Beneath the Bully's Gaze

All for Nothing

Mira stood in front of the mirror that morning, eyes tracing the reflection of someone she barely recognized. Her fingers moved cautiously over the sleek, black dress she had bought with the money Ethan gave her—a dress that hugged her figure in a way that felt unfamiliar, almost foreign to her. The soft fabric draped across her body like a second skin, and for the first time in weeks, she noticed how different she looked. Her dark hair, which had often been left loose and untamed, was pulled back into a soft, controlled ponytail that allowed the natural shine to catch the light. She hadn't gone overboard with makeup; a light layer of foundation to even out her skin, a subtle swipe of mascara, and a touch of lipstick. But somehow, she thought, it was enough to show the world the woman she could be—not the scared girl she had been when she first arrived at the company.

She hesitated for a moment, glancing at the clock on the wall. If she was late again, Ethan would never let her forget it. Her heart squeezed in her chest as she gathered her things, clutching her bag tightly, before walking out of her tiny apartment and heading to the office.

---

The air in the office was stiff and cold when Mira entered. Her heart pounded in her chest, unsure if it was from the tension or the anticipation of how Ethan would react to the effort she had put into her appearance. She kept her head low as she walked past the desks, offering quick, polite smiles to her colleagues. But she could feel the eyes on her. 

As she reached Ethan's office door, she hesitated for only a moment before knocking softly. 

"Enter," Ethan's voice was commanding, and Mira pushed the door open. 

She stepped inside and immediately felt his eyes on her, sharp and assessing. Ethan's gaze moved over her, lingering on every detail. His eyes, dark and unreadable, took in the polished look she had carefully crafted. 

Mira stood still for a moment, waiting for him to say something, anything. But Ethan's lips remained tightly pressed together, his silence almost suffocating. She tried to ignore the growing anxiety in her chest as he looked at her, his gaze so intense that it felt like he could see right through her. 

"Sir," Mira began, breaking the silence, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest. "I just wanted to check in about my work for today, to make sure I'm on the right track." 

Ethan said nothing at first. Instead, he stood, walking slowly around his desk, his eyes still fixed on her. Mira tried not to flinch as he neared her. She could almost feel the weight of his judgment, as if he were measuring every inch of her. 

Finally, he spoke, his voice low, but filled with the same coldness she had grown accustomed to. "You look... different today, Mira. Professional, I suppose. I gave you money for clothes, not for you to try to impress me." 

"I'm not trying to impress anyone," Mira stated.

Mira's heart sank slightly at his words, but she swallowed her disappointment. "I just thought it would help me do a better job, sir," she said quietly, keeping her eyes on the floor. "I want to show I'm serious about my work." 

He didn't respond at first. Instead, Ethan turned his back to her, pacing slowly, his hands clasped behind him as though lost in thought. "You think a new outfit and a bit of makeup will change the fact that you're incompetent?" he asked sharply, his voice carrying a bitter edge. 

Mira flinched, but her expression remained stoic. She wouldn't let him break her down like this again. "I'm doing my best, sir," she said, voice barely above a whisper. 

Without another word, Ethan returned to his desk, his gaze now flicking to the papers in front of him. "Fine. Get to work," he said curtly. "Don't waste any more of my time."