THREE
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3xkvfeQM4
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCigcwzMdIy
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAf9unTaHKh
Ever-vigilant reader, allow me to paint a truly horrifying picture for you.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjRU7lG8Zt
I was home in my striped pink and grey pj pants with matching pink tank top, hair piled atop my head in a messy bun, and a freshly delivered pizza on my couch while Netflix played season nine of The Office for the millionth time, when......
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dStxb5mYp
Knock knock!
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrq8uEBhAHM
Those pretty italics don't quite do the knocks justice. It was more like:
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKyZWJo0Mv
Knock knock!
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1mKIymvDFc
Hmm... Not quite. Almost there. Maybe:
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsC3VwQsHzL
KNOCK KNOCK!!!
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7N0uOsr0EU
Yep, that's more like it.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0hv8GbFad
To further explain: the TV had just reintroduced Plop and Fart, and I had just opened the lid to my cheese pizza when the thunderous boom erupted from my door like Thor himself had come to deliver the wrath of Odin.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasHGa7X2xJ
Did I mention that I'm an over-thinker? I'm also anxiety-ridden, and paranoid. Which means my first thought was:
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfscVX9fx5b
IT'S MR. TOM BANNER COME TO KILL ME FOR LEAVING WORK FIVE MINUTES EARLY SHIIIII--
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmhuW5qT5I
"Lucy open the damn door, I know you're in there, I can hear Jim Halpert whining about his boring life, and I smell pizza!"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfhngAISeA
"Elliot?" Rushing to the door, I allowed my friend to enter. "Why are you knocking like your fist is made of stone! You scared me!" I slammed the door shut and stomped passed him.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiNe075ME9
"I lost my key." He shrugged defensively, following me into the living room. With a huff and a furrowed brow I slumped back into my cozy white couch with my cheesy pizza.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv307evfsY
"Uhm," Elliot sat on the footrest in front of the couch so that we're eye to eye. "Why do I get the feeling you're mad at me?"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4o3IJqGvU
"Because I am." I muttered, turning my body directly towards the T.V.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3tSflAMHV
With a sigh, Elliot picked up the remote and clicked PAUSE.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI6GIFsctH7
"Hey!"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PAFDjfh3N
"Now listen here for a minute, you know I don't put up with the silent treatment. If something's bothering you, you speak up and tell me."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4AWpqz1N5
I glared murderously at him. He hadn’t taken that tone with me since we lived together.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3A04aMohg
"Well?" He quirked one eyebrow. That damn tone always makes me feel like I was shrinking.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2JBPP2ANI
"You were getting all chummy with captain fart-breath." I grumbled petulantly. He snorted a laugh.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNTkHlWikU
"You're mad because I got along with my boss today?"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuf6GimWDT
"There was something more going on! Michael was there too! And I knew it wasn't just coincidence that Mr. Boss Man called you in just minutes after I had spoken to you both!"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ55XAsdMx
"Okay, calm down." He held up his hands before placing one in my hair, cradling the side of my head. "You're right, we were talking about you."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgS7wLPWWsV
I sputtered a gasp. "I knew it!"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7TbqWoLsA
"Now hold on, let me finish."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53n23djdlD
I reluctantly pressed my lips together and let him speak.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJqqPauXDI
"Banner's just worried about you. He wanted to know what relationship Michael and I had with you so that he could ask us to help keep an eye on you."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeKoolgT3p
"Keep an eye on me!" I cried furiously. "I'm not a child!"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qxxmcwBgS
"Be flattered, he likes you."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZIVkNps3sv
"I don't care! I don't like him!"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1LD8ywRvl
"You sure about that?" He grinned with a knowing twinkle in his eye and I growled and shoved him away. He fell back slowly, clasping his hands over his chest and feigning impalement.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UWJFnklqV
"You're such an ass. So what, you and Michael are best buds now?" I glared.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvqrcN58rwA
Elliot raised up on his elbows and shrugged. "I dunno... He's certainly not as bad as I remember."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZPdtT1GQs
"Humph." I grunt with a disinterested shrug before picking up the remote and pressing PLAY on The Office. As coworkers are tossing trash at Nellie, I nibble on my pizza.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGrJ2bxcR2s
"He'll be happy to know you're eating." Elliot jerked his chin towards my pizza before sitting in the loveseat across from me.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxsWZnJyio6
"Ugh, in that case." I tossed the pizza back into the box.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9CsOlMSrQ
"Don't be childish." He scolded, standing and striding over. He picked up the pizza and when I refused to take it, he held it up to my lips. I glared at him, stubbornly pressing my lips together until he warningly quirked one agitated eyebrow, ordering; "bite."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEigccRQMOL
Half tempted to push his buttons, I opened my mouth obediently and took a little bite of the pizza.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9uME90mZk
"Good girl." He smirked, and I groan and topple forwards, burying my face in the couch cushions. I felt the couch dip as Elliot sat beside me. He rubbed my back and I heard him sigh.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmwhrRynbb
"Yep, this should be interesting."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXgMM02OsB4
"So, what, you and Michael are my new babysitters?"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWInEX0B3j8
"Do you need a babysitter?"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYvv3MOY9I
"I'm going to slug you!"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxMArHut20
He chuckles. "No, we're just going to help you at work. Make sure you get your work done without overexerting yourself. And well," I sat up and watched a wicked grin spread across his face. "I get to make sure you're behaving yourself outside of work."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40rMjInwVM
"Behaving myself?" I all but shrieked, and he threw his head back and laughed.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdy7noW4egW
"Calm down! I mean that I'll just be making sure you're eating and resting, that's all."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaOKV9Hv2w
"This is absurd." I muttered, crossing my arms and huffing furiously.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtMikW0buJI
"Calm it down, tiger." Elliot chuckled, patting my head.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeWEsnt1va
"Why are you acting like you enjoy this?" I snapped at him.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqXk2wwUNR
"I do enjoy this." He smiled sincerely and my anger gently dissipated. My scowl softened and I studied him as he said: "I like taking care of you, little brat. You haven't let me in a long time."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7Ctq5hSd8
"That's because I don't need it." I sighed. "I'm all grown up..." My mind flashed back to the day I met Elliot. I was alone, and young, and I needed him. I was proud of the steps I made to get where I am now, a confident, strong adult who could take care of herself.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡww4PTL4qRL
This was a step back. I frowned.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPBK8Qa2N7
"You always liked it when I took care of you before. Didn't you?" His tone doubted himself.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOkUefKFsj
"Of course..." I answered softly, twiddling my fingers in my lap. "But you can't take care of me forever."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqybqrBmkuv
Elliot sighed, and tucked an arm around my shoulders. I leaned into him and allowed myself to lose the guard I'd so carefully built around myself.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnAfZLUOfe8
"We'll see, little brat. We'll see."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuO6nP9EaT
***
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXFh4kZ4ex
The next morning, the day started with a miserable hiccup. You see, Oh-Ever-Faithful-Reader, I was attempting to publish a book. I finished the damn thing months ago, reserved an extra month for writing and perfecting an outstanding query letter, and then researched twelve literary agents to submit my work too.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyEICYFq82
And— pardon my language— the process was a bitch. Especially when I checked my email every morning over my coffee to find not a single unread email waiting for my eager eyes.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAURdqKs9J
Or even worse: an email awaiting my attention, calling me, begging to be opened immediately, only to see those hated, rotten lines: "thank you for thinking of our publishing house, unfortunately..."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0ZAFlBj5z
Bastards. Oh, universe, just a little help, please? The universe needs a hearing aid because the bitter bitch obviously can't hear me.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5JIC2mER0
So, my Dearest Reader, I think I was perfectly entitled to a bad day, wouldn't you agree?
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOVJE4fdha
Well, the three men in my life, who had unnecessarily taken it upon themselves to all-but play guardian, would disagree.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3uSseohVY
That morning, I arrived to work a little later than I normally do. And by a little later I mean...twenty minutes after.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA01NztPkaD
Oops.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLxPMDXcaB
Whatever, I had a bad morning, right?
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgswWrlARu
Well, over the past several days, I had been under the thumb of Elliot, Michael, and at times, Mr. Tom Banner, (who insisted I call him Tom, but my stubbornness encourages me not to.)
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3p82IyKKAc
The day I was late to work was no different. I felt their eyes on me the second I entered the office, the traitorous elevator with its all too cheery ding, betraying what I had hoped would be a sneaky arrival.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPBumcDwOu
I kept my eyes down, which wasn't all that intentional. I was incredibly bummed, and my low-energy-level and absolute lack of motivation to do or feel anything allowed me to— with little to no care— slump into my desk without a single peek at Mr. Tom Banner who stood behind his glass walls, hands on hips, wearing that disapproving frown...
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUtKQxkv1P
"You're late." A nasal voice, dripping with disdain caught a fraction of my attention. Peering beneath my messy bangs, I scowled at Stupid Susan and her stupid glasses. "You're never late, little miss goodie two-shoes. What's wrong with you?"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM2uAdPBM9
"Nothing." I muttered, turning my eyes forward and wiggling the mouse on my desk until the screen of my computer lit up the desktop background of a summer field with one yellow flower.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmxwtBwrMst
"Lucy, you've really done it this time." Elliot appeared beside me, speaking low in my ear so no one else would hear our conversation. "Banner wants to speak with you."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOPjTX9GU4
"What, are you his little raven now?" I grumbled without looking at him. "Fly away, birdie, I'm trying to work."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NyTzvmEJb
A fierce grip on my arm made me hiss in pain, followed by a growling order of: "now" told me I had pushed Elliot too far. And surprisingly, I felt that nervous titter in my belly that I used to feel when I deliberately disrespected Elliot.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRpb7o2wD2
But that was a long time ago, and surely he wouldn't handle it in the same manner now as he would have back then...
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMKpB1eUrd
As he pulled me to my feet, I stumbled ungracefully on my heels. He placed me in front of him and urged me forward as he followed behind— the masked executioner marching me to the gallows...
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XRyStDSFi
Michael, with his as-equally disapproving frown, as if he practiced it in the mirror to perfectly match Mr. Tom Banners, met us at the gates of hell before Lucifer himself opened the glass door to allow entry.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKj58DjIc0n
I went in first, all but shoved in by Elliot who was followed closely by Michael, and then finally Mr. Tom Banner who closed the door, trapping me inside a room with three large men who all studied me as if I were a naughty seven year old with her hand caught in the cookie jar.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtIONkUCZK
"Please have a seat, Lucy." The Greek God behind the desk waved a hand at the two chairs that stood against the glass walls of his office.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcruMV4cm4U
Reluctantly sitting, Michael found the seat beside mine while Elliot stood, arms crossed.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2G0o8hjb0F
Mr. Tom Banner didn't sit behind his own desk. Instead, he walked around to the front of it, leaned into it, and crossed his arms over his chest, and legs at the ankles.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadaxBSg9S7
I squirmed.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODapf8DeBc
"Lucy, why do you think I've asked you in here today?" He asked me slowly, his tone telling me I was in trouble. And despite my best efforts to remain ram-rod straight in the seat, I felt myself shrink just a little.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BGz8h75NU
"I was late, sir." I answered him, my voice struggling to remain sturdy, strong, and confident.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL4e64idpS
"Mhm, and why were you late?"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlE1IP8qGL
I opened my mouth to answer, but what could I possibly say? Receiving a rejection on a book wasn't excuse enough to trudge through my morning routine, causing me to be twenty minutes late to work.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhyWiQTaZvx
And besides, Elliot was the only one who knew about the book and my attempt to publish, and that was one person too many.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0j5IzLBgSo
"I'd rather not say, sir." I answered, raising my chin as I met Mr. Tom Banners unblinking stare.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6TXJEHer2
"Lucy..." Elliot warned from where he towered over me, but Michael interrupted from beside me.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Bbjnzp95y
"Young lady, when has that attitude ever worked out for you?"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ELJe65Xyq
I wasn't prepared for the old scolding nick-name that immediately turned Adult-Lucia into Little-Lucy, the naughty little brat who deserved a sound scolding for her blatant disrespect.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7UiMRuvmWx
I scowled, lowered my chin, and crossed my arms defiantly over my chest. "Well, I thought it just might..." I grouched with a huff.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8D4KCxoKhK
"I remember a naughty little girl who would find herself over my knee for something like that."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9vz30jNVBt
I gasped. My head snapped up to his, and then Mr. Tom Banner’s, and then to Elliot, and then back to Michael.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3qKAhbE41
"He knows." Elliot assured me, and I gasped again.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE5WuA3e6V
"How!"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiATs2hpkTl
"I figured it out on my own." Mr. Tom Banner's gentle voice entered the conversation and my eyes hesitantly found his as a blush crept brightly up my neck. "You have a certain aura about you that gives you away. Under any amount of authority, you slip into that little girl that is hiding so deeply beneath the mask you've given yourself."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERHolgJ0Lm
"It's not a mask! It's..." My eyes surveyed the three men around me. "It's just… Me. I've grown up. I'm not..." My voice slipped. "I'm not little anymore. I have a job, an apartment, and responsibilities. There's no time to be little. And," my head snapped up as I addressed the men with a hard edge in my voice; climbing out of my little shell. "I don't need to be babied by you three misogynistic ass holes, who think you can just—"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdMRx7qx1W
The world turned upside down. Cutting off my tirade, I found myself overturned on Michael's lap. Blinds were lowering over the glass walls of the office, and before I could cry a pleading yelp, Michael was spanking me.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQyiFTybY9e
No, no, no! This was not happening! I am an adult! I am a responsible, mature adult who doesn’t need any amount of supervision or guidance! This is insulting! Insulting I sa—
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY6rcQ5JE7s
Smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack...
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFF4B4j3oP
"Ooooowwwwwwwww!" I whined, arching my back. I threw my head back and tossed the hair from my face.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuypIuVRQb2
This was wildly unfair. I hadn't been in this position in well over a year. I was too old for this! I wouldn't stand for it! I wou—
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHlkX5XnP6
Smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack...
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNMkD8Tukp
"Ooooowwwwww..." I cried as tears pooled in my eyes and my bottom stung terribly with each stinging swat delivered by Michael.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD33ybrdXNc
How could I let myself forget that Michael had the hardest hand of the two? I should have mouthed off more directly to Elliot. If I had, my spanking would be far more tolerable right now.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnnDBKLWLd
"I'm sorry, Michael! I'm sorry!" I cried, kicking my feet, losing my heels somewhere along the way, and mentally thanking the gods that he hadn't lifted my skirt to discipline my bare bottom.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1zoAJr42D
When Michael's hand ceased its merciless fall, I was crying quite pitifully over his knee. My fists pressed into my eyes, and I felt very...little.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbENs0f0A9W
"Do I have your attention now, little one?" His voice penetrated the noisy pounding of my heart in my ears, and I offered a weak nod.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ORKXQks08
Another swat landed on my bottom.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivpyPAvgSa
"Words, sweetheart."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUB2HX9i42
"Yes, sir." I sniffled.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYdyprJJlx
"Now," he rubbed circles into my burning bottom over the thin fabric of my black, pencil work skirt. "When have you ever gotten away with outbursts like that?"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXGJP4OEGo
I shake my head, my fists still balled into my eyes. His palm fell again.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmhKSGdzz6
"Ooowww..." I whined, squirming anew over Michael's lap.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBd7b9QFpNL
"Lucy..." he warned.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFIHw52dy7
"El-Elliot doesn't m-mind..."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0KczZLyZoW
"I've tried to respect your boundaries, little girl." I felt Elliot's hand soothingly rub my back. "But I see now that I was teaching bad habits to a once very well-behaved girl."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTFOgFLElec
I sniffled, shook my head and opted not to say anything. Thankfully my silence didn't warrant another swat to my already-aching bottom.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphTWOKal8g
Man, I was out of practice. Years ago, living with Elliot and having him and Michael looking out for me, I would have taken today's spanking with hardly any fuss.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PwuYvwVVX
What a crybaby I've become.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8HFv1IePB
"Do you want to tell us why you're behaving like a naughty five year old today?" Michael asked and when I didn't immediately answer, his hand patted my rump. "Do I need to lift this skirt and spank a naughty little girl on her bare bottom?"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUEtQ1B20f
I shook my head wildly. "N-no! No, sir!"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXeZ2zSpUf
"Then answer me when I ask you a question, young lady."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiMFhNtl6z
Sniffling and pouting, I answered Michael's question in a little voice that I hadn’t used in a very long time.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMutOERgIA5
"I got rejected today..."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGSQW9TJax
"Rejected?"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡacsUsUL6oM
Michael didn't know.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuXqIIgHKM
"Your book?"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tEdnqwUT8
Elliot did.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW1h0xiLoNY
Gently, Michael lifted me from his knee and cradled me in his lap. I took that moment to look at Elliot when my eyes crashed with Mr. Tom Banner's instead.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg4Suygp8x
Oh. My. God. How could I have forgotten that he was in the room? And he bore witness to that whole thing! My spanking, and Little Lucy...
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGf1E8Wz9Xz
Ugh, kill me. Just kill me with an ice pick through my eyeball.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYfyk0pwdJC
Blushing feverishly, a fresh wave of tears spilled from my eyes as I buried my face in the crook of Michael's neck, utterly and completely humiliated.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIdv4q9tyAM
"Lucy," I heard Tom’s voice, coaxing me gently, sweetly, to look at him.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZVfGAq2Hm
I shook my head, and pressed my eyes shut.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mqO1yI14e
"Come on, pretty girl. Look at me."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6fMvchnqn
That caught my attention. He sounded so nice... So understanding.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXsjO5TQ4u
I opened my eyes and saw him kneeling, and smiling like a handsome angel come to save me from myself.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUce4QsS0E
"I think you're such a big, brave girl, sweet, Little Lucy." He crooned, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear, and then trailing the pad of his thumb down the curve of my cheek. "And I really want to get to know you. Will you let me do that? Can we be friends, sweet little girl?"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV000yyKUh
It wasn't fair. He wasn't talking to Lucia-- wedding coordinator/sales director, aspiring writer, and employee of his company. He was talking to Little Lucy. And I really wanted to say yes, because he was giving me that smile that made everything in the world seem better than it actually was.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8G2aXNcgK
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, I thought to myself. No, no, no! I've come too far to go back now!
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5yK2pZLeD
My eyes stared beseechingly into his— begging him to understand, desperate that he see the struggle and the reason why I can not...Will not...
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8SVJcL26y
"Look around you, Angel. Look at these men, who need to take care of you as badly as you need to be taken care of."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6ZG0UB6gh
I did. I looked at Michael, he looked over the moon to have me cradled in his lap like he used to.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk8WDhhe4vY
And Elliot, my best friend, the man who wanted so desperately to play the role of big brother to me once again.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RduInkBn0
And Mr. Tom Banner. My scary grouch of a boss who made my heart flutter inside my chest. This brooding, unflinching man who looked like a completely different person right now.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDJnWWpVln
He wanted this so badly... But why?
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6dQJuOkPN
I left the office with the opportunity to "think on it," and tried to focus on my work, but that was almost as impossible as trying to sit still in an office chair while my bottom burned and the rest of my body glowed with a special kind of relief I hadn't felt since Michael and Elliot looked after me.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtS3RKrwBEV
They were still in the office, discussing me no doubt, and the shades were still drawn so I couldn't see their conversation.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoAgm9CqPU
Ugh, why didn't they just let me go home? I obviously wasn't in the right head-space to be here, and—
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0SJr5ASPI
"Lucy, your 3PM lunch meeting called while you were in that meeting," Stupid Susan complained from across the walkway, her chin jutting towards the fortress of glass, obviously eager to know why I was getting so much face-time with the boss these days. "They need to reschedule for much earlier."
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kp43NqIMB
"How much earlier?"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3pBiuz59E
"11:30AM"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdws9EkbM9
"Today? I won't get there in time!"
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIoSOq5gkO
The lunch meeting was with a big potential client who was in the final steps of signing their contracts with the company to host their daughter's ridiculously absurd wedding that will be out-of-this-world-expensive; meaning it'll make up over half my year's commission.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUuVH8rA4l
Getting through Portland city traffic was a nightmare though, and it was already 10:10AM, and the restaurant they'd chosen to close the final papers was all the way across town!
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVEClO8GYy
I gathered their final contract, slung my purse across my shoulder, and tripped awkwardly in my heels to the front of the office until I stood at the impenetrable force of the glass castle.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XYjcScm61
I raised my knuckles to knock, but something tugged my hand back down.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHwJoMiCSd
Lucia tugged my hand back down. Lucy wanted to tell the three men who worried over me about my schedule change, about where I'd be when they eventually came out of the office.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡainK6oQIRZ
But Lucia would have never done that— it's work. It's my job. I'm just doing my job. A client rescheduled a work meeting. It wasn't a big deal.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0IzNv0Zue
Tripping back down the path of desks to my own, I hastily ask Stup— Susan to kindly tell Mr. Tom Banner where I've gone, to which she replied with a sardonic smile and an; "of course."
It gave me an icky feeling, but having someone else pass onto the boss-man my current whereabouts was still more than I would normally do.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4TLHuSi71
With a hundred emotions whirling about my tiny body, I left the office in the dinging elevator feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
274Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHCQSfpFN9i
Maybe I could move to Canada or something...
ns216.73.216.238da2
