The Office Party - Alter Ego - Chapter Three

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Traveling back home and the rest of the night was blurry, by the time I woke up. Sprawled on my bed in only the rubber panties. I gradually became aware of a throbbing headache so I dragged myself from the bed and hurried to find tablets and one of Grace's so-called welcome drinks. I recovered slowly then showered and sat in the lounge in a wrap. Picking up the phone I dialed Grace's number.

"Darling! How did it go?"

I filled her in with as much detail as I could recall, quite a bit more than I thought I would actually remember. I'd thought that my excitement and enjoyment over the evening might have swamped my memories.

"And did Miss Bowen actually introduced you to the directors? , "yes"."That's marvelous Kathleen, it sounds like you'll have quite a good chance at the interview."

"But Grace, it's the real me that wants the job!

Becoming Kathleen was just an idea to get some background!"

"It sounds to me like this new job pays a lot better."

"Well yes, and goodness knows I need the money, I couldn't survive without it."

"I'm sure you're worrying over nothing Kathleen, stick to the plan and just see how it goes. You can always disappear, Kathleen."

"I suppose you're right Grace, it's just come as a bit of a shock to think that Kathleen has more chance of getting the job than Keith."

"You sound tired darling, take a couple of tablets and go back to bed."

I took her advice and rolled into the office half an hour late in the morning and not in a very good frame of mind for the interview which came round far too soon as far as I was concerned. Sitting in Miss Bowen's office, there were Kevin Fletcher, the Director of Personnel, Alyson Middleton the newly appointed Senior Administration Officer, and of course Miss Bowen.

The atmosphere was not so much intimidating as highly oppressive.

So, Keith, what special skills can you bring to the new department?" Kevin Fletcher asked.

"Er. well, I think," I mumbled and it all went downhill from there.

I couldn't concentrate, didn't seem to be able to bring myself to think straight and I had a momentous migraine building. At five o'clock round it wasn't a moment too soon, even then the journey to Grace's house seemed to take forever and I was almost on my knees by the time I got there. The first thing she had me do was to take a long soak in the bath. I fell asleep while she was shampooing my hair.

I must have got out of the bath, or at least been helped from the bath because when I finally came to I was sitting on the sofa in the lounge. I was wrapped in a huge white fluffy toweling robe that was so incredibly soft against my skin that I could almost have purred.

"Back in the land of the living Kathleen?" Grace smiled over at me from the armchair to my left.

"Come and sit here with your back to me."

I stood up and crossed the room, perched on the footstool she pointed to.

"Hold very still darling."

I felt her fingers moving gently up my neck, massaging gently until they reached my ears. A short sharp pain nipped at my right ear and then my left. I gasped in shock but was hushed and handed two wads of cotton wool that smelled of antiseptic.

"Hold them to your ears for a little while Kathleen, now, turn round so I can see what I'm doing. It might hurt a little bit but I promise that it will be worthwhile."

She produced a needlepoint electrolysis kit and went to work on my eyebrows. It did hurt a little bit but I soon got used to it and was rewarded with a satisfied smile from her when she'd finished.

"Turn round again so I can brush your hair."

This was so soothing that I almost forgot about her having pierced my ears and that my eyebrows were now softly shaped. It didn't dawn on me that I'd have to go into the office with both arched brows and earrings.

I didn't quite fall asleep again, more than her ministrations took me to a wonderfully peaceful place. I felt her slipping the robe from my shoulders and her soft hands stroking down over my shoulders to gently roll my hardening nipples between her fingers. The sensation was incredible, even more so when I felt her hands cupping and molding at my breasts. It felt as though I could feel the heat in her hands even through the silicon forms, so natural and so perfect that my head lay back in her lap, I moaned and bit my bottom lip when fireworks went off in my tummy.

Grace slid one hand further down and gently stroked my rapidly growing arousal. Rolled my twin spheres gently between thumb and forefinger, even they felt hard but seemed to have little weight to them. My entire body went rigid; I spread my legs wider to allow Grace easier access to me as she took me over the edge into absolute ecstasy. It may have been an hour later when I recovered; it may have been a minute. What I do know is that I felt fantastic.

Grace led me up to the bedroom and stood me in front of the full-length mirrors of her wardrobe doors. She untied the robe from behind and let it fall to the floor.

My hair was much lighter, matching the honey blonde of the wig. Somehow the mirrors showed me the illusion that my hips were shapelier, curved, and softly smooth. I had definitely lost weight as my waist looked slim and curved. My manhood hung between my legs and looked rather odd to my eye in comparison to how feminine the bottom half of my body appeared.

If the bottom half looked feminine my top half looked even more so. Gone were my normal silicone breast forms. Replaced by soft latex cups that looked and felt very realistic, when I raised my finger on them. I gently squeezed them and felt them move under the pressure. Grace explained that they were filled with air and stuck to my chest with suction as if they had formed a vacuum against my skin. Certainly, they seemed to apply subtle pressure to my nipples and the flesh surrounding them. I moaned softly and only then saw the chain earrings hanging an inch and a half from my ears. They looked perfect to my eyes, as did go with the very feminine and thinly arched eyebrows.

"Come to bed darling, you have a busy day ahead."

It was morning, it took a little while for me to adjust to the seeming lack of weight on my chest. The latex cups held a perfectly natural shape, even inside my bra but the lack of weight took a little getting used to. I mentioned this to Grace who gave me a broad smile.

"I wondered if you would notice, you miss having your boobs do you, darling?" She asked, the smile turning into a grin.

"Well, yes, I suppose I do, I've sort of got used to having them recently!" I replied with a giggle.

"In that case prepare to see some magic!"

She moved over to me and gently squeezed the latex cups. I felt them sort of suck at my skin. Again and again, she squeezed and I realized that the latex cups were working like vacuum pumps. When she stopped squeezing she took my hands and told me to feel them. Through the thick latex, I could feel my own flesh. Though the cups were far from filled I could definitely feel resistance when I poked the cups with my fingers, searching further I found my rounded nipples jutting out at least three inches into the cups. I judged that they were about halfway to the molded nipples on the cups themselves.

A thrilling smile formed on my lips and Grace's immediately covered them as she gathered me in her arms. I felt her tongue dart into my mouth and I yielded to its exploration my head tilting back slightly to accept her loving kiss.

After breaking the kiss Grace gave me a beaming smile and turned to get breakfast. She wouldn't let me lift a finger to help her and as it was I only had a drink of the vitamin supplement. It suddenly dawned on me that I didn't have a headache.

"Grace! I don't have a headache!"

Again she gave me a smile, "Good, you must have conquered whatever it was that was causing you to worry. Have you got your tablets with you?"

I nodded and went to get them; handing them to her she looked carefully at the two jars and handed one of them back to me. The other she put in one of the kitchen drawers.

"Keep on taking those ones, the ones that steady your nerves. It looks like you don't need the pain killers anymore." Again she gave me a smile and told me to go through to the lounge and rest.

"I will give you a call when it's time to get ready."

I did as she suggested and after that, I called the office and reported as "Keith" being off sick, I sat for a while and ran through ideas for the interview.

Should I focus on one of the interviewing panels or spread my attention between the three of them? I decided that I would be best served by sitting back and allowing their questions to form my answers and most of all I had to make sure that I wasn't too aggressive with my answers. I would play it cool and calm, not allow myself to become rattled and at the same time show that not only was I enthusiastic about the job but show that I was very capable of doing it.

Grace came in and woke me a while later, telling me it was time to get ready.

I followed her up to the bedroom and sat in front of the dressing table and began to do my make up. I began with a light foundation, very carefully applied, and thoroughly enjoyed emphasizing my newly shaped eyebrows with a soft light brown pencil.

I swapped pencils and used a kohl one to the line and emphasize the shape of my eyes before allowing myself a single coat of curling mascara. After dusting my eyelids with a blend of dusky pink and a touch of silver grey I turned my attention to my lips. With a soft pink lipstick with a hint of gloss, I finished off with a touch of blusher and then finishing powder to take the shine off.

Grace handed me a pair of white satin, high leg panties after I'd slipped into a matching bra. Tan stockings with a slight shine to them clipped taut to my suspender belt.

Stepping into a pair of black suede court shoes that Grace had found in the shop really stretched my legs. I loved the way that the high heels made my legs look longer and shapelier. Grace held the fawn dress for me to step into and waited for me to settle it onto my shoulders before drawing the long rear zip up from the small of my back to the rounded collar.

I'd decided on a four-strand fake pearl choker but Grace changed my mind for me when she produced a soft chiffon scarf that looked fabulous once she'd wound it around my throat. With a selection of thin silver bangles on my left wrist and a shop supplied ladies watch on my right, I was all but ready bar the jacket. I didn't put it on until I was ready to leave.

With Grace having to go to the shop in the afternoon I was left to catch a taxi though I had enough time spare to check through my briefcase. I made sure I had all the paperwork that I might be asked for. The fact that I had created it all myself on the office computer didn't worry me at all, I'd ensured that I had left no trace of what I had been up to. When the taxi arrived Grace kissed me on both cheeks and told me to knock them dead. I slipped into the tailored jacket and left the house.

I half expected to feel the nerves kick in as soon as the taxi pulled away. I waved to Grace and then sat waiting for the butterflies to begin fluttering in my stomach. By the time we'd reached the office block I was, if anything, feeling more confident than ever. I knew I looked good, I knew I moved well, if not perfectly, only my voice worried me. So when it came out in a soft tone when I reported at the reception desk not only was relieved but also inwardly thrilled.

I was told to take a seat in the reception area and that someone would come down to collect me shortly. Having sat down I watched people coming and going, people, I have worked with for so long, and yet not one of them gave me anything more than a quick glance when they went by. Well, not all, Nick Collins gave me a broad smile and a wink!

It was Miss Bowen herself who came down to collect me. She was wearing a beautiful cream blouse and a shorter skirt than I was used to seeing her in. Her heels were higher too and when I stood up to take her hand she was as least as tall as I was and I was in three-inch heels.

"Kathleen, good to see you." She greeted me warmly.

One emotion that I had never considered her having was warmth toward someone else, let alone the obvious pleasure of seeing me that smiled on her face.

"Now, there's no need to be nervous." She told me as we went up the stairs towards the floor where her, our, offices were.

"We'll be joined by Kevin Fletcher our Director of Personnel. You met him on Friday night, he was Robin Hood, apparently." Here she gave me a dazzling smile and then giggled, "Though his wife doesn't make much of a Maid Marion!"

I found myself laughing with her and found, much to my surprise that though Miss Bowen may have been trying to put me at ease I was as relaxed as I could remember being for ever such a long time.

"Kevin is as sharp as a tack so don't try winning him round to your point of view. Play it straight with him but with Alyson Middleton, the Senior Administration Officer you have a bit more room for maneuver. Of course, you just have to make me look impressed."

Miss Bowen was handing me the interview on a plate!

She led me into her office and gestured to a chair facing the desk. Kevin Fletcher gave me a brief smile and shuffled some papers; Alyson Middleton gave me a warmer smile and then turned to Miss Bowen when she opened proceedings.

"So, Kathleen, you don't mind me using Kathleen?"

"Not at all, Miss Bowen," I answered with a warm smile.

"Well Kathleen, you've been working for Mr. Woods in the Technical Support office as a temp for two weeks. Now you are applying for a Department Managers' job that he himself has applied for. If you are successful do you think you will find it easy to be his Manager?"

Nothing like starting with the easy questions I thought, framing my reply.

"I don't see why not Miss Bowen, I have similar qualifications to Mr. Wood, and I held management positions over staff in the past who I have worked alongside."

She gave a small smile; I had embellished the answer more than little but had felt I had it covered.

"Are you certain that you are ready for the step up to Senior Management Miss Forest? the responsibility far outweighs anything you have experienced before?"

Kevin Fletcher held my eyes with his when I replied.

"If I didn't feel I was ready Mister Fletcher I wouldn't have applied. I'm ready for a challenge in my career and I'm more than willing and capable of doing so."

Tone that down a little, Kathleen, I warned myself.

"And where do you see yourself in say, five years' time Kathleen?" Alyson Middleton asked.

"Ideally I will like to be right here, running an efficient department. Of course in that time I would hope to have obtained the necessary experience and qualifications to ready myself for the next step." I replied, and then added as if as an afterthought. "Unless of course, I have won the lottery by then.

I thought I have blown it.

Kevin Fletcher's eyes went out on stalks, Miss Bowen looked alarmed, and then Alyson Middleton burst out laughing.

After that moment of madness, I managed to keep myself in check. The time flew by and in the back of my head, I knew I gave gone way past the short time of "Keith's" interview.

The questions kept on coming, seeking my insight into what I had seen in the office, had I noticed any glaring problems they might have missed and could I tell them how I could improve things.

"I think one of the major problems that you have is in communication between departments. Many of the departments overlap in their responsibilities and this will be magnified in the new department. I believe it will be essential that the new department manager and Miss Bowen develop a very close working relationship in order to ensure the department's success." I hoped I hadn't overstepped the mark again and glanced from one to the other.

Miss Bowen was trying not to smile too openly, Alyson Middleton was making notes and Kevin Fletcher was nodding to himself.

Another half-hour went by before the interview ended. All three thanked me for coming and then Miss Bowen called down to reception for someone to come and collect me. While we were waiting there was a tense moment until Kevin Fletcher asked me how I had enjoyed the Summer Ball.

"I thoroughly enjoyed myself, Mister Fletcher, everyone had gone to such a lot of hard work with their costumes." I tried hard not to gush too much.

"You do realize of course that having seen you in that gown my wife is nagging me to get one for her?"

"I'm sorry Mister Fletcher, I got it from a dress hire shop.

"It's perhaps just as well Miss Bowen kept you circulating, Patricia might just have tried to get it off you!" He laughed heartily just as the door opened and one of the receptionists poked her head around the door.

"Miss Forest?"

I stood up and brushed myself down and picked up my briefcase. I thanked them for seeing me and then followed the girl out of the door, passed my empty desk, and down the stairs to the reception area. Having thanked her I was heading to the door when another girl called me back and indicated there was a phone call for me.

For the first time, that day worry and nerves grew in my stomach. Where had I slipped up? What had I been caught out with? Were the Police on their way at that very moment? I took the phone and said hello.

"Kathleen, it's Melinda, there's a pub across the road, the Queen's Head. If you can meet me there for a drink? In about fifteen minutes?"

I wasn't sure if I wanted to or not but the worry and fright lifted from my shoulders. I could always invent an excuse if I thought I had to escape.

"Okay, I'll see you shortly." I heard myself saying.

I hung up the phone, thanked the receptionists again, and headed out into the street. I was surprised at the amount of traffic on the roads and took a glance at my watch. I was shocked to see that it was approaching five o'clock! I had been in the interview for over three hours!

I crossed the road and entered the pub, finding it full of people calling in for drinks on their way home from work.

A group of men in sharp business suits made way for me so I was able to get to the bar. I could feel their eyes on me and caught them grinning at each other through the mirror behind the bar. I ordered a fruit juice with ice and turned to see if I could see a spare table, there weren't any but there were two stools next to a round bench that was wrapped around a pillar to the right. There were empty glasses all over the bench so steeling my nerve I asked the barman if he would mind-clearing them away. Having flashed a brilliant smile at him I was still surprised to see how quickly he moved to do my bidding. Naturally, this was a huge boost to my confidence.

I was crossing over to the, by now nearly cleared table when I saw Miss Bowen come in, she caught sight of me and came over smiling then told the barman she would have a vodka and tonic. He moved just as quickly for her as he had for me.

"Who's a clever girl then?" She giggled and continued.

"Would you like to know now or do you want to do it all officially through the post?"

"You've decided already?"

"Something came up and we needed to make a decision quickly, but more importantly we need to make the right decision."

"I see," I replied, not sure what to make of it.

"Actually Kathleen you don't." She said, not sharply, just matter-of-factly, she took a sip of her drink and began again.

"It has been decided, rather, I have decided that Keith Wood has no place in my new department. As he's been more than a little bit useless recently and something just had to give up on. He would have been informed this morning that he was sacked with immediate effect. Since he called in sick this morning he will find out by post tomorrow. Actually, Kevin has left a message on Keith's answerphone, telling him not to come in on Thursday."

My head was buzzing! I have been sacked on the same day as I, as Kathleen, had been up for an interview for a job the real me had completely and utterly failed to get!"

"What's the matter, Kathleen? Cat got your tongue?" She asked.

"No, no, I'm just a little bit surprised. He had seemed a little distracted but I didn't think he has been that bad."

"The truth of it is that I couldn't have worked as closely with either Keith or with Nick Collins for that matter. That's why I was so delighted that you applied."

I waited for her to continue, she smiled broadly then told me that I had got the job.

I found myself smiling and even giggled when we touched glasses.

"Time for another drink I think Kathleen, oh, and pack a bag this weekend. We are off to a conference in London on Monday morning. Business during the day and some fun in the evening. We'll start on the department when we get back on Thursday morning."