CHAPTER 1
Tragedy
Natia looked out the window, the overcast day in Atlanta making the news even more
despairing. It had spread through the corporate executive offices on the fortieth floor
of the building, only minutes before it was on CNNFN. Natia read the banner as it ran
along the bottom of the television screen, hurriedly put up until the news staff could get
the details. It sent a shiver of fear up Natia’s back as she read it.
“The Gulfstream G150 jet carrying Sharon Laskey, President of Southeastern Oil and Gas
Exploration, went down shortly after takeoff from Falcon Field outside of Atlanta. The
pilot and copilot as well as the Chairman of the Board, Richard Lassiter, all perished in
the disaster. Breaking news will follow.”
A tear fell from her eye as Natia remembered her first meeting with Sharon. It was a
little over ten years ago, Natia looking for her third job since graduating from Harvard
with an MBA. Natia had been with Booze Allen Hamilton Consulting for two years and then
was recruited by Atlas Logistics Support. That lasted for a year. Natia could still
remember the interview with Sharon in detail.
“How come you left Atlas Logistics after only one year?” Natia was bright and
ambitious, but at such an early age, her history with employers was brief, especially the
last one. Sharon could see leaving Booze Allen Hamilton for a good opportunity, but only
one year? Was there something that Sharon should be weary of in her history?
Natia knew she should give the familiar ring, looking for a better opportunity, wanting
to relocate to a new city, any of the usual ten reasons that most gave to hide the
unsavory details. Natia wanted this job, but she just couldn’t get it that way. It all
of a sudden blurted out her mouth, Natia not even thinking about it as the words spilled
out. “I became personally involved with the president, Bradford Dillman. I was married
at the time and I could no longer continue with either the relationship or the company.”
It was what Sharon had expected. Natia was an extremely attractive girl. She was
tall, over five foot eight, long dark hair and green eyes. She had long legs accented by
a very expensive suit. Heads turned when she walked into a room. Bradford Dillman was
well known in the industry for his womanizing. He was wealthy, handsome, and most
important, powerful. Women were drawn to him, and he took advantage of it. “So it would
be advantageous to you if your new boss was a woman.”
“The most compelling reason I want to work at Southeastern Oil and Gas is that you are
growing. Growing fast. You need bright, energetic people that can help you grow. I want
to grow with you. I won’t hide my ambition. I aspire to be a Chief Financial Officer.
Your CFO. Having a female boss is only an added incentive.” Natia held her breath.
“You would have a ways to go here. This position is only a financial analyst. You
would have to prove yourself.” Sharon did all the final interviews for the executive
staff. This is where the future of the company would come from, and she wanted to make
sure they would be there when Sharon needed them. Natia was already selected by the CFO
for the position. The only thing that this interview could do was take her out of the
running if she messed it up. Sharon liked her honesty. “Have you moved to Atlanta with
your husband?”
“I moved here about a month ago.” Natia paused for a moment. “I am no longer
married.”
Sharon didn’t even comment, not caring to delve any further into what she was sure was
a messy affair. “Report to Personnel on Monday at 8 A.M.” Sharon stood up and pushed out
her hand. “Welcome to the Southeastern Oil and Gas Exploration family. I hope your stay
will be long and profitable for both of us.”
“Thank you, you wouldn’t regret it.” Natia almost began to cry at that moment.
* * * *
The years passed, Natia living up to her promise. She was an internal auditor the
second year, the head of Internal Audits by her fourth year. She moved back into
Accounting as Assistant Controller in her fifth year, and by the seventh year, she became
Controller. It was good luck and her excellent reputation of being able to straighten out
any mess that made her Chief Financial Officer last year. Sharon had stayed close the
last five years, mentoring her until she became CFO. They worked together like a
well-oiled machine, Natia always a step ahead of what Sharon wanted or would need. Now
she was gone.
Everyone was in shock, not knowing what would happen or who would take over the
company. It was hard losing two top executives at one time, especially since the Chairman
was, also the major stockholder. The board was convening at this time, Natia catching the
Chairman’s trophy wife entering, a newfound respect given to her as the heir apparent to
his stock. Natia knew Heather socially, having married Richard five years ago after the
passing of his first wife. Most called her his trophy wife: young, beautiful and
ambitious. Natia found her puzzling. She stayed behind her husband, letting him bathe in
the limelight, but Natia felt that this was not her personality. It was only a
façade that she hid behind, Natia sure that she would soon emerge from it in light
of the tragedy.
All eyes turned as Heather walked down the hall, her heels clicking on the marble
floors of the executive floor. She was dressed in a black business suit, but it still
hugged her body, especially the tight, short skirt. She worked out religiously and it was
apparent. Her natural blonde hair hung down below her collar, the front cut sexily to the
side to highlight her face, especially her blue eyes and large lips. She used to be a
model and many thought she still was. She walked to Natia’s office, popping her head in.
“Am I interrupting?” Heather liked Natia. They had similar upbringings, growing up
privileged and rich. Both, also, were gifted with exotic beauty and natural charm that
drew men to them. Men wanted to possess them but they were hated by most women for their
arrogant beauty.
Natia stood up as Heather walked in. “I don’t know what to say, Heather. Words cannot
convey what I feel. It is a great loss for the company and me personally. Richard was
always there to back me up and to lend a hand when I needed it.” Their hands touched,
Natia feeling a power in her handshake that she never felt before. Heather didn’t pull
her hand away, holding Natia’s hand tight.
“Thank you. The shock hasn’t worn off yet. I hope I can count on your support as much
as Richard did.” Heather looked at Natia, refusing to let go of her hand. She squeezed a
little tighter, but Natia didn’t try to pull away or say anything, just accepting it.
Heather finally released her hand.
Her hand still felt Heather’s presence, even when it was released. “I am yours,
Heather. Anything you want.” It almost scared Natia, her response almost sexual.
“That’s good. We will need a new CEO and your input will be crucial. I want to make
sure the company ends up in good hands. I have no intentions of selling all of my stock,
though I might part with some of it to induce the right person to come on board. It’s
going to be a difficult month, but with your help, we can get through it stronger than
before. Now, I have to meet an almost all-male board and convince them to elect me
Chairman without being too arrogant and forcing them to do it. Sometimes I wish there
weren’t men in this world.” Heather walked off without saying anything more.
* * * *
Natia was called to the board meeting once to report on the condition of the company’s
finances, pleased to see Heather sitting in the chair reserved for the Chairman of the
Board. There were few questions, the finances excellent, Sharon already taking care of
funding future plans. There were a few questions and the meeting was over shortly after
Natia left.
“It went well, Natia. I’m Chairman of the Board, and Bill Roth is the temporary CEO
until we can resolve the situation. I’ll be in touch soon.” Heather was glad that part
was over. She was in control of the company.
“Bill has been on the board for over ten years and knows the company. He has good
experience, but we need someone devoted full time to the company.” Natia had worked with
Bill as he headed the board’s audit committee.
“My thoughts exactly; that is why the search is the board’s first responsibility. I
have a number of ideas that I will be working on. I’m going to need you to help me.”
“Anything, anything you want, Heather.” There she goes again. Is it just me, or was
my response was sexual? Natia had never had these thoughts about another woman before. A
man—that was a different story.
* * * *
Natia had a condo high above the city of Atlanta, the penthouse. There was a wide
expanse of windows that opened up to the bright lights of the city below, but the height
somehow made her feel more secure. It was a long day, trying to put everyone’s fear
aside, afraid of change, afraid of losing their jobs with a change in management or
control of the company. Natia had to be the calm of reason, though she had her own
demons.
Natia stood naked in the bathroom, staring back at her image in the full-length mirror.
At thirty-five, she still looked good. Her full breasts had just the slightest hint of
sag in them. Her nipples stood out, the brown flesh highlighted by large areolas. She
was always ashamed or proud of her areolas, depending on her mood. When she was trying to
hide her sexuality, they always seemed to be shadowed beneath her clothes, but when she
flaunted her sexuality, that drew men’s stares to her naked breasts that danced erotically
beneath her opened blouse. Her fingers rubbed over her nipples, feeling them respond
instantly, sensitive to the slightest touch. Her hands smoothed over her belly, her waist
still slim after all these years and hard work. She had full hips, Natia turning to the
side to see her best asset, clenching her buttocks tight in the mirror. It was what men
saw of her as she walked off, and they would remember the way it swayed seductively as she
walked. She turned back to the mirror, her fingers swishing through her neatly shaved
bush, teasing at the follicles of hairs until she felt the sudden wetness between her
legs. She had full lips, sliding her finger between them until she felt the slick inner
lips. She had made herself cum many times in front of the mirror, imagining it was a man
that was making her pleasure herself as he watched. The shame of performing such a
private act in front of a man is what made her cum so hard.
Her fingers deserted her pussy as she climbed into the large bathtub, the hot water
swirling across her body, the bubbles sliding over her skin. Natia felt the day
disappearing beneath the soothing, hot bubble bath, lying back and letting the hot water
envelop her in a blanket. She took a sip of the wine before she closed her eyes,
remembering back. Way back to before she was married. It seemed so long ago, but she
still remembered every detail of the short marriage. It was her first and only,
retreating now to a career to escape from the realities for over ten years.
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