“You just need a little bit of discipline and structure.” Evelyn Porter stood in front of a trembling Veronica, dressed in an outfit that made her look like some sort of dictator from a sci fi movie. As if her presence alone wasn’t enough to intimidate Veronica, now the woman who was conquering her surroundings while Veronica could barely hold onto fast food jobs was dressed in a way which made her the personification of power and authority. Another smack from Evelyn’s riding crop would correct Veronica’s posture as she knelt. She kept her eyes downcast. Her reflection in Evelyn’s impossibly shiny boots revealing an obedient follower in an appropriate military style uniform. “I’m up here. Look at me when I’m speaking to you,” Evelyn said as she placed the crop under Veronica’s chin. Veronica shook with fear as her gaze was slowly forced upwards so that her eyes would lock onto Evelyn’s. 

It had been roughly two months since Veronica found herself washing Evelyn’s cars and serving as her maid for the remainder of her time off of work. She’d managed to keep the incident to herself, fortunately, though it helped that she hardly remembered it until Evelyn invited her over again. She regretted asking Evelyn for advice. She wasn’t even sure what compelled her to do so, though that was far below the other questions on her list, such as why Evelyn was dressed like the military dictator of a dystopian science fiction movie or why Veronica had allowed herself to be dressed in a military style uniform. At first she thought it may be more pleasant than scrubbing floors in a maid uniform all day, but now she felt she was being worked harder if anything.

     Maybe she was just scared of Evelyn kicking her ass again, but while she hated to admit it, in a way that turned her on. Maybe it helped that Evelyn looked hot dressed the way she was. Maybe it was Evelyn’s control she found hot. She looked like the personification of authority and discipline itself. She was order itself. Unlike Elias, who Veronica did all kinds of things for out of love, Evelyn could make Veronica do anything solely because her mere presence intimidated her. She had always felt small and timid around Evelyn. Maybe that’s why Evelyn had taken to pushing her around so often. In a way Evelyn dressed like this made sense. In a way that and being dressed like a loyal follower made Veronica want to obey without question. That thought terrified her. 

“I told you that you were going to need better training if you were going to serve me, and the training I put my maids and security team through will provide the discipline you need outside of this place as well. Fifty pushups, now.” Evelyn commanded as she pointed the crop towards the ground. 

Veronica would drop down and begin, managing about ten before she began to struggle, with Evelyn smacking her with the crop. “Bad form! Start again!” Evelyn’s shouts were filled a new cruelty that alone forced Veronica’s compliance. “If you mess up that uniform it’s triple, and you’ll be scrubbing my entire palace with a toothbrush!” Veronica knew that Evelyn wasn’t bluffing. It would have been enough on its own but the crop smacking against her again corrected her posture once more and reminded her of the position she’d placed herself in. All uniforms had to be impossibly close to perfect at all times and Evelyn didn’t accept excuses for mistakes. Evelyn laughed maniacally as her new recruit further and further complied with each command to begin again and correction from the crop. “Maybe I’ll mold you into something useful after all,” she said, pleased by Veronica continuing without even counting anymore. Obeying by doing them until told to stop rather than assuming she’d done them all as Evelyn desired. By the time she finally managed to satisfy her, or disappoint her enough to give up and move on to the next part of training, Veronica was just desperate to finish whatever this was and get through the day. By the evening, she would be in a crowd of about 30 others dressed just like she was, saluting a flag which displayed the Porter family crest. It felt like until this point they’d been marching around the property for hours, chanting their loyalty to their ruler. “Long live God Empress Porter!” they would chant, endlessly praising her and her family’s corporate empire. Now, they were saluting and pledging their allegiance to her and her family. Even the few resistant “recruits” in Veronica’s group were now mindlessly saluting their new flag on command. Though maybe like Veronica they found it easier to just give in. For Veronica at least, resistance probably meant being pummeled by Evelyn again, or at the very least being forced to do more pushups. She wasn’t sure she could do another one. Hell, she could barely keep her hand up to her forehead in a saluting position. She couldn’t understand why but she wanted to obey despite her arms feeling like gelatin that had been set on fire. There was something about the conformity here that was driving her into a trancelike state, or maybe she just thought she was having a fever dream and might as well stop resisting the plot her brain had conjured up.

“You did well today, Veronica.” Evelyn sat on her throne. She enjoyed expressing her power in over the top ways. She threw down a boot shining kit at the still uniformed Veronica, grinning smugly and continuing as Veronica began shining. “I want those so clean I can eat off of them, and then it’s lights out for you. Tomorrow you’re going to get your early and start some martial arts. We’ll begin with Judo, what I used to kick your ass when you thought it was a good idea to put your hands on me.” Her tone was so smug, but she wasn’t wrong. Veronica had made a stupid decision, and if anything Evelyn had shown her mercy. “You may speak. As long as you keep shining anyway.”

”What are you doing to me? Why are you doing this to me?” Veronica was curious, but mostly confused, especially because she thought this was kind of hot. Evelyn looked hot wearing her outfit, bossing people around who mindlessly obeyed her, calling her their God Empress. Veronica couldn’t help but think that maybe she should be called that, and that her every word should be considered law. Evelyn seemed good at making decisions. Was obedience that bad? Veronica tried to shake these thoughts but the subtle propaganda she’d received throughout the day was too strong. 

“Discipline and structure. Plus if you’re going to serve me, even if it’s just every once in awhile, I want you to know these things. You need to be ready to defend me, my family, and what we’ve built if we ever need you to. My maids go through this too, just not as regularly as my personal army.” She would take a drink from a maid who wandered up with a serving tray.

”You need a personal army?” Veronica thought it sounded ridiculous, even if it made sense that she’d have security here and at her businesses, but maybe it was just Evelyn’s thing. She did see the appeal on some level though. Her Empress looked so satisfied when Veronica and the others today were marching around praising her. Empress looked so powerful, so pleased, so amused by her toy soldiers losing themselves in favor of obedience. Toys. Maybe that’s ultimately all any of them were to Evelyn. Play things. She could imagine Evelyn laughing maniacally again as she put two groups of them against each other in a paintball match, which was apparently not unheard of, which she affectionately referred to as “painball” and “combat training.” 

”I can have one just because I want one, Veronica. It’s also a good deterrent against corporate espionage, and anyone else getting in my way.” Evelyn would say as she casually checked her nails. Her tone was matter of fact. Even if they were toys to her it was clear from the way she spoke that none of this was just a game. 

Veronica continued to shine, losing herself a bit in the motions, “that makes sense, my Empress.” She hated how naturally that came out. She didn’t want to keep thinking that it wasn’t just a game to Evelyn and wondered if she was being pranked. If this would be some humiliating story on the internet. Nothing about this was helping her come back from her recent job loss, but the growing frustration began to melt away with two words from Evelyn. The words filled her with fear, joy, terror, euphoria, anxiety, eagerness, a mix of emotions which caused her to short circuit emotionally and default to shining faster with a smile on her face. Two words which melted her completely until nothing was left but compliance.

”Good girl.”

***

Veronica jolted awake, finding herself on all fours before Evelyn and gasping for air. “Whoa!” What the hell happened to her?” she would hear Caroline say, who sat next to Evelyn after bringing cocktails for both of them. Veronica’s heart sank when she saw them kiss.

”She got stuck in a feedback loop, and a pretty bad one too, so I tried bringing back some memories focused on structure. Structure. And. Discipline. so that her thoughts could be organized enough to trickle in rather than flooding her tiny. little. brain. I didn’t want to fry the poor thing and accidentally reinforce the loop.” Evelyn said before sipping her drink.

When Veronica heard the words “structure and discipline” and “tiny little brain” in the slow way Evelyn delivered them she would stop shaking. She would stiffen up and take to a kneeling position, keeping her head bowed, and couldn’t stand how automatic it was. She felt like a machine. She grew frustrated as she couldn’t tell what it was about those words that triggered her to move to this position. Thinking grew frustrating. She wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn’t come. She wondered if she needed permission for that now and grew frustrated with her own questions. 

”This stuff is so interesting.” Caroline seemed fascinated, taking a huge drink rather than a sip, which made Evelyn smile in amusement. “So what she just did, is that an example of her programming staying intact?”

”Fortunately. I guess it just speaks to the quality of the work I’ve put into her over the last five years. I wasn’t even sure that I could dedronify her successfully given the intricacies of how I’ve approached her conditioning.” She would take another sip before grabbing a plastic bottle of cheap liquor off of the tray Caroline had set on a small table between their throne like chairs. Caroline laughed as Evelyn lightly tossed the bottle to Veronica, it lightly smacking her face. “Drink, we’re going out tonight. Once you finish that bottle you will wake. Your memories, however, will slide down deep within you just. like. your. drink.” 

Veronica wanted to scream, but to her horror she complied, quickly downing the contents of the bottle. She would then bow down and thank her Mistress. Her mind burned with embarrassment when Caroline laughed out loud and said something about her being pathetic, but this quickly fell away as she began to come out of the odd limbo between trance and awareness. A state where all of her memories of everything Evelyn had put her through were slowly trickling in, but her programming was keeping her calm and obedient. With the snap of Evelyn’s fingers, one of her maids would come to grab Veronica and position her head in Evelyn’s lap, then would be coldly sent away with the wave of a hand. Veronica awoke in a sense to a smiling Evelyn stroking her hair. “There there. Are you feeling okay? You’re coming out with us tonight. I think food and good company will help you get over whatever this illness is.”

Later the trio would pile into Evelyn’s limo, with Veronica still dressed in a nice outfit Sabrina had let her borrow, and she and Caroline both would sit on each side of Evelyn. She felt like third wheel, again, until Evelyn brought her in for a passionate kiss. Veronica’s heart was filled with an overwhelming sense of happiness, even if she was a bit confused, because while she didn’t remember seeing Evelyn and Caroline kiss she did assume they were together. At the very least they had to be in some sort of situationship. Their tone tonight was definitely flirtatious, and Caroline was practically wrapped around her. Caroline, unsurprisingly, did seem to be the more submissive of the two. Yet it seemed Evelyn respected her as a partner, and an equal, or at least close enough what she wouldn’t make it her mission to subjugate her.

“Alright, I guess the limo beats taking my new car again.” Caroline said, as she pulled three tiny bottles out of her purse for the trio to drink. “I guess it would have been mean to put her in the storage compartment, even if, well nevermind”

Veronica wasn’t sure what to think of Caroline, but her tone seemed like she was joking enough to make her laugh. “Where are we going?” She still felt odd, and speaking was still a little difficult, but she wanted to try and include herself in conversation. She didn’t want to overthink the last part of what Caroline said. Her tone was light enough. She was just joking, right?

”We’re going to the top of the tallest building in the city.” Evelyn said, drinking the contents of the bottle.

”You mean, wait, you mean that restaurant that’s up there?” Veronica was shocked. She’d never actually seen it in person, but it was world famous, and almost impossible to get into. 

“That’s right. Consider it a date. For all of us in a way.” Evelyn smiled.

”In a way?” Veronica felt something off about this.

”Of course. It’s about the rest of our lives together. For myself and my former secretary here, it’s about me finally finding someone who could be an equal in an unlikely place, and celebrating her accomplishments as of late.” Evelyn said as she leaned into Caroline.

”You know I actually did love being your secretary,” Caroline smiled.

”Putting on that slutty maid outfit and cleaning my office should have gotten you fired you know. You’re lucky it was the office Halloween party, and that I like you so much.” Evelyn said as she took on a more giddy tone. Veronica had never seen her like this before.

”I’m lucky you didn’t fucking enslave me. I just thought it would get your attention but that was before I knew how powerful you really are. Talk about playing a dangerous game!” Caroline exclaimed but remained light hearted. Veronica thought about Caroline as a Secretary turned maid. She probably looked amazing as either. Her appearance seemed to be typically unassuming, even if Veronica thought she was really pretty, but unassuming in a way that made her mysterious and charming. Veronica was a little surprised to even hear her speak so much given how quiet she was at dinner the other night.

”Oh no darling, you have far too much potential for that, though you’d have made an excellent head maid. Barking orders at all the others on my behalf, your eyes lighting up when I came home the way they always do when you see me, such a good little simp” Evelyn teased as she scratched under Caroline’s chin.

“Stop!” Caroline said while laughing, “you’re gonna get me all worked up and we haven’t even eaten yet!” She would desperately change the subject as if she were trying to keep herself under control. “If you told me, back when my family was crammed into a one bedroom apartment, that someday I’d be so good at managing these huge investment accounts I’d probably just laugh at you. I think I expected to end up cleaning up after people like you, or serving your meals.”

”And look at you now. You gave it a real try when you had the chance and managed to impress me, because you are people like me, Caroline. I’d have never known how well we clicked had you not done that. You took a huge risk and it paid off. You’re worth more than just being a secretary, or a dumb maid who can’t think beyond cleaning and fetching drinks.” Evelyn said, kissing Caroline before turning back to Veronica. “You see, that’s the difference between you two, and for you this date is about getting a better understanding of the types of food you’ll be serving to people like us eventually.” 

Veronica trembled as Evelyn kissed her again, melting with feelings of love and arousal mixing into feelings of fear and worry, and falling deeper when Caroline leaned over to kiss her. “She’s cute. I think she likes that idea more than she wants to thinks she does.” Veronica didn’t want to admit it, but part of her thought Caroline was right. 

“She’ll learn to be grateful for it, eventually.” Evelyn said, matter of fact but in a usually friendly tone. “So desperate to be loved as an equal, but will learn to value being loved as a servant. It’s still an important, unique bond, Veronica.” She would look Veronica in the eyes, unblinking as she moved in close again, “in some ways, you’ll be more loved and trusted than a friend or partner ever could be.” 

Veronica shook. She was trapped. Ensared. Again. This wasn’t a date, not for her, this was something else. It clicked and she knew what to expect this time. Evelyn likely knew whoever ran this place. She wanted to be wrong. She wanted to think maybe she could be like Caroline too. “What do- what do you- m-mean Evel- erm Miss Porter?”

”Oh my god that’s adorable!” Caroline said while trying to stifle a laugh

”Well that’s a lovely outfit to show up for your interview, Veronica, but you’ll be switching into slacks and a button up shirt with a bow tie. The owner will provide it and will watch as you serve us this evening. You’ll make excellent wait staff if you just. embrace. your. place.” Those words sunk into Veronica’s brain and made her feel submissive again. “I don’t think you’ll get the job, since you’re showing up a little drunk, but just work hard and maybe the owner won’t notice. You don’t have to worry about any table but ours, so don’t let yourself be overwhelmed, just serve. serve. and. obey. You’ll get used to it. It will be your life soon in one way or another. This will all be worth it once your conscious mind finally embraces what you were always meant to be, won’t it?”

Veronica felt a wave of positive emotions wash over her as her eyes went wide, sending her back into trance again, her internal self giving a mere whimper now as opposed to the usual pathetic attempts to resist. What she said aloud didn’t even shock her the way it usually would. “Yes Miss Porter. I will be happy to serve you and your date this evening.”