"If you want to keep this job, never fuck your boss," Mrs. Turner warned me.

It was the start of my first real job after graduating college and this comment was what greeted me? 

I had interned with another architect firm, during my last semester. They didn't have a spot to hire me on full-time after I graduated, so they recommended me for the entry position at Herman & Sons: Real Estate and Construction Firm.

I was starting as the assistant to Mr. Herman's youngest son. He had just recently graduated from college as well. Of course, because he was the son of the owner, he had been ushered in as a partner at the firm. Nepotism at its finest.

Mrs. Turner was the assistant to the Mr. Herman and she was my direct supervisor. She had been Mr. Herman's assistant for close to thirty years and had seen it all. I was told that a string of previous assistants, to his other two sons, all ended up in some sort of hot, passionate, sexual relationship with them. Then when it ran its course they would be fired and replaced with new assistants, only to have it be repeated. She said the longest one assistant lasted was two years.

"I have a fiancé." Feeling slightly taken aback by Mrs. Turner's blunt comment, I flashed her my hand showing her my ring that sat gracefully on my fourth finger.

"That hasn't stopped any of them before." Mrs. Turner snorted. She proceeded to stand from the chair next to me and led the way out of the Human Resources waiting room. 

She gave me a tour, pointing things out as we made our way to where I was going to be working. First, we passed rows and rows of grey walled cubicles that had people stationed in every one of them. "This area is where you will find the employees dedicated to the real estate part of the company. They help manage all the properties, online postings, advertising, general marketing, and the like."

She then pointed beyond the cubicles to the far side of the vast space. She mentioned that was the employee break area. She mentioned each floor had its own similar to it. 

I couldn't see it clearly, but what I could make out was a few plain circular tables with a row of standard counters and a fridge. There were a few vending machines by the wall of windows that offered everything from premade sandwiches to gum. I was almost disappointed by how simple it was. I figured since I was working for an architect firm that they would have at least added a little something to the designs of their office. 

We reached the elevator and took it up to the next floor.  She wanted to show me around the construction and design part of the office. It was completely different. Instead of having a farm of cubicles, like there were on the floor below us, this floor had rows of back to back computer desks here and tall standing tables there. 

The people at the computers were working on designs for what looked like different commercial style buildings. The clusters of people that were at the tables, were hovering around small models of the construction plans, pointing at different parts. This area seemed like more of my scene.

"This is of course where you'll find all the designers and architects for the various projects we have going on around the country." Mrs. Turner gestured with an outstretched hand to space that I visually consumed with delight. "Chances are you'll be down here more than the Real Estate floor since you'll be working for Ryan."

"I can't wait!" I was so entranced with seeing everything, that I didn't realize that Mrs. Turner recalled the elevator. She cleared her throat lightly to grab my attention. I backed up into it once again, not wanting to leave the place I had only imagined in my dreams.

We went up one more level. I stepped out onto the marble floor, hearing my heels click and clack louder than I expected. It was eerily quiet, in comparison to the bustling levels that I had just visited. 

"This is the Partner and Executive floor. Up here you'll only find our executive suites and the executive conference room, which is down that hall." Mrs. Turner pointed down a long carpeted corridor that was lined with illuminated black and white pictures. I couldn't see them clearly from where I was standing, but I guessed they were of New York architecture through the ages. Most construction companies in the city liked to boast about their builds in the city.

"This way," she said as she walked off the marble and onto the carpeted main floor. We turned away from the hall that led to the conference room and instead moved down a winding path to an open space where there sat a standard, light grey L-shaped office desk, in front of a standard office door. "This is your desk. Mr. Herman should be in around nine. Until then, go ahead and read the company's employee handbook. I'll be back to introduce you and help you get through your first day here."

"Thank you," I said as I sat down in my swivel chair. I watched Mrs. Turner head back the way we came, around the corner and out of sight to her desk. I peered at the plaque on the door and read Ryan Herman: Senior Partner - Lead Architect. 

I couldn't help but huff a little as I thought about how nice it must be to be part of a family where you don't have to work hard to get an executive position.

*****

It was almost ten when Ryan Herman finally decided to grace the office with his presence. As he appeared from around the corner I had to admit that I didn't expect to see someone extremely good looking. 

He was the kind of good looking that you knew, he knew he was attractive. He had his hair slicked back with gel, but not too much that he looked like a mob boss. I also couldn't help but notice that he had piercingly beautiful eyes. The kind of eyes that when they stared into your own, would send a chemical reaction throughout your body, making your mind revert to a boy-obsessed teenage girl.

Ryan looked at me for just a moment as he approached. I tried to say hello, but he just kept walking past me into his office and closed the door behind him. What just happened? Do I go in to introduce myself?

Just as these thoughts ran through my mind, Mrs. Turner came striding around the corner, right on cue. She smiled at me and held up a finger, signaling for me to wait as she knocked on Ryan's door. She let herself in before he could respond and shut the door behind her. The door didn't close completely, and though it was open just a crack, their voices swam through the air straight to my ears, and I could hear every word as if I was in the room myself.

"Is that my assistant?" He asked.

"Yes."

"Can you find me someone else?"

What the hell? He doesn't even know me!

"Why? She's well educated and came highly recommended. How about you just see how things go with Ms. Ashcroft before you make any quick decisions," Mrs. Turner suggested, trying to defend me. I liked her even more at that moment.

"Whatever! I guess she'll do," he paused, then added, "for now. Let's get this over with." He sounded almost defeated with a hint of annoyance in his tone.

I quickly opened my employee handbook. Pretending to read it when Mrs. Turner popped her head around the door and asked me to come into his office. Stepping in, my first reaction was that it definitely looked like an executive's office. It was very spacious and it could easily fit at least eight grown men comfortably. 

His large L-shaped desk wasn't like mine in the slightest. His was made with what looked like walnut and black leather. The desk part was slightly elevated while the sideboard was lower and looked the drawers were leather-covered. That desk had to have cost a pretty penny. Probably more than what I'd make in a year as his assistant.

Behind the desk was a plush, black swivel armchair. Definitely an equally expensive piece of office furniture. It too looked better than my low-back chair that I already knew would be giving me back problems later. 

Mr. Herman and Mrs. Turner were standing by the lounge part of the room. Where there was a coffee table that was created in two parts. 

The first part was a rounded walnut frame, topped with a bronzed smoked glass top. Then attached to it was a solid, thick-stoned squared platform. Even though they were two separate parts, they combined perfectly and complemented each other.

They also matched the tanned leather sofa, with squared armrests, that sat beside it. The couch could easily seat four people, well maybe three and a half, comfortably and still, leave elbow room between them. 

"Ryan, please allow me to introduce you to Ms. Victoria Ashcroft. Like you, she is a recent graduate of N.Y.U. and also majored in Urban Design and Architecture Studies. She will answer your calls, handle your general emails, travel, and calendar appointments. She will also attend any important meetings with you as your note-taker." Mrs. Turner explained the boundaries of my job duties perfectly.

I was slightly surprised to hear that he had also attended N.Y.U. I didn't recall seeing him in any of my classes, though there were a lot of students enrolled in the Architecture program, so it wasn't like I knew everyone anyway.

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Ashcroft." Ryan greeted with a sharp and well-rehearsed smile and professional handshake.

I took his hand firmly, which seemed to throw him off that I had such a confident handshake back. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Herman. You can call me Vicky. That's what my friends call me."

"Well, we aren't friends." His words almost got me, but luckily I had been around enough college brats and city snobs that I knew not to let them get the upper hand. "You can address me as Mr. Herman, Ms. Ashcroft."

"Thank you, Mr. Herman," I responded, releasing his hand and bringing my own together.

"Great! Now then, I should get back to my work. I'll leave you two to it," Mrs. Turner said, quickly. She clearly wanted to get out of there as much as I did. I didn't know if I should follow her or stay and see what he needed me to do first.

"I don't need anything at the moment. Our first meeting isn't until after lunch. I'll see you then," he said as if reading my thoughts.

I smiled politely and left his office. He closed his door behind me. 

I got a little lost going through the halls, but finally found the lady's room. I splashed some cold water on my face and stared at my reflection. Taking a few extra deep breaths, I tried to psych myself to accept my new work challenge with all I had.

My phone buzzed. It was a text from my fiance, Eric.

ERIC: Hope your first day is off to a good start. Thinking of you and your beautiful smile. 👄

This simple message was why he was my fiance. Eric always seemed to sense when I needed him.

I leaned against the black, tiled wall and texted him back.

ME: So far so good. Thinking of you too! Can't wait to be back home with you.

ERIC: Don't you have another wedding-dress hunt date tonight with Sasha?

My mind had been so racked with nerves at starting my first day at my new job, that I had almost forgotten I was going to meet my best friend and matron-of-honor to try on more wedding dresses, which I was somewhat dreading. Not because I didn't want to get married. Just because I wasn't having any luck finding that dress that was meant for me.

ME: Yes, but I'll rush home as soon as it's done ... 😘

ERIC: I look forward to it.

*****

All morning I was bored out of my mind. I had read all the new employee and orientation information and counted down the seconds until it was finally lunchtime.

As I was packing up my purse to grab lunch, my office phone intercom buzzed.

"Ms. Ashcroft, come into my office," Ryan's voice demanded through the speaker.

I put my bag on my desk, picked up a notepad and pen, and walked into his office. He was sitting at his desk, typing away at his keyboard. It almost seemed like he forgot he summoned me.

"Did you need something, Mister Herman?" I asked, trying to get his attention.

"I need you to pick up my lunch. Go to Hannigan's and bring me back a Chef's salad with Italian dressing," he requested, without once looking away from his computer.

"Okay. Did you want something to drink too?" I asked, writing his order down like I was his waitress.

"Iced green tea," he responded.

"Do you have cash?" I asked. I know he didn't expect me to pay for his lunch.

He turned his head and made eye contact with me. I suddenly wanted him to look away, as his stare was almost too much. How could someone in real life be that sexy? Thankfully, he looked away moments later and reached for his wallet from his blazer jacket. He pulled out a twenty-dollar bill and held it out to me between two fingers.

I reached for the money, and my fingers grazed his, just enough to send a shock wave through me. Luckily, I was able to keep my composure and play a poker face as if that simple touch did nothing to me.

As I headed out of the office, I had to remind myself that I was an adult now. I had a fiancé. I had a degree from a highly rated university. I couldn't allow myself to let a man, especially my boss, have any physical effect on me. I refused to be a cliché.

At Hannigan's, I placed his order and got myself a half salad and sandwich combo too. When I returned about forty minutes later, I tapped lightly on Ryan's door. No response. I figured he was probably away from his desk, and without thinking much about it, I let myself in.

I was not prepared for what I saw in the slightest. There was Ryan, standing by the corner of his office, leaning his back against the window, and my eyes instantly shot downwards to a woman with curly, red hair. She was kneeling in front of him. His pants were on, but her head was bobbing. My mind instantly put the puzzle pieces together. She was giving him a blowjob. Thankfully, his eyes were closed, so they didn't even realize I walked in.

I was in so much shock of what I saw that I almost dropped his lunch and iced green tea. Keeping my composure and stealth, I closed the door fast. I put his takeout bag and drink on my desk and ran to the break-room to get myself as far away from that scene as possible.

I was happy that I was the only one there at that moment. I sat down at one of the small tables and replayed what I had seen. Suddenly I burst out laughing, but that "awkward-feeling" kind of laughter, not so much out of finding that moment funny. Did that just happen? Did I really see Mr. Ryan Herman getting a blowjob?

What a crazy first day this was turning out to be.

*****

After I finished eating, I looked at my watch and saw that it was almost time for my very first meeting with all the executives and planners in the firm. I was finally going to meet Mr. Herman and all his sons. Hopefully, they were going to be kinder to me than Ryan had been.

I went back to my desk and sat down. I noticed that the takeout bag and tea were gone, so at least I knew Ryan was able to eat after his escapade with the redhead. I wondered where she worked in the office, I didn't recall seeing a curly red-headed woman, but I didn't see many people where my desk was. I was on the executive floor where Ryan, his brothers, and father all worked. Everyone else was on the two levels below.

Ryan walked out of his office and looked at me. He gave me a look like he was wondering if I knew what he had done. I didn't give him any satisfaction and continued to keep my best poker face.

"Let's go," he said to me. He didn't even thank me for getting his lunch—such a snob.

I followed him in stride to the conference room. As we walked in, almost everyone was there and seated. I was instantly taken aback by how Ryan and his brothers looked similar to one another. You could tell that they were related, even if you saw them together without knowing them. The only real difference that I could see right off the bat was their hair, both in color and style.

Ryan directed me to sit down next to one of his brothers, and he took the chair on the other side of me. I obliged, looked around the table and said hello to everyone.

"You must be Ryan's assistant," his brother, who was sitting next to me, said.

"I am. I'm Vicky Ashcroft." I smiled politely and extended my hand to shake his, which he took.

"Hi, Vicky. I am Peter. This is my assistant, Ashlee," he said, placing his arm around her shoulders as if staking his claim to her like she was a piece of his property.

"Hi there. Welcome to the team," Ashlee said, with an airiness sound to her voice. She shook my hand lightly, which I didn't consider to be very professional.

I thanked Ashlee and then was introduced to Ryan's other brother, Adam, and his assistant Peggy. She greeted me with a very "Valley California-girl" tone. I had asked her if she was from California, and she instantly responded, "Wow! You got a good ear girl. Yes, I grew up in LA around the Valley area." I felt proud that I was right.

I was greeted by the rest of the company executives too, but none of them had assistants. I was happily surprised to see a mix of men and women. I felt a sense of pride to be working for a company that appeared to value the woman workforce in higher management positions as much as their male counterparts.

Finally, Mr. Herman entered the room with Mrs. Turner following behind. He looked exactly like his sons or his sons looked exactly like him. The only difference was that he had many more gray hairs. It worked for him, though. He also had a well-groomed goatee that matched the salt and pepper shades on his head. His eyes also had the same intensity as his sons. I started wondering what his wife, their mother, was like.

The meeting was very dull, but I was terrific at notating the essential details, projects, and deadlines that were discussed. I glanced sideways at Ryan a few times. He looked uninterested and only spoke a few minimal words here and there to make it seem like he was part of the conversation.

When it was all over, Mr. Herman was the first to excuse himself from the room, followed by the other executive members. The three brothers all lingered for a moment behind. I left the room with Ashlee and Peggy.

"Do you ladies have any plans after work?" Peggy asked Ashlee and me.

"No," Ashlee responded immediately.

"Yes," I responded soon after.

"Want to go to Grand Point Lounge for a few drinks?" Peggy continued, almost ignoring my response.

"Sure!" Ashlee agreed.

"I can't. I'm trying on wedding dresses after work," I said.

"You're getting married?!" The two girls squealed together.

"I am."

"Well, congratulations. Why don't you join us after your appointment?" Ashlee suggested.

"Okay. May I bring my friend Sasha?"

"Of course!" they said together.

"Great! I'll see you there tonight then," I said just as the three men stepped out of the office.

"Where are you lovely ladies going tonight?" Adam asked.

"Grand Point Lounge. Do you gentlemen want to come too?" Peggy asked in a flirty manner.

"You can count me in," Adam stated.

"Me too," Peter agreed.

Ryan didn't respond with words, but he gave a slight shrug. Was that a yes or no? I guess I really would have to go after my wedding dress appointment to find out.

I didn't know why I cared. I was getting married to Eric. I needed to stop caring about MISTER Herman and whether or not he was going. As soon as I got back to my desk, I texted Eric and told him to meet us there too.

Yes! That was going to be a great idea.