Sir had lived right in the middle of a town, where there was always some sort of noise, some sort of commotion going on. It was harder to hear some of it while I was in the basement.
As we neared town, the houses grew smaller, closer together, and trees dotted the outline of properties. Soon, the houses turned into buildings. And so much traffic.
Sabastian didn’t say a whole lot as he drove. I did feel his gaze on me off and on, the radio down low.
I told myself to be good, to behave, to not disappoint the man. Maybe if I proved myself, he’d take me out of the house more often.
Soon enough, he pulled into a parking lot next to a number of other cars. The building in front wasconnected by other ones, each one with big signs above the doors.
None of them made sense to me, but I followed Sabastian’s orders, staying in the car until he came around to open the door for me.
He gave me a tender smile, holding out a hand to help me out of the vehicle. It took me a moment to lay my own in his, unsure of doing so.
Was he going to jerk me out of the car? Drag me away to a different place to hold me hostage?
It didn’t matter to my mind that Sabastian had told me exactly what we were doing, kind of. Just not what kind of shopping he wanted to do. It wasn’t going to matter to my speeding heart that he hadn’t lied to me, as far as I knew, so far.
“You doing okay?”
I nodded, sucking in a breath. I wasn’t okay, far from it. But this was nothing. It was better than being hit until I couldn’t take another breath.
“Deep breath for me, Oakley.”
I did so, instantly feeling it catch in my chest. So, I had to take another. And a another. And another until my breathing was even once more.
“Good boy.”
I couldn’t help but look at him, wondering if I really wasgood. Good enough for him to want to keep me?
“What am I going to do with you?” He shook his head, shutting the car door after I moved out of the way. The question wasn’t meant for me to answer, so I didn’t.
But he could keep me. He could keep treating me the way he was without ever wanting more of me. I’d be more than fine with that idea.
“Come on.” He gently pulled to one of the stores.
The bell dinged as he entered the store, instantly seeing a bunch of colored bottles and containers.
Where the heck did Sabastian take me? What could I possibly need in this store? Walmart would have been more than enough.
“Welcome!” A lady popped out of nowhere, causing me to jerk and bump into Sabastian, who easily wrapped an arm around my back. “How can I help you today?
“Yes, my friend here needs a few things. I have no idea where to start.”
“Sure thing! What exactly are you looking for?”
“Everything?”
What?
I looked at Sabastian, who didn’t seem to bat an eye at the answer. “I have pictures of what they use at home.” He easily pulled his phone out, bringing up the pictures and showing the lady, who was all too happy to help find products that would ‘cater’ to my needs. Whatever that was.
Sabastian pushed me along, following the lady, as she picked up a basket and started listening off a bunch of products I have never used, let alone knew about.
“Smells. What do you tend to like, Miss.”
My mind blanked out, not sure what to answer. I wasn’t a girl… and had no way to answer.
“They have more flowery scents. I’m not sure if that’s by choice, or just what the parents bought.”
