Chapter 121

Carol’s office was almost like stepping onto the set of a television show where the HR person was the classic stereotype. Or maybe those stereotypes were based on Carol.

Her desk was covered in stress relief knick knacks and racks of paperwork were scattered around. She had three different calendars going with different quotes of the day. Several posters of various employment law statutes were prominent, but displayed more broadly than all of them was the piece de resistance - a big poster on the back wall of a kitten hanging from a branch with ‘Hang In There!’ in comically bold writing.

Carol was a soft woman with blonde hair pulled back in a braid and even in the middle of summer she was wearing a knit sweater over her blouse. She smiled sweetly as you and Gemma knocked on her door. “Come on in, guys.”

You and Gemma sat down in the chairs across from her desk and she shuffled some papers around before setting both hands on the desk in front of her. “So. You two want a relationship disclosure process, right?”

“How did you know?” Gemma asked.

Carol just shrugged. “I’ve been in the game long enough to know it’s right around this time the Interns start getting frisky. To be fair, it’s a little early in the season for the official forms, but good on you two for not drawing out the process and getting caught doing anything inappropriate on work time.”

“Thanks?” you said. Multiple instances of doing inappropriate things on work time flashed through your mind, starting with you and Sabrina in the restaurant last Monday and culminating with the threesome blowjob that had happened downstairs.

“So, here are the forms,” she said, handing over a single sheet to each of you. “I’m the only person who sees the disclosures unless something inappropriate does occur. Usually we would discourage relationships between the Associates or Partners since it can cause ongoing issues, especially if the relationships end, but you two are fine since you’re temp interns. Do me a favour and just answer exactly what’s on the forms, I don’t need extra details - one couple five years ago thought they would get extra marks for going above and beyond on the disclosure. If I want to read erotica I’ll go find it online. Which, by the way, is not appropriate to do at work.”

“Yes, ma’am,” you and Gemma both said.

“Alright,” Carol nodded. “Here are some pens, you two get started on those and everything should be good before lunch.”

“Actually,” you said. “There was something else that we wanted to talk to you about.”

Carol held up a hand. “Just ... OK. Before you ask the question, I’m going to remind you that I am a Human Resources manager, not your personal or couples therapist. Is this business related?”

“Yes, definitely,” Gemma said.

“Absolutely,” you agreed.

“Alright,” Carol nodded. “Let’s hear it.”

“So, we interns have been working well for the most part,” you said. “But today we just had Joy dropped in our laps and we’re not sure of the, ah, change in dynamics that are going on.”