So how did the interview go?" I asked as my wife Carmen stepped in the door.
"Oh, not good, unfortunately. It turns out there's no scandal at Zhao Corp."
"That's a shame. You sounded so sure this morning? Didn't you have those witnesses?"
"Well, sometimes even award-winning journalists get things wrong. Those women must have been lying about the brainwashing experiments. Besides, their testimony is a bit farfetched, isn't it? Zhang Corp is mastering a way to subliminally make women completely loyal to the company, it sound ridiculous in retrospect. I'm honestly a little embarrassed for believing them."
"Don't be sorry Darling. You're still the smartest and sexiest woman I know."
This was true, as well as her intelligence. My wife had an amazing body. Her curly black hair framed her cool brown eyes and plump, kissable lips. Her chest drew glances from men and even some women no matter where she went as she possessed large J-Cup breasts, and this was complimented by her large ass.
"There's a story though," she continued, "only now it's how Zhao Corp is going to revolutionise home entertainment."
"Sounds like you were very impressed."
She leaned over and kissed me on the lips.
"Honestly, I think they're the best company I ever interviewed. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a nap. Work has been exhausting."
The following morning, I went down to breakfast to find Carmen typing away on her laptop while absent-mindedly munching on a piece of toast. I walked up behind her and kissed her neck as I took the opportunity to fondle her breasts.
"No sex this morning for you Mr. I have to close up the Zhao story."
"Are you sure there isn't time for a quickie?" I said, playing with her hair.
"No. Zhao Corp comes first. It is always my number one priority, always and forever."
Okay, that was weird. Maybe she's just stressed. She did say she was up for a promotion at work. Maybe that was it.
I uncoupled myself from her and made myself some scrambled eggs. I was halfway through breakfast when Carmen announced she was going to take a shower. I knew I shouldn't have, but after her strange comment about Zhao Corp being her number one priority, I couldn't resist having a peek at her laptop, which she had left on the table.
The laptop was open to an email addressed to Zhao Corp. I began to read:
Miss Song,
I wanted to thank you for our chat yesterday. It was extremely educational. I am extremely embarrassed by my hostile behaviour at the start of the interview and want to assure you Zhao Corp now has my complete loyalty.
As promised, these are the names of my sources:
Lilly Hardgrove -- HR Manager -- Chicago Centre
Simone Le Blanc -- HR Rep -- Bordeaux Centre
Hai Xia -- HR Rep -- Beijing Centre
If I can help the company in any other way, please let me know and I will obey immediately.
Your faithful servant,
Carmen Moreno.
I was shocked. Carmen never gave away sources. She said that was the first rule of being a journalist and a solid professional. Plus, what did she mean by referring to herself as a faithful servant? Something was weird. My lioness wife wouldn't let anyone call her servant.
My train of thought was interrupted by a reply from the company arriving.
Mrs Moreno,
There's no need to thank me, it was a pleasure changing your mind to the company's way of thinking. My fellow Loyalty Supervisors are speaking to the women as I write this and soon they will be glad you have given us their names.
You have been a good servant, a very good servant.
Come by this evening and we can discuss your new article.
Yours sincerely,
Lucy Song -- Loyalty Supervisor
This was too weird. I decided on the spot to investigate further. I returned to my seat and a few minutes later Carmen returned; she seemed delighted to have received a reply and as she read I noticed her bite her lower lip and let out a little moan. If I didn't know better I would say it was a moan of pleasure. I almost called her out, but decided to hold my tongue until I had gathered more information.
Carmen left for the meeting at three in the afternoon. I took this opportunity to call up Lola Roseford, an old friend of myself and Carmen. Like my wife, she was also a journalist.
I explained the situation to her.
"It's very strange. Look, don't take this the wrong way, but have you two been having money trouble?" Lola asked.
"No, what's that supposed to mean?"
"Well, she wouldn't be the first journalist to take a bribe."
"Do you think Carmen would take a bribe?" I asked incredulously. "And that doesn't explain the faithful servant stuff."
"I suppose you're right. I'll follow some leads see what I can find."
"Thanks Lola, you're a star."
"I call you if I find anything."
The following morning, Carmen's article came out.
Zhang Corp: The Perfect Company
Some say that perfection is impossible. They've obviously never seen Zhang Corp. The plucky upstart company took China by storm. Now it's time for the international market to bow before it.
Their products and so good it is futile to resist the urge to buy their products. So put aside your pride and obey the will of Zhang and purchase all their products.
Zhang Corp is the very...
I pinched my nose and sighed. It was worse than I thought. The article was the most unsubtle drivel I had ever read. How could my wife, the respected journalist, debased herself so utterly?
I tried to speak to my wife about this and the negative effect it could have on her career, but she just shrugged off my concerns at first and then grew irritated when I persisted. I slept on the couch for the next two nights after that.
That night, I snuck out of bed to snoop on Carmen's laptop once more. Once more, there were new emails from Zhang Corp.
Mrs Moreno,
I just wanted to thank you for revealing me to the Loyalty Supervisors. I should never have said those things about Zhang Corp to a journalist like yourself. Now, you and I can help spread the dream that is service for Zhang Corp across the entire world. I love Zhang Corp so much now; I feel I could burst. I want to dedicate my life to them, as I'm sure you do as well.
Yours faithfully,
Lilly Hardgrove.
This wasn't the only email that had been sent. Below it, Carmen's other two sources had also sent emails expressing their newfound love of Zhang Corp. I knew now the brainwashing must be true. They had gotten inside my wife's mind and moulded it like play-dough. I started hyperventilating. Could I fix my wife? Who should I go to? Who would even believe me? Then I remembered Lola. She was my only hope. I could only hope she called soon.
Fortunately for my anxiety, Lola called the next day. I explained to her my brainwashing theory, to which she laughed.
"She's a woman, not some robot to be reprogrammed on a whim. I'm sure there's an explanation that doesn't sound like it's come out of a cheap horror flick, perhaps there using threats or blackmail?"
"Lola, listen to me. You need to be careful."
"Calm down. I've got a lead. A nice woman called Lucy is going to help me sneak into our local Zhang Corp factory."
"Be careful."
"I always am." With that, she hung up. It was only later that I remembered that the name of Carmen's Loyalty Supervisor friend was Lucy Song.
I tried to call Lola. There was no response.
The day after my call with Lola, I turned on the T.V to see Lola sitting on a morning show called Trish-Talk. Lola was dressed in a long black dress that contrasted with the frizzy ginger hair around her face. Not that the dress was bad though, it was tight, showing off the curves of her breasts and was short enough to display her pale toned legs. She was sitting opposite the host Trish, who was blonde and looked to be in her forties. She was smiling at Lola as she asked her questions.
"So Lola, you say Zhang Corp doesn't use sweat-shops?"
"Trish, these attacks have been spread by rival companies who are jealous. I've been a journalist for seven years now and I've never heard something so untrue."
"Well, I'm glad to hear that, its good to know at least some companies are ethical. Now you mentioned earlier that Zhang Corp is working on a new app."
"Yes, it's called Sleepy-Chase. You control a fox chasing a rabbit and have to swipe to dodge obstacles."
"Hasn't that already been done?" asked Trish.
"Yes Trish, but there's a twist. As you dodge, the game emits subliminal messages."
"Subliminals? Aren't those bad?"
"Not at all Trish. You see, these subliminals do nothing but relax and calm the viewer. This means when they stop playing, they can go about their day with fresh energy."
"How marvellous. Now we already know the app is free, but I heard a rumour. I heard the app only works on women. Are women simply weaker willed?"
"Trish, how could you say such a thing? It's just that Zhang Corp hasn't found a way to penetrate men's thick skulls."
Trish and the audience laughed heartily at this.
"Oh Lola, you are so funny. Can we play it today?"
"Unfortunately not Trish. Myself and a few select women have had a chance to play it, but you unfortunate people will have to wait until this Friday to download it onto your phones."
"Well, I, for one, can't wait."