Bossed Around

Chapter VI

Victoria stood in front of her closet in just a fresh diaper, and for the first time in what felt like forever she was instructed to dress herself. Her hands trembling as they brushed against the smooth fabric of her favorite suit. It was dark gray, with clean lines that exuded authority and professionalism. Once, this suit had been a symbol of her power—something she wore when she needed to command a room or make a statement. Now, it felt like a relic from a past life, a past identity that was slipping further and further away.

The idea of putting it on felt almost absurd, like trying to step into someone else's skin. But Lydia's voice from the hallway interrupted her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. "Victoria, are you getting ready?" The question was calm, but the underlying expectation was clear. Lydia wasn't asking if she needed help; she was checking to see if Victoria had made the right decision.

Victoria swallowed hard, feeling the familiar mix of fear and submission that had become her constant companion. "I... I'm trying," she called back, her voice shaky.

Lydia appeared in the doorway, already dressed in a simple yet elegant blouse and slacks. Her gaze flicked to the untouched suits and then back to Victoria, an unreadable expression on her face. "Is there a problem?" she asked, though her tone suggested that any problem Victoria had would need to be solved quickly.

Victoria hesitated, unsure how to voice the turmoil she felt. "I... I don't think I can wear these," she admitted, barely able to meet Lydia's eyes.

Lydia's gaze softened slightly, but her tone remained firm. "Why not?"

Victoria opened her mouth to speak but found that the words wouldn't come. How could she explain that the idea of putting on that suit, of pretending to be the woman she used to be, felt impossible? How could she articulate the fear that had taken root inside her, the fear that she no longer knew who she was?

Instead, she just shook her head. "I don't know," she whispered. "It just... doesn't feel right."

For a moment, Lydia simply studied her, and Victoria feared that she had disappointed her once again. But then Lydia nodded, as if she had expected this. "Alright," she said calmly. "You don't have to wear it if you don't want to."

Relief washed over Victoria, but it was short-lived as Lydia continued. "But you can't go to the office in pajamas, either. You need to look professional. If you wear the suit now, I'll let you change into something more comfortable later. How does that sound?"

Victoria's heart skipped a beat. The promise of comfort, of being allowed to slip back into the safety of her new role, was tempting. But the thought of putting on the suit still filled her with dread. "I... I guess that's okay," she murmured, feeling as though she had no choice.

Lydia nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Good. Now, let's get you dressed." She stepped forward, reaching for the suit, and Victoria's breath caught in her throat as she realized how relieved she was that she wasn't dressing herself.

She had become so accustomed to Lydia's control that the idea of dressing herself felt foreign. Without another word, Lydia helped Victoria into the suit, guiding her arms into the sleeves and buttoning up the jacket. The sensation of the familiar fabric against her skin was strange, almost disorienting, as if it belonged to someone else entirely.

"There," Lydia said softly, smoothing the fabric down Victoria's shoulders. "You look perfect." Victoria stared at her reflection in the mirror, trying to reconcile the image before her with the woman she had become. The suit fit her perfectly, as it always had, but something about it felt wrong—like an ill-fitting costume she had been forced to wear.

But before she could dwell on the discomfort, Lydia's hand on her shoulder grounded her. "You're going to be fine," Lydia said, her voice calm and reassuring. "Remember, this is just for work. When the day is over, you can change into something more comfortable. But for now, you need to focus on being the boss."