***Everyone in this story is 18+ years old***
Note: This is chapter 3, for details leading up to this please read previous chapters. Also I added “Bonus content” at the end of this chapter. I have written most of what I’ve been posting as an experimental story. So there are some erotic and non-erotic pieces. Since this chapter for me felt short, I wanted to include some more storyline so we can get a glimpse into Aria’s professional life. Please let me know if it’s too much, boring, or not developed enough!
Thank you, enjoy, all feedback is welcome!
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I sat in my lecture Wednesday evening, furiously taking notes. After starting my job as an automation developer, my parents were shocked when I told them I’d be going for a master’s in business. I had acquired my bachelor’s and was working at a few different places after high school. But the pay was always shit for the work. I had to admit my pay now was comfortable, especially for just me, and one of the only reasons I wasn’t jumping ship.
But Lucas’s insistence that I was too fucking immature and irresponsible irked me. I knew that fucker would hold me back. And it was stupid because I could be a great fucking business woman, I just choose not to. It’s exhausting doing everyone’s work while pretending to be some well-mannered, suit wearing cunt.
“Do not forget the exam is next week!” he called out and I sighed, pulling my phone up to log it into my calendar. I knew I would forget. Future me would appreciate this damn gesture. I started packing up when my phone rang. An unknown number? Hmm.
“Hello?” I answered it.
“Hello, is this Aria?” a man’s voice. It sounded familiar….
“Speaking,” I muttered, slinging my bag over my shoulder as I went to leave the lecture hall. “Who’s this?” I demanded hastily and he chuckled.
“Howard, you wrote your phone number on my hand when we met last week,” he laughed and I smirked.
“To what do I owe the pleasure Howard?” I mused, licking my lip with excitement as I walked out toward the parking garage.
“Are you busy tonight?” so forward. I snickered and threw my backpack into the back seat, sitting down to turn my car on.
“Something tells me this isn’t work related Howard,” I teased and he laughed. “What if I’m not busy tonight? What would you propose?” I pulled out of the parking lot, putting him on speaker as I set the phone in its little holder by the wheel.
“Maybe a drink?” he sighed.
“Is the stanch businessman curious?” I purred, waiting to pull out onto the road. Would I need a toy or two? How far would this go? No. It was a work night. I didn’t want to be out late. “I could settle for a few drinks, but it means nothing. I’m not joining you at your fucking house, or apartment, or a motel,” I breathed and he laughed.
“Of course not, just drinks,” he insisted and I smirked.
“Send me the address, I’m just leaving class now,” I breathed, hanging up. I pulled up to a red light when I got a text. I hurried to put it into my GPS, changing course to the bar. I parked nearby and walked, chewing a new piece of gum as I did. I saw him standing out front, glancing at his watch and looking around eagerly. His back was to me as he started to pace. I walked up behind him and grabbed his wrist. He gasped, turning to look back at me. “Gotcha!” I laughed and he chuckled.
“Come on,” he grabbed the door and held it for me. I saluted him playfully, meandering in and taking a seat at the bar. He plopped down next to me and smiled. “How was your class?” he breathed as the bartender came over.
“Fucking boring! I’ll take the seasonal pour on tap,” I pointed to the tap and he smiled, nodding.
“Make that two, tall!” Howard gestured with his hand, leaning on his elbow as he smiled at me.
“Did you come from the office?” I demanded, pinching the lapel of his blazer. He laughed and nodded. “Damn monkey suits make my skin crawl,” I grumbled as a glass was plunked down in front of me. I grabbed it and took a nice long chug, sighing happily after I swallowed.
“You definitely do not seem to be the business type,” he chuckled, sipping his beer. “What degree are you going for?” he muttered and I smiled coyly.
“A master’s in business management,” I breathed and he nearly spit his drink out with laughter. “Oh fuck off. You don’t even know me suit. I’m only 24, I have plenty of damn time to learn how to act the fucking part,” I grumbled and he smirked.
“Would be a shame,” he breathed, running his finger along the rim of his glass. “I like your spunk,” he muttered before grabbing his glass and sipping it. “I found it refreshing, seeing someone so good at their job and so ignorant to normal business etiquette,” he chuckled and I snickered.
“Ignorant? Please, you act like it’s not a choice. That I’m not aware how fucking inappropriate it is. You think my boss doesn’t want to fire me at least five times a day?” I laughed and he smiled. “It’s just horse shit. I shouldn’t have to smile and suck your fucking dick for you to respect my work and what I’m capable of. Makes no damn sense,” I grabbed my glass and chugged it some more, sighing as I set it down.
“So tell me Aria, what do you want?” he breathed an I glanced at him curiously. “I heard you were looking for a new job,” he started and I gasped.
“How the hell did you hear that?” I demanded and he laughed.
“People in my circles talk. I work in client relations and corporate procurement. We keep our eye on up and coming talent,” he admired me and I smiled cynically.
“Up and coming talent, eh? Pfft, up and coming my fucking ass. This cunt’s established talent,” I threw my thumb toward my chest and he laughed happily. “What I want is for my boss to not be a fucking prick. He uses me. I make up half of his damn team. People say it’s my own fucking fault for getting the work done. But how can I not? It’s just part of my nature. Why am I to blame when he abuses it?!” I demanded and Howard smiled.
“Well, it’s in my best interest to help you stay where you’re at,” he laughed then and I smirked. “Simply because you are our best service provider. Every automation project is shot down the pipeline to you,” he gestured to me and I snickered. “So what would it take to make you stay?”
“Your company has no interest in building its own dev team?” I challenged and he shrugged. “Damn shame, it’d probably be cheaper than outsourcing the fucking labor. And I bet I don’t even get compensated near enough based on what you pay for the damn contracts,” I mused and he laughed.
“And could you imagine your company is always one of the lowest bidders usually?” he breathed. I snickered, shaking my head. “But enough about work, I didn’t really want to talk too much about it,” he admitted and I smiled.
“Do you find me intriguing Howard?” I teased and he smiled, nodding. I glanced at his hands as he sipped his beer, noticing a wedding band. “But you’re married,” I pinched his finger and he blushed, sighing as he glanced at the bar.
“No one believes me,” he glanced at me warily and sighed. “But my wife and I have a unique relationship,” he mumbled, fiddling with it uncomfortably.
“Oh is that so?” I smiled, crossing my arms as I leaned back in my chair. Now this was intriguing to say the least. “And what might that be?” I demanded.
“We’re a bit adventurous,” he mumbled, blushing as he cleared his throat. “I don’t usually talk about this with people I work with,” he seemed uneasy. I snickered and licked my lip, taking another sip as I glanced around.
“It’s just you and I here compadre, by all means pour your heart out to me,” I laughed happily and he chuckled. “To make you feel a bit easier about it all,” I started and he glanced at me. “I’m a dominatrix,” I mused and his eyes widened. “Plenty of men have been pummeled into oblivion by me,” I snickered and he chuckled, blushing as he smiled and sipped his beer again.
“What about women?” he raised his eyebrow at me and I shrugged.
“If they’re fun I’m not opposed to it,” I mused. That was true. “Are you two looking for some fun?” I breathed and he cleared his throat.
“Well,” he hesitated and sighed, rubbing his forehead. “We’ve only really done stuff like this a handful of times. We’re still figuring it out,” he insisted. I smiled and closed my eyes, sipping my beer some more.
“Well Howard, you have my phone number. Think about it. Just know,” I glanced at him, our eyes meeting. “No one gets to do anything to me. Nothing enters my fucking body, unless I decide,” I breathed and he nodded, seeming shocked. “So I won’t suck your dick, you can’t finger me, and you certainly can’t fuck me,” I breathed. He blushed, looking around frantically.
“Uh, understood,” he muttered and I smiled.
“It’s getting pretty late. Why don’t you get home to your wife and let me get home,” I offered as I set my empty glass down. He took a deep breath and nodded with a warm smile.
“Thank you for your time Aria,” he muttered. We pushed up from the bar, hell he even offered to walk me to my car like a kind gentleman. I had a lot to think about tonight.
***
“The fuck you doing meeting up with clients for drinks?” Lucas demanded, standing at my desk as I walked in Thursday morning. I snickered, crossing my arms as I leaned on the divider on the side of my desk.
“You jealous?” I wiggled my eyebrows at him. “We can go for drinks if you want boss,” I teased and he scoffed, rolling his eyes.
“Please, I bet you’re worse fucking company outside of work,” he grumbled and I snickered. I popped my gum, pushing my headphones off my ears as I shoved my hands into my hoodie pocket.
“Would you like to find out?” I breathed. I reached up and grabbed his tie daringly, tugging on it. He blushed, grabbing it as he stumbled toward me. “Most men keep crawling back when they get a taste of what I have to offer. I could rock your fucking world,” I muttered quietly. His eyes darted around frantically as he blushed.
“Cut it out Aria! We’re at work, and I’m your fucking boss,” he fixed himself, stepping back. “What were you doing with Howard?”
“If you must know,” I pushed past him to sit down, kicking my shoes off and getting comfortable as I pulled my laptop out. I docked it and snapped my gum, smiling at him. “I was trying to fuck him,” I breathed and he looked appalled. I cackled happily, falling over onto my desk and hitting it. “Oh you’re so fucking gullible! No, he found out I was trying to quit this fucking job,” I jabbed my finger into the desk.
“The fuck does that have to do with him?” he demanded, a sour expression on his face.
“I never thought you were as stupid as you looked boss,” I snickered and he sighed. “I’m the best asset you got and our clients know it. The fuck you think you keep me around for? My charming personality and stunning looks?” I joked and he actually laughed.
“No, you’re right. But just be fucking careful. People find out and both your jobs could be at risk,” he grumbled and I shrugged. “You really don’t fucking care?” he demanded and I smirked.
“I can find another job,” I turned to my computer and wiggled my fingers at him. “Leave me alone, I have work to do!” he grumbled as he walked off. I was about to slide my headset on when there was a gentle knock on my desk. I looked up to see Lace.
“I’d keep you around for your looks and personality,” he breathed and I snorted, shaking my head as I adjusted my ponytail. “I was going to ask if you wanted to get drinks again soon,” he mumbled and I smirked, pulling my knee up to my chest as I adjusted in my seat.
“Your girlfriend releasing the ball and chain?” I teased. He sighed heavily, crossing his arms.
“I told her I’d break up with her if she insisted on preventing me from going out,” he started and I snickered.
“Even though it’s in her best interest to keep you away from me?” I muttered quietly and he blushed, grinning wickedly. “We can get drinks tomorrow after work,” I offered and he nodded happily. He walked off as I returned to my work. After some time my phone chimed and I glanced at it, seeing a text from Lace. I smiled and opened it.
Can I cash in my wish?
I licked my lip and snickered. And what might that be? I texted back, feeling devious as I continued working. Another text had me a bit eager, until I read it.
I want that pussy on my face
What a mood killer. I shook my head, texting back as I grumbled. Before I could hit send another message came in.
Right now…
A picture of a conference room number popped up. I sighed and got up, locking my computer before heading off. I pushed the door open and saw that it was dark. I smiled, letting the door shut behind me, pressing the lock on it. “Didn’t think you’d actually come,” he chuckled and I snickered.
“I promised you one wish,” I breathed and he sighed. “Aren’t I so nice?” I purred, leaning on the door. I felt hands on my hips and sighed. “You’re getting bold there bitch,” I warned and he sighed.
“Just letting you know I’m here,” he muttered. I pressed my hands onto his chest and snickered. I ran my hands along his arms and grabbed his hands, pulling him over to the wall. I pushed him down, my eyes adjusting as I saw him sitting on the floor between my legs. I reached down and unbuttoned my jeans, licking my lips as I smiled.
“Remember you asked for this,” I muttered. I pushed my pants down below my knees and grabbed his head. “Think you can handle this pussy?” I mumbled, bracing my other hand on the wall as I leaned toward him. He whimpered as soon as I buried his face between my thighs. “You better not make this awful,” I warned as his hands grabbed my thighs. His mouth opened, his tongue and lips eager as he lapped at my cunt. My hand slid into his hair as I leaned onto the wall, my hips rolling slightly as I worked myself against his face.
“Fuck, I’ve been missing out on so much!” he panted and I couldn’t help but laugh as I tugged at his hair, pushing his head back.
“You like my cunt?” I muttered. He nodded, his hands squeezing my thighs. “If you want more, tell me what else you like about me. And don’t fucking lie,” I breathed.
“I love how fucking meaty and curvy your thighs and hips are. And this fucking ass,” he grabbed it roughly, kissing my thighs as he panted. “Your tits always look so fucking good in your tank tops,” he muttered as he rested his cheek against my thigh. “And you have a stunning face and smile,” he grumbled.
“You’re talking like you love me, perv,” I muttered and he laughed.
“Cause I do. You’re fucking amazing Aria,” he groaned and I smiled. I pushed my pussy up against his face again, reaching down to spread my lips more. He let me hump his face, his lips and tongue desperate for me.
“Do you worship any other pussy?” I breathed and he groaned, his hands tugging at my ass. “Tell me,” I pulled his head away and he gasped for air.
“Just yours,” he groaned. “Fuck, I’d do anything for you,” he sighed. I smiled and licked my lips.
“Jerk off while I fuck your face,” I breathed. His hands left my body then as I grabbed his head. He gave me his tongue and lips, letting me hump the fucking shit out of his face as he panted and moaned. “You gonna cum while suffocating on this pussy?” I muttered, getting worked up myself.
“I’m gonna fucking cum,” he groaned and I bit my lip. We both were panting and moaning quietly, my body aching for its own release. He gasped, his head falling back slightly as he shook.
“That’s it, cum for me. Cum while you suck on my cunt,” I purred, grabbing his head and pushing him into me. He growled, convulsing as he sucked at my clit. I humped his mouth and moaned as I bit my lip, trembling with my own orgasm. I pushed him away, stepping back slightly as I took a deep breath. I pulled my pants up and fixed myself, crossing my arms as he sat on the floor panting.
“If I drink my cum again, do I get another wish?” he chuckled and I snickered.
“Tell me,” I crouched down in front of him, grabbing his wrists and holding them up to his face. “What more could you possible want from me?” I demanded and he sighed.
“To see you naked,” he whispered. I sighed, pushing his hand toward his face.
“You’re getting too needy,” I warned and he chuckled, slurping up his own cum. I licked his hands clean too, our mouths tangling in erotic passion as we kissed and slurped at one another. “Your lips taste like pussy,” I breathed and he chuckled.
“Delicious right?” he adjusted his pants and got up. “I meant what I said last week. I’d date you in a fucking heartbeat,” he breathed and I snickered, turning for the door. He grabbed my waist and pulled me against him. “I’m serious Aria. I’m only dating another woman because I want to distract myself. You’re fucking perfect. No one compares to you. Nothing is as good as being with you. So just, think about it ok?” he breathed and I sighed.
“You’re getting fucking sappy and emotional Lace. I don’t like it,” I breathed and he chuckled.
“You know I’d let you do whatever you wanted,” he continued and I rolled my eyes. “I’d even ask to watch,” he muttered. I smiled and crossed my arms.
“But dating means you’d probably want to fuck me back,” I sighed and he did too. “And I don’t know if I feel that way about you,” I started.
“Is that it then? The day you want my dick is the day you’ll want to date me?” he chuckled.
“Don’t read so far into it,” I grumbled.
“One more kiss, please?” he begged so cutely. I sighed, unable to say no when he got all needy like this. I pulled him close, kissing him eagerly. Our tongues swirled and tangled, his hands clawing at my ass. I had to admit, Lace made me feel real fucking sexy. I was pretty average, or at least I felt average. Had naturally light brown hair that I insisted on dying, blue eyes, a heart-shaped face and long pin-straight hair. It was thick and soft, a blessing from my genetics for sure. I also got my mom’s wide hips and curvy frame. I was 5’6″ with some meat on my body. I wasn’t overweight, just plump enough that you couldn’t really see my ribs or hips.
“Alright, we gotta work,” I pushed him away and he sighed. I pulled the door open and left, returning to my desk. I saw a little box sitting on it with a note. I opened it and smirked. Lunch on the company today, huh? Was Lucas trying to get on my good side now? I sat down and ate happily, working away on my project.
*** (BONUS CONTENT) ***
Friday morning was uneventful, at least until I got a notice of a meeting for my automation. I was building a bot to access, download, organize and produce records for our payroll team. There was another bot I had to build that would take those reports monthly and spit out some data tables for their analytics team. Apparently these reports aided decisions like department budgets, spending allocations, and whatever fucking else the finance team does.
“Aria, come on!” Lucas hit me with a folder and I grumbled, pushing up and grabbing my lap top. I held my notepad and pen in the same hand, carrying my soda bottle and chip bag in the other as he led me to the conference room. I walked in and sat down next to him, adjusting my glasses as I got comfortable. I pulled my hair up into a messy ponytail, my bangs hanging around my face as I started eating the chips.
“Got something to say?” I demanded when he was glaring at me.
“You act like this office is your fucking house,” he grumbled and I shrugged.
“If I need to behave this way to feel comfortable enough to get all my work done, the fuck’s it matter? Who does this hurt?” I gestured to myself and he rolled his eyes. I had on leggings and another giant sweatshirt, my headphones hanging on my neck as I worked on my laptop.
“Do you always bring your mouse with you?” he flicked it as I plugged it in, glancing at him with a smirk.
“Track pads suck dick,” I breathed and he almost smiled before composing himself. “So yeah, I carry this wireless one in my pocket for these stupid ass meetings,” I muttered. The door opened as I leaned back to sip my soda.
“Thank you for stopping by!” a woman gushed, pushing in with a small team following her. “We know you guys have a busy schedule and hope this doesn’t take too long,” she insisted and I tried not to scoff. These meetings always took too long. And it was usually because fuckers like her and her team would ramble on about useless, unimportant shit.
“Not a problem,” Lucas smiled, gesturing to the cables for her to hook her computer up to the projector so we could discuss the requirements. I adjusted my glasses and grabbed my notebook, biting on my pen to hold it in my mouth as I adjusted in the chair. I sat up on my legs, leaning on one as I shoved my laptop back.
“We ready?” she asked politely and I simply nodded, trying to not look as bored as I felt. I leaned on my hand, watching the screen as she slowly navigated her laptop. It irked me watching her struggle to open applications. This woman did this every month, how was it this hard for her to navigate the fucking computer?! I started doodling, trying to distract myself so I didn’t glare at her.
“So what exactly do we need to figure out?” Lucas started and I glanced at him, pursing my lips as he glanced at my notebook. He was looking at everyone in the room, who were all looking at me.
“So our payroll system stores the salaries, benefit payouts, medical care stuff,” a guy started, glancing at me warily as I glared at him.
“Yes, I’ve worked with the system for the bot I made for you guys to generate payroll audits on request,” I breathed and they flinched. “The question we have is what exactly do you need from the system, and what is it supposed to look like,” I muttered, Lucas glaring at me. “Am I wrong?!” I demanded from him and he sighed, pinching his nose.
“Right, I was just pulling it up,” the woman mumbled, looking uneasy as she finished pulling the reports up.
“So what’s on the report?” I gestured to it, pressing my pen into the notepad.
“We organize it by department cost center,” she started. “So employee IDs, pay grades, wage type, wage rate or salary, the monthly and annual costs, and then any benefits per person,” she gestured to each column and I simply nodded.
“And what’s the output?” I breathed and she looked confused. “Pulling this is just the first step. You run some pivot tables, or create charts based on specific data sets right?” I pressed and she nodded quickly, blushing as she turned to her computer.
“So we have to report annual spending by cost center. We usually show the breakdown of cost per paygrade, with annotation of how many people make up those totals,” she gestured to the chart and I nodded, taking notes.
“And the tables, what about the report tables?” I breathed and she nodded again, pulling up another spreadsheet.
“Finance requires a cost center breakdown of expenses so they can corroborate their books,” she mumbled and I sighed.
“Why aren’t they just pushing the verification through the same automation channel? Why do you have to prepare all of these data tables? Finance asked me to do something similar on their end,” I grumbled and Lucas sighed.
“Aria, there are checks in place,” Lucas started and I glared at him.
“I’m not saying forego the verification process. But I’m building the same reports from two different directions. What’s the damn point? Why would I waste my time creating these reports for two different departments with the same information?” I pressed and he hesitated. The room was silent. “Finance is tired of auditing payroll’s reports, because they have to make their own to do the verification. Payroll is tired of making these reports because finance has to audit them. Why not create one report after running an automation that verifies the datasets from both ends. We have access to Finance’s general ledger that tracks payroll’s activities! And we have the access to payroll’s TPS database,” I grumbled and Lucas smirked.
“Well, that was kind of the reason we wanted to meet,” the woman started then, sounding nervous and uncertain. “Of course we have to confirm with risk and compliance. And we’d have to inform finance we aren’t going to make the report anymore,” she started and I sighed.
“No you don’t. The same report is getting generated in two different departments. That’s process redundancy. Removing the redundancy and still making the report is not a compliance or risk concern. And finance doesn’t give a rat’s ass if you make the report or not. They make the same one. As long as their audit can be performed they don’t care what you do,” I asserted and she shut up.
“Attitude,” Lucas grumbled and I sighed, grabbing my soda and taking a long sip before looking around at the table.
“Are there any components of the monthly reports that you guys need for your own processes?” I demanded and she nodded slowly.
“We use the reports in the event a dispute is made against a pay period reporting,” she started and I nodded, taking some more notes.
“So I guess the responsibility of archiving the reports belongs to payroll, since finance only needs them for auditing purposes,” I muttered and Lucas sighed.
“You can’t just decide that for them Aria,” he asserted and I sighed.
“Just talking out loud boss man,” I grumbled. “It just makes the most sense, does it not?” I glanced at him and he shrugged.
“Not really our place to decide that,” he breathed and I rolled my eyes. It was never our place to recommend practical business decisions. Even though our job required us to make processes more efficient by any means necessary, even if we couldn’t help out directly.
“I do need to know where the reports should be archived though, for access controls,” I reminded him and he nodded, crossing his arms as he studied me curiously. “Look, I already have the report requirements from finance. Had I known it was the same one we could have skipped all of this,” I gestured to her computer. She looked like a child being scorned by her parents.
“I think this meeting is valuable,” Lucas countered and I glanced at him. “It helped us identify a process redundancy. That is always beneficial,” he shrugged and I sighed heavily. What a fucking prick.
“All I need are examples of the charts and data tables you create, so I can see what is and isn’t covered by finance’s requirements they submitted for their project. I’m fairly certain almost all of them overlap,” I muttered and the woman nodded. “Just send me everything you have for this process. The procedures, systems accessed, archiving requirements,” I listed off and she nodded eagerly, trying to take it down.
“Look I’ll just send you over what I have from finance, list out all the things I need verified, and you can all work out the details,” I gestured to her team and she sighed, seeming relieved.
“Sure, sounds like a plan,” she breathed and I nodded. “There is also the matter of benefits reporting to HR,” she continued and I glanced at her curiously.
“You send reports to HR?” I breathed and she nodded.
“They take the data and create statistically driven reports. Like how many employees use what benefits,” she muttered. “How many women and men are employed in each department,” she continued and I snickered.
“Is that a report they laminate and hang up if the percentages are politically acceptable?” I laughed and she gasped. “What’s the point of that?” I demanded and Lucas sighed.
“Again, not our place to ask that question Aria,” he scolded me and I glanced at him.
“Well it is kind of important, because if the reports are designed in a way that require another person to manipulate them for another output,” I started and he sighed, trying not to smile again.
“What do you mean?” the woman asked, seeming curious.
“If HR uses the analysis to drive specific benefit programs, create surveys, or dump into their own analytics software to churn out whatever it is they do,” I breathed and she nodded slowly. “I would much rather get their input on how to properly design those data tables,” I shrugged and she sighed.
“I never really asked,” she admitted and I smiled.
“Right, because you were just handed a damn procedure and told that this is how we do things,” I breathed and she blushed, hanging her head.
“No shame in that, that’s why we exist!” Lucas put his hand on my shoulder and I glared at him. “Right Aria?” he gripped it firmly, smiling in a way that screamed murderous rage.
“Sure, whatever. Can we end this meeting early, and regroup tomorrow with the HR and finance teams to run over this process end to end? I think we’re missing a bigger picture,” I breathed, shutting my laptop and standing up as I collected my things.
“Oh, uh, ok sure,” she nodded, her team looking unnerved as they all studied me. “But could we actually use the rest of the time to go over the requirements?” she asked then with some conviction. “I want to make sure we don’t miss anything else,” she insisted and I hesitated before simply nodding and sitting back down.
“I have another meeting, but Aria can stay,” Lucas got up to leave, hesitating at the door before glaring at me. “I hope my presence isn’t needed for this to be productive,” he muttered and I smirked.
“Go away,” I waved my hand at him and he sighed heavily, yanking the door open and disappearing. I gestured for the cables, the woman handing them over as I plugged them in. I started showing them everything I would need to know for my development. I also showed them what finance gave me, discussing the different requirements from an automation perspective.
They seemed intrigued as they all took notes furiously. As we discussed I prepared a document that had everything we went over, including what I had and what remained to be gathered. We even established a list of “To Dos” before pulling another meeting together with HR and finance.
“This has been so helpful,” the woman gushed, her team agreeing happily. “We never really know what to do for these types of projects,” she admitted and I shrugged. “And no one has ever taken the time to sit us down and work through the end-to-end process. I think mapping it out like this,” she gestured to the whiteboard and giggled. “This really shows us where our gaps are,” she mused. “This isn’t a standard for your dev team?” she continued and I shook my head.
“No, this is just my methodology when tackling a project. I kind of see things as like interactive cogs, or a massive web. You can’t touch one area as if it’s an independent silo. Nothing in any business operates like that. Pulling back even just a bit gives a better concept of scope. Sure it might mean more work, but the results are better and there are more efficiencies to be gained this way too,” I mused. She nodded happily, admiring me.
“You’re Aria Clemens right?” she asked and I simply nodded. “You have quite the reputation,” she chuckled, her team snickering too.
“I’m sure it’s something along the lines of unpleasant to put up with, but incredibly thorough and effective with a work ethic that makes her borderline certifiable!” I offered cheerily and she laughed, nodding. “I like to think my blunt, get to the point demeanor is part of my charm. It’s also how I can get so many projects done in a quarter. So as uncomfortable as it may seem, it is effective and far more efficient. The semantics of office politics and etiquette just take too much damn time,” I grumbled and she laughed.
“Well, I was pretty uncertain about working on a project with you. I’ve heard horror stories,” she continued and I smiled, trying not to show how irked I was by that.
“Working with me isn’t a problem. Unless you take things personally,” I shrugged and she nodded. “But to Lucas’ point earlier, most of the problems that are coming our way are procedures that have become outdated and inefficient. It’s no one’s fault. Just have to improve them,” I offered as I packed up my things. “I really don’t want to stick around to make more small talk. I think we’ve accomplished enough. I sent the doc with everything we discussed. Let’s not waste each other’s time and just get as much done as you can before scheduling another meeting,” I breathed, walking toward the door.
“Alright, have a great day!” she waved me off and I nodded, waving to her as well. The door shut behind me and I sighed, walking back to my desk. I needed to blow off some steam after that. I glanced back toward Lace’s desk as I set my laptop down. He was working on something, Donny leaning over his shoulder and studying it curiously.
They both were talking and pointing at the screen. I glanced at the time and sighed heavily. I could hold out for a few more hours, no need to pull Lace away from his work to help me relieve some of this stress. Besides, it would be dangerous to latch onto Lace to work through my problems. Better not make a habit out of using him to feel better.
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Let me know if you really want a chapter 4!!