I never liked July in New York: hot and stifling. Although the air conditioning was blasting in the office, the spacious place was almost as warm as a sauna. I took a break from work to take off my favorite and rather expensive jacket and hang it on the back of my chair.
In my hometown of San Francisco, it can be chilly in the summer, and it's easier to sunbathe in a tanning salon than on the beach. But in New York, I found the job I dreamed of, and for the first time, I started earning good money and living without my parents' help.
Mom and Dad are very proud of me and often use me as an example to my two older brothers: one lives on welfare and constantly begs them for money, and the other suffers from gambling addiction and owes his ex-wife alimony.
Compared to them, I seem not just a successful young girl, but also a model daughter: without bad habits, debts and scandals.
All the more terrifying is the thought that if only my parents knew about the desires that have tormented me for many years... it would break their hearts. I would become a black mark in the history of the Bennet family, and my photos would be cut out of all the family albums.
Thinking about this, I involuntarily shuddered, and my fingers froze over the graphic tablet, breaking the line of the drawing.
I know that normal people don't fantasize about such things. It's disgusting and dirty! Sometimes it seems my annoying desires are stronger than me - but I restrain myself, fearing the consequences.
I want another woman to take over me. No, not just that - to humiliate me, force me to obey and follow her orders without question. I imagine myself as her obedient slave, a thing, a nobody.
In my fantasies there are many different women, but one thing is constant - I no longer belong to myself. I am on my knees, leaning right at her feet... Overcoming my repulsion, I kiss the tip of her shoe...
No matter what the order is, in my fantasies I never resist, I just can't. The torture of humiliation goes on and on... until I come to my senses.
"These are just stupid fantasies. You are an ordinary girl, don't ruin your life," I remind myself, once again trying to calm down.
I'm just twenty-three, I got a job as a graphic designer in one of the best companies in New York, I rent a nice apartment - most of my peers haven't achieved even half of my success.
Trade all this for orders and dirty feet of some smug bitch?? I'm not crazy. So I just push these desires deeper.
When I had more free time, I even went to yoga to learn meditation and a special breathing technique. It was not much, but it helped me take control of my inner self.
My train of thought was suddenly interrupted by the cheerful clicking of heels. Only one person in the office walked like that - my boss, Amanda White. She always seemed to be walking on a catwalk, confident and energetic. And no wonder - after all, she was a former "Miss New York" with mind-blowingly long legs.
"Sofia, sweetie, take a break for a minute."
Hearing my name, I looked up from the monitor and met Amanda's gaze.
She was only three years older than me. Thick blond hair, blue eyes, beautiful full lips, always painted with rich dark pink lipstick... Amanda tried to look older and more respectable, wore strict suits that only emphasized her slender figure and thin waist.
My colleague secretly whispered to me that Amanda is the mistress of Adam Walter, the head of the company. She could have lived comfortably, bathing in the money of her rich protΓ©gΓ©, but she persuaded Adam to give her a position.
After working with Amanda for several months, I came to the conclusion that this frivolous and talkative girl really likes to command everyone - from the staff to the delivery guys.
She always sweetly called me "sweetie" or "doll", as if trying to show her status.
Most of her work "orders" could be safely ignored and done in your own way. Amanda did not know the difference between a "mood board" and a "mind map", and in general had a vague idea about graphic design.
"Miss White, would you like to see the sketches of the exhibition stand?" I looked up at Amanda, noticing her slightly confused look.
"Yes, sweetie, that's exactly why I'm here," Amanda lied immediately, pushing a strand of hair off her forehead with a grin. "The client is a good friend of Adam's... I mean, Mr. Walter's. I want everything to be done in the best possible way."
"Of course, Ms. White, I won't let you down," I answered with a memorized phrase and turned the monitor slightly.
No matter how incompetent she was, Amanda still was my boss. Her attitude was the key to me keeping my job. I never let her feel stupid in my presence.
I don't know if she likes me as an employee, but on my first day at work, Amanda told me I was very beautiful - and if it weren't for my height, I could walk with her on the best catwalk in New York.
I was very embarrassed then and answered something mumbling, causing her to burst into laughter.
Amanda walked around and stood behind me, leaning slightly against the back of the chair. The way my boss was hovering over me, almost encircling, was causing me some bad thoughts, but I pushed them away and focused on my work.
"Hmm, very well done," Amanda praised me, finally tired of staring at the screen, "I'll expect the final sketch on Monday."
"Okay, Ms. White. If there are any edits, I'll stay late at work and redo everything."
"You're so smart, Sofia," she laughed indulgently and finally moved away, continuing to talk about how important this project was for the company's reputation.
I looked down and froze. My light beige jacket made of thin silk was lying on the floor, and Amanda's foot, wearing patent leather high-heeled shoe, was standing right on it!
Resentment and indignation immediately boiled up inside me. Did she do it on purpose?! Or didn't she see how someone else's thing fell right in front of her?
Amanda stepped back from the chair and finally noticed her mistake.
"Oh, Sophia, is this yours?" she asked without a trace of regret, removing her foot only after a few seconds. "Be careful with your things, sweetie."
Of course, it wasn't a tragedy for her. The former supermodel probably has dozens of closets with clothes. She wouldn't even notice if one of them was damaged, and I was always very careful with my belongings.
"Yes, I'm sorry, ma'am," I muttered, feeling an overwhelming urge to punch her across her well-groomed, smug face. "I'll be more careful."
"Looks like you'll have to take it to the dry cleaners," she said casually as she headed to the door.
Her dismissive tone made me feel even more hurt, but the anger was almost gone. I clutched the fabric of my jacket and exhaled quietly, calming down.
"You're right, Miss White, but it's my own fault I dropped it," I answered quickly, smiling tensely, but inside I was cursing myself for my softness and obvious lie.
Amanda didn't say anything, just giggled and walked away, clicking her heels.
I stared at the dark imprint of her shoe on my jacket for some time, at one point catching myself on a strange desire to press my cheek against it. Finally, I drove away the stupid thoughts, moved closer to the table and got back to work.
***
In the evening, I returned to my small but cozy apartment overlooking the bustling streets of Bedford Avenue and a coffee shop that served the best vegan desserts in Brooklyn.
I turned on the coffee machine and lay down on the couch for a moment, suddenly realizing that I had been clutching the ruined jacket in my hands the entire time. I should have taken it to the dry cleaners downstairs, but instead I unfolded the jacket and saw the graceful imprint of Amanda's shoe again. I remembered how her beautiful foot stood on the jacket, crushing the delicate fabric.