She nods at me and her eyes smile warmly. I guess she isn’t as school marmish as she’d first seemed, but I hang back, unsure of who she is or what she’s about to tell me.
“I’m Monique, the firm’s office manager,” she explains. “If you come with me to Conference Room A, I’ll go through some HR things and some training procedures with you.”
“Okay,” I agree, stepping out from behind the receptionist’s desk to follow her. “Talk to you later, Claude.”
“Have fun,” he says, a bit sarcastically.
As we head down the hall, someone passes us. He’s tall, and dark and mysterious, much like the mystery man I fantasize about—a mismatched conglomerate of actors and hot guys I’ve seen over the years. How could such a perfect person actually exist in real life?
I can’t help but notice that he’s looking at me much the same way I’m looking at him. His eyes seem to travel over my entire body. A shiver runs down my spine as I think about the things I wish he could do to me.
Must focus on the task at hand, I think, as I continue to follow Monique. The handsome man in the fancy suit nods at me as he ducks into an office, and I’m disappointed I have to stop looking at him. Hopefully I’ll see him again, though, and then I’ll really like working here, since it will give my fantasy life an extra special boost.
Chapter 3
Erin
Once I’m in the conference room that Monique led me into, I feel relief that I’ll be instructed on what to do. At least I’ll be told what’s expected of me now, and I won’t feel like a little lost sheep.
“These are some other recent entry level hires,” Monique says, her hand outstretched at a small cast of characters who are already sitting around the conference room table. I guess I was the last one she came to get. “Garrett requested quite a few.”
Her tone carries the same snide condemnation that Claude’s had when he spoke of Garrett. Obviously not too many people here are fond of the newest attorney.
But I obviously think it’s a good thing, not only because it is the way I ended up getting a job but also because it means the firm is growing. I’m sure that change is just hard for people. I know that sentiment all too well.
Monique clears her throat before continuing.
“I thought it would be easiest to go over some basic procedures with all of you, and later we can talk more in depth about the particulars of each job role.”
I nod at her and then at the others, as I take a seat at the table. I can’t help but notice that all the new employees are men, minus myself. That’s a little weird. Would that make me the token woman?
I’m pretty sure that the other jobs are basically for legal assistants, floaters who take turns filling in as substitutes where needed, as well as “runners” who file court pleadings or deliver subpoenas and such. It seems as if there would be more women among us. But I push the thought out of my mind, because what can I do about it?
Monique goes over the firm’s filing system and basic menial tasks such as typing and answering phones. It really doesn’t sound like there’s much to the job, which is fine by me. She says that if we work hard, there are opportunities to be given more substantial work and to receive promotions and advancement.
I’m beginning to feel quite over qualified for the job, but I also don’t have a great desire to work one on one with some “drama prone attorney,” as Claude called them, as a legal assistant. So, I’m hoping to keep a low profile until I figure out the lay of the land.
As we leave the room, we’re each handed our assignments for the day. Mine basically tells me what Claude already did— that I’m to answer the phone and connect calls or get messages to the appropriate attorneys or staff. Sounds easy enough. Now my goal is to keep my head out of fantasy land and focused on the task at hand.
Once I’m back at my desk, I focus solely on answering the phone, eating lunch, and avoiding anyone who walks by other than Claude, who frequently comes over to check in on me. I don’t want to send a signal to fellow co-workers that I’m anti-social, but, as someone who was sheltered by strict parents my entire life, I don’t really trust anyone since I often feel as if I know nothing about the world except that people like to make fun of me for not knowing much, so it’s amazing that he and I are getting along so swimmingly so far.
Before the day ends, Monique appears again and announces that they’re holding a welcome party for all the new hires. While it’s not required, she highly recommends we attend and get to know who we’re working for. Her tone sends the message that the party is mandatory, even though her words do not.
“Hallelujah,” Claude exclaims, as soon as Monique is out of earshot. “I could use a cocktail and this firm is known far and well for its happy hour mixers. Why do you think I’ve worked here so long?”
I smile at him, but I can’t help thinking that this is not a great development on my end. I had told my parents I’d be home right after work and they don’t like it when I divert from the plan. I kind of don’t like it either, as having a strict routine helps me not stress out.
I step outside to make the call, trying to think up an excuse as I’m walking.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Mom.”
I need to phrase this perfectly. No mention of it being a party. Maybe the new employees need to stay behind to talk with the bosses. But why didn’t we know about this earlier? Perhaps there’s a surprise evaluation of how our first day went already? That sounds more believable, and due to the formal stuffiness of the earlier brief “orientation,” I could kind of imagine it happening. I’m going to go with that, since it’s the most realistic option.
“Is everything okay? How’s the new job going?”
“Everything’s great. Everyone’s really nice.”
Okay, here goes the lie. It shouldn’t be this hard.
But it is my mom we’re talking about here. The same one who had to look up lyrics for all the songs I tried to download from the Internet as a child, to make sure they conformed to God’s standards. The same one who would drop in on me at school and make sure I wasn’t being exposed to anything ungodly. And who boycotted a book at the school library because it mentioned other world religions, as well as who pulled me out from any class that discussed sex ed or evolution.
“I’m calling because I’m going to be home later than expected. My supervisor just told us the new hires have to meet with the heads. They’re giving us a surprise evaluation of how we did for our first day. It’s super intense here.”
I wait with bated breath. Did I sound convincing? Small prayer that I did.
“That’s a little inconvenient. Making everyone stay behind with such short notice. I wonder if they’re going to be doing this all the time, if they’re starting out this way on the first day?”
She’s going to tell me to come straight home, I think, my stomach filling with dread. Why did I ever think they’d allow me any freedom? Why did I ever think that I could tell a convincing lie?
“But I understand, honey,” she finally says, allowing me to exhale deeply. “Higher-ups aren’t very considerate of the entry-level employees. Just get home when you can, okay.”
Phew.
We talk for a few more minutes, but I let her know I need to get back to work. I don’t like lying to my mom, but I’ve learned it’s sometimes unavoidable. This is one of those times, as I’m not allowed to be around alcohol being served. I’m not twenty-one so this isn’t usually a problem but I’m forbidden to go to parties or establishments where alcohol is served.
By “forbidden,” I mean that my parents always say “their house, their rules,” and if they find out I’m breaking them, I’ll be out on the street. Perhaps that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but they’d definitely shame me, shun me and make my life a hell of a lot harder.
On that note, I really need this job. If I want to leave my parents’ house, I’ve got to save up for my own place. My parents would never pitch in to get me one. They say a young,
single woman living alone is an invitation for sin. But if I have the money myself, I don’t need their permission. And I’m starting to not want their permission.
I love my parents but I don’t understand why they don’t get that I’m a grown woman now and that I should be free to make up my own mind about things. Sometimes it feels as if they don’t even want to acknowledge that I even have my own mind.
The rest of the day goes by quickly, since there are a ton of phone calls and time flies as I try to get to them all. Claude explains it’s like playing a game of “whack a mole” and we sometimes laugh as I try to hang up one call and get to the next, which can be difficult if a persistent client or opposing counsel feels like staying on the line and rambling to me about nothing in particular.
“You ready, Champ?” Claude finally asks, and I look up at the clock to see that it’s five o’clock. “Good first day, by the way. You deserve a nice cold drink.”
“Oh, I…”
I’m about to say I don’t drink, but that sounds lame, so instead I say, “I’m only nineteen.”
Claude snorts. “You think they card here, kiddo? The owners of this firm have Rich People Privilege. No cop is going to bust them for serving a glass of wine to a minor.”
I laugh, but I don’t know if it’s convincing enough because he blinks his eyes at me, as if wondering if it’s really possible that I don’t know how the world works. Yes. It’s possible. And it’s one reason I’m always suspicious of opening myself up to people— because I’ll make a fool out of myself based on how little I know about the real world.
“Oh, and just a word of warning,” he says, “This place is full of crazy creepers. One of the legal assistants calls it ‘Sugar Daddy Central.’ They get you liquored up, so that you can let your defenses down.”
A shiver runs down my spine. It’s disgusting, but intriguing at the same time. Most guys my age are afraid to hit on me because the one time a guy tried to kiss me, my mom took out a prayer request ad in the church bulletin, asking everyone to pray for the soul of perverted Charles Gingham. Needless to say, Charles never tried to kiss me again, and neither did anyone else.
“All of them?” I ask Claude.
He shrugs.
“Well, some of them have been taken out of the dating pool,” he concedes. “Asher Marks married his associate, Madilyn, while Cameron Sanchez married a legal assistant named Ruby. Then there’s our biggest client, Damien Hudson—the toy manufacturer?—”
I shake my head at him, not knowing any of these people despite having done my best research on the firm before my interview. I was so nervous at the time that none of it stuck with me. I was afraid I was going to get a pop quiz but luckily that never happened. I think they were just grateful to have someone who wanted to start working right away—which I definitely wanted to do.
“Well, anyway, he has an office here and we work closely with him on a lot of cases. He married a different legal assistant, Katie. But there are still a lot of other partners and senior associates who like to flirt and… dabble… I should say, with their underlings.”
He pauses, a cloud coming over his eyes. “But not Jameson Reed, at least as far as I know. Rumor has it that he has clandestine relationships, but, unlike some of the others, he seems to be really good at keeping them his dirty little secrets.”
I can’t help but blush at that phrase. But Claude doesn’t seem to notice, luckily. He’s already moved on.
“And then there’s Garrett, the new guy,” he says. “I hear he’s one of the worst, so much so that these other hypocrites sat him down for a talk about how he can’t misbehave at work.”
“That does seem awfully hypocritical,” I agree, although I’m not surprised.
At church I’ve seen all kinds of people act holier than thou, only to be caught in extramarital affairs, homosexual relationships, and other such things the church frowns on. Human hypocrisy never seems to faze me.
“Yeah, anyway, you coming?” Claude asks again, impatiently looking in the direction of the stairs that takes us to the large cafeteria style conference room where employees have lunch and events.
“I’ll be right there,” I tell him. “You go ahead—since you can’t wait for that drink and all.”
He laughs. “Thanks, Darling.”
“No, thank you,” I tell him, meaning it. “I really appreciate all your help on my first day.”
And I couldn’t be more sincere. I don’t know what I would have done without Claude here to help me out.
Chapter 4
Erin
I stay behind to clean up the sticky notes off my desk and make sure I’ve given all the messages to all the right people. It’s easy work, but because it’s so fast-paced, I don’t want anything to slip through the cracks. Still, I’m being a little extra hard working, especially for my first day, and I know it’s because I’m trying to avoid going to the party. I’ve never been to a real one and I’m anxious.
When it’s obvious to me that I’ve stalled as much as possible, I shut down my computer. I go to the bathroom to fix myself up. I’m not dressed for this. My hair was in a neater bun this morning, but it’s gotten a little messier over the day. My button-down white shirt and black flare skirt feel a little blah for a party. But I wasn’t planning on having to be too impressive, just work appropriate.
I fix my hair, re-tuck my shirt, and smooth my skirt. There isn’t much else I can do. I head to the fifteenth floor where the festivities are taking place and walk in on a bash in full swing. I can tell a few people are drunk, which is surprising considering this is a work event. But maybe it’s not surprising—since I’ve never been to one, I can’t really say.
I step inside and find a comfortable spot against the wall. I see Claude sitting at the bar, chatting it up with some women—I’m assuming these are probably legal assistants—and I’m happy that he’s having fun. But I’m not about to join him.
This is always where I feel the most comfortable: as a wallflower. Trying to blend in with the pattern on the wallpaper was a favorite pastime of mine at any kind of church events. After my mom became disillusioned with the godless education I was getting at public school, I was homeschooled, so at least I was spared the embarrassment of school dances. I pray no one will notice me if I hug it tight enough. I’m not that lucky.
“Hey.”
I turn and see one of my fellow recently hired coworkers. I recognize him from the orientation earlier today, but no one bothered to introduce ourselves to each other so I don’t know his name. He’s definitely a little buzzed. I whisper a “hello” back, hoping he will realize I’m not interested in talking, and be on his way.
“I noticed you don’t have a drink.”
No such luck.
He shoves a beer into my hands. I politely take it, but I have no intention of drinking.
“I’m Brett, what’s your name?”
“Erin.”
“Erin? Interesting name. Very Irish.”
It’s not, really. Interesting—that is, although it is very Irish. My mom’s maiden name is O’Reilly, so her side of the family is as Irish as they come.
I just nod, but I don’t say anything, hoping he’ll leave. However, it seems he wants the conversation to continue. “So, what do you think of the boss?”
Very sudden change of subject.
“Monique? She seems nice enough.” I don’t have much to say since I’ve barely interacted with the office manager and apparent head of HR.
“No, silly. The actual boss.”
First insult of the night. This guy is right on track to having me hate him. Also, I must look confused because he feels the need to elaborate.
“Jameson Reed.”
“Oh,” I say, not feeling so much like an idiot now, since Claude had mentioned him to me earlier. “Isn’t he one of the named partners?”
“Yeah, but everyone says that despite Asher Mark’s brash bragging and Cameron Sanchez’s dogged diligence, Jameson is really the one
who holds this place together. He’s the only one smart enough to not sleep with every girl who comes to work here.”
At this, Brett looks me up and down. I look away. Talk about a “creeper.”
“So in my mind, Jameson actually owns this place. Especially now that the new guy Garrett is here to mess everything up even more.”
I blink at him, not really appreciating the negative way he is talking about our bosses.
“How do you know all of this?” I ask him.
“Oh, come on,” he says, as if I’m a huge idiot. “It’s a small legal community. Word gets around. I was working for Garrett and he couldn’t help but bang every female assistant he had. That’s why he usually only has guys working for him now. I guess you don’t count, since you’re a shared receptionist for the entire firm.”
So that explains why all the new hires or transfers earlier were guys.
“Anyway,” he continues, although I wish he would leave me alone already. “Jameson’s the man around here. He has yet to make an appearance, but I know he will.”
Jameson. That’s an interesting name. Sounds like all the whiskey that is free flowing around here. I look around, hoping Brett will leave, but he’s just standing there staring at me like he’s expecting me to say something, so I improvise.
“Well, I haven’t met Mr. Reed, so I don’t have an opinion of him,” I tell Brett.
Am I not acting disinterested enough? Do I need to be pushier, blunter? I just want to be left alone, so I can put in my “mandatory” attendance and leave. Maybe I’ll say something super underhanded. I’d love to meet Mr. Reed if it would mean being able to end this conversation.
“I hear he’s a real suave type, if you know what I mean,” Brett continues. “Capable of getting girls under his grip and keeping them a secret.”
Just like Claude had said.
“But he’s nowhere near as I suave as I am,” Brett can’t seem to resist adding.
I look at him with my mouth hanging open. I can’t believe he’s hitting on me right in the middle of a work party. I’m about to ask him to leave when a deep, gravelly voice comes out of nowhere.
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