Dan and Patricia had met at work, and were equally high flyers. Both were 26, doing well career wise at the local bank that they worked at in Sydney, but both had also sacrificed relationships for promotions, payrises and year end performance reviews.
It was a "High Achievers High Potential" leadership course where they'd both dropped their guard and connected on a different level.
Dan had certainly been aware of Patricia for a while, with rumours regularly circulating the corridors of the success she brought with her every project. Patricia worked a lot for the CEO on special projects, and she'd knocked them out of the park, one by one. Dave was new to the bank, having worked at breakneck speed in consulting for years, and was now being groomed by the VP Strategy as the next "big thing".
In was the second night at the HAHP event when they were sharing a drink at the bar and a few stories. The laughed heartily, mainly at the expense of some of the other attendees who were struggling the pace, content, and expectations of the course.
"Did you see Janice from HR. Jesus H. She looked like she'd seen a ghost when the facilitator got her to do that role play. I'd have killed to have done that." Patricia was confident and exciting, and Dan was slightly intoxicated by her words.
"So what keeps you busy when you're not delighting the CEO?" asked Dan, intending to be jovial.
"Fuck off Dan. I'm not fucking him and those rumours are bullshit. I'm sick of it!"
Dan panicked. "Shit sorry Patricia. I 100% didn't mean it that way. I honestly meant that you are totally nailing it, like ALL the time, and I'm kinda envious of you. I don't know how you do it, and maintain any kind of life. I was genuinely curious, promise".
There was a softness to Dan's voice which soothed Patricia and thawed her a little from her original frosty response.
"HA. Life? You mean there is something other than work and sleep? Well cheers to that whatever that is! Ha"
The clinked glasses, and ordered another drinks. The cocktails were going down well. Just as the conversation was about to restart and progress, the pair were interrupted by John from Finance. No-one liked John. In fact, you'd be hard pushed to think that even John liked himself.
"Well hello there wannabes. How are you enjoying this mediocre course on all the things I'm already doing? Talk about a waste of time. I could teach this in my sleep. I mean..."
"Sorry John, the music is quite loud and it's hard to hear you. Is there any chance you could fuck off and tell someone who cares?"
John froze. His face full of anger. Patricia waved her hand and started a wave, impressed by Dan's seizing of the moment. John retreated.
"Wow mate, that was a great call. I didn't have you down as that ballsy. Go Dan!"
"Oh my god. That was 100% the booze talking. Fuck!"
"Don't worry mate. Everytime that guy speaks, I feel like I need a shower afterwards."
"Me too. Like, right now!"
Before his sentance could be punctuated by a laugh, Patricia reached for her drink and Dan's hand. "Me too. Thought you'd never ask. Come on then."
Moments later, a rather confused Dan was stood in the penthouse of the swanky hotel. "What the...?"
"Yeah mate, perks of travel and being the CEO's pet. Lots of upgrades. Want a top up?"
Dan didn't even make it over the small in room bar. Patricia has loosened the buttons on her top, slowly span around and revealed her ample cleavage. Dan looked. Admired, and then they kissed. Not slowly, but a rampant, deep, passionate kiss.
