Why would he want me to sit here if he was expecting a guest?
“Eat.” I looked at the plate as it was pushed toward me: scrambled eggs, toast, and two slices of bacon.
Surely he didn’t mean I was to eat any of that, right? It wasn’t for me.
“Boy. Eat the fucking food.”
With a shaking hand, I began to eat, lifting a forkful of the eggs to my mouth.
On the one hand, I wanted to eat it all in a few bites, afraid he’d take it away. Yet, on the other hand, I was sure this wasn’t meant for me to consume.
“Will you tell me your name yet?” I didn’t answer, shoveling in a bigger bite to keep my voice at bay. “I hate calling you a slave.” At that, I shrugged. It was what I was.
As I finished almost half of what was on my plate, the food was better than what I’d had for months, and my stomach felt full. I wasn’t even sure when the last time I ate something I not only enjoyed but was filled by.
“I’m gonna give you some rules that will be followed, and I expect you to abide by them at all times.” I gulped, knowing this part was coming. “When I make food, I expect you to eat with me. Unless it’s something you are allergic to, of course.” My downcasted eyes widened in surprise. “I want my slave to be healthy. That means eating, drinking, and telling me immediately if something is wrong. Even as simple as a headache or having trouble pooping.”
“Yes, Sir.” My voice was soft. I wondered if my surprise and wonder came through.
“Things in my household will always be treated with the utmost care. If you fail in doing those simple things, there will be punishments.”
I nodded. I didn’t dare ask what the consequences would entail.
“If you are done, you can clean up the kitchen.” At once, I stood, taking both of our plates and his empty cup to the sink.
With my mind only on my task, I started cleaning the dishes, emptying the dishwasher only to refill it once more. Then, I scrubbed every inch of the countertop.
All the while, I felt Sir’s eyes on me, watching me. Was he making sure I did it right? Or was he waiting for me to finish to tell me how horrible of a job I did?
Mentally shaking both thoughts away, I looked under the cabinet for the soap, finding it quickly.
Once the dishwasher was started and it gave off a low hum, I turned towards where Sir had been. Instead, I bumped into his chest. With nowhere to go, my back to the counter, I was stuck.
My heart skipped a beat before settling.
He was done. Done observing me, and it was time to take me however he saw fit.
One of his hands ran along my arm before taking the still-wet cloth that I held in my grasp and tossing it into the sink. I breathed in deeply, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
“You did well, pet.” My tense shoulders briefly relaxed. I wasn’t sure if it was the words themselves, his tone, or the name. Maybe all three.
He didn’t speak again until his hand tangled into the top of my hair, gently pulling yet holding me right where I was.
“Meds, since you’re in pain. Then I have work to do. You are free to wander the house.”
What?
I must have heard wrong as he released my hair before holding my hand in his own, dropping two pills into my palm.
I swallowed them dry.
With that, he turned and left me standing confused in the kitchen, as if I knew exactly what I was to do now.
Lifting my head, I made sure I was, in fact, all alone before I dared to move a single muscle. When I knew for a fact that I wasn’t being watched, all thepent-up weariness fell away, leaving me worn out and ready for a nap.
Wandering around the rooms of the house, one at a time, I kept my steps light. Not daring to make a sound, Sir’s voice traveled around the noiseless level. At least this way, it gave me time to get used to the house, knowing where things were. The laundry room was in the basement, which was clean. Well, except for the pile of dirty laundry that sat off to the side. I made a mental note that there was no post down here I’d end up chained to.
There were two more bathrooms, one off the hall by the kitchen and one in the basement. A few bedrooms, one of which was being used as an office by the front door where Sir was at. The living room was open and was easily seen from the office, if the door was left open, and the kitchen.
