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pickheartwhetstoneRox ate her lunch quietly at her desk like she always did. She didn't join any of her coworkers in the lunchroom. Didn't go out to grab a bite. She kept her lunches basic and simple so she didn't have to heat them up. She avoided everyone in her office as much as possible. However it didn't stop her coworkers from harassing her when they could. She tried to be invisible, but with Nyx in her life... There had been changes.
"Hey, Ms. Pickheart," came a voice above her. Indra. Generally pleasant, hard working, a little too curious, but very shy. Could've actually been a friend, but she got picked up and taken under the wing of the woman next to her. Hayley. Gossip, entitled, smart and had the education and looks to back it up. Generally just mean and a little vindictive. Particularly toward Rox. She hated that an immigrant worked in their office.
"Pickheart," came Hayley's saccharine sweet voice. "What's with the high necks lately?"
Rox said nothing. She just chewed quietly.
"I hadn't noticed," Indra said with honest curiosity. "Not until Hayley pointed it out. You usually wear simple blouses to work, but you haven't worn them in a while."
"No way you just have been too lazy to wash them," Hayley said with a sneer in her voice, though the smile was pleasant enough. "You have a pattern. Don't think I haven't noticed. Black on Monday, blue on Tuesday, rose on Wednesday, beige on Thursday and pale green on Fridays." Rox had to admit she was a touch impressed by Hayley's spot on innocuous observation. Too bad she didn't use those skills more effectively.
Rox took another bite of her sandwich. Hayley continued. "But for over a month now it's been nothing but black high neck shirts." She leaned over the edge of the cubicle. "Pickheart, do you have something to hide?"
Indra's eyebrows shot up. "Like a new tattoo?" she asked with breathy excitement.
Hayley rolled her eyes. "No, you sweet goof, though I guess that's possible. I was thinking Pickheart here got herself a boyfriend and was covering up love marks."
Rox's light leaf eyes shot toward Hayley. Damn. Thankfully, the pair were virtually ignoring her at the moment.
"Really? Ms. Pickheart doesn't talk to anyone and seems to go straight home after work. I didn't think she did dating," Indra said. Ouch. "I thought a tattoo was already pretty rebellious, but dating seems out of character."
Hayley's sugar sweet smile doted on Indra and she patted the younger woman's cheek. "Give it some time and you'll recognize the well-sexed glow."
Rox stopped mid-bite. Hayley caught Rox's sudden stillness and grinned downright fiendishly with delight. "That's it, isn't it? A boyfriend and apparently some fan-fucking-tastic sex. Enough of it and regularly enough that you have to keep wearing high collars to cover up the hickeys and love marks."
Indra's eyes widened as she turned to a slightly blushing Rox. She gasped. "Oh, Six! Hayley's right? Congrats, Ms. Pickheart, I'm so happy for you! He must be amazing if you can't seem to get rid of the marks he leaves on you before he adds more."
"Amazing enough that you've been smiling more than you usually do," Hayley said. Rox's gaze lifted to the sharp, pale blue. Hayley wasn't smiling anymore. She turned to Indra. "Indra honey, could you run to the lunchroom and get us some tea. No bubbly to give Pickheart a hearty cheers, but tea is good enough."
"Of course!" Indra said before she hurried off.
Hayley turned back to Rox after the younger woman was gone. "He's noticed, Pickheart. I don't like you, never have, likely never will, but I'm not blind or stupid. I know you get all the shit jobs and you get all the blame, but I've seen how hard you work and how well. Could a Lucian do your job, fuck yes, but I'll give credit where it's due. But I'm not the only one who's noticed the high necks and the well-fucked smile you don't even notice you're wearing. You're trying to keep your head down like usual, but you're a creature of habit, and when you deviate, everyone notices. Your hair is looser, not so tight a bun, you've got little braids in your hair, you're wearing colored gloss, you smile all the time, and you've worn the same thing to work for over a month now."
Well, at least Rox had her pegged for being good at observing. "Why are you warning me?" It was probably the first thing she'd ever said to Hayley since they'd started working together.
Hayley blinked for a moment, as if surprised that Rox had spoken at all. Then she snorted, and was over it. "Just because I don't like you doesn't mean I don't see what's going on. Everyone looks the other way because we want to keep our jobs, but everyone knows the shredder is full of your sexual harassment reports. He has it out for you, but I can't help but be a little impressed how long you've kept him from going too far. Or firing you."
Rox's eyebrows shot up and she tilted her head to the side ruefully. It certainly hadn't been easy. The right placed threats had done a lot of heavy lifting. In the end, he was more coward than threat.
"But he's noticed. And probably drawn the same conclusions. He's pissed," Hayley said. "When men are pissed they forget to be scared."
Now that was a fair warning. Rox figured that at some point her boss would go too far and she'd defend herself and her job would be over, but she thought she could grit her teeth and bear it a little longer. But with Nyx now in her life... Well, she had less patience for being abused, and she wasn't going to feel bad or guilty for feeling good.
The shockingly frank consideration from someone who hated her did need to be rewarded. She and Hayley would never be friends. But immigrant or not, Hayley clearly did support women, even if that included Rox.
"Wanna see a picture?" Rox offered quietly.
Hayley blinked in surprised. "Picture?" Her perfect pert mouth fell open a little. "Of your beau?"
Rox nodded.
"Fucking yes. Load him up, Pickheart. I need another reason to hate you," Hayley said.
Rox smiled a little at that.
"What'd I miss," said Indra as she arrived just in time with three mugs of tea. She looked over to Rox as she handed Hayley hers. "I didn't know how you liked it, Ms. Pickheart, so I did the same for you as I did for Hayley and I. Honey and lemon."
"Thank you," Rox said quietly. Indra started and then beamed a smile at Rox that could've outshone the sun. She was a good girl. Too bad this job would ruin her. Like how it had likely ruined Hayley.
"Good timing, Indra sweetie," Hayley said as she blew gently on her tea. "Pickheart was about to show us her boyfriiiiend~"
Indra's mouth dropped open and she looked at Rox for confirmation. Rox found herself smiling some more. Dammit, Nyx. You've somehow made me the subject of far too much attention at work. And, apparently, made Rox want to show off his sexy self to people who'd appreciate his damn hotness.
She tapped the phone screen and loaded up her photos. Most of the photos were of her girls, taken by her or given to her by Prompto, but she had a few of Nyx. Some with him as selfies, and at least a couple where he'd been too delicious not to take a photo of for posterity. She picked the one where he'd been fresh out of the shower, shirtless, and redoing one of his braids with his arms over his head so he could tie off the end. He'd looked good enough to eat and her mouth and lady bits watered just looking at the photo.
She showed the pair of women leaning against her cubicle the photo. She took a sip of her tea.
"Sweet fucking Six," Hayley hissed.
"O-oh," Indra said softly, fanning herself with her free hand.
Hayley glared at Rox. "This. This cake is what you've got stashed at home? No way." Rox moved her phone back, swiped a couple of photos over and showed them a selfie of her and Nyx. Him shirtless, again (look she liked taking pictures of him sans shirt), and her wearing the missing shirt. "Sweet Six," Hayley breathed and Indra moved closer to look.
Indra chuckled and tapped the phone with her nail. "Oh, yeah, those are a lot of hickeys."
Rox blushed and pulled her phone back. "Now you know why I covered them up," she said quietly. Indra giggled some more.
"Jealous," Hayley said as she took a sip of her tea. She glanced at the clock blaring its bright red digits on the wall. "Lunch is just about over. Good luck with your cake, Pickheart. Tell him to maybe try and avoid your neck for a bit so you can change up your work attire some, hm?"
Rox tried not to chuckle as Hayley sauntered off. Indra lingered a moment. Her smile was gone and concern etched her features. "Hey, uh, Ms. Pickheart. Hayley means well, but there's a good chance the whole office will know you've got a really sexy boyfriend soon. So, um. Be careful, okay?" Then she hurried off to follow Hayley.
Rox watched her with some surprise. Fuck. Everyone in the office clearly knew about the abuse she took from their manager. And not a one said a word about it to protect themselves. She didn't blame them, but it made her feel angry, feel alone. She supposed it was a miracle that Hayley, of all people, felt the need to warn her. That or she'd seen or heard some shit that came out of Narses' mouth. Albertus Narses. It had been ten years give or take. She'd been moved away from his department, and he'd found his way to become manager of hers.
And he'd made her work life a living hell.
She looked down at the picture of her and Nyx. She'd never told anyone that her "ex" was her boss now, and that he was a bitter fuck who still tried to crawl between her legs as if she'd ever give him the opportunity after he'd backstabbed her. She knew his type. Because she was an immigrant, he felt like it was a privilege for her to be fucked by him. That she should want to suck his dick because he was her 'better.' All she'd done over the years was pretend he didn't exist until he forced himself into her sphere one way or another. He'd harassed her verbally, abused her with excess work, reprimands, denial of 'privileges' (like days off), and claimed he had a right to do anything to her as per her work contract.
Every time he called her into his office, she filled out a sexual harassment report. And every time she turned it in, she'd watch silently as he shredded it.
And apparently, everyone fucking knew about it.
"Hey, Ms. Pickheart," came a voice above her. Indra. Generally pleasant, hard working, a little too curious, but very shy. Could've actually been a friend, but she got picked up and taken under the wing of the woman next to her. Hayley. Gossip, entitled, smart and had the education and looks to back it up. Generally just mean and a little vindictive. Particularly toward Rox. She hated that an immigrant worked in their office.
"Pickheart," came Hayley's saccharine sweet voice. "What's with the high necks lately?"
Rox said nothing. She just chewed quietly.
"I hadn't noticed," Indra said with honest curiosity. "Not until Hayley pointed it out. You usually wear simple blouses to work, but you haven't worn them in a while."
"No way you just have been too lazy to wash them," Hayley said with a sneer in her voice, though the smile was pleasant enough. "You have a pattern. Don't think I haven't noticed. Black on Monday, blue on Tuesday, rose on Wednesday, beige on Thursday and pale green on Fridays." Rox had to admit she was a touch impressed by Hayley's spot on innocuous observation. Too bad she didn't use those skills more effectively.
Rox took another bite of her sandwich. Hayley continued. "But for over a month now it's been nothing but black high neck shirts." She leaned over the edge of the cubicle. "Pickheart, do you have something to hide?"
Indra's eyebrows shot up. "Like a new tattoo?" she asked with breathy excitement.
Hayley rolled her eyes. "No, you sweet goof, though I guess that's possible. I was thinking Pickheart here got herself a boyfriend and was covering up love marks."
Rox's light leaf eyes shot toward Hayley. Damn. Thankfully, the pair were virtually ignoring her at the moment.
"Really? Ms. Pickheart doesn't talk to anyone and seems to go straight home after work. I didn't think she did dating," Indra said. Ouch. "I thought a tattoo was already pretty rebellious, but dating seems out of character."
Hayley's sugar sweet smile doted on Indra and she patted the younger woman's cheek. "Give it some time and you'll recognize the well-sexed glow."
Rox stopped mid-bite. Hayley caught Rox's sudden stillness and grinned downright fiendishly with delight. "That's it, isn't it? A boyfriend and apparently some fan-fucking-tastic sex. Enough of it and regularly enough that you have to keep wearing high collars to cover up the hickeys and love marks."
Indra's eyes widened as she turned to a slightly blushing Rox. She gasped. "Oh, Six! Hayley's right? Congrats, Ms. Pickheart, I'm so happy for you! He must be amazing if you can't seem to get rid of the marks he leaves on you before he adds more."
"Amazing enough that you've been smiling more than you usually do," Hayley said. Rox's gaze lifted to the sharp, pale blue. Hayley wasn't smiling anymore. She turned to Indra. "Indra honey, could you run to the lunchroom and get us some tea. No bubbly to give Pickheart a hearty cheers, but tea is good enough."
"Of course!" Indra said before she hurried off.
Hayley turned back to Rox after the younger woman was gone. "He's noticed, Pickheart. I don't like you, never have, likely never will, but I'm not blind or stupid. I know you get all the shit jobs and you get all the blame, but I've seen how hard you work and how well. Could a Lucian do your job, fuck yes, but I'll give credit where it's due. But I'm not the only one who's noticed the high necks and the well-fucked smile you don't even notice you're wearing. You're trying to keep your head down like usual, but you're a creature of habit, and when you deviate, everyone notices. Your hair is looser, not so tight a bun, you've got little braids in your hair, you're wearing colored gloss, you smile all the time, and you've worn the same thing to work for over a month now."
Well, at least Rox had her pegged for being good at observing. "Why are you warning me?" It was probably the first thing she'd ever said to Hayley since they'd started working together.
Hayley blinked for a moment, as if surprised that Rox had spoken at all. Then she snorted, and was over it. "Just because I don't like you doesn't mean I don't see what's going on. Everyone looks the other way because we want to keep our jobs, but everyone knows the shredder is full of your sexual harassment reports. He has it out for you, but I can't help but be a little impressed how long you've kept him from going too far. Or firing you."
Rox's eyebrows shot up and she tilted her head to the side ruefully. It certainly hadn't been easy. The right placed threats had done a lot of heavy lifting. In the end, he was more coward than threat.
"But he's noticed. And probably drawn the same conclusions. He's pissed," Hayley said. "When men are pissed they forget to be scared."
Now that was a fair warning. Rox figured that at some point her boss would go too far and she'd defend herself and her job would be over, but she thought she could grit her teeth and bear it a little longer. But with Nyx now in her life... Well, she had less patience for being abused, and she wasn't going to feel bad or guilty for feeling good.
The shockingly frank consideration from someone who hated her did need to be rewarded. She and Hayley would never be friends. But immigrant or not, Hayley clearly did support women, even if that included Rox.
"Wanna see a picture?" Rox offered quietly.
Hayley blinked in surprised. "Picture?" Her perfect pert mouth fell open a little. "Of your beau?"
Rox nodded.
"Fucking yes. Load him up, Pickheart. I need another reason to hate you," Hayley said.
Rox smiled a little at that.
"What'd I miss," said Indra as she arrived just in time with three mugs of tea. She looked over to Rox as she handed Hayley hers. "I didn't know how you liked it, Ms. Pickheart, so I did the same for you as I did for Hayley and I. Honey and lemon."
"Thank you," Rox said quietly. Indra started and then beamed a smile at Rox that could've outshone the sun. She was a good girl. Too bad this job would ruin her. Like how it had likely ruined Hayley.
"Good timing, Indra sweetie," Hayley said as she blew gently on her tea. "Pickheart was about to show us her boyfriiiiend~"
Indra's mouth dropped open and she looked at Rox for confirmation. Rox found herself smiling some more. Dammit, Nyx. You've somehow made me the subject of far too much attention at work. And, apparently, made Rox want to show off his sexy self to people who'd appreciate his damn hotness.
She tapped the phone screen and loaded up her photos. Most of the photos were of her girls, taken by her or given to her by Prompto, but she had a few of Nyx. Some with him as selfies, and at least a couple where he'd been too delicious not to take a photo of for posterity. She picked the one where he'd been fresh out of the shower, shirtless, and redoing one of his braids with his arms over his head so he could tie off the end. He'd looked good enough to eat and her mouth and lady bits watered just looking at the photo.
She showed the pair of women leaning against her cubicle the photo. She took a sip of her tea.
"Sweet fucking Six," Hayley hissed.
"O-oh," Indra said softly, fanning herself with her free hand.
Hayley glared at Rox. "This. This cake is what you've got stashed at home? No way." Rox moved her phone back, swiped a couple of photos over and showed them a selfie of her and Nyx. Him shirtless, again (look she liked taking pictures of him sans shirt), and her wearing the missing shirt. "Sweet Six," Hayley breathed and Indra moved closer to look.
Indra chuckled and tapped the phone with her nail. "Oh, yeah, those are a lot of hickeys."
Rox blushed and pulled her phone back. "Now you know why I covered them up," she said quietly. Indra giggled some more.
"Jealous," Hayley said as she took a sip of her tea. She glanced at the clock blaring its bright red digits on the wall. "Lunch is just about over. Good luck with your cake, Pickheart. Tell him to maybe try and avoid your neck for a bit so you can change up your work attire some, hm?"
Rox tried not to chuckle as Hayley sauntered off. Indra lingered a moment. Her smile was gone and concern etched her features. "Hey, uh, Ms. Pickheart. Hayley means well, but there's a good chance the whole office will know you've got a really sexy boyfriend soon. So, um. Be careful, okay?" Then she hurried off to follow Hayley.
Rox watched her with some surprise. Fuck. Everyone in the office clearly knew about the abuse she took from their manager. And not a one said a word about it to protect themselves. She didn't blame them, but it made her feel angry, feel alone. She supposed it was a miracle that Hayley, of all people, felt the need to warn her. That or she'd seen or heard some shit that came out of Narses' mouth. Albertus Narses. It had been ten years give or take. She'd been moved away from his department, and he'd found his way to become manager of hers.
And he'd made her work life a living hell.
She looked down at the picture of her and Nyx. She'd never told anyone that her "ex" was her boss now, and that he was a bitter fuck who still tried to crawl between her legs as if she'd ever give him the opportunity after he'd backstabbed her. She knew his type. Because she was an immigrant, he felt like it was a privilege for her to be fucked by him. That she should want to suck his dick because he was her 'better.' All she'd done over the years was pretend he didn't exist until he forced himself into her sphere one way or another. He'd harassed her verbally, abused her with excess work, reprimands, denial of 'privileges' (like days off), and claimed he had a right to do anything to her as per her work contract.
Every time he called her into his office, she filled out a sexual harassment report. And every time she turned it in, she'd watch silently as he shredded it.
And apparently, everyone fucking knew about it.
A Week Later
Date: 2024-06-03 10:12 pm (UTC)She knew what to expect. She just had to gauge how angry he was that she'd let someone other than him have her. She still didn't understand his obsession or his possessiveness. He had mocked her, had been cruel to her after they had shared a nice evening and a bed. What the hell had he expected? Apparently that she'd grovel or something because he was 'better' than her.
He quickly found that to be untrue. He'd betrayed her. She no longer gave him the time of day.
That didn't stop him from demanding it though. Like now. There was no reason she should he here now.
"Do you know why I called you in here, Ms. Pickheart?" Narses asked from his desk.
Yes, Rox thought. "No, sir," Rox said in her most monotone voice.
"Several of these reports have been done incorrectly. You will have to redo them." He got up from his chair.
Rox knew there was nothing wrong with her reports. They were always accurate and pristine. But there was no point in arguing. She learned that a long time ago. "Yes, sir."
"We also have to discuss appropriate attire for work, Ms. Pickheart," he said.
"I'm sorry, sir. I believe my clothing follows regulations," Rox said, still staring straight ahead even as he approached.
"Followed," he 'corrected.' "New regulations have been handed down from the higher ups. Women in your position must wear heels, professional skirts to the knees, blouses. And black is only to be used for shoes, skirt and jacket. Lighter colors are preferred for the blouses."
"Preferred, sir? Not mandatory?"
"In your case, I assume it is mandatory. Refugees don't get the same privilege as native Lucians," Narses said as he moved in close. "You're all covered up, Rox," he breathed near her ear. "What are you trying to hide?"
"Nothing, sir," Rox said flatly. She didn't bother to correct him with 'Ms. Pickheart.' The last time she'd done that he'd docked her pay as a reprimand for insubordination. When she claimed harassment, he'd thrown her claim in the trash. She could practically feel the heat of his rage.
And she damn well didn't care. She thought of Nyx and had to restrain the urge to smile.
"I believe you're lying, Pickheart," he said, a sneer in his voice. "You're lucky you have a job here in the Citadel, feculence. You should be scrubbing toilets in the Lower City with the rest of your kind."
Rox kept her mouth shut. He was only getting started and none of this was new for him. She tuned him out.
"You've forgotten that you owe me for you keeping your job, and you honestly haven't done a good job of keeping me happy with your work. It's lazy, uninspired, badly done, and you should've been fired ages ago." All bull shit, Rox knew, because half the time she saw her own work presented under Narses' name or someone else's name, so they could take credit for her work. Last time in had been Indra. Hayley, if Rox recalled, had stopped her from correcting Narses about it.
"But I'm nothing if not magnanimous," Narses continued. "So take off your shirt so I can make sure you're not hiding any company secrets in your bra."
"No," Rox said flatly. She wasn't entirely surprised. This wasn't the first time he'd tried to demand that she take off her clothes. There was a reason there was a pile of shredded scraps that made up every sexual harassment claim.
"Rox, look," he said, his voice more cajoling, softer, lacking his usual contemptuous edge. It was the voice he'd used on her before she discovered the kind of slime he was. "You're wearing suspicious clothing, and have been for a while, I need to make sure you're not stealing trade secrets. It's just protocol."
"It's a violation of my rights, sir. It's just a high necked shirt. I'll adjust to the new dress code." Which she knew was probably utter bullshit he just made up.
"Don't make me force you to take it off," Narses warned.
"Sir, with all due respect, you couldn't make me do anything."
That, apparently, hit him right where it hurt. She Rox wasn't looking at him directly, she didn't see his handsome face flush with rage, but she did catch him reaching for her breasts. The moment one made barely made contact, Rox moved in a flash. Her arm moved up to knock his hands and arms away, she dropped to the ground and kicked his feet out from under him and when he hit the floor, she grabbed one of his arms and twisted it behind him.
"Do you dare fucking touch me," Rox hissed.
"Fuck you! I'm going to have arrested for assault! Get off me, you bitch! Feculence! Tedus!" he called to his secretary, just as Rox began to get off of him. "Call the police now!"
There was some mayhem and lots of yelling before the police arrived. The officers looked at the very still, stoic Rox, in military at attention stance, with caution. As the head officer approached her, she lifted her hand which held her phone.
She pressed play.
The entire conversation had been recorded. Rox had stopped coming into his office without a recording device ages ago. She had evidence for years of abuse. Narses appeared like he would explode, similar to a tomato in a microwave, while some of the police officers gave him a look of disgust as they left. The lead officer remained.
"Ma'am, you should submit a sexual harassment report to your superior."
Rox stared at him. "He is my superior, sir."
The cop shifted in place. "Do you need an escort home, ma'am?" he asked her.
Rox smiled briefly. "No officer. I believe I will head out on my own. Apparently, I'm not up to dresscode anyway."
The officer frowned, remembering that part of the conversation. This wasn't his jurisdiction. He couldn't arrest people for being shitty bosses. Nor could he arrest them for attempted rape if charges weren't pressed, and he knew why she wouldn't press them. They both knew.
"I'll escort you to your vehicle then." Rox nodded in agreement with that. She knew one of the cops had been a lady, and when she'd heard everything on the phone, she'd been the first to storm out. Rox would bet most of her savings that the woman had told every curious coworker what had happened in order to protect her job. It wasn't much, but it was something.
"Thank you, officer," Rox said and walked out with him, the cop making sure his body was between her and Narses.
Things at work would not get any easier for her after this, no. But it was a win. Hopefully, Narses would leave her alone for a while, and deal with his hate in private as she started wearing blouses again so they could all see the hickeys Nyx left on her.
Maybe she'd crash at Nyx's for a nap before she went home. She needed to breathe in the scent of him to settle her nerves. He made her feel daring, and she'd dared quite a bit today. But Narses had gotten handsy, and she refused to let that man touch her.