I’d consider this a short story. Beginning. Middle. End. But I tend to give context so there's like a pre-beginning, chunky middle and a quick end. Just like.... ok, moving on.
It's a story that a lot of ladies may have experienced. There is a fine line when it comes to socialising with colleagues outside of work. This is basically how doing things like that; one on one, can lead to unwanted situations. Plural.
Sorry, major subject change but how good is the word situation. Sit-you-a-shi-on. It’s one of my favourite words to say.
Have you just said it out loud? Good isn’t it? If not, just say it out loud fancy pants.
Ok ok, I know you want to know about #metoo.
The Context
So, there’s two men. In fact maybe even three. Naughty old men. We’ll just call them NOM 1, NOM 2 and NOM 3.
I worked in administration and an opportunity came up that would allow me a promotion; if I was to pass all the tests, to work for number NOM 1. He’s number 1 because he was one below the President of the company plus he’s a well-known legend in the industry. It would have been quite the opportunity. CV jumping stuff and CV's don't even jump.
I honestly don’t think I had ever researched so hard for a role, I reached out to so many people I knew who already worked with him. Ok. Three people. I reached out to three people... but his department was really new.
Firstly, I reached out to his secretary who I kind of vaguely knew already. An obvious reach out.
Secondly, I reached out to a handsome man. He's not naughty or old. I had shared a dining experience with him in a European city a year or two before. You don’t need to know anything more about that but he was ridiculously sweet and helpful and really gave me a full insight into NOM 1 and how NOM 1 worked.
Lastly, I reached out to NOM 2. I used to work with him on a project previously and he was now working on NOM 1’s project. He gave me a full understanding of the departments and how they all intertwined under NOM 1. He would regularly touch base to see how I was getting on at each stage of the interviews. He was full of confidence that I would get the job.
In fact, all 3 people were.
I met NOM 1 for a one on one interview a few stages down the line and I think it went very well but I didn’t get the job. It's probably the first time I haven’t cried when being rejected. Well done Holly. It was ok... I was ok.
However NOM 2 really believed that I wasn’t ok about it and could not stop texting me to check on me. Asking if I needed to catch up for coffee at work. Or down shots at a social work event planned that weekend. It was overwhelming and it turned from thoughtful colleague to overstepping the line. I had to stop replying, meaning he chose not to come to the social event. He was a married man. Naughty and old. He got the picture. No naughty old men welcome here.
The Dinner
NOM 1 invited me and the handsome man out for dinner; which was odd but it didn’t seem too bad considering handsome man was also invited. NOM 1 knew we were 'acquaintances' so it was fine, until handsome man said he was flying out of the Oasis for the weekend.
Firstly, I did not want to bail just because handsome man couldn’t make it and secondly, I did wonder if it really was a good idea to go for dinner with NOM 1. I wouldn’t tell anyone because it was my personal life and in fact hardly anyone knew I went for the job in the first place. Remember I told you I was a polite naive character at first? Well sassy as fuck character hadn't fully emerged yet so just keep that in mind. So I put my big girl pants on and said that I would be available for dinner.
We got on very well and he was a fascinating man to have dinner with. Such an interesting life story. Although I felt extremely out of place, dining in such a fancy restaurant with an older man (not yet discovered he was naughty). I had worn a little black dress; which looking back was inappropriate but what the heck do you wear for:
- a dinner that isn’t a date?
- a dinner you need to impress from a corporate perspective?
- a dinner you’re sitting outdoors for when it's a bloody warm?
I mean it's ridiculous. Lesson for you, don’t wear a little black dress. In fact, just don't go to the damn dinner.
I survived. With some awfully awkward moments because it felt romantic when it really shouldn't have. We shared a bottle of champagne. We shared dessert. He paid. Face palm. I was not myself and I needed to get out of the situation (sit-you-a-shi-on) as soon as.
How did I do that I hear you ask?
Well I smartly wore these heels that wrap around my ankles several times and tied in a knot. Why was it smart? Because when he asked me to go for a walk on the beach. Yes, that's right. A romantic walk on the beach under the moonlight. He looked at my shoes and realized it would be too complicated and said "never mind". Lucky escape because of a shoe - I'm no Cinderella.
We sat waiting for my Uber, outside this plush hotel. I looked left; away from him, towards oncoming cars, eyes scanning for the number plate that was mine. And then I felt his hands run through my hair.
I don't know if it was a baby screaming in real life or an actual scream in my head but there was a scream and it was a major red flag. O 78961 - my Uber was here. I kissed him on the cheek, said thank you and bolted into my Uber.
"Hindsight is a beautiful thing. If only we knew what we now know beforehand but then I suppose that defeats the whole point of hindsight"
Hindsight is a b*tch. I think NOM 1 knew handsome man was going out of the Oasis that weekend. He sure was naughty. And old.
NOM Three
NOM 3 is in charge of my department. He is naughty and old. Just trust me on this one, I don't need to share how I know this. Plenty of work drink events and inappropriate comments led to that. NOM 3 found out I went for dinner with NOM 1. How?! I do not know. But he asked my boss lady if I was seeing anyone inappropriate. As if!?
1. None of his business.
2. How the f*ck did he find out?
His character shifted towards me since then, I mean he basically assumed that I slept with NOM 1. So really, we should call NOM 3, NOB. Naughty. Old. B******.
Told you didn’t I? Polite naïve character was well and truly naïve. Moral of the story? Don't go on dinners even if you are wearing your big girl pants and wrap around shoes.
Comments