THREE
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcczlXH7wnS
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOIPgqjMmB
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIPTRD9En4
Ever-vigilant reader, allow me to paint a truly horrifying picture for you.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY3qCGEBR0
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......
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NT6UD1by8
Knock knock!
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQX83iVSjZW
Those pretty italics don't quite do the knocks justice. It was more like:
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGzTFlNFJj
Knock knock!
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwzXEfmpWHL
Hmm... Not quite. Almost there. Maybe:
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyiyS4QtjF
KNOCK KNOCK!!!
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENbJMlBt3Q
Yep, that's more like it.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfdoNs7LAa
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGzTQi5aAK
Did I mention that I'm an over-thinker? I'm also anxiety-ridden, and paranoid. Which means my first thought was:
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRblTLJlwE
IT'S MR. TOM BANNER COME TO KILL ME FOR LEAVING WORK FIVE MINUTES EARLY SHIIIII--
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu5dm8BNuwf
"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!"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHaoT5He8l
"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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3eRBG1Yt0
"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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38nk0rRpjO
"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?"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPRgA2cUN2
"Because I am." I muttered, turning my body directly towards the T.V.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVkYZRsAnv
With a sigh, Elliot picked up the remote and clicked PAUSE.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡun1Wsb4mgo
"Hey!"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiITeIVaIfc
"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."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwCjT2UJ5a
I glared murderously at him. He hadn’t taken that tone with me since we lived together.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ltfqrJSSP
"Well?" He quirked one eyebrow. That damn tone always makes me feel like I was shrinking.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTa32l8eJ0S
"You were getting all chummy with captain fart-breath." I grumbled petulantly. He snorted a laugh.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjjR66t5s5g
"You're mad because I got along with my boss today?"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5yyLPwkbo
"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!"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2CwA2U0Xe
"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."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGNrfcAKuco
I sputtered a gasp. "I knew it!"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP16iN4OIWx
"Now hold on, let me finish."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpJJ2IvkAx
I reluctantly pressed my lips together and let him speak.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXi5m8p9NZ
"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."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY2nsobMqa
"Keep an eye on me!" I cried furiously. "I'm not a child!"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2o1w8mpyn3
"Be flattered, he likes you."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Dzc8L5u8A
"I don't care! I don't like him!"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZptYLeKgA
"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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtw7xyMA55s
"You're such an ass. So what, you and Michael are best buds now?" I glared.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRpx5GIj2w
Elliot raised up on his elbows and shrugged. "I dunno... He's certainly not as bad as I remember."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUciyffzw2
"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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdnBYnex7f
"He'll be happy to know you're eating." Elliot jerked his chin towards my pizza before sitting in the loveseat across from me.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG69M4goAV
"Ugh, in that case." I tossed the pizza back into the box.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn03fPNHt6Q
"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."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVBKGbYM45
Half tempted to push his buttons, I opened my mouth obediently and took a little bite of the pizza.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrW8y6GH90r
"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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3AIKav2TOt
"Yep, this should be interesting."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxTG7hEAH5
"So, what, you and Michael are my new babysitters?"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJzGOIgKyk
"Do you need a babysitter?"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2TDT6hi9nk
"I'm going to slug you!"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPMYMmYunk
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."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwDEypnTqy
"Behaving myself?" I all but shrieked, and he threw his head back and laughed.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoAaL1BIaM
"Calm down! I mean that I'll just be making sure you're eating and resting, that's all."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3yrPHQYCs
"This is absurd." I muttered, crossing my arms and huffing furiously.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhI533r6Ln6
"Calm it down, tiger." Elliot chuckled, patting my head.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7wGuT7XAO
"Why are you acting like you enjoy this?" I snapped at him.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs5TrznZvt
"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."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVeirHN3g4
"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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoVFnXdKhq
This was a step back. I frowned.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDqboLGKR4
"You always liked it when I took care of you before. Didn't you?" His tone doubted himself.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4WxFLQ2jM
"Of course..." I answered softly, twiddling my fingers in my lap. "But you can't take care of me forever."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvrT8uIaBZ
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8O1zgWiY6
"We'll see, little brat. We'll see."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKl0hhaveS2
***
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJRDRDe6er3
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmMMflM9SW
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXB2BxA0zw
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..."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvftjYwnCs3
Bastards. Oh, universe, just a little help, please? The universe needs a hearing aid because the bitter bitch obviously can't hear me.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehFiRnFQeW
So, my Dearest Reader, I think I was perfectly entitled to a bad day, wouldn't you agree?
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcXXib5oTH
Well, the three men in my life, who had unnecessarily taken it upon themselves to all-but play guardian, would disagree.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMhJcvSqQyl
That morning, I arrived to work a little later than I normally do. And by a little later I mean...twenty minutes after.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zLTn3GTuu
Oops.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN61QA4iQDM
Whatever, I had a bad morning, right?
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡscdcPkePp3
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.)
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLlUOxsFsp
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd21ObooTxx
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...
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡORZpOyoP0i
"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?"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyTye8C2ZB
"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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfXvEXB7E1u
"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."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnwH3uxFTwq
"What, are you his little raven now?" I grumbled without looking at him. "Fly away, birdie, I'm trying to work."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuegIUrJuF
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBbtbYVO9I
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...
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjpFW5wQtWf
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...
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLUeHIDTYK
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3nFGSKm9I
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4juXRKQKr4
"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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0s3tsoRZZ
Reluctantly sitting, Michael found the seat beside mine while Elliot stood, arms crossed.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLzoAACnm9
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJa8YxuitHW
I squirmed.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpEqK1lX3te
"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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkmmYzqTIau
"I was late, sir." I answered him, my voice struggling to remain sturdy, strong, and confident.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ZRcfeZV8o
"Mhm, and why were you late?"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbLPZfOGyv2
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYfS704Gck
And besides, Elliot was the only one who knew about the book and my attempt to publish, and that was one person too many.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3fAieTkaAM
"I'd rather not say, sir." I answered, raising my chin as I met Mr. Tom Banners unblinking stare.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7jGlhFNY1
"Lucy..." Elliot warned from where he towered over me, but Michael interrupted from beside me.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7EUcF7qik
"Young lady, when has that attitude ever worked out for you?"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh06sKLSwtI
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjzQG08XMw
I scowled, lowered my chin, and crossed my arms defiantly over my chest. "Well, I thought it just might..." I grouched with a huff.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbntz6yMBym
"I remember a naughty little girl who would find herself over my knee for something like that."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqNllC0iES8
I gasped. My head snapped up to his, and then Mr. Tom Banner’s, and then to Elliot, and then back to Michael.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4DrdW8oJt
"He knows." Elliot assured me, and I gasped again.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AqsOxq3WA
"How!"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBqL9gr2vR
"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."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVV7GpLxrR
"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—"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL1OzNkDI8
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVxNP1euTL
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—
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaripYFknGF
Smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack...
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBjf4fb2bgy
"Ooooowwwwwwwww!" I whined, arching my back. I threw my head back and tossed the hair from my face.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQMpNQb1UE
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—
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZfCFDenOq
Smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack...
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6GWA1kLXu
"Ooooowwwwww..." I cried as tears pooled in my eyes and my bottom stung terribly with each stinging swat delivered by Michael.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbz5RF6oK8
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpdu2K7fLK
"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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQPXeJCQsM
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWtC0MajKc
"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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtl28s3gii
Another swat landed on my bottom.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhau6btbSOU
"Words, sweetheart."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRioTSBqyv
"Yes, sir." I sniffled.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXxtuRswDG
"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?"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPr0LHQglM6
I shake my head, my fists still balled into my eyes. His palm fell again.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEm88CDmfH
"Ooowww..." I whined, squirming anew over Michael's lap.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHTEzMUgQ20
"Lucy..." he warned.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFQDJ7EfSc4
"El-Elliot doesn't m-mind..."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVMvdB3LM4
"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."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDxGYHuvft
I sniffled, shook my head and opted not to say anything. Thankfully my silence didn't warrant another swat to my already-aching bottom.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh0eipPp8Uh
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lEnFCQCz4
What a crybaby I've become.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnJNEwoqfU
"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?"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkLafAumw1
I shook my head wildly. "N-no! No, sir!"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUEDhb1Atx
"Then answer me when I ask you a question, young lady."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHJO186smT
Sniffling and pouting, I answered Michael's question in a little voice that I hadn’t used in a very long time.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCYSwGBAwl
"I got rejected today..."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkKBdUu7D2
"Rejected?"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfoKEy7Et2
Michael didn't know.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorC8n2GoLB
"Your book?"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlIp7RxJtvn
Elliot did.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf15kMOBzv
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGbncwocc3
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...
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx0PVp58y2
Ugh, kill me. Just kill me with an ice pick through my eyeball.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECVRfABZgm
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrQGfSUMr2
"Lucy," I heard Tom’s voice, coaxing me gently, sweetly, to look at him.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwZkLvgZb2D
I shook my head, and pressed my eyes shut.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1x7RSmqu9
"Come on, pretty girl. Look at me."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkO3T6kTqJo
That caught my attention. He sounded so nice... So understanding.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaHSa7GpG9d
I opened my eyes and saw him kneeling, and smiling like a handsome angel come to save me from myself.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt30Fp8JAlF
"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?"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJOjzNBznZ
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9M4FR6i2i
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, I thought to myself. No, no, no! I've come too far to go back now!
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQTlwK1lIl
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...
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZecXrKk3o
"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."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhcHeTzJHI
I did. I looked at Michael, he looked over the moon to have me cradled in his lap like he used to.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsQzSZIQSb
And Elliot, my best friend, the man who wanted so desperately to play the role of big brother to me once again.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1nlFLvXn4
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZcPVYGwE2
He wanted this so badly... But why?
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7m6JMI28C
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVWtZRjvg7
They were still in the office, discussing me no doubt, and the shades were still drawn so I couldn't see their conversation.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0g317QpI6
Ugh, why didn't they just let me go home? I obviously wasn't in the right head-space to be here, and—
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi6qf4TVT8O
"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."
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAgjyOaw3M
"How much earlier?"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAU3j5UJjH
"11:30AM"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkeRYxfYiQ
"Today? I won't get there in time!"
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnEqp1CCSCe
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanKBoAl3UU
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!
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqyCg45biP
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKm8ZcGtAeB
I raised my knuckles to knock, but something tugged my hand back down.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFlklDle9t
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlecoK1UrG
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyhDmXmQPvu
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.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf5pEvtdjQ
With a hundred emotions whirling about my tiny body, I left the office in the dinging elevator feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
170Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5mMAiJGay
Maybe I could move to Canada or something...
ns 15.158.61.55da2
