The Office Party - Alter Ego - Chapter Two

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I was a little embarrassed when I woke alone in her bed the following morning. Not over what we'd done, more how we'd done it. Grace had insisted that as far as possible I should really get into Kathleen's character and so I will play the female role in our lovemaking as far as possible. Grace, telling me that she was penetrating, me and not the other way round.

Grace greeted me warmly when I finally went downstairs. I was in a hangover so, I wasn't at my best and welcomed the two round tablets she offered. They must have been pretty powerful as I was soon right back on form, taking in every word and suggestion that Grace spoke, every bit of advice. I felt so grateful to her that I found it difficult to express my thanks.

"Are you sure you're okay Kathleen?"

"Fine, I'm just a bit over agitated, I think it's all this plotting and planning."

She crossed to the drawer, she takes out the tablets and handed me two small plastic bottles.

"Take one of each three times a day, they will keep you calm, that way you won't panic and drop yourself in it. And remember, stay in character as much as you can."

I looked at the bottles and thanked her. Labels had faded to such an extent that I couldn't make out the writing. Of course, a Doctor's handwriting is well known as being illegible so I thought nothing more. The same could be said for the large tub of the thick skin-softening cream that Grace gave me.

"Kathleen would pamper herself darling so you should indulge her as much as you can. Use the cream once in the morning and once in the evening. It should be allowed to soak in by itself, don't rub it in, and make sure you use plenty over your boobs, hips, and your bum. With that dress of you're going to have to wear the thinnest, tightest panties you can get away with, so you don't  want to miss out on the sensation do you?"

It seemed to make sense so I agreed to follow her instructions to the letter.

Grace handed me yet another present, this turned out to be a set of perfectly shaped scarlet glossed false nails.

"It's a shame you haven't got time to grow your own, for the interview.

With all the advice buzzing around my head I made my escape after Grace promised to let me know as soon as she received any letter addressed to Kathleen Forest.

I was just about wiped out by the time I got home. Before having a lie down I smeared myself in the softly scented cream and then sat on the edge of the bath while it soaked into my skin. The headache was coming back as well so I took another pair of tablets while I waited for the cream to do its stuff. I slept until early evening and then sat watching the television for a while though I couldn't really concentrate on it. I repeated the cream and tablet regime before setting the alarm for half an hour earlier than I would normally get up. That seemed to be how long it took for the cream to soak in.

As the week goes off I found that I seemed to have an ongoing migraine most of the time. The tablets were a great relief and kept me going, though  I found I was taking them five times a day instead of three.

When she rang me at the office on Wednesday morning I asked her about it.

"Don't worry about it Kathleen, cut out the alcohol though, I know what a naughty girl you can be!

I found myself giggling for some reason but didn't know why.

"Anyway darling, your letter came this morning. How about picking it up from the restaurant on your way home?"

I agreed and said I'd see her later.

"Good, I want to see how nice and soft your skin is!" She laughed throatily and then hung up.

I'd only just placed the receiver when Miss Bowen came over to my desk.

"I thought I'd let you know Keith, there's a memo in the mail in confirmation, but your interview is at ten-thirty next Monday morning, okay?"

I couldn't really object but I realized that the chances were that I'd be up for an interview well before Kathleen unless there was an earlier slot penciled in for her.

"Fine Miss Bowen," I said, trying to think of something to add.

"You really aren't missing anything you know Keith, Iraklion's bound to be full of drunken tourists, and in any case, the ball will be much more fun." She gave me what could be loosely termed a smile and wandered off through the office.

I searched through the system to see if I could find Kathleen's interview time. At the restaurant later in the evening, I found she was to attend at half-past one on the following Tuesday afternoon and also asked for details of her bank.

This left me with two problems to solve. The first one was relatively easy; I just have to call in sick on Tuesday morning. The second one was more difficult but Grace quickly came up with the answer.

"Do it on the Internet, it should be simple enough. Use your own details but just put Kathleen's name in instead of yours. Now, do I get to touch your super soft skin darling or are you going to stay in that awful suit all evening?"

We left the restaurant much later in the evening after I had my first vitamin juice drink or whatever it was. It was actually more like a thick milkshake, like those dieting drinks but very sweet. Grace supplied me with tons of the stuff that she'd already bottled up for me. A pint in the morning and a pint in the evening. I soon found I didn't fancy eating anything much at all after drinking one of them. I ended up on a salad diet and wondered if I was turning into a rabbit.

Grace came home with me and took great delight in administering my skin softening treatment. I had to agree it was very effective, and I hadn't found a hair trying to grow back anywhere.

Grace repeated the treatment in the morning and suggested that it might be an idea to dye my hair so that it matched the wig color.

"Maybe after the party Grace, I don't want to attract too much attention between then and now. There's the small matter of the interview to get out of the way as well."

"Monday night I came home straight from work, then you can go to Kathleen's interview from mine place."

I was almost forty minutes late for work, which wasn't greeted with an appreciation from Miss Bowen.

"Not a good impression this close to your interview Keith." She'd said when she saw me rushing to my desk.

If she'd known I was wearing a black satin camisole top, matching tanga panties, stockings, and suspenders beneath my sober grey shirt and trousers she'd have really thought I was making a strange impression.

Grace had insisted I should wear the lingerie and it did feel fantastic after all. She also suggested that she will help me get ready on Friday night. My head had been throbbing at the time so couldn't find the strength to put her off. Thankfully she furnished me with a replenished supply of tablets and I was soon right on track. In Lunch was one of Grace's juice drinks, I guessed that it was the extra sweet taste. That really hooked me.

Kathleen's bank account was even easier than I thought it would be, for the first deposit all I had to do was transfer some cash from my own account. It would be just as easy for me to close it after the interview, all it needed to be done was, in case the office checked to make sure there actually was one deposit.

Back home that evening I lazed around in my lingerie before going through the skin-softening regime. The softness of my skin was even more noticeable, so silky smooth to the touch that I found myself stroking and caressing myself all that more.

Once it had soaked in I took my tablets and washed them down with a vitamin drink then wrapped myself in a short satin robe and read a magazine on beauty tips that I picked up from the way home. The touch of the satin on my skin sent me quivering, my nipples actually seemed to ache, not painfully but with an ache to be touched. I found myself stroking them through the satin almost believing that they were hardening into large round buds beneath my fingers.

It was even more of a surprise when I found myself opening my legs and circling a finger against the very tip of my erection. I pulled myself up short, gasping and panting for breath, from the brink of what I was sure was going to be a hugely intense orgasm.

My eyes were barely focused when I opened the wrap and looked at the jertting nipples sticking out of my chest. I virtually crawled to bed, aching for release but fearful of the intensity of the approaching climax. I have never sensed such an emotional attachment to my arousal before and found myself sobbing and close to tears. I took two tablets to calm myself down and eventually managed to get to bed.

The Friday morning at work had passed in a blur. I went through my ritual of cream, tablets, and juice and dressed without thinking. White lace bra, panties, and suspender belt attached to sheer stockings. I couldn't face the rough feel of my suit trousers against my bare skin and the starched cotton of my shirt felt so uncomfortable against my arms. I found myself wishing I could have risked a soft blouse but they were all too feminine to get away with it. As it was, the soft lace of the bra was enough to have my nipples aching all morning and it was with great relief that the office closed early so we could all get ready for the night ahead.

With Grace to help me get ready that evening, I could afford an extra-long soak in a bubble filled scented bath. After which Grace massaged me with the cream and then handed me tablets and juice. It was almost as if I was high once when I took them. Grace told me to be quiet and to enjoy the sensation.

Though when she kissed and then sucked on my nipples I just about screamed at the wonderful sensations that shook my body. She just smiled and told me it was time to dress.

She handed me a tiny pair of black satin panties. I looked at them in amazement, wondering how they were supposed to keep me neatly tucked away. Once they were on, they were so tight on me that I had a perfectly smooth shape. There was no hint whatsoever, as to was it hidden inside. In fact, they even had soft latex ridges inside them and when I gently touched them through the soft rubber they felt to me as if I might as well have been touching Grace. Not only that but they rubbed against my hidden part and made me shudder. Grace laughed at my reaction and told me to stop fingering myself.

She fixed my silicon's in place with twice the amount of fixative than I would normally have used. Then she handed me a pair of ultra-sheer tights that were virtually exactly the color of my skin. They had a slight shimmer to them that looked fantastic beneath the lights. Stepping into the gown made me shiver with delight.

Grace watched me sitting in front of the dressing table, did my make up. Selecting a sophisticated blend of pale blue, silver, and grey eye shadows after applying a light foundation. I had worried a little over having a beard shadow but there had been no need to shave ever since I'd been using the skin-softening cream. It seemed to have stopped hair growth anywhere else so I had extended my use of it to my face.

I took my time to line my lips with a dark red pen and then filled in with the first coat of gloss scarlet that would match the talons, Grace was adhering to my fingers. After blotting my lips I painted on the second coat of scarlet gloss before turning my attention to my eyelashes. Two coats of thickening curling mascara after emphasizing their shape with a kohl pencil.

Grace took over and used a careful application of liquid foundation to disguise my eyebrows. I was surprised and thrilled by their newly arched appearance. The diamante necklace clasped tightly around my throat and the rest of the jewelry was added.

Finally, the crowning glory of the honey blonde waved, and feather cut wig.

Grace held the dress for me, I was transfixed by the way it seemed to shimmer and shine beneath the lights. Stepping into it I settled the strap on my shoulder and stood while Grace drew up the long rear zip, feeling it molding itself to my body. It felt a little tighter over my hips and chest than it had in the shop but I reminded myself I'd been wearing a teddy when I'd first worn it, nor had I been wearing my breast forms. My reflection in the mirror showed me to be quite curvy in all the right places, even my waist seemed to look trimmer, almost nipped.

Of course, I'd hardly been eating so I must have lost quite a bit of weight. I stepped into the lovely red satin dancing pumps and as ever loved the feeling of pressure and the forced adjustment of my body to them. Grace draped the silver scarf around and added a diamante pin to fasten it before sliding the ultra-smooth evening gloves along my arms to above my elbows.

Finally, she added the ring to my finger and thrilled me to bits when she handed me a small, red clutch evening bag, already filled with everything that I would need for the evening ahead, even down to the invitations.

My emotions were running wild while I was dressing, never in my life, I looked so convincing. Not just convincing, I actually looked beautiful!

I was absolutely stunned and even more thrilled when Grace came out with a camera and made me pose for photographs. She shot a whole film and told me that she had never doubted that I would look anything other than gorgeous. Between us, we had achieved a sophisticated look with very sexy overtones and she warned me that whatever I did I was to curb the flirting.

"If any of your colleagues are in the least bit red-blooded they will be all over you. Let it be known early on that you're unavailable, better still, let on that you have a girlfriend and that you only went to the ball with Keith because he couldn't get a date!"

This added an extra thrill to the whole scenario and I agreed straight away. I was both thrilled and relieved when Grace said that she would drop me off at the hotel where the ball was taking place and wait until I was safely in.

"If we get there early enough you can hand over booth invites, then the doorman won't know which Fred Flintstone is actually supposed to be you."

I saw that she had a very valid point and allowed myself to be chauffeured to the hotel, a mixture of nerves and excitement. A pair of tablets calmed me down a little, thankfully the headaches had become so constant that I barely noticed it anymore. Grace dropped me off and I relished the walk up the long line of steps to the hotel doors. The evening air caressed my legs and I felt all the more excited. I could feel Keith slipping away, and, as Grace had told me, I allowed Kathleen to come to the fore and by the time I reached the top step I fell easily into her persona.

I handed the invitations over with a soft smile and told the doorman that Keith Woods would be along later.

"He's was coming as Fred Flintstone and I dare say he'll have had a drink or two on the way!" I confided with a honeyed conspiratorial whisper that made his cheeks flush. Grace was right, this flirting business had to be held in check otherwise I might get rather more than I had bargained for.

I stepped through the door and walked smoothly and confidently through to the ballroom.

The ballroom was softly lit with a large glitter ball hanging from the ceiling above the wooden dance floor. A long bar covered most of the left-hand wall and opposite where a long line of tables where I presumed the buffet would be laid out. The far end of the room was taken up by a large curtained stage. I moved across to the bar and was quickly served with a chilled glass of orange juice. Glancing about the place I played a game of spot the member of staff.

I saw Jon Griffith's from Purchasing, a far from convincing Pope and if I was right the two Nun's with him were his P.A. Sally Dixon and his one of his assistant Joanne Harris.

Nick Collins arrived as a Viking warrior, accompanied by Andy Archer and Glen Cook, both looking less than happy in their French Maids uniforms. This brought a smile to my face and I turned away before they saw me laughing. When I looked back, I saw two Pink Panthers and thankfully a pair of Fred Flintstones, only one Barney Rubble, however. The rest of that party was made up of a Wilma and Betty pairing though without the ghastly hire outfits, Jenny Foster and Samantha Taylor looking resplendent in their short dresses.

Scooby Do fell over his or her feet in the doorway, which provoked a roar of laughter. I moved down the bar and into the shadows and almost missed Miss Bowen's arrival.

I'd given little thought as to what she herself might have been wearing but she carried off Vampyre beautifully. From the low cut black velvet corset dress with its high winged collar at the back of her head and the heavy hanging cape fastened by a chain at her throat. The cape proved to be lined with glossy red silk or satin. If she looked the part then her reputation quite probably finished it off.

The room began to fill up and I found it quite easy to move amongst the throng, sharing a word here and there but without being drawn into any extended conversation. I visited the bar again and heard the music startup. For a moment or two nobody seemed to want to move onto the dance floor but eventually the Pope and one of his loyal Nuns made the loyal and brave move. Joined by Elvis and a Marilyn Monroe soon after who I couldn't identify.

I was considering that as the invitations had been handed in with both my name and Keith's on them I could probably slip away. If anyone checked they'd assume both of us had attended. On the other hand, if I was asked how I had enjoyed myself on the following Monday I'd have little idea if anything out of the ordinary had occurred. To that end, I decided that I would have to hang around a little while longer. Besides which I was thoroughly enjoying being out in such a fantastic gown.

My enjoyment was almost immediately tempered when an oh so familiar voice asked me if she knew me.

I turned to see Miss Bowen looking at me, her head tilted to one side slightly. I fought down a sudden surge of panic and managed to muster a shy smile.

"I'm Kathleen Forest Miss Bowen, I'm temping for Keith Wood?"

To my surprise she held out her hand, I took it gently and felt her squeeze my fingers, not hard, just enough pressure to let me know she was there.

"Ah! The mysterious Miss Forest. It is Miss isn't it?"

"Yes Miss Bowen, I'm afraid so."

"Melinda, Kathleen, call me Melinda." Her hand reached my elbow and guided me to one side, away from the bar and almost out of range of the speakers.

"And how are you enjoying working nwith Mr. Wood?"

"Fine, he's helped me out quite a lot."

"I dare say he has you running around doing all the grubby jobs?"

I realized that it wasn't a question it was actually a statement and that I was expected to agree with it. The problem was that I would be doing myself down if I did agree yet I didn't want to give myself an over glowing report that she wouldn't believe.

"Now and again, though mostly he's fine, he runs the system in a way that I'd never have grasped if he hadn't taken the time to show me."

"I do so like loyalty in staff Kathleen, though I don't expect it from temps." She said this with a slow smile and I wasn't sure what my response was supposed to be. I sipped my drink and then returned the smile, trying to frame an answer. She beat me to it.

"Of course, you might be more than a temp shortly. I was very impressed with your application Kathleen."

"Thank you, Miss Bowen, Melinda." I gushed.

She gave me another smile, something I certainly wasn't expecting, let alone used to.

"The logistics updates you did for me were very impressive. You seem to have grasped our procedures very quickly indeed."

It struck me that this was much more than a small social conversation that just happened to concern elements of work. This was looking more and more to be along the lines of an informal interview.

"Come with me Kathleen and I'll introduce you to some people."

The Senior Management Team was more of a mysterious group, we knew they existed but the only people who dealt with them were their personal assistants and the departmental heads. It was obvious from the way that each of them greeted Miss Bowen that she was very highly thought of.

To each of them, I was introduced as, "Miss Kathleen Forest, a very capable temp who, I'm glad to say has applied for the position of the new operation."

The more introductions that were made, the more I became conscious that a soft hand was guiding me about. On more than one occasion the hand stayed on my hip just that little moment longer than it possibly should have done. Once, when the fingers slipped into the slip of my gown I froze momentarily and then turned to see Miss Bowen smiling at me softly. She raised an eyebrow, squeezed my thigh, and then led me over to the bar.

"I think you've made a very favorable impression Kathleen, very favorable indeed." She whispered in my ear, her lips an inch from my neck.

When she gently brushed my skin, it was like a bolt of electricity, shot through me, when I recovered she was gone and moments later I made my way out of the ballroom and hurried out from the building.