Ian sat at his workplace desk fuming as once again the new line manager had found something else to pull him up over. Ever since she came to the company she had consistently found problems with his work, appearance, and attitude. Okay, he agreed slightly with some things, and this was not a dream job and his attitude to the work was well it pays let's get on with it.
Not exactly the company motto and most of his colleagues were more excited and receptive to every new idea that management came up with while he sat and groaned. If he complained at home, his girlfriend Debbie would remind him of the student debts still to be paid and the regular weekly debits that occur so shut the moaning and buckle down.
Ian had got away with his attitude with the previous manager because he had liked Ian, he could be funny in a slightly sexist way and his cocky manner went over well with the lads in the office but not with her. Carol was in her 40s, gym fit, hair pulled back, always dressed in fitted business suits and as Ian described her behind her back a bull dyke. She was not amused or impressed by this man child just cruising through his day. She had complained of his attitude, his attendance, lateness and his dress code. All the men wore shirts and ties but Ian always had to be different. He liked to be a bit of a lad, a Stone Island jumper, CP Coat and sneaking his trainers on when he could, but she always caught him.
Carol despised Ian like she did other straight males who coasted from job to job never displaying anything but the minimum effort. Slouching around the office, tossing out sexist comments and leering at female employees. She, like most women, had fought to be in this position, proven herself to be regularly superior to any of the men around her. A pathetic little boy was not going to derail her career, and she had made her mind up to fix or finish him.
Little did Ian know Carol had been reporting directly to her boss about Ian, and she wanted action. Mike Dean was Carol's manager; he was in his 50's, six foot two and in shape, he was always on the company emails doing a charity run or an assault course. Friendly enough, but he looked like you wouldn't want to be on his bad side and he and Carol had most defiantly hit it off.
After dinner, Ian sat chatting at his desk with his mate when he saw Carol strolling over with a smile on her face; never a good thing. She leaned down to him and quietly told him, “Mr. Dean would like to speak to you later, so expect an email and don't keep him waiting.”
Ian panicked, shit this cannot be good, no this is definitely bad, dismissal he knew it and Debbie would kill him for this.
The time seemed to go slower than ever and still no email, had he forgotten, had she made it up to fuck with him, no even she wouldn't do that. Then an email popped up with Mike's name on it, my office at five o'clock. Bollocks, that's past working hours, going to be sacked and be home late.
Carol waved everybody goodbye and gave Ian a last little smile as he hunched over his desk awaiting his fate, the rest of the office packing up their belongings and waving goodbye. Ten to five Ian climbed the stairs to the management floor, walked along the empty desks to Mr. Dean's office.
His PA Alison, a gorgeous redhead he'd been lusting after for months smiled at him as she slipped on her coat, “Just knock on his door at five he'll be ready for you then.”
Ian nodded thanks and sat uncomfortably awaiting his time.
5.00 now or never he told himself and knocked on the heavy wooden door, “Come!” a loud strong voice called out. Ian opened the door and saw Mike sat leaning back in his chair, “Close it behind you.”
“Oh erm yes sir”, Ian mumbled out. Mike looked bigger than he remembered, his bulk filling the window behind him.
Ian walked to the chair in front of the desk to sit, “Did I say sit down, boy?” Mike's harsh voice made Ian startle and blush.
So this was the thorn in Carol's side. Mike looked Ian up and down, nothing much to worry about here. He had been expecting a loud-mouthed, arrogant, cocky man but this blushing, trembling boy was putty in his hands. Cute too, slim with short-cropped hair, brown eyes, and a rather handsome face. Mike was going to be thanking Carol very soon.