My Sister Myself 3: Cecile's day (Patreon)

Monday morning, everyone she spoke to commented on how much they enjoyed seeing her at the office party. A few requested retellings of jokes and stories “she” had supposedly told while at the party. Cecile’ herself only knew a few of the stories when they had given context, luckily she had the blanket excuse, “I don’t believe that would be appropriate for the office.” and a smile to quell them before walking away and making a mental note to get a large hammer and a box of nails with each story that she learned her feminized brother had shared with her underlings.

The most embarrassing being the story of her wetting herself when she first met Mickey Mouse as a child. It didn’t matter that she was three, or that the other employees who spoke to her had genuine smiles on their faces, for that humiliation she would be sure to find the largest and rustiest nail she could to drive into his heart as payback.

“Morning, Tamika.” She growled, “Any messages this morning?”

“Yes ma’am.” Tamika handed over a handful of sticky notes, each “i” in someone’s name or message dotted with a small heart. A habit she had told the idiot girl before didn’t look professional numerous times but something she had given up breaking her of ages ago, that and getting her to send everything in an email instead of easy to lose sticky notes. “I never knew you had a tattoo.” The bubbly woman added with a toothy grin.

“Excuse me?” Cecile’ stopped flipping through the post-it notes and stared at the grinning woman. Taking the time to pay full attention to her for the first time that morning as her coffee finally kicked in.

Tamika's dark black and normally straight hair was instead now pulled back into dual afro puffs this morning. Her makeup, as always, had been meticulously matched to her dark umber skin tone. Her curved cherry chocolate lips curved slightly from the ditzy carefree smile into a slight frown as her silvery blue stopped focusing on Cecile’ and began to search for something.

Her slender arm reached back fumbling to find her pen in her frizzy hair. 'Now my hair is going to get ruined,' she thought to herself pensively as she felt her pen for a moment, followed by a soft thud as it plummeted to the floor by her feet. “Oopsie “ she enunciated in a soft falsetto, raising her curved hourglass figure gracefully from the black leather chair and bending down to pick up her pen, her generous neckline revealing the soft curved cleavage in an enticing tease for her coworkers. Leaning back in her chair she crossed stocking covered legs, smiling again at the handsome, new, intern who stared at her like a deer in headlights.

Cecile’ rolled her eyes, having watched the young twenty something wordlessly flirt with the college boy as Tamika’s words finally clicked into place in her mind, ‘Damn it, Cam!’ “Uh…yeah. Well, we all have a past. A past; I would rather remain between us and out of the office if at all possible.” In her third year of college, after a particularly raucous party, she let a friend convince her they should get matching ankle tattoos.

“Of course.” Tamika nodded, “Are we still on for Saturday drinks?”

“Uh…” Cecile’ paused for a moment, remembering that she still had to at least appear personable until her promotion, “Sure,” she faked a smile adding with a light laugh to her voice, “so long as we don’t drink as much as I did at the party. I don’t think I could survive.”

“Yay!” She cheered as her phone rang.

“You should get back to work, and so should I.”

“Right-o!” The obnoxiously bubbly secretary cheered before picking up the phone, somehow cheerier and more bubbly, “Hi and, like, thank you for calling Cecile' Rayne's office. This is Tamika speaking, how can I help you this totally awesome morning!?" Cecilie' stopped in her door prepared to once again condemn Tamika for her phone etiquette when she leaped to her heeled feet, holding a finger up to Cecile’ with a broad smile. “I will, like, totally let her know as soon as she gets in! You have a super awesome day, Rich-Mr. Verdona!” She corrected herself, remembering at least something of phone etiquette.

Tamika hung up the phone, spinning on her spiked heel, and grinning like the cheshire, “Guess who that was?”

“Richard Verdona?”

“Wow! You are so good at this! What number am I thinking of?!” Tamika smiled, conjuring a number in her mind and hiding her hands behind her back as she counted the number out on her fingers.

“...Ms. Matthews.” She hissed through gritted teeth. Taking a deep breath she calmed herself down, the woman couldn’t help it she was a bimbo. That was the fault of the American education system. “Three.”

Tamika’s eyes widened in astonishment and disbelief. She had actually just been teasing and didn’t really expect her boss to guess, let alone guess right, “Wow!”

In the reflection of the idled computer monitor she watched Tamika’s fingers go limp, “Now. The phone call.”

“Like you already know, that was Rich. He said he would like to see you when you get in.”

“Then why didn’t you tell him I was already here?!”

She fluttered her eyelashes for a moment as she thought, “...I forgot.”

"Y…you forgot I was here… you just saw me?!"

Tamika giggled, "No. I forgot why…oh no I remember. This way you can do your makeup and check your teeth. No reason to go into a big, important meeting not looking super pretty, right?" Cecilie' started to say something but thought better of it and walked away, stopping off in the ladies room to check her teeth. Tamika had worked for her for two months and she was the eight secr-‘administrative assistant’ she had been through this year. And if she wasn’t the granddaughter of Issac Clarke of all people she would have fired Tamika her first day when she shredded half her files.

Several minutes later, Cecile’ found herself outside of Richard Verdona’s office. “You wanted to see me, Richard?”

“Ah, yes. Ms. Rayne.” Richard stood and walked over to the small bar in his office, “Come in and have a seat.”

“If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather stand.” Cecile’ fidgeted imperceptibly as she stared at the mirror over the minibar, mentally willing herself to stop. After Tamika’s little comment Cecile’ stopped by the lady’s room, her morning coffee and cruller already having their effect on her, not to do something as shallow as check her makeup. After washing her hands she of course checked her overall appearance, no stray toilet paper on her pumps, her blouse still tucked into her pencil skirt and not out of place, ensuring the light makeup she wore was still professional looking. And yes, since she was there she checked her teeth for food and took a small travel teeth cleaning kit out of her purse. She loved her morning coffee but it always stained her otherwise pearly whites, plus the coffee breath was unprofessional.

Which is what she was; professional. She wasn’t some shallow, airhead secretary who wanted to look “super pretty”! She was an intelligent career woman. She earned her job. She didn’t get it because she was related to someone. She earned her degree, she earned her job and damnit she earned this promotion and if these idiots didn’t see that then they could just go to h-

“I’m sure you’re wondering why I called you here.”

“I’ll admit a passing curiosity.” Cecile’ forced herself to calm down, no sense in getting upset when she hadn’t been told bad news.

Richard smiled and leaned on the edge of his desk, “First off, I would just like to say I enjoyed seeing you at the party this weekend. I’ve heard, and now seen, that you have made great improvements in your interpersonal relationships in a remarkably short amount of time.”

“Thank you.” Her toes clenched in her black leather pumps, bracing herself for the other shoe to drop and possibly kicking Richard in his manhood on her way out.

“And of course you do amazing work, you definitely make me look good with my bosses.” He chuckled briefly, stopping as the ice queen continued to stare him down, “Which is why, and it pains me to say this, I’m going to miss having you working under me.” He paused to take a sip from his glass.

“What?” ‘What did Cam do?!’ “Are you-”

Richard held up his hand, stopping Cecile’s incoming tirade, “You won’t be working under me anymore because you got the promotion.”

Cecile’s shoulders slacked, “What the hell?” she growled.

“What?”

“What kinda way was that to tell me? I thought you were going to fire me!” Richard laughed loudly. Her relief combined with the man’s infectious laughter caused her to join the man.

After a minute of near incomprehensible bursts of speech immediately interrupted by more laughter they were finally able to calm themselves enough to converse properly. “Again, I’m sorry.”–Richard chuckled lightly–“I had initially asked to be the one to tell you the good news and perhaps share a celebratory drink with you.”

“I don’t drink during office hours.” Richard looked to the young woman and nodded, “But in this case I believe I will make an exception. As long as you don’t tell my new boss.”

Richard held up his first two fingers in a salute, “Scouts honor.”

Cecile’ patted his arm, “That’s the wrong hand.” She smirked as she stood and fixed herself a drink, both of them having sat on his couch when their laughter became too much.

“How would you know?” Richard put his hand down and lifted the other, still holding his glass, and gave a brief salute before taking a drink.

“My brother was a boy scout.”

“I thought you had a sister.”

“Inlaw.”

“Your brother-in-law was a boy scout? I didn’t even know you were married.”

“I’m…no. Sorry, my brain’s still frazzled from your little joke. I did mean my sister.” Cecile’ glared at herself in the mirror, swearing under her breath and poured herself a drink. “It’s complicated.” She cleared her throat, turning around to face Richard, “Anyway. This near empty bottle doesn’t strike me as the celebration whiskey.” She said, raising the bottle for emphasis.

“You caught that, did you?”

“Yes. But I suspect one doesn’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to have done so.” She crossed the room and sat beside him once more. “So? Spill.”

Richard shook his head, running his thumb across the rim of his glass, “No…I don’t think I will.” He said sullenly, “It wouldn’t be professional, after all I’m still your boss.”

“Not anymore, I just got promoted.” She smirked.

“As have I.”

“Oh no, that doesn’t take effect until I see my secretary’s poorly written memo.”

Richard considered arguing with her that her promotion wasn’t in effect until the end of the month but thought better of it, perhaps if nothing more than to unburden himself. “My wife and I are getting a divorce.”

“Oh…I’m sorry.”

He simply nodded and took a swig, “I actually just got done reading the papers before you came in.”

“Oh wow…talk about poor timing.” They both chuckled uncomfortably. Cecile sat quietly, her hand on his arm in her best attempt to comfort him in his time of need.

For a moment they sat on the couch in silence and drinking until Richard spoke, unprompted, “She was cheating on me.”

“Really?” Cecile’ couldn’t believe anyone would cheat on Richard. He was, by all accounts, a great man. Sure he was a bit old school at times but he had a good heart, he was clearly intelligent, and quite handsome. What more could a woman want? “I find that hard to believe.”

“Neither could I at first, but private investigators and photographs don’t lie.”

“...Richard.”

“Yes, yes, I know.” He waved her off, setting his now empty glass on the coffee table, “Photoshop and all that. But when I confronted her about it last night she broke down and admitted it.”

“Last night? And she’s already got a lawyer?”

“Yep. I suspect this was not a one time fling for her.”

“I…I’m sorry.”

Richard shook his head, “No. I should be the one to apologize to you Ms. Rayne. This was meant to be a joyous toast among colleagues. Not you listening to me bellyaching.”

“Richard…” Cecile’ searched in vain for the words to comfort one of the few men she knew to have believed in her from the start.

“Pfft.” He said, picking up his glass again, “To…new adventures.”

Cecile’ stared at the man and his empty glass, still unable to be the source of comfort he clearly needed. All she could think to say was, “It’s bad luck to toast with empty glasses.”

Richard looked at his glass and slammed it on the table, “By George you’re right!” His voice had returned to its usual boisterous and gleeful tone. “We now have no choice but to take an early lunch.”

"It's ten in the morning."

"Hence the early part of my lunch plan." He chuckled.

“Rich-”

“Hey–” the desperation now slipping through his voice–“we can’t let such a fantastic event pass without celebrating.” Cecile’ studied the man nearly twice her age. The only man she knew who walked the halls with strength and confidence without being a pompous ass that she couldn’t help but be envious of. The only man who, when she was struggling in the beginning, had always been willing to offer advice. The only man above her in the company hierarchy she felt she could call a friend, now clearly needed her help.

Ten minutes later, and Richard was pulling out a chair at Ambar for Cecile’. “Thank you, Mr. Verdona.”

“You’re quite welcome, Ms. Rayne.” He gave her a small nod before taking his seat across from her, “And I think you can continue to call me Richard if you would like. We’re no longer in the office.”

“Perhaps that is all the more reason to remain professional. I am a woman out with her male boss.”

Cecile’ shifted slightly, hating herself for kicking a man when he was down but she had hoped the regain some professional decorum after their conversation in Richard’s office. And judging by his solemn nod he understood the implications she had hoped to avoid. “You’re not wrong.” Before she could offer an apology Richard turned to the waiter who had approached the table, “Ah yes, I would like Johnny Walker blue and your finest bottle of wine for the table.”

“I can’t afford that!” Cecile’ gasped.

“Don’t worry about it, you can pay next time.” Before Cecile’ could process what he meant Richard continued his order and insisted she order whatever she wanted and the comment forgotten.

A few minutes later the waiter returned with the bottle of wine, pouring a small amount into glasses for each of them. Richard swirled the red liquid before sniffing it, then drinking the small amount of wine he had been given. “Hmm, that’ll play.”

“Excellent, sir.” He nodded and poured more wine into each glass, “And your food will be out shortly.”

“Thank you.” He said as the waiter left.

“Can you actually tell anything by doing all that?”

“Oh absolutely not.” He chuckled, “I used to see rich old farts doing it and, well, when in Rome.”

Cecile’ rolled her eyes and laughed. “I would hardly consider you some old fart.”

“Being rich does that.” He winked with a self-amused smile, “Now, I think a toast is in order, don’t you?” He asked, picking up his glass. “If you’ll indulge me.” Cecile’ did the same and felt the smile crawling across her face as Richard’s silver eyes stared deeply into her.

“May there always be work for your hands to do. May your purse always hold a coin or two.

May the sun always shine on your windowpane. May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near you. May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.” Richard extended his glass to Cecile with his ever present smile.

She smiled back playfully, “Here’s to cheating, stealing, fighting, and drinking.

If you cheat, may you cheat death. If you steal, may you steal a woman’s heart. If you fight, may you fight for a brother. And if you drink, may you drink with me.” Richard’s eyes widened slightly, impressed she knew such a toast or would say it to him. Their glasses clinked and they drank. Cecile’s cheeks turned a softer shade of pink, half kicking herself for her toast and how it likely came across to Richard. Richard had some air about him that always left her trying and failing to remain professional around him. An air he was clearly aware of.

As their lunch went on they had a great deal of fun and a greater deal of wine. At first discussing the details of her new position she was unaware of before turning towards annoying coworkers, Cecile’ ranting about Tamika for at least fifteen minutes before Richard joined in. Both losing track of time as the next hour passed and they shared stories and told jokes. Cecile’ completely forgoing her professionalism the longer they spoke not as boss and employee, or even colleagues, but rather friends.

Their conversation then turned towards her grandfather, other executives before returning to Cecile’ and the party. “I have to say and I do excuse my boldness but I am clearly drunk.”

“You haven’t had that mu-”

“Shh.” he hushed her, “I’m enjoying this side of you much more.” Richard finished off his second glass of wine.

Cecile’ blinked several times before asking, “What do you mean? Like…how I was at the party?”

He shook his head. “No. That clearly wasn’t you.” Cecile’s eyes widened as her heart pounded in her chest, “Not the real you anyway.” Cecile’ let go of the breath she had been holding onto, “Just like who you are at the office isn’t the real you either.”

At this Cecile’ cocked her head to one side, “It’s not is it?”

“The Cecile’ I saw at the party was clearly trying to get everyone to like her. And given the circumstances, I can’t say I blame you for laying it on a little thick with the dress and the flirty attitude.”

“Fair.” Oh she was going to kill Cam when she got home. Cecile’ stared at her empty glass for a moment as a pang of guilt shot through her, “I can honestly say you’re right. That was not me at the party.”

Richard chuckled softly and refilled his glass, “I suspect the truth lies somewhere in between the level-headed businesswoman and the sexy party girl I saw at the party.” When he saw her attempting to hide her red face behind her glass he cleared his throat, “Like I said, I’m drunk.”

“What about you then?”

“What about me?”

“Is this the real you?”

“Yup.” He took a sip and added, “With me, what you see is what you get.”

“Oh c’mon.” She laughed as he poured more wine into her glass, “The smart, happy, handsome, friendly guy isn’t just some salesman tactic?”

“You think I’m handsome?” He smirked behind his glass.

“Wh-no. I–” her cheeks turned a shade redder than a tomato’s, “I’m drunk and don’t know what I’m saying.”

“That’s only your secon-”

“Shh!” She hissed. “I’m drunk. So…shut up.”

“Clearly.” he smiled. Pausing for a moment he stared at his glass and thought about what his wife had said when he confronted her, “That isn’t to say I don’t have my faults. They just don’t show up at the office enough for people to take notice of, I suppose.”

Cecile’ frowned and put a hand on his, “We all have our faults. I’m certain yours are no worse than anyone else's.”

Richard nodded, “But hey, that’s why god made prenups.”–He raised his glass with a half smile–“Cheers.”

Cecile’ grabbed his wrist in both hands and pulled it back down, “You can’t toast to bad thoughts.”

“I’ve nev-” Cecile’s lips met his, cutting him off and completely derailing his train of thought.

Richard knew she had teased him about flirting at the party but he was still thrown for a lip as her lips, reddened by the wine, met his own. For a brief moment he was paralyzed by her, but as his mind caught up with what was happening he slowly placed his hands on her arms and held her firmly as he kissed her back.

Pulling back and breaking their kiss Cecile’ cleared her throat, “Now you can toast if you’d like.” her soft and gentle voice reverting back to its usual professionalism.

“I suppose I can.” Richard picked up his glass once again, extending it to Cecile’ who smiled apprehensively but clinked her glass to his.

‘I should not have done that!’ She thought to herself angrily as she watched him drink.

She thought it again twenty minutes later, as they climbed into the cab. They had intended on heading back to the office, or so she told herself, when he asked, “How…how drunk are you?”

“I’ll be okay to work. Why?”

“I think we’re both too drunk to work today.” Again his silver eyes stared deeply into hers, “Wouldn’t you agree?”

Cecile’ swallowed hard, “I suppose it would not be professional of me to go back to work so…inebriated.” her words grew further into a whisper as they went on.

“Agreed, I should take you home.” he said softly as he leaned in closer. Slowly wrapping his hand around her’s. She nodded and once again their lips met. The small kiss quickly grew into a brief but passionate kiss.

“Where’m’I takin’ ya, lovebirds?” The driver, who had been listening and now sat at the stoplight spoke suddenly. Interrupting the pair.

Cecile’ gave her address and thought, ‘I should not have done that.’

She thought it again after sending a quick text to her brother; warning him to either dress himself up as Camille once more or get out of the apartment because Richard was coming over and she would explain everything later.

She thought it again when they kissed once again in the elevator.

She thought it again as she pulled Richard into her apartment as her neighbor tried to strike up another long winded conversation.

She thought it again as she let Richard unbutton her blouse and kiss her neck.

She thought it once more, and for the last time, as she unbuckled his pants.

Her thoughts stopped, losing herself in the moment while Richard explored her body.