[Unorthodox 01.0] Unorthodox Therapy

by Lilah E. Noir

  The shock on James's face as he saw me entering was precious. I was dressed in a scarlet business suit with the skirt a little above my knees. The stilettos I had chosen matched the outrageous color and were quite different from my usual business pumps or kitten heels. If I was going to kick ass today it would be best if I left blood. These babies were sharp enough to break skin.

  Usually, I never went too crazy with makeup at work, but today my face was in war paint. There were some gasps at the sight of my smoky eye shadow and murderous red lipstick, but I'd be lost if I relied solely on the clothes, shoes and makeup. What made those assholes uneasy was the obvious pride in my gaze. I didn't avoid their eyes in shame as they wished I would.

  The manilla envelope in my hands must have worried them as well.

  “Gentlemen.” My voice oozed confidence and I took a seat with all the grace and elegance I could muster. The bastards swallowed with effort when they saw me crossing my legs. My skirt hiked up a little but not enough to show them much of my lingerie. If they expected a Basic Instinct kind of distraction they could go fuck themselves. “I heard you wanted to discuss the greetings card we all received this week.”

  “There's nothing funny, Lina,” James started with a heavy, serious tone, loosened his tie and wiped the sweat off his red face. He was getting too obese for a man in his early forties. No suit, no matter how well tailored, could hide the growing of his belly and ass. It wouldn't have been such a problem if James was a man of integrity, a man who exuded power no matter what his appearance, but even when we first met and he was a lot more elegant, it was clear he was a mouse.

  “Do you see me laughing, James? I'm less than amused to have my personal life leaked out in public.”

  “Not simply any personal file,” one of the other guys called out with a frown. “We are really concerned about how your behavior reflects on ChaosTech Solutions.”

  James hurried to pipe in.

  “Many of our clients whom we’ve worked so hard to attract–”

  “Correction, James.” I cut him off with a smile. “The ones I attracted. When was the last time you actually attended a presentation or a new client meeting? Because none of you have been very active in that department lately. How many of you are up to date with all the software engineers do? Did you keep yourselves up to date with the latest trends in technology?” I laughed heartily and ran my well-polished nails over the armrests. “To the majority of you, all the products we develop are simply a black box5. So, please...”

  When I leaned forward, some of the men shifted with discomfort. My expression must have been quite ferocious because James nearly whimpered.

  Oh, for fuck's sake! I'm the one who should be squirming.

  “... don't tell me about the hard work you've put in. Because trust me, gentlemen, if it weren't for me, this company would have bankrupted a long time ago. I'm the one working fourteen hours a day while you benefit from my labor.”

  “Erm, yes, Lina, nobody denies you’ve done an outstanding job in such a short time. Given the economic situation it's amazing we're blossoming, but...” James kept on wiping his forehead with trembling fingers. “But you must also understand we can't afford a bad reputation. No matter how well we do, right now the most important thing is to salvage our image.”

  “You make it sound worse than it actually is, James.” I kept my eyes focused on him until he looked away in shame. “Those pictures weren't posted on social media save for some online porn site I already took care of. It would take me a small amount of time to persuade the targeted clients that the damage would be greater if they parted from us. Our partners and clients are too practical to be affected by a few dirty images.”

  Oh God, these guys were the worst. Did some of them actually blush when I said that last part? Oh, yes, they did. I could picture them with their pants down holding their pathetic, shriveling dicks as they jerked off to the sight of me in chains.

  “That’s the problem, Lina. It's not just about the pictures. We are afraid further knowledge of this, the lifestyle you indulge yourself in, may leak in the future.” James composed himself and pushed his sweaty handkerchief into his pocket. I shivered in disgust. “At this point, you're a liability.”

  “Some of those clients you attracted...” Elliot Smith, the chief marketing officer, gave his best greasy politician smile. “...They're people with strong family and moral values. But don't think we'd send you into exile, Lina. As a silent partner you can always contribute greatly.”

  “Well, gentlemen, if we are to speak of lifestyle and how it can affect someone's family values...” Their gazes shifted to my hands. I picked up the envelope on the table in front of me. It was funny how something as innocent as a simple piece of office material could reduce grown men to tongue-tied idiots.

  “As you know, I always keep myself up to date with everything happening under my nose.” My red manicure looked amazing against the manilla, especially when I was about to pull out my biggest ace. “That includes more than work related projects.”

  My smile grew wider and I took my sweet time removing the contents of the mystery envelope.

  “People are the most precious resource. ChaosTech Solutions and its IT specialists are the apple of my eye, but you're the ones whose behavior may reflect on our image... or go against someone's family values.”

  James looked on the verge of a heart attack when I finally took pity on him and the rest of the board members. I slipped out the contents in one sweeping move and spread them across the table like a deck of cards. If the guys had been nervous before, the moment when they faced their own sins made them lose any face color whatsoever.

  I picked one of the black and white pictures and held it up for everyone to see.

  “As you can see, this is Mr. Elliot Smith right in front of a gentlemen’s club known as Hot Candy.” Elliot's face grew even redder as I displayed the image of him stepping through a door decorated with a bright neon signature. “How bizarre, Mr. Smith.” He clenched his fists as I tutted at him with a satisfied smirk. “The rest of the strong family values team would be shocked to find you in such a place.”

  A rush of power ran through my body as I watched them, silent and ashamed. Holding the cards had never felt so damned good.

  “Oh, or perhaps this?” Another one of my sweet collection belonged to Dave Williams, the general manager. He was pictured with a hand under the table in a beach restaurant, stroking the thigh of a luxurious brunette who was definitely not his wife. “Wasn't this Cynthia Madison, your executive assistant? What would Mrs. Williams have to say about that, hmm?”

  “B-b-but, that was a mistake. It happened years ago.” Unlike James, this precious member of the old boys club didn't have a hankie. How unfortunate! “She seduced me.” His high pitched chirp was the most amusing thing I'd heard all day and I burst out laughing.

  “As for you, Mr. Douglas,” I drawled in a sweet, sultry way that probably made his tiny dick grow. “Do you think the rest of the board members would be pleased to learn of your habits.”

  “Lina, stop it. I have no idea.” His eyes were drawn to the spreadsheet laid on top of the disgraceful images. “You won't change your situation with dirty laundry no one really cares about.”

  “Is that so, Mr. Douglas?” I laughed and handed the report to each of the board members. “About a year ago, the accounting department flagged some discrepancies in our annual financial report. Can you imagine my surprise when my investigator laid out the facts? Our very own Mr. Douglas had skimmed something extra from the top to indulge in a lifestyle of his choice.” His face turned so red I was sure he'd burst a vein. “The Sweet Angels escort agency may be higher class than the Hot Candy strip club, Mr. Douglas, but embezzlement is still embezzlement. You may take a good look.”

  I cleared my throat after I gave them a few minutes to assimilate the information. James looked absolutely crestfallen and stared at me with almost pleading eyes. It was kind of cute how he thought there
would be any mercy for him.

  “So, gentlemen...” The last word was laced with sarcasm and I drawled as much as I could. “Do you still believe my personal pictures are the biggest threat to this company? I won't insult your intelligence by clarifying that these are just copies.” I pointed to the images on the table.

  Williams finally found his voice. Funny, he’d never struck me as the most intelligent individual. However, his natural pragmatism made him see where things were going.

  “Perhaps we started on the wrong foot. After all, who are we to hold some innocent fun against you, boss?”

  Ah, now you see who is boss, you spineless worm!

  My grin became wider and I raised myself from the chair. My perfect fuck-me-heels clicked on the floor just like the nails I would stick in their coffins. Maybe not today, but they had to go and keep their old school ways in the past.

  “Quite correct, Mr. Williams. For the record, I have a little something for all of you.” I walked around the table tapping my shoes until I developed a rhythm. Sometimes when we were in the dungeon, Thomas would use such repetitive noises... No! No time to think of him right now. Strength! Focus!

  “I dug up some dirt on all of you over the past two years, but guess what? It's been lying dormant in my safety box.”

  James nearly jumped when he felt the tips of my nails against his neck. He squirmed desperately and writhed in place as I hovered over him with a cruel smile. “Because I respect your private lives and wouldn't hold it against you unless I was forced. You should know I have no qualms about destroying you if you make the first move. Do you follow, kind sirs?”

  “But, the clients,” Smith uttered, still staring down at the pictures of his own disgrace.

  “I know how to handle the clients. If you don't send me into exile, that is.”

  “You can't blackmail your way out with them, Lina.” James held his breath when I withdrew my hands from him. Did he really think I'd touch his sweaty skin? Pathetic. For a brief moment, I wondered if he was picking on me in the vain hope I’d dominate him as a tough Mistress? Judging by how the hair on his neck raised when I drummed with my spiked heel, the answer was most likely yes.

  Sorry, pig, you're not my type.

  “Maybe, but there could be a very large plunge in the shares of ChaosTech Solutions if you prefer to play the morality police.” I moved back and headed for my seat with a dance-like walk. The only sound was the clicking of my heels. “So, what will it be? Do you still want to vote against me?”

  “I believe you were pretty... persuasive in your arguments, Lina. I just hope this unpleasant incident with Cynthia will remain forgotten.” Williams grinned officiously and was soon followed by the rest of the board members. They nodded and whispered among themselves before they announced their decision out loud. Even James muttered with a weak voice that it would be bad for business if they let go of me over such an insignificant issue. He hurried to announce the meeting as finished.

  I felt no pleasure when I pulled out my last trump card, but when you have a rat in your house, you don't let it get away just because you’ve got him scared.

  “Not so quickly, Mr. Douglas. Since we are gathered here today, shouldn’t we go over the financial reports? You've embezzled a fairly large amount of money from this company. I'm not sure we can drop this matter so easily.”

  “You fucking bitch,” he hissed and leaned over the table with anger in his small eyes. “You won't get away with this.”

  I gave him my most polite smile and took my seat, not even trembling when he threatened me.

  “If I were you I'd be careful with my attitude, James.” My voice was sickeningly sweet. “You should be grateful we haven't decided to press charges against you. Prison isn't an ideal place for a white collar softie like you.”

  The bravado I exuded in the boardroom was a true work of art. It wasn't my first negotiation and certainly not my best performance, but I never felt so powerful, so much in control of the situation. The vodka and Katie's makeup skills also helped with my confidence boost. For the most part, I was back in my element. Gone was the weak, scared creature lying on the couch and praying to die.

  Things couldn't have turned out better for me. It didn't take a long time to get the other members on my side. They were less than amused with James’s money stealing, even if any of them would have done the same given the chance.

  James agreed to resign and we agreed not to take the matter to the authorities. I was generous enough to buy his shares and wished him good luck in finding a new job. When he left the hall, he looked ready to strangle me. To his credit, he chose to walk away with dignity.

  Victory was mine. However, on my way back to the office, the temporary confidence melted and left me with the same quiet despair that had been torturing me over the past few days. Sure, I’d persuaded the board members not to fire me, but there was so much more to be done. And it was still not clear who Thomas had been working for. Of course, he may have simply exposed me for the sake of a cheap power play.

  Melancholy hit me straight in the face and I stopped, fighting the tears that threatened to spill at any moment. Last Friday I was happy, planning two wonderful days of sex and total submission with my boyfriend. And suddenly, less than a week later, all I’d shared with him was gone. It was impossible to forget it all just because of the knowledge that Thomas had betrayed me.

  Perhaps the best course of action was to make an early evening, get drunk, and cry my eyes out once my inhibitions fell. I could be free of the pain if all the poison leaked out of my system.

  It was another lie. How could I get rid of this anguish when I no longer knew who I was? Peace came with acceptance and continuing on your way. Where was mine? Submission had been one of the best experiences of my life, but after this brutal abuse of my trust, it seemed unlikely I would allow anyone to control me again. However, going back to my old life of fake orgasms and even more fake relationships was unthinkable. So where did that leave me?

  I finally took control of my tears and continued walking to my office. There were people passing me by but their faces were hard to distinguish in my highly emotional state. I was so lost in thought I nearly missed the welcoming party at Katie's reception desk.

  “Hey, Lina, what happened?” Her worried voice made me raise my gaze from a spot on the floor. She and the rest of the team members were gathered and gave me looks filled with anxiety. It was touching that they worried so much. When the e-mail bomb was sent I was convinced my employees would never respect me again. Seth was there, hovering over everyone with his formidable height. Several other developers and designers who had been with ChaosTech Solutions since its first days were there, too. As my gaze slid to the rest of them, I saw some of the newest recruits and once again smiled reluctantly.

  Why wasn't I happier?

  “If you hoped you'd get rid of me so easily you'll have to wait a long time. I'm still your boss.” The strain in my voice was easy to feel, but the good news must have overruled it. Katie exclaimed, raised her fist in the air and hugged me tight. Everyone else burst out in slow clapping and some called out “Way to go!”

  When my personal assistant was done with her attempts to break my ribs, Seth did the unthinkable. For all the years we were co-eds, sort of friends and co-workers, he’d never touched more than my fingers during a handshake, but now he pulled me into a tight bear hug, nearly sweeping me off my feet.

  “I'm so happy, Lina. They'd be crazy to fire you. You're the beating heart of this company.”

  It warmed me to know how much they cared but I also felt like a total asshole. I'd just saved my job and received great support. So why wasn’t I happier?

  Perhaps it was just fatigue. The idea of going home, chugging on some sleeping pills and staying in bed the entire weekend was so alluring. I'd be a new woman on Monday.

  “Come on, we're taking you out,” Katie exclaimed. Clearly I wasn't so difficult to figure out. Every personal assistant I’d had was a
ble to read my mind after some time had passed.

  “I don't feel very well.”

  “You could use a little celebration, Lina,” Seth said warmly, stroking my shoulder.

  “Yes, exactly,” Katie piped in. “It's been a rough week for all of us. You need to let your hair down.”

  “Maybe next week?” All my energy had been spent on the fight with the board members. “I'm very tired.”

  “We won't take no for an answer.” Any other time I'd have thought Seth was touching me too intimately, but then I was tired and wanted it all to be over. “Just for an hour or so.”

  “And you look too gorgeous to spend Friday night by yourself,” Katie whispered and winked at me.

  Oh, well, how bad could a drink or two be? Maybe it would even help me sleep better.

  Little did I know normal sleep would be a rare luxury over the next few months.

  Allie and I set up camp in my house while we searched relentlessly for the anonymous sender. My living room was a freaking mess of empty takeout cartons. The trash can was filled with empty Monster energy drinks cans she was addicted to, just as she was to absolutely anything containing caffeine. A few years earlier when the therapy with my then girlfriend had been successful, half as a joke, half seriously, I’d offered to help Allie as well. The look she threw at me with her formidable dark eyes was enough to slap me into submission.

  We’d taken turns to get a few hours sleep over the past few days while the other continued searching. At some point, I felt we were wasting our time on a wild goose chase. If it were just me, I'd have given up long ago and tried a different approach, but Allie was relentless in her hunt. At times, I was sure she was intensely turned on by it. Either way, we sustained ourselves on junk food, coffee, and enthusiasm. Every now and then I'd try to get in touch with Lina, just to make sure she was okay and to find out if there was any clarity about her position. Of course, she always rejected my calls.