THREE
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90WnbxTATK
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCeIMxHAaW
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONjWaSIMZk
Ever-vigilant reader, allow me to paint a truly horrifying picture for you.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPqFl0lOsRX
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......
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnxJLd83Qc
Knock knock!
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmMtmE7isjo
Those pretty italics don't quite do the knocks justice. It was more like:
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvF0Y8ZX7u3
Knock knock!
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBuRc1f3m9b
Hmm... Not quite. Almost there. Maybe:
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEFh0xeEN5W
KNOCK KNOCK!!!
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgovT96fuCd
Yep, that's more like it.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nR0DS3xat
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQxy725Fape
Did I mention that I'm an over-thinker? I'm also anxiety-ridden, and paranoid. Which means my first thought was:
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu2AHSnutH
IT'S MR. TOM BANNER COME TO KILL ME FOR LEAVING WORK FIVE MINUTES EARLY SHIIIII--
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACx8QLcEi0
"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!"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6av21Dm6t
"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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutu6yKsGaR
"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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MKVhVgGeK
"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?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDJh8bIkn7K
"Because I am." I muttered, turning my body directly towards the T.V.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qaduVzyuX
With a sigh, Elliot picked up the remote and clicked PAUSE.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlFRw3ZkJ4
"Hey!"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDH709tsact
"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."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBcyGR3QWXg
I glared murderously at him. He hadn’t taken that tone with me since we lived together.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHwYnwCbxEw
"Well?" He quirked one eyebrow. That damn tone always makes me feel like I was shrinking.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDO6c8u1J4t
"You were getting all chummy with captain fart-breath." I grumbled petulantly. He snorted a laugh.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡytPRQfcKdY
"You're mad because I got along with my boss today?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMiljh2dhc
"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!"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGimgqp0din
"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."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sHCV44I35
I sputtered a gasp. "I knew it!"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5haUyapUN
"Now hold on, let me finish."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDu6G5nWtv
I reluctantly pressed my lips together and let him speak.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH4oLr9mmE9
"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."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkWerU6MBOh
"Keep an eye on me!" I cried furiously. "I'm not a child!"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXULRrkLpY
"Be flattered, he likes you."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FrvqT30xM
"I don't care! I don't like him!"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh0H2lV1No
"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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MyXF3ANX3
"You're such an ass. So what, you and Michael are best buds now?" I glared.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKgn0HwXyI
Elliot raised up on his elbows and shrugged. "I dunno... He's certainly not as bad as I remember."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfuyip68mF
"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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2VrD0npFE
"He'll be happy to know you're eating." Elliot jerked his chin towards my pizza before sitting in the loveseat across from me.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfBLYAeWSR
"Ugh, in that case." I tossed the pizza back into the box.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI2Wy6aYjk
"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."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSTJjLhdtL
Half tempted to push his buttons, I opened my mouth obediently and took a little bite of the pizza.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMe3AybcIQ
"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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmejaZOfApS
"Yep, this should be interesting."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdRD4d7aoW
"So, what, you and Michael are my new babysitters?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXze1me2bC
"Do you need a babysitter?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kK2q3D4cT
"I'm going to slug you!"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cj5kmMq3b
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."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO5ZhXj4kZ9
"Behaving myself?" I all but shrieked, and he threw his head back and laughed.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcizq6w2iJQ
"Calm down! I mean that I'll just be making sure you're eating and resting, that's all."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXM3BQmMeuP
"This is absurd." I muttered, crossing my arms and huffing furiously.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xs4bW66xi
"Calm it down, tiger." Elliot chuckled, patting my head.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nV4A8ZOS9
"Why are you acting like you enjoy this?" I snapped at him.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsHINji9aI
"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."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla5q5Ol6KB
"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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmORuyOni5u
This was a step back. I frowned.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBU4hPlmKl
"You always liked it when I took care of you before. Didn't you?" His tone doubted himself.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJTeh8E8lf
"Of course..." I answered softly, twiddling my fingers in my lap. "But you can't take care of me forever."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPqeI8GpKA
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQqZbu3YJw
"We'll see, little brat. We'll see."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ0BB1objj
***
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UPGkWaCLk
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9CIC7jrlt
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAQAxyHx0G
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..."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66sPWkKdJN
Bastards. Oh, universe, just a little help, please? The universe needs a hearing aid because the bitter bitch obviously can't hear me.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqXVwk2PfIM
So, my Dearest Reader, I think I was perfectly entitled to a bad day, wouldn't you agree?
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAEuLxjxlQ
Well, the three men in my life, who had unnecessarily taken it upon themselves to all-but play guardian, would disagree.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfer3Urf8CT
That morning, I arrived to work a little later than I normally do. And by a little later I mean...twenty minutes after.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCK57JEmUI
Oops.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc8a1XlipQ
Whatever, I had a bad morning, right?
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEENFY4281
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.)
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn3GrJ0HNx0
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKsEZMmatW
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...
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzAPTHAqHD
"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?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34JlEVu6ti
"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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lit5J57Gf
"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."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRd1ZuMYmP
"What, are you his little raven now?" I grumbled without looking at him. "Fly away, birdie, I'm trying to work."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTT8DqgDbc
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvybDbc4N29
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...
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNOrfOjMrA
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...
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbb1UU2xyLH
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡakxwN7VqK1
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNPjgnczKg
"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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuotECYwkai
Reluctantly sitting, Michael found the seat beside mine while Elliot stood, arms crossed.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzslelAos28
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKBX9NuL04
I squirmed.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZEzw8ZRPN3
"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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AedD7zYuS
"I was late, sir." I answered him, my voice struggling to remain sturdy, strong, and confident.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2R5ZE7Twl
"Mhm, and why were you late?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mHO2K7pTy
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXgv1vILBa
And besides, Elliot was the only one who knew about the book and my attempt to publish, and that was one person too many.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDEAXY0SQN
"I'd rather not say, sir." I answered, raising my chin as I met Mr. Tom Banners unblinking stare.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVY7Gy5o8Cn
"Lucy..." Elliot warned from where he towered over me, but Michael interrupted from beside me.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbflXepy5s
"Young lady, when has that attitude ever worked out for you?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG3q8EVxQc8
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB25iDlgmLZ
I scowled, lowered my chin, and crossed my arms defiantly over my chest. "Well, I thought it just might..." I grouched with a huff.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUmR406vqO
"I remember a naughty little girl who would find herself over my knee for something like that."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbu6EhNcJld
I gasped. My head snapped up to his, and then Mr. Tom Banner’s, and then to Elliot, and then back to Michael.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW3pZhF4Ld
"He knows." Elliot assured me, and I gasped again.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQaqGiV9bCG
"How!"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV70gXEBaL7
"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."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNBvh3M6lQ
"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—"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YQLc8uJiW
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGybZmjrhe
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—
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmu766WHAX
Smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack...
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHC9pjYHrsG
"Ooooowwwwwwwww!" I whined, arching my back. I threw my head back and tossed the hair from my face.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmhZB7CebEX
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—
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS77MPE1LD2
Smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack smack...
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZtSafkVaHi
"Ooooowwwwww..." I cried as tears pooled in my eyes and my bottom stung terribly with each stinging swat delivered by Michael.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJiDknaBw7
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmyvdGn0Jb
"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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHCRTcDM0E
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfepAK6xqs6
"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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRcq1NROnj2
Another swat landed on my bottom.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQ915oNe2L
"Words, sweetheart."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa3SfMgEeii
"Yes, sir." I sniffled.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2NNAaXO8u
"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?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseQS20vL5M
I shake my head, my fists still balled into my eyes. His palm fell again.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpKWEZEh6e
"Ooowww..." I whined, squirming anew over Michael's lap.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcojlTyU26
"Lucy..." he warned.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWVZ1TGzpl
"El-Elliot doesn't m-mind..."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaYtgVlQOL
"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."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXkM5rJa8U
I sniffled, shook my head and opted not to say anything. Thankfully my silence didn't warrant another swat to my already-aching bottom.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1uh1sAVOsw
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHde2ELvRCR
What a crybaby I've become.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq6Y5XNKMO
"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?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRzXe9CDBX
I shook my head wildly. "N-no! No, sir!"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI1AKgJO4k2
"Then answer me when I ask you a question, young lady."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtf3SsOH3w
Sniffling and pouting, I answered Michael's question in a little voice that I hadn’t used in a very long time.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWSM02XQjX
"I got rejected today..."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbopCYaqVhs
"Rejected?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGwysyzMzw
Michael didn't know.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Fdg7EVYLX
"Your book?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9KliocUDg
Elliot did.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP7lggPsSJ
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoyd0fzgy5b
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...
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqGfdv97OU
Ugh, kill me. Just kill me with an ice pick through my eyeball.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyaoXrIW8x
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoJzKS3WhD
"Lucy," I heard Tom’s voice, coaxing me gently, sweetly, to look at him.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj5JYIxayH
I shook my head, and pressed my eyes shut.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjm09hSngn
"Come on, pretty girl. Look at me."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNLOoMD3wK
That caught my attention. He sounded so nice... So understanding.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbrpS1KkQUu
I opened my eyes and saw him kneeling, and smiling like a handsome angel come to save me from myself.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3upgiMkef
"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?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxChOxnNMN
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DyjPz2bCn
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, I thought to myself. No, no, no! I've come too far to go back now!
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxI2Hu5VAyg
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...
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡInDjAqdYW7
"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."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZMYrdJ8HT
I did. I looked at Michael, he looked over the moon to have me cradled in his lap like he used to.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtvvbtHLfp
And Elliot, my best friend, the man who wanted so desperately to play the role of big brother to me once again.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2iC60zh1S
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEwiuGfyllG
He wanted this so badly... But why?
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BIUh6VGVy
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxf8lwGgt1E
They were still in the office, discussing me no doubt, and the shades were still drawn so I couldn't see their conversation.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGM0pGFJ6NJ
Ugh, why didn't they just let me go home? I obviously wasn't in the right head-space to be here, and—
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeq0v5iYRqO
"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."
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcg1nxcvHC
"How much earlier?"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzyEhM9qGd
"11:30AM"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojYISAWPHk
"Today? I won't get there in time!"
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3y7MzUjwR
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmPI3VfybL
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!
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mPNVbdmaH
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuN65IUNTjm
I raised my knuckles to knock, but something tugged my hand back down.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ1IOljGRQ7
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRO2CZwf44
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ37crGYD54h
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.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe8A6c1wDg
With a hundred emotions whirling about my tiny body, I left the office in the dinging elevator feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.
193Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6I9lxIZnSk
Maybe I could move to Canada or something...
ns 15.158.61.41da2
