Good news, bad news

You suppose you should have known Jack will be there, but a fresh wave of humiliation still hits you at the sight of him. The fact Ms Stevens is naked right next to him only makes it worse; he did say he rather enjoys being her PA and it is no surprise. Ms Stevens nods back at your "Hello" and walks back to her desk and sits down, giving you a moment to take in the surroundings. The leather and wood are to be expected, you suppose, but still impressive and even her implement storage is from a different line (reserved, presumably, for the few ladies in the highest positions), even if the implements themselves are the same as far as you can tell. The coffee machine is to die for. Before you can take in the details on the painting on the wall (which also helps to continue to ignore Jack's existence), the naked woman in charge speaks again, making your attention snap back to her instantly.

"I wanted both of you to be here for a reason", she says and turns to address you more directly. "Jack is obviously my PA and I need to be able to rely on him in all matters. Jenna, on the other, hand...", she half-turns towards Jack, "... will hopefully be soon working in a position much closer to me. In short, I need the two of you to get along". You understand you are being told off, but it's really the words about a change in your position that are dancing in your head. Surely she means a promotion? You know you have the Rulebook and can control its power to achieve more or less anything, but the thought of having earned a raise and more responsibly (and, chances are, more humiliation) is still resonating very warmly in your mind. You have to twist yourself back to reality as she continues, however.

"This is why your encounter was so disappointing. I understand you have some history, but this was the perfect chance to start over. Jack, you could have found your acquaintance to express your support and offer to have a reunion after work. Instead you found her only to enjoy the view and gloat. Jenna, you could have remembered that the point of this policy is humility and shown some. Instead you were as sharp as you could without giving him a reason to punish you". The only bright side you can see now as your earlier euphoria is evaporating fast is that Jack looks as shocked as you feel at Ms Stevens knowing about your encounter at all, never mind being able to read the finer details. In any case, neither of you has much time to process the information.

"Jack, that's your bonus for the month gone", the naked woman in charge announces, leaving your once-rival looking even more shocked. "Bother Jenna or anyone else deliberately in that manner again and it will be a quarter. The third time will be dismissal. I hope that's clear". She once again turns to you, once again leaving Jack even more visibly distressed. He really must have not realised that one can lose clothes and gain a red bottom, but still keep very real power over him. You have your own worries right now, though. "Your punishment can be done with a more immediate effect, of course. The paddle on the right, please".

You move to get the implement, bracing yourself for what is coming. You are getting spanked in front of (or by, mostly likely) Jack after all... And it will probably be a severe one too, given Jack's punishment. To your surprise, however, you are not commanded to hand over the paddle just yet to either him or your naked boss. "Apologise to Jack for your reaction, Jenna", Ms Stevens says instead and you have to make an effort to hide your grimace. Maybe a straightforward spanking would have been better.