Chapter Two
Hailey
Her reflection belied her internal turmoil. But Hailey had always been good at painting on a fake exterior to hide her internal roiling. Today was a big day and would require more than a stellar smile; she also needed to look the part.
Because she did not apply to any big companies after failing her internship post-graduation, Hailey felt anxious about seeking employment with a major accounting firm or any business in that field.
She held hope that even with her less-than-stellar past attendance record, Firm Hand Accounting had a place for her and, for more reasons than the obvious one, money.
Working with numbers was the only place she’d ever shined, and she loved losing herself in numbers.
It quieted the noise in her head and helped her focus.
And it reminded her of a time when her life was happy, and she was doing better. Then her life imploded, and she was still a little lost from the death of her mother. The quick marriage between her father and step-monster.
Hailey’s gaze travelled down from her red blazer, courtesy of her former private school, minus one obnoxious gold emblem, to her matching plaid skirt, a second-hand store treasure, to her white Converse runners.
She eyed herself critically and decided she looked too young to be taken seriously.
Hailey toed off the Converse and dug through her closet until she found her Mary Janes.
Back at the mirror, she decided the change of shoes was an improvement and was happy that there were also comfortable.
Standing and walking all day gives a new appreciation for good shoes, and as such.
Being fairly tall, at 5’6”, Hailey didn’t own a single pair of heels as she never needed them.
“You’ve got this, Hailey Carberry.” She tried a variety of smiles and multiple poses as she spoke to her mirror image to prepare for her interview in an hour.
She’d set several alarms to ensure she woke up on time.
But in the end, it wasn’t the extra noise that woke her but a recurring dream that featured the diner’s patron, Mr. Super Sexy.
Hailey woke up with her hand between her legs. It had been a feverish dream. The well-dressed man, a lunch regular since she started working at the City Diner, growled provocatively in her ear.
“Hailey, have you been a bad girl?” Dream Hailey experienced her panties dampen with the sexy growl. And being bad had never sounded better.
“No Daddy. I’ve been a good girl.” Dream Hailey could say anything she wanted without consequence, and somehow her subconscious was allowing her to run with the dream sequence.
She batted her eyes at the sexy man. But he was having none of the usual antics that worked in the restaurant.
The dream shifted, and she and the man were in the alley.
He put his foot up on the back stairs of the restaurant and, in a whoosh of air, Hailey found herself facedown over his hard thigh.
Not being able to reach the stair below with either her feet or her hands had her busy grasping his leg for support. He hiked her uniform skirt up and tucked the bottom into the waistband of her apron.
The position was both humiliating and illicit. Hailey was glad it was night, and no one could see her damp panty-clad bottom up in the air. But she was also so excited by the very idea.
Hailey’s undies were dampening at an alarming rate, and she prayed he didn’t see her excitement, but she also knew he could see the effect he had on her.
She tried to close her legs just as his hand came down.
The loud slap reverberated through the alley, and Hailey looked up to make sure no one was the wiser to what was going on.
Another smack landed on her backside. This one was harder than the last, and a yelp escaped her lips.
“Owie!”
Her dream daddy rubbed the spot he’d just spanked. “Did it really hurt Hailey?” He ran his finger down her damp underwear, pressing it ever so slightly into the crack of her ass. She moaned, enjoying the friction and silently begging for him to press harder and lower.
He tugged her underwear, so it pressed inside her swollen folds, and this time Hailey let out a mewl of pleasure. The double sensation of the sudden invasion caused by the underwear and the pressure on her clit was just what she needed.
“Well, Hailey, I’m waiting for an answer.”
But she was so lost in the sensations, her stuttered answer earned her a few hard spanks followed by a quick tug of her underwear. “Oh! Uh. It only hurt for a moment, but the burn is still there, and it’s driving me crazy.”
She heard his growly voice chuckle before his hand fell several times on the same spot, causing her to kick her legs. Then his finger was tugging the material from out of her puffy, slick lips and dipping inside her molten center.
“Yes, yes, please.”
The dream ended when Hailey sensed her finger moving in and out of her slick folds.
The best dream she’d had in quite some time, and the most frustrating part of her morning; there was no time to finish what the dream guy had started.
Within seconds of becoming conscious, all the alarms she had set rang out with such a piercing blend of noise that she stopped what she was doing and quickly turned them all off.
Hailey giggled as she took a last look in the mirror, promising herself that she would have a little fun later when her interview was over.
As Hailey rode the elevator up to the thirtieth floor, she reviewed the information she’d collected about the company, Firm Hand Accounting.
She knew the company was owned by a person and not a conglomerate, despite its size.
She knew the same person owned the top four floors of the upscale business building.
The firm, reportedly, knew how to entertain.
Hailey imagined wild parties happening on the top floor.
How big was the penthouse, she wondered, and how many guests could it hold?
Did the firm hire entertainment for its select guests?
Anticipation coursed through her; she longed to investigate the rumor’s veracity personally.
She gave her head a shake. That doesn’t matter, Carberry; keep your thoughts on the relevant information.
The doors slid open to a grand reception area that was both comfy and stylish. She liked the place right away. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she marched over to the reception desk and the attractive brunette who looked to be about Hailey’s age.
“Good morning, I’m Amber. How can I help you today?” She offered a cheerful smile, and Hailey instantly liked Amber. She leaned over the reception desk to shake hands with the friendly receptionist.
“I’m Hailey, and it’s so nice to meet a friendly face.”
The corners of the brunette’s lips lifted a little higher.
“Thanks. I think there is a perception that everything is dour and overly serious in accountant offices, but not here at Firm Hand. We are a friendly crew and number one in customer service. Of course, we deal with an eclectic, high-end clientele, so we need to be flexible.”
Hailey’s excitement grew as the conversation swung to clients. “I have to admit, I was Uber impressed by the line-up, and I’m sure there are many more the internet didn’t mention. Andre Reeves, the tech mogul, is a client, I believe?”
Amber nodded her head. “He’s the owner of the building, well most of it anyway. The top few floors belong to the owner of the company. Now, what can I do for you, Hailey?”
“Oh. Yes. How silly of me! I got caught up in our conversation. I’m here for an interview.”
“Do you know who with?” Amber asked, but was already looking up the schedule on her tablet.
“Uh. I think it is Mr. Smith. But I’m unclear whether the interview is for an entry-level position with the company or to be his assistant.”
Amber confirmed the appointment and handed Hailey a card with directions to Mr. Smith’s office. “It is with the company; Mr. Smith is part of our HR team and in charge of the tier-one hiring.”
Hailey gulped at the idea of being hired for an entry-level position where she had to be functional, versus by one man she could seduce into letting her stay after the probationary period.
“There is a group assembling in the waiting room outside Mr. Smith’s office. Just have a seat, and your name will be called when it’s your turn.”
Hailey needed a bathroom, and quick.
“May I use the restroom first? I had a little too much coffee this morning.” She painted her winning smile on her face.
“Of course, here is the key. Right at the elevator and down the hall on the left.”
Hailey took the key from Amber’s hand and hurried down the hall as fast as she could while holding tight to her decorum. Once in the stall, she lifted the lid and threw up. When the dry heaves had calmed down, she placed the lid back and sat down. Until she arrived, the bathroom had been pristine.
What do I do? Hailey knew she could either slink out of the building and pretend this morning had never happened, or if she did, she’d be turning her back on the sliver of hope that had gotten her here. Didn’t she owe it to herself not to walk out on an opportunity that could change everything?
It won’t change you, though, and that’s your biggest problem. Hailey nodded her head sagely at her thoughts. But she argued that maybe with a consistent job with consistent hours, she could also become consistent.
One thing she knew for sure was that she couldn’t stay there. Hailey left the safety of her stall and, moving to the sinks, rinsed her mouth several times. With cupped hands, she took a sip of chilled water, and her condition improved immensely.
She reapplied her pink bubblegum lipstick and smacked her lips a few times before exiting the bathroom.
“Here’s the key. Thanks again, Amber.”