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[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter II - 4

Even knowing what to expect, I was still quite baffled when we arrived and when Andy and Christian showed me my new home.
It was a flat in the attic of their house that they had actually fit out as a holiday apartment for the many tourists that visit our region for hiking or wine tasting and such.
I had seen it once when they had started that project, but never after it had been finished.
It was lovely and perfect, simply said.
And it felt like home from the moment I moved over the doorstep.
At first, when they had told me about their plans during one of their visits in prison, I wanted to decline that offer that I felt was too generous.
Such a flat is a very nice source for earning some pocket money during the holiday season (which is actually 10 months a year).
But I was quickly convinced when Andy said:
“Look, dear. You have the alternative to be either homeless, or to move to your parents...or to take the flat.
And of course you're going to pay your rent as soon as you can. Which is something you'd do anyway, right?”
There wasn't much for me to argue, really.
And even though I knew that I would feel like being in their debt even more, I also knew they would never give me that feeling, ever.
Simply because they wouldn't feel like it.
“Welcome Home”, Andy now simply said when she carefully shoved me through the door.
“What do you say?”
“Thank you!” I said.
“This is even more beautiful than I had hoped for!”
“Very well”, Christian commented from the back.
“You'll find everything you need. There's some food in the fridge, the clothes you wanted to keep are in the bedroom, and everything else is stored as we discussed.”
“Thank you”, I said again. “Thank you both! I don't know what to say, really!”
Andy cradled me softly:
“Nothing”, she said, “We're going to leave you alone now, so you can settle in peace and make yourself familiar.”
“But we'd love if you would join us for dinner”, Christian completed, and before I could say anything against it, he continued:
“There's some boar left from the last hunt. There will be steaks!”
His knowing grinning was as irresistible as having some fantastic food in prospect.
I grinned back.
“You come down when you're ready. We'll eat at around 8.”

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter II - 5

So, yeah… I settled in.
It didn't take me too long to do the unpacking of the few things I had with me and to check where the rest of my few belongings were stored.
And the next move was what I had been dreaming of for a year.
Andy had warned me that the bathroom of the flat would be tiny, knowing that I actually have a fable for spacious rooms.
But I couldn't care less, really!
It was a bathroom.
With a door.
With a tub.
With unlimited supply of hot water.
For me alone.
It was heaven!
And when I had showered off the layers of dust that I felt would still cover my skin, I plunged in the warmth of the water and enjoyed how my muscles started to relax, eventually.
It wasn't my body alone, though, that relaxed. It was my mind as well.
It was a relief from that never-ending feeling of being controlled and observed and limited; from the mental stress this caused.
A stress that eventually creeps into every fibre of your being.
For the first time in 12 months, I felt as if I'd be in my own body again. As if it was ... actually me.
And for the first time in 12 months, I touched myself, and it didn't feel like touching a complete stranger.

NOTE from tanuno: Have you seen the little yellow duck? ... That duck gives me a bad feeling, I see it everywhere, I even think it's a spy from a competing forum.​

.

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter II - 6

Step one was made.
I felt clean and refreshed and calm after the extensive session in the bathroom.
A tremendously enjoyable feeling, really.
Step two was a coffee that deserved the name.
Step three would be to break out of the bad habit that I had grown accustomed to.
Yeah, smoking was one of the “team-building-events” of that place. And you either join, or you stand aside.
I'm usually not much of a “pack animal”, really.
But, as scared as I was of literally everything in the beginning, I decided against my health.
It just felt safer to me.
And it was a good way to get in contact to your inmates:
Having something in common, even if it was only a bad habit.
However, I knew I would manage to get rid of it; Latest once I re-started my workout routine, which would be step four.
But for now, I enjoyed that particular kind of reassurance I got from sucking at burning dried leaves that were rolled in a tiny piece of paper.
Steps five and further,...
Here's where things started to get a bit more complicated.
I wouldn't get around writing it down in detail.
First, I had to care about my debts.
Christian had a proposal, that would help with that. And I knew he would want to talk about it during the dinner that evening.
We had already talked about it during his visits.
I was torn, to say the least.
And I was curious to learn what new arguments he might have that might convince me to take the offer.
After that,...
I had to decide the actual path I wanted to take in my future life.
My general way of being, if you will.
There was that part of me that was thirsting for revenge. There was another part of me that was worried to where this would lead me.
There was a part of me that wanted my old life back as it had been.
And there was that part of me that was questioning that old life in its entirety.
In the end, that way of living had led me to where I was now, right?
Yes, I had been fooled and betrayed.
But still, I had made decisions that allowed the betrayal.
It wasn't only my blind trust in someone who didn't deserve it.
It was also my excitement.
The excitement of working so incredibly successfully. Of mindlessly growing a business superfast to make money to no end.
To afford...things.
Things of no real value.
Mostly.
My thoughts cruised around “the house” for some moments. Like they did regularly.
I had lost it, of course, with the crash of the company and when its leftovers had been sold.
But in my mind it was still “my house”. Not ours.
Mine.
I had found it. I was fallen in love with it.
Not only that, but I had made the decision to actually buy it.
And a very strong part of me wanted it back.
I've said it would be complicated, haven't I?
Though, I was at least down-to-earth enough to know that this wouldn't have priority for now.
First things first!
Get a job.
Get body and mind back on track.
Get a plan to pay the debts.
...and build up from there.
Oh, and first and foremost: Get ready to enjoy a great dinner!

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter II - 7

Do you know that?
You chew on something endlessly, to no avail.
And all of a sudden, and without that you would know where it came from, you have a moment of perfect clarity and the answer to your question is just there?
I had this moment when I was flipping through the pretty manageable leftovers of my wardrobe, to decide what to wear for dinner.
It was all perfectly obvious.
I would take the opportunity that Christian had proposed to me.
Totally clear!
He had a client, and if you followed the tale so far, you may be able to guess her name already:
Estrid Voll.
I knew the name.
Everyone in our small town, who doesn't live hidden under a rock, knows the name.
She was, let's say, a business-woman.
Working in a field that many would call at least “shady”, or a “grey-zone”...
But nothing she did or was involved in was illegal.
As her lawyer, Christian knew that better than anyone.
She was about to start a big project.
A huge one, as Christian said.
And she was looking for someone with my talents to manage it.
My dear friend had already talked to her about me, and she was actually interested in getting to know me.
She obviously knew my name, as “my story” had been good for a few headlines in the local news.
And she, and I am using a quote here: Gave a shit.
So, why should I?
I would meet her, and then we would see!

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter II - 8

So, that's how I found myself on my way to meet Estrid Voll a couple of days later.
I felt...euphoric.
Like, how you feel when you know that you'll open a new chapter in your life.
A significant chapter.
There was no doubt that I had many steps to go.
But, I was convinced that this next one would be a major one.
It would change things.
I had no clue, though, about how immense the changes would be!

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter III - 1


It was a long walk, that I still enjoyed a lot,
and about 15 minutes before my appointment, I reached the building where Estrid had her office.
It was a new building that had gone through the press since they had started to plan it.
Its name was “Eco Tower” and what they had planned for it was the experimental use of new materials and new technologies. And it should demonstrate that modern architecture was able to build in a way that even a tall building could have a neutral or even negative emissions-balance.
Good idea, actually.
Ambitious, definitely.
The planning had started almost 10 years ago, and then the typical German tragedy started:
Problems with building application, building permission, building planning, building funding, build schedule, refinancing, problems with material, with craftsmen, with the unions, changes in politics... and then start again from the beginning.
To this day, the build isn't fully completed, but at the time when I had my first meeting with Estrid, it was progressed far enough that most parts of it could be used.
However, the entrance was still a provisorium, that missed almost everything that you'd expect for such a building.
Things like doorbells, mailboxes, signboards and such.
The company that should deliver the parts had gone bankrupt on the way, and the builders hadn't found new ones yet.
And so I was greeted by two security guys that did this job.
“Oh, yes, you've been announced, Mrs Stoffels”, one of them politely welcomed me, when I said my name and contact person.
“You're a bit early, but I'm sure you can wait inside Mrs Voll's office.”
He smiled a smile that looked a bit too knowing to me.
But maybe I was just biased.
Or maybe not, because the other guy had almost the same smile on his else quite friendly face.
“It's the door that you can see over there.”
“Thank you”, I said and felt a tiny bit uncomfortable, when I moved between them through the entry.

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter III - 2

There was no bell for the office door either. Only a card-reader that wasn't connected yet.
So, I used the good old knocking and when I got a cheerful “Please come in,we're ready to buy!” as a reply I opened the unlocked door.
The girl that greeted me with a bright smile was...in one word: Stunning.
(I let you judge, folks).
She looked as fresh as a soft rain in Spring, even though she must have had a long working day already.
(Oh, forgot to mention: It was almost 9PM.)
And her brilliant eyes sparkled pleasure and friendliness, when she welcomed me.
“Oh, hello, Mrs Stoffels!”
I couldn't help but to feel a bit older, being greeted that formal by the young girl.
“I'm Vic! Mrs Voll's assistant. Remember me? We talked on the phone!”
Yes, I remembered her voice. Of course.
From when I had made my appointment.
And already during that call I had been completely taken by her happy and kind spirit that yet didn't lack professionalism at all.
She leaped from her seat, and jeez was she tall!
Even in my high-heels I had to look up to her!
Okay, I'm not the tallest one, really, but still!
And now I also got a full impression of her outfit!
It was...special, to say the least.
Like it could have been the result of some joint-venture between the set-designers of Barbarella and StarTrek!
I could imagine that this outfit would be illegal in numerous countries around the globe.
Pretty sure it was in some states in the US!
“Of course I remember, Vic”, I answered, trying to be similarly friendly, “nice to meet you in person!”
“Wonderful”, she continued to cheer me up with her pure loveliness.
“Please, have a seat, Mrs Stoffels! Estrid is still in a call, but I'm sure she'll be there for you any moment!”
So, I took a seat, and from down there, Vic looked even more impressive!
Unreal, almost.
“Can I get you something to drink, Mrs Stoffels?” Vic asked solicitously, “A coffee, maybe, or a mineral water?”
I was a bit nervous, just as you should be if you're about to join an interview, and I didn't want to stress my bladder. And if at all, I had rather preferred a glass of wine.
So, I friendly said no to the offer.
“I'm good, Vic, thank you.”
She wasn't irritated by a bit, and just kept on.
“Beautiful”, she said, “You'll excuse me then, please, I have a few things to care about. But I'm sure Estrid will show up any second now!”
She walked back to her desk, and I had the chance to admire her graceful, almost balletic moves, while I started to recollect my inner index for the interview one last time.

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter III - 3

And there she was!
Not much more than a minute after Vic was back at her desk, the doors to the neighbour-office slid open.
Et Voilà!
Estrid Voll, in person.
And how there she was!
I had not found much about herself when I made the researches for my preparation, as she most obviously didn't give too much personal information to the public.
Only a very brief biography on the company's web-page and a few grainy photos that looked quite old, and like scanned analogues.
Already from these pictures, though, her presence was literally tangible.
Having her in front of me, for real, in person, was another thing!
She was tall, really tall.
And for a split second I had some silly weird Gulliver's Island association.
She was build like a decathlete, and her simple and casual outfit showed to great advantage!
The only extravagancy were her endlessly high heels in red, of which even I – being quite indifferent to fashion – knew that their value would be good to reduce my debts by 5% easily.
And all that impressiveness came with an amazing aura of self-confidence and awareness that took up the surrounding space in no time.
She looked at me with a slightly amused smile.
She knew exactly what impression she made.
And you know what?
I liked her in an instant!
I immediately knew that I wanted to work with that woman!
And you know why?
Because she was someone who knew what she wanted, precisely. And there wouldn't be any talking around.
Because she was someone who was made to materialize great visions.
Because she had the power and the will, the patience and the persistency to do so.
And, because nothing in all her amazingly strong attitude felt intimidating, not even in the slightest!
Not even that look in her face that seemed to say
"Oh sweetheart,...I'm going to eat you up. Slowly and delightfully. And you're going to enjoy and love it!"

​

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter III - 4

Her entrance didn't fail to leave an impression that lasted long enough for me to almost startle up from the sofa, when my brain eventually started to work again.
“Mrs Voll”, I started stepping towards her, “I'm very pleased to meet you!”
She took the hand that reached out to her in a firm and warm and irritatingly pleasant grip.
“Estrid”, she replied with a brighter smile.
“Let's skip the formalities, shall we? You call me Estrid and I call you whatever you want, okay?”
After working with the still pretty conservative automotive industry, it felt a bit unfitting to call my potential future boss by her first name.
But this new business that I was applying for, was most obviously different, with different....traditions.
And she wasn't that much older than I. At least from the looks. Because an official date of birth was nowhere to be found.
So, yeah, why not?
“Hanna will do it”, I smiled back. And I knew it was one of my crooked smiles(tm) that happens to me a lot when I'm not in control of a situation.
“Excellent, Hanna!” She accentuated my name, in a way.
Yeah, in a way.
It felt intimate, almost a bit seducing how she said it with her alto voice that so perfectly matched her appearance.
“I hope you found your way here without too much trouble! And I really appreciate you could make it so late!”
Still with my hand in hers, I remembered how happy I had been to be able to make an appointment long after what had been closure time for me for one year.
“Thank you, Estrid”, I managed to assemble a more taking smile,” I had a week to map the path. And I consider it a luxury to have a flexible schedule.”
It took only the blink of an eye until she got the message and answered it with an even brighter smile.
She didn't comment to it any further, though.
“Excellent”, she said again, instead.
“And security did treat you well? The guys are new and a bit clumsy at times!”
She paused for one moment and didn't wait for an answer before she continued:
“I actually hate this building, seriously! Nothing works. We have the noise from the workmen all day. And we still can't use all the space I've paid for!
I'd move to another place rather today than tomorrow!”
I could feel how bothered she was, but still she kept her friendly and relaxed habit. And I was happy that I managed to spare me a “Rome wasn't built in a day" - truism.
“But that's something to talk about later”, she reminded herself why I was actually here.
“Let's get over the interview, so we can eventually start to work, shall we?”
She loosed her grip around my hand.
“But first, I want to introduce you to someone!”
And with that, she gently shoved me through the door to her office.

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter III - 5

So, here was the first surprise of this meeting.
Not the last one, though.
A guy in an expensively looking black suit and a quite shabby looking t-shirt lifted from one of the chairs, when we entered the room.
He made a step towards us and then waited for us to approach.
“May I introduce you to Edouard”, Estrid started the introduction,” He's my art director and if things go according to plan you both are going to work together closely. And I hope you don't mind that I invited him to the interview.”
Alright, I thought.
It wasn't unusual to invite future colleagues to an interview. So, that was okay, even if I had preferred to know it beforehand.
But I was surprised about the information that I was supposed to work with an art-director!
“Not at all”, I politely replied. And I mean: What other option did I have?
I tried to check him out in a quick glance, while Estrid moved me closer.
He wasn't unattractive.
He seemed to be older than he appeared at first sight. And he apparently tried to support that first impression with his choice of outfits and hair-style.
His dark shaded glasses were a bit irritating, if not ridiculously out of date.
But maybe he had sensitive eyes.
And even through the dark glasses, his bright eyes and their attentive look were unmissable.
There was no doubt that I was being checked too, and I started to question my choice of clothing just as well.

“And this is Hanna, dear”, Estrid continued to him, with her hands on our shoulders, when we finally reached hand-shake-proximity.
”She's going to safe you from another financial disaster if she accepts our offer.”
She snickered cheerfully, and Edouard took my hand.
“Edouard”, he started with a really deep look into my eyes.
One of those 'I'm looking for your inner-self'-glances, you know?
“Edouard Clayderman!” His voice was as smooth as the fabric of his tailored suit.
“A great pleasure to meet you, Hanna”, he continued softly, with a slight hint of a French accent.
“And yes, I am a distant cousin,” he finished, and I was a bit surprised that I immediately knew what he was referring to.
And I was a bit more surprised about myself that I didn't jump over that stick:
“Hanna Stoffels”, I answered as neutral as I could while standing his x-ray vision. The decision if I would like him or not had to wait a little longer.
“Nice to meet you, Edouard! What cousin you're referring to, though?”
Estrid burst into laughter, while Edouard was confused enough to switch off his rays.
“How wonderful!” She friendly patted my back.
“You two will get along just perfectly!”
“Now let's get down to business, sweethearts. I really want to bring this off!” She wrapped that interesting intro up.
“Why don't you make yourself comfortable and take a seat? I'll ask Vic to get us some water to sooth the dry matter.”

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter III - 6

A minute or two later, we were nicely arranged around Estrid's desk.
Vic had served some water. By pushing the button of a remote, Estrid had dimmed the lights in the room to a very comfortable level.
The glasses of the windows and even the sliding-door went opaque and started to emit some soft light!
Apparently some new technologies in the building did work.
I had taken off my jacket, because it was
a) too warm else and
b)…
What was I thinking when I decided for that thing, really!?
And why did I bother now?
That was weird!
Those of you who know me, are very well aware of my relation to fashion.
Which is – for those who don't know me – not existent.
I am usually able to dress appropriately, I also know how to dress totally inappropriately on purpose.
But that's it.
I just don't bother much about my outfits.
So, why now?
Of course, I had developed a solid inferiority complex after all that had happened.
Andy was already looking for a colleague of hers that I would meet to work on that (and a few other things regarding my mental health, that needed some remodelling).
But was that also being transferred to my “business-mode”?
Did I even start to feel inferior, because I was in company of these people?
Because of my outfit?
How wonderful!
'What a perfect condition for a job-interview, really!' I was able to think before Estrid took her place opposite to us.
Edouard had decided to sit next to me, on the second visitor chair.
And it was quite next to me. A bit too next, for my personal taste.
But I had no time to think about it, because Estrid opened the session without further hesitation.
“Okay, Hanna”, she said quietly with a very, very reassuring smile into my direction.
She was actually so focused upon me, that she seemed to completely ignore Edouard's presence.
And so did I!
“I'm going to be open to you”, she continued,” and that's a promise, also for the future. You're going to like that, and sometimes you won't.”
She made a very effective little break to let that sink.
“And I tell you that I neither like this kind of dancing around each-other in job-interviews, nor am I good at it.”
Alright?
“So, I lay it on the line!”
Okay?
“You are here because you want to work for me. We are in the adult movie business. And you don't care. And I invited you, because I want you to work for me.”
So, she really passed on all the advantages she had on her side, and I managed to mumble a
“Thank you!”
“Just like you”, she continued ignoring this,” I've done my homework for this meeting. So, I know your skills, I know where you're good at, I know about the quite stunning things you've achieved for your clients. And I know how you've been fucked up really hardly by that little asshole!”
Of course, she knew about all of that, latest after Christian had talked to her about me.
But still it was quite impressing hearing it from her that way, and I had some difficulties to maintain my professional job-interview smiling.
“You've paid for your…”, her smile became warmer and brighter at once”, sins, Hanna.”
“And aside from your obviously great education and qualification, that's exactly why I want you!”
And now she looked at me like a very loving mother is looking at her child that had misbehaved.
“You are not going to make the same mistakes again, are you?” She concluded and made a break, that obviously wanted to give me a chance to reply.
“Thank you!” I said again. A bit more convincingly this time.
“And no, I won't make the same mistakes again! And I am going to be honest with you, as well.”
Her opening had completely ruined all concept I've had for this meeting, so I had to re-organize, …and spontaneously decided to just use this:
“I'm out of my concept now…”, I continue consequently and she silently and smilingly commented it with a
“oh, you better get used to that!”
“...so, just like you, I'm just going to skip the traditions and start with the part where I am telling you about all the things where I have no expertise.”
Of course, she knew where I was going to. And that's how she looked at me. But she also indicated to go ahead.
“I like movies a lot, overall. And if they don't insult my intelligence too much, I also enjoy adult films, occasionally. I actually really like your “fair-fuck”- division quite a lot and am a subscriber there. I'm also somewhat interested in art…”, I made a little break to give the upcoming “but” a bit more room to breathe.
And she took that break to form a silent “I know!” with her lips …
which as smooth as it was, hit me like a hammer!
She knew about my once secret hobby?
How great!
No time to reflect on that now, though.
“...but...erm...but...”
“But you are in the dark about film-making, right?” She was nice enough to complete that sentence for me.
“You have no clue of it. And that is absolutely perfect!”
Okay?
“I have enough people around me that a perfectly capable of caring about the artsy fartsy stuff. I'm being an art-fart myself, with just enough business brain to keep things running. But what I need is someone who isn't going to be distracted by that! I want you to manage a new project. And I want you to focus on timelines, schedules, contracts, budgets. Not on set-design or illumination and all that shit, alright?”
“Alright”, I squeezed in.
“Oh, you're going to learn enough about making movies, of course. Just enough to get a better understanding of its business needs. And we're going to take time for that, because we're not in a hurry….but….”
She took a deep breath. Were we nearing a climax?
“This new project”, she continued after that short interruption.
“It is phenomenally huge. And the risks that come with it are of appropriate size. This project could change our business, completely. We could become movie-making history. Or we could be ruined at the end.”
Oh, that was a situation I was already used to…
“And this project is still a secret. Only a very few people know about it, including my investors. So, …”
She pointed at a blue plastic folder that was placed in front of me.
“…there you'll find the contract we've set up for you. You read it, then you decide and sign, or not. And then you'll learn more about the project details…or not.”
She smiled her beautifully warm smile.
“And if it helps your decision. The contract was set up by our common friend Christian.”

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter III - 7

“Okay”, I said and opened the folder.
The document inside was only two pages, where the second page was already half used for all the signatures.
Not much to read, really.
Which is actually a good sign.
And I focused on the key-points,...and I felt how my eyes got wider and how my jaw dropped, literally.
I stopped at the number behind “annual compensation” and looked up, stunned, and right at Estrid's widely smiling face.
“Whom do I have to sell my soul to get this job? Or is it the heart of my firstborn that I'd have to offer?”
Estrid burst in laughter, but quickly calmed down to a very satisfied grin:
“I take this as a yes, right?”
“Hell Yes!!” I said, heard a silent “bravo” coming from Edouard,
and had no idea, what I just signed for.

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter III - 8

As if he had waited for his prompt, Edouard pulled a stylo out of his jacket and handed it to me.
That thing had the weight of a small hammer and felt expensive, or rather sumptuous in my hand.
'maybe you can keep it if you sign with it', my inner devilkin tried to make me giggle.
But thankfully I kept my countenance, cleared my throat and looked up to Estrid.
“It's a 99% yes,” I started, trying to read anything from her imperturbable smile,” But if you don't mind, I would want to read that again, before I sign.”
An “Aha,” came from Edouard's direction, and as if on command he lifted from his seat.
“That's very wise, Hanna”, he said.
I was a bit surprised by this move, and almost didn't notice that Estrid left her chair as well.
“So, why don't you take all the time you need for your decision”, he continued, ”and we're going to leave you alone meanwhile?”
Estrid had moved around the desk.
“Great idea”, she said,” We don't want you to feel any pressure.”
And with an even brighter smile, she added:
“...and I had probably fired you instantly if you hadn't asked for this second read!”
“We're next door, having a chat with Vic”, Edouard concluded, while their hands laid heavily reassuring on my shoulders.
“And you let us know once you're done.”
And with that I was alone in the room.
The first I did was taking a large sip from my water.
Not because I was that thirsty, but rather because I was … excited
And then I started to read that contract.
Again.
And again.
And again.
It was as simple as a contract could be.
I even recognized Christian's particular style of straightforward formulation.
It was clear information only. No fine-printing. No secret ink.
It was that clear information though that had taken my breath away.
It started with the position I was applying for, which was
“Head of Program Management”.
That meant I would lead a department!
The program had the working title “Evo”.
What was that? A short for evolution?
Interesting!

My direct report would be Estrid Voll (CEO)
Well, second in line isn't the worst place to start in a company, right?
Details of my responsibilities and targets would be discussed, agreed, and signed off in a separate meeting and documented accordingly.
My work time would be flexible.
So, I was allowed to work as much as I wanted, as long as I got my stuff done.
And that was it for page one, except for the compensation.
Which was … dramatic!
The six-digit number seemed to blur in my sight, so I had to squint to make sure I read correctly.
It was high enough to get rid of my debts about 10 times faster than I had ever hoped for.
It was combined with an annual bonus based on personal performance and business results.
Followed by a statement that the new program was not expected to make any profits in the first 3 to 5 years.
Still, an annual incentive raise between 3 and 7% was guaranteed.
Not unusual, but nice, really.
I was also offered a company car, if I wanted.
And the usual conditions regarding vacation days.
So, who was I not to sign this?
And there was a lot of room to do that on the second page.
Under a paragraph with a brief and clear formulation of my confidentiality obligation.
And, the contract was already signed.
By Estrid and someone from HR.
That was unusual, I thought.
Not that I had signed for too many jobs in the past, but all of them had my signature first.
I found that to be a quite special sign of … confidence.
Something between 5 and 10 minutes I spent reading through this often enough to know it by heart.
Not a difficult task, really.
For another 5 minutes or so, the tip of the pen hovered over the empty slot that waited for my signature.
And then I took a very deep breath,
and then it was done.

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter III - 9

...well the night does funny things inside a gal,
these old stray cat feelings you don't ever fall...

Oops!
...or rather:
Oh! Fuck!
- End of Chapter III -

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter IV - 1

For a moment - that was rather very short even for my standards - I had a flight-reflex, in the very moment I was fully awake and realized where I was and with whom and what had happened the night before.
But then, I remembered where I was and with whom and what had happened the night before.
It might be useful for you to know that I'm not a person that regrets things she did.
Not much, and not often, that is.
And here I was, a mature woman, with a mature man after a night of very mature things happening.
(Yes, I deliberately avoid words like "sex" or "fucking" or "making love" here and call it "things" because it had been an exciting mixture of it all!)
And here I was, as close as it gets to Edouards' beautifully warm body, in his firm but gentle arm's hold.
And I didn't want to get away from him at all.
I just paused and enjoyed.
How he felt, how my skin reacted to his, his very, very muted snoring that I knew was about to end very soon.
I enjoyed the memory that I carried deep within me. How I was still feeling him; very distinctively, I have to say, and it made me smile.
Goddess, I even enjoyed and loved his smell!
Yes, I was in the total opposite of a flight-reflex!

​

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Chapter IV - 2

Just a few moments later, my reflections were interrupted when Edouard woke up with one last muted grunt.
He lifted his head just a little, cautiously opened his eyes to a small slit as if he'd expect a blinding brightness, looked at me and smiled.
A bit tiredly, but warm … and happy.
«Mon Dieu, pendant un moment, j'ai eu peur que cene soit qu'un rêve merveilleux!»
He said, and it took me a moment to switch back to French.
«Bonjour, ma déesse!» he continued.
I snuggled up to him a little closer and replied :
«Bonjour, mon prince et bienvenue dans la réalité ! »
His hand on my back seemed to get even warmer :
«That was how it started last night, right?» he stated, « Quand tu as commencé à me parler en français!»
I chuckled softly because I had a flashback of «A Fish Called Wanda»
«Vraiment?»
«No» he contradicted himself, »It actually started...»
His hand gently stroked my back and sent warm shivers down my spine, right into my center of gravity.
« ...it actually started when I first saw you. But your enchantingly sexy German accent switched off the last bit of my resistance!»
I can't remember the reason I had used a language that I am not really fluent in anymore, but I remember the moment quite well.
We, Estrid, Vic, Edouard and I, had celebrated my signature in a sweet little club.
With more drinks than I was used to having, and with music that at some point dragged us all to the small dance floor.
And I'm not a big dancer either.
I mean,... I actually love to dance, but I always thought what I do would rather be something like a rhythmic fidgeting, so I only do that in public when I have more drinks than I am used to...
And of course a slow song popped up. And of course I was close to Edouard.
And when we smoothed across the floor I leaned against him, and it just happened that I said :
«Je vraiment apprécie cette soirée!»
I had his hands in my back at that moment, just a little above my butt. And they had stopped their little movements with which they had led me through the... «dance».
And at that moment we both had known how this night would end.

 

[tanuno]

[LmAnt] - What if? - Bonus

Quo Vadis Mini Me?

​

Dreamteam?

Teaser One

​

 

[tanuno]

[chimaera] Happy campers

It's time to stop playing with the dams and bring the new cattle into the barn.

 

[tanuno]

[Phorus] Natural roses have stems with thorns.
(Text by me)

 

[tanuno]

[cotinusa] After Hours

When the bars and clubs let out, the slavers go to work. Tonight was an excellent haul. Once they've gone through processing these good time girls will be on their way to a very different kind of party...	The merchandise has to move fast, before anyone comes looking. With a little encouragement, the girls are more than willing to show off their assets for a hungry audience on the dark web.
There's always time for some R&R before bidding closes. For the merchandise, it's a good introduction to what they can expect in their new lives.	With all items sold, it's time to say goodbye. The slavers have made a tidy profit, and the girls are shipping out to 12 lucky owners to begin their lifelong careers in service.