Rivals

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

I sat there a moment stunned and then my temper was riled.
"Oh go fuck yourself you self rightous egotistical wind bag! To think i would fucking stoop so low as to steal your dumb assed ideas is just low!" I was shaking I was so furious, how dare he even assume such a callous thing of me?
I heard a knock at the door, Ignoring the jackass, I got up and answered it. Painting on a smile though my heart was breaking at such an unfair accusation.
"Good evening Mr. Smith, do come in."
"Thank you Miss?"
"Stewart and this is Mr. Wise." I escorted him in and asked if he wanted something to drink.
"A scotch please?" I nodded and got his drink. Giving Marcus a very cold shoulder I turned to Mr. Smith.
"I came prepared for one item on your list and hoping you will give Marcus and myself more time to show your other products. If you dont mind? I have a video presentation ready?"
"No go ahead, Straight forward and down to business I like that.." He smiled at me and I gave him one in return. He wasn't old like I thought, maybe a little over my own age.
I walked to my bag and pulled out the tape and vcr. Hooking everything up I put in the tape and stood watching. This is what I had done late last night. Haven't slept since the few hours on the plane I hoped to god it was worth the effort it took me.
The screen came on, black and white. A woman played with her baby on her bare legs. The word "Loving" Appeared on the screen and faded out. Then it showed an elderly couple dancing, her laughing at something he said and her leg brushing against her partners, "Lastingly smooth". It too faded out and the picture changed to a woman laying on the beach, a very sexy man rubbing suntan lotion onto her legs, more words faded in and out. mainly the softening ingredients in his shaving cream before a black and white picture of the product appeared on the screen with a hint of pink here and there. Ment to attract eyes to the screen. "Nothing is smoother and longer lasting for your young healthy skin than Sensual." It faded out. The products name was sensual for women. I sat there in silence as he watched the screen for a moment. Mulling it over in his head.

"These are just some idea's for starters I have more where that came from, and can we can give your line eliquence to attract men and women alike with Mr Wise and myself working on this.." That was my pitch to him, hoping he would be delighted with it.
Marcus was a little stunned I had done so much in so little time, but thats how we played hard ball in this company. I still shot him a glare for calling me a theif.

 

[hotforpolitics]

Marcus

I was totally shocked that Mandy had the time to put together that videotape. I was sure she didn't have anything to offer Smith. Now my scratched out ideas on some storyboards looked like crap. I wouldn't start to offer those right now. I guess I'll just have to go with the flow and let Mandy take the lead and hope I get a chance. I can see my promotion going right down the tubes.

"Mandy thought that we should focus on your women's products since you probably have a better idea of how your men's line should be portrayed." I glared at her and quietly hoped she wouldn't contradict me. "Mr Smith maybe you could tell us your thoughts on where your last ad campaign went wrong so we cn see if we can do better." I took a big swig of my stoli and soda realizing this wasn't going at all how I planned.

I was still pissed at her for going trough my things especially when she had such a good presentation already. Was she trying to just completely trash me. Bitch!!!

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

He smiled and shook his head, "The men's products failed because the comercials just didn't appeal to men in general. I have a feeling with you Marcus working on the men's and Miss Stewart working on the women's line, I can't go wrong. But I am late for a dinner arrangement, I just came by to invite you both up to my cabin. I will be leaving here promptly at 9Am and Mr. Laramee informed me you both would agree to stay up at the ranch for two days so I dont have to keep driving to town between hunting. So I'll see you both in the morning." He shook hands with myself and then with Marcus.
Letting Marcus see him to the door, I gathered up my things and went back into my room. I heard another knock sound. Must be the delivery boy with Marcus's suitcases.
Now I had wished I hadn't even bothered getting his things for him.
To accuse me of something that low was just cruel and harsh. He did not know who the hell he was fucking with here. I could play hard ball as well as the next guy. And Marcus was walking a very thin line and about to see my temper he bothered me once more. I was so angry than I snapped my comb in half as I sat on the bed. I seen marcus turn towards my room, as if he wasn't finished speaking to me. Instead of giving him a chance, I got up and shut the door in his face.

 

[hotforpolitics]

"Alright Mr. Smith, we'll see you in the morning." Well, that had gone poorly for me. But at least I was still in the game. No thanks to Miss Videotape. Fuck. How could she have gotten that done like that. Well, I am a good sport. The least I can do is tell her she did a good job. Starting toward her door i hear a knock at the door and turn to answer it thinking it was Smith coming back. It was the bellman with my luggage. "How in the world did it get to a hotel across town?" I asked. Oh well, at lest it was back. Laramee would still get a bill for what I bought this afternoon and I would get a tax write off when I donated it all to the Salvation Army.

Turning back to Mandy's room I started to open my mouth to say she did a good job when she slammed the door in my face. Okay then. Well I won't tell her.

"I am going to get something to eat downstairs. I'll have them send up some raw meat for you!" I said loud enough that I hoped she heard. Picking up my key I headed down to the bar. The next two days would be murder. Or there might be a murder. I wonder what the odds on her meeting up with a bear or something while we were in the wilderness. Nah, one bear wouldn't be enough.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

That rude little fuck! I was sorely tempted to put blue dye into his shampoo just to have a good laugh at his moronic ass.
Once he left, i changed into my nightgown, ordered room service and sprawled out on the couch to creative think the next step.
I dont know how long I laid there, but idea's poured from my mind. I was jotting things down as fast as I could, trying to keep up with my mind.
Smiling after I had seven more ideas sketched out, I got a glass of Jack and mixed some coke into it. Fuck it, no drinking was for the birds. I was sick and tired of men in this company and half tempted to go to another firm that could offer me more and less assholes like Marcus.
After two drinks, I gave up thinking, since i was so sluggish now and turned on the tv set. Somewhere in there I fell into a deep sleep and didn't hear anything until morning.

 

[hotforpolitics]

After dinner and a couple more cocktails I was ready to call it a day. The prospect of two more days like this did not thrill me.

Walking back into the room I see Mandy asleep on the couch, two empty mini bottles of Jack Daniels in the trash can by the bar. Strange, I have never heard of Mandy ever taking a drink. Guess she was celebrating her promotion. Probably so. Doing it alone, because lord knows she probably has no friends.

Surprisingly, she is wearing a nice white nightie. I would have expected flannel pajammas with feet! The nightie had ridden up her thighs. I am sure she would be embarassed to be seen like this. I also noticed that she appears to have a pretty nice figure. Who knew?!?!?! I don't think anyone has ever seen her figure before. Wait until the guys in the office hear about this. Wait. I wonder how asleep she is??? "Mandy? Mandy? Mandy? You asleep???" Hmmmm...

Going into my room I find a cigar and a Penthouse I threw in my briefacse since Carmen didn't spend the night last night. Lighting the cigar I put it in her hand and prop the magazine open on the couch so it looks like she fell asleep reading it. Then with my disposable camera I take a dozen or so shots. Nothing pornographic, just funny. Then satisifed, I take back the props and cover her up with a blanket. "Sleep well Mandy."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

I awoke to the ringing and ringing and ringing of the wake up call. Groaning I pushed my hair out of my eyes and rolled to my back. Where was I? And what the fuck was that racket?!
I rolled over and grabbed the phone.
"Hello.." I mumbled,
"Yes, this is your wake up call."
"thanks"
I heard a click, how rude these people were. Groaning in agony, I rolled off the couch and took several deep breaths. I felt like shit! It was coming back to me too, the working and deciding to get drunk and wash away all the thoughts I had of Marcus and his fucking mouth!
Climbing up, gingerly I made my way to the bathroom. Bumping into several tables along the way and swearing. Stripping down to nothing, I turned on the shower and stepped inside. half asleep and not feeling very well, the cold water felt good.
Lord knows I missed Marcus's stunned face shaving in the mirror, but then again if I had seen him I woulda just done the same.
I was too tired to give a shit who was where right now.
Groaning again, I closed my eyes and swallowed the lump in my throat.
"Never again. never ever ever... oh god this is hell!" I whispered to myself in the shower. Shaking, i wasn't sure if it was the effort to stand upright or not to throw up all over the place.

 

[hotforpolitics]

I woke up before the wake up call, but heard the phone ringing while I was shaving. WIthin seconds Mandy barged into the bathroom where I was shaving and stripped off her nightie and stumbled into a cold shower. I caught just a glimpse of the body I had seen a bit of last night and confirmed my thoughts about her having a nice figure. Didn't get a long enough look to form any further opinions, but what I saw looked well-above average.

I could hear her moaning in the shower like someone who did not feel good. Mentally arguing with my good angel who wanted me to quietly leave the bathroom so she didn't realize I was here, I called to her "Mandy, was that you who just "flashed" by me into the shower? Sorry I thought you'd realize if the door was closed I was in here." The next sound from the shower was enough to chill me to my very core.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

The voice outside the door startled me so badly I sat down hard on the bottom of the tub. My mind racing I didn't even notice the door was shut, god I would never live this down!
I kept silent, just breathing in and out. Trying not to lose my dinner, and now my bottom hurt thuroughly. I felt like crying but wouldn't, I was no weakling dammit! And no man could make me feel inferior no matter how hard he tried.
I bit on my lip, still panting for air. Let him think what he wanted, I was too ill to move just yet. Flushing brightly that he had seen me undressed was bad enough that in itself without throwing up infront of him as well.
I laid back in the tub, letting the shower just rain down on my, nothing would make this trip any fun. I could see that now, and if I had any brains I would just leave Marcus and this client alone. No promotion was worth this humiliation. Nothing on this earth was worth tollerating his insurfferable accusations and cold eyes. How could I possibly make it four more days?!
Whimpering softly, I groaned again swallowing back the urge to lose my dinner. Finally I was under some control, but barely. I felt hot all over, and sick to my stomach as well. Ok no more of that! Never again rang in my head, no more alcohol for this girl.
Standing back up on very weak legs, I ignored his voice outside the door and his presence.
I was sick, tired, achy and in no mood to give a shit over who had the bathroom just right now. He was probably out there steaming mad that I would dare to enter in here when he was in here. Fuck him, I did not care. Besides being angry was much easier than being embarassed over this.

 

[hotforpolitics]

I obviously startled Mandy when I asked if she "flashed" by me into the shower. She didn't know I was already in the bathroom when she rushed in. My good angels got the better of me and I resisted making any further comments to her at that point. I finished shaving and went to my room to get dressed.

After I dressed for my day in the wilderness I called to Mandy in the shower, "I'm ordering some coffee and eggs from room service. Do you want any?" Not hearing any response I ordered for myself and sat down in the sitting room to read the paper and wait for breakfast. I also wanted to be right there when Mandy came out of the bathroom to go to her bedroom. No sense in missing an opportunity to see if she was embarassed by me seeing her naked.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

Turning off the shower, I pressed my forehead up against the cold tiles. It felt good on my throbbing headache, made it pulse a little less in my temples.
Grabbing a towel, I carefully stepped out and wrapped it around me. He mentioned food, and there was just no way my stomach could handle that this morning.
Heat flushed my face a moment when I bent down to retrieve my nightgown. Marcus had seen all of me, and I wasn't even aware of it. Embarassment rose in my features, flushing my bringht red.
I could just imagine what he was thinking, and none of it would be flattering in the least bit.
Sucking in a deep breath, I made my way out of the bathroom and towards my room. I didn't stop to say hi, or even meet his eyes. The last thing I wanted to hear was jokes about my body or anything reguarding what he saw or didn't see.
I knew he was watching me, but I could not bring myself to even stop and say sorry. I got to my room in a hurry and shut the door, blocking out his damned gaze. I had only a little time left to get ready and get things packed. Throwing off the towel, I dressed and packed in record time.
Picking up my sun glasses from the bedside stand, I put them on, picked up my luggage and walked out to the livingroom. Keeping my eyes from meeting his, even behind the shades, I asked, "Are we almost ready to go?"

 

[hotforpolitics]

Marcus:

Watching her hurry through the room and shut her door it became clear she was very hungover. When she came back into the sitting room with her sunglasses on there was no doubt she was hungover. I started to ask her if she wanted a Bloody Mary this mornig, but I decided that the sight of her wretching this early in the morning was more than I could bear.

"I'm ready. The car should be downstairs in a minute. Here let me help you with your bag." Taking the bigger of her bags i started toward the door. "The bellman already took mine downstairs. I guess I should have kept it close to me, just so it doesn't disappear again."

Waiting for the car Mandy sat and appeared to stare blankly into space. I hope she gets her shit together before the meeting or otherwise this deal is doomed.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

Handing over the bag, I was too weak and too tired to argue with him today. And I hoped to hell he would just lay off for one morning.
Walking down to the main lobby I got myself several cups of black coffee to go and some saltine crackers for my stomach. Once everything was loaded into this large range rover looking thing, I climbed up inside while Marcus took the driver's seat.
Sitting back, I tried not to think of the swaying, bumping vehicle.
"You would think they would pave some roads around here, just to keep their cars longer.." I fell silent again, sipping the coffee and trying to wake up.
We climbed higher and higher on this very narrow dirt road, my heart lurched in my throat looking down the canyon getting larger and larger every turn.
I needed to distract myself, I knew how Marcus drove, I was not going to comment though.
"Sorry about this morning, Marcus. I was so out of it, I didn't realize.." I felt the damned heat surface in my face again and quickly I looked out over the valley below. Two coffee's down and a few crackers, I felt a little better by the time the truck stopped outside Bob Smith's "cabin".
The damned thing was huge! a two story cabin that spread out along the ground a good three widths of a normal cabin.
"Damn, this place is huge..." His hunting lodge was this thing? Shaking my head, I stepped out and stretched. The ir up here cooler, I was beginning to feel better.

 

[hotforpolitics]

"Don't worry about this morning. I've seen a naked woman before. I'll deny saying this if you tell anyone, but it wasn't that bad a sight this morning."

Now why the hell did I say that? Crap. Just what I need for her to feel even more superior than she probably already does. Oh well the pasty color of her skin and the look on her face tell me all I need to know about how she feels this morning. And I even took it easy on the drive up here. Shit, I should have driven like I normally do and seen if I could make her throw up.

Smith's cabin in the woods was more like the mansion in wooods. I pulled up to the front door where we were met by several of the staff who informed us that Mr. Smith wasn't back from the morning hunt and that he would be back later.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

His comments only made me blush harder and deeper red. I said nothing about it and kept my silence.

Hearing the servant or whomever it was say Mr. Smith was gone until later, I followed him in with my suit cases. The elderly man showed us inside and told us where two rooms were located we could use. Side by side, of course! I couldn't get lucky enough to be on the OTHER side of the house.

"Well Should we go over some idea's Marcus?" I sat down on the couch with my briefcase and bag. All my ideas were in these, so might as well keep them out here with me until Mr. Smith showed up.

 

[hotforpolitics]

"Sure we can talk about some ideas, but if you don't mind my saying so, I think you need something more substantial than coffe and crackers in your stomach. I would recommend a good greasy cheeseburger if we could get you one. The last thing you want is to lose it in front of Smith."

I couldn't believe I was actually being nice to her, but she did look kind of pathetic and I certainly had been in her shoes before.

"I'll go see what they've got. You relax. It won't do either of us any good to blow this presentation."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

"No Marucs, please don't. I don't think I can stomach food right now.." I glanced up, he hadn't listened to a word I had said because he wasn't in the room.
Sighing I relaxed back on the couch and removed my sun glasses. Eyes closed, the cooling breeze blowing over my trembling heated skin felt heaven sent.
I felt a little better than I had first thing this morning, which was a blessing. Now if I could just make it until tonight and get to sleep.
Marcus came back in and sat down, though I did not open my eyes, I felt his presence and the couch shift under me.
"Did you find anything while exploring around?" Still i did not open my eyes, it hurt too much.

 

[hotforpolitics]

She looked like crap. It wouldn't do for Smith to see her like this. THe deal would go south in a hurry.

"Yeah I found the kitchen and they are going to fix you a burger. Even if you don't feel like eating, you better try. I also got them to mix you up a protein drink with an egg. You look like crap. I know why you don't drink now. You can't handle it. Maybe I now know your one weakness."

That wasn't really necessary, but I wanted her to realize I was still pissed about last night.

"I am going to go outside for a walk see what's around. You go eat and for god's sake go do something about your makeup when you're done. You look worse than death warmed over."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

He always had to say something to rile my temper. Never failed! He couldn't just be silent for once and shut up his fucking mouth.
Glaring at him, I watched him walk off.
He was lucky I was feeling like shit, or I would have the energy to make him pay for those biting remarks.
"Afraid to be nice aren't ya?" I called out behind him.
Walking into the kitchen I sat down and ate what the cook had prepared. Managing to get half of it down, I drank the vile liquid in the glass. I thanked the cook for making me something to eat and found my room.
It was time to do some glamour work. Smirking in the mirro, I shed my overly baggy clothes and slipped on the thong and jeans. They fit nice and snug in the right places. Pulling on socks and boots, I then found the silky white top I had bought to go with it.
I let my long brown hair hang down my back, tugged on the shirt, minus the bra and looked in the mirror. Color had returned to my face, some what.
Pulling out the make up case, I spent a half an hour carefully fixing my face. Not too much and not too little. Just enough to make model's jealous. And to show Marcus he was very wrong.
Once done, I walked back out to the living room and opened my portfolio. I heard Marcus and Mr. Smith enter, but paid them no mind as I went over the designs.
Mr. Smith came in and said, "Hello Miss Stewart, did you find everything you needed?"
I glanced up and flashed him a sweet smile, "Yes thank you. Very nice lodge you have here too by the way." He grinned and sat down beside me, leaning towards me and looking at my ideas.
"Not bad, not bad at all."
"Thank you" I smiled again.
"Well I need to shower and take care of some things, then can we go over these Miss Stewart?"
"Mandy, and yes that would be fine." He repeated my name, thanked me and went upstairs.
Glancing up I caught Marcus's glare, "What is it now Attila?" I smirked, he knew I was boldly flirting and using my good looks to reel Mr. Smith in.

 

[hotforpolitics]

"I've never seen you work like that. I mean you basically opened your shirt and said to him 'Here; how do you like these?' What's next a handjob? That is just pathetic if you ask me. I thought you were more professional than that."

While I was saying that I was secretly impresssed. I wondered whether she had the balls to do WHATEVER it takes to close a deal and I was beginning to see that she did.

"Well, after he gets past your tits, I hope he likes the ideas, because I am not sold on them. Frankly they seem pretty wimpy for the male products. I mean this guy is a man's man and you are trying to sell his product to florists if you know what I mean. I hope you got something better for him later."

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

I laughed at him, truely laughed for the first time since this whole nightmare started.
"Jealous are we? Your assumptions do tend to make an ass of you Marcus." I stood up and put my things away.
"And another thing, the only whore in this room is yourself. Try looking in the mirror for once instead of pushing your own personality onto someone else." I straightened and looked him straight in the eye.
"You are the one who pointed out I looked like shit Marcus, and now that I don't Im some slut or whore to my career huh? Shallow minded I might add, and it's no wonder you are single and alone in this world. You wouldn't know a good person if you seen one. Take your narrowed minded thoughts and keep them to yourself for once. mm k?" I moved around him, heading towards my room to put my things away until later.
"Oh and another thing, I do not steal, lie, cheat nor fuck anyone to make a deal. Get over yourself and grow the fuck up." I walked off then, leaving the over grown child to himself. I never seen someone act like such a prick in my whole life.
He just could not handle anything she did, it didn't matter if it was good or not. I knew what he was doing, he was trying to make me feel low, like i wasn't worth a shit. Trying to kill my self esteem so he could win. It was childish and a crock of shit. He wanted to play this way, I could make him feel a whole lot worse.
Setting my things down on the bed, I walked back into the main room, gave him a real disgusted look and walked quietly outside. He was a true pig, I never thought he could sink lower in my eyes than he just did. Boy was I wrong to think there was a human under that cold exterior.

 

[hotforpolitics]

When Mandy walked back through the room after castigating me, I decided I would have hit her if she were a man. Since she wasn't, and having seen her in the bathroom this morning I was now certain she wasn't, I let her pass through without a word. Let her go I thought. She'll cool down. Only one of us is going to be left at the firm in a couple of weeks anyway. Maybe i can use the pictures from last night somehow to derail her either here or in the office.

Meanwhile I had the rest of the afternoon to kill while waiting to meet again with Smith. Maybe we could go skeet shooting and I could accidently... Nah, too messy and hard to explain.

Walkling outside I saw her standing looking down the hillside.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

I felt badly for the things I said to him, but he had asked for it. Constantly badgering me, nothing nice ever passed his lips when it came to me. I stood staring off into no where, wondering what in the hell I was doing out here in the sticks?!
Shivering slightly, I ran my hand through my hair and tucked it behind my ear. This was not going as well as I had hoped. reguardless of who got the position, this was a client and the company needed his account. I was thinking about heading out, make up some emergency and let Marcus handle this one alone.
I was out of my element here, nothing was working. I sighed heavily and glanced around. I was standing too close to the edge, something in that registered in my brain. I stepped back a little as the edge crumbled some.
I heard foot steps beind me but chose to ignore it for now. Arms folded under my breasts I thought about walking out of here and going home. I didnt think I could handle much more of this crap with Marcus. Turning, I needed to clear my head. So I just decided I was going to take a long walk and calm down some before later. I spotted a trail heading down the side of the hill and took it.
I didn't know where it went, or where it didn't go, but it looked good enough for me. As I walked I thought of different things to advertise a man's cologn and shaving cream. Many ideas poured over in my mind, but nothing that caught and held firmly. I think the distractions with Marcus was killing my thinking ability.
Stopping in my tracks I looked around, The trail was long gone as was the house.
"Now where the hell am I?" Chuckling at my obvious stupidity I glanced around. I didn't even recall walking off the trail? All well, I just head back up, I came down, Up must be the direction to get back.
Sitting down for a moment, I just glanced around the meadow. It was nice and peaceful here, something calming in itself. I would sit for a bit first, then go back. Perhaps then marcus would be cooled down and I would be as well.

 

[hotforpolitics]

I watched as Mandy walked off down the path. Hope there aren't any bears that might get hurt by her!!! I decided to go take a steam in the steambath and suana that the servant had pointed out earlier. Maybe that would help me clear my head and get rid of some of the tension that Mandy had caused me today. I knew what I really needed but there was no one here to provide that. So a steam would have to do.

I went to my room and changed out of my clothes and into a towel and robe. I hope Smith isn't taking a steam this afternoon. I just really feel like sitting and sweating for a wile. Then a cold shower. Maybe I would come up with some idea that would be better than what Mandy had come up with. Her video last night was clearly the best thing we had to offer, buther ideas for the men's products frankly sucked.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Mandy

I made my way back up to the lodge and walked back inside. No one was around, which was a good thing. I really did not want to fight with Marcus anymore today.
Walking to the room I was given, I laid down and closed my eyes. I needed a nap to refresh my mind and clear my thoughts. Only then could I really be able to give some really good ideas to Mr. Smith.
This decided I laid down and fell instantly asleep.