Chapter Three

The sharp click-clack of high heels reverberated through the vast, empty warehouse, each step a piercing note that shattered the heavy silence. Jake teetered on the vibrant pink stilettos, their five-inch heels and padlocked ankle straps forcing an awkward, feminine gait that sent waves of humiliation coursing through his body. His new 5’6” frame, swallowed by a baggy black hoodie and loose cargo pants, felt utterly betrayed by the glossy footwear on his feet. Every wobble made the man gasp, the ankle straps biting into his skin, a constant reminder of the anonymous email’s degrading command he’d obeyed to uncover the truth about his transformation.

The email instructed him to meet the sender here, at an abandoned warehouse in Queens, if he ever wished to discover the truth. It made it clear in no uncertain terms that he must wear the item delivered to his apartment moments later if he wanted the sender of the email to show their face. Jake almost rejected the proposal outright when he saw the tall, ankle-breaking pink heels he had received. Still, desperate to find answers, the hacker complied, a chill running through his frame when the padlocks clicked into place. Now here he was, finding himself subjected to abject humiliation, stumbling on his new stilts, waiting for the email author to show his face.

The young hacker’s heart pounded as he carefully navigated the concrete floor, and his heels turned each step into a precarious dance. Jake’s green eyes darted through the shadows, scanning for any sign of the sender. He was very much aware that this could have been an elaborate hoax, a practical joke designed to maximize the man’s humiliation, but he was frustrated and out of ideas.

A slow, deliberate clap sliced through the silence as Jake stood in the center of the vast space. The sound of footsteps emanated from the shadows as Ethan Keller, the billionaire owner of Futurtech himself, stepped towards the humiliated man, his cream Tom Ford suit tailored to perfection, hugging his broad shoulders and lean waist with effortless elegance. The wealthy man’s blond hair, streaked with golden highlights, shimmered under the dull glow from the windows, and his piercing blue eyes pierced into Jake with a sadistic glint that made the hacker’s stomach twist. “Well, well, Dullface,” he drawled, referring to Jake by his anonymous hacker name, his voice smooth and dripping with mockery. “It’s truly a pleasure to meet you face-to-face at last. Those shoes are quite the statement, aren’t they?”

Jake clenched his jaw, shock and rage surging through his body as he recognized the billionaire. “Ethan Keller?” His voice cracked, strained by the fury boiling within him. He lurched towards the wealthy man, but after three poorly thought-out steps, he nearly tripped and had to grab hold of an upright beam to avoid falling on his face. “What the fuck have you done to me?” he demanded sharply, the pink heels clattering loudly against the concrete as he regained his footing. The hacker’s heart raced, the memory of his shrunken frame, diminished manhood, and the disastrous date with Anna flooding back, fueling his anger.

Ethan chuckled, circling Jake with predatory grace, his polished white shoes silent against the floor, a stark contrast to Jake’s predicament. “You’re the hacker genius, aren’t you?” he taunted amusedly. “Come on, Jake. Use that brilliant mind of yours and figure it out.” He paused, adjusting his cufflink with deliberate precision, his eyes never leaving Jake’s trembling form.

Despair boiled in Jake’s chest, his hands shaking as he steadied himself and let go of the supporting beam. “You drugged me, you sick bastard,” he spat, taking another wobbly step towards the grinning man. “What was it? Definitely not something legally on the market. I’ll have your head for this!” His voice trembled as he threatened the man, trying to sound as intimidating as he could despite his small, shrunken frame.

The Futurtech CEO’s lips curled into a sly grin, his eyes glinting with continued amusement. “Drugged you? Well, in a sense, I guess,” he said menacingly. “However, you weren’t doped with any ordinary drug, Jake. What you were subjected to is far beyond anything your little hacker brain could ever comprehend.” He grinned, avoiding the true cause of the alterations. “I control your body now, every inch of it, and your mind is mind to play with, too.” He stepped closer, his towering presence making Jake feel even smaller.

Jake’s eyes widened, his breath catching as the words sank in, a chill running down his spine. The bastard had just admitted to spiking him; he never tried to hide it. “Control me?” The hacker shook his head as he stood upright, the heels forcing his posture into a humiliating feminine curve. “You’re fucking insane!”

Ethan chuckled at the young man’s response. “Insane? No,” he taunted. “I am just securing the future of my company, and if you want to control your own future, you’re going to do what I saw, including coming to work for me.”

The blond man’s words took Jake by surprise. Work for him? Over his dead body. “I’d never work for a billionaire psychopath like you, you piece of shit. I’m going straight to the cops, and you’ll pay for everything you’ve done to me!” His eyes blazed with resolve, his hands clenching into fists as he fought to maintain control.

Ethan’s laughter echoed through the warehouse, a rich, booming sound that made his foe’s blood boil. “Oh, Jake, you’re absolutely adorable when you’re desperate,” he said, stepping even closer, closing the gap between the two as his imposing frame towered over the hacker’s diminished stature. “Go ahead and run to the cops. I’d love to see how that plays out for you. But first, let’s do a little roleplay, shall we? Pretend I’m a cop right now. Tell me exactly what’s been done to you.”

Jake raised an eyebrow. He knew he was being led into a trap. Still, his deep curiosity meant that he couldn’t stop himself from opening his mouth and reciting what the billionaire had done to him. However, the words escaping his lips were not the same words he had planned out. “I’ve been a bad boy,” he said, his voice soft and pleading, a stranger’s tone that sent a shiver of horror down his spine. “I’ve hacked into multiple major corporations over the last two years. I’ve disrupted their systems, causing chaos that has cost them billions of dollars in repairs. I deserve to be locked up for what I’ve done.” The hacker’s hands flew to his mouth, eyes wide with panic as the words spilled out, spelling out his own crimes to the young billionaire.

The Futurtech CEO threw his head back, his laughter ringing off the warehouse walls, a triumphant sound that deepened Jake’s confusion and fury. “That’s absolutely perfect,” Ethan said, his eyes gleaming with sadistic delight. “Go to the cops, Jake. You’ll confess every crime you’ve ever committed, and in your current state?” His gaze lingered on Jake’s pink heels that supported his small frame. “I imagine you’d be quite popular in jail, don’t you think? A pretty little thing like you would be every inmate’s wet dream.”

“You won’t get away with this,” Jake growled, his voice trembling with rage as he took another clumsy step. “I’ll figure out how to reverse this myself. When I’ve succeeded, you’ll realize that you’re not as untouchable as you think.” His hands shook as he made his point clear.

Ethan’s grin widened, his confidence unshaken despite the tormented man’s threat, his eyes narrowing as he watched Jake struggle. “Ohh? You think you can outsmart me?” he asked, his tone smooth and taunting, every word dripping with control. “I’ve already won, Jake. Now, as I said, you’re going to work for me. You’re going to be leading my new digital security team. More and more, the threats are coming from lone hackers who want to be tomorrow’s front page news. I need a man who is involved with that community on my team.” He paused for a moment. “I’ll pay you handsomely, and you’ll be a part of something far greater than your pathetic little rebellions in that dingy apartment of yours. Who knows, if you behave, I might let your cock regrow,” Ethan chuckled at his final comment.

“Fuck you,” the dark-haired hacker spat, his eyes blazing with defiance as his fists clenched tightly. “I’d rather die than work for you.” Without another word, he turned away, heart pounding like a drum, and tottered toward the warehouse exit, each step a wobbly embarrassment as the heels forced his hips to sway in a humiliating rhythm. The cold night air slammed into him as he shoved through the rusted door, Ethan’s words trailing after him like a whisper.

“We’ll see, Jake,” Ethan mumbled quietly, as though he was talking to himself, a smirk playing on his lips. “We’ll see.” The young billionaire chuckled as he watched his prey clumsily step out of the warehouse. He knew the boy would be back.

❖

The sharp click of Jake’s pink stilettos echoed through the gritty Queens streets as he made his way to the nearest subway station. His 5’6” frame, still draped in the baggy black hoodie and dark pants, swayed unnaturally with each wobble. The night air was cool and carried a faint scent of diesel and street food, but it did nothing to ease the fury churning in the hacker’s chest. His mind raced as he replayed Ethan’s taunting words, his forced confession, the billionaire’s smug certainty. The young man clenched his fists again, determined to fight back against the man who thought he had the world at his fingertips.

A sharp wolf whistle took Jake’s attention away from his reeling mind, making the man’s heart lurch. He glanced over to see two late-night construction workers, one of them leaning against a chain-link fence, his eyes glancing down at Jake’s feminine heels, a taunting leer twisting his lips.

Jake’s face flushed hotter, but he kept his gaze forward, refusing to acknowledge the humiliating attention. Further down the street, two teenage boys walking alongside their bicycles slowed their pace, whispering to each other and chuckling, their eyes locked on the padlocked stilettos glinting under the streetlight. Jake’s stomach twisted, the humiliation searing deeper. Still, he pressed on, the heels’ relentless clicks marking his every step like a mocking metronome.

Without conscious intent, Jake veered off the main street, his heels clicking toward a neon-lit beauty salon, its pink and purple sign buzzing invitingly. The decision felt natural, as if stepping inside was the most logical thing to do. He pushed through the glass door, the chime sounding his arrival, and approached the counter where a bubbly African-American beautician, mid-20s with a cascade of unnatural blonde curls and a bright, heavily made-up smile, looked up from her appointment book.

“Hi there!” she said, her voice warm and enthusiastic. However, her eyes widened slightly at the sight of Jake’s appearance, a mix of confusion and amusement flickering across her face. He wasn’t the usual demographic her business attracted. “What can I do for you tonight?”

A calm certainty settled over the transformed hacker, his earlier panic forgotten as he spoke with an ease that felt perfectly normal. “Hi. I’m a sissy trying to break out of my shell,” he said, his tone confident and clear without a hint of the humiliation he had experienced earlier. “I want you to make me as pretty as you can.”

The beautician’s smile widened, her confusion giving way to excitement. “Oh, honey, I love that for you!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “My name’s Clara, and I think you’re so brave for embracing this. Let’s get you all dolled up!” The woman gestured toward a plush chair in front of a mirrored station, her enthusiasm infectious as she patted the seat invitingly.

Jake settled into the chair, a serene smile spreading across his lips as he leaned back, the heels’ gentle clink against the tiled floor feeling like a natural extension of his confidence. “I’m ready, Clara,” he said, his voice steady and warm, as if this makeover were a long-planned celebration of his true self. He reached into his pocket, pulling out his credit card with a casual flourish, and handed it to her without a second thought. “Just charge it to this.”

Clara took the card and happily swiped it along her machine with a cheerful nod, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “You’re going to love this,” she said, her voice bubbling with excitement as she approached him in the chair. “Girls always have the most fun, and you’re going to look stunning.” She began gathering her tools, her fingers moving with practiced ease as she arranged everything she needed on the counter.

The process unfolded like a dream, each moment feeling perfectly natural to Jake as he relaxed into the chair, his earlier turmoil a distant memory. After giving his face the full rejuvenation treatment, the blonde stylist’s brush danced across his eyelids, layering thick, smoky eyeliner and shimmering charcoal shadow to deepen his green eyes, giving them a sultry, magnetic intensity. “This will make those beautiful eyes pop, doll,” she murmured warmly as she leaned close. Clara hummed a soft tune, applying a generous coat of pink gloss to his lips after making them appear bigger with a wide outline of lip liner.

“You’re so gonna turn heads with these lips,” Clara said, her voice brimming with pride as she worked, her fingers deft and precise as though she had done this a million times before. She reached for a pair of large pink, plastic hooped earrings, their appearance gaudy and cheap, and clipped them onto his lobes, adding a playful character to his look. “These are perfect for a sissy like you, so bold and fun.” Jake nodded, a warm satisfaction settling in his chest at her words, as if this transformation were precisely what he’d always craved.

Clara’s fingers moved to Jake’s hands as she meticulously applied long, glossy acrylic nails to each finger, their shimmering tips extending his hands into a delicate, feminine elegance. “These nails are going to make you absolutely fabulous,” she said excitedly as she admired her work. She stepped back, adjusting the mirror to ensure Jake could see each addition, her smile encouraging him to embrace the transformation. “You’re already looking like a star, honey. Just a few more touches and you’ll be unstoppable.”

Jake smiled back, his heart light as he leaned into the chair, the process feeling like a celebration of a vibrant new self. “I can’t wait,” he said softly. The mirror reflected each change, but he didn’t pause to question it, his mind wrapped in a haze of acceptance.

After the beautician completed his look with a couple of pink bangles on his right arm and two pink clips in his otherwise untouched hair, she stepped back, her hands on her hips, and held up a small mirror to show the hacker a close-up of his newly made-up face. “Alright, doll, are you ready to see the new you?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, her curls bouncing as she tilted her ebony head.

The feminized man leaned forward, his smile serene as he gazed into the mirror Clara held, expecting to admire the sissy look she’d crafted. The reflection staring back was a stranger—smoky eyes framed by thick eyeliner, full pink glossy lips glistening under the salon’s bright lights, gaudy pink hoop earrings catching the light, and long, glossy acrylic nails shimmering on his hands. His masculine features were buried beneath a feminine mask, and the result made him look ridiculous, an image so complete it shattered the haze in his mind. Horror surged through the hacker, his breath holding as clarity snapped back into focus, the reality of his actions crashing down like a tidal wave. “What the fuck?” he gasped, his voice trembling as he stumbled to his feet unsteadily.

Clara’s smile faltered, her brow furrowing with confusion, but her enthusiasm held. “You look amazing, doll!” she told him, her voice bright but tinged with uncertainty as her client tottered towards the door. “Own it, you’re a star!”

“This isn’t right,” Jake responded in a panic, his heart pounding as he escaped the woman as fast as he could, unable to comprehend why he would have acted the way he did. He shoved through the glass door, the chime ringing sharply beneath him. The cool air hit his fresh face, but it did nothing to cool the burning shame in his chest, the pink bangles clinking softly on his wrist.

The hacker fled down the street, the heels’ relentless clicks echoing like a mocking drumbeat in the dead of the night, his mind racing with questions—how had he walked into that salon, why had it felt so normal? Ethan’s taunting words resounded in his head. The billionaire had claimed that he could control Jake’s actions, just like he had when Ethan tried to announce what the CEO had done to him. Was this his way of proving how much control he held? Jake shook his head and sauntered back towards the subway station. He needed to get home as soon as he could, and he needed to unravel this nightmare before it took over his life.

❖

Ethan lounged in his Manhattan office late at night, his cream Tom Ford suit still as pristine as it had been during his meeting with the transformed hacker, a low chuckle escaping his lips as he cycled through various options on his phone’s app.

The billionaire pondered how to torment the arrogant hacker further as his fingers scrolled over the waist cinching option, lingering briefly on breast tissue growth before moving on to the perceived intelligence function, a wide grin spreading across his face at the array of ways to humiliate the man next.

Each option promised a new layer of control, a fresh twist to bend Jake further into submission, and the thought sent a thrill through the CEO. He decided to leave it for now, his blue eyes flicking up to a monitor on his desk displaying a live feed from Jake’s apartment. The hacker had stormed in, his locked-on pink stilettos clicking furiously, his face a canvas of smoky eyeliner and glossy pink lips. Ethan chuckled to himself, zooming in on the feminized features, his grin laced with pure malice as he muttered, “He knows what to do if he wants this to stop.”

The feed showed Jake pacing as he lifted his baggy hoodie over his head, revealing the black t-shirt beneath, the cheap pink hoop earrings shimmering with every turn. Ethan leaned closer, savoring the hacker’s fury, the way his transformed appearance clashed with his defiant demeanor. The young man was unraveling, and the billionaire relished every second of it. He tapped the screen, enlarging the image of Jake’s made-up face, the contoured bronzer, the dark eyeshadow, the lip makeup that screamed ‘sissy’, everything about him making him a perfect mockery of the cocky hacker who’d dared to challenge him.

A soft knock at the door interrupted his reverie. Ethan’s personal assistant, Kellie Madison, stepped in, her light blue blouse clinging to her frame and a navy blue pencil skirt ending at her knees, accentuating her poised elegance. The woman’s auburn hair was pulled up as she stepped towards her boss, her eyes widening with concern to see the man still at work. “You’re burning the midnight oil, sir,” she said warmly, despite her words being laced with concern. “I hope you plan on going home and getting some rest again. Do you need anything?”

“No, Kellie,” Ethan replied casually, his gaze lingering on the monitor. “You’re free to go home now.”

The assistant nodded, turning to leave, but froze as her eyes caught the CCTV feed on Ethan’s screen. A shudder ran through the dark-haired woman’s body as she took in Jake’s pissed off expression, his newly feminized features an obvious recent addition to his body. Shaking her head, Kellie hesitated before speaking. “I’m sorry for speaking out of turn, sir, but I find what you’re doing to that boy deeply disturbing,” she said softly. “He’s clearly learned his lesson, and I’m certain that he won’t mess with you again. If you leave him alone now, I am sure he won’t attempt to hack Futurtech again.”

Ethan’s expression turned cold in an instant, his blue eyes narrowed as he swiveled to face his assistant, the playful glint replaced by a stern edge. “Kellie, you know I’ve always valued you as an employee,” he said, his voice low and deliberate. “I’m proud of how you’ve climbed from a lowly secretary to my personal assistant. However, I’m growing tired of you sticking your stupid nose where it doesn’t belong. You need to remember your place around here.”

Kellie’s eyes widened at her boss’s words, a flush creeping up her cheeks as she absorbed his words. She hated when he got like this. “I understand, sir,” she said softly, trying to appease the man.

“How’s your father doing, Kellie?” Ethan asked, his tone shifting to a sly, almost gentle cadence, his grin returning to a predatory form.

The auburn-haired woman’s breath caught, her hands tightening at her sides at the mention of her father, a flicker of fear crossing her eyes. “He’s, umm, doing well, sir, thanks to the treatment,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I’m pleased to hear that.” Ethan’s grin widened as he leaned back in his chair, his eyes holding his assistant’s gaze. “I’m happy to keep funding his life-saving care, of course, but if you question me again, it may be more than your job that you’ll be saying goodbye to.” His words carried a chilling threat, his blue eyes firmly on hers, relishing the power he held over the young woman.

Kellie’s shoulders tensed, a deeper flush of helplessness spreading across her cheeks as she recoiled at the threat, her professional poise crumbling under Ethan’s dominance. “Yes, sir,” she whispered, her voice soft and submissive, her eyes dropping to the floor as she fought to steady her hands.

“And Kellie,” the billionaire said sharply just as his assistant had reached the door, prompting her to pause and turn back toward her blond boss. “I’d like to see you in a much shorter skirt tomorrow, to prove how sorry you are.”

The assistant froze, her heart pounding as she registered the order, the idea of being reduced to an object like those bimbos in the secretary pool sending a shiver of dread down her spine. She thought she was past these games. “Yes, sir,” she repeated quietly, her voice barely audible, the weight of the man’s prior threat weighing down on her; she couldn’t afford to anger him any further. The woman slipped out, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor as the door slid shut, leaving Ethan alone again.

The CEO’s expression shifted back to a playful grin, his eyes returning to the monitor where Jake’s feminized form slumped in his computer chair. Ethan chuckled at the view of Jake’s two-inch nails extending past his fingertips, the bangles clinking on his wrists. He wished he could have been there when Jake had discovered what he’d just done to himself, but the thought of it was enough to make Ethan smile. As his gaze drifted back down to the phone app, he wondered what else he could do to make the young man’s life a misery.

❖

Jake slumped at his desk, sitting uncomfortably as the stilettos locked to his feet forced his knees higher than usual, his face still adorned with the slutty makeup he’d received at the salon. A groan of frustration escaped him as his long, glossy acrylic nails caused yet another spelling mistake, the pink tips clumsily hitting the wrong keys. He stared at his new attachments in fury and wondered why even women would wear such impractical extensions that made everything a thousand times harder.

The hacker leaned forward, his eyes narrowed, as he scoured the dark web for answers, typing query terms such as “remote body and action control technology” into the encrypted browser. His heart pounded with desperation as he now fully believed Ethan’s control over him, and he had no idea where the next demonstration of power would come from. However, just as before, every search led to more dead ends, just wild conspiracy theories about alien tech and government experiments. The further he delved, the more he could see that none of the wild theories were plausible. What he did know was that Ethan was controlling him remotely somehow, and he couldn’t be the only man in the world with this technology. Anger surged through the young man, his fingers trembling as he muttered a curse word under his breath, the bangles on his wrist clinking softly with each movement.

The monitor’s glow illuminated Jake’s feminized features, the way his lips were painted to make them appear larger than they actually were, so glossy and ‘kissable’. He continued to read through, but every post he found was more absurd than the last. The dark-haired man leaned back, running a hand through his hair, the pink clips tugging slightly, a constant reminder of the salon’s humiliating transformation.

A soft chime pulled the man from his fruitless search as an encrypted dark web group chat popped up before him. Ghost and Viper, his anonymous hacker allies, were already in the room. “What’s up, Dullface? What have you been up to?” Ghost typed immediately. “You’ve been way less active than usual. Everything okay?”

“Yeah, Ghost, I’ve just had a lot on my mind,” Jake replied, his nails making typing a slow, frustrating ordeal. “I’ve been diving into some weird corners of the net, researching things that have been nagging at me.”

Viper’s response flashed across the screen, her tone sharp and curious. “What kind of things are you researching? Knowing you, I’m sure it’ll cause damage to someone.”

The young hacker paused, his long nails hovering over the keyboard, their shimmer catching the light above him as he weighed his options. Could he reveal the truth: his shrinking body, his diminished manhood, the forced salon appointment, Ethan’s supposed total control. He was respected in the hacker community, and fellow blackhats often looked to him for advice. How could he possibly tell them that he had been outmaneuvered? Jake shook his head. The humiliation burned too deeply, and the thought of his anonymous allies seeing him as a feminized sissy boy felt unbearable.

“This is just a hypothetical,” Jake typed, his words careful to avoid giving himself up. “Have either of you ever come across tech that could manipulate someone’s body and control their actions, like forcing them to do things against their will?”

There was a long pause, and Jake wondered if he had made a mistake by saying anything. After a short moment, Viper’s reply filled his screen. “Well, behavioral control tech is out there. Corporations and governments have been using tech to control our actions for years. But physically altering a body remotely? I’ve never heard of anything like that outside of sci-fi stories.”

Ghost’s message followed, his tone laced with suspicion. “Where’s all this coming from, Dullface? You’re not the type to ask this kind of stuff without a motive. What’s really going on with you?”

“It’s just research for a friend,” Jake typed quickly, his heart racing as he deflected again. “It’s no big deal, I was just being curious. Anyway, what about you two? Any big developments lately?”

“I’m working with a small crew to crack into the US Defense Department,” Ghost replied, a spark of excitement in his words. “It’s a tough nut, but one of my contacts may have found a weakness. Once we get in, it's gonna be a game-changer.”

A faint smile tugged at Jake’s lips, the familiar thrill of discussing their triumphs briefly easing his inner turmoil. “That sounds huge, Ghost,” he typed. “I can’t wait to see it show up on the news.”

Viper’s message popped up, her tone teasing but pointed. “You planning to take another shot at Futurtech’s servers anytime soon, Dullface? You were so close last time.”

Jake paused as he thought of his response. He desperately wanted to get back at Ethan Keller and his evil corporation, but he had bigger fish to fry right now. However, before he could formulate a response, a deep burning sensation erupted in the dark-haired man’s chest, sharp and undeniable, forcing him to shudder and cry out. “No, no, no, no, no!” the hacker shouted, lurching to his feet and tottering to a full-length mirror, yanking his black t-shirt over his head in a frantic motion.

He gasped sharply as he stared dumbfounded at his slight frame. Small bumps protruded from his chest. Although the curves must have been no larger than A-cups, he couldn’t deny the sight before him. He had breasts, actual, real breasts. Jake’s heart pounded, horror mixing with disbelief as he reached up and brushed a nipple.

A sudden moan escaped the hacker’s bright pink lips, gasping as a near-orgasmic shudder shot through him. His nipples’ sensitivity had grown tenfold, and the softest of touches was enough to almost put him over the edge. Jake shook his head. That bastard! Ethan had done this to him; there was no doubt about it.

The mirror taunted the young man, his made-up face covered over a horrified expression, the bangles on his wrist clinking as his trembling hand lingered near his chest. Another tentative touch sent a jolt of unwanted pleasure through his body, his knees buckling slightly as he stumbled forward.

Ethan’s control was undeniable now, each new change a cruel re-emphasis of the billionaire’s power. Defeat settled over him like a heavy cloud. How could he compete with this? The young man stepped back, his heart pounding. He knew there was only one path forward if he wanted to slow down the changes, but the idea of the cost being a betrayal of his values didn’t sit well with him. With a deep sigh, Jake slipped his t-shirt back on, resolving to do what he could to put this right.

❖

The following afternoon, Ethan sat engrossed in his office, his fingers gliding over his keyboard as he sifted through Futurtech’s financials over the previous month, his smart green suit looking pristine as the natural light from his floor-to-ceiling windows filtered through. Numbers danced across the screen as he assessed where his company was spending too much, and where he could afford further investment. His head momentarily turned to the adjacent screen displaying Jake’s empty home, the hacker having left the apartment a little over two hours prior. A soft knock at the door broke his focus, and a wide smile curled his lips, anticipation sparking in his chest as he called out. “Come in.”

Kellie Madison stepped into the office, her dark hair cascading loosely over her shoulders, wearing a cream button-up blouse that covered her torso, and a short black miniskirt that stopped at mid-thigh, revealing the lacy seams of her dark stockings. The outfit, a stark departure from her usual conservative attire, hugged her hips provocatively, her legs accentuated by the daring hem. Ethan’s gaze lingered, a crude thought flashing through his mind—damn, Kellie’s a hot piece of ass when she dresses like a proper slut. The assistant’s visible discomfort only heightened his amusement. However, she kept her expression professional, not uttering a single word about the humiliating outfit he’d demanded.

“Sir, Jake Parker is here to see you,” Kellie said steadily, her voice laced with unease as she stood by the door with a stiff posture.

Ethan raised an eyebrow, his grin widening with sadistic delight. “Thank you, Kellie,” he said. “Send him in.” His fingers drummed lightly on the desk as he was eager to see his transformed prey.

The clack of high heels announced Jake’s arrival before he stepped through the door, Kellie closing it behind him to grant the two men privacy. Ethan’s eyes swept over the hacker, noting the absence of the pink clips, bangles, and hoop earrings he had received the previous night. Jake’s face was nearly free of makeup, though faint traces of eyeliner and lip liner remained, showing off his inexperience at makeup removal. The CEO almost felt offended that Jake had gone to so much effort to reverse the effects of the salon visit Ethan had prepared for him, but he grinned smugly, knowing the task had served its purpose.

A baggy black hoodie swallowed Jake’s skinny frame, concealing his budding breasts, while black jeans hugged his legs. Thick, black gloves hid the long pink nails Jake had unsuccessfully attempted to remove a few hours prior, stuck on his fingers like stubborn parasites. The hacker’s shoulders slumped in resignation, a far cry from the confidence he used to portray.

“It’s good to see you again, Jake,” Ethan said, his tone smooth and taunting as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, “I have a packed schedule today, but I’m happy to make time for the man who tried to bring down my company. What can I do for you?”

Jake shifted nervously, his gloved hands fidgeting as he spoke, his voice low and hesitant. “I’ve been thinking about your offer,” he said, his green eyes flicking to the floor before meeting Ethan’s gaze. “And on second thoughts, I think I’d love to work for Futurtech.” His words felt like a betrayal of everything he stood for.

A rich, mocking laugh escaped the wealthy man, filling the office with its arrogant echo. “I’m not surprised,” he said, his eyes glinting with smug certainty. “Everyone wants to work for Futurtech.”

A shudder ran through the transformed hacker, his hatred for the billionaire burning like acid in his chest. He despised Ethan’s arrogance and the dystopian late-stage capitalist world he helped build. “I’m serious,” the young man said, forcing his voice to stay steady. “I’m ready to join your team.”

The CEO leaned back, his grin widening, a flicker of sadistic glee in his eyes. “Well, lucky for you, I’m in a generous mood today,” he said condescendingly. “I’m happy to bring you into the company, Jake.”

Jake nodded, pausing momentarily as his gloved hands clenched into fists. He took a deep breath before continuing to sell his soul. “So, when would I start?” he asked. “And would I be able to pick my own digital defense team?”

It was now Ethan’s turn to pause, staring at Jake for a long moment, his expression unreadable, before bursting into laughter, shaking his head with amusement. “Ohh, you’ve got it all wrong, Jake,” he said mockingly. “The digital security manager role I offered last night was a one-time deal. I already filled that vacancy this morning with someone far more suitable.”

The transformed man’s brow furrowed, confusion and anger flaring in his chest. “What the hell are you talking about then?” he demanded, his voice rising, his clenched fists squeezing tighter, prompting a gasp to escape Jake’s lips.

Reaching into his top drawer, Ethan pulled out a thick document and placed it on the desk with a loud, deliberate thud. It was a contract. “That role may be gone,” he said, his blue eyes gleaming with predatory intent, “but I still want you to be part of the company, I insist on it, in fact. I just have a very different role in mind for you.”

Jake’s eyes widened as he tottered forward and stared at the document, his heart pounding as he read the job title list on the front page. “What is this? Some kind of sick joke?” he asked furiously, his voice trembling with a mix of dread and anger.

“Oh, no joke, Jake,” Ethan smiled casually. “You should know that I am capable of transforming you in ways you couldn’t even imagine.” He leaned forward to pin Jake with his gaze. “If you don’t sign that contract before you walk out of here today, those small tits of yours will be nothing compared to what comes next.”

A sharp gasp escaped Jake, his eyes locked on the document, horror flooding through him as the weight of Ethan’s threat settled. He felt a lump in his throat. He couldn’t possibly sign that document, but could he risk being subjected to Ethan’s wrath when he could control his body and mind at will? Whatever he decided, Jake knew he was in a lose-lose situation.

End of Chapter Three