The New Girl at the Office Undid Me That Night

—I don’t understand the need to hire new people every season. They’re slow, clumsy, late, and way too young.

—Don’t forget you started at the bottom too, Mariela. —Sandra sipped from her mug of coffee with milk and three packets of sweetener. Incredible that she could tolerate that taste.

—I didn’t have any of the characteristics I just mentioned.

—Ah, right, you walked into the office with thirty years of experience already, I forgot.

—Very funny.

—I’m serious, Mari. Relax. Anyway, they rarely assign anyone to us; they always put them with the boss or his assistant.

—I know, but that doesn’t exempt them from getting in the way during the first few weeks. —Sandra sighed, aware she wasn’t going to win the argument. She took the last gulp of her sugar syrup and we got up.

We went back to our desks and I resumed the contract documents we were handling with the soda brand. I’d spent two days polishing every figure. I wasn’t in the mood for distractions.

—Good morning, everyone. —The director, Robledo, raised his voice from the center of the room. I didn’t turn my chair; it was probably another reminder about the company anniversary party, which he insisted on mentioning every morning—. As always, don’t forget the party: mark your calendars for April 18. And, among other things, I want to welcome Daniela Sandoval, who joins the team today.

Oh, no. I turned my chair to see the new nuisance who would come interrupting my work rhythm.

A woman with her gaze lowered stepped forward and lifted her face. Her shoulders were tense and her hands were crushing the strap of her bag. She was tall, much taller than I was, with coppery skin and light brown hair tied back halfway.

—Good morning. My name is Daniela, and I hope to get along with everyone. —A barely audible voice came out of her.

I rolled my eyes and went back to my work while the introductions continued. Several of my coworkers immediately got up to offer her help and guidance. Of course. As expected, they assigned her to Pilar, the director’s direct assistant.

***

A while later I finished the document, printed it, and put it in a folder. I grabbed my bag because there were five minutes left before leaving and I wanted to hand it over myself.

I knocked on the door of the office where Pilar usually was. No one answered. I opened it discreetly and the new girl was the only one there, standing beside the filing cabinet.

—Hello? —I said.

—H-hello. Sorry, Miss Pilar just left. —Nobody in that office called Pilar “Miss Pilar.”

—It’s fine. I’ll wait. —I stayed standing by the door.

—Um… I don’t think she’ll be back anytime soon, she had an emergency. But, well, how can I help you? —I looked at her with curiosity and let out a short laugh.

—I don’t think someone who arrived this morning learned Pilar’s job in a few hours. And honestly, I don’t trust you either.

Of all the reactions I expected, frowning wasn’t one of them.

—I’m perfectly capable of delivering a document —she replied, looking at the folder in my hand.

—I don’t want to take the risk, thanks. Better tell me if the director is in his office.

—He is, but he’s busy. —The stammering, downward-gazing woman was suddenly on the defensive with me.

—Fine. Tell him I want to see him.

—No.

—No?

—No. —Her lower lip began to tremble. I gave a mocking laugh.

—You won’t even give in just to argue with me. —I headed for the inner door, and before opening it I heard Pilar’s voice coming in in a rush.

—Sorry, Daniela, I got a call from my son’s school, I thought his father couldn’t pick him up… you know what? Better never get married. Oh, hi, Mari, I hadn’t seen you. What’s up?

—I’ve got the soda company project, I was going to deliver it to Robledo in person.

—Ah, I see. He’s been on a call with someone from advertising for a while, but leave it with me, I’ll pass it on to him no problem.

—Perfect, thanks. Excuse me. —I left there with the new girl’s eyes drilling into my back.

***

My afternoon had nothing complicated about it. Getting to my apartment, a few blocks from the office. Changing, going to the gym, coming back, taking Nube —a puppy I found a couple of months ago— out for a walk, and feeding Gris, my black cat. Then a long bath and a series until I fell asleep.

I was on my way to the gym when the office called me. Pilar.

—Yes?

—Hi! Sorry, Mari, I know you left a while ago, but something happened and we need you to print the document again.

—What? What happened?

—It’s just printing it again. We tried from your computer, but it has a password.

—I’m on my way.

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, jaw tense. What the hell happened? I walked into the office, almost empty by then. In Pilar’s office, the no-intern was the only one there, alone again.

—Where’s Pilar? She told me something happened.

—She had to leave, they hadn’t picked up her son. We need you to print the document you brought earlier again.

—Why? What did the boss do to it, did he not like it?

—No. He didn’t get to see it. There was… an accident.

Daniela took the folder out of the trash can, showing how it was soaked with coffee. I pressed my lips into a straight line. Needless to say, my entire body went rigid.

—Unbelievable —I muttered.

I strode to my desk, printed the document, put it in another folder, and went back into the director’s office. No one was there. I left it on the desk and, on my way out, planted myself in front of her.

—Don’t you ever touch anything of mine again, and stay out of my way.

—You don’t have to talk to me like that. —Her voice, for the first time, didn’t tremble.

—Or what?

The woman stood up. I already knew she was taller, but up close she was more than a head taller than me, her body just inches from mine. She smelled like something citrusy and warm. Her full mouth was trembling.

—Because it’s rude —she said, crossing her arms.

Her height wasn’t going to intimidate me. I rolled my eyes and got out of there. Idiot.

***

I got home wearing my workout clothes and with not the slightest desire to go to the gym. I was drained, furious, and, in a way I refused to accept, turned on.

As soon as I stepped through the door I stripped off my clothes. I didn’t understand my own body. I pulled open the nightstand drawer, took out the lubricant and my vibrator, and let myself fall onto the bed. I was already wet; I didn’t need anything else.

I slid my fingers between my folds and a short sigh escaped me. My swollen clit was begging for attention, the entrance sensitive to the slightest touch. With my free hand I squeezed one of my breasts while I rubbed myself in slow circles. Why am I like this? Because of her?

I started slipping two fingers inside while my thumb kept working above. I increased the pace, impatient, pinching my nipple, and came with a deep moan far too soon. It wasn’t enough.

Breathing heavily, I took the vibrator, turned it on, and rolled onto my stomach. As I slid it over myself, my head kept insisting on that citrus perfume, on the attempt at a defiant look, on that thick lip trembling when she stood up to me. It went in with an ease that made me ashamed. I moaned again, moving it mercilessly, and a second orgasm shook me within seconds. That wasn’t enough either.

I took the phone. In the office group chat, they had just added Daniela Sandoval. Her full name, on a screen, after making me come twice. I bit my lip. This isn’t staying like this.

***

The next day I stayed late under the excuse of closing the contract. The truth was something else, and I preferred not to name it. When the room was almost in darkness, with only the hum of the machines and a strip of light under the back door, I knew she was still there.

I found her arranging folders in Pilar’s office. When she saw me come in, she straightened her back as if expecting another fight.

—I came to apologize —I said, and the word tasted strange in my mouth—. For yesterday.

Daniela blinked, undone. That confused her more than my insults.

—Really?

—Don’t make me repeat it. —I closed the door behind me. The click rang out louder than I expected—. I don’t know why you get under my skin so much.

—I don’t understand what I did to you either. —She took a step toward me, and this time she didn’t lower her gaze—. I’ve spent two days trying to make you like me better and all I’m getting is the opposite.

We were close again, that tiny distance that had driven me crazy the day before. Her chest rose and fell quickly. The citrus scent wrapped around me again.

—I don’t want to like you —I admitted, and my voice came out rough—. I want something quite a bit worse.

I didn’t give her time to answer. I rose onto my toes, took the back of her neck, and kissed her. For an instant she stayed rigid. Then she made a sound against my mouth, wrapped one arm around my waist, and crushed me to her as if she’d been restraining herself just as long.

I pushed her back until we hit the desk. She was taller, yes, but I was the one who sat her on the edge and spread her knees to fit myself between them. I pulled down the neckline of her blouse and bit the warm skin of her collarbone; she threw her head back and let out a moan that was anything but shy.

—I thought you hated me —she panted.

—I do. —I hiked her skirt up to her hips—. That has nothing to do with it.

I slid my hand along the inside of her thigh until I found fabric already wet. I pushed it aside with my fingers and stroked her slowly, feeling her shudder all over. Daniela clutched my shoulders, burying her face in my neck, repeating my name under her breath, the very same name she’d spoken with rage the day before.

I worked her with my thumb up top and two fingers inside, the same way I had touched myself thinking about her, and the idea that she was real now almost made me come without being touched. Her breathing broke, her legs trembled around my hips, and she came biting down on my shoulder so she wouldn’t scream in the empty office.

When she caught her breath, she turned me around on the desk with a strength I hadn’t known she had. The quiet intern had disappeared completely.

—Now you shut up for a moment —she murmured against my ear, and slid her hand inside my pants.

I braced myself on her shoulders, cheek pressed to her neck, while her long fingers found exactly the rhythm I hadn’t been able to give myself the night before. I didn’t pretend. I didn’t hold back. I gave myself over to her hand with a long moan that got lost among the darkened cubicles.

We stayed like that for a while, the two of us half-dressed, catching our breath beneath the only lamp left on.

—Tomorrow I’m going to hate you again —I warned, tugging my clothes back into place.

Daniela smiled crookedly for the first time since I’d known her, with no trace left of that trembling lip.

—I’m counting on it —she said—. It suits you.