Runa had been working at the accounting firm for over two years now. She had started as an intern, but her hard work and dedication had quickly earned her a full-time position. Runa was one of the best employees at the firm, and everyone knew it. She was always on time, never took long breaks, and worked harder than anyone else.
Despite her excellent work, Runa had started to feel like something wasn't quite right. She had discovered she was being paid less than some of her colleagues with less experience and fewer responsibilities. Runa knew that she deserved better but didn't know how to ask for a raise.
One day, her boss, Mr. Johnson, called her into his office. Runa was excited, thinking that perhaps he had finally noticed her hard work and would offer her a promotion. Runa walked past his secretary and said hello, but she looked down and was silent as she passed. But as soon as she entered his office, she knew something was off. Mr. Johnson was sitting behind his desk, a sly smile on his face.
"Runa, you're an excellent employee," he began. "You work harder than most people here, and I appreciate that. But I also know that you're being underpaid. So, here's the deal: I'll give you the raise and the promotion you deserve, but only if you agree to certain...favors."
Runa felt her heart sink. She knew what he was implying, and she was disgusted. She had worked so hard to get where she was, and now she was being offered a raise and a promotion in exchange for sexual favors.
"Mr. Johnson, I'm sorry, but I can't accept that," she said firmly, trying to keep her voice steady. "I deserve a raise and a promotion based on my hard work and merit, not because of anything else."
Mr. Johnson's smile faded, and he leaned back in his chair. "Suit yourself," he said with a shrug. "But remember, plenty of other people would jump at this opportunity. And if you don't play ball, you might find yourself out of a job."
Runa left his office feeling sick to her stomach. She knew what Mr. Johnson was doing was wrong, but she also knew he held all the power. She didn't know what to do.
Over the next few days, Runa tried to think of a way out of this situation. She talked to a few colleagues, but they reacted very strangely to the news, almost as if they weren't surprised. She thought one of them said, "It's about time," but she often mishears or misinterprets social situations, and that choice of words doesn't make sense.
She considered going to HR, but she was worried that they wouldn't believe her or, worse, that they would blame her for the situation.
In the end, Runa decided to take a stand. She requested a meeting with Mr. Johnson and explained why his behavior was inappropriate and unprofessional. She told him that she had worked hard for her achievements and deserved to be recognized for her skills and dedication without any conditions.
She watched his face shift from attentive to annoyed. He stood up and said, "Even my most excellent employees need to be put back in their place occasionally." He moved to the side of his desk and took off his belt. Runa's internal dialogue was oscillating between anger at the fact that he had started undressing and scared that she would lose her job today. She had never been in trouble with authority figures before and didn't quite know how to handle a situation where they were wrong.
She knew his pants were coming off next and that she would have to leave, become unemployed, and deal with suing the company and finding a new job. Her mind did turn to the easier way out, to give him what he wants and get the promotion and money. Back and forth, her mind went, and she became visibly anxious and indecisive. What seemed like an eternity of thought to her was only, in reality, a split second. Her last thought before he spoke again was how unfair it was for her to be in this position.
"Runa, you need to learn how things work around here to progress in your career. Now stand up and bend over my desk. I'm going to make sure that you're successful."
Runa's mind kept racing. She thought about explaining all of this to her friends and family. She thought about hiring a lawyer and explaining the situation to them in addition to government agencies and court. She thought about reliving this over and over again. She continued thinking about finding a new job and that this might become a mark on her own record. She thought about her mother, who reminded her time and time again, growing up, that to get ahead in life, you have to follow the rules. Mr. Johnson was in a position of authority. Mr. Johnson made the rules.
After another eternal fraction of a second, Runa stood up and bent over Mr. Johnson's desk. She tried to comfort herself, thinking that, at least, she wouldn't have to look at him while he had his way with her. She closed her eyes and waited with anxious anticipation for the sound of his pants dropping on the floor, for the sound of him walking up and taking a position behind him, for the feeling of her skirt being lifted and underwear pulled aside, and for the feeling of him entering her and taking what he wants.
"Good girl, this is more like what I want to see. I'll go easy on you since this is your first time."
Those words made Runa feel angry again while simultaneously feeling helpless. She had come to terms with her position and accepted reality. She wished he would hurry up and get it over with.
"I think five, then five, then five should do it," he said calmly.
