Page 17 of 12 Days

Theo hands me an oval-shaped bottle with a slightly purple-tinted liquid inside. The bottle reads “Mod.” If I’m not mistaken, that’s Swedish for “courage.”

I spray my forearm, since my wrists have both been utilized already. I smell a very subtle musky scent from this fragrance, somewhat masked behind a stronger, fruitier scent. It’s definitely unique.

I could see a strong female CEO wearing this kind of perfume when she’s off to take on her misogynistic male team of lower-ranked executives. Woah. Where did that come from?

I shake my head a bit and look up at the men. They’re awaiting my mood adjustment to kick in. I stare at them in silence.

They’re all polite, with their hands behind their backs and their posture spot on. I can’t help but remember my previous encounter with them. All of them talking smack in their board room about me; it really upset me.

“I’m more than just a goddamn sex object, okay?” I blurt out. Shit. I mean, I’ve been feeling it this whole time, but I just wasn’t empowered enough to own up to it. “I had an insatiable urge I needed to satisfy, and since you kicked me out of your board room, I decided your waiting room was as good as anywhere else.”

“None of us were going to bring that up, Alyssa. We understand a woman’s need for pleasure, believe us,” says Ty. “I wouldn’t arrange to have you here to embarrass you, I assure you.”

The three of them stare hard, waiting for a response. I take a wipe from my bag and I scrub away at my forearm and my wrists. “I’m sorry. I’m not typically so...candid. I’d never experienced what happened yesterday in any way, shape, or form before, and it’s awfully odd to me that you would have me back provided the circumstance.”

I’ve clearly returned to my normal, apologetic self.

“No need to express any remorse or apologies, Alyssa. What’s done is done. Do you believe you have a grasp on how our fragrances work with one’s body? Or would you like to continue your sampling?” asks Theo.

I ponder for a moment. That last perfume really intrigued me. I really enjoyed giving in to my own thoughts and emotions rather than trying to please everyone. It’s liberating.

It seems that rather than needing any excuse to feel any kind of way, the perfumes let you hone in on those emotions and thoughts in their grouping and makes you fearless to express it.

As my thoughts wander, I recall a room adjacent to this one. I can’t remember exactly what the door says, but I know it’s another testing area.

“I’d like to go next door, please,” I say.

“Alyssa, unfortunately, the product in that room is still undergoing its final testing and won’t be available until Christmas Day,” Ty admits.

“Oh come on. For me?” I start being more catty. “I gave you guys a free show yesterday. Can’t you do me a favor here?” I provoke.

“You know, Ty, it’s pretty much solid. I’m pretty sure they’re just finishing the presentation for this one. The formula is tight,” offers Owen.

“So what’s the harm, right?” I ask.

Ty sighs, “Okay, we’ll go in. I’ll explain this one a bit though. It’s a different angle from any other we’ve achieved in our company.”

The men lead me to the room with the one bottle in the center. There’s a table off to the side of the room, a black couch, much like the one I saw yesterday, and a couple of countertops and cabinets that don’t appear to be much utilized.

I step up to the pedestal with the perfume and go to spray it on myself. Theo places his hand over the bottle.

“Alyssa, this perfume is our most experimental formula we’ve derived, currently nicknamed Project Partridge. The wearer is intended to give in to their most lustful desires once the formula permeates. Are you sure you want to try this one?”

I understand their reluctance, especially given my episode I threw in the other room. I’m damn determined to face this company head on, and I have to try it. And admittedly, I want to know what my deepest lustful desires even are.

With an open mind, I position the bottle where I want the fragrance to go.

---