Rubberized — Part 1

It all started on the long flight from Frankfurt to Miami. Business Class was pleasantly quiet, with only the soft hum of the engines and the occasional clink of glasses audible.

Miss P. and her assistant Lara had seats 2D and 2G. Both women were already wearing elegant, custom-made leather outfits, knowing they would step straight into Florida’s sultry heat upon arrival. Miss P. looked breathtaking in her deep black leather suit. The tightly fitted blazer hugged her upper body perfectly and accentuated her feminine curves, underneath she wore a sheer cream-colored silk blouse that offered a discreet view. The narrow skirt made of soft, high-quality leather ended just above the knees and caressed her hips with every movement.

She completed the look with high, shiny boots with silver buckles and the typical red sole, that produced a quiet, authoritative click with every step. The leather gleamed with a matte, luxurious sheen; every smallest movement made it creak softly – a sound that radiated power and elegance at the same time. Lara, her personal assistant and PA, sat one seat away. She wore an equally high-quality but clearly subordinate bright red leather ensemble: a tight skirt, a tailored corset that emphasized her slim waist, and a slim jacket. The red leather was soft and shiny, yet compared to Miss P.’s outfit it appeared more serving, more restrained – exactly as befitted a loyal, discreet assistant. Lara was in her late twenties, slim, with perfect but unobtrusive styling. The two women talked quietly and relaxed about the past days in Europe: successful business talks in Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Stockholm. They discussed new investments, strategic partnerships with European companies, and promising negotiations about international expansion. They spoke calmly, precisely and professionally – exactly the tone Miss P. appreciated in business conversations. Again and again, however, Lara felt the man in seat 2K staring at them from head to toe. Victor Lang, a broad-shouldered, self-confident businessman in his mid-forties in a tailored dark blue suit, ogled them openly.

His gaze wandered slowly and appraisingly over their leather outfits, their legs, the boots. He spoke loudly and arrogantly to the flight attendants, treating them like personal servants, snapping his fingers and laughing booming at his own jokes. The starkest contrast to the quiet, respectful manner of Miss P. and Lara. Shortly before landing, as the plane was already descending and the lights of Miami appeared on the horizon, Victor Lang suddenly turned directly to the two women.

He leaned slightly across the aisle and said in an overbearing, loud voice:

“Your outfit is quite nice, ladies, but it looks like you’re intimidated by it. Leather is so… old-fashioned. You should wear latex instead. All my partners have worn it – tight, highly shiny, properly feminine and sexy.

That suits a man in a tailored suit like mine much better. I’d love to take you out sometime and show you how real ladies should present themselves. Latex would give you much more impact with men, believe me.” Miss P. and Lara only glanced at each other briefly, as if they hadn’t understood him or as if he were air. No word, no smile, no reaction. They simply turned back to each other and continued their conversation quietly and undisturbed, as if nothing had happened.

Victor Lang shrugged, muttered something about “stuck-up European women who have no clue” and went back to his whisky with a self-satisfied grin. After landing at Miami International Airport, Miss P. and Lara strode through the automatic doors, passed immigrations.

Miss P. walked ahead, Lara half a step behind. While the other passengers were still waiting impatiently at the baggage carousel, Lara already pulled out her smartphone. “Miss P., I googled the guy from the plane,” she whispered with a slightly excited tone. “Victor Lang. Self-proclaimed self-made millionaire from New York. Quite the ego. Tomorrow he’s giving a talk at the annual entrepreneurs’ fair here in Miami:

‘From 1 US$ to Millionaire – You Can Do It Too!’

The topic is confident appearance and effective leadership of employees. He sees himself as the ultimate motivational coach.” Miss P. nodded once, shortly and elegantly, completely calm and composed. Lara understood immediately – a conspiratorial sparkle appeared in her eyes.

This could be a lot of fun. A very intense kind of fun. Miss P.’s silver Rimowa suitcase appeared on the belt. Lara immediately stepped forward, lifted the heavy suitcase effortlessly and placed it beside her. Later she would push it herself through the entire hall – as always. Miss P. let her gaze sweep slowly and appraisingly across the large arrival hall.

There stood Victor Lang, talking loudly on the phone, laughing booming about some deal and gesturing confidently. He noticed the two women, recognised them immediately and grinned arrogantly. He even raised his hand in a casual greeting.

Miss P. did not look in his direction at all. Her face remained completely expressionless. “Lara,” she said softly with a velvet-smooth but cool voice as they walked on slowly, “tonight we’ll stay very relaxed. We’ll spend the evening comfortably on the terrace of the villa on Biscayne Bay.

A quiet, pleasant start after the long flight. Tomorrow morning we’ll drive to the entrepreneurs’ fair and listen to his talk. The Q&A session afterwards could… be particularly interesting.” Lara smiled obediently and pushed the silver Rimowa suitcase reliably beside her.