The Elevator Pitch

Unsure why Byron was so fixated on her, Jess assumed that it was the challenge of the word “no” that moved Byron so much. All the women Byron had targeted outside the office were all super skinny model types who ate salads and drank tea all day. The women in the office that Byron had targeted were less skinny, less model type, but very much into their appearances.

The word around the water cooler suggested that Byron also like how Jess had a solid clean good girl reputation. Nothing more valuable than being the guy who finally popped the cherry of a pure good girl. This sickened Jess to her stomach.

If Byron was to be taken down, someone would have to be willing to play along with Byron’s efforts, let him think he had won, then, find a way to break him and humiliate him. The problem was simple, Jess had no desires to sleep with Byron just to break his ego to pieces. Without giving in to Byron’s sexual appetite, no one could find a way to hurt his ego. Everything bounced off of Byron with ease.

This level of confidence was worrisome to the rest of the women who had not fallen prey to Byron. They knew that it was only a matter of time before his charm was aimed at disarming them. Marital status was no protection at all.

The Transfer

Shortly after Jess got the news that she was going to train a new transfer team member, the guys in the office erupted in cheers. The women paused, wondering what was going on.

Scanning the announcement board, Jess found out that one of the fantasy games had come through for one of the guys. As the noise died down, Byron got up and announced that the office was getting a new teammate.

The tone of his voice sounded full of pride. Questions flew. Jess started to worry that Byron was going to turn his attention to the new lady. It was one thing to fend off a known predator, it was another to have no clue one was being preyed on and fending off warm chivalry.

Mia was happy to have taken the transfer to be at the lead office. Her skills were going to blossom fast. This was the step up that she had been waiting for. Her email said that training would start immediately with Jess.

Byron met Mia in the elevator. His warm introduction made Mia feel at ease and happy to have made the transfer. With his introduction, Mia felt that the whole office was happy to see her. Byron’s tips seemed very generous and helpful too.

Over the weeks, Mia started to lean more heavily on the tips Byron had suggested, as they were turning out to be career winning advice. Jess watched something new in Byron. Unlike other women who had fallen prey to Byron’s approach, Mia was not subject to the typical efforts.

In all fairness, Jess lamented, Mia was not the skinny pretty blond Byron hunted. Mia was smart, professional, focused, and a redhead. No one had ever seen Byron date a redhead before. Not that the hair color should be a determining factor.

This raised a very interesting question in the office. Was Byron ever going to sleep with Mia?

For Jess, this was not a sign of relief. Byron kept making his moves on Jess, albeit, more subtly. Jess knew that Byron had not forgotten about his desires to win, but Mia was proving to be a great distraction. However, the fast pace seduction Jess expected seemed to be lacking. There was no point in asking Byron about this, as it would give him the wrong impression of jealousy.

The worries Jess had hoped would go away, intensified one day when Byron was in the elevator alone with Jess. The ride was quiet. Yet, Jess felt studied. The elevator had polished silver walls with a mirrored ceiling. Using her cell-phone’s camera, Jess hoped to catch Byron doing his usual towards her. Nothing. Yet the feeling of being studied was strong.

As they got to the lobby, Jess stepped out and hoped that Byron would overtake her. He did not. He kept in locked steps a few paces behind her. The uneasy feeling of a deer being followed by a lion kept Jess nervous.

Lunch was supposed to be all about Mia. To Jess’ chagrin, Byron followed her to the park where she was to meet Mia. When Mia showed, she invited Byron to join them, to which he appeared to sheepishly hesitate. Mia insisted. Jess felt trapped.

The conversation flowed with ease. Byron was a great conversationalist. Mia was filled with questions that Byron carefully answered. Jess could not understand how Byron was giving great advice to a woman he would probably try to devour. More intriguing was how Byron kept pulling Jess into the conversation and setting her up for feedback that made Mia feel all the more welcomed to the team.

Knowing the importance of trusting one’s gut kept Jess from putting her guards down. The feeling of being hunted for sexual conquest was strong. The evidence lacking. Byron had an agenda, but the details was only known to him.

The clues start to flow

After their lunch, Byron excused himself and took off. Mia and Jess had time to chat as women. It was clear that Mia was impressed by Byron. Thankfully, Mia had not drank the wine that Byron was known for. Jess wanted to know what made Mia so special that Byron did not make a move on her. More importantly, Jess wanted to know if Mia had felt any of the vibes Byron was sending.