Series: Beneath her Notice

Beneath her Notice – Chapter 1 0 (0)

This entry is part 1 of 14 in the series Beneath her Notice

Chapter One: Beneath Her Notice

written by Anonymous author
 original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter One: Beneath Her Notice

By the time Elena Voss reached the thirty-eighth floor each morning, the building seemed to arrange itself in anticipation.

Conversations sharpened. Jackets were buttoned. Spines straightened behind glass walls. Elena demanded no ceremony; she considered ceremony a substitute for genuine authority. People prepared because disappointing her felt like discovering a flaw in themselves.

At forty-two, she was the youngest chief executive in the company’s history. The financial press described her as disciplined, exacting and unusually perceptive. It rarely mentioned the measured way she crossed a room, or how effortlessly attention followed her. Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 1 0 (0)“

Beneath her Notice – Chapter 2 0 (0)

This entry is part 2 of 14 in the series Beneath her Notice

## Chapter Two: The Point of Her Heel

written by Anonymous author
 original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter Two: The Point of Her Heel

Three days later, Adrian returned.
Elena wore ivory beneath a fitted black jacket. Her Louboutins were patent black, their pointed toes severe and their red soles visible whenever she crossed her legs.
“You’ve been thinking about what happened,” she said.
“Yes.”
“Mara’s heel—or the fact that you chose not to move?”
“The second.”
“I thought so.”
Elena approached until her shoes stopped before his. Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 2 0 (0)“

Beneath her Notice – Chapter 3 0 (0)

This entry is part 3 of 14 in the series Beneath her Notice

Chapter Three: The Secretary’s Discretion

written by Anonymous author
 original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter Three: The Secretary’s Discretion

Mara was told the truth the following afternoon.

The conversation lasted eleven minutes. Elena described the private arrangement without apology or embellishment. Adrian confirmed his agreement. Mara listened, asked three concise questions, and sat in thoughtful silence.

“You may decline,” Elena said.

Mara looked at Adrian, then at Elena’s Louboutins.

“I don’t believe I shall.” Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 3 0 (0)“

Beneath her Notice – Chapter 4 0 (0)

This entry is part 4 of 14 in the series Beneath her Notice

Chapter Four: Standing Orders

written by Anonymous author
 original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter Four: Standing Orders

Mara escalated carefully.

For the next meeting she chose the highest black patent stilettos in her wardrobe. Two directors lost the thread of their conversation when she crossed the outer office. Elena looked down at the shoes once.

“Ambitious.”

Mara took that as praise. Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 4 0 (0)“

Beneath her Notice – Chapter 5 0 (0)

This entry is part 5 of 14 in the series Beneath her Notice

Chapter Five: Divided Attention

written by Anonymous author
 original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter Five: Divided Attention

Their game soon became a competition for Adrian’s attention.

During a quiet meeting, Mara extended one pointed shoe beneath the gap. Adrian pressed his lips to the polished leather.

“So responsive,” she murmured.

Elena raised an eyebrow. “You sound surprised.”

“I’m learning.”

“Try not to become overconfident.” Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 5 0 (0)“

Beneath her Notice – Chapter 6 0 (0)

This entry is part 6 of 14 in the series Beneath her Notice

Chapter Six: Material Pressure

written by Anonymous author
 original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter Six: Material Pressure

The acquisition meeting revealed how serious Mara had become.

Two stilettos held Adrian simultaneously: Elena’s in his palm, Mara’s upon an extended finger. Their voices remained analytical while the pressure beneath the desk rose in precise increments.

Adrian’s breath shortened. Moisture gathered beneath his lashes.

Mara felt his involuntary movement through her heel and looked at Elena. Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 6 0 (0)“

Beneath her Notice – Chapter 7 0 (0)

This entry is part 7 of 14 in the series Beneath her Notice

Chapter Seven: The Balance of Power

written by Anonymous author
 original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter Seven: The Balance of Power

Mara arrived for the valuation meeting wearing red.

Not a red dress. She wore a fitted black suit over an ivory blouse, her hair swept to one side. The colour belonged entirely to her shoes.

They were red-suede Casadei Blade pumps, their severe pointed toes balanced upon the house’s signature chrome heels—slender metal blades catching the office light whenever Mara moved. Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 7 0 (0)“

Beneath her Notice – Chapter 8 0 (0)

This entry is part 8 of 14 in the series Beneath her Notice

Chapter Eight: Competing Interests

written by Anonymous author
 original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter Eight: Competing Interests

Mara dreamed about the meeting twice.

In one dream, Adrian surrendered immediately and victory left her dissatisfied. In the other, he endured indefinitely while Elena watched, composed and faintly amused.

Mara awoke before dawn with her heart beating hard.

It was Elena’s gaze that remained with her. Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 8 0 (0)“

Beneath her Notice – Chapter 9 0 (0)

This entry is part 9 of 14 in the series Beneath her Notice

Chapter Nine: After Hours

written by Anonymous author
 original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter Nine: After Hours

One evening, Mara worked long after Elena had left. Adrian emerged from a conference room with his jacket over one shoulder.

“Good night.”

“Adrian.”

He stopped.

Mara removed her glasses.

“Get under my desk. Now.” Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 9 0 (0)“

Beneath her Notice – Chapter 10 0 (0)

This entry is part 10 of 14 in the series Beneath her Notice

Chapter Ten: An Unscheduled Return

written by Anonymous author
 original source of the story was Submitted by a visitor

Chapter Ten: An Unscheduled Return

The lift chimed at eight fifteen.

Mara froze. Adrian was beneath her desk; Elena had left almost an hour earlier.

The chief executive appeared wearing her coat over her white dress.

“I forgot the Mannheim file.”

“It’s on my desk.” Continue reading “Beneath her Notice – Chapter 10 0 (0)“