The Women's Job - I Don't Have a Choice - Chapter 4

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I'm not doing anything else today, that's for sure. And what can happen? We're in an office, he'll just introduce me to people, show me where I would be working, and probably even let me get settled while he goes back to work.  I could live with that for another hour or two, I suppose.  

"I, um, I....yes, I can, um, start now...I guess." 

 "Good! Very good! That's my girl, I think you'll really work out well, and like it here," he said as he reached around and patted her lightly on the lower back.  

"So, come with me and I'll show you your desk and layout and everything."  

He reached for her hand, and without thinking she let him take it, and swiveling the chair, he helped her up. 

They went back into the outer office and Brad had her sit in her chair behind the desk which now seemed to be hers. 

He provided her with the various passwords to the computer and system and had her log in to and learn where the various files and application programs were located as well as how to operate the printer.  "I assume you're a good typist?" 

  "Um, yes, I can type. Maybe not the best, but I think about 40 words a minute."  "That's good for what I'll need. I'll be having you type up various documents, letters, and such.  Not a lot, but maybe a couple or so each day.  Now let's work on the phone."  

He showed her how to operate the phone, how to ring him on the intercom part, and how to switch calls to him.  

"You'll answer it, the standard way, 'Johnston Industries, Mr. Austin's office, who's calling' fairly standard, let me know by the intercom, then switch it over or take a message.  

Now, I'll want you to keep an online appointment book for me, which is right here, and make sure I'm reminded of appointments, meetings, phone calls, and so on. 

  I'll also be asking you to do small errands for me as I can get quite busy and just run out of time.  Not a lot, but I just want you to understand all that's required.  Any questions?"  

"Um, no, not right now, but I might have some when I start doing things."  "That's fine, you can come and ask me any time, of course, when I'm not terribly busy or in a meeting."  

"I understand." 

  "Okay, the other important job will be to give a preliminary review to the documents that I have to study.  

Let's get one out right now, one I've already reviewed and we can go over it, and I'll show you what I'm looking for.  

I don't expect you to know everything right away, so we'll start off with the easier ones, so you can get used to them.  So, let's do one right now."  

All the time he was showing her the various duties, he practically had one arm wrapped around her with it resting on the back of her chair while he remained quite close, enough so that she sometimes felt his chest moving as he breathed. 

She found it a little intimidating but didn't quite know what to say or do about it, as she had never experienced anything like this before, and she certainly didn't want to upset him, having just started a job.  

As he began showing her the document he retrieved from a drawer in her desk, he moved in a little closer to her.  

He was now leaning right over her on her right side as she was sitting in the chair. He had his left arm now over the top of the chair towards her, so if she sat up a little straight, she could feel it against her back.  

She could also smell his cologne, and as close as he was now to her she could almost sense how masculine and strong he seemed.  

He showed her, as he had her page through it, where the parts were that he, and now she, should be looking for.  

Occasionally, he covered her right hand with his to show her an important part. She began feeling a little overwhelmed by how close he was, and how he seemed to be manipulating her. She could almost constantly feel his breathing as the left side of his chest came against her upper right arm.  

He often complimented her saying things like, 'Good girl, that's my girl, you're as smart as you are pretty'.  

She had never been this close to someone for this amount of time where they were so complimentary, so seemingly caring, so attentive, so forceful. 

She sort of admitted to herself that it was...interesting, and if she were actually a girl she might even consider, well, going out with him, if he were to ask, of course.  Which she assumed would never happen.  He remained close to her for the next hour or so.  

At about 4 PM, he mentioned to her that the workday started at 8:30 AM and he expected her to be here on time every morning.  She nodded, but then remembered and said, "Oh, I forgot, this, um, the outfit I'm wearing is the, uh, only um one," 

He smiled at her, that sort of grin, and said, "Yes, it is very attractive on you." 

  He looked at her a little more and she guessed he saw the question forming in her eyes and he then continued, "Ah, yes, I understand. 

Okay, yes, yes, that's it."  

He reached into his pocket pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to her. It had a telephone number on it and the name 'Jen'.  He said to her, "Call this number right now, ask for Jen, 3rd Floor, Women's Clothes, you know, the sales clerk you saw earlier today.  

And when she answers, tell her Mr. Austin wants to talk to her. Can you do that?" 

 "Um, yes," she replied and took the phone from him which he now had in his hand, and punched in the numbers.  

After a moment, with the phone against her ear, she glanced up at Mr. Austin and smiled, saying, "Hi, may I speak to Jen on the 3rd Floor, Women's Clothes?" 

 "Yes, I'll wait."  She looked up at Brad again and smiled and he smiled back.  "Oh, hi, Jen? Mr. Austin from Johnston Industries would like to talk to you. Just a moment, please."  Brad reached out his hand and took the phone.  

"Jen? Hi, this is Brad...Yes, you did a great job...exactly what I was looking for...yes, she's now working for me, that was her...Yes, you can do something.

  She'll need three or four nice outfits, also whatever accessories you think, that's right, you know her size....Good.

You're open to 7, right?. Good, we'll be by about 6:30 to pick them up...That's right. See you then...Thanks so much...I will...You too... Bye."  

He put the phone back in his pocket and said, "That takes care of that, you'll now have nice things to wear into next week.  Jen's a real doll. Nice to know someone like her."  

"I agree.  She was very nice to me."  

As she considered what just taken place, Ashley was beginning to understand what that all meant.  

She would now have clothes she could wear for tomorrow and into the next week, with the expectation of her coming back here every day.  

She would be remaining as Ashley for some time if she didn't stop all this.  

But how could she? She needed the money, and it would be great.  Maybe just do this until she gets that first paycheck, and then say it isn't working out.  

Could she do that? She seemed to have passed so far, but could she manage all this for another week or two?  

"Um, thank you for that call, but I'm not sure I can, uh, pay for all those new clothes.  Is there some..."  

Brad touched his index finger to her lips and smiled at her, 

"Don't you worry about it right now, not at all.  I do have an expense budget, we'll see how things go today, tomorrow, and into next week and we can talk about it then. Okay?"  

"Um, yes. Okay. Thank you!"  

At that moment, his phone rang and he pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to Ashley saying, "Here, you can get some practice now answering it, like I told you earlier. Can you do that?" 

  "Yes," she said as she took the phone.  "Hello, Johnston Industries, Mr. Austin's phone."  

"Yes, who's calling, please?"  

"Yes, just a moment," she said to the phone, then turned to Mr. Austin and said, "It's Mr. Larry Donaldson."  

"Okay, I'll take it, just finish up."  

"Yes, Mr. Austin will be right with you."  

She gave the phone back to Mr. Austin as he smiled at her and said, "Very good, Ashley, you're a natural for this." 

  The compliment made her smile.  He then replied into the cell phone, "Hey Larry, you ol' dog you. 

What's going on?"

"Sounds great, but well, no, I can't make it tonight.  Got something going on."...." Heh, heh, yep, you guessed it.  

Working out really well."

."Oh, yes, definitely, I expect to. Pretty soon, I imagine."

"Next week?"...

"Yeah, sure...Oh, definitely.  I'll be glad to show you the goods then, maybe even share."

"Oh yeah. You got it. For sure."

"Hey, take care.  Talk to ya later, pal."  After punching off, he turned to Ashley and said, "Good job, Ashley, that's exactly how I'd like you to handle my calls, but, of course, future calls will be on the office phone."  

Brad continued to work very close to and with her for quite a while and when he finally went back into his office, she saw that it was closing in on 6PM. 

She now understood a little better what her days would be like if she continued working here.  

He came back out after a few moments and said to her, "Okay, I believe we've covered more than enough for now. 

Do you have any questions?" 

 "Oh, um, no. But, I didn't realize it was getting so late," she said to him, "I should really get going as the buses don't come as often and even stop running if it gets too late."  

"Okay, let's call it a day.  And don't you worry your pretty little head about getting back to your place?  

I'll be happy to give you a ride.  We can stop at VanHisen's on the way so you can get your new clothes. Better than the hassle of a bus ride.  Say, how would you like to have dinner with me after we pick up your things? I'd like that very much. We can talk about your job some more.  

And the restaurant is not that far away from downtown and even a little on the way to your place.  It will be a lot easier than having to take the bus downtown, pick up those packages, and then get back on and go to your place. 

What do you say?"  She hesitated, not sure if it was a good idea, but realized it would make things so much easier. After a moment's hesitation, she agreed and cleared off her desk, and grabbed her shoulder bag. He held the door for her as they left his office. 

Once in the hallway, she realized how quiet things were and guessed most the others had left at 5PM.  

They went to the company parking lot and took his car, a late model rather expensive one, with Brad holding the door for her.  

They made their way to VanHisen's going in together and met Jen who was very positive and told Ashley that she had been absolutely sure Ashley would get the job and wasn't she right? Ashley could only agree.  

Jen also gave her a large envelope with some papers and other things which she said were helpful hints about doing her makeup and dressing.  

Brad and Ashley left with a bundle of boxes of clothes and other accessories they put in the back seat.  

They then went to one of the more upscale and expensive restaurants, one that Ashley never expected to ever get into, and had dinner. Brad ordered for both of them, a pasta salad for Ashley and a bottle of wine. For quite a while, Ashley could only think that for all intents and purposes, she was now on a dinner date with a young man, and she was his young woman date.  

No doubt anyone in the restaurant who glanced at them would just assume they were dating if not yet already married.  

During dinner, he kept her wine glass filled, to which she really didn't pay much attention, and by the end of the meal, she was feeling lightheaded.  It was now after 9:00P.M., and, to her relief, he took her straight to her place. 

He helped her carry things in, although she was somewhat embarrassed about how it looked when they first entered.  "I apologize for the room. I've only been in it for a week or two, and haven't had time...."  

"Ashley, it's all right. I understand. Starting out on your own and all that.  Tell you what, in a month or so, I'll help you find a much better place.  I have some contacts and maybe I can get you a real good deal. How does that sound?"  "That would be wonderful, Mr., I mean, Brad.  

Thank you so much." 

  They continued chatting for a few more moments as he said all the right things, and she enjoyed everything that was happening, how nice and caring he was, how dinner was, her getting a new wardrobe and especially her now having a paying job, especially with the possibility now of moving on to a better place..  As they set the last of the packages down, he said, "I'd really like to stay and talk some more, but it is getting late and we do have to be back at work tomorrow."  

"Oh, yes, of course.  Well, thank you so much for dinner and getting these clothes for me and helping bring them in, I really appreciate it." 

She was starting to feel more relieved that he was going without hardly any involvement on either part as well as her not having to ask him to leave, but at the same time, to her surprise, she also felt a little disappointed that he was leaving as she had to admit he had been so nice to her and she certainly felt she had had a very nice time.  

He continued to give her compliments as they walked over to the door and he opened it. 

He then stopped in the open doorway, and turning to her, took her hands in his saying, "I really do like you, Ashley, you've been an excellent worker today, and now I hope for many more days, where I can count on you helping me move up the corporate ladder.  

You're just what I was looking for when I decided I needed an assistant, and I'm very impressed with how fast you're catching on, and showing that you're ready to take on the responsibilities of the position.  

I really couldn't be any happier with you than I am right now.  

And for that, you deserve a little token of my affection as a reward."  He had been slowly moving closer to her and with her hands in his, and her back to the side of the door frame, she really couldn't go much of anywhere, not that she wanted to, because she was enjoying everything he was telling her.  

With her hands in his, he then looked deeply into her eyes, as she stood there not sure at all of what to do or say.  

He then gently pulled her arms up to his shoulders and sliding his arms around her, he pulled her into him into an embrace his head bent down as she almost reflexively turned hers up, and they kissed. 

 As it sort of took her breath away, Ashley was too lost in everything that was happening to even have an inkling of what she might have wanted to do or if she even wanted it.  

But, it didn't matter as now her lips had met his and her arms were up on his shoulders.  Her eyes closed rather instinctively and she in a small way, a little hesitantly returned the kiss, not trying to stop him or push him away in the least.  She had kissed a girl or two in her life, and sort of liked it and hoped the girl did too, but she realized this was a rather deeper and more involved kiss than any of the ones Ash had given. 

 And now she sort of guessed she might have an idea of what the girl felt when Ash had kissed her.  

She was simultaneously excited, embarrassed, worried, and shivering, from everything that had happened that day, and now especially to be kissed like that, as he finally pulled back and said, "I'll come by in the morning just after 8 and pick you up.  No need for you to take a bus for your first full day of work." 

 "Oh! Uh, okay, thank you," she stammered out still in a slight daze from the kiss.

 "Goodbye, Ashley, and thank you for a very enjoyable evening." 

 "Oh, um, y.you're welcome and thank you for everything...Brad...b.bye."  

She stood at the doorway, still in that sort of a daze, watching him go to his car, then seeing him glance back and wave slightly with the smile of his, and finally drive away.  

She took a breath, the first really normal one in a moment or two stepped back and closed the door, trying to understand all that had happened.  

She had planned to call her mother and tell her the good news about getting a job, and the first day at work, knowing she'd have to work on changing back to Ash's more male voice, but realized she couldn't really do that with what she was feeling right now.  

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she had lots of thoughts about all that happened.  

She now had a job and it was definitely a well-paying one. But she now understood that she really had to appear as a young woman since she would have no choice, especially with all those new clothes Brad, Mr. Austin, got for her that were now hanging up.  But the most involved thought was that a man was actually interested in her as a woman.  And they kissed.  And she would see him tomorrow and for who knows how many more months...and maybe even years.  He certainly seemed to enjoy being with her.  

Could this be the start of some kind of relationship?  Could those intermittent - and sometimes embarrassing and even a little erotic dreams of the past fifteen or so years actually be coming true? And should she now consider, what was that word again she saw when furtively reading about transsexuals? 

Oh, yes, transitioning?  She had once, sort of tentatively looked into it, but the cost and time involved, and fear of coming out to her family and friends, much less the thought of not being able to pass, all caused her to push it away from her mind.  Now, though, there was maybe a reason to consider it again.  

Yet she also realized she was alone, and that made it all the scarier.  Should she do it, and if so how would she even start?  She finally got up and got ready for bed, carefully hanging and putting away what she had worn today.  

She tried wiping off a little of the make-up she had on but realized the girls at the salon were right, it seemed definitely long-lasting if not maybe permanent.  

She then, after considering it for a while, put on a teddy that she pulled from the way in the back of the bottom drawer of the desk. She considered some of the other items back there and realized the clothes that were now hanging up, were so much better, and more stylish, and just...more attractive than what she had secretly kept for some time.  Since she had had a small breakfast, no lunch, and then a decent-sized dinner, she had to use the facilities.

 Now for the first time since around noon, she actually started examining things between her legs. Having been dressed and made up in that salon and not understanding what had been done to her, she was a little taken aback at what she saw...practically nothing, although she felt like there was something there, just not dangling out.  

After feeling around a little she discovered that the various parts had been pushed up into her, there was some kind of very smooth and flesh-feeling tape holding it all together which was barely noticeable.  

If she hadn't done this somewhat thorough examination, she might not have noticed it.  In feeling around, she discovered that there seemed to be a little tube just inside an opening neither of which had been there before.  

Not exactly sure what was going on, but having that urge from her bladder, she sat on the toilet, and to her relief, things still worked, at least in a somewhat reasonable manner.  

This was now one more moment, where she felt like she was more girl than guy, at least on the outside. 

She guessed if she had to, she would definitely be using the women's restroom at work. And she understood that she would surely be spending a lot more time in the restroom doing all that had to be done before and after.  Finishing up, she now felt ready to retire for the night. 

Finally, once in bed, she relaxed more so than she had all day, thinking back a little on all that had happened to her.  She had dressed and appeared as a young woman, and nobody with whom she came in contact seemed to think or treat her any differently than what she would have expected.  

Yes, Jen accompanied her to the street, the limo driver accompanied her to the front door of the office, and Mr. Austin, well Brad as he wanted to be called, accompanied her to his car, then back to VanHisen's to pick up her new clothes, then to dinner and finally home, all with no curious onlookers.  

Even in the restaurant, she didn't notice anyone looking or pointing in her direction or acting in any way out of the ordinary. 

Maybe it was because she was with someone, and two people, like a man and a woman, together might seem quite normal to others, not requiring a second glance.  And maybe she actually did pass and was fully seen as a female. 

Taking a deep breath, and after some tossing and turning, she eventually fell asleep and slept soundly until morning.