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Ten to five on Friday afternoon, the traffic outside Heidi’s Starr’s window is bumper to bumper. She picks up her small handbag, puts on a gray lightweight jacket over the dark gray one-piece woolen dress that she’d worn on Tuesday when she made the same short trip to the executive floor above.

The elevator door opens, she walks to where Kimberly’s office is. There is nothing opulent about the floor, like all else at First Northern Investment Bank functionality and understatement were the guiding principles, another of Rex Cohen’s influences. Clients deserved to know they were getting value for money, for the shareholders an optimal return on their investment. The C-suite, such as it was, was also kept to a minimum, no unnecessary management layers, the reporting structure is relatively flat and communication flows easily.

It is just before 5pm, she knows Kimberly likes punctuality, on the dot, not before, or after unless there is good reason. She waits a bit.

One of the elevator doors opens. Out steps Serena Washington, she waves, smiling at Heidi. Serena is about 5′ 10″ with an apple female shape and ample bosom.

Serena Washington is an attractive African American woman, 37 years of age, her short hair done in a cornrow style, and she has large, brown eyes twinkling that she has a good nature. She has a round face with fulsome lips. Serena has on a black blouse, long black pants neatly pressed, matched with a black jacket. She has low-heeled black leather shoes on, no socks just her bare feet.

“Heidi,” Serena approaches, right arm extended with hand outstretched, “I need to say congratulations in person.” Heidi gladly shakes Serena’s hand.

Serena’s Mississippi Southern accent is appealing, betraying Serena’s roots in Greenville, Mississippi, a town of 30,000 at the heart of the Mississippi Delta. Serena came up the hard way but conscientiousness, a BS in Chemistry from the Mississippi University for Women, had led her to where she was now as a VP. Serena was happily married to an African American medical doctor, had two young children, a boy and a girl, and they lived in Queens where Dr Washington ran his practice as a family physician. In many respects, Serena had it all.

Although Kimberly had asked Serena to formally to spend time with Heidi this week, what Kimberly did not know is that Serena has already been coaching her along, always volunteering of her time, dropping by Heidi’s office to see if there was any help she wanted. Serena had proved an invaluable colleague; moreover, she was cheerful and downright nice.

Kimberly’s criticism on Tuesday of Heidi’s efforts on the ABC Inc. financing suggestions stung but she had accepted it with equanimity. Serena quickly helped her get that right.

“Let’s go disturb madam” quipped Serena. Heidi laughed, typical Serena with her irreverent humor.

Serena knocked on Kimberly’s wooden door, waited a couple of seconds, then stepped over the threshold, Heidi following. Heidi was suddenly nervous; her earlier doubts resurfaced and the memories of three evenings ago flashed through her mind. As they stepped into the spacious office Heidi’s gaze couldn’t help but turn to the sofa where she had been with Kimberly.

Kimberly was pacing the office, phone next to her left ear, she is left-handed. She glances to her right as the two enter, indicating with her right arm for the two of them to take seats in the armless leather visitor chairs across from her expansive desk.

Kimberly has a diamond face shape, distinctive cheekbones and narrow chin, a classical Greek-type nose with a straight and narrow bridge completed by a defined and balanced tip, and a slightly pronounced cupid’s bow on her thin lips. Her facial structure was one of harmony and is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Her small ears parallel with her skull had gold earrings in the lobes. Like Heidi, Kimberly has an alabaster skin tone.

Kimberly had clearly been to the hairdresser with the black hair, with traces of gray, cropped shorter than on Tuesday in a boyish cut. No hair dye for Kimberly.

The name “Rex” came up in conversation, so it was clear she was discussing with the Chairman and CEO. Rex had a country house, so he had probably already departed New York City for the weekend. Rex never stopped with work and was known to call staff on Sunday nights with queries or suggestions or express disapproval at something. Kimberly had learned the world of investment banking from the best.

“I must get going Rex,” said Kimberly, “Serena and Heidi are here, I need to sign off on Project Merlin for the Oceanic Oil she stood for a moment like a rize escort deer transfixed by car headlights.

Serena took a seat. “Hey Heidi, sit alongside me.” Serena’s voice jolted Heidi from her fleeting reverie, and she sat down to the left of Serena. Serena joked, “your slaves await ma’am.” Kimberly grinned Heidi noticed; the two women got on like a house on fire.

“Hello ladies,” said Kimberly, “good to see you, a moment for celebration on two counts.” Kimberly stepped over to Heidi, bent down and gave her a light kiss on the right cheek. Among girls at work there was nothing untoward about that. Kimberly’s perfumed scent filled Heidi’s nostrils. “Well done on your promotion Heidi and well done on driving the detail on Merlin, Oceana is a not insignificant new client for the bank.”

Heidi stuttered a garbled thank you. Serena wouldn’t notice as Kimberly was standing to the side of her, but Kimberly looked down on Heidi with a tenderness in her eyes that Heidi had not experienced before.

Kimberly strolled around to her leather office chair. The Project Merlin document was in front of her. “Right Serena, I need to initial and sign on the last page and then you need to do the same as co-signatory and witness.”

“Heidi, I must compliment you, your command of language and grammar is superlative, you have synthesized the document such that there is no waffle. Those pesky lawyers of ours tried to make needless corrections to justify their existence. I ignored them.”

Heidi was thunderstruck.

“And thank you Serena for giving Heidi a helping hand, she is the quickest study in the known universe!” Serena laughed, “you bet, boss, I am delighted we have such an exceptional team member and her appointment as Senior Associate is at just the right time given the pitiless work burden we have to suffer, courtesy of yours truly.” Kimberly laughs aloud at Serena’s blending of commendations with an irreverent dig at Kimberly.

Kimberly has read the Merlin document thoroughly, so it remains for her to initial and sign with her preferred writing instrument, a Montblanc fountain pen, after which she turns the papers over to Serena who witnesses.

“Serena, seeing as I have enslaved you for too long this week, I grant you immediate freedom from your bonds to return home to your loving husband and two kids, who are all probably starving hungry by now.” Both women chuckle, their shared humor an antidote in a stressor business environment.

Kimberly picks up the office phone and dials, on speaker. A male voice answers: “Blacklane, Blake speaking, how may we help?” “Hello Blake, Kimberly Houston here.” “Miss Houston,” says Blake, “always a pleasure to serve you and your team.” I have Miss Washington with me, she’ll need a ride to her home in Queens shortly.” “Certainly madam, we have her address, I have Darryl available with a Jaguar I-PACE, I’ll have him drive over to First Northern right away.” “Thank you, Blake,” said Kimberly, “I shall need a ride myself a bit later, about an hour or so, but let me call you back when I am done.”

Kimberly puts the phone down. “Okay Serena, best you get going, wishing you a restful weekend.” “Much obliged, boss,” says Serena, and waves to her and Heidi as she gets up to go. Kimberly stands up and walks Serena to the door, giving her a hug as she leaves.

Kimberly strolls back, her lithe figure a feast for Heidi’s eyes. Heidi suddenly feels self-conscious again. Serena had been that comfort blanket in the room, now it is just the two of them.

Instead of immediately coming to Heidi, Kimberly walks to the drink’s cabinet across the room, the same cabinet Heidi poured a whisky and a soft drink for herself Tuesday.

“Heidi,” says Kimberly, “a whisky?” Heidi blurts, “I haven’t drunk whisky before, but I may as well try it out.” Kimberly smiles, “I was late to whisky but find the taste, the warmth as it hits my tummy, enjoyable, and it destresses me.” She puts ice from the bar refrigerator into two glasses, picks up a bottle, and walks back to her desk.

Kimberly takes Serena’s departed seat, placing the whisky bottle on the desk. Heidi peers yet can’t quite decipher the name. “This is Auchentoshan 12-year-old Heidi, it has a crème brûlée nose with a burst of citrus, on the palate smooth and sweet with a hint of tangerine, and it has a lingering nuttiness on the finish.” Heidi nodded; she had learned something new.

Kimberly pours, hands a glass to Heidi, and says “Slàinte Mhath.” “Salubritas!” answered Heidi, quick as a flash. Kimberly loves that, in addition to being a math genius Heidi had top-notch language sakarya escort skills; few, if any, could use a Latin word as an immediate comeback.

They both sip. “Hmm, rather nice, I could get used to this,” says Heidi, and takes another sip. Kimberly tops up their glasses.

“Heidi, a few things I need to get off my chest.” Kimberly holds Heidi’s right hand with her left which is cool and dry in its touch. Heidi feels a frisson through her loins, a moistness originates between her legs as Kimberly keeps a light touch on Heidi’s hand.

“Firstly, your promotion, which Emilie Leblanc formalized with you today, was effective last Friday, in case you had wondered about Tuesday. I tabled it at management committee, it was unanimous assent, Rex was quietly pleased.” This immediately put Heidi at ease.

“Secondly, I apologize for being short with you over your ABC Inc. financing suggestions. It was insensitive of me. And the fact that you were 90% of the way there makes my remark indefensible. I like perfection but I should have encouraged you to go that small distance to perfection. I am sorry, please forgive me.”

Heidi had no words. She gulped the Auchentoshan.

“Thirdly, Heidi, I owe you an explanation for my behavior on Tuesday evening, there is a backstory I have put to the back of my mind for years which resurfaced that evening, it is right you should know given the sexuality of the moment.”

At this rate Heidi would be polishing off the entire bottle of whisky.

“Over the past three months I have found myself falling in love with you Heidi. I have never been in love with anyone, but with you I have finally discovered what that emotion feels like and means. I may come across as this invulnerable businesswoman but in my personal life I have this void that nothing and no one can fill.”

“Tuesday was an outburst of euphoria, but also a hormonal overload, almost a reckless act. I have been extremely pent-up, and Tuesday the floodgates opened. I am also frightened, frightened of rejection by you, and I pulled rank to put you in a position where you may have felt damned if I do, damned if I don’t.”

Kimberly added: “you are the first woman, Heidi, I have been that intimate with in nearly fifteen years. I am now 45, going on 46, and for the first time I feel a connection with a woman with whom I believe I can have a fulfilled life and reciprocate in return; I have much to give but I’ve had no one to dote on.”

Heidi could scarcely believe her ears. But she knew to keep quiet, listen respectfully, and let Kimberly offload. Kimberly was pouring out deepest confidences that even Emilie would not be privy to, and which Kimberly would not share with her. But with Heidi, as on Tuesday, Kimberly felt sufficiently comfortable to open up to her, secure in the knowledge Heidi could be that confidant. Nobody lays everything bare, quite literally, on a whim, not least a powerful and highly respected person like Kimberly Houston.

“When I joined First Northern fifteen years ago, I was a tiny minority in a male chauvinistic Wall Street. Looking back, I’d have been happier sticking it out as an audit manager. I had never had a satisfactory relationship and as a gay woman finding a happy personal relationship was hard, not least back then.”

“I had looked for what I thought was “love” in all the wrong places,” continued Kimberly. “A gay girlfriend here and there, a fling with a married woman that would not last, and then finally I met a younger woman at a night club who was vivacious.”

“That last, I can’t call it a relationship, partly explains my behavior Tuesday and my lascivious language to you at times. She had a high sex drive, was into kinky sex, toys of all kinds, some acts that don’t bear mentioning. I went along with it to please her, not me, as if this was what getting attention and “love” was all about.”

“The final straw in my fruitless pursuit came when one night I was at her apartment and sitting on the side of the bed about to undress. I noticed two used condoms, with semen in them in an ashtray, and demanded an explanation. She had been two-timing me and in fact was bi-sexual, admitting freely she had regular sex with men. That night she boasted that the previous night she had sex with two men she’d picked up at the same night club, and that they had what she called double-penetration, with one in her anus and the other in her vagina. She goaded me, saying how sexually exciting it was compared with me.”

“Heidi, I bolted from that apartment in revulsion, I walked as fast as I could as far as I could to get away, samsun escort and then finally hailed a yellow cab to take me back to my small apartment.”

“On getting back I stripped off, ran a scalding hot bath, and immersed myself in it, submerging my head too, to try and cleanse myself of shame, what on earth had I come to, how could I be so degenerate? Thereafter I plunged into my career, Rex shielded me, and here I am today.”

“The subconscious has this strange way of surfacing and briefly, shamefully, on Tuesday, I was that woman of fifteen years ago looking for “love” in the wrong places.”

“Only this time, I had discovered the prospect of meaningful love, but I am petrified of losing it before it has time to be mutually accepted or to blossom.”

Heidi stared; never in her 25 years of life had she experienced such emotional honesty from another person.

Heidi knew she had to react with gentleness. She stood and went to Kimberly, sat sideways on her lap, facing her, Heidi’s 100 pounds in weight and a BMI of 18 would be featherlight on Kimberly’s long, slender limbs, and pelvis. She hugged Kimberly under her shoulders, letting her head with its sweet scented, fine, straight hair rest against the back of her neck. Heidi felt drops of fluid on the skin of her neck, Kimberly was crying. That crying turned to quite sobbing and then inconsolable wracking sobs that convulsed her body.

Heidi held Kimberly tight and just let her sob her heart out, it was years of bottled-up yearning for something more. Heidi lost track of time, she closed her eyes, all that mattered was holding Kimberly tight to let her feel she was cared for. Tears streamed over Heidi. After what was at least a quarter of an hour, the sobs subsided. Kimberly lay in Heid’s arms, motionless.

What Kimberly had imparted put the whole situation into perspective for Heidi. Tuesday was an atypical occurrence; it was a manifestation of something psychologically distressing deep within Kimberly that had lain dormant for years.

And Heidi too recognized her acquiescence; her behavior too had shades of Kimberly’s, also yearning for that which she had not found until getting to know Kimberly after joining the bank. She had chosen that evening a conditional attachment to Kimberly even if it meant a subservient relationship; she now knew that was not the case.

Just a few hours ago, Heidi had daydreamed that Kimberly was all the gay partner she could wish for, just perfect, but knew she should dampen inflated hopes. Heidi too did not want rejection. Now, not only did she know for certain that Kimberly was in love with her but that she too could honestly say she was in love with Kimberly and could express it without fear.

At that point Heidi resolved that she had a job to do, arguably more important than her day job, and that was to invest herself in making Kimberly happy in her personal life.

Heidi withdrew her arms and held Kimberly tenderly on her cheeks, kissing her softy on the lips. Kimberly looked at Heidi, her face swollen with crying and her eyes red.

“Darling Kimberly,” said Heidi, “I too love you, I just dared not be so presumptive as to admit it, I thought let me love you from a distance in an unrequited way, I too am scared of rejection, and until now all I could see was your impregnability; I am younger, but I recognize your emptiness, as I too have.”

“Have some more whisky Kimberly, it’s medicinal for us both right now,” quipped Heidi, which brought a smile at last to Kimberly’s face as Heidi reached behind to get the glass. Kimberly took a deep swallow.

“On reflection,” said Heidi, “Tuesday was a release of pent-up sexual and emotional frustration for us both, an aberration in behavior but nothing to be ashamed of, we are only human, and people have a wide array of emotions, some apparent, some bottled up until a spark uncorks them.”

“Oh, and before you ask, our age difference has no relevance to me, there is no one like you and I shall be hard pressed to find someone as perfect for me as you are. You are a not old Kimberly, and thankfully we have found each other soon enough to enjoy what I hope will be a wonderful life together.”

Kimberly stroked Heidi’s face with her left hand, gazing at her with adoration. “Do you truly love me, Heidi?” “With all my heart Kimberly,” said Heidi, “we’ll look back and see this as a momentous week for our future, all I could want from you is your permission for me to help make you a happy person, and tonight I have that.”

Kimberly burst into tears again. Heidi hugged her.

“Will you stay with me at my apartment this weekend, Heidi? I can’t bear to be alone. If you would feel more comfortable in the guest bedroom, I’d understand that I just need you close by.”

Heidi’s heart missed a beat. If a week is a long time in politics this must be the working week that has ended for Heidi with an unforeseen outcome.

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