The Kissing Spell Pt. 01

Mark breathed in slowly a few times, enjoying the feel of a body he'd forgotten he had. The air in his lungs felt good, and it also felt good to breathe it out of himself. He didn't want to open his eyes yet, but something told him he should. He fought the sensation as best he could, not remembering it'd been 30 minutes ago where he was instead fighting to keep his eyes open.

Neither fight ended in his favor, and he felt weaker than ever now, certainly too weak to resist it. As his eyes opened, he noticed how different it felt to wake up, like he'd been in a very deep sleep, but he felt no crust to wipe out of his eyes, so it was more like a long nap to him.

The ceiling he stared at for a second reminded him of the one in his office, but this one lacked a small hole he accidentally made a year after getting it. He also noticed that the view from his office wasn't as good as in this one. Before it dawned on Mark that it wasn't his office, whose office it was came into view.

Sabrina, the office consultant, or the red-headed vixen as he liked to think of her. She was smiling at him, a sweet smile that made him smile back. Usually her smiles were tired or fake, trying to be cordial or suggesting the corny jokes he told were never funny. Then there was that smile that morphed from even to unamused to considerate in the space of a few seconds, something he'd never seen any other woman give him as he suggestively mentioned how attractive he thought they were. His approach was never that subtle though, and deserved the blunt phrasing of "hitting on someone." Sabrina, for all her signals of thinking of him as annoying, seemed inviting in regards to his comments, despite the morphing smile.

That sweet smile was shining to him though, it gave him confidence to do something he thought he'd never do. Mark's mouth opened wide and his tongue slid from its confines to be exposed to the air. He started panting steadily, and stayed that way for several minutes. Sabrina's smile widened, and Mark smiled through his canine panting. He knew he was making her happy like this, and that was enough incentive to keep doing it. He knew not to bark though; this time of day at the office, it would be too loud. If he was a good enough boy, someday she might be alone with him to hear the barking of a good dog.

She placed a hand on top of his head, and applied pressure to it. His body took the hint and poured himself out of the chair and to all fours, looking up at her. He wanted to rise up to lean his paws on her, but she didn't give permission for that. She ruffled the human hair on his head, making him shake and enjoy the contact. Snickering escaped from her as she saw Mark's ass sway to and fro, imagining the tail he thought was there, trying to simulate wagging happily in his owner's presence.

After that, she started waving a hand in front of him, drawing his attention to her fingers and fingernails. He followed every direction and movement, thrown off guard by the snap that made him collapse onto the floor.

Sabrina sat atop her desk and stared at the man lying on her floor. She laid a hand atop the miniature grandfather clock on her desk, patting it, running her hand over it appreciatively. Though given the same treatment as Mark, she had more regard for it than most things or people in the office. It helped most of her coworkers there see things from Sabrina's mindset; it was most of everyone on her floor by now, with a few exceptions. She was surprised it took Mark this long to visit her for a mandatory 'wellness-gauging' she was contracted to do for at least everyone on their floor. But then again, his attitude toward women and terrible sense of humor was off-putting enough that she'd delayed seeing him for as long as possible. Once he crossed the line with her, she set him straight, and introduced him to his true nature of being a dog, with the slight modification of being a well-behaved one. Glancing down at him, she found it fascinating that the punishment she dealt was a form of humiliation both of them reveled in, one he might never be consciously aware of. But it was more rewarding to her to have him obediently humiliating himself, as well as symbolically sitting high above him.

Looking at the time on the grandfather clock, she realized it was almost time for the scheduled afternoon meeting.

"Marcus," she spoke with a Gaelic lilt in her voice, "it's almost time for you to wake up and act human again. I know how much you love being a dog, I love it when you are as well. So reflective of your true nature. But after our talk today, you know that you're a better dog on the inside, one that will have more respect for women knowing he, you, are not above any of them. The good dog in you will reflect your everyday life more and more, especially when you interact with women. You do this not only because you know it's right, but also because you know I can bring you back to being a good, obedient dog whenever I and only I tell you to "Heel, Marcus," and you'll be mine again. And whenever you're awoken from your dog-state, you'll have no memory of being a dog or of being hypnotized; merely having dozed off. Understand, Marcus? Speak like a human."

"Yes, Sabrina."

"Excellent, wake up now," she snapped her fingers for effect.

Mark opened his eyes and found himself waking up, wondering when he dozed off. Wanting to rise up from his chair to apologize, he made the motion to but Sabrina raised her hand and stopped him from trying to do so.

"Don't worry Marcus, you'd said you only got a little bit of sleep last night, and sometimes these meetings do get a little boring, something I have to work on. Hopefully the meeting we have in a few minutes won't be."

Mark looked down at his watch and realized how much time had passed.

"Did we...finish?"

"Half-finished, actually. If it weren't for the meeting, we'd keep going, but we can resume this another time."

"Uh...thanks for the talk Sabrina."

"Not a problem Marcus, but let's get to that meeting now."

He nodded and half-smiled at her, excusing himself from her office, still obviously confused.

Sabrina covered her mouth, trying to keep her chuckling to herself even though he was gone. It never ceased to amaze her how easy and susceptible some people were, or what the mind was capable of. It shouldn't have been surprising to her as often as she honed her skill on every subject or pet she made.

A consulting job at an IT firm like this was the easiest employment she'd ever had, in part because she could set her own terms. Her responsibilities were officially to monitor, keep track of, and assist with some of the tedious and sometimes extreme work conditions the industry sometimes called for via therapy. It was becoming less uncommon for tech firms to have standing connections and/or contracts with counselors or therapists, but her boss couldn't help but phrase it as 'experimental' for his firm, since Sabrina was in-house and on-site; 'techload counseling,' her position was creatively dubbed. It was working out though, because everyone she'd met with received the standard means to deal with some of the stress tech work could call for. She also did some side-consulting when it came to dealing with clients, prospective or otherwise. Though she knew little of the industry at first, she was very adept at reading people, predicting behavior, and even helping to indirectly persuade some to stick with their company, given her constant effectiveness. After a lot of work around the office, she helped prevent many potential burnouts, and contributed to an increase in overall productivity. All of this was very natural to her with her expertise in hypnotherapy, so it often felt like a do-nothing job.

Her true calling at a job like this, and the only incentive she had to remain there, was manipulating people for her own enjoyment. Walking out of the office, she enjoyed seeing the fruits of her labor. One of the office gossipers didn't gossip as often as she used to now, conservative dressers and provocative dressers look like they'd traded wardrobes once a week, even if not on the same day, and the 'ladies man' Mark already showed signs of being programmed by not trying to throw every woman he passed by some kind of pick-up line, even a jokingly-made one.

She carried her smile all the way to the boardroom, where most of everyone was already seated, except for a few, including Jon standing in a corner. It looked like he was looking over notes in a report, but his inside-and-out knowledge of reports, and the fact that he was facing away from everyone meant to her he was trying to shield himself from people. Of all the people in the office, Sabrina identified Jon right away as a hard case. He was an above-average project manager, known as a fairly good leader for his or any group he worked with, and among the most serious in the whole building, making his friendship with Mark strange in her eyes. Mark didn't bother trying to talk to him before things started, probably because the vibe he was putting out didn't seem very inviting.

As their boss called everyone to get the meeting started, Jon and Sabrina exchanged a glance as they sat down. Their expressions were blank, but their eyes said enough between them, how Sabrina was trying to analyze him, and Jon trying to mask his feelings as he realized he was being analyzed. Both of them knew what their looks meant as they sat and the meeting was underway.

Jon looked down at the papers in his report, trying to look interested and give his attention, out of respect one of his team members who'd worked hard on the presentation that he'd signed off on. Most managers would do the presentations of their team's work themselves, but he let his people have a chance to step up to the plate, boosting their confidence and their output, and their respect for him. Jon was happy to have his group numbers shown going up, and hoped others would give them the recognition he believed they earned.

Once the floor was turned over to Jesse Candace, another project manager from a different floor, he went back to his report and stayed there. It legitimately contained the same information she'd be showing everyone in slides, but at that point, he really didn't care to look up, a reaction exclusive to that presenter. Jesse had a reputation of being among the friendlier managers in the whole building, showing great camaraderie with her team and anyone else. They often spoke of working under her being like a company perk, and worked hard for the privilege of staying under her wing. Her blonde hair and athletic figure certainly garnered attention, especially from the likes of Mark, but at one point she had eyes only for Jon, and he for her.

It might've been the best-kept secret that they had dated four months before. They'd hit it off pretty well at a company picnic, admiring each other at first for their athletic skill. They played volleyball and Jesse almost dominated the game, showing off her skill. The only one who gave her any real challenge was Jon who got his athletic prowess from martial arts. His team lost to Jesse, but it was close enough that everyone watching was cheering loudly for both sides. After, Jesse and Jon congratulated each other over a beer, and chastely admitted their attraction for one another. Their first time together was the night after, and they started coupling fairly often.

It seemed great to both of them, but Jon had more of an impression that they'd become a couple. He mentioned wanting to discuss if they were 'going steady' one night, but her response was a silent nod and kissing words away for the rest of the evening. He thought for sure that meant 'yes,' but now looked at it as trying to shut him up nor not kill the mood. What he noticed over time was how inconsistent their time together was spent. He measured by weeks; one week they seemed nearly inseparable, and the next she could be totally absent were it not for passing by her at work. Sex happened at least once a week, but for all the passion they tried to put into it, it still felt rather hollow. Jon tried to make it clear early on how much he liked her and that he wanted a stable relationship with her, but she only inferred she wanted that, just enough to convince Jon or herself that that's what she wanted too. It came to halt two weeks prior when he'd planned a dinner for her that she never showed up for, and purposefully avoided his calls and him at work for the next week.

It was then that he considered she just needed her space or that it was over. He could only hope it wasn't him being needy, but he had no way of knowing. He always told her he liked her, but he couldn't help but feel more for her, and was somewhat sure she knew his feelings. Not being able to tell her he'd fallen in love after a month was hard, but he didn't want to try to push things. He didn't know what was worse between those feelings not being reciprocated, those feelings possibly being faked, or being left not knowing for sure how and why things ended. Then a week ago, very late at night, she came to his doorstep, saying nothing, looking solemn yet wanting him, and against his judgment of wanting to question her, he let her in knowing she would probably just go straight for the bedroom with him. She was predictable that night unfortunately, but it hurt a surprising amount to wake up to nothing but a note hastily scribbled "Thanks."

Jon always liked to take romance seriously, passionately, saving all he could give for one person. The hopeless romantic in him thought he found that person in Jesse, but it was a blow to become reduced to just a hook-up. The more Jesse talked in her presentation, the more he contended with the rising desire to tell her off, even making a scene. But he held himself together at his seat, just staring at the paper. The meeting was over before he realized it, and everyone standing up shook him out of his thoughts. He gathered up his papers and commended his subordinate on a job well done as cheerfully as possible before he left for his office. He walked at a brisk pace to his office, not acknowledging everyone like he could, just trying to get away for a few minutes.

As he entered and closed the door to his office, he leaned against the door, lightly banging the back of his head against it. He felt like venting more physical frustration, but he knew that's all he was going to do. He sat down at his desk and leaned back into the chair, closing his eyes, wanting to be alone with his anger.

His solitude barely lasted 5 minutes before there was a knock on his door.

The knock proceeded Sabrina peeking her head in, asking if she could come in.

Jon sighed and said "Sure."

Truth be told, Jon had suspicions about Sabrina, which prevented thinking highly of her. He wondered what the need really was for a consultant like her at the beginning; the idea of in-house therapy was sound, but reservations were strong about the therapist. He hoped it wasn't something like Bevy was sleeping with her and that's how she came to work here, but she did pull her own weight and helped others to continue doing the same. Still, something seemed off about things around her. People who also questioned her for similar reasons now thought highly of her, sometimes after one meeting with her. And attitudes he'd didn't exactly approve of, but gotten used to, changed around the office.

"Is this a bad time Jonathan?"

"No, no, it's ok," he said.

"You look tired," she noted.

"Long night," he tried to briefly explain.

"Jon, I've noticed that I've seen nearly everyone on this floor but you."

"Project managers are obligated to see you?"

"Per Mr. Bevy's wishes, nearly everyone has seen me at least once. I've seen the few project managers on this floor with except you, and I think it'd be in your best interest to see me eventually, maybe soon."

"Soon?"

"To be frank, I think something is bothering you, and no matter how small it is, talking about it early has helped a lot of people avoid the effect of letting something fester to the point of being toxic to their work and even well-being."

"I'm aware of that," Jon stated, squeezing the bridge of his nose.

"Then you can see why I think we should meet soon."

"And if I'm inclined to say no?"

"Then while I understand, that might be something you have to take up with Peter later. But I'll leave this here for you," showing him a CD with something written on the front.

"What is that?"

"A relaxation CD, something I've used for myself and others, and it's helped more people than it hasn't."

"I'll probably be in the 'hasn't.'"

"Only if you want to stay that way...but you're not as hard as you think you are Jonathan."

Jon looked in her direction showing a little bit of agitation in his expression, something that told most people he showed it to 'back off'. Sabrina may have been the first to look unfazed by it.

"And you're not as clever as you think you are, Sabrina."

Sabrina watched him get out of his chair, guessing he was going to try to shuffle her out of his office.

"Hmm, well since we're being somewhat honest with each other, I hazard a guess that someone in the office is affecting you more than you'd like to let on, and that's going to hurt you in the long run."

"While I appreciate your honest appraisal, I'll be honest with you and ask you to leave my office."

"And yet I sense you're response isn't totally honest," she nearly sneered at him.

"Brutal honesty would've been 'get the hell out of my office. Now,'" he quickly replied, taking a step forward, impulsively trying to show intolerance.

"Well, to end this little cycle of honesty, I think you need-to-relax," Sabrina spoke the last word low and sharp to him, taking her own step forward to match his, matching his gaze and expression as if his anger and threats carried no weight, and surprising him by pressing the CD against his chest. He took hold of it as she stepped out of his office.

Jon was left standing near his door, holding the CD, regretting letting that conversation go where it went, yet reluctant to regret speaking his mind like he did. He was sure she wasn't holding back in what she meant, but maybe what she said. He half-expected to hear a complaint from Bevy about their conversation. It would've been her right to since he did dip below the standards he tried to set for himself as a manager, and he thought she would try to use Bevy to reprimand her.

He sat back down at his desk and tried to get some work done, checking over his subordinate's work. A call 15 minutes later.

"Task speaking."

"Jon."

"Hey Peter, I mean, Mr. Bevy," Jon greeted his boss.

"'Peter' is fine, Jon. Are you doing ok? his boss asked.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about what happened earlier," Jon began his apology.

"Those meetings get to all of us, you just seemed more out of it than usual today."

"What?"

"You had your head down the whole time during Ms. Candace's presentation, like you were barely awake."

"Oh, no, it was..." Jon looked for the right excuse "I was double-checking the report for the meeting. Something seemed off at first, and if there was any correction to be made, it was best to be brought up there."

"I have a hard time believing that. I'm guessing you've got a thing for Jesse Candace."

"Wha-?"

"The way you were avoiding looking at her; you remind me of an old shy roommate, who I had to help meet girls. There's nothing wrong with showing interest Jon. There's no policy against inter-company dating, you know that."

"Thanks for the reminder boss, I'll...consider it," Jon couldn't help but be slightly amused at the implication.

"Wouldn't surprise me if she's interested in you."

"Why do you say that?"

"I don't know, you two just look like you'd...fit together. Plus, she looked at you a few times while she was presenting; that could mean something."