Gay/Lesb - LGBT Kim’s New Life - by Janetmon ( Complete )

[hirarandi]

"No, sir, I really don't," I gulped. I couldn't remember when I had been so nervous. Gads, I was calmer during my job interviews with him.


"Well, I'm glad to know we can still keep a few secrets around here. I had a feeling someone at Hunter might have said something to you, though, since a phone call from them is the reason you are in my office right now." Ready to upchuck again, I simply nodded. He continued, "I guess I should begin by saying that I think you have been one of the hardest working employees I have ever had, and I truly hate to lose you."

"Oh shit, here it finally comes. He IS firing me," I thought. There was no doubt that my relationship with Kelly had been reported to Hunter and they had complained. My personal life should be none of their fucking business, or his. My contract did not contain a morals clause. I quickly prepared myself to argue the point. I started to make a comment when he said, "I can see the worried look on your face. Please, Kimberly, hear me out before you say anything." His grin was a little too much for me, considering the fact that he was about to can my ass.

Mr. Fields calmly leaned back and continued, "As I started to say, you have been one of the hardest working employees I have ever had, and I must add the most competent. Please do not repeat that outside of this office, though. I don't want to demoralize the rest of our employees," he laughed. "You have truly made a difference in our bottom line while you have been here, Kim. The call I received was to ask me to release you from your employment contract." 

I am sure he could recognize the irritated look on my face. I immediately started to interrupt, "But..."

With a stern look on his face, Mr. Fields held up his index finger. "I distinctly asked you to hear me out before saying anything, Kimberly." Ready to fight for my job, but feeling rebuked, I quickly realized that it was probably in my best interest to remain silent before I lost it all and started yelling. After all, no matter what happened I would need a recommendation from him if I wanted a good job after this one.

"Do you know they have promoted their CIO?"

"Yes sir. Denise informed me of that fact just this week." I knew my voice was a little harsh but didn't feel like making it any more cordial. 

"Well, they have obviously seen the same qualities in you that I have. They want you as her replacement."

Because of the rage boiling within, I really wasn't really listening to him and most definitely wasn't hearing him. Still thinking he was giving me the boot, I said, "I can't believe you are letting me go and are still able to grin like that."

Now he really laughed. "Kimberly, you are not listening to me. I am not firing you. I am offering you an opportunity you deserve, and one I am not able to offer you right now. Hunter wants you as their new CIO."

Reality suddenly hit me. "Oh, shit! I'm sorry I sounded like that." Then I added, "Oops, sorry for the language." He just kept smiling as I continued. "But I enjoy working here and feel I have a good future working for and with you. Even if you can't promote me, I don't have any desire to leave." 

"Kim, without even knowing your salary, Hunter is offering to pay you twenty-five percent over what we are paying you; and they have better benefits. I told them you were due for a significant raise and they even agreed to increase that by the twenty-five percent. And, finally, they are crediting you with the vacation you have accrued here. You have impressed them and, obviously, they really want you. I would be paying you a disservice if I did not recommend that you take the job."

"Damn, you are making it difficult to say 'no,' but, on the other hand, I think the bonus I would receive here at the end of the year would exceed the twenty-five percent additional they are offering. And I would be entering an unknown commodity from one in which I feel very comfortable."

"If you remember my exact words, I said I truly hate to lose you. After a lot of introspection and out of selfishness, I have decided that I am not going to release you from your employment contract." I didn't know whether I should love or hate him. 

"Let me offer you an alternate proposal. You can then weigh the options and make your decision. You are solely responsible for landing the Hunter contract. They do not want me to assign anyone else to work on the installation if you accept their offer. After reviewing your progress on the installation plan, they feel you can handle it together with the position as CIO. The biggest surprise, to me, is they said that if you accept their offer, they would not ask for a reduction in the contract price even though you would be their employee. They know that the contract price already includes the cost of your time, travel and on-site expenses. Personally, I cannot believe they are making such an offer to us. You already know they are a Fortune 500 company so they can afford it. Hunter has deep pockets.

"They specifically said that they were still willing to pay the full contract price if you accept the position. Hell, Kim, you negotiated the contract. If I release you from your contract, we would not be paying your salary or your travel expenses, with one exception that I will mention in a minute. That translates into pure profit for us. By the way, I appreciate the fact that you were able to reduce your expenses by finding a friend to live with. Not many employees would take that initiative. That just shows how dedicated you are to us, and I appreciate it." 

"I must admit, Mr. Fields, that was almost an accident, but I couldn't refuse my friends offer." I'm glad he would never know the truth.

"Adding it all together," he continued, "I feel we would reap a nice profit windfall as a result of the cumulative effect of those savings. You should, of course, share in that windfall. My proposal is that we amend your contract to pay you a reduced salary of, let's say twenty percent of your current salary, but still base your year-end bonus on your current position and annual salary level. This dual employment will not be a conflict of interest because Hunter has given their approval. Also, as their CIO, you have an inherent reason to insure the installation is perfect. I must admit that I am surprised they agreed to every point I made. 

"I know that moving from a known commodity to an unknown one, as you so succinctly put it, is taking a chance. Let me sweeten the pot. I agree that there is a small possibility you might not like being a full-time employee at a company like Hunter. Sometimes large companies do not always have the best working environment. For that reason, I will agree to rehire you with a minimum three-year employment contract if you want to come back to us at any time in the future. The only thing I will require of you, in return, is that you promise, send us the usual weekly status reports, and fly back every other week for an update meeting, until it is completed. That is really a formality, since we still have an inherent interest in the project, and, as I said, as their CIO, you also have an inherent interest in the completion. I'll also want to know how your new position is progressing." 

I sat there and stared at him dumbfounded. Finally, when I could find words, I said, "I'd be a fool not to accept, wouldn't I, Mr. Fields? And the company could technically lose money if I said no."

"Correct on both parts, Kimberly. And from now on, please call me Brian."

"And you really mean that you'd give me a job at any time in the future."

"Yes, for a minimum of three years even if you want to come back five years from now. I'll even put that in writing. As part of that promise, I'll even guarantee a minimum salary by year, with increases for inflation."

Instinctively I jumped up and hugged him. "Thank you very much. I won't let you down, Mr. Fields...I mean Brian."

"May I take that as a yes?"

"Absolutely!"

"Only one other person knows the full terms of our deal, Kim: our VP of finance. Your supervisor knows about Hunter wanting to hire you away from us, that they are offering more money, the terms of completing the contract, and that I will hire you back if you are unhappy there. She does not know anything. Please do not reveal any of the financial terms." I assured him everything would remain confidential.

We then called Hunter on his speakerphone and advised them of my acceptance. As we shook hands and I turned to leave his office, he called my name, "Kimberly!"

"Yes, sir?"

"Please don't take offense. I know commenting on the way someone dresses can constitute harassment, but I just have to say I like your new look."

"Thank you, Brian. I accept that as a compliment and appreciate your honesty."

Barb had a wide smile on her face when I walked into her office. "Well, Kim, did you accept Hunter's offer?"