"You want to know why you were passed up for promotion?" Yumi says, her voice smooth. "The company has merged with a European conglomerate based in Sweden. They have very different, very 'efficient' standards for management."
She slides a thick contract toward you. "We’re offering you a significant salary increase, but there’s a catch: no hope of promotion. You stay in your current role, as long as you agree to this long-term extension. We’ve already held the HR meetings with the rest of the staff—the older employees and those who weren't comfortable with our new 'environment' have already resigned."
You look at the paper. It is a golden cage, but the money is impossible to turn down. You sign it.
Yumi watches your hand move, a thin, satisfied smile playing on her lips. "I see you didn't read the fine print in the addendum, did you?" She leans in close, her silky kimono rustling. "The company no longer recognizes 'sexual harassment' as a policy violation. In fact, we flag the most eligible bachelors—like yourself—for special attention. It’s just like the corporate world used to be, only the roles have switched."
She stands, walking around the desk to trap you in your chair, her feet planted on either side of your legs. "You’re only getting this offer because you’re not bad looking, and we like to keep our staff... entertained. Of course, you are going to have weekly meetings with HR and be introduced to the female executive board."
Just then, the office door clicks open. Paige, your new manager, steps inside, her vibrant red hair catching the light. She watches the scene with a knowing, possessive smirk.
"Don't you agree, Paige?" Yumi asks, not looking away from you. "He’s going to be a very disciplined addition to your team, isn't he?"
Paige circles behind you, her presence overwhelming. "Oh, absolutely," she purrs, leaning over your shoulder. "I’ve been waiting a long time to start his evaluation. He’s exactly the kind of 'shy' project I was looking for."
Paige leans in so close that you can feel the warmth radiating from her, her eyes scanning you as if she's inspecting a piece of property. "Yumi already told me you signed," she whispers, a cruel smile touching her lips.
"But there are a few... physical requirements of your new role that we haven't discussed yet. Are you prepared to find out exactly what they are?"
Comments