it,” Jane insisted as Desiree ran on the treadmill beside her. “What do you have to lose?”
They were the only two in the gym at this outrageously early hour, as Desiree’s schedule permitted ‘before dawn’ sessions occasionally. It was on a morning like this when they first met—Jane’s physique inspired Desiree’s envy. She insisted that Jane train her without a second thought.
Jane spent months keeping track of Dave’s coworkers. But she knew from the second Desiree flounced into the firm that she would be the one to cause the most damage.
“Well normally, I wait for them to come to me. I don’t see why I have to do all the work,” she complained.
“But you said every time one of them attempts to try, you shoot them down.”
“Yeah, it’s boring otherwise, but if they are persistent, I do reconsider.”
“Sounds easy. ”
“It is. I want a challenge.”
“Well, then suck up your pride and ask him out,” Jane insisted.
She still couldn’t understand what the younger woman saw in Dave, other than a conquest she could not master.
“Ugh, I think he’s just shy. Maybe I should give him a couple more days to adjust to me.”
This was not good enough. Jane needed Desiree to begin her destruction now, today. She already wasted time and resources on other employees who were not nearly as capable of twisting this plot into her favor. “I don’t see how that’s going to make a difference. You’ve been there for two weeks already and you told me he hasn’t even asked you your name. He must be insane.”
“I’m beginning to think so. I mean, look at me,” she gestured to her outrageously perfect form. Jane’s training sessions sent Desiree from ‘hot ’to ‘smoke-show’—didn’t she realize Jane gave great advice?
“I bet you he’s intimidated. It’s a good sign that he hasn’t crowded you, though. I can’t stand pushy men.”
“But now I want what I don’t have!” Desiree whined. She was pouting like a petulant child.
“Desiree, there’s only one way to get what you want. You aren’t normally this indecisive about anything. Just talk to him.”
Desiree huffed with annoyance but conceded. “Alright. Fine! I’ll do it today. As soon as I get in.”
“Good, you never know what could be if you don’t try.”
“That’s true. And it’s always the quiet ones that are the best in bed.”
“Are you speaking from experience?”
“Is there anything else I speak from?”
“Touché.”
“Mr. Secretary is going to be my personal slave once I get done with him.”
Jane sincerely hoped if that came to pass, that Desiree tortured Dave within an inch of his life. She needed him alive for her plans, but she did not need him well.
Secretary! Jane scoffed to herself. It was the perfect job for someone like Dave, who pretended to be as unassuming as he looked. But wasn’t that just it? People never took secretaries to be any sort of serious threat—their job was always to assist and help. But to Jane, if given the opportunity, she believed that the position of secretary held a lot more power than others realized. For one, they had access to all sorts of personal information and data that could easily be used against other employees. No one would expect this from Dave’s kind smile and willingness to do other’s bidding. Secretaries observed as well—their desk was usually situated in the most convenient spot for anyone to reach them if needed. Jane could see it in her mind’s eye now—Dave just watching and studying all that went on. Someone continually underestimated by those around him. Of course he would want to blend in, be a nobody...Jane knew it was a front. It might not even be on his conscious mind, but he was most certainly hiding, right in plain sight. He was as clever as she always knew him to be. The difference now was that Jane was the watcher, the invisible woman who would slowly but surely force him to remember. Until then, she would let Dave go on, believing that he was the one in power.
“Keep me posted,” Jane encouraged as they slowed their pace to a walk.
“You’ll be the first to know of any developments,” Desiree promised with a wink and a cunning smirk. Jane was beginning to appreciate having someone as devious as Desiree DeLongo on her side.
“Good luck.”