"No. Not those... I want that one. The one right on the top. Yes, the blue one. Hand it over to me now!" shout Ayumi Reiner at Hitomi Kato.
Hitomi quickly drags the ladder to another section and did as asked.
All the time, Ayumi hawk eyes are watching her every movement.
Hitomi feels like her heart is about to burst.
'Why does her first customer in this exclusive shoe boutique had to be this person?' She thinks to herself.
"Did you get it yet?" Ayumi ask impatiently. Hitomi turned her back and tries to grab the shoe. It's no use. Her arms is way too short.
Looks like she's going to need some assistance.
However, this difficult customer is not taking any excuses today. She wanted the shoe right at this minute and no later.
With annoyed look, Ayumi walk underneath the ladder. She's looking straight at Hitomi with her arms crossed.
"Hey! What's taking you so long? Don't you know that I got places to be?" she said and kick the ladder hard. The ladder begins to shake.
Hitomi quickly balance herself. She tries to extend her hand and grab the shoe one more time.
'Just a little bit closer…' Hitomi whispered to herself. She knows she almost got it.
As soon as her hand reaches at the back of the shoe, Hitomi felt a huge sense of relief. Yes! She got the damn shoe at last! Now what left to do is to give it to Ayumi Reiner and hope that she wouldn't change her mind again.
"Here, miss… Your shoe." Hitomi says, handling it with both hands to Ayumi.
Ayumi quickly grab the shoe and inspected it for a while, before shoving it back to Hitomi.
Hitomi looks at her, a little confused while
Ayumi left out a smirk.
"Well? What are you waiting for? Quickly put it on me!" she demands.
Hitomi tries to calm herself down. If Ayumi's not one of this boutique important patron, she wouldn't even bothered to do this. But, her manager had warn her earlier that out of all the VVIP customer that they have; Ayumi Reiner is their most important and valued ones.
That's because not only Ayumi's a customer, but she is also their employer.
There's a special consolation if Hitomi manage to entertain Ayumi's crazy antics and demands for a day. If she succeed, than that means she can become a full-time employee there. Three months, and all the health, dental and other benefits plus comission. Fail and she'll get kick out.
It's as simple as that.
Before Ayumi arrives, Hitomi had made a little research. According to that research, Ayumi Angel Reiner is a Japanese-French heiress and a top shoe designer.
A natural-born prodigy who been designing her own shoe since she was ten, Ayumi now owns a few shoes branch all around the world.
But the one in Japan remains her favorite.
That's because it's the first one that she ever built with her older sister, the late Chiharu Reiner.
Therefore, when it comes to shoes, nobody is as meticulous and demanding as Ayumi. She knows everything there is to know about it, and didn't hide the fact of how proud she is with each design. Still, as good as she is with her work – not much can be said about her relationship with others, especially her own employee.
When it comes to them, Ayumi rules everyone with an iron fist. Thanks to her perfectionist nature, almost nobody is safe from her careful inspection. But, Ayumi wasn't always this bad.
She's used to be kind and considerate to her employee. Things changed after the death of her beloved sister, Chiharu nearly two years ago.
Her death have left a deep impact on Ayumi.
Since then, her behavior had changed from bad to worst.
Ayumi lack of concern for others and tyraniccal rule over her employee have cause a problem. Most of her long-time employee had had enough and some even quit their jobs.
With them gone, there's a resurgence in job opening at Ayumi shoe boutique store.
That's where Hitomi Sato come in place.
While her bullying increases, Ayumi's passion for designing shoes declines. She's not as deeply passionate as she used too.
But, despite the lack of new shoe collection; the sales in her Ayumi's shoe boutique continues to soar. Thanks to a crazy rumour that she's closing shop soon - people been pilling her shoes up like crazy.
Most wanted to buy them now so they can sell it later with a high collector value price.
Ayumi have no idea how the rumors spread, but thanks to it – she become even richer than before.
And because of the economy recession - despite of the ill treatment, none of her current employee dare to quit their job yet.
"How is it, miss?" Hitomi asks, her heart pounding.
Ayumi twirls her feet around to get a feel of the new shoe.
She then looks at Hitomi and give her a sly smile.
"Well, I think it looks absolutely hideous on me. Don't you agree?" she replied.
Hitomi can feel sweat forming behind her neck. Is this a test? She thinks to herself.
Even if the shoe doesn't suit her, Ayumi is the one who designed it.
One wrong answer and her new job could be at stake here.
Hitomi continues to look at Ayumi without blinking. After a long consideration, she decided its probably better for her to give out a neutral response.
"l... I think it looks great on you. But, if you don't like this color, we also have different ones. Just tell me what color that you want and I will fetch it for you, maam."
Upon hearing Hitomi respond, Ayumi suddenly removes the shoe. Then, she toss it on the floor.
Her action made Hitomi flinch.
Ayumi then left out a sigh.
"You really are a tool. Now I begin to wonder about the idiot who choose to hire you?" she commented.
Hitomi takes a deep gulp. But Ayumi is not done. She quickly stands up just she could have a closer look at Hitomi.
When Hitomi begin to look down at her shoes, she forcibly lifted Hitomi's chin up with her dainty fingers.
Their eyes met.
"Do you know what I hate about a newbie like you?" she asked.
Hitomi shakes her head. Ayumi sighs.
"I hate of how spineless you are."
"But, I…"
"What? Afraid you'll get fired? Damn right you are… You should be fired right at this instant for giving me a non-answer such as that. I'm a customer! When I told you it's ugly from start, you should've agree with me." She barks.
Hitomi didn't say anything. Ayumi continues.
"What if someone sees me wearing this outside and later laughs at me? Who will take responsibility then? YOU?"
"I'm sorry, maam."
"As if your apology could save me from a wasted time." she added.
Hitomi look down at her feet again.
'What a bad start to a new job', she thinks to herself.
Once she could find a little courage, she finally lifted up her chin, smiles, and says;
"Maam, I know I'm at fault. Please forgive me. I promise it won't happen again. This is only my first day... Please don't fire me. I'm begging you." Hitomi says.
Her voice is soft but firm. She's trying so hard to remain her composure so she could keep her new job.
Ayumi scoffs a laugh.
"You are a terrible worker. It's only right if you get fired."
"But, I haven't done anything wrong. I already followed your every order, didn't I? I really think that shoe looks great on you. It's only my humble opinion. How am I fired still?"
"Excuse me? This is MY boutique! I make the rules here!" Ayumi barks back.
Hitomi begin to fidget her fingers.
"Is there no way you could forgive me? Call it a rookie mistake?"
"But you not a rookie, are you? According to you resume, you already have over six years of experience working at department store selling a lingerie. I know it's a different type of sell, but the goal is still same. Keeping your customer happy and satisfied." Ayumi reply without hesitation.
"Now, look at my face.Do I look happy nor satisfied to you?" she added.
When she look at Ayumi Reiner unhappy face, Hitomi heart sank. Oh, well... If this is her punishment for dreaming big, she'll have to accept it.
For what it's worth, Hitomi knows she had tried her best today.
"Alright. If that what you want, I won't refute. It's your decision as the owner of this boutique and I shall respect that. But if you still going to fire me, then I have to fill the form to collect my unemployment benefits from you."
"What benefits? You only work here for a day."
"But, I have nothing to fall back on if you fire me now. I think it's only fair to collect that benefit while looking for another job, don't you?"
"I won't let you."
"Then what else am I going to do?"
Ayumi crossed her arms and sexy legs before showing a wicked smile. She put one hand underneath her own chin before continues;
"Since you asked... you can be my pet, for one thing. Do you want too?" she asks calmly.
Hitomi frowns. Her pet? Like a dog… or cat?
"I'm sorry… But, I don't think I understand." She replied. Ayumi still smiling.
"That means I'll OWN you. I'll take a good care of you if you agrees. How about that?" Ayumi added. Her eyes are staring intensely at Hitomi.
Hitomi can't help but takes a gulp down her throat. When Hitomi didn't show any sign of reponse, Ayumi grabbed Hitomi's hand and whispers;
"But first, let's get outta here. There's too much people in this crampy boutique." She said, almost seductively. Hitomi blinks at her a couple of times. When she showed no signs of moving, Ayumi forcibly grabbed Hitomi's hand and dragged her out from the store. Other employers are whispering and looking at them oddly, but none dare to intervenes.
As the car door opens, Ayumi enters first. Then, she turned to Hitomi who is still standing outside.
"How long are you going to stand there for? Get inside!" she sneers.
With a shaky hand, Hitomi's open the car door. She silently enters the car without looking at Ayumi.
Once the door is closed, the car begin to drive into an unknown destination.
This is when Ayumi begin to withdraw a cigarette holder from her expensive purse. The pose she struck while smoking brings Hitomi to a weird daze.
"Do you smoke?" she asks Hitomi. The girl sitting besides her only shakes her head.
Ayumi chuckles and suddenly put one of her hand on Hitomi's thigh. Then, just as slowly, she begin to caress Hitomi's thigh.
Hitomi heart starts to beat loudly as Ayumi continues to leaned close. Too close to her now that Hitomi find herself drowsy from inhaling Ayumi's heavy and expansive perfume.
When Ayumi's hand begin to slip underneath Hitomi's short skirt, she have to push it away.
"Please… no!" she shriek, a little.
Ayumi stopped. A sly smile begin to form on the corner of her lips.
"A good girl, huh? We'll see how long that last." She said and give Hitomi a kiss on her lips. Her kiss taste like strawberry tobacco and ashes.
Hitomi couldn't stand the stench, but that doesn't stop Ayumi from slidding her tongue into Hitomi's mouth.
Ayumi only releases her when she notice that Hitomi's holding her breath.
"Stop that… or you might faint." She warns her. Hitomi's breathing again.
"Now, kiss me."
"But, I…" Hitomi didn't finished her words.
Somehow, Ayumi piercing gaze made her freeze.
Hitomi's instinct is telling her that if she refuses this; something more terrible might take place later.
In order to avoid that, Hitomi just did as she's told.
She kiss Ayumi's back while closing her eyes. As their kiss lingers, a tear starts to fall down het cheeks.
Ayumi seem to take a notice.
"Why are you crying? I haven't done anything yet."
"But, you're going to… aren't you?" Hitomi replied. Tears have started to stream now.
Ayumi look at her in annoyance.
"Such a crybaby. Stop making that face, when you look just like her." the snobbish heiress commented.
Hitomi frowns a little. Her? Who is she talking about? Before Hitomi get to ask, Ayumi suddenly turned her face away.
Hitomi begins to wonder what's on her mind. But, Ayumi makes no further comments until they have circled back to the store once more. There, Ayumi bark an order to the driver to open the door. The door is opened from outside.
Hitomi is free, once more.
When Hitomi's turned her head towards Ayumi again, she noticed the car has gone, along with its passenger.
Hitomi sigh off a relief.
She hope that that is the last time she'll be seeing Ayumi's Reiner, the owner of Reiner Shoe Boutique.
- End of Chapter 1-