Miss Davenshaw sits at the head of the board room table. From the 73rd floor window you can see the whole of the city of London but the eight men only have eyes for their CEO. Her blonde hair is suspended in a sharp bun and her keen blue eyes assess the male subordinate who has been foolish enough to try to undermine her.
"And what would you do differently, Luis?"
Luis witters on. He's an easy target. Miss Davenshaw gives him just enough rope to hang himself which he eagerly snatches in a storm of testosterone stained bravado. He never learns. He's always resented the fact that 'that woman' is his superior. He'll never give up his bull headed attempts to question her or undermine her. But the fact is she's tougher than any of them. Smarter too. She's had to be in the male dominated world of the City.
Luis finishes his tirade. A triumphant grin on his face which says, 'got you, bitch.'
The tension in the room is palpable but loses some of its edge through familiarity. They've all tried to bring her down at some point. Some because, yes, she is just a woman and we shouldn't be taking orders from her. Some because it's simply the law of the jungle in this cut throat world of international finance; but all, regardless of their reasons have failed.
Miss Davenshaw sits back on her leather chair. They all pretend not to notice the ever so slight hint of cleavage at the top of her blouse which is part covered by a sharp power suit. She crosses her legs, her skirt ever so teasingly just above the knee. The men are all torn between the brilliance of her surgical deconstruction of Luis' argument, and her physical attractiveness. Luis' eyes blaze as she owns him yet again.
"Does anyone else have anything else to add?"
She surveys the table. Eight city bulls meekly shake their heads.
"Well then, I think we all know what we need to do. Good day gentlemen."
Miss Davenshaw rises and,turning on her stiletto heels strides confidently out of the boardroom. A mass of male respect, desire, fear, envy, anger, admiration, and lust trails in her wake.
"Good luck with the ice queen. I'm done for the night."
Luis walks past Edmund on his way out.Darkness has long since settled on London and the ever increasing dark patches on the city's skyscrapers suggest that even the long hours of London's financial district are giving way to the need to sleep.
"I'd bet you a thousand you'll get nowhere with her. That's either with the China Securities Project, or giving her the fuck that she so obviously needs."
Daniel guffaws at his own joke as Luis high fives him. Edmund masks his contempt with a grin at these two 40 year olds going on 14.
"We're gonna see some tits; text us if you want to join later." Luis heads out.
"Will do," Edmund replies absently. He's not interested in some city boys night out at the strip club. He's got something much better planned.
Miss Davenshaw examines herself in her mirror. It's been a long day but she still looks ok all things considered. Ok, that is, by her own high standards. In fact, she is stunning by anyone else's standards. In her mid thirties she is not only the youngest female CEO in her industry, she is the youngest CEO full stop. A double achievement. Beautiful, intelligent, strong. She has needed, and used, all of these qualities to get to the top.
Her eyes begin to feel heavy, she stifles a yawn. Shit, why so late? We've all got to work long hours but couldn't the China Securities Plan wait till tomorrow?
"Miss Davenshaw?"
"What, yes?" She struggles to regain focus.
"So, I believe that this new avenue has much potential in finally getting a foothold in Chinese Securities".
"Uh, yes, interesting, Edmund. Please continue".
Damn, must have zoned out. Need to get some good rest tonight. What? When did he arrive? Bloody hell, his powerpoint slides are bright, hurting my eyes. She recrossed her legs, the light reflected off her shiny jet black high heels.
"Yes, Miss Davenshaw, your eyes are very heavy."
Yes, very heavy. Must sleep well tonight. What? My eyes?
"Er, I said, the prize would come with a very high levy, Miss Davenshaw"
"Oh, yes, of course. Sorry, Edmund. Do go on." Edmund. Hmm. He's not so bad as all the others I suppose. He's actually quite cute in some ways. Hey! Focus. Focus! Goddamn, I need some sleep tonight.
"Yes, Miss Davenshaw. You are feeling very, very sleepy"
Yes, so sleepy. Wait, why has his powerpoint gone blank?
"Your mind is going blank, Miss Davenshaw."
Yes. Blank...blank.
"Your eyes are so, sooo heavy."
Yes, so heavy
"You can't keep them open any longer."
Can't...keep...open...wait...what?
