Jessica stopped in the doorway to her father's office reception to watch Donna reapply her slutty red lipstick, while she was also flaunting her cleavage to the empty space across her desk. It had always bothered Jessica that her father would have a bimbo as his secretary. The most irritating thing of all was that Donna was intelligent and hard-working. From all accounts, Donna was crucial to her father's work and he always dismissed Jessica's suggestions, he could 'find someone better'.
"Hey Donna", Jessica said.
Donna startled upright, "Jessica! Nice to see you." She turned to Jessica putting her lipstick and pocket-mirror on the desk offhand. "I didn't think you were coming in today."
"Umm, actually, I scheduled in 15 minutes with Dad."
"Sorry, I thought he would call you since you haven't visited the office in awhile."
Jessica walked towards Donna's desk. "Yeah, well, that could change soon. Dad is trying to get me a job here, but I'm not sure if I should."
Donna's eyes widened, holding her breath, and just as quick she breathed out to relax. "He's trying to get you a job downstairs in the research pool?"
"Yeah, I think so, but I don't know. It feels wrong accepting a job because from my Dad. I mean, if I can't get a job here on my own merits, then I probably don't belong, right?"
Donna stood, an amazon of woman towering over Jessica's petite frame, and walked around her desk to pull Jessica's head into a squeeze against her large breasts under the guise of giving a hug.
"Awww Jessica. Your Dad is always raving on about how intelligent and committed you are to your studies. If what he said is true, then you will surely succeed at Wicked Company."
Donna's words faintly registered as Jessica struggled for an appropriate reaction to her face being pressed against Donna's bosom. Donna looked down at Jessica blushing and the paper bag she was holding.
"What do you have there?", Donna released Jessica.
Jessica held up the bag, "Oh, this? I got Dad his favourite lunch."
"A ham & cheese croissant from Marco's Patisserie?"
"No, I mean, it's a ham & cheese croissant, but I made it."
Donna snorted a laugh. "Your dad will love it. Since you got him lunch, would you like to take home the lunch I ordered for him?"
"Ah, sure?"
"I'll leave it on the coffee table for you on your way out."
Donna made for the cupboards conceal a large fridge, to Jessica's surprise, empty but for a large covered white platter and a bottle of milk.
"Thanks Donna."
Donna's phone came alive with a red light and her father's deep voice, "Is Jessica here?".
"She is, are you ready for her?" Donna responded to the speaker-phone while carrying the tray to the coffee table.
"I have 10 minutes," The phone replied.
"OK Jessica, I'll see you in 10 minutes." Donna waved Jessica in to her father's office.
"Thanks again Donna. But I don't think I will be here that long."
Jessica went to the door of her father's inner chamber office, opened the door, to immediately walk into his open arms. Alex wrapped his arms around her while she held his waist.
"Hey Daddy."
"Hello baby." They let go and stepped back to look at each other. Alex spoke first, "Congratulations! I always knew you would finish top of the class. You look so intelligent in your gown."
It was the kind of compliment she always expected from her dad, yet she was blushing and looking away all the same. "Did Mom tell you?"
Alex had a wry grin, "You posted it to your social media account." He pointed toward the suite of computer screens. Sure enough, on the far left screen was her selfie she posted an hour ago. "Let's sit." Alex closed the door and returned to his desk.
Jessica sat the seat across his desk, and when he was also seated and comfortable, she dropped the paper bag in the middle of his desk. "Here, I got you some sandwiches."
"Thank you, but you didn't have to - Donna usually takes care of my lunch"
"And today I'm taking care of your lunch."
Alex chuckled, "OK Jess, now when are you going to sign the offer?" The job offer she had been avoiding for the last few weeks.
"I dunno Dad. I studied Psychology, I'm not a business major or anything useful here. I don't think I belong here." Jessica turned away to the window. If she was to turn and look at him in the eyes, in one moment he could look through her, ask her to agree and she would obey - except she didn't feel ready to commit to something so huge and life-changing.
"Don't worry Jess. Everything you actually need to know will be taught by your supervisor, anything else you can discover through your own research."
Jessica turned back to Alex, "So why do all the graduates study business, economics and accounting?"
"That's actually not true, it's just that they are the only students who put in the effort to work here." Alex leaned in, his eyes locked into hers, "We only want the best people working here, but first all candidates need to they want nothing else but to work at one of the top investment firms in the area. You've done that Jessica, and now it's time for you to earn some serious money."
Alex leaned back into his chair, "Please accept the offer Jessica, this will be a great life experience."
"You know, I would accept the offer if I could work with you all day," Jessica smiled.
"Absolutely not!" Alex seemed shocked by his own reaction as Jessica winced. He reached out across his desk and placed his hand on top of hers. "Sorry, but the work here demands a lot from you, and I don't think you a ready yet."
"Oh, OK. So where will they put me."
"For the first two years you will be with the analysts."
"OK. And you sure I can do this?"
"I'm one hundred percent sure. I know you, Jessica. You are an amazing young woman and you can do anything you set your mind to."
"Alright, I'll do it." Jessica beaming. Alex sighed relaxing back into his chair. "I'll go home and sign to the contract and leave it on your desk this evening."
"It's OK, Donna prepared a copy of your contract for you to sign." He opened a drawer of his desk and pulled out a stack of A4 papers with several arrow stickers sticking out, then offered her his golden pen from his chest pocket.
As she was about to take the pen Jessica said, "So you are sure I can do this?"
"You can do anything if you believe in yourself. I raised my daughter to be a strong independent woman. Am I wrong?"
"No." Jessica looked down at her feet.
"Then stop doubting yourself. You can go far working at Wicked Company if you have a positive "can-do" attitude."
"OK, let's do this." Jessica accepted his pen and signed the pages where the arrows indicated without hesitation, without reading it. "Phew, that wasn't so hard."
"Thank you, you won't regret working at Wicked Company. This will be great for your career."