Sitting in the Human Resource Director's office feels eerily similar to sitting in the principal's office. There is a distinct atmosphere of discipline.
Especially when she is still staring me down. The video that got me into this situation is paused on her monitor and the subject for why I've been called into her office well...he is standing at my back.
As soon as he entered she shifted her attention directly to him. I'm trying to listen to their conversation over my rapidly increasing heartbeat.
Who knew blood flow could sound so loud in your own ears?
"I'm waiting for someone" she looks pointedly at me "to explain this video".
They're both standing and I try to raise up from my chair to gain some equality but his hands are on my shoulders. When he feels me shift, his fingertips dig firmly into my skin, pressing me down. Pinning me in place.
I had been feeling conflicted about our earlier interactions but now I'm more concerned about my career. I need his help. He's good at fast talk. He will get us both out of this situation...I think.
He chuckles softly. "Do you remember when we spoke a few months back about the discipline issues I was having?" She nods. "You encouraged me to be hands on and get creative. I think I've excelled, as always, don't you agree?"
There's a long pause in the room. She's smiling indulgently at him but I'm not sure she is buying into that reasoning. What is he doing?!
"I'm certain you realize that this wasn't exactly what I had in mind." She replies sternly gesturing to the video.
"Perhaps. Maybe you should show me exactly what you had in mind? For my own professional improvement of course." There is a snicker in his voice that she seems to ignore.
My head is snapping back and forth between them both. Trying to keep up with what's happening. When all of a sudden I'm falling. He's literally pulled the chair out from under me and I've land hard in a graceless heap on the floor.
She sighs at him, shakes her head and walks over to me. I see her designer heels first then look up to watch her place her delicate hands on her knees, bending over slightly.
"You know why you're here, right?" She asks me in a sweet and soothing voice.
"No." I whimper. Thinking it was best to be honest with her.
Her face is like a porcelain dolls. All round and smooth with milky white skin and rosy cheeks. Her pretty lips are pursed at me in a perfect moue.
While I'm staring into her large blue eyes she lifts one of her hands to caress my cheek. It's so soft and cool on my skin that it's a bit of a shock when she pulls it back to slap me sharply across the face.
"Honestly child, do try to keep up. I didn't realize you were slow as well as so poorly skilled in executing the functions of your job."
I can hear the tsk tsk in her voice while I'm trying to shake off the stars that I see after her slap.
"Are you not working on this problem?" She asks him, gesturing to me on the floor.
"We were scheduled to work on that particular issue next month." He replies smartly.
She sighs deeply. "If you want to do something right you really have to do it yourself." She says this as she grabs a handful on my hair and drags me roughly on my knees to the side of her desk.
"Stand. Skirt up and bend over the desk." She states the orders, crisp and sharp. Even in my dazed condition I understand and comply immediately.
She stands behind me and snaps her fingers. I give a start at the sharp sound and try to move. She puts a hand on my head to hold me down. "Stay. That was meant for him." She turns to him again and asks "Belt? If you don't mind."
He huffs out a laugh and starts to unbuckle his belt. It's a sound I've heard at least a hundred times since I've started working here but this is the first time I've heard him pass it over to someone else.
She stands directly behind me and presses her tiny body over mine as she whispers in my ear. "I'm going to spank you now. Please don't wiggle or squeal. I want you to show me how well you can follow directions. Understand?" I nod slightly, feeling her lips rub against the shell of my ear when I move my head.