Athena Corp Chronicles – Chapter 5 – Apotheosis

SIX MONTHS AFTER THE FALL

Beethoven’s fifth symphony echoed off the stone floor and ornate walls as Jacqueline strolled into the cavernous office of the president and CEO of Athena. It was a bit of deja vu for her, having walked into this environment so many times with music playing loudly over the room’s many speakers. In the old days she’d be carrying a drink, a meal or a message for Mr. Telos while opera blasted in the background. Classic symphony was somewhat different, but reminiscent. It seemed her old boss and Ms. Sins had at least one thing in common other than their sexual predilections.

Anastasia was focused on the monitor in front of her, typing away until she noticed Jacqueline approaching out of the corner of her eye. She looked up with a smile before bringing the orchestra to a stop with the press of a button.

“Sorry” she said as she set the remote down and rose from her seat. “I get lost in the music sometimes.”

The stunning blonde executive was garbed in a two-piece gray ensemble. The tailored jacket wrapped around her upper body neatly and opened at the center, showing off a generous amount of cleavage. The skirt clung to her just as tightly, cutting off just above her knees. A shiny silver wristwatch adorned her left hand and a matching necklace hung from above. Light poured in from the massive window behind the desk, causing her jewelry to shine brilliantly.

It was a nice change from the days when Mr. Telos kept the office sparsely decorated and shrouded in darkness. Now, instead of just the typical works of art and various collectibles, the room featured many plants and much more chic looking furniture. Truly, the peak of Mount Olympus had been salvaged by a woman’s touch. It felt more welcoming than intimidating.

“Oh, don’t apologize” Jacqueline replied with a wave of her hand. “I’m the same way during my lunch breaks.”

Jacqueline wore a white, one-piece dress that clung close to her thin body. It was accessorized only by a matching vest and heels. A single stripe of black wrapped around both cuffs of the top. A third stripe traced the outline of the vest, adding a single element of stark contrast to her otherwise snow white attire. Her brunette hair was tied back in a neat bun behind her head.

She strolled to a stop just before the desk and gave a slight bow to her superior. “President Sins.”

Anastasia raised a finger in protest, but Jacqueline quickly realized her error.

“I mean, Ana!”

Her smiled reappeared. “Hello, Jacqueline. Thanks for coming up early. I know we have the staff meeting later, but there’s something I wanted to discuss, just the two of us.” Anastasia motioned to the nearby armchairs before taking her own seat.

“I’m happy to be called upon any time” Jacqueline replied as she sat down. “What can I do for the head of Athena today?”

“You can consider a proposal. Some might call it an indecent one.”

“An indecent proposal?” Jacqueline asked with a chuckle. “You mean like the film? Oh, I loved that movie while I was growing up! Robert Redford!”

Anastasia put on her best fake smile. She knew the movie well and wasn’t particularly a fan. “Something like that. Though, I’m not looking to throw your life into turmoil.”

“I’m intrigued, but also a bit anxious. What is it you’re asking?”

“I’d just like to offer you an opportunity. You’re free to accept or pass on it completely. Refusing will in no way reflect poorly on your record with this company. I want you to understand that up front. But perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself. I need to ask you a few questions first.”

“Sure, go ahead.” Jacqueline leaned back in her chair, getting comfortable as she crossed her legs gracefully.

“You opted to take part in the substance XX trial, correct?”

“Yes. How could I resist after Dr. Hoffman’s sales pitch? I started it this week. Took my fifth dose this morning.”

“Excellent. Thanks for helping us with that! No ill side effects, I take it?”

“None that I’ve noticed.”

“Any changes to your mood since beginning it?”

Jacqueline pondered on the question briefly. Air whistled through her nostrils as she released a long breath. “I have found myself a little testy lately. I was short with my assistant yesterday. A little more randy than usual too, but that could just be my cycle. It’s about that time for me.”

“I’m sure Ida will be interested to hear that. Doesn’t sound like anything to worry about, though.”

“Yeah. I feel great, to be honest!”

“Good. Second question. How would you describe your relationship with Mr. Telos? Fill me in on what it was like working for him.”

“Oh-” She seemed taken aback by the question. “Well, Mr. Telos and I had a good working relationship. They were long days, but the pay was good and he was a fair boss. I learned a lot working for him.”

“Jacqueline…” Anastasia looked her directly in the eyes. The president’s twin beams of gleaming blue-gray burrowed deep. “You don’t need to be polite. I’m digging for the dirt, itself. If you’re leaving anything out, I’d like to hear it; warts and all.”

Jacqueline sighed. Her smile disappeared and her expression fell into bleak earnestness. “Half the time, he was fine. The other half, he was a real son of a bitch. Men love to say that we’re the emotional ones, but I had to suffer his temper whenever he was having a bad day. Me and a few of his other subordinates. Also, he had a few nicknames for me that I didn’t care for.”

“Nicknames?”

“Nothing overtly derogatory, but he was much too familiar. ‘Sunshine.’ ‘Beautiful.’ ‘Jackie.’ Inappropriate for a professional relationship.”

Ana jotted down a few notes on the pad in front of her. She would have to ask Jacqueline who those subordinates were, later. “I had a feeling that might be the case. I’ve had a fair amount of experience with Mr. Telos. Very different experience, mind you, but I’ve gotten to know him well.”

Jacqueline smiled. “I can imagine. I remember that day you came into the lobby with the others. You were the last one Mr. Telos saw before he called off the interviews.”

“Which brings me to my last question. You know what I did before this, right?”

“I’m no expert, but I believe you were part of a high class escort service. Judging by your outfits, it was one that specialized in domination? Although, I could be mistaken.”

“No, you’re right. I’m a dominatrix. Was then, still am. Always will be.”

“I thought so! There’s been a lot of rumors flying around the company ever since the announcement. I want you to know, I never fed into them. I kept what little I knew to myself.”

“I appreciate that. Though, in truth, I don’t care who knows. Most of the men probably see me as a domme just for taking over at Athena. They can’t help themselves.”

Jacqueline giggled and nodded in agreement. “It does seem that way.”

“Which brings me to the matter at hand. And I want you to stop me if this becomes uncomfortable for you at any point. The last thing I want is to be perceived as a creep like Telos.”

“Thank you” Jacqueline acknowledged with another nod.

Anastasia paused for a moment and clasped her hands together on the desk before speaking. “What if I told you that Mr. Telos has begun a long and very thorough program of rehabilitation; and during this process he’s encouraged to seek atonement from the women he’s wronged.”

Jacqueline’s eyes grew wide as Ana continued. Her eyebrows lifted as her interest was piqued.

“The most effective and often, gratifying, part of this program is to allow those women to correct his behavior directly. To punish him in a variety of ways, how they see fit. And if you were interested in taking part in this program, you would be compensated very generously, in addition to your base salary and the bonus you’re receiving for taking part in trial XX.”

“Oh my god!” Jacqueline’s palm flew to her chest and lay flat over her beating heart.

Anastasia’s head cocked as she maintained eye contact. She couldn’t quite tell if that was enthusiasm in Jacqueline’s voice or if she was getting ready to run for the door.

“Please, tell me more, right now!”

* * * * *

“Lock the door” Dr. Hoffman instructed Ian just as he was about to sit down. “I want privacy today.”

Ian turned on his heel and walked back to the entrance. He pushed the metal button at the center of the door’s handle, ensuring no one could barge into their meeting. When he returned to the desk and took a seat, his coffee was waiting on the coaster where he’d left it.

“Time for our daily regimen” Dr. Hoffman announced.

She set the orange pill down in front of Ian. He lifted it to his mouth and pushed it past his lips before taking a long sip of hot java and swallowing it down. As he did, Ida raised the purple capsule for him to see before inserting it in her mouth and imbibing deeply of her bottled water.

Being part of the trial had been concerning for Ian, at first, but any worries had been swept away over time as he got to know the fair doctor better. She was brilliant, exacting, charming and supremely confident. It was difficult not to admire her. When she informed him she’d be taking part in her own trial for the female substance, that put to bed any concerns he might’ve had about safety.

Ida smiled at him as she re-capped her drink. “Look at you! So agreeable now. Amenable after just six weeks. Do you even realize how much you’ve changed?”

“Was I insubordinate before?”

“Bordering on it” she said with a chuckle. “You wouldn’t do anything I asked without a huff and a grumble.”

It was hard to argue. Ian had found the entire situation ridiculous at first. Maybe it was ridiculous, but it no longer bothered him. Some mornings, after taking his dose, she would tell him to wash her car, fetch her breakfast and load him up with a dozen other tasks. Other days, she would tell him to go relax and do what he liked in the rec room as she worked diligently on Athena’s many new projects.

Over time, her assignments had grown more bizarre. Some of them felt like frivolous things college frat buddies would dare each other to do for shits and giggles. Recently, he’d been tasked with going and picking out lingerie. Ida had given him a size and told him to pick out something he liked.

“Yes, and not just obedient, more observant and diligent. You’re picking up on my cues” she stated with relish.

“Cues?” Ian looked puzzled.

“Earlier this week, I told you that solid colors looked good on you. Much nicer than those dreadful striped shirts you normally wear. You’ve worn a colored shirt each day for the last three days.”

Ian looked down at the glossy, silk, black dress shirt he was wearing. She was right. He’d responded to her suggestion intently and doing so had felt completely natural. But wasn’t that normal? Wanting to please your superior? And she certainly was superior in every conceivable way. A stunning beauty with a dizzying intellect and an endearing sense of fashion.

He’d found her punk rock aesthetic off-putting at first. Abnormal and ill fitting for an office environment. But at some point that had changed. Even now, somewhere in the depths of his mind, Ian could feel a light scratching; a whisper of protest. Some voice calling in vain for his attention, but it was completely overwhelmed by the new melody of order that had taken root in his mind. All chaos and discord had been banished. When his gaze lingered on Dr. Hoffman, a smile always followed.

“Let’s put it to the test” Ida said, opening a drawer at the side of her desk and removing the container with his medication. She opened it and extracted another orange capsule. The doctor held it up for him to see. “I bet you won’t even mind when I double your dose.”

Ian shrugged.