense of what they do. Then we will have each of you work directly with Kinsey on a small project, rotating every two weeks before we pair you up with others in the department." Mitch lays out his idea.
Elliot leers at me. "Does the winner get to stay partnered with Kinsey?"
Alan snaps. "This isn't a contest."
YOU ARE READING
Technically Speaking
Romansa*** COMPLETED STORY *** With a rough past that sent her life down an undesired path, Kinsey has made it work. She's in a job she mostly likes and excels in. She's a bit aimless in love, but who doesn't go through a time like that in their lifetime? ...
