Laura - Part 2

Her ankle already weakened, nestled in the tight ankle boot gets tested. Her left foot plants directly on a small patch of water on the smooth concrete and her stiletto heel starts to slip as she corrects herself to stop her from falling, she lifts and plants her right foot but the extra pressure and the speed it happens, and the weakened state of her ankle, causes it to twist outwards sharply. She feels multiple sharp pains instantly strike right in her ankle where the doc had pressed the day before. This time double what she felt the day before when stepping off the tread mill. Even with her best attempt this time, she can’t stop herself from falling forward, albeit very graceful and slowly. She is fortunate enough to fall sideways as not to damage her knees on the way down. 

 

“Ah shit” she exclaims quite loudly, her immediate reaction has her looking around to see if anyone saw her or is in the carpark. As she scans the surrounds, she is relieved to notice no one is around. Then her focus turns to the intense throbbing from her right ankle. 

 

“This is worse”, she tells herself, “god why didn’t I listen to the doc and not wear these heels!!

 

She goes to move herself around as to better position her legs, and as she starts to lift her right ankle, she gets a searing pain radiating front her ankle right up her lower leg to her knee, “aaarrghhh” she exhales a moan of pain. 

 

Next her attention is drawn away from her ankle again, as she hears the click clack sound of the underground carpark garage door starting to move, someone must be coming in. 

 

She looks around and is only a few feet away from a concrete pillar. She quickly gathers her things as best as possible and starts to slide her way over to the concrete pillar. As she reaches it, she pivots so that she is on her knees facing the pole, and then wraps both arms around the concrete pillar. 

 

Screeches from the tyres of a moving vehicle along the concrete are getting louder and she starts to hurry. She uses the pole and her arms and gets her left foot flat and then pushes up into a standing position. She takes a split second, and without even thinking about her ankle she lets the pole go and goes for a step. Her right-hand snaps to her right thigh as she step forward, and the pain radiates from her ankle. She lets out a moan of pain as she continues as best as possible, almost dragging her injured ankle as she makes her way to the elevator. She reaches the elevator with a few small hops and presses the button rapidly. 

 

The sounds are getting closer and the elevator arrives, “Ding” the doors open which seems to take an eternity, and Laura takes a few small short hops into the elevator and quickly depresses the level 20 button. Just as the doors are closing, she sees the headlights come around the carpark. 

 

With only a 40 second elevator trip, Laura takes a few deep breaths. “How will I do this”. Not sure she can pull it off and walk through the office without anyone noticing, she keeps breathing heavily. “Come one Laura, don’t disgrace yourself now, don’t let the staff see your weakness, and watch you crying.” She pulls herself together with her internal pep talk and prepares for that lift to open. 

 

She quickly checks her hair and straightens her dress as she watches the numbers go by, 18, 19, 20 – “Ding”

 

The doors slide open and Laura puts on her best face. She uses everything she can for support, starting with the elevator, placing a hand on the door jamb as she steps out. The pain is so intense she is not sure she can make it. As she steps slightly slower than normal, she tries to limit the movement in her ankle as she steps, she is sure to look around at everyone, then she gets an idea. 

 

Laura yells out, “Everyone Meeting Room 10 pm, I want to see everything”

 

Everyone stops and hears and like clockwork they all lower their heads and start to rush around frantically getting their work organised. 

 

She hopes this will provide the cover she needs, As she continues to walk through the office, she is really starting to struggle, Every step feels like her ankle will give out at any moment, The throbbing is constant and deep, the pain radiates all the way to her knee. She holds her head high as she steps one step at a time. 

 

As she nears her office, the biggest challenge, nothing to touch, and close interaction with Rachel. As she lets go of the last desk and workstation divider, she steps slowly and surely, Now bearing her full weight, she reaches Rachel. “Here is your coffee and your appointments and messages” Rachel says as she hands over all the documents. 

 

Laura takes the coffee and documents and murmurs a quite command to Rachel, “ Can you please get doc Robinson and Daniel back today at 10:30 sharp. She then reaches for her door handle and enters her office, slamming the door closed. 

 

Once inside she drops the papers on the floor and leans on the door holding her coffee in her left hand and reaching down to her right leg with her right hand. The pain is at least double as the day before, and more rapid and deeper. Her heart racing as she takes a few deep breaths to try and compose herself. She needs to get her ankle up asap so she starts her way to her desk. Now in the privacy of her office, every step is a struggle, the small limp from yesterday is a heavy limp, only steps from the desk it can’t come fast enough. She reaches out and hops the last couple steps to the reach the desk, before placing her coffee down and her things, and then uses the desk for support to reach her desk phone. She grabs it and presses Number 3, Mikes Number. It rings for a brief second as she lowers her head from the pain. 

 

Then he answers, “Mike, can you come to my office right away, and bring some files any files!!”

 

Mike rather confused about the request, grabs the first file off his desk and starts he walk to Laura's office. Laura puts the phone down and turns resting on the desk for the moment. 

 

Mike knocks at the door, “Come in” Laura bellows across the room. 

 

Mike enters and closes the door behind him, as he turns, he can see a few sheets of paper on the floor, and he goes to pick them up, before Laura pipes up. 

 

“Forget that, I need you to help me to the couch” a moment of weakness is expressed, but knowing well that she has control over mike at present. 

 

He walks towards her and asks, “What’s wrong”, Laura with a gasp of air as she keeps the pain and tears down, exhales, “ I went over on my god damn ankle in the carpark” 

Mike concerned as it clearly seems its much worse than the day before, goes to her right side. She throws her arm over his shoulders and then points to the sofa, “Over there”

 

She keeps most of the weight off her right foot using Mike for support. As they reach the couch she lean’s forward to sit down and then turns herself around on the sofa, before starting to lift her right leg up. 

 

“Sit there” she points at the coffee table Infront of her. Mike takes a seat, and then Laura starts to lift her right foot up, “Arrghh Shit” she moans turning her pain into the aggression as a way to deflect, “Stupid Bloody ankle!!!”

 

Laura then places her foot down on mikes lap where he gently cradles her high heel ankle boot. For a moment, Laura takes a breath sinking into the sofa, composing herself not to break down to crying mess. 

 

‘Ok Mike I need you to get my shoe and sock off, just make it fast”

Mike goes to work straight away, first he starts at the zipper on the inner side of the boot, and zips it down all the way, the movement sending jolts of pain from Laura's ankle, as she squirms on the sofa a bit. He then supports her leg and takes hold of the high heel from underneath to work the ankle boot off. At first its resisting, clearly her ankle is swelling already. “Just do it” Laura commands. Then with a good forceful tug, Mike jolts the shoe free, the pain shoots right up Laura’s leg, as she feels the boot release and she slams her hand down on the sofa, while excreting explicit language, “Fu..k, Shit, God Damn!!”

 

Mike drops the boot to the ground and then starts on the thin white sock, grabbing the top, luckily this provides little resistance, and he makes quick work of it slipping it off her foot completely, before resting her heel in the palm of his hand for support. 

 

Laura grabs her leg, as she feels instantly her body starts to react to the injury. A rush of blood going down her leg to her ankle, as the throbbing increases. Trying her best to keep her emotions in, she looks down at her ankle nestled in Mikes hands, as mike also looks down at her ankle. Her ankle starts to grow right before their eyes. What started as a very small lump on the outer side of her right ankle, progresses to a golf ball within a few seconds. “Oh god I can feel it swelling” Laura exhales, as the blood rushes down her leg. Mike is silent, never seeing anything like this happen before he doesn’t know what to say. The throbbing gets deeper and faster, she release’s her grasp on her leg hoping the pain will soften.  Laura watches her ankle as it continues to swell, the lump grows and grows, until it reaches the size if a tennis ball completely engulfing the outer side of her ankle. She feels the blood rush slowing and takes a breath and once again sinks back into the sofa. 

 

Mike silent the whole time, is somewhat concerned. Never seeing something like that before, he doesn’t know whether its normal or not. “Mike get the ice pack and bandage” She commands him. Mike slowly lifts up Laura’s leg and Laura grabs under her right thigh with her hands to hold her foot elevated as Mike fetches the bandage and ice pack. 

 

He returns within seconds and takes a seat as Laura places her foot back down in the safety of mikes hands. He immediately applies the ice pack to the ankle, fortunately the ice pack is long enough to cover both the inner and outer side of the ankle. Laura releases a huge sigh of relief after the ice only being on her ankle for a minute as the cold freezing sensation starts to numb the pain rapidly. 

 

“Ok Mike, this is what is going to happen” Mike still taking in the beauty of Laura’s feet even with her sprained, her pristine toes lay bare for him to gaze upon. 

 

“Get the bandage and wrap my ankle on top of the ice pack that will hold it still for a while. Then help me to my desk, and I will sit there with my foot under the desk where no one can see. Move that white board forward of my desk and then assemble the team, and advise them we will be relocating to my office for the meeting at 10”

 

Laura’s brain already working flawlessly to ensure she does not expose one inch of weakness to her staff. Mike starts the tasks, first by helping Laura lower her foot to the floor. As it lowers, she feels the blood rushing again, and the pain intensify. Her face cringes, but she maintains her composure. Then Mike assists her to stand and she holds her ankle boot and sock in her left hand and her right arm over mikes shoulders for support as she hops slowly to her desk, reaching her swivel executive chair and then slumping down into the chair. 

 

Mike hurries to move the white boards to the front of the desk in preparation and ensures everything is in its place. “Ok I’ll get the team organised” Mike exclaims as he rushes from the room. 

 

Laura sits at the desk with her ankle down, the throbbing intensifying as the blood continues to flood the area. She Opens her computer and starts on her emails, to distract herself from the pain at large. 

 

Before the Team arrive, she prepares herself with some self-imposing affirmations, “Laura you are the queen in this office, and everyone is your servant. Your strength is second to none, your will power will overcome, and your pride will remain in tack”

She goes on. 

 

Then a flurry of action is heard as the team leaders and Mike come into Laura's Office. 

“What are you all waiting for, Mike you start” Laura exhales with a stern sharp voice. 

The tone forces each team leader to immediately snap their attention to the white boards as Mike goes to work explaining and then each member adds their input. The whole time, Laura’s mind is drifting from focusing on the discussion, to the throbbing from her ankle. The Pressure that’s building as the swelling spreads, the burning sensation from the ice pack which is now starting to deeply freeze the joint and surround soft tissue. 

 

As the meeting comes to a close, Laura snaps back to the present, “Right Team, you all know what you have to do, now I want this completed by 5pm next Wednesday, that’s 2 days ahead of schedule, so that we can be prepared. No ifs of Buts.” Laura's words bellowing across the room like an army sergeant major leading his platoon into battle. 

 

“Well what are you still standing here for!!”

 

Everyone grabs their items and scuffles away from the office, including mike closing the door behind him. 

 

She takes a deep breath as everyone vacates the room. Momentarily taking in the pain. “Ring Ring” “Ring Ring” her phones echoes of the timber desk, “Yes” Laura answers with a stern voice. 

 

“Dr Robinson and Daniel are here” Rachel quietly advises over the phone. “Send them in and close the door, and cancel my appointments for the rest of the day”

 

“Yes Laura” Rachel Replies as she is met with the sound of the phone being hung up in her ear!!

 

Dr Robinson and Daniel enter the room, with their individual supply cases in toe. Both not overly sure what they are there for this time, but it soon becomes apparent. As Laura stands herself up from behind the desk and whilst leaning on the desk for support hops her way around the back edge. 

 

Daniel pipes up, “That doesn’t look good”, Laura looks up and the look from her eyes to Daniel could kill as if to say, “You’re a moron of course it’s not good”

 

The Doc Asks what happens as Daniel Helps Laura Hop over from the desk to the sofa again. She goes on to explain how she slipped and went over on it again worse than the first time. As she reaches the couch and slumps forwards before rotating, she looks at Dr Robinson and Daniel and says, “I Don’t care what’s wrong, I just need this sorted before next Friday as I have a big presentation I will be walking into and will not be missing it for anything” 

 

The doc gets Laura to raise her foot up onto the coffee table, as he starts to remove the bandage layer by layer. Daniel opens his case and prepares himself whilst Laura sits on the sofa wondering how she can cover this up in the office for the next few days.

 

As the bandage is removed completely and the ice pack is lifted, the extent of the damage is revealed. Her outer ankle which was the size of a tennis ball only 1.5 hours prior has reduced somewhat, but the swelling has not disappeared rather dispersed around the outer and inner ankle. The Doc starts to prod and poke, Laura grimaces her face as jolts of pain radiate, Then Daniel takes over, lifting her leg up to check the range of motion. “Ok point your foot forward, now back, now Left and Right” he says observing, all while Laura feels the throbbing increasing, and feels the resistance from her ankle as she tries to use all her strength to move it. 

 

The Doc and Daniel share observations, and then the Doc speaks out. “Laura, you have certainty made it worse. We believe it to be a grade 2 sprain of the lateral right ankle. Judging by the swelling there is some mild to moderate ligament partial tearing.”

 

Laura stairs at them both thinking this is all a little gobble goop to her, she just needs to be ready for next Friday. “Ok Doc and Daniel so what’s the plan to sort me out by next week? 

 

The two exchange a few ideas between them, and the doc grabs his script pad and some medication from his trunk style medical kit. 

 

Daniel starts to unpack a small box with a cord and what looks like a large icepack attached via a tube. 

 

“Ok Laura, here are some strong pain killers and stronger anti-inflammatory medication. There isn’t much I can do more, but Daniel has a solid plan to help get you going asap”

 

Laura takes the script and medication boxes from the doc, and places them on the coffee table. “Ok Daniel well it’s all up to you, don’t waste any time get going:” she commands as if he was one of her employees. 

 

The doc packs up his belongings and heads out of the room. Meanwhile the whole team is completely distracted from the commotion that has ensued this morning. There is a group chat being shared between team leaders on their PC’s. 

 

Sarah who is Laura number 1 hater, offers no remorse saying “Maybe they should just put her out of her misery” clearly showing the hate she has for her. 

 

Hannah pipes up not as vindictive as Sarah, “we should tell the doctor to send her on a 6 month vacation!!” as a few laughing emojis are shared around. Sarah Jumps in, “Rachel can you hear any screaming over there, or is she a crying mess on the floor?” she asks, to which Rachel replies, “hahaha oh one can only hope she is in the foetal position crying on the floor, would make up for all the times she made me cry.”

 

The conversation goes on as Daniel, goes straight to work, he starts to explain what he is planning to do to Laura, “Ok Laura I’m going to use a mixture of cryotherapy to treat….” Laura's head slumps back on the top of the sofa in complete disregard looking up at the ceiling. “Don’t care what just need to know when and be a good kid and get my phone off my desk” Daniel a little shocked at the abruptness from Laura, Does as commanded. 

 

Daniel wraps her ankle with a large looking ice pack that is a blue, transparent plastic colour and then starts up the machine, Instantly a thick fluid goes gushing into the pack around her foot and ankle and it starts to expand more and more until it is very firm from the base of her toes to about 4 inches above her ankle. Then the water gets cooler and cooler, and within a few minutes, it maintains a pressure and an icy cold temperature, just below freezing point. Laura oblivious to what is going on, works off her mobile phone, engaging in calls and responding to emails. She feels the coldness start to relieve most of the pain. She reassures herself, “see nothing to worry about, you got this!!”

 

The treatment goes on for about 30 mins, and Daniel goes on to explain his suggestions for treatment. “Ok I’ll be here 3 times a day every day, and I can visit your home on the weekend, 9am, 12pm and 4 pm, we will do the cryotherapy solely for the next 3 days then we will start to exercise the joint and rebuild motion. I would suggest you keep off it and elevated until Monday that will be 5 days including today and here is some ointment massage this into the ankle and foot to help reduce the bruising and swelling also.” Laura looking at her phone the whole time looks up and acknowledges Daniel’s commentary and take the bottle from him. 

 

Before leaving Daniel bandages up Laura's ankle perfectly leaving her toes and heel exposed before resting it back down on the coffee table. As Daniel is about to head out the door, Laura calls out and Says, “I’ll see you at 4pm and can tell my assistant to send in Mike”

 

Daniel exits the room and passes on the message. Moments later mike enters cautiously, as see’s Laura on the Sofa with her foot up, as she finishes a phone conversation he gazes at her beautiful toes and her exposed heel, feeling himself her aroused more and more. Laura hangs up the phone and interrupts Mike from his daydream, “Mike, help me back to my desk then I need you to do two things for me” Mike obliges, and helps her lower her foot down being sure to put his hands on her gentle toes, and supporting it by resting her heel in the cup of his hand. As he gets her up and she starts the journey to her desk she continues, “I need you to go to and buy me a pair of crutches but leave them in your car. The next 5 days I need you to take me home and bring me here in the morning. But this needs to occur when no one is here, so late at night and early morning. Then by Monday I’ll be walking again and ready for the meeting on Friday. This is your chance to show me that I’m right in trusting you.” She finishes off with. 

 

Mike nods and heads out of the office to complete the tasks at hand. 

 

The remainder of the day goes quickly, Daniel Returning at 4pm to carry out another treatment, and Laura is able to hide away in her office, with the team just thinking that she is too busy focusing on this big contract to be spend time doing her rounds, but she is very capable of micro managing her team right from her desk. 

 

As 10pm rears Mike waits for everyone to leave until the office is clear and heads down to the carpark to fetch the crutches Laura Requested and then bring them back up to the office. He makes his way to Laura's office, and knocks before entering. 

 

“Everyone is gone now, and I have your crutches, as he enters holding them out by his side.” 
Laura gazes up from her computer, and then tells mike “To grab so he can massage her ankle again” Mike feeling like a kid in a candy store inside, does as he is told, and shortly finds himself sitting with Laura’s barefoot in his lap. Laura hands over the small bottle of ointment that Daniel gave her. Mike starts to gently massage her foot and ankle, working on the swollen areas, and he is somewhat relieved to see that the swelling had already reduced by almost half. The inner and outsides of her ankle still less defined from her normal perfectly defined ankles. 

 

After about 15 minutes, Laura closes her laptop and turns to Mike, “Ok, Bandage my ankle up and lets go”

 

Mike does as he is told and fetches the bandage from the top of the desk and gently, but firmly wraps her ankle in a neat figure of 8 pattern, leaving her toes and heel exposed again. Laura then lowers her ankle down, feeling the blood rush again but not as bad as previously. Mike moves the chair away and passes the crutches to Laura as she stands herself up using the desk for support, and then slides her arms into the forearm crutches that mike got for her earlier in the day. Laura gives a snide remark to Mike hinting at him to pick up her things and her shoe. 

 

As Laura leads the way, yes even on crutches she is control, she gracefully crutches toward the elevator across the office. Mike follows closely behind watching her every step, seeing her bandaged ankle, and her heel and toes swaying forward and backwards with each step. Mesmerised like he is being hypnotised watching the foot sway forward and back, forward and back. 

 

Once in the elevator they descend to the carpark, Laura leading with mike closely behind and they head for her nice Mercedes park in the car park, she heads to the passenger door, which is a first for Laura, as she always is in control even when she drives. Once in Mike secures the crutches in the rear seat and they start the journey to Laura's house. 

 The drive home is mostly silence with the occasional direction given by Laura, as she pounds away on her phone, Planning her days ahead. She also cancels her PT for the next 2 weeks as she wants to make sure she is good for the meeting on the following Friday. 

 

Once they arrive Mike exits the vehicle and assists Laura with her crutches and then walks her to her front door, at which time, mike who is feeling very tingly inside, wonders if he should offer more help or not, but Laura quickly answers the question, speaking out “Thanks Mike I’ll take it from here” Mike passes over the items to Laura and then turns and heads down the walkway to the car. 

 

Just as he is about to reach the car, Laura yells out “I’ll see you at 6am”

 

Mike hears and responds, “Ok”

 

Mike spends the night awake in bed, go over the last few days in his head and he can’t get the picture and feel of Laura's foot in his hands. His mind reminds him how soft her sole is, how delicate her toes are, and magnificently shaped her feet are. He eventually nods off well into the early hours of the morning. 

 

Friday morning arrives and it runs exactly as Laura had planned. Mike picks her up at the crack of dawn, she sneaks into the office to ensure that no one will see her in her weakened state, not even able to walk on her own to two feet, how demeaning!!

 

She goes about her day as if nothing had changed. Daniel attends 3 times a day as organised and Mike completes his duties keeping Laura's secret safe. 

 

By the end of Friday night, Mike is exhausted and heads home from Laura house. He slumps down on his bed, starring at the ceiling, once again in disbelief but in aww at the same time. He recalls the foot massage he gave to Laura tonight before, dropping her home. Her ankle still swollen the same as the day before, with some light bruising showing on the outer side of the ankle. But what he remembers most is gently caressing his fingers along her soft sole, attended to each toe individually and his hands traveling along her foot and up to her lower leg, “Ahhhhhh, what a week” he claims to his self. 

 

Monday comes around faster than expected, having spent most of his weekend in the office working mostly alone, it’s like the week never ended. He arrives to pick up Laura first thing Monday morning, and is surprised to see Laura come to the door using only one crutch and sporting her high heeled ankle boots which where her demise last week. 

 

“Feeling Better I see” Mike says, trying to engage in a little chit chat. Laura swings the door closed, “Thanks Captain obvious” Laura Replies. Mike all the while thinking, “yup she is definitely feeling better!!”

 

During the day she sees Daniel as planned and on the afternoon visit Daniel is very happy with the progress. 90 % of the swelling has reduced, there is some bruising and discolouration on the outer side of the ankle, but it looks a lot better than a few days earlier. Very happy with his advanced sport method he used, which is usually only administered to professional athletes to help recover quickly. 

 

“Ok let’s get you standing on your two feet” Daniel says to Laura. Laura Slowly stands herself up from the sofa, both her shoes removed, and her feet nestled warmly in her thin white socks. “Ok take a few steps forward for me” Laura walks a few paces forward, quite comfortably. Some Minor limping and some tenderness exposed when turning but generally pretty good. “Ok coming along nicely”, Daniel says. Let’s work on the movement. 

 

Daniel starts with a light massage on the ankle, to warm up the join somewhat and then starts to move the foot around, Forward, Backward and aide to side. Each direction testing the extremities of the movement, as he turns the foot inwards, Laura lets a brief moan. “still a bit tender that direction, as expected” Daniel exhales. Laura impressed with her rapid recovery, has nothing but praise for herself, yes that’s right. Her mind now racing ahead several days, thinking about how powerful she will be Infront of the amazon executives in her board room when she presents the project to them. 

 

And no sooner time to start to project that power and confidence again, No sooner does Daniel leave, and Laura slips her heeled boots back on and take a stroll from her office. Everyone’s heart instantly starts to palpitate as she walks the halls and workstations, barking orders, and commands. As she nears the office centre, she yells out “2 days people and I expect the final proofs on my desk” 

 

As the pressure builds in the room, so does the chit chat on the pc messenger app between the team leaders. “Well seems like Laura is at her finest again” Hannah types. Sarah responding with a sad face emoji!!

 

 Laura’s dependence on Mike now limited to commanding him around the office again. Leaving him feeling battered and missing the soft touch of her feet. But he also wants that job, for personal and professional reasons. See it seems that Mike has developed a little liking for Laura, even though she is the toughest, most aggressive, demanding and commanding boss he has ever worked for he believes there is more to her. 

 

Wednesday is an absolute write off, as the whole staff of 200 employees work frantically with undivided attention to have everything complete and on Laura's desk by 5pm. As the last few items come into her office, she orders some take out to be delivered as she is planning on having a big night in the office. She spends most of the evening into the early hours of the morning compiling and preparing her full brief for amazon, ensuring that she puts enough spin on it to highlight that this Is all her idea.

 

Thursday starts like everything is back to normal, as Laura struts her way through the office, sending out orders, showing off her confidence, oozing pride, dousing the team with her authority, all as she makes her way to her office. 

 

As Rachel hands over the morning coffee to her, Laura says, “Rachel, today I need my hair done, Manicure pedicure, and I will require the beauty therapist at my house at 6am to prepare me for tomorrow. I want no distractions today as I prepare for my big day tomorrow”, she exhales in one foul breath. Rachel quietly nods, thinking to herself, “your big day? What about all the work of the team?” but Rachel is to intimidated to even notion the fact, just subdues to her desk and goes about booking the necessary appointments. 

 

Laura calls Mike in to her office at around 3pm to go over the presentation for the following day. Mike arrives and enters the room and is met by a whole team of people working away on papering Laura. The hairdresser looks like she brought the whole shop with her, Laura leaning back in her chair whilst there are foils and creams and all sorts of things going on in her hair. Meanwhile veronica the beautician is working on Laura’s feet and toes, ensuring they are soft and smooth and there is a fresh coat of nail polish, this time a bright red. Mike takes a few moments to compose himself, as he deters his eyes from gazing at her feet resting peacefully on the end of the foot spa. Her right ankle looking much better now with barely a resemblance of the injury. They spend the next hour go over everything, and Laura tells mike that he will be present at the meeting to run the slideshow for her. Mike of course agrees to the proposition, not that he really had a choice. 

 

The big day!!!!

 

Laura walks her way into the office at a brisk 8am sharp, as she exits the elevator her confidence oozes out more than ever. Every step, every sway of that perfect hair, that picture perfect face of makeup which looks like it has been delicately applied and digitally enhanced, even her stride and sway of her legs say, power woman, don’t mess with her. It’s like the moment in a big movie seen when the star makes their entrance into a room. There is a calm about it, there is a certainty about it, and it’s like in that very moment time itself stops. The team gaze with open mouths as she makes an entrance and they all take in the moment, and they can see and feel that Laura means business today!!

 

From there things take a turn as she lifts her sunglasses enough to peer out from below and issues a tirade of orders. “Get the board room cleaned, we need water, we need light refreshments ready to go, make sure the display monitor is working, come on people today is the day, Chop chop!!!”

 

That sends the room into a frenzy, as everyone scurries around to prepare for the meeting at 9am sharp. 

 

Laura enters her office and takes a moment, to reflect on herself, as she gazes out her 20^th level windows across the vast city blocks, she feels the moment and she feels that her destiny is about to delivered. She moves her way to her bookshelf and moves a few awards closer together, as she looks at the shelf. “That’s where my award after today will go” she thinks to herself. Not at any moment, realising the arrogance in herself belief although a team effort today is going to be all about Laura.

 

Rachel knocks at the door, “Laura they have just pulled up downstairs” Laura turns and nods in acknowledgement and takes one last deep breath before making her way to the elevator. 

 

“Ding” 

 

The steel doors of the elevator slide open, “Welcome Gentlemen Right this way” as the Amazon executives are shuttled to the board room by Rachel. 

 

Laura greets the 3 men at the entrance of the board room, “welcome gentlemen thank you for your time today, please take a seat and I will organise some refreshments to be brough over post haste.” Laura turns to Rachel and offers one simple look that says, “What are you doing, get those coffees now” 

 

Laura wastes no time and stands at the front, “Now gentlemen I know your time is valuable so let me get straight to it. I believe I have the offer of a lifetime for you and your corporation, that will see you build better consumer experiences and put more dollars in your pocket” her opening line raising the brows of the 3 men. Mike controls the presentation from the far end of the board room table, seamlessly moving forward as needed without prompt from Laura. 

 

During the presentation the 3 executives are all taking notes, and Laura paces to and frow as she goes through her very detailed presentation slide by slide. Laura does not have a thought on her mind except closing this deal today right here right now. 

 

She continues to pace around the large table whilst talking her right heel catches the very edge of the rear wheels on the back of one of the board room chairs, as she stumbles that same heel lands awkwardly, mid-sentence, she try’s to hold her composure as she places her right foot down and her ankle bends outwards, she grabs for the chair, and quickly straightens her legs as to not to give away the blunder. Luckily the men are all facing the screen and she was just behind them but from the rear of the room, Mike saw it all unfold.

 

Instantly she feels a sharp pain radiating from her ankle, but not once does she break her train of speech as she continues to talk. She momentarily stops and walking to raise her foot off the ground, before placing it firmly back down. She blocks out the pain and starts to pace again, step by step being sure footed, like nothing just happened. But inside she is starting to hurt, she can feel the tension in her ankle building again. 

 

She positions herself at the front of the room, standing tall and straight, as she continues with her presentation. 

 

She asks the gentlemen if they have any questions as she retires for a brief glass of water. As she walks towards mike, he can see the very faint grimacing in her face on every step.  The three men chat with each other for a few moments, and then have a question. 

 

“so, based on everything so far how will this bring more customer to our online store” 

 

“Good question” Laura responds as she places her cup down. She turns to the men and starts to walk forward, “now we did a lot of consumer testing before I established this return on investment, based on what……..” as she steps forward confident in every step. Her ankle pains more and more, every step shows a tiny little more weakness in her ankle, she rounds the front of the table again as she continues to explain.

 

Mid-sentence she calls to Mike to bring up the stats from the data researchers, and mike struggles to find the document initially, “one moment gentlemen” she exhales, as she is frustrated with mikes lack of competence at a crucial moment, as she walks past the men to the end of the table where mike is, her ankle can bear no more, as she plants her right foot, her body weight shifts forward as her left foot is lifted, and her right ankle gives way, rolling outwards Sharpley and violently. For Laura it is in slow motion as she feels her ankle give way, and try’s to reach for the chair with her hand, as her ankle continues to buckle, secured in that high heel ankle boot, she feels the tension grow, she feels her life flash before her as he dreams are about to come crashing down. As her ankle reaches full extension a loud “Pop” Sound echoes off the hard flooring, reverberating around the room. Trying to save every bit of dignity she has, she grabs the chair, firmly with her left hand, as she bends at the knees to reduce any impact, as her left foot plants down firmly and quickly, and then in an instant bouncing back up standing straight. 

 

All Laura can think is, “did anyone see that or hear that, omg they will think I’m a fool I need to hold it together”. I hope none of my staff saw that just happen through the clear glass walls of the board room. “I must go on” she tells herself, “Now is not the time to let your emotions get to you”.

At that moment, Mike looks at her seeing what just happened!!

 

Instantly the blood gushes to her ankle, that anterior ligament has let go, the pain radiates deep and fast, like never before, she can feel the rush inside her, the rush of the pain striking fiercely, the rush of emotions starts to build, She clenches her eyes for a moment as she looks at Mike and takes a deep breath and then proceeds to take a step. 

 

With all her courage, with all her will power, she transfers the weight to her now every so weakened right ankle and takes a step. The immense pain radiates, but she barely limps. All her strength focused on completing this presentation and not bending to the pain and breaking down. As she reaches Mike, Laura takes over the mouse and finds the file she is looking for, “there mike that’s the one” she says without even a quiver in her voice, without even a notion that the pain in her ankle is eating her up inside. 

 

Laura presses on, “So as you can see gentlemen the research on the screen shows that consumers in your industry not only want choice, but they want….”

 

Laura continues as she takes another step as she tries to move away from the back of the room, she plants her right foot down slowly and very very slowly transfers the weight, she can feel just how unstable it is at the moment, she steps, her ankle wobbling uncontrollably. As the weight transfers her ankle can simply not take it and instantly rolls outwards violently, and as if she expected it to happen simultaneously, she tightens her grip on the chair back rest. As her ankle pivots and rolls, Mike this time sees it clearly happen from behind. He can feel the pain…

Her ankle stretches, and “POP” echoes from the floor as the calcaneo ligament snaps.

 

“THEY, they want convenience to shop from home with quick delivery times” Laura finishes off her sentence with one slight flinch as her ankle popped!!

 

The pain now growing, the blood rush makes her leg feel on fire, makes her feel dizzy as she holds the chair back ever so tightly in her hand. But there is barely a quiver in her voice. 

 

Mike whilst temporarily distracted, sends a quick email to Rachel, knowing all well, Laura is going to need help asap. “Rachel, can you please organise Laura's Doctor and physio Daniel to attend the office asap” He waits momentarily for a response from Rachel to confirm, which he receives in a few seconds. 

 

Rachel can’t resist but to message the others in the office, “Sarah, Hannah, something is up, Mike just asked me to call the doctor again” As Laura uses every muscle in her body to stay standing, Every ounce of courage and willingness to not crumble Infront of everyone, every breath she can pack in to keep those tears down all while she can feel the burning eyes of the others looking through the glass walls. 

 

“So, gentlemen have I earnt your business today?” The men turn to each other across the table to exchange a few words, Laura uses this as her chance to reposition closer to the front of the board room. Mike watches thinking that every step must be agonizing, that she must be ready to crumble on the floor. 

 

Laura, possessed like a demon, gives her ankle no option but forward. As she very slowly moves froward little by little, until reaching the front of the Board room positioning herself leaning against the board room table for support. Her ankle softly resting on the ground. 

 

“Well Miss Laura, I think you have demonstrated everything we could want, and we look forward to doing business with you” 

 

Laura's eyes widen, as she feels a sense of happiness rush through her veins, “Oh Thank you gentlemen” She exhales, as her eyes start to water, from the pain about to engulf her, mixed with the warm feeling of achievement. As the men grab their belongings, she manages to stand up tall on both feet, and shake their hands, the pain radiating more and more by the second, as Mike takes the cue and heads for the door, also shaking their hands and thanking them before escorting them to the elevator.

 

Laura can feel herself beginning to crumble, as the men leave, she uses the table for support and edges her way to the door, no longer able to hide her limp, as the staff gaze through the windows. Hannah turns to Sarah and says, “I think she is limping”

 

Laura can feel the eyes bearing down on her, as she reaches out for the door and closes it, before pulling a chair out and slumping down. Her right hand grasps her right leg, for a brief moment she takes a breath, as the over whelming pain starts to take over. She slumps her head down in her arms on the table, as a few tears start to flow down her cheeks. Which then turns in to uncontrollable weeping, then to full blown tears and crying. 

 

Mike makes his way back from the elevator and sees Laura Slumped on the table. He starts to the open the door, and then the whole office hears the uncontrollable cries from Laura, He yells out to Rachel, “Rachel get the doc here now!! And get that ice pack from Laura's office” 

 

Laura doesn’t even have the strength to care what anyone thinks anymore. Mike enters the room quickly swinging the door open and instantly try’s to console her, “Laura, Laura, I’m here, let me help you” Laura sits up to reveal the streams of tears running down her face, “Oh Mike I’m in so much pain!!” Mike pushes a chair out of the road and makes room and helps swivel Laura’s Chair around on the spot, he pulls another chair closer and takes a seat. 

 

“Laura, we need to get that shoe Off,” Mike says now taking command of the situation. Laura whilst crying grabs her right leg and starts to lift it up, “Oh god that hurts even more!!” she exhales…. Mike supports her foot in his hands as he positions it on his lap. He starts with the zipper on the inner side of the ankle boot, slowly unzipping it all the way. 

 

Knowing already that the shoe is going to be tight to get off, he grabs hold of the stiletto heel firmly, and then looks up at Laura and says, “This is going to hurt” Laura barely coherent through her cries. Mike holds tight and with one foul swoop the shoe dislodges from her foot. Laura lunges forward grabbing her leg, as the tears stream down her face, grabbing her leg tightly as her head rocks back. “Oh, Mike I can feel it, I can feel the blood rushing” she mumbles between sobs. Mike wastes no time and that thin white ankle sock is removed. 

 

Mike nestles her delicate foot in his hands, as the swelling sets in. As every second passes her ankle shows exponential growth as it transforms from slim and elegant to the size of a large orange, now both sides of the ankle swelling. Laura continues to weep as the swelling takes over. 

 

The rest of the office stand staring across the office space as they hear it all unfold, they hear the desperate cries of Laura, they hear the caring nature of mike. Hannah can’t help but feel sad for her.  

 

After about 2 minutes mike pauses for a moment, to take in the beauty of her foot and ankle, even though triple the size as normal, her toes glisten, her arch and sole feels soft and the beauty at the very extent of this amazing woman is exposed.  

Rachel comes running with the ice pack in hand, passing it over to mike. As she looks down her breath is taken away by the size of the swelling on Laura’s ankle. “Should I call an ambulance…” Rachel mumbles between her shock and surprise. 

 

Mike takes a moment to think as his eye’s canvas over Laura’s ankle, “No let’s wait until the doc arrives.