Page 12 of Kayden: The Past
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Don’t Shit Where You Eat or Fuck Where You Work - Jessica
SeeingBridget only made things worse, drove me further down the tunnel of despair and deeper into my addictions. I went from booze to smoking weed almost regularly. The mixture was the only thing that allowed me any rest. Without it, I lay in bed in an almost catatonic state. I used cocaine to help me get through the day, giving me the buzz and energy I needed.
All I wanted to do was to take a couple of weeks off work and drown myself in liquor and drugs, but I couldn’t. We were opening a new store, and everything had to be set up for the grand opening. I’d climbed the proverbial ladder of the retail world and made it to assistant store manager. Jessica, the manager, and I had the responsibility of making sure everything was perfect and ran smoothly for the big reveal. It was a prime spot on a busy street, and everyone was chomping at the bit for it to open. They all saw dollar signs with the potential for increased sales and a larger customer base.
We had less than twelve hours until the doors opened to the general public. Jessica and I were the only ones left in the store. Everyone else worked their eight-hour shift before walking out the door and leaving us behind.
“I’ll be right back, Jess.” I needed another bump of coke, something to get me through the countless hours of prep ahead of us. I snorted a small amount, not wanting the effects to be too noticeable to Jessica. I looked at myself in the mirror, and the person staring back was almost unrecognizable. I rested my hands on the sink and gave the soft white powder time to work its way through my system and fill every ounce of my being.
“What do you want to work on next?” I asked as I walked back into the main showroom.
Jessica was bent over with her ass in the air, stocking a shelf with cellular accessories. I never really paid much attention to her sexually, but in this moment, it was the only thing I could think about. She was my boss, and I’d never crossed that line, but for once, I didn’t give a fuck. Maybe it was the coke in my system or my “who gives a fuck” attitude, but I wanted her. She didn’t move to stand up when I asked her the question but continued stocking. I stood there and stared at her ass without shame or remorse.
“What are you doing?” Jessica must have noticed I wasn’t moving.
“Just looking at something.”
“Grab that box, and move your ass, Kayden.”
“Bossy much?” I liked her sassy mouth.
“I just want to get out of here, Kayden. We’ve been here all day, and tomorrow isn’t going to be any easier.” She stood up and turned around, catching me staring at her. “Do I have something on me? What are you looking at?”
“There’s nothing on you, Jess.” I grabbed the box off the counter and moved it to an empty shelf for her to unpack. “I’ll move all the boxes where they need to go, and we can cruise through the rest.”
“Doing anything is better than staring at my ass,” she laughed.
Jessica was a smart girl. She didn’t make it to the top without brains. She knew exactly what she was doing—she wanted me to look. She was stooped down like she normally would be, but her ass was pointing upward instead of down toward the floor. She had put it on display for me, wanting me to notice her in that way.
“I have a couple things that are better than just staring.” The statement crossed the line of employee/boss relationship, but I think Jessica liked the flirtation. She didn’t say a word back to me.
I moved all the boxes around the store, and there were only a couple left. We finished quicker than we both expected. I turned off all the lights in the store as Jessica waited for me in the back room to walk out. I didn’t want her to leave alone because the back was dark and not entirely safe. The lighting was dim, only a security light illuminating the room as I walked in. Jessica made the first move and kissed me. I put her on the counter and held her legs in a V, wide open for me to take her. We had sex that night and only that night.
Our working relationship felt strained after that night. I never asked her out or had sex with her again. I felt shitty afterward, not because we had sex, but because I had to see her every day and I think she wanted more. I tried to act as normal as possible around her. I went on with my life as normal. I flirted with the customers, got some numbers, and went on some “dates.” I did my job and tried to politely decline any offers that Jessica threw my way, but none of it mattered in the end.
My cock mixed with the cocaine would be my ultimate downfall. Jealousy reared its ugly head, and its name was Jessica.
I still remember it clearly, to this day. It was a Friday, two months after opening day, and I was about to beat my monthly sales goal for the third straight month. “Kayden, you have a phone call. Please take it in my office.”
“I’m with a customer. Can it wait?” I asked.
“No, I’ll help them while you take the call.” She had a smile on her face. I’d never been called away from a customer for a simple phone call.
“Excuse me, ma’am. Jessica will help you for a few minutes. I’ll be right back with you.” I walked away, leaving Jess to make my sale. The feel of the entire situation put me in a shitty mood.
“Hello, Kayden Michaels.” I kicked back in her comfy, oversized office chair.
“Mr. Michaels, a grievance has been filed against you relating to sexual harassment, and we’ve decided to terminate you.” My stomach dropped, and I instantly felt ill. There was only one person who would file such a grievance.
“Excuse me?” I needed a moment to gather my thoughts. Angry wasn’t even a great descriptor for what I felt then. I wanted to break shit.
“We cannot have employees sexually harassing customers and other employees. It may turn into a legal matter. You’ll be paid for your time worked, but as of this moment, you are no longer an employee.”
“I’ve been the top salesman in this office more times this year than anyone else, and you’re just going to fire me without my side of the story? Who filed the complaint?” I slammed my fist on the desk.
“Top salesman or not, we cannot open the company up for a lawsuit, Mr. Michaels.”
