Yet another busy day was beginning to draw to a close. The store wasn't particularly busy, only having half a dozen or so customers browsing the aisles. Still, the four employees that were currently on the clock worked diligently at their assigned task. Two worked the checkouts, feigning a smile as they scanned each customers goods, sighing with relief as they mentally shooed them out of the building only for another to walk in and take their place. One hurriedly stocked the shelves, a job that should have been assigned to another employee who had cast her duties aside for another purpose. Finally, the fourth cleaned the floors, ensuring that every last bit of dust was removed and the tiles shone brighter than a diamond.
Working here wasn't fun nor was it rewarding, however they simply had to put up with it or face Steven's wrath. One mistake, no matter how small it may be, would bring down the steel hammer of punishment upon them, putting their very livelihood on the line. Little did they know that their fear of Steven was completely unfounded this time around. Steven couldn't punish them even if he wanted to. Right now, he was in the office down on his knees, offering words of praise and admiration to a girl who had utterly crushed him. He had been put in his place, a piece of filth under the foot of a superior being. He was never meant for the role of manager. A job ordering others around didn't fit him; a job where he did as he was told like a dog fit him.
You see, there was supposed to be a fifth employee working in the store today. At first she didn't show up, however she eventually made her way to work only to disappear into the office and never come out. Only half an hour ago she was sat in her bosses chair, fingering herself to an orgasm as he sucked on her perfectly manicured toes. While her co-workers grated themselves to the bone all for nothing, she got herself off as her boss offered his mind and soul to her. All while the other employees, people who by all means should have been equals to her, toiled away like robots, Lyra watched as their manager gave her everything. All she needed to do was sit back and watch as the store, and by extension them, fell under her ownership.
The thrill she felt as she watched Steven sign away his life right in front of her; the sound of her heartbeat in her ears was deafening. Her teeth instinctively bit down on her lip as the pen flicked, officially declaring her as the owner of the establishment. Legally, Lyra was now the superior of everyone who worked in the store. Not that she really cared for the law anymore, she just found the thought extremely tantalising. Not only was the former boss under her thrall, but her co-workers now had no choice but to obey her every order.
"Good boy." she praised in a condescending fashion as Steven passed her the form. For a second, she stared at it barely able to comprehend what she was seeing. Only a few days ago she was at rock bottom, but now she had taken his business away from him. She couldn't help but sigh with satisfaction as she filed the piece of paper away in a drawer, lost in a stack of at least a dozen pieces of paperwork that held no relevance.
At first, Lyra was at a loss as to what she should do. She didn't have any experience running a business, so she wasn't sure where to even begin. Instead, she kicked her feet up on the desk whilst her new pet knelt on the carpet patiently, awaiting his owners next order.
"That's a start." she said to herself, swinging around the chair to face Steven. Her eyes gleamed with the desire to humiliate him, as well as a faint hunger for even more control than she already had, "Get out there and tell them I'm the boss now."
"Of course, mistress."
Diligently rising to his feet, Steven hurried out of the office and into the store. With significantly less arrogance on display than usual, he strode over to the front tills where two customers were being served. His arm reached around the back of the third checkout, pressing the button which signalled the intercom to activate.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the store is now closed. Please make your way towards the checkouts." his voice bellowed out across the store. The two employees who sat across from him gave him a puzzled look, but knew better than to question him, "All members of staff, an urgent meeting is to be held in the break room."
With the store now emptying and his first message delivered, Steven promptly made his way over to the staff break room. Another member of staff gave him an odd look, noticing the unusual nervousness that seemed to be present in the way he walked by. Steven didn't care, however. All that was on his mind right now was fulfilling Lyra's wish. He'd make sure they all knew she was in control. They'd all be well aware of her superiority over them, even if it cost him his dignity and reputation.
Before long, the store was empty and the front doors had been locked. The four members of staff that were present hurried to the staff room out of fear of keeping Steven waiting, but they weren't expecting the news that would come from his mouth.
"Take a seat, all of you." he demanded in a much softer tone than usual. He sat at the end of a long wooden table, with the rest of the seats spanning along its length. It almost looked like something from a board room rather than a break room. The employees did as he asked without a word, taking their seats on either side of the table.
They all exchanged worries glances as their boss took in a deep, prolonged sigh, "As of this moment, I am no longer the manager of this establishment, meaning I am no longer your superior."
A chorus of indistinguishable words erupted among the members of staff as a flash of both delight and worry washed over their faces. Whilst they were overjoyed to hear they no longer had to deal with Steven, they were also a little afraid at the prospect of having a new boss. Anything was better than Steven, but that didn't stop the change from being sudden and a little nerve wracking.
"Then whose gonna pay our wages?"
"That's a good question." Steven responded, "Your new boss is Lyra. You will show her the respect that a figure of authority deserves. Am I clear?"
The sound of gasps filled the room, "You mean the Lyra that leaves work and early and arrives late? That Lyra?"
Steven nodded his head. The employees couldn't believe what they were hearing. The most incompetent member of the team had been given the promotion of a lifetime and now she expected them to listen to her? This had to be some kind of joke, "If she really had what it takes to be the boss of this place, she'd be in here telling us herself!"
"We work ourselves bare for you, but you let her take your place?"
All the fear they once felt for Steven had dissipated in an instant once they realised he held no authority over them anymore. Instead, all that was left was anger. Anger for all he had done and what he had left them with.
"You and Lyra are just as useless as each other. It should've been one of us."
"I can't believe-"
The torrent of insults and rage fell silent at the sound of footsteps growing loud, echoing throughout the empty store. Closer and closer they drew, a beautiful monster of shadow closing in like a predator hunting for the souls of prey. Anger was still building within the employees, but Steven only felt acceptance. He knew that everyone in this room was the property of Lyra, even if they didn't know it yet. He could almost see it: her hips swaying as she moved closer, unbridled confidence in her stride; her sultry grin, the knowledge that everyone in the building was at her beck and call.
