Taming the Beast

Through the halls of Prestigious Law School, she was known simply as ‘The Beast’.  As an assistant professor, she had been given the nickname by the first-year students. Six years later and the moniker had stuck with her. Though never uttered in her presence, both the faculty and students referred to her as such. The incoming students were terrified of her, the graduates were traumatized and the other professors made a point to avoid her. She was so scary that it was a known fact that even the President of Prestigious University was intimidated by her. “You’re exaggerating,” Evan Alston chuckled as he listened to his brother’s description. Andrew stared intently as his older brother, shaking his head vehemently. “Why would I lie? Trust me, Evan; I had her my first year and it was a t

The following Monday morning, Kat braced herself for the meeting with the new Dean of Law. She knew that it was going to be the beginning of a miserable week, much like the week before. Not only had she lost the position, but she had been humiliated at the gym. Stories of the incident were still circulating around campus and social media and saw no signs of slowing. Kat hated being the subject of gossip but she knew that it was best to ignore it.   Sighing loudly, she entered her corner office. She noticed right away that the secretary, Joy Gallagher, wasn’t at her desk. She was, instead, leaning over Kat’s large desk, her breasts spilling from her low-cut blouse. “What in the world is—“ Kat began. Her voice trailed off when she saw that someone occupied her custom-built leather chair. It was the man from the

She had revealed too much of herself already. The man was still a stranger, sure to remain a mere acquaintance, at best. Kat didn't want to confess her insecurities to him, unsure of his true motives. She had no clue how trustworthy the man was...he was a criminal lawyer, after all. Besides that, he was her enemy, having usurped the position she coveted more than anything else. Why reveal her weaknesses to a man that could use them for his own benefit?    “Are you trying to prove yourself? To your family? Former bullies?”  “If I said yes, would you quit? Of course not! So why bother with the reason? We’re not inclined to be friends, Dean Alston. The sooner you’re in your own office, the better.” “Why? Does my presence interfere with your work?”

“Who are you?” Evan asked the empty room. He stared up at the ceiling, his mind on the beautiful woman of this morning. “Who is who?” Kat asked, walking through the door. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail and she was wearing a black gym suit. “None of your business,” Evan told her. He assessed her attire and asked, “On your way to the gym?”Kat nodded. She went to her desk, opened her drawer and pulled out a stack of papers before shoving them into her backpack. “Wait,” Evan got up. “I’ve been here all day and I can’t seem to concentrate. How about I join you?”Kat merely shrugged but she waited for him by the door as he

“What? When did I agree to this?” Kat gasped, watching in consternation as endless racks filled with dresses rolled her way. She had hoped to blend into the background, her presence tonight only that of a supportive daughter. Now she was being roped into filling in for a sick model.“Please, honey, we are short one model and the show’s about to start in less than an hour.” May pleaded urgently. “What about Cece or Minnie or Lisa? Can’t you ask one of them?” Her beautiful sisters were better suited than she.“I need a petite model, sweetie. You know I design for all shapes and sizes...your measurements are most similar to Justine’s.”Kat groaned. “But, Mom—“ She began.