Company policy - Ep. 2

Episode 1: https://www.patreon.com/posts/company-policy-115661954

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After some time

…

The meeting room was empty. Jenna stood, leaning against the long table, her fingers absently stroking the edge of a folder left behind by one of the shareholders. She couldn’t make herself leave right away, because the humiliation she had just endured at the meeting seemed to press down on her fragile shoulders.

She had to stand in front of the gathered shareholders, listening as one of them, with a deliberate smile, remarked:

— Nice to see that the company’s policy shows itself even in… the management team. I can see you, Miss White, have an excellent sense of style.

They knew. They all knew her from before. They had drunk expensive alcohol at the same table, laughed at stupid jokes, discussed deals on which she — back then still a he — had built her authority. But now. Laughter at the table. Winks. She felt her legs, trapped in tight stiletto pumps, trembling, and the narrow skirt kept her from moving even slightly.

She pressed her lips together, feeling how her breasts even made it hard to simply cross her arms. A gesture that once showed the cold confidence with which she dealt with people now only highlighted the neckline of her pink blouse.

The door creaked. Jenna quickly turned and saw a tall man of about thirty standing in the doorway, wearing a confident smile and moving with casual ease.

— You’re still here? — he said, his eyes sliding over Jenna. His gaze lingered on her figure a little longer than it should have, and a wide grin spread across his face, the kind that hinted he was about to say something sharp. And the grin proved itself. — Checking how smooth the surface of the table is? Careful, Miss White, the table might think you’re flirting with it.

He laughed as if he had tossed out a simple friendly joke. But when his eyes slid once more over her breasts and waist, Jenna felt her throat go dry.

— Very funny, — she cut coldly, but she felt something unpleasant stab in her chest under his gaze. He looked too directly. Almost the way she once did, though of course, she didn’t think of that now.

— Oh, forgive me, — the man raised his hands as if in defense. — I just wanted to lighten the mood. Alex Brandon. Executive Vice President.

— I know who you are! — Jenna hissed through her teeth, throwing him a look of disgust. This young upstart had taken her place. Or rather, Jason Whiteman’s place. Temporarily, as they told her, until the court’s ruling expired. But something told her that “temporarily” could easily turn into “forever” at some point, especially considering that this was the spoiled son of one of the main investors, Mr. Brandon Sr.

— You were introduced at the meeting, — Jenna added, her voice sounding cold, almost steely. — I know very well who you are.

Alex smiled slightly, as if her sharpness only amused him.

— Well, I just thought I’d make sure. Honestly, you impressed me today, — Alex said, not taking his eyes off her as he stepped closer.

Jenna instinctively took a step back and pressed her hip against the edge of the table. She felt the tight pencil skirt pull even harder around her thighs, making it impossible to move freely. A dull ache spread in her chest at the realization that she now looked exactly the way she once demanded her secretaries to look: a little tense, put on display.

— You’re too kind, Mr. Brandon, — she said dryly, taking a step toward the exit.

Alex smiled wider, blocking her way.

— Nobody told me anything about you. Maybe you’ll reveal the secret? — Alex said and stood right in front of the door, blocking her exit.

Jenna clenched her fists, feeling her nails dig into her palms.

— There’s nothing to tell about me, — she answered sharply, trying to keep her voice firm. — I… — she stumbled, as if the words stuck somewhere in her throat. It was still hard for her to say it out loud, but she had no choice. — Deputy Director of the Corporate Ethics Department. Jenna White. That’s enough.

Alex slowly raised his eyebrows, and at the corners of his lips appeared that very smirk that made her insides clench.

— White? — Richard paused meaningfully. — Hm. Sounds… familiar.

Jenna felt cold inside. Her palms grew sweaty, even though the room was cool. It seemed this guy had no idea who she really was and who she used to be, and apparently really took her for just another ambitious careerist who managed to climb up using smiles, stilettos, and low necklines.

— Step away from the door, — Jenna cut him off, straightening and gathering all the sternness she could into her voice.

Alex didn’t move. His eyes gleamed, his smile never left his face, as if he enjoyed her irritation.

— So cold… — he drawled, still smiling and keeping his eyes locked on hers.

Jenna drew a sharp breath, trying to keep her composure. But the feeling was strange: her breasts lifted, the blouse pulled tighter, and Alex noticed the movement. His gaze grew even bolder.

— I think you should step aside, Mr. Brandon, — she said evenly, though her legs in the tight stilettos were trembling, and the skirt wouldn’t let her take a confident step.

He only tilted his head slightly to the side, as if studying some curious exhibit.

— Maybe I will… but on one condition.

Jenna raised her chin, trying to look as authoritative as she once did in her former body. But the heels held her unsteadily, the skirt tightened around her thighs, and her breasts seemed to remind her of themselves with every move.

— A condition? — she threw coldly.

— Of course, — he pretended to think for a moment, then added in that same lazy tone that made something inside her twist: — I’m new here. My father invested plenty, but I only know the halls, the departments, and the people on the surface. And you, Miss White, judging by the way you carry yourself, know the company inside out. So here’s the deal — I want a tour. From you.

She frowned.

— We have HR, assistants. That’s their job.

Alex leaned forward a little, looming over her, his voice sounding almost lazy:

— You don’t seem to understand, Miss White. I want you to give me the tour.

Jenna felt a lump rising in her throat. “Fuck. The kid doesn’t even know who he’s talking to. If I were still Jason, I’d throw him out for that arrogance. But no… I definitely don’t want this prick finding out anything.” flashed in her head.

— That’s not part of my duties, — she cut off.

Alex chuckled quietly.

— Duties? Well… maybe. But you see, I’m good at making deals. You do understand who’s backing me, don’t you?

Those words hung in the air. She clenched her teeth. Of course she understood. Brandon Sr. was one of the key shareholders, his son would be allowed anything here.

— And if I, say, hint to my father that a representative of the Corporate Ethics Department is… let’s say, not too welcoming, hm, no, even better — that someone is getting in the way of me adapting… — Alex gave a slight shrug, — well, certain people might find themselves in trouble.

Damn, as if it wasn’t enough that he had taken her position. And now this! Jenna felt sweat breaking out on her temples.

— You’re an arrogant bastard, — Jenna hissed, but deep inside she already knew she had no way out.

— Arrogant bastard? — Alex laughed and stepped closer. Now his chest was almost touching hers. — Maybe. But I like to think I just know how to get what I want. So then, Miss White… will you show me around?

She bit her lip. Funny. I used to stand like this in front of women myself, boldly blocking their path and saying almost the same words. Now it’s being done to me. And I still have to play along.

— Fine, — she exhaled, feeling heat spread across her face. — A tour then. Tomorrow morning at nine.

Alex smirked with satisfaction and stepped a little aside, finally opening her way to the door.

— Perfect. I knew we’d come to an agreement, — he said, his voice dripping with smug ease.

Jenna was already reaching for the handle when she heard behind her:

— But it’s already late. You’re going home alone?

She spun around sharply.

— And why the hell do you care? — she asked coldly.

— It’s late already. Maybe I could give you a ride home?

She lifted her eyes quickly, but even a blind man would have noticed the shock written in them.

— A ride? — she repeated slowly, as if checking whether she had heard right.

Alex tilted his head slightly, smirking.

— What’s so strange about that? You look… tired. And those heels… — his gaze slid down, over her tightly wrapped legs in stockings and the thin pencil skirt. — I’m sure the way home in those must be pure torture.

Jenna felt her cheeks burn. “Torture” — no shit. Every damn minute in this outfit was already agony. But admit that to him? Never.

— Thank you, Mr. Brandon, — she said coldly, lifting her chin. — I can handle myself just fine.

— Mr. Brandon? — Alex smirked wider. — We’re almost friends already, Miss White. Friends go simpler. Alex.

— I don’t make a habit of making friends at work, — she cut him off.

— Then let’s start with exceptions, — he stepped closer, his hand almost brushing her elbow. — Tomorrow at nine, I’ll be waiting. And if you change your mind about the ride home — the offer stands.

Jenna yanked her arm free and darted to the door, stumbling dangerously on her stilettos. She caught her balance, straightened her shoulders, and threw over her shoulder, remembering how she used to do the same as he and later justify it in court:

— You’d better remember, Alex… — her eyes flicked to his smug smile. — There’s a law against men like you.

He chuckled softly, never taking his eyes off her.

— We’ll see.

The door slammed shut behind her.