“Can you believe they let her work here?” Becky whispered, furtively sneaking a glance at the cashier.

“I know. It’s sad. Girls like that should be working the counter of Sephora, not here,” I replied, grimacing as I snuck a look at the girl, before looking back at the wall of fragrances.

The cashier stood out like a sore thumb in the store. Emory’s Custom Fragrances was the most glamorous store in Pineview Mall. Its fragrances were crafted from only the finest scents the eccentric owner could get his hands on, and the price reflected that, well outside the range any barista or waitress could afford. The makeup was similarly pricey, having no artificial dyes or preservatives, each handcrafted by Emory in the back rooms of his store.

It was not the kind of store that employed goth chicks. The cashier’s crude midnight black dye job and nosering clashed with the marble displays and patrons of the store. She wore a band t-shirt with a plunging neckline and blue jeans with a dark belt that hugged her curvy body. Dark lipstick and mascara adorned her face, which seemed to be occupied by a permanent frown

“God. I know Emory doesn’t have a uniform, but she has to be violating a dress code or something,” Becky whispered. “And like, hello? Smile much?”

I nodded. “I take back what I said. Sephora wouldn’t hire someone like her. At best, she should be working at Hot Topic.”

I glanced around the store and searched desperately for another employee who could cash us out, but none could be found. “Looks like we are stuck with her, let's just check out and get out of here, I don’t feel like having an extended shopping spree here today,” I growled, picking up the fragrance I came to buy and making my way to the counter where the new girl was, looking at her phone.

Becky followed behind me, our heels clacking on the tile floor of the store. The cashier perked up, hearing the approaching footsteps, watching us approach without even attempting to give a customer service smile.

“Did you ladies find everything alright today?” She muttered as I put the perfume on the counter, barely making eye contact, before taking the bottle tag and ringing me up for the purchase.

“Alright is probably pushing it,” I replied grumpily, crossing my arms.

The cashier’s head lifted, looking me in the eyes. “I’m sorry to hear that, Ma’am. Here at Emory’s, we strive for excellence. What can we do to improve your experience?” she asked, clearly reciting some script Emory had given her.

I rolled my eyes. “I’d prefer to talk about it with Emory privately,” I said.

The cashier glared at me. “I’m more than capable of relaying a message to Mr. Emory for you.”

I didn’t bother to stifle a pained laugh. “Says the clerk who can’t even follow a dress code. Just ring me up, Miss… Cleo.” I said, reading the girl's name tag, which was loosely hanging from her shirt. 

“I don’t see anything wrong with my clothes,” the cashier countered, face growing red, and her frown turning to a scowl. “And there isn’t a dress code in our store, but I’ll be sure to let him know about your issue. Can I have a name for the complaint, please?”

“Michelle Deveraux. I’m sure Mr. Emory has told you about me. I’ve been supporting this establishment since it opened,” I said matter-of-factly with a smirk.

“He neglected to mention you, but I’ll make sure your message gets to him,” she replied before aggressively clicking on the register. “Your total is 350 dollars.”

I took my purse and quickly found my wallet, pulling it out. “You don’t have to worry about giving the message to him. I’ll do it myself when I see him. I’d recommend looking for new work in the meantime. I have a feeling your employment at this establishment will be short. Perhaps the Spencers’ gifts on the first floor is hiring?” I continued as I handed my card to her.

The cashier aggressively snatched it from my hand and swiped it. “I doubt Mr. Emory is going to fire me over this, so I’d suggest getting used to seeing me.”

Again, I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. “Sure bitch, I bet you’d like that,” I said as I snatched my receipt and card from her.

“Bitch?!” Cleo exclaimed, her pale skin turning red as a tomato. “How about you go…” she said, trailing off before her angry face swiftly changed to a grin that seemed quite threatening. 

“Actually, Ma’am, Mr. Emory and I have been working on a new fragrance, and for the poor service today I’d like you to sample it,” Cleo said, quickly grabbing an unlabelled bottle from the counter. Before I could say anything, the cashier sprayed the liquid onto my face.

“What the fuck!” I screamed before coughing as the foul smell of the perfume hit my nostrils. Whatever this was, it clearly wasn’t up to standard, as I felt woozy the more of it I smelled. Its pungent odor seemed to seep into my face, making me gag and keel over.

“Michelle! Are you alright!?” Becky cried as she grabbed me and propped me up.

“No, I’m not alright!” I pouted, looking up at the cashier. “I’m going to sue you for assault, you fucking bitch!” I yelled, tears forming in my eyes.

“Sure, Karen,” the cashier said with a smirk. “But first, how about you freshen up, meet me in the restroom in 15 minutes, and eat me out.”

The statement was paired with a middle finger. I gasped and quickly grabbed my purchase. “Becky, let’s go. I don’t want to be in a store near this fucking cunt.”

Becky nodded, and the two of us left the store. I gazed back for a moment, still trying not to vomit from the awful smell, and saw Cleo holding her fingers in a V to her mouth, mimicking oral sex. I shuddered and turned the corner, storming down the hallway of the Mall, determined to get away from this woman as quickly as possible.

Becky consoled me, holding me close. “C’mon, Michelle, let's get some tapas at Edward’s. I’m gonna call my boyfriend while we wait for food, and he can work on getting a lawsuit filed against that bitch.”

I nodded, again gagging. “That sounds like a great idea. How about you go get us a table, and I’ll meet you there. I need to clean off this awful smell,” I said.

Becky nodded and hugged me tight. “I'll have a chai expresso martini waiting for you when you get there.”

I squeezed her back. “Thanks, I'll see you soon,” I said before turning and walking back to the nearest mall bathroom.

As I walked and suffered with the vile smell, my mind became fixated on Cleo. No one had spoken to me like she had before. I was sure I was in the right, but there was this nagging feeling in the back of my head that maybe I wasn't. Maybe I was in the wrong.

I shook my head as I walked into the restroom, trying to make sense of my thoughts. I looked into the mirror, gazing into the eyes of my reflection.

The visage staring back at me was meticulously beautified in all manner of ways. My hair tumbled off my head in gorgeous golden ringlets, done by the best hair stylist in town. The expensive diamond stud earrings were the definition of tasteful elegance. The silk blouse was tailored to hug my curves and generous bust, enhanced by the wonderful Dr. Landy at my fiancés great expense. 

This twenty-five-year-old beauty in the mirror was supposed to be larger than life, but when I saw Cleo, something challenged that notion. Despite the cashier's lack of sophisticated taste, she seemed free of the burdens of expectations. There was something beautiful about the way she carried herself. Perhaps that is why I lashed out.

Carefully, I cleaned my face, the putrid smell finally clearing. I sighed, took a deep breath, and then began to meticulously reapply my makeup. I primped myself thoroughly, making sure the right amount of blush was applied, and that my mascara was just the right sensible amount. As I carefully touched up my lipstick, the door to the bathroom swung open.

“Well, well,” a familiar voice said. “Glad to see the fragrance is working as intended,” Cleo continued.

My head turned looking at the cashier in horror as she smiled at me like a hyena cornering a helpless gazelle. I watched as she locked the door to the public restroom, leaving us as the only souls inside.

“C-cleo?” I stammered as I backed away from the approaching woman. “What are you doing here?”

Cleo gave a half laugh. “Well, I made arrangements with you to eat me out, silly. Don't you remember? Back in the store?”

I shook my head. “You have the wrong idea, I'm not here to do anything like that!” I exclaimed as my back hit the wall.

“That's what you think, Michelle,” Cleo responded, licking her lips as she undid her belt. “But when I sprayed you with that fragrance, I made it so you had to listen to what I told you to do, and my instructions were quite specific.”

The cashier reached me and put her arm by my head, cornering me against the wall. The fog in my head returned in full force. None of what was happening seemed real as the young goth woman stood before me with a toothy grin. There was a compulsion growing inside me to sink to my knees and bury my face in her thighs.

Involuntarily, my body followed my lurid thoughts as I dropped to my knees and looked up at the gorgeous goth girl. “What did you do to me?” I pleaded, feeling myself growing wet in the moment.

“It's simple, my dear,” Cleo cooed, “the fragrance you were sprayed with makes your mind my toy to play with, you have to do what I say now. And what if what I need right now is for you to lick my cunt.”

Ice ran through my veins as her words echoed in my mind. I was totally at her mercy. Gently, I tugged her pants and underwear down, revealing her glistening slit. I shuddered, partly of fear, but partly of some twisted feeling of excitement. I was thankful to see she shaved herself clean of any pubic hair at the very least, but I was stuck looking at some strange red womb tattoo, which seemed to glow in the fluorescent lights of the bathroom.

“Aww, such an eager pet,” she said in a sultry whisper. “I would have thought you'd be fighting this more. In fact, I think you are enjoying this.”

I shuddered as I felt myself grow damp. This had to be the fragrances' influence, because I never felt this way about any woman before. But there was something so… right about being at Cleo's feet.

Gingerly, I moved my head to her glistening entrance and gave it a tentative lick. The first one was followed by a second, and then another as I ran my tongue over her pussy like it was a popsicle. I had never gone down on a woman before, but there was something pleasurable about it. The taste of Cleo was musky, and the fragrance turned it into an addictive flavor on my tongue.

“Look at you, licking like a good little puppy,” Cleo said as she gazed down at me, biting her lip. “But I can tell you haven't eaten a woman, though. Let me help you.”

Suddenly, her hands wrapped around my head and pushed my face deeper into her crotch. The message was clear: she wanted me to lick deeper, and like a good fuckpet, I couldn't resist. The fragrance had taken over my mind fully as I found myself rubbing my crotch over my skirt.

“Wow, you are really getting into this, Michelle,” Cleo said, punctuating her statement with a moan. “Yes, just keep doing that. I love watching stuck-up little bitches like you on their knees.

Cleo's legs quivered and shook as I licked deeper into her. I was helpless and had to do as she said, repeating the licks that elicited the biggest moans from her. My mind thought of Becky wandering into the bathroom looking for me. Of her screaming, finding my face deep into Cleo's pussy. The mental image was so incredibly arousing, I couldn't stop myself from shoving my hand under my skirt to rub my clit violently.

Cleo squealed with delight, and her pussy squirted her juices all over my face. The lurid view of Cleo covering me with her musk pushed me over my own edge. I shook with delight as my own orgasm rippled through my body. 

Cleo stood over me, panting with an evil smile. As she caught her breath, she stepped back. “Looking good, Michelle,” she taunted, pulling her pants up. “I love your new style.”

I stayed on my knees, looking up with pleading eyes for Cleo release me from her cruel control. She pulled her pants up and buttoned them with a cruel smile, pulling a familiar bottle from her pants pocket.

“I have one more thing for you to do,” she cooed before she sprayed me with the foul fragrance one more time.