Julian and I met in his office at a little after six that morning. Despite my nervousness, I had to stifle a yawn, for I'd slept poorly the night before. And Julian looked even worse; I couldn't help but notice the dark circles under his eyes. Though I was ten years his senior, he was many rungs above me on the corporate ladder. So while he got the executive office, I got the title of his assistant. Sometimes the power im...

Bertie sat waiting, even if he hadn’t known where he was. The room was spacious and gray, the carpet was gray (With a spiral pattern if one looked closely enough), and he sat in one of two gray armless chairs that faced a desk. He assumed it was an office, though he couldn’t tell whose office it was. Not his own, of course, as a restaurant manager he was lucky if he could fit two people seated comfortably. He couldn’t see...

Pete worked a boring, tedious job at a small engineering firm. The days were long, but Pete really didn't mind the monotony and simplicity. He was by far the youngest in the office and didn't really have anybody to relate to. His favorite part of the day was whenever his boss walked in and out of her office. She always wore those tight, knee-length pencil skirts with the tall heels and blouse. Sometimes, she'd add a blaze...

With Mia's court date approaching, I called her in for a final meeting to prepare. I arranged to meet her in my office at the end of the day. If the need for another paddling arose, I wanted the rest of the office to be empty so I could deal with the problem properly. Mia entered my office, gave me a lingering glance, and sat in the same chair as the last time she met me here. She looked up at me with those innocent eyes...

As a senior partner in my firm for twenty-plus years, I was a highly accomplished lawyer with an impeccable record in high-stakes cases. My managing partner entrusted me with our most difficult cases. My determination to win was unmatched among my peers. As I was sifting through the never-ending pile of cases on my desk, each vying for my attention, I came across a file labeled "Rodriguez, Mia." It contained details of a...

I'd been promoted to branch manager a few years ago and was very successful in that role. I prided myself highly on the output of my branch. I'd taken a new approach when interacting with my subordinates. While my predecessor used fear tactics to persuade, I worked to get to know and understand the workers that were placed under my supervision. My approach to each person was different and unique to their perspective and m...

Mrs. Wintergreen looked very much like the contemporary businesswoman with her black leather briefcase, smartly tailored navy blue jacket and skirt, and black stockings. At first glance, the tall and slim brunette had an almost severe look about her. But on closer inspection, the quite attractive forty-one-year-old had a certain twinkle in her eye. She took being in charge of a large number of staff at her productive corp...

Mrs. Wintergreen was all too aware of the real threat of industrial or corporate espionage. Corporate espionage is probably not what you think of when you hear the word 'spy.' It's usually not glamorous or physically dangerous. Sometimes, it's as simple as a man, or woman sitting in front of a computer with a mobile phone, sending screenshots to his or her employer's competitors. Corporate espionage is the act of stealing...