Nellie's Past I

The office door closed with a soft click behind her, shutting out the hum of the busy building. Nellie, 18 years old, fresh out of high school, stood in the sleek, modern room, her heart pounding as she took in the minimalist decor, the glass walls offering a panoramic view of Fujin, the technological heart of Mammopolis, and the man who sat behind the large, polished desk.

Lucian Kaine, CEO of LactiTech, looked up from his holo, his sharp eyes locking onto Nellie’s with an intensity that made her feel as though he could see straight through her. Beside him stood Elise, his female-shaped android secretary, so poised and perfect as only an android could be. Elise’s presence only heightened Nellie’s nerves, but she steeled herself. This was her chance—she couldn’t afford to falter.

“Miss Hargrave,” Lucian said, his voice smooth and commanding. “Please, take a seat.”

Nellie nodded, her legs feeling slightly unsteady as she moved to the chair opposite his desk. The silence in the room was palpable, broken only by the soft rustle of her skirt as she sat down. Lucian’s gaze remained fixed on her, assessing, appraising, and somehow, Nellie felt as if he already knew everything about her.

“We have a lot to discuss,” Lucian began, leaning back in his chair, his fingers steepled together. “But first, I need you to remove your blouse and bra.”

The request, so bluntly delivered, caught Nellie off guard, but she quickly masked her surprise. She had heard of the rigorous assessments for Dairy Queen positions, and she wasn’t about to let a little discomfort stand in her way. Her fingers moved to the buttons of her blouse, and she began to unfasten them one by one.

As she did, Lucian’s gaze never wavered. He watched her with a mixture of clinical interest and something else, something deeper that Nellie couldn’t quite place. When the last button was undone, she slipped the blouse from her shoulders, letting it fall into her lap. Then, with a deep breath, she reached behind her to unclasp her bra.

Elise stepped forward, the expression on her facial plate unreadable, as she held out her hand. She must have cost a fortune, Nellie thought, because her movements didn't make a noise, like with most androids. Nellie handed the bra to her, trying to ignore the rush of vulnerability that washed over her. Elise, with practiced precision, turned and handed the bra to Lucian.

Lucian took the garment, his fingers brushing over the material as he examined it. He looked up at Nellie, his eyes flicking briefly to her now-bare chest before returning to her face. “You’re quite something, Miss Hargrave,” he said quietly, his tone almost reverent. “Your measurements are impressive, to say the least.”

Nellie felt a flush rise to her cheeks, but she didn’t look away. There was something about the way he said it, as though he were speaking to her potential, to the ambition that had driven her to this moment.

“Tell me, Nellie,” Lucian continued, his voice softening, “what drives you? What brings a girl like you to a place like this?”

Nellie hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But there was something about Lucian, something in his voice that compelled her to answer. “I’ve always been… average,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. “I grew up in a place where being average wasn’t enough. It didn’t matter how hard I tried, I was never the best at anything. But then… then I grew.”

Lucian nodded, as if he had expected this answer. “You’ve felt overshadowed, haven’t you? Always striving, always pushing yourself, but never quite getting there. And now, you’ve found something that sets you apart—your body.”

Nellie swallowed hard, the truth of his words cutting through her like a blade. He was right. She had always been driven by a need to prove herself, to show the world that she was more than just average. And now, here was this man, this powerful, commanding figure, seeing right through her, acknowledging her struggles, and offering her a way out.

“LactiTech isn’t just any dairy company,” Lucian continued, his voice low and persuasive. “We’re on the brink of something revolutionary. We’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and I believe you, Nellie, could be a part of that. I can see it in you—the ambition, the drive. You want more than just an ordinary life. You want to excel.”

Nellie felt her heart race as his words sank in. He was offering her exactly what she had always wanted—a chance to be more, to rise above the mediocrity that had always held her back. But it was more than that. There was something in Lucian’s voice, something in the way he looked at her, that made her believe he could help her achieve it.

“You’re different, Nellie,” Lucian said, leaning forward slightly, his eyes boring into hers. “I see potential in you that others might overlook. You’re not just another Dairy Queen—you’re something special. And with us, you can become even more.”

Nellie’s breath caught in her throat. This was what she had been waiting for, what she had always dreamed of—someone who saw her for who she really was, someone who believed in her potential.

“Are you ready to join us, Nellie?” Lucian asked, his voice soft but commanding. “Are you ready to be part of something extraordinary?”

Nellie looked at him, her mind racing with the possibilities. She could feel the weight of the decision pressing down on her, but there was only one answer she could give. She had come this far—she couldn’t turn back now.

“Yes,” she said. “I’m ready.”