It was now Thursday as I lay in bed reflecting on the awfulness of the night before. There was now a second video and three more women with false evidence that I had perverted desires. Thinking back to my original plan to use the promotion to out Beth, I realised things had gotten a lot more complicated. Once the team meeting had finished, I immediately thought about avoiding the offsite team-building event, which Lucy was facilitating. That could only be a recipe for disaster, given what a complete psycho bitch she was. Furthermore, everything started adding up after I finally confirmed she was Beth's sister. Sadistic bitchiness must run in that family. I continued thinking I needed to organize Beth's 121s and my 'other duties' for the team, so I met them to discuss what was required.
I decided to leave the worst until last, namely Grace, the Deneuve twins and Porsche. Therefore, I started with Yuki and Seraphina. Both were straightforward conversations, a little tricky initially, mainly due to my changed circumstances. Ultimately, the 121s were arranged, and the minimal support they needed from me, primarily travel arrangements and expenses, were agreed upon.
Next up were Nicola and Aurelia. Aurelia was almost an in-and-out meeting. As a Junior Consultant, her travel and expenses needs were limited, and I think she was a little embarrassed about the prior exchange we had walking to Stephanie's office, given what happened afterwards.
Nicola suggested we do her catch-up over lunch, which I was okay with. As we headed out to grab sandwiches in the local park together, Beth stopped us and asked where we were going, to which Nicola replied, "Just for some lunch and a catch-up".
Beth looked really put out and angry but was resolved not to create a scene on day one with her new team, so she just said, "Ok, but I need Wimp back within 30 minutes, Nicola?"
Nicola nodded, and we headed off.
Nicola kicked her shoes off while we ate our sandwiches in the sun. She had cute, slender feet and long, delicate toes. I couldn't help but think how sexy they looked when I suddenly realized I was fantasizing about her feet. What the fuck was going on? Was all this unwanted foot attention having an effect on me? Luckily, Nicola snapped me out of it when she started talking, though I was sure she noticed me staring at her feet.
"So I am really sorry about the whole promotion issue, Chris."
I was so happy to hear her call me Chris instead of Wimp. At least she was showing me some respect. "What happened though to get you demoted to Beth's PA?"
I stumbled to find a quick answer. "Oh, when I lost the promotion, I created a big fuss and upset Beth in front of Stephanie, and she threatened to fire me. After some backtracking with them both, I got offered the PA role as my only option to stay with the company, and I needed the financial security of a job to make my mortgage payments."
"Wow, you must have said some pretty bad things for that to have happened? But it makes sense seeing how Beth has been treating you lately." Nicola added, looking for more details.
"Well, I was pretty tense and upset. Guess I just lost my cool. Anyway, it's over now." I added, trying to close the conversation down.
"Well, I guess that puts paid to our celebratory drink then, Chris...unless you still fancy meeting up anyway?" Nicola flirted with me.
That really lifted my spirits. It had been so long since I got positive attention from a female, and it made me start to feel human again. In fact, it made me feel like a man again.
"You know what, Nicola, that would be really great. I'd love to have a drink with you. How about this weekend?" I responded.
"Perfect. I will not make the offsite next week as I am helping Stephanie with corporate stuff for the board. It would be great to see you before you go away for 5 days with all those women!"
I laughed nervously, given that next week was more likely going to be an ultimate nightmare rather than an opportunity for sexual encounters.
We continued exchanging personal details and small talk, agreed on Nicola's 121 and admin support, and then returned. Just before we got to the office, she took my arm and said, "I am really looking forward to Saturday, Chris." We smiled at each other, then split up, and I headed to Beth's office.
When I arrived, Beth snapped at me, saying, "Close the door and sit. Now tell me, what was all that about with Nicola, Slave?"
"Oh, nothing." I replied, "We were just getting to know each other. That's all."
Beth sensed I was hiding something and added, "Well, as long as you are not trying it on with my staff, Slave. Otherwise, I would have to kick your arse in front of everyone and stamp on your head until it explodes, understand?"
Wow, I thought, that was an extreme reaction, even for Beth. It was almost like she was jealous. I decided to keep quiet on my date plans with Nicola, as it was the only thing I had to look forward to and answered, "Of course, Goddess. I understand."
Beth seemed pacified and continued. "Well, I need you to work on a new presentation for me this afternoon. The details are in your email. Steph has told me Nicola can't attend the offsite as she has her working on something for the board, so sort those changes in the plans out, and you will leave at 5pm this evening. I won't need you after that."
Strange, I thought, Beth never lets me leave early and always makes good use of that alone time to put me through it.
"Of course, Goddess, I will start on that right away," I said, trying to keep on Beth's good side.
I was still getting my teeth stuck into the presentation for Beth when Porsche approached. "Here are my available times for a meeting with Beth and the additional duties you will perform for me."
She then handed me a folded piece of paper. Also, fetch my documents off the printer, then order and staple them. I need them for my customer feedback review."
I waited for a 'please', but it never came. As I got up to collect the documents, Porsche pushed me and said, "Hurry then!"
Feeling completely fucked off, I quickly headed off to the printer to avoid a confrontation. When I arrived at the printer there were a load of documents already in the out-tray so I started sorting through them. All of Porsche's stuff was there, which I separated and was ready to staple, but one document caught my attention and was labelled private and confidential. As I started to read it, I took it to be outlining further expansion plans for the team and an enhanced role for Beth.
I was shocked when Karine snatched the document from me as I tried to read on. "I'll be taking that wimp. Not for your fucking prying eyes."
She then trod down hard on my foot while she walked away. "Ouch," I shouted, "careful!"
Karine spun around and stepped back towards me, putting her face within an inch of mine. She sneered at me with the same contempt she had shown me previously and said, "Or what?"
Being a good 4 inches taller than me and a whole lot of kick arse harder, I thought better of the confrontation and backed down. "Nothing Karine, sorry, "I conceded.
"You better be sorry, you deceitful little shit, I haven't forgotten!" she added. I quickly backed away from Karine's intimidation, grabbed Porsche's papers and left.
"You can only avoid me for so long, Wimp." I heard as I made my escape.
The revenge streak of the twins clearly had a long tail, and I would need to be careful to avoid meeting them alone if possible. I decided to arrange their 121's with Beth by email instead.
Beth was clearly up to something, which she was doing behind my back. I needed to find out what that was, as I was sure it would affect me.
My final catch-up that day was with Grace. I nervously approached her desk and asked, "Erm, Grace, could we discuss times for your 121 with Beth and any other support you need from me?"
There was a slight trembling in my voice.
"Let's discuss it over coffee," was the answer, to my surprise and relief. We went down to the canteen, which was now empty so late in the day, and Grace said, "Ok, get the coffees, then Wimp." I should have guessed I would be buying.
As I sat down opposite Grace, I reflected on how much she had changed in such a short time. She was still brilliant, but instead of using that intellect to drive her actions, she was now motivated by a raw and primal force, power. It was almost as if her experiences with Beth and myself had woken her out of a deep slumber, and now she wanted to take the world by the scruff of the neck or at least me.
Grace had a soft round face with that girl-next-door cute demeanour and looked more like a late teen than her actual age of 24. I imagined her as a not-a-care-in-the-world, free-spirited girl who took more notice of the natural world around her than what people thought. She lived in a world defined by her own rules rather than the standards others wanted to impose.