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5.
Judith had spent the day following her ordeal in a listless daze. On Monday morning she retreated into the welter of complex new tax laws in a desperate attempt to put any memory of the whole business behind her.
Throughout the previous week Judith had been so full of herself that she had been unable to resist letting it be known within the firm that she would be lunching with Mrs. Dawes-Smith over the weekend. By hiding in her office she hoped to avoid any curiosity her name dropping might have aroused. Her attention was pulled up by the intrusion of one of the secretaries.
“Mr. Geller would like to see you in his office.”
She had not seen the inside of that office since having been taken there for an introduction on her first day. There could only be one reason for the head cheddar wanting to see her now.
When she entered he looked up with a warm smile and rose to greet her. He seated her in a plush leather chair before retreating behind a massive teakwood desk.
“Join me for a taste of single malt, Judith? It's past five.”
“No thank you, sir. I still have a bit of work to get through yet.”
“The hours you have been putting in have been noticed. The other partners and I are pleased.”
He poured himself a good measure and held the amber liquid up to admire before taking a good sized swallow.
“Great stuff!”
“I'll make it a point to try some, sir.”
“Judith, I won't tiptoe around this… One of the powers that be in this city has taken a shine to you. I had a call from Mrs. Dawes-Smith today. It seems that she is quite impressed.
Judith had been about to downplay her connection with the woman and hope she could make a quick escape. This new development took her completely by surprise and made her instantly wary.
“I don't know if you are fully aware of what this could mean to the firm. This woman inherited massive wealth from her late husband. Not only would her business be a huge plum…but where she goes others follow. I am talking about millions in fees here, Judith.”
Judith fought desperately to maintain a poised and assured countenance. What he was describing was far greater than the boost to her career she had first envisioned. She did not feel elated though. She felt trapped. The bitch had neatly penned her between whatever further cruel game she had in mind and the great expectations that had now been engendered in Geller's head.
“Very wealthy and powerful people can be…well, let's just say eccentric. If you should feel you need any advice my door is always open. You are young, Judith. I would hate to see over-confidence trip you up here.”
If only he had a clue, she thought miserably. Over-confidence, hell! Judith was scared silly. She heard little else that was said to her and was lost in thought all the way back to her own office.
What would be expected of her now, she wondered. The woman had obviously decided that she was nothing but a weak, greedy little harlot for hire. Who could blame her after the way she had allowed herself to be used.
What was really worrying Judith now was what the woman wanted with her. With the looks and money Emily Dawes-Smith had she could have her pick. Of women or men. Hell the woman could have a lesbian harem if she chose. It had been obvious that even someone as wealthy as Sophia was at her beck and call.
All the way to her apartment two words echoed repeatedly through Judith's head,
“Why me?”
At home she had no expensive scotch to admire and suck down but she did have vodka. She doctored some cranberry juice stiffly and took it with her to the bath. With the light out and a damp washcloth over her eyes she soaked and sipped, willing her head to remain empty.
She heard the phone ring in the bedroom but left it to the machine. From the dark of her damp cocoon, Judith listened.
“Judy, darling, it's Em. Call me as soon as you get in. I'm in the book.”
No apology. No explanation. Just the irony of ‘Judy, darling' and another arrogant demand... Judith sighed and took a deep sip.
There was no choice but to make the call. It was answered on the third ring by the island accent she remembered all too well. She was not surprised when she was made to wait before Emily came on the line.
“You're home so late, darling. That nasty Geller must treat you like a slave.”
“I enjoy my work.”
Judith could not hide the terseness of her reply but if Emily noticed, she ignored it.
“And I am sure you are very good at it. After all you made the law review. The only woman in your graduating class to do so. Very impressive but this is a social call…Our bridge club meets this coming Friday evening.”
Judith had been listening warily but now relief washed over her.
“I would be thrilled,” she lied, “but I know literally nothing about bridge. I am sorry, Em.”
“That won't matter a whit. I'll send the car for you at seven.”
“Thank you but…”
The line went dead. She had been dismissed.
“Fuck!”
Judith hurled the phone and watched it shatter against the far wall. She stalked her room then, cursing. She swore she would do pro bono work for legal aid and starve before she would place herself at that bitch's mercy again. Once her fury had drained she sank slackly onto the bed.
She knew she was kidding herself. She was a slave to her ambition. It was what had driven her to excel all her young life. In athletics. In her studies. She had always been a leader. She hated feeling like a slut on this woman's string. Judith found herself weeping in frustration and hating herself for her weakness. She finally fell into exhausted sleep
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