Tara's Torment

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Copyright 2020

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"Oh my god, Gabby, we are in SO much trouble," said Tara Fremont as she scurried up the deserted beach.

"I know, I know," said her new roommate Gabrielle Gibson. "Hurry!"

"I AM hurrying," said Tara as her massive chest bounced obscenely in her black, one-piece bathing suit. "Wait, where is the bus? Did they leave without us?!?"

"I don't see it either," said Gabby running slightly ahead in her yellow bikini, her beach bag clutched to her modest chest. "Wait, I see someone. It looks like Ms. Meyers. Thank god," said Gabby waving her arm as she ran. "And it looks like Mr. Chamberlain's limo is still there too."

#

The girls had only started their summer internships the day before. Each had arrived from opposite ends of the country, meeting for the first time on the bus ride from the airport. Tara was from California and had a bubbly and carefree personality. At 5'8", her blond hair cut to shoulder length, her bright blue eyes and fair skin with a plump but tight bottom made her an all-American beauty. Gabby was a few inches shorter and thin, with a head of dark, frizzy hair to go with her mocha-colored skin and dark eyes. Gabby was from Boston and was exotically sexy.

The two became fast friends as they moved into Chamberlain Industries' Corporate Dormitory, their home for the next two months. They chatted excitedly about how lucky they were to land these coveted spots for the summer between their Sophomore and Junior years of college. Only thirty students were allowed into the program each year, each had applied without expecting to be accepted and were absolutely floored when they were. They talked late into the night, knowing they had a day of recreation at Mr. Chamberlain's private lake the next day. Each hoped the kick-off event would be what they would look back on as the start of the careers they were dreaming of.

The next morning, they dragged themselves out of bed in time to meet the others and get on the bus that would drive them the hour and a half to the private beach. Each brought a beach bag but decided to wear bathing suits underneath cover-ups to save space. Tara wore a ratty old white t-shirt over her swimsuit, with a pair of old gray running shorts. Gabby wore a simple pull-on cotton skirt and a tank top for hers.

As the thirty new interns got to know one another on the bus ride Jennifer Meyers, Royce Chamberlain's Special Assistant (and de facto chaperon for the day), outlined the day ahead.

Ms. Meyers was in her early 30s, dark brown hair, with toned arms and a runner's body. She wore a sporty black sundress and a baseball hat. Jennifer had a quiet confidence about her and naturally drew the attention of everyone around. She was absolutely gorgeous. "We should arrive at Mr. Chamberlain's Lake Retreat in about 20 minutes. Lunch will be served when we arrive, and then Mr. Chamberlain himself will arrive and make a short welcome speech. Of course, you'll want to pay attention to that —he's the only reason any of us are here, me included. Then you'll have the next two hours to enjoy the beach and water. We'll have plenty to drink, we know how you college kids like your beverages. BUT the bus will leave at 3pm and return to campus. Be on it. And then you'll start the real program tomorrow at Corporate Headquarters," said Jennifer. "Any questions? No... One word to the wise, you've all been granted a special privilege by being invited into this company. Mr. Chamberlain expects loyalty, punctuality, and attention to detail. If you can manage that, you'll do fine here."

The bus arrived at a beautiful private compound with an old hunting lodge and surrounded by lush vegetation and a lake with cool, clear water. Lunch was top-notch, down to the wine and beer that flowed freely. Everyone was anxious to get started with their partying by the time Royce Chamberlain arrived in his limo.

The tan, fit, graying, 55-year old owner of Chairman of Chamberlain Industries walked toward the group with an easy stride, with the confidence of someone who gets what he wants. He was a real Silver Fox. Tara watched as his young assistant, Jennifer walked up to meet him. He leaned in close to her ear and said something, then leaned in for a quick kiss on the lips and a subtle pat on her ass. Tara looked around, but no one else seemed to have noticed the encounter.

"Welcome, my young friends. I promise, I will keep this brief. You are about to embark on exciting summer and one not to be taken lightly. You understand how competitive these slots are, so I implore you not to take them for granted. We have a zero-tolerance for any deviance from the Code of Conduct policy you've all signed," said Royce. "Former interns in this program have gone onto great things in our vast array of companies, and we look forward to finding places for all of you when the time is right. If you are loyal. If you are considerate to one another and considerate to your employer. If you can do those things, we will be loyal and considerate in return. And with that, I'll turn you back over to the capable hands of Ms. Meyers."

"Towels are by the boathouse. Canoes are just to the left. You can see the sand volleyball pit is to the right. There is plenty of beach for sunning, but the cell phone coverage here is spotty because we're so far out. You can get a signal nearly everywhere, but you've been warned. The bus returns at 3pm. That's it, go have fun," said Jennifer.

In the commotion of 30 college kids getting ready to let loose for a few hours, Tara and Gabby grabbed their bags and a couple of towels. They headed down the beach, looking for a likely place to sun themselves and maybe catch a nap. They saw a secluded spot that required them to wade through the lake up to their shoulders, each holding their towels and bags above their heads to keep them dry. But it was worth it. The girls laid out their towels and watched some of their new friends paddle around on the lake. The sand dunes obstructed the view of the lodge, but they could hear a spirited volleyball game in progress. With the combination of their late-night, the wine at lunch, and the warm sun on their skin, the girls were soon fast asleep.

Tara was the first to awake and check the time on her phone. It read 3:45pm. "Oh, fuck! Gabby, wake up! We're late! We fell asleep, and now we're late!" The lake was deserted of canoes.

The girls scrambled to grab their belongings and set off back through the water toward the lodge.

#

Now, the figure in the distance returned Gabby's wave and walked toward the running girls. Jennifer was just finishing a call on her mobile phone when the girls met her and stopped running. "Yes, they're right here. You can call off the search. Sorry for the false alarm. Yes. Thanks again," said the woman and hung up.

"Ms. Meyers, we are SO sorry we're late. We just lost track of time, actually fell asleep in the sun, and our mobile phones are out of range for some reason. I see dozens of missed calls popping in there now," said Tara.

"Yeah, we're so sorry. I know you told us to be back by three o'clock for the bus, but we were asleep. Ahh, I feel so dumb. Are we in trouble," asked Gabby?

"Yes, well. Mr. Chamberlain himself delayed an important business call when he heard you were missing and went out looking for you himself. I've sent someone to alert him that you've been found since I can't reach him on his mobile at the moment either. I'm not sure how this is going to affect your summer, but I'll warn you, this isn't great for either of you," said Jennifer. "Royce will want to leave as soon as he returns. Go change out of those wet suits and be ready to leave as soon as he gets back."

"I really don't have dry clothes to put on, we just brought our cover-ups, I'm fine wearing my wet suit," said Gabby.

"So you think it's a good idea to wear a wet swimsuit in the limo after your carelessness has inconvenienced everyone involved, including Mr. Chamberlain himself?!? Go fucking change out of those wet suits and get back here," lectured Ms. Meyers, losing her patience.

Chastened, the girls scurried to the Changing Hut and peeled off their wet suits. Luckily Tara had a plastic bag at the bottom of her beach bag to hold them. The girls dried off and pulled on their cover-ups, each bra-less in their tank top and a ratty t-shirt, and bare beneath their skirt and old running shorts.

Tara was self-conscious as her free breasts giggled and swayed lewdly as they hurried back to the limo. Jennifer was urging them forward with a wave as she stood at the door to the back of the car. "Hurry up, get in, but be quiet as Royce is making a call."

#

The girls settled into the back seats of the limo, facing Royce and Jennifer, who sat facing backward. Mr. Chamberlain didn't say a word to the girls when they entered. As the limo pulled away, the three women in the back of the car stayed silent while Royce made his call.

"Hi Jacob, it's Royce here. My apologies for the dela... I know, it just couldn't be helped I'm afraid, there was a bit of an emergency that turned out to be a fals... No, I don't think my time is more import... I am truly sorr... Come now, let's not let this... But... Yes, okay... I'll have Jennifer arrange anoth...," said Mr. Royce as he lowered the phone and looked at Ms. Meyers. "THAT is going to cost us millions. Please make a note to reschedule as soon as you can."

"Mr. Chamberlain, we are SO sorry...," started Tara before being cut off with a raise of Royce's hand. It was going to be a long, quiet, and uncomfortable ride back to the Corporate Campus at this rate.

Royce closed his eyes and seemed to be going through some deep breathing exercises, which was probably a good thing. With Ms. Meyers busy on her phone and Gabby gazing dejectedly out the window, Tara was able to look around the limo. It was her first ride in one, and probably her last. Her mind briefly wandered back to the previous weekend, when she had been in the backseat of a different car under wildly different circumstances. She smiled slyly to herself, remembering the smells, the tastes, the sensations of that night, and with the slight movement of the limo and the swaying of her breasts, her nipples hardened. She looked down to see them on full display, poking forward obscenely against her old t-shirt.

Tara looked up to see Mr. Chamberlain looking at her passively. She instinctively covered her chest with her arm and quickly looked out the window.

The next time Tara stole a glance at Royce, he seemed to be passively appraising Gabrielle.

Suddenly Royce tapped on the glass divider. "Jack, we won't be returning to Campus after all, please take us to the Livermore Estate. You don't mind, do you, Jennifer," asked Royce.

"Not at all, sir," replied Jennifer. "I believe Mrs. Chamberlain and Donnie are there this week as well."

"Very good," said Royce and looking at Gabby and then Tara, as if expecting them to object to the change in plans. "When we arrive, please bring me the personnel files for these two."

"Yes sir," said Jennifer.

The remainder of the ride was in silence, as each girl considered her fate.

#

When they arrived at the Chamberlain Livermore Estate, they were met by a housekeeper at the front door.

"These two will wait in the Library, Consuela. I'll send for them individually," said Royce.

Gabby and Tara followed Consuela down a long hallway and shown into the Library. Consuela said nothing as she closed the door behind her as she left. It was an elegant room with comfortable leather furniture and bookshelves lining each wall, floor to ceiling. But neither girl was in any mood to enjoy it.

"Fuck Gabby, what's going on? Do you think they're really going to send us home for being late? Can they even do that," asked Tara.

"I don't know if you read that Code of Conduct before you signed it, but it was pretty specific. They can kick us out for any reason at all," said Gabby.

"There's gotta be a way out of this. My dad will kill me if I screw this up for myself," said Tara.

"Yeah, my mom will never let me live this down," replied Gabby. "Shit, I'd suck his dick if he'd just forget about this."

Jennifer opened the door to the Library and entered holding two manila folders. "Tara, you first. Come with me, please. Gabby, we'll be with you shortly. Have a seat."

Jennifer led Tara farther down the long hallway and then up a sweeping staircase to the second level of the mansion. Jennifer knocked once on the door frame of the open door and immediately entered. Tara could see this room was a massive master bedroom, more extensive than anything she had ever seen. Mr. Chamberlain was in the sitting area in an upholstered chair. Jennifer handed him the folders.

"Thank you, Jennifer, I'll call you if I need anything else. Tara, please sit," said Royce as Jennifer turned and left. Tara's heart was beating rapidly as she lowered herself into the opposite chair.

"First Tara, I want to say I'm disappointed in you. I'm disappointed every time one of our chosen few make a serious mistake. As I hope was evident in the contract you signed and in my brief talk earlier this afternoon, of vital importance to me personally and for everyone at Chamberlain Industries, is being considerate. Considerate to one another, considerate to the company, considerate to our business partners. Your actions today were anything but considerate: You delayed the bus leaving with the other interns when you were late. You strayed out of mobile phone range, even when warned against it. You caused Ms. Meyers to call in the authorities when you couldn't be found and started to suspect the worst. You set a lot of unnecessary thing in motion. Quite the opposite of 'considerate.' Would you agree?"

"Yes, Sir," said Tara meekly.

"The other core value of our company is loyalty, but unfortunately, you just haven't built any of that yet to counteract this transgression. Your belongings are being collected from your room on the Corporate Campus as we speak, and you will be sent home immediately," said Royce.

"Yes, Sir," replied Tara, numb from the realization. Her dad was going to be so disappointed in her.

"I believe being considerate is a taught habit, and to have been instilled in you from a young age... by your parents. Would you agree?"

"Yes," said Tara softly.

"Your parents are Jack and Karen Freemont," said Mr. Chamberlain, having opened the folder on his lap. "Your father is a Senior Vice President of Distribution at Williams & Company. Looks like he's planning to retire next year."

"Yes, he's been there for my whole life, basically his whole career," said Tara absently, still not believing what was happening to her.

"He may not even know this, but Williams & Company is actually owned by Chamberlain Industries. Given your lack of being taught proper manners of consideration for others, I'm not comfortable keeping your father on in that position. Or any position in the company for that matter," said Royce.

As the words began to sink in, the blood drained from her face. "Please, Sir, no. He had nothing to do with this, this was all my fault. Please don't take it out on him. He is looking forward to his retirement, getting fired at this point would kill him. I just know it would," said Tara as she started to cry

"Be that as it may, he thought it was acceptable to send his only daughter out into the world without the skills of common consideration. I feel that morally, my hands are tied," said Mr. Chamberlain. "I just can't tolerate that in my company."

Tara broke down at that pronouncement. She knew her life would never be the same. How could she ever face her family again, knowing she had been the cause of their impending misery?

As she cried, she felt a cloth handkerchief thrust into her hands. She used it to blow her nose and wipe her eyes as she tried to get control of herself.

"Please understand, I'm not without sympathy for your situation, but I simply can't let this stand, my reputation is at stake here," said Royce. "BUT, there may be one long-shot option, if you're strong enough to accept it, and of course, pass the prerequisite interview."

"Yes, YES, please, what is. I'll do anything. Please," said Tara, her mind briefly flickering back to Gabby's 'blowjob' comment.

"Before you answer, let me explain with some background. At the end of each summer, if there is an intern from our program we feel has, shall we say, beneficial 'qualities' and 'skills', we offer that person a role as 'Executive Intern.' It is a role that works very closely with the inner circle of senior leadership and me, including my family. This role entails what I would call non-traditional work, not everything would be something to be included on a resume. Ms. Meyers was our Executive Intern a few years ago, as a matter of fact, and you can see she maintains a prominent position to this day. Given that you can't continue with your previous internship, I would be willing to consider you for a summer version of this new role. IF you pass the interview process, which I warn you, is strenuous, both physically and mentally."

"The question is, Tara, how much do you want to be kept on here? How much do you want to get back into my good graces? What are you willing to do to protect your family? Are you willing to do what it takes to succeed as an Executive Intern? Will you be loyal? Are you trusting? Will you act on any directions given to you without hesitation," asked Royce pointedly. And then softly asked, "Are you a team player, Tara?"

Tara knew she had no options. Her only choice as she saw it was to trust this man. With any other option she could think of, she saw only failure. With her face flushed and eyes on the floor in front of her, she said, "Yes, Mr. Chamberlain, I'm a team player."

"I guess we'll see, won't we," said Royce. "On your knees."

Tara lowered herself to her knees without much consideration. If someone had suggested she would someday be on her knees in front of a powerful man, willing to accept whatever he gave her in hopes of pleasing him, she would have scoffed at the idea. But yet here she was.

Royce stood and took the two steps to close the distance between them. "Look at me," he ordered. Tara looked up and into his face, her chin inches from the zipper of his trousers. Royce extended two fingers from his right hand brought them toward Tara's mouth. Tara kept her eyes on Royce's and as he opened his mouth, she opened hers, taking the fingers inside. She closed her lips around them, coating them with her saliva. The girl swept her tongue across his fingers as her closed lips produced gentle suction. She bobbed her head slightly as she looked into Royce's eyes and sucked his fingers. Minutes went by. She couldn't see it, but she sensed a subtle bulge in Mr. Chamberlain's pants.

Royce slowly pulled his fingers from Tara's mouth and appeared to consider her for a moment. Then he pulled out his mobile phone and hit a speed dial number. "Jennifer, please join me in the master bedroom."

Jennifer walked through the door within a minute, still dressed in her casual outfit and baseball hat. "I'm now considering Tara here for a 'Summer' Executive Internship position," explained Royce.

"Summer, huh? Interesting idea. How can I help," asked Jennifer.

"You know better than anyone the physical attributes of successful executive interns. Please give me your impressions of young Tara here," said Royce.

"Of course," said Jennifer as she helped Tara to her feet and stood in front of her. Tara thought Jennifer was just as beautiful then as she had been earlier in the day on the bus. Her tan, flawless face and piercing blue eyes were in front of her as she reached around Tara's head and pulled out the rubber band holding her hair in a ponytail. Jennifer brushed out her hair with her fingers as Tara wagged her head.