Lady Balls

Lucas Hollins stuffed a file folder filled with change orders into the cabinet. He swiveled his chair one hundred eighty degrees, reached for a glass and the crystal decanter on the credenza behind his desk, and poured himself a scotch. It was almost nine o'clock on a Friday evening, and he was the last person to leave the jobsite.

Another week in the books. Five more months, and then this project will be finished. By that time, everything should be in place to begin construction on the university hospital expansion. That job will take two years, minimum. When that one is complete, I'll be in position to bid on contracts throughout the Southeast United States.

Lucas took a sip of his scotch, checked his phone for messages, and then reached for the pile of documents needing signatures that his secretary had left on the corner of his desk. His reverie was interrupted by the door to the trailer that served as his office unexpectedly bursting open. An attractive woman in her late thirties carrying a purse and a brief case walked through the entrance. She wore a tailored skirted suit that stopped at the knees, a white blouse with a thin black ribbon under the collar, and a black silk jacket--all balanced on four-inch heels.

Before Lucas could say anything, the black -haired woman glided across the floor, set her bags on his desk, and extended her hand.

"Mr. Hollins," she said. "Please allow me to introduce myself. I'm with First Commercial Bank. My name is Leidy Ballesteros, but you probably know me better as ..."

"Lady Balls," Lucas gulped as the color drained from his face.

"Yes, that is the name by which some people often refer to me."

"But...why?" Lucas stammered. "John Cassel is the officer servicing our loan."

"I think you know why I'm here, Mr. Hollis. This loan has been reassigned to my portfolio. This project is months overdue and the bank is concerned about whether you can bring it in on time and within budget. Very concerned. So concerned, in fact, that I was forced to cancel my plans for the weekend and fly in from New York to see what we can do to get you back on schedule."

"With all due respect, Miss Ballesteros..."

"Mrs.," she interrupted.

"I'm sorry," Lucas continued. "Mrs. Ballesteros, I assure you that everything is under control and this project will be completed on time. You have my word."

"I appreciate that, Mr. Hollis, but your word is no longer sufficient. The first three floors were scheduled to open three weeks ago. Have they opened?"

"No,"

"Of course not. I checked to see if any certificates of occupancy were issued, and as of four o'clock this afternoon none were. In fact, I suspect that no applications were even filed. Am I correct, Mr. Hollis?"

"As of today, no ma'am."

"Am I also correct in stating that floors 1-3 are not yet inhabitable?"

"That would be correct, ma'am."

"Mr. Hollis, those three floors are for retail establishments. The tenants do not begin paying rent until they move in. Interest on the construction loan accrues daily, whether rent is being paid or not. Do you see why the owner is getting nervous? And why the bank is getting nervous as well? Your delays are costing the owner millions. And that situation exposes the bank to a greater risk of default."

"I assure you, Mrs. Ballesteros, we are very close to getting back on schedule. This project will be completed on time. I promise."

"Well, Mr. Hollis, that's just what I'm here to find out."

"I see. I was just getting ready to leave for the night. It's been a long week. But I will be in by nine tomorrow morning. Would you like to meet for breakfast, around 8 maybe? There's a new diner a few blocks from here."

"Mr. Hollis, I don't think you appreciate the gravity of the situation. One word from me and your company will be replaced. You will not receive a final payment or any further payments whatsoever. We are working tonight. You will not be leaving until our business is concluded. Take a minute to call home and let your family know not to expect you until tomorrow morning."

"How long do you think...?"

"As long as it takes, Mr. Hollis.

"I see. One minute, please."

* * *

Lucas and Leidy walked the short distance from the construction trailer to the worksite. They stopped at the front door while Lucas fumbled with the building's keys. He entered a code on the keypad and then unlocked the front door. Leidy entered first and headed directly toward the elevator bank.

"Are any elevators operational?" she asked.

"We can take the service elevator around the corner. Where would you like to start?"

"The roof, of course. We'll begin there and work our way downward."

Lucas called the service elevator. He instinctively held the door open while Leidy entered, and then typed in a code before pressing the button for the top floor. The doors closed and the car ascended.

"What is the status of the customer elevators?"

"They are all operational, but we are waiting for the inspector to issue certificates of operation."

"When are the inspections scheduled?"

"The applications are on my desk. They will go in on Monday morning."

"According to my chart, that should have been done six weeks ago."

"Uh, correct. My secretary was out for two weeks due to Covid restrictions. She is catching up on all the paperwork I generated while she was out."

"I see," Leidy frowned. "No one else in your organization is capable of sending in the applications?"

"I... didn't...think..."

"Precisely, Mr. Hollis."

The elevator door opened and the two stepped out. Lucas led the pair down a hallway to the stairway designated for roof access. He opened the outer door, and the pair walked into the crisp night air.

"As you can see, all safety rails are in place." Lucas turned and pointed. "All thirty-two cooling units are installed."

"Show me the cooling tower, please," Leidy commanded.

"Yes, ma'am. Over here."

Lucas led her to a block and metal structure designed to disguise the mechanical and electrical components inside.

"The systems are installed and functioning, pending inspection and certification." Lucas smiled. "We are not so far behind schedule as you may believe."

"When is the inspection scheduled?"

"Let me see." Lucas consulted his tablet. "Looks like they will be back on the twenty-fourth."

"Back?" Leidy turned and glared at Lucas.

"There was a mix-up the first time they came out. We had not submitted the updated system diagrams before the inspection. The inspector refused to look at it until our paperwork was updated at Building and Zoning."

"I'm not surprised."

"The system is fully operational. I'm sure we will pass inspection."

"Six weeks behind schedule," Leidy interjected.

"Unfortunately, yes."

"I've seen enough here. Let's go to the penthouse."

"Yes, ma'am. This way please."

Lucas closed the cooling tower and led Leidy to the access stairway. They descended the stairs to the penthouse level. Lucas switched on a battery-powered bank of construction lights.

"As you can see, the floor is entirely framed out. The plumbing is fully installed."

"Electric hasn't even started."

"Well, yes, they are scheduled to begin this week."

"They should have finished, let me see..." Leidy consulted her tablet. "Today. Electric should have finished today."

"That's not so bad, actually. We can catch up."

"The drywall finishers can't even start until electric is done. That puts the painters and flooring installers behind. If one team is two weeks behind schedule, that can cause the other teams to be three or four weeks behind. Delays cascade throughout the entire project. You know this, Lucas. I've seen enough. Let's go to the next floor."

Lucas and Leidy proceeded to the sixty-seventh floor.

"All I see here is a giant mess. Waste materials everywhere. Incomplete framing. Electric boxes missing."

"It's really not that bad. This shows that the crews are trying very hard to get back on schedule."

"By cutting corners?"

"N-no, that's not what I meant." Lucas stammered.

"Clean-site procedures are part of the contract. They exist for a reason. Waste and debris lead to worksite injuries. Injuries mean more cost and more delay."

"Of course. I understand. We'll go over clean-up and waste disposal procedures on Monday."

"You won't have time on Monday. I suggest you prepare a strongly worded memo with photos and deliver it to all crews by this evening."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Let's go to the next floor, please."

The inspection continued throughout the night. At 7:40 AM the service elevator doors opened in the first floor loading area. Leidy and Lucas departed the car.

"As you can see," Lucas waved his arms around the room, "the loading area is finished and completely operational."

"Show me the retail space," Leidy commanded.

"This way, please."

Lucas led her through the building lobby to the space furthest from the elevators.

"This is obviously the fitness center. Would you like to go inside?"

"Of course."

"We are nearly done with the tenant's punch list. This space should be open immediately after inspection."

"The tenant gave you their punch list over a month ago. This work should have been completed already."

"We were prioritizing the work on the upper floors."

"And ignoring the needs of tenants who are ready to begin paying rent and commence operations. I'm not impressed."

"Understood."

"What's next?"

"Would you like to see the bank first or the restaurant?"

"The bank, please."

"Very well. This way."

Lucas closed up the fitness center and proceeded to the bank. He opened the door for Leidy who paused to look up at the security cameras.

"Is the security surveillance operational?" she asked.

"The system has been tested and all cameras on the three retail levels are operational. Currently, only the streams from the exterior cameras are recorded. Once the certificate of occupancy is issued we will begin monitoring the entire system. The bank, of course, has their own cameras. Only this camera above the entrance is part of building security."

"Thank you. Proceed."

Lucas gave her a brief tour of the bank space.

"As you can see, all the fixtures are in place. Once the bank's furniture is delivered, they will be ready to go."

"After the C.O. is issued."

"Right."

"We're done here. Show me the restaurant, the coffee shop, and the security office."

"This way."

Lucas showed Leidy the restaurant and the coffee shop. He watched Leidy taking copious notes throughout the tour. That patterned continued to the very end of the tour.

"Are we finished?" he asked.

"You haven't shown me the security office."

"Right. Of course. This way."

Lucas led her down a short hallway, stopping at a door with no sign, number, or other designation. He entered a code into the digital panel, and opened the door when it clicked.

"Welcome to the security center."

Leidy stepped inside the room and found it larger than she anticipated. One entire wall consisted of monitors that changed their views every 30 seconds. There were two desks with large monitors facing the users. There were two doors on the left side of the room and two more on the right side.

"What's behind those doors?" Leidy asked.

"That door is the restroom." Lucas pointed. "The door next to is the breakroom. Over there is the cold room for the security department servers. The final door is for detention."

"Detention?"

"You know, in case security has to hold someone until the police arrive. I doubt anyone will ever have to use it, but it is there just in case."

"Show me."

Lucas opened the door to the detention room. There were two steel tables anchored to the floor, with a chair on either side. Each table had an iron loop in the center.

"Isn't that a bit much?" Leidy asked, pointing to the iron loop.

"Probably. It's just there so security can detain shoplifters."

"Is that even legal? I mean, they're hired security, not cops."

"I don't know if anyone thought of that."

"Are there security cameras in here?"

"No. No one saw the need for cameras in the security center. Just monitors. Lots of monitors."

"I see. Alright, let's go back to your trailer."

The two exited the building. Leidy walked the short distance to the trailer while Lucas locked up the building. Lucas arrived at the trailer a few seconds after Leidy. He opened the door to find her sitting behind his desk.

"Sit down," she ordered.

Lucas sat in the chair facing the desk.

"I am sending you my findings. There are 432 items that need to be addressed."

"What? Four hundred thirty-two? That's crazy."

"Mr. Hollis, I suggest that instead of arguing with me, you take this list and formulate a plan to address each and every issue on the list. I will be back in two weeks to conduct another review. If this project is not 100% compliant with the latest approved schedule, your firm will be replaced. Is that understood?"

"You can't do that. It would bankrupt us."

"That's not my problem. My responsibility is to the bank, it's shareholders and customers."

"You have to understand. This isn't our fault. Covid has caused all kinds of problems with supply deliveries and worker time off. We've lost weeks due to illnesses."

"Mr. Hollis, I am responsible for funding 37 construction projects in the Southeast United States. Do you know how many were affected by Covid? All 37. Do you know how many are behind schedule? Only one."

"This project is the only one that has gotten behind? I don't believe that."

"That's not what I said. Others have fallen behind schedule, but I one way or another, I got them back on schedule. Whatever it takes, I'm going to get this project back on schedule. I always do."

"If we spend all our time addressing the items on this list, we will not have sufficient time to do what is on the daily schedule."

"I am going to release $100,000 in funding, I suggest you use that money to pay overtime and other enticements. Offer conditional bonuses. Push the right buttons, and I guarantee you will get results."

"True.

"And make sure you allocate some of the money for bribes. Building inspectors in this county are notorious for responding to financial inducements."

"Are you telling me to break the law?"

"I'm telling you to do your job. Or else you won't have one."

"Leidy--"

"Mrs. Ballesteros," she corrected.

"Mrs. Ballesteros, we aren't doing that badly."

"Mr. Hollis, I came here intending to fire you. But I kind of like you, and I believe that once you have a proper understanding of your situation, you will do what is necessary to cure the situation."

Leidy stood up and walked around the desk. Lucas instinctively stood up to meet her. Leidy walked up to within an inch of Lucas. She put her hand on his chest and whispered into his ear.

"Don't disappoint me, Mr. Hollis. I don't like to be disappointed."

Her hand slid down his chest and stopped at his groin.

"I can be very harsh when I am disappointed." Her hands cupped his balls and squeezed firmly.

Lucas gasped.

"But I can also be very appreciative when I get what I want."

Leidy unzipped his pants and pulled out his cock. She gently stroked it to hardness. Lucas gulped.

"You do want to satisfy me, don't you? Mr. Hollis?" Leidy cooed in his ear.

She pushed him against the desk, unfastened his belt, and pulled his pants and underwear to his knees. His rigid cock stood straight out from his groin.

"Are you going to satisfy me, Lucas?" She continued to slowly stroke his cock.

"Y-y-yes," he stammered.

Leidy bent at the waist and rubbed the head of Lucas's cock on her cheek. She kissed the head, and then licked it.

"You do want to satisfy me, don't you?"

"Yes. Yes. I want to. Whatever you want."

"I want everything, Lucas. Will you give me everything?"

"Yes, Leidy."

Leidy squeezed his balls and scraped her teeth against the head of his cock.

"It's Mrs. Ballesteros. Don't ever call me Leidy."

"Yes, Mrs. Ballesteros."

Leidy licked the head again, and then closed her lips around the shaft. Lucas groaned.

"Oh, fuck," he said. "That's so good."

Leidy bobbed her head up and down on his lap, taking a little more into her mouth each time. Lucas put his hand in her hair and groaned again.

Leidy stood up.

"Don't touch me," she warned. "If you touch me again, I'm gone. Put your hands on the desk and don't move them."

"Yes, L--, Mrs. Ballesteros."

Leidy sat in the chair across from the desk and resumed sucking Lucas's cock. She swallowed the entire shaft, closing her lips around the base of the cock and then bathing it with her tongue. She noticed his knees buckling but continued her slow suction on the shaft. The smooth head grazed the back of her throat.

"Oh, yes!" Lucas groaned.

Leidy tasted salty pre-cum leaking from the tip of his cock. She knew he did not have much longer until he reached climax. She increased the speed of her bobbing and the pressure of her lips on his shaft.

"That's good," Lucas moaned. "So good. You're really good."

Lucas's breathing grew faster. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the edge of the desk. He wanted to put his hands on her head push her face into his groin, but he resisted. His legs were shaking as he felt his balls contracting. He was so close to his climax. Just as he felt his pleasure about to explode, Leidy pulled her head away and squeezed his cock with her right hand.

"Not today."

"What? I'm about to come," Lucas cried. His body was in shock.

"Not today. You haven't earned it. You don't get to come until your project is back on schedule."

"What the--? Aww, hell no. What does one have to do with the other?"

"I told you, I'll do whatever it takes. I expect the same from you. Get this project back on schedule, meet all the deadlines, and I promise I'll finish what I started."

"But...but...I was so close."

"I'll be back in two weeks. Don't disappoint me, Lucas. And don't come between now and then. That's a requirement."

"Don't come. But... my wife. I'm married."

"You can make her come. But you better not. I would not be happy. You don't want me to be unhappy, right?"

"Right."

"And one more thing. I'm going back to my hotel for short while, then catching a plane back to New York. I had better receive your clean worksite memo and an outline of your plan to get this project back on schedule."

"What time is your flight?"

"The plane departs at 5. I better have them in my inbox before I board. Am I clear?

"Crystal."

"Good."

Leidy gathered her bags and left.

* * *

Three hours later, Lucas called the meeting to order. All subcontractors were present, as well as his business manager, bookkeeper, secretary, and a union rep. Lucas stood and addressed the group.

"Gentleman," he began, surveying the room as he spoke. He noted the annoyance on the faces of several subcontractors, and the puzzlement evident on his own employees. Most of the room was ignoring him.

"And ladies," he continued. "I apologize for calling you in today on such short notice. However, I have some good news to share with you that cannot wait."

More heads turned in his direction.

"I had a meeting with the bank last night. They were so pleased with our progress that they awarded the company a bonus."

All eyes were on him now.

"I decided it was only fair to distribute the money to the teams that earned it. We're going to have a little contest. Each of you has been given a list of outstanding items. Complete the list within two weeks and your trade earns a share of the bonus. If your team fails to complete the list, you get nothing."

The room erupted in an uproar.

"This isn't fair. Electric has twice as many items as any other trade."