“I don’t want to make you eat something you shouldn’t. I will take care of my boy.” The last part spoke a bit deeper in his chest.
“Bananas.” A shiver racked my body as I spoke the word. It was the one thing I couldn’t stand. The texture alone was bad enough, but then add in the mix of feeling like I have the flu and hives if I had the fruit in any form.
“Ok, thank you for telling me. I’m not a fan of them myself, so they won’t be in this house all that often anyways.”
Right then, the doorbell rang through the house. Sir stepped away, but over his shoulder, he spoke an order. “Set the table.”
My knees protested against the movement, but I got my feet under me once again and did as I was told. I wasn’t sure what to set out, though. Was this a test?
Shrugging, I took down two bowels and matching plates. That way, both options would be in reach for Sir to use.
By the time I finished setting everything on the table, Sir was there, setting a white bag in the middle.
The aroma of the food caused my stomach to growl. My body was being a traitor. I didn’t need the food, even if I had set for two places.
“Sit.” Sir’s order wasn’t rough, but it seemed like he was still unsure of how to treat me. Apparently, whoever he had been talking to before hadn’t been much help to him.
He waited until I sat to dish out the food. Both plates, mine with less than his, had a pile of noodles covered in some sort of white sauce and a piece of seasoned chicken.
I kept my eyes on the plate, hands in my lap, as Sir took a seat. Then, he stood up and went to the kitchen, bringing back another cup of water and placing it in front of me this time.
“Bring yourself something to drink when I tell you to set the table.”
“Yes, Sir,” I whispered as he retook his seat.
I didn’t move as he began to eat. I just sat there, trying not to let my hunger get the better of me.
Was I to eat? Was it just another test? Was it for him only?
“Eat, boy.” This time, the words were a bit harder and had that strange tang to his voice. “When food is offered at the table, I expect you to eat. I won’t tell you again.”
Okay, I guess that solved that problem.
Slowly, just like earlier, I took small bites. The pasta was something I couldn’t remember having before and, thankfully, settled in my stomach reasonably well. Sometimes, there were foods that I had no choice but to eat that didn’t like me. Not with the lack of eating habits I tended to have.
Like before, I only ate about half while Sir ate everything on his. When he was done, he easily scraped the portion I hadn’t finished back into a container it had come in before telling me to go do the dishes.
Having orders and knowing what to expect chased away the worries that wanted to wash over me.
Sir was still sitting at the table when I finished. I stood, frozen, for a moment, debating on what to do. After a moment of indecision, I ended up kneeling before him.
I could hear the displeasure and surprise in one single breath. He didn’t need to say a thing for me to know he wasn’t happy about something.
Closing my eyes tight, I waited for the slap.
What I hadn’t expected was two fingers under my chin, forcing my gaze upwards. I kept my eyes closed tightly. Slowly, when he held my head tilted up, did I lift my eyelids.
My gaze met his blue. It was deeper than the deepest part of the ocean, and I felt like he was looking into my soul.
I couldn’t tear my sight from his, despite knowing I needed to. He held me captive, and right at that moment, I think I was okay with it.
“What did I say about kneeling?” He blinked, breaking the spell. But then, I couldn’t remember what he had said. He never told me not to. “The pillow?”
Oh.
“Get the pillow and meet me in my office.” I was already moving before he finished talking. My heart was in my stomach as I bent to pick up the pillow and made my way to his office. Assuming he’d go to his chair, that’s where I tossed the pillow near and kneeled down in one of the few perfect poses I could handle for long periods of time.
It was at least two full minutes before Sir came in and took a seat in his chair. He completely ignored me, which in some way almost caused me to burst out crying. Instead, I swallowed around the lump in my throat.
