Towards the end of the day, as evening approached, Laura's boss emerged from his office. Mr. Schneider carried his white cup, a clear indication that he expected Laura to prepare his coffee. "Laura Jones, please ensure that you reject any calls coming from Canada," he instructed.
Due to an ongoing project with the Ryan Corporation, most departments in their company had to work overtime that day. With project discussions scheduled for the following week, everyone was striving to meet deadlines. Laura and the CEO were expected to remain at the office until at least eight o'clock. At that moment, it was only fifteen minutes past five.
Laura glanced at her boss with a puzzled expression and inquired, "Mr. Schneider, why should I reject calls from Canada, especially considering the significance of the ongoing project with the Ryan Corporation?"
Matthew shook his head, emphasizing his point. "Reject all calls, particularly those from Jack Ryan. I don't want them answered unless I'm present to take his call."
Laura tilted her head, visibly perplexed. Jack Ryan, the CEO of the Ryan Corporation, was an important client. Refusing his calls would be impolite and could have serious consequences for their company. As far as Laura knew, Mr. Schneider and Mr. Ryan were friends. So, why was her boss instructing her to reject Jack Ryan's calls?
Matthew, still in a sour mood, clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "Are you questioning my judgment, Ms. Jones?"
His voice was assertive and commanding. Laura shook her head and reassured him, "If that's your decision, Mr. Schneider. Shall I prepare a cup of coffee for you?"
"Oh, please do, Laura," Matthew replied, extending his cup. "I'll be waiting for it in my office. Just come in without knocking. I'll take a brief rest in the bedroom. Thank you."
Laura nodded, familiar with her boss's habit of retreating to his bedroom when he felt fatigued, only emerging once his coffee was brewed. She suspected he occasionally took short naps in there.
Laura made her way to the pantry to prepare the coffee. Matthew Schneider was a straightforward individual, albeit somewhat dull in her opinion. He preferred his coffee black and bitter, claiming it kept him alert and awake more effectively than sweeter varieties. Laura respectfully disagreed, believing that coffee was at its best when served hot and sweet.
Laura heard a soft ding. "Okay, the coffee's done," she announced. Carefully, she poured the hot coffee into the cup, smoke gently wafting through the room. The aroma was delightful, Laura mused. Since the weather was exceptionally cold, she had made sure to brew the coffee at a higher temperature than usual, making it hotter than normal. Hot coffee was the perfect companion for cold winter nights.
With everything prepared, Laura placed the cup on the tray and began to walk cautiously toward the main office. Opening the door with her back, she was about to turn around when she accidentally collided with a sturdy chest, causing the contents of the cup to spill all over her torso.
"Oh, no! Shit, shit, shit!" Laura hissed in pain as she felt the scalding burn from the spilled coffee. The searing sensation started in her tummy and crawled downwards. The higher temperature of the coffee made the burn even more intense. She could feel the scorching liquid seeping through her thick, white knitted turtleneck. "Thank God my clothes are pretty thick," Laura thought, grateful that they provided some protection against the burn.
"Damn it! Laura!" Matthew, the person she bumped into, quickly grabbed the tray and cup, setting them aside. Despite wearing thick clothes, Laura couldn't escape the scalding black coffee. In an act of urgency, the CEO swiftly lifted Laura's top off her head, revealing her milky white skin adorned with red blotches. A mix of embarrassment and the burning pain flushed her cheeks. She found herself semi-naked in front of her boss.
"Well done, Laura Jones," she muttered to herself, feeling a pang of self-consciousness.
Her boss gently tugged her arm and led her to the couch in the main office. Laura sat there, watching as Matthew rummaged through his drawers. After finding what he was looking for, he disappeared into one of the doors, presumably leading to the bedroom, and returned with a white cloth and a basin of water.
Kneeling in front of Laura, Matthew began wiping her upper body with the cloth, which had been soaked in cold water. "I'm sorry, Laura,"
She heard him whisper softly, "It's okay, Mr. Schneider."
The CEO gently examined the visible burn on his secretary's fair complexion, noticing the reddened patches extending from her upper stomach to her navel. Laura could sense her boss's touch and swiftly grasped Matthew's arm, urging him to cease his actions.
"I-I can handle it, Mr. Schneider," she nervously offered.
Matthew complied, allowing her to take charge of the situation. Once Laura completed the task, the CEO assisted her in applying a suitable ointment from his well-stocked medicine cabinet.
"Oh my god!" someone gasped, startling the both of them.
Laura immediately recognized the voice—it was Joe, standing at the open doorway. She noticed her friend's gaze fixed upon Matthew's hand, positioned near her lower abdomen and pelvic area, causing her cheeks to flush.
"Is this a bad time?" Joe inquired apologetically. He bowed upon sensing Matthew's glare directed at him. "I didn't mean to interrupt your... private time."
"O-oh, Joe, it's not what you think," Laura began to explain, but her sentence was abruptly interrupted by a whistle from none other than Christopher Smith, whom Joe often boasted was the most attractive man in the entire USA.
There, standing behind Joe, was Christopher Smith, the CFO of Schneider Enterprises.
"I had no idea you had such kinky preferences, Matthew," Chris said playfully, his hands casually resting in his pants' pockets. "Enjoying some workplace excitement, huh? So, you're that kind of person."
In that moment, Laura wished for the floor to open up and swallow her whole.
"It's not what you're thinking, you perverts," Matthew retorted, tossing the wet cloth at the two intruders. He stood up and handed Laura a white shirt. "Laura, wear this sweater for now. Your top is already stained."
"Thank you," the secretary replied, turning around to put on the sweater.
"Now, now," Chris teased with a grin on his face. "Matthew, you're not setting a good example, are you? What happened to your 'no fooling around in the office' rule?"
"Shut up, Chris," Matthew hissed. "The coffee spilled on my secretary. Don't let your dirty mind wander."
Chris simply shrugged his shoulders.
The sweater was slightly oversized on Laura, reaching halfway down her thighs. The neckline was low, revealing Laura's milky shoulders and accentuating her collarbones. Her hands were completely hidden within the sleeves. With her pinkish cheeks and disheveled hair, Laura looked adorable.
Laura quickly stood up, thanked the CEO once again, and excused herself from the room, with Joe following closely behind.