Free Gloria's Revenge by Nelle L'Amour Page B

let’s be sure it can be streamed live to stores around the world.”
    “Will do. I love you, Glorious.”
    “I love you too.” I ended the phone call and mentally picked out the black power suit and shoes I was going to wear today. Armor was what I really needed for the battle ahead.
    Before showering, I quickly checked my iPhone calendar. My breath hitched. I had one other major meeting in the afternoon. Fuck. How could I forget? Jaime Zander was coming by at two. Not only did I need armor to get through the day; I also needed a chastity belt. Unfortunately, that was the one item you’d never find in a Gloria’s Secret catalogue.

    The air in the office was thick with tension; a knife couldn’t cut through it. Glum-looking employees avoided eye contact with me as I passed through the halls to my office. I held my head high and greeted them with casual hellos as if it were just another normal day at work.
    To my surprise, Vivien was already at her desk. She never came in before me. Never. When I asked her once, “What time do you aim for?”, Miss Bitchy and Entitled replied, “You’re lucky I even show up.” She had no appreciation for the first-hand executive training I was giving her. Absolutely none.
    Even more surprising, Vivien seemed to be in a very cheerful mood. A wide toothy smile spread across her face when I bid her “good morning.”
    “Can I get you a coffee?” she asked sweetly.
    My brows jumped up. That was a first. I always had to ask her several times to fetch me a coffee, and when she finally acquiesced, it was always accompanied by resentful pout. Most of the time, it was just easier to get the coffee myself.
    “Thanks,” I replied. “I’d really appreciate that.”
    She stood up from her desk, and for the first time, I could see her entire ensemble. Surprise again. She was dressed for success in a chic little black suit that was not that dissimilar from mine. She was wearing sheer black stockings, black suede pumps, and a red velvet headband that held back her inky mane.
    “I’ll be right back.” Her feline eyes twinkled.
    As she stepped away, I marveled at this all new and improved Vivien. Had she finally turned a corner?
    I strode into my office and, once seated at my desk, turned on my computer. My stomach churned. Just as I’d expected, there was a slew of inquiring e-mails in my inbox—seven hundred and fifty-three new messages to be exact. My heart pounded. I felt anxious and overwhelmed. I took a long deep breath to steel myself. On the exhale, I shouted, “Fuck it!” I wasn’t going to open or respond to any of them…except Kevin’s confirming the company-wide meeting in the theater at eleven.
    Five minutes later, Vivien was in my office with my coffee. She placed the steaming mug on a coaster on my desk. A quick peek told me she’d prepared it just the way I liked it with a lot cream.
    I took a sip. The aromatic brew wafted up my nose as the hot smooth liquid traveled down my throat. I thanked Vivien again and took another sip.
    “Gloria, I just want to apologize for my behavior lately.”
    I almost spit out my coffee. An apology? This was not the Vivien I knew and despised.
    She continued, her raspy voice soft and sincere. “I know you’ve been under a lot of stress, and I should have been more sensitive to it.”
    “Yes, that’s true.”
    “I know you’re super busy today with the stock crisis and all, but I was wondering if you could meet me for a drink at The Ivy right after work. I’d like to have a conversation with you about my future here and bettering our relationship.”
    I lowered my mug to my desk and mulled over her words. I was perplexed by her sudden change in both attitude and attire. One thing I was sure about was that if I didn’t choose to meet with her, Daddy would know about it. I just didn’t need more of Victor Holden in my life.
    “Please. It would mean a lot to me, Gloria.” The corners of her pink gloss-coated lips curled up into