Part 3
By noon Julie had been very careful not to make even the smallest mistake. So Tim knew that he'd have to help her. One of her duties as his assistant was to occasionally go out and get lunch for some of the people in the office. When she asked Tim what he wanted, he gave her a complicated sandwich order that included black olives.
She returned 15 minutes later, distributing several subs to the other employees, and then bringing Tim's sandwich to his office. She handed him the sandwich, smiled, and turned to leave. "Please join me, Julie. I'd like to get to know you a little better."
Julie sat in the chair at the end of the small work table in Tim's office and began to open her sandwich. Tim chatted with her for a few moments while he cleared space on his desk and unwrapped his meal. His heart was racing with excitement.
"Oh no," he said.
"What's wrong?" Julie asked.
"This sandwich has black olives on it."
"Yes," Julie said. "That's what you ordered."
"No, there's been some sort of mistake," Tim said. "I'm allergic to black olives. I'd never order them."
Julie looked crestfallen. "I could have sworn you said—" She stopped suddenly, as she saw Tim turn away, open his top desk drawer and pull out the ruler. Oh no!
"Do you remember what I'd said about the second offense?" Tim asked his suddenly pale employee, his expression carefully neutral.
"Yes, b- b- but..." she began. "I mean, you can't be serious. I don't have to..." her voice trailed off.
Tim just watched her, holding his breath. If she continued to protest, or reacted too strongly, he'd have to back off and claim that he'd been joking. From the way she was blushing and stammering, he thought it could go either way. He forced himself to watch her silently for another few seconds...
Julie had been worried about this, and she tried to read her boss' handsome face for any sign that he was just playing a joke on her. But when none came...
Julie said, "I'm sorry," very quietly, and stood up. She smoothed down her skirt, and turned away from Tim.
Tim silently let out his breath. This gorgeous girl had given in, and was now pointing her killer rear end at him submissively. He cleared his throat and said,