Boss Wants Us to Dance for Clients

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On International Women's Day, my grandmother passed away suddenly. I went to my boss to ask for bereavement leave.

He just patted my shoulder, smiling as he rejected it.

Today is Goddess Day, Juna. You're the hero who landed that massive contract. The company wants to reward you. How could you not be here?

"Put on some makeup and a short skirt tonight. You and your team are going to dance for Mr. King. He specifically asked for you. This is a rare opportunity."

I didn't argue. I just smiled.

When the gala started that night, it was my boss who ended up crying.

"The company's benefit for Women's Day is making female employees wear full makeup and mini-skirts to dance for male clients?"

I stared at him as if seeing him for the first time. My voice rose in disbelief.

"Oh, Juna, don't put it like that," Jasper Sterling said.

He patted my shoulder with a friendly, sickening smile. "It's not just dancing. It's a networking event. Mr. King will be there with a few clients, and you're our top performers. We'll just eat, drink, and loosen up the atmosphere."

"You're the pillar of the project department. You're the one who landed that big deal with the King Group. He asked for you personally. Do you know what kind of honor that is? Others would kill for this chance."

I looked him straight in the eyes. "And that requires makeup and short skirts?"

The smile on Jasper's face stiffened for a second before smoothing out again.

"Juna, you're a veteran employee. Why are you being so stubborn? You're a woman. What's wrong with looking pretty and putting on some makeup?"

"Besides..."

He scanned me from head to toe, his gaze lingering with a suggestive edge.

"The girls in your team dress way too casually. This is a good chance to doll yourselves up. It's for your own good. A woman needs to learn how to use her natural advantages."

"What advantages?" My voice turned ice-cold.

"Ugh, why are you being so difficult?" Jasper snapped, losing his patience. "Juna, you've been here for eight years. Have I ever treated you badly?"

"I specifically fought for this 'benefit' for you. If you keep them happy tonight, won't the future contracts belong to your team? I'm doing this for you."

He paused, adding another layer of slime. "Besides, in this business, which project isn't closed over drinks? You women have a natural edge in these settings. You have to use it."

I felt the blood rushing to my head.

"I've led my team for eight years without taking a single day off. I never pushed away a project. I've handled work from a hospital bed three times."

I enunciated every word. "And you're telling me we only succeeded because of 'that'?"

Jasper's face darkened. "Juna, what's that supposed to mean? I'm giving you an opening, and you're giving me attitude?"

"I know exactly how your team works. Everyone knows how those contracts were signed."

"What's the big deal about a dance? It's not like I'm asking you to do anything else!"

I watched his mouth move and felt a wave of nausea.

Eight years ago, this same mouth had begged me to join his company. He waited outside my old office for three hours.

"Juna, I'm sincerely asking you to come over. I'll give you the best team and the highest commission. I value your talent!"

Back then, he looked so sincere. He said he admired my drive. He said it wasn't easy for a woman to stand her ground in this industry. He promised me a better future.

I believed him.

In eight years, I grew the team from three people to twelve. I took our annual revenue from two million to twenty million.

I stayed up until 3 AM revising proposals. I met clients while running a high fever. I even fainted in the office from exhaustion.

And now, he was telling me, "You women have a natural edge."

"Juna, let me be blunt," Jasper said, thinking I was wavering. His tone softened. "You have to keep Mr. King happy tonight. If you don't go, don't expect the company to favor your team with resources anymore."

"You know we've hired a lot of new guys recently. Some of them are very capable."

I looked at him and curled my lips into a smirk.

"I will never lead my team to do something like that."

"If those new guys are so capable, let them go and dance."

I turned around and walked away, leaving Jasper fuming behind me.

My phone rang. It was my family.

I threw the bereavement leave form into the trash, grabbed my coat, and left.

I never looked back. For the first time, I felt that my eight years of loyalty were a complete waste.

It took me a full day to handle my grandmothers funeral arrangements.

When I finally turned on my phone, I was hit with hundreds of notifications.

Juna, you need to check the company group chat. Its...

The panicked voice of one of my team members made me frown. I opened the app immediately.

A pinned message at the top of the group chat was staggering.

Project Director Juna Vance is demoted to Project Assistant for refusing to fulfill company duties and damaging core interests. All bonuses are canceled effective immediately.

What the hell? Juna is an assistant now? What happened?

Well, the company has its rules. Management must have their reasons. Were just staff, lets not gossip.

I stared at the screen and laughed from pure rage. I immediately uploaded the recording of my conversation with Jasper to the main group chat.

Manager Sterling, is the work duty you mentioned making female employees wear short skirts to dance for men?

The group chat exploded.

Short skirts and dancing? Is this a Womens Day benefit or is the company opening a brothel?

Explain yourself, Jasper! What do you mean by natural advantages?

No wonder he forced our department to have dinner with those important clients last month. Half the girls disappeared mid-meal. Were they sent to pour drinks in the next room?

Jasper Sterling, come out and say something. Don't play dead.

I watched the messages scroll by, a cold smile forming on my face.

A second later, the group was muted.

I didn't even have to guess who did it.

But with that level of heat, the news had likely spread through the entire building.

Trying to cover it up now was pathetic.

Sure enough, my phone rang within minutes.

Juna Vance, what the fuck is wrong with you?

Jasper was practically screaming. You posted that recording to kill me? Im telling you, dont be ungrateful!

I listened to him yell without saying a word.

Delete that recording right now. Then post a statement saying you were drunk and lying.

If you do that, Ill pretend this never happened. Ill cancel your demotion immediately.

And if I dont? I asked.

If you dont? He let out a cold laugh. Juna, you think I wont fire you?

I let out a soft chuckle.

Manager Sterling, after eight years, I finally realized how pathetic you are.

You usually act so professional, but the moment youre cornered, you turn into a beast.

Fire me? Go ahead. Do it if you have the guts.

I didn't wait for his explosion. I hung up.

In the last eight years, my team had handled eighty percent of the companys projects.

Fire me? He really thinks he owns the place.

Then, another call came in.

It was Winston King, the client Jasper had been trying to suck up to.

My brow furrowed. Jasper had claimed Mr. King specifically requested us to accompany him for drinks.

I hadn't pegged him for that kind of man during our business dealings. Had I been that wrong about his character?

As soon as I picked up, he began apologizing.

His voice sounded genuinely frantic.

Ms. Vance, I saw the news about your company.

I need to apologize. I had no idea Jasper was making those kinds of arrangements. I told him to set up a meeting for Womens Day because I wanted to treat your team to dinner and talk about future cooperation.

I value your teams talent. I wanted to sign all of next years contracts with you.

He paused, his voice dripping with disgust.

But that man... he thought I wanted what? Girls in short skirts dancing? Ive been in this business for twenty years, and Im not that low.

Winston sighed over the phone.

Ms. Vance, I truly admire your work. If youre unhappy at that company, come to mine.

Ill double your salary. You pick your title. Youll have full authority over your projects.

The misunderstanding was cleared.

Winstons offer made me hesitate for a moment.

But then I thought about the empire I had built over eight years. I thought about my hardworking team. I couldn't just walk away yet.

If Jasper gave me a proper apology, I might let this go.

But I didn't expect to find my belongings in the trash when I arrived at the office the next morning.

The person throwing my things away was one of those capable new guys Jasper had mentioned.

Wow, look at this. A Project Director with no luxury items on her desk. How pathetic.

Not a director anymore. Shes just an assistant now, haha!

How do you think she got that director spot in the first place?

Mr. Sterling said it. Women have special ways. We could never compete with that.

A chorus of nasty, suggestive snickering followed.

I clenched my fists, ready to step in, when I heard familiar voices.

Who are you talking about?

It was Winnie, a team member I had mentored for five years.

She marched to the front, followed by seven or eight of my loyal staff.

Were talking about your precious Director Vance, the new guy said with a punchable smirk. Oh wait, I mean Assistant Vance.

Say that again? Winnies face was flushed red with anger.

I said, your director slept her way to the top.

He emphasized every word. Did you catch that?

The next second, Winnie lunged forward to grab the photo frame he was holdingDa picture of my daughter.

Liar! Give me Junas things!

Oh, did I hit a nerve? If you want it, beg me.

Another new guy chimed in. Begging him wont work. You have to beg Manager Sterling. If hes happy, maybe your director can have her job back.

Winnie was shaking with rage. She jumped to reach for the frame.

In the scuffle, they pushed Winnie hard, and she hit the floor.

Winnie!

the other team members rushed to help her. The guy just laughed. What, are you faking it? I barely touched her.

I tightened my grip on my bag and stepped out from the corner.

Juna!

Winnies eyes turned red the moment she saw me.

The new guys froze for a second before returning to their arrogant poses.

Oh, look, Assistant Vance is here.

Coming to collect your trash? Ive already packed it for you. Dont thank me.

Seeing my cold gaze, his expression shifted slightly, but he kept his tough act.

What? You want to fight? Come on, try me.

I raised my hand to stop my team from rushing them.

Fight? I looked at them and smiled. I dont fight. Im going to take you to see someone.

Who?

The CEO.

Ten minutes later, I kicked open the door to Lawrence Millers office.

The CEO was sipping tea. He frowned when he saw me leading a crowd into his room.

Juna, what is this?

I closed the door and laid out everything that had happened over the last few days.

Mr. Miller, Ive been here for eight years. My team brings in eighty percent of the revenue. Ive never asked for anything.

But today, Im demanding three things.

First, Jasper Sterling used his position to demand sexualized performances from female staff. There must be consequences.

Second, these new hires publicly insulted me and physically assaulted Winnie. Look at her forehead. They pushed her.

Third, I want a public statement. I didnt get to my position through special methods. I got here through eight years of hard work.

I finished, and silence fell over the office.

I was confident. I practically carried this company on my back.

Miller looked at me, then at the team behind me, then at the pale-faced new hires.

He took a sip of tea and set the cup down slowly.

Juna, what Jasper did was inappropriate. Ill give him a talking-to later.

A talking-to?

I was stunned.

As for the new guys, he glanced at them, theyre young. They dont know when to keep their mouths shut. Ill have HR give them a training session. As for your teammate, the company will cover her medical bills and give her two days of paid leave.

Thats it?

My voice was sharp, and Millers expression soured.

What else do you want?

Juna, youve been here eight years. The company hasn't treated you poorly. What more are you looking for?

Jasper went a bit far, but he was thinking of the companys future. Mr. King is a major client. Whats the harm in a little dance?

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I was choked by his blatant disregard for the truth.

And about these new hires, he waved a hand dismissively. Theyre young and blunt, but they arent entirely wrong.

He stood up, looking down at me.

Lets be honest, Juna. Your team hasnt had fresh blood in eight years. These new guys have top-tier degrees and energy. Theyre at the peak of their careers.

If youre smart, youll mentor them. Pass on your experience. Once theyve got the hang of it, you can take it easy. Move into a technical support role. Wouldn't that be nice?

The office suddenly felt freezing cold.

Youre telling me to step down?

Millers brow furrowed.

Juna, don't be ungrateful. I haven't fired you yet out of respect for our history.

But look at you today, storming into my office with a mob. Are you trying to stage a coup?

Let me remind you, this companys name is Miller, not Vance.

He walked over to the new guys and patted one on the shoulder.

Ive told Jasper to focus on training these boys. If you cooperate, the resources stay with your team. If you dont...

He paused, offering a thin smile.

Then dont blame me for being cold-hearted.

I took a deep breath and turned to my team.

Winnie had a red mark on her forehead. Her eyes were teary, but her jaw was set.

The othersDthe veteransDwere clenching their fists. None of them backed away.

I realized then that these eight years weren't a total loss.

At least I had built a real team.

Lets go, I said.

Juna Vance! Miller shouted behind me. What do you think youre doing? Get back here!

I didn't look back.

The moment I stepped out of the building, the weight Id been carrying for eight years finally lifted.

Juna... Winnie caught up to me, looking worried. Are you okay?

Im fine. I looked at the eight people following me. What about you guys? You all walked out. What about your jobs?

Who cares! one of them spat. Millers words were disgusting. Im done!

Exactly, Juna. We work for you, not him!

Where you go, we go!

My eyes felt hot.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Winston Kings number.

Mr. King, is that offer from yesterday still on the table?

Of course it is.

I have one condition.

Name it.

I looked at the eight familiar faces behind me and smiled.

Im bringing my entire team with me.