Not quite

After about half an hour of pointless and quite frankly repetitive conversation Kennedy began to feel her friendly and reverent tone began to give way to a more aggressive stance. The fact she was finally getting used to her nudity and less concerned about going on the offensive with her nipples sticking out helped the balance tilt too.

"Look", she interrupted, when he started explaining the same thing about the bank's investment opportunity costs for the fourth time. "I get what you are saying and I do appreciate the favour in the one-off fee reduction, but you did not really give any reason as to why the situation this time is different and you cannot offer the usual commission for this amount? I mean, how has the transaction's nature changed so that 5% is the best you can offer? Sorry, I really cannot accept that". Only when she finished talking Kennedy realised she has said it all on one breath; she clearly was not feeling as brave as she tried to sound... And she suspected she was right to be afraid. The problem was, of course, she had ****. Whatever punishment Mr Markos could throw at her in this one meeting for the outburst would be nothing in comparison to the days- (or weeks-... or months-...) long stream of pain and humiliation she would get in her own workplace for failing to secure the right conditions. To achieve that, though, she needed to be forceful, even if it came at a cost. There would be a bonus for her in case of success too, but thinking of the pain to be avoided somehow felt more motivational.

The cost was quick to manifest itself, however. "That's no tone for a serious conversation, Kennedy", Mr Markos said gravely. "Get onto the table. On all fours". As the young woman awkwardly climbed up to take the undignified (but not really unexpected) position, he retrieved the paddle handed to him earlier. He walked to be behind her (Kennedy tried not to think how much he could see from there), but did not start using it immediately and spoke again instead. "You are right, though, that there is no point to go over the same thing again and again. If your head does not get it, perhaps your bottom will. Is 5% acceptable?"

"Sorry, n-noOWWWW!" Kennedy's polite refusal turned into a yelp as the paddle landed on her naked behind. She was ready for the second stroke so she managed to take it with only a small grunt. And the third. And the fourth. Then Mr Markos spoke again. "5%?", he asked, not hiding the amusement in his voice. "Sorry, no". This time Kennedy braced herself for the next stroke as she replied... And she was perfectly right to do so. The banker paddled her four more times, making her grunt louder with each renewed contact and repeated his question. "S-sorry... No..." The reply came harder this time. The paddle was a heavy one and even the (so far) limited number of strokes could be felt very vividly by the naked girl, who also could not help but think how many more would there be... And if she had any chance of outlasting Mr Markos. She knew she did not - at least if he took the task seriously. There was, however, the hope that for him the issue was less important and their previously amiable relationship would make him unwilling to go full out on her poor bottom.

Kennedy was yelping with every stroke by the fourth refusal and sobbing by the sixth, her vision already swimming with tears and her hope fading. "Just one more time", she told herself after the thirty-second stroke, but summoning the visions of being demoted and paraded nude around the office, lashed and humiliated helped her refuse the offer of 5% again... And again... And again... Even though the refusals very barely coherent at that point.

She really started to be convinced all this was for nothing and there is no way she could take any more when Mr Markos lowered the paddle after the fourty-eighth hit. The crying and shaking young woman did not even immediately detect that the pause between spanks has grown longer than normal... But a glimmer of hope reignited in her once she did. The banker let her catch her breath before he spoke again. "I must say I really admire your perseverance", he announced, looking up and down her shapely naked body. "I cannot just ignore such commitment and dedication. 4%, how about that?" He could barely believe his ears when the expected agreement did not come. "3 and a half" Kennedy said between sobs. The banker stared at her for an agonising moment... And to her immense relief (although her bottom was far from feeling any, not for a long while) roared with laughter. "Deal", he said.

***

"A bonus and a promotion? Wow, cheers to you, girlie, a good day's work!" Kennedy's best friend Anne saluted her with her glass. "I thought you said you'll go to that fancy seafood place to celebrate when you get it though?" Kennedy took a sip from her own glass looked around the biergarten. "They didn't have a table...", she replied. "... but to be honest, I would have preferred somewhere with more standing places for tonight anyway".