It was a slow day, it couldn't go quick enough to be honest. Her heel had broken in front of everyone, her stockings had laddered, skirt had ripped slightly at the back, her hair pins had fallen out and to top it all off, when she went to take 5 in the ladies, she'd noticed her new lipstick had smudged. How long had she looked like that? It wasn't her best day.
She had a meeting with everyone, she wasn't prepared, but she'd manage. She cleaned herself up and took her seat. She was technically the manager but never once did she feel like the boss, not with him sitting across from her. His piercing stare aimed right at her, he was shameless with it and he knew it. And so did she.
The meeting went exactly as expected, uneventful. But not before he had a laugh at her expense, in front of everyone. We've all had bad days at the office, but bringing up a lady's lipstick smudge in a room full of men, she didn't need that. The laughter was nervous at best. The others knew not to cross her but his jab was too good to not get a rise out of everyone.
Not today though. Any other day and she'd let that go, let out a nervous laugh herself or give it her best back. She wasn't in the mood.
"My office. Now."
The others stared at the floor as if the most interesting thing in the world was looking back at them from the carpet. They soon scarpered. He sat there, jaw agape. She'd never spoken to him like that before. Well, she tried, but there was always a crack, a hesitation that he'd exploit everytime. Not this time though.
She strutted out without giving him a second glance, no longer worried about her loose heel. The bloody thing would hold and she knew it.
She sat behind her desk. Owning it and everything on it. This was her domain. He knocked. He'd never done that before despite her always telling him to. She bathed in the satisfaction of the post-knock silence for a few moments before letting out an authorative "Come in."
He entered sheepishly, she'd never seen him like this before. Although his shit eating grin was still plastered across his face, she'd soon change that. He took a seat on the chair furthest from the desk.
"Who told you to sit?" she didn't even look at him. Her computer screen was far more interesting
"Errr... is this gonna take long?"
"Why? Do you have somewhere else to be?"
"Well, no, but-"
"Shush then and I'll deal you with when I'm ready, yes?"
"Of course."
"Of course what?" she lasered him with her eyes over the top of her glasses. The pause and air was thick with tension
"Of course... erm, boss?"
"We have titles and formalities here, something you never learnt. We'll soon fix that."
What the hell was happening here? This was not how this had gone previously. He'd usually have her bent over the desk by now. Or he'd have taken pride of place in HER chair while she was under the desk, smudging her lipstick. He knew he'd gone too far with that joke. Today wasn't the day. Too late now, still what was the worst she could do?
She was in a similar position. She was waiting for one of his usual comments or looks that disarmed her. She was ice. Her gaze from the screen had not wavered since she'd told him off. She was going to hang on to this a little longer.
His eyes wandered the room, he looked bored.
"Now," she snapped. She didn't raise her voice but he daren't question it.
"Do you think your behaviour today was appropriate?"
"Behaviour? Was just a joke."
"I'm your superior. I hired you remember."
"I was the best candidate. Wasn't like you had a choice."
"Hmmm, was more your demeanour. You walked in like you owned the place. I liked that. Until I didn't."
"Ha, I do own this place. Been fucking my boss pretty regularly for a while now."
There was that look. It was back. She rose from her chair with all the grace and elegance you'd expect from someone in her position. She leaned back on her desk and put a heeled foot on his crotch, applying an appropriate amount of pressure. The look was gone. Replaced with a mix of fear and surprise. Their eyes locked.
"You're just another suit, that's what they said," her foot applying ever so much more pressure. He daren't move, he was in shock.
"Well-"
"Well what? Come on, let's hear what fantastical bullshit falls out your mouth next."
"...ha, well, you kn-"
"I know what? You consistently underperform, you make me look bad cos I hired you. I vouch for you and you prat around like a dick?"
"I wouldn't put it that way."
"And what way would you put it? Hmmm? Just another, fucking, suit."
Her foot came down on his crotch as if she was accelerating a gas pedal. Before she released him and sat on her desk. He was suddenly feeling very small.
"Do you know what I do with underperformers? Especially ones that make me look stupid?"
"You fuck them?"
Even she couldn't help but let a smirk fall out the side of her mouth at that one. She was going to enjoy this.