Chapter 24 -- Power Play
After last night's reward for Penny, I was very pleased with the direction the game was now going. My natural assumption was that my next "assignment" would probably be for Emma, since it was while since she indulged herself. She was due, but there was no telling when that would occur or even if my assumption was correct.
5pm finally arrived and as I was packing up from work, ready to head home and relax, my cell phone rang.
"Hello," I answered, without checking the caller id.
"It's Penny," she whispered.
"Why are you whispering," I asked.
"The shit has really hit the fan here today," she informed me. "You need to be here ASAP for a mandatory meeting."
"Ok, I am on my way," I confirmed. "Stay calm. Whatever it is, we will figure it out."
I left my office and headed directly there, driving quickly. I barely had my car in parking when I hit the lot and I was off and running into the office. When I entered the office I saw Penny's desk was empty and that Penny, Emma, Vivian and Sienna were all sitting at the table in the large conference room behind it. I proceeded directly there without hesitation.
"Have a seat," Sienna said as I entered.
Emma was sitting at the far end of the table, with Sienna on her left. Penny and Vivian were both on her right. I took a seat at the near end of the table. Sienna then stood and addressed us all.
"Now that we are all here, I have an announcement," Sienna began. "The game you all have been playing, is changing. As of right now, I am taking charge of the game. You will take all orders and get your rules from me."
I was stunned to hear this. I looked at Penny who seemed to be in complete shock as well. Vivian seemed to be handling this news rather calmly, which made me nervous. I worked to compose myself before saying anything. Emma had her head down and was not looking at any of us.
"Why the change," I asked calmly, trying to understand what was actually happening.
"Because you were not playing nice," Sienna responded. "So I think you need a new leader."
"I wasn't asking you," I retorted sharply and looking directly at Emma.
"You had better watch how you talk to me boy," Sienna snapped at me, with that same crazy look in her eyes from the previous evening.
"This is the way it has to be right now," Emma interrupted softly. She raised her head to speak and she appeared as though she were on the verge of tears. "Times have changed and the game must change with them."
"What if that's not a good enough reason," I pressed her.
"Oh, I think it will be," Sienna interjected.
"What if I decide it's not and I don't want to play your game," I countered.
"That is your choice," she stated. "But if you don't play you will compromise all three women in this room severely."
I was not 100% sure what that meant, but it did not seem to be anything good for the three women I was now starting to care about in a different way. My sense of protection for these ladies had started to kick into high gear. It seemed that Sienna was using something against Emma to forcer her to turn the game on its' side. I was nauseous about the whole thing.
"Emma, say this isn't happening," Penny begged, her eyes now tearing up.
"It has to be this way," Emma responded in almost a whisper, near tears herself. "You all have played a great game for me and I thank you for that. A new direction might help you all enjoy things more."
"You don't believe that for a second," I shot back at her directly.
I was now getting very angry, trying to find the right thing to say next. I looked at Vivian, who sat stoic and poised. I was unsure how to read this, but then it hit me. Vivian had typically been the emotional one, who reacted to everything with her heart strings. Yet now, in a time of complete confusion, she was somber and maintained. I wondered, did she know what exactly was going on? It was time to take a gamble.
"You only have control of this game if we continue to play," I repeated to Sienna. "So if you want me to play your game by your rules, then I need one concession from you."
"What's concession would that be," Sienna asked.
"I need 10 minutes alone with Emma," I announced. "Give me that and I'll play your game. That way everyone wins."
"I will give you 10 minutes," she agreed. "But not with Emma. I will give you 10 minutes with Vivian. Take it or leave it."
My gamble had paid off. I knew that she would never agree to 10 minutes alone with Emma and she certainly was not going to substitute Penny based on her anger last night, but Vivian's poise told me she knew something. I felt this was the move I needed to make to gain some knowledge and possibly help reset things to the way they should be. Sienna played it just the way I wanted her too. I felt for a moment as if I were running my own game.
"Deal," I announced. "After my 10 minutes with Vivian, your game begins."
"No, my game begins now," she responded. "During those 10 minutes, there is to be no physical contact or you both will pay dearly. Have fun."
Sienna glared at me with a smirk that enraged me.
"Shouldn't we tell Nikki about the change in the game," Penny asked, now visibly crying.
"There's no need," Sienna declared. "Once these 10 minutes are up, you, Vivian and Nikki are all out of the game. And he is all mine. Besides, you need to concentrate on your work around here. It's been pisspoor."
Penny looked like she wanted to scream. I felt for her but could do nothing about it at this point. I needed to concentrate on getting information and deciding how to proceed here.
I stood up and grabbed Vivian by the hand. I led her to Emma's office and shut the door behind us. As soon as the door was closed she threw her arms around me. I embraced her for a quick second before pushing her back gently and staring at her.
"Viv, tell me what's really going on," I said.
"Emma knew you would see I was too controlled," she announced. "She knew it."
Emma had made a play without saying a word. She really was brilliant.
"Ok, but what is going on," I asked again. "Why is Emma accepting this nonsense?"
"Ok, Emma told me not to tell you this stuff, but I will. I think you deserve to know. Sienna found out that Emma didn't leave their last firm, she was fired," Vivian revealed.