Leyla had been with us for a few weeks, and I was pleased to watch her progress. She had integrated well into the team, was exceedingly sharp in her assessments, and gave excellent presentations. Every instance of her radiance and excellence increased my desire to break her, to see her on her knees before me.
On this particular afternoon, she was in my office for a small meeting regarding new markets and expansions. She was explaining to the group that my company must tread lightly when entering a new market which was controlled by our competitors: "I think it's important to be strategic and deferential to the market. We don't want to get into a trade war."
I leaned in, smirked, and offered, "when I see a rose ripe for the plucking, I don't restrain my hand, Leyla."
She blushed, and stammered, "you're right, June, there is an opportunity here. But if we're seen as predatory, they'll fight us."
"I like a fight. I win. It's my nature. I don't want peace. I don't want a settled customer base. I want to conquer and rule an empire. Surely you're beginning to see my trend, dear?" I arched my eyebrow, and every woman in the room held her breath.
Leyla looked down at her hands, and whispered, "I see, June. Of course."
I chuckled and dismissed the meeting. The attendees looked at Leyla, who hadn't lifted her eyes. They slowly withdrew from the room; Leyla remained, frozen, trembling. I walked over to where she was sitting in my now empty office and took the chair next to her. She kept her gaze from me. I took her chin in my hand and raised her eyes to me. "Don't be frightened, girl, you've done nothing wrong."
She tilted her head to the side and fluttered her eyelashes; I stroked her cheek with the back of my fingers. I could have her now, probably. But I wanted to see her crawl, not take her to dinner.
She was nearly cooing at my ministrations, and I dropped my hand to her knee and gave it a hard squeeze that brought her to attention. "Speak, Leyla, what can I do for you?"