“Oh, okay.”
I read through it quickly, then sign my name at the bottom.
“I was also able to get you a fob quicker than expected.” He offers me a small black fob with a clip on it. “You can put this in the car, and the gate will open when you get close enough to it. You will still need the pin for the front door though.”
“Convenient.” He gives a small smile. “Are you okay?” I ask.
“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
I shrug. “No reason.”
He nods and says, “I’ll meet you in the dining room at 6:30.”
He walks off without me saying another word.
Definitely in a bad mood, then. Maybe I can make it better… He did say this is like therapy for him. Guess that’s how I’ll know if I’m doing a good job, other than him telling me? If I come in and he looks grumpy, but then he’s relaxed when I leave… total win.
I make my way to my bedroom and find my uniform on the bed, along with another sheet of paper—the schedule.
It’s similar to yesterday’s, only the exposure practice is only ten minutes today, rather than fifty like it was yesterday.
I don’t know why I’m upset about that.
My clothes go on the chair once I’ve taken them off, and I tuck the fob into my pants’ pocket, so I don’t misplace it. I put my uniform on and sit on the bed to browse my phone for ten minutes, until it’s time for me to get to the kitchen. I can’t stop wondering why there was a decrease in exposure practice, since yesterday he told me that he wanted to move forward faster. This feels like we’re going backwards.
I watch the time on my phone to make sure I leave on time to get to the dining room. I gather everything the same way I did yesterday, and walking with the tray is easier today.
His food is set out on the table, similar to the way it was yesterday. He didn’t comment on it, so I assume it was right. The air shifts when he walks into the room, like he’s a hurricane bringing in the charged energy.
He sits, jaw tense and back straight.
I stand there until he gives me an order.
He never does. I stand there and watch him eat and drink, and when he’s done, he tells me to meet him in the sitting room, though there isn’t a time.
I assume he wants me to clean up like I did yesterday, so that’s what I do, and then I hurry to the sitting room where he is waiting in his spot on the left side of the couch, elbow resting on the arm.
I go to my spot and kneel the way he said, waiting for him to say something or start reading. The book is where he left it on the end table, the bookmark poking out the top. Timepasses. Seconds. Minutes. I don’t know, but with the more time that goes by, the more awkward I feel sitting here and doing nothing. Today is so very different from yesterday. I’m not sure I’m enjoying this today.
Yesterday I got all of his attention. I got affection and praise and I liked it. Right now, this is weird. It’s awkward. And I don’t like it. But for five grand, I’ll suck it up, because this is a job and I can’t let my feelings get in the way. Especially hurt feelings over a man who is paying me to be a slave. That’s what I need to remember. He is paying me for this. It’s a job. I don’t have to like it. So, I sit and pretend I’m not upset that he hasn’t touched me once.
The crackling of the fake fireplace soothes my nerves. My muscles relax—well, except for my legs that are starting to cramp. My back is getting tight too, but my shoulders are lighter.
“I made a mistake,” he says, startling me slightly.
“With the NDA? It’s fine. I signed it, and I promise I won’t say anything about yesterday…”
“No,” he says, shaking his head and staring straight ahead. “I shouldn’t have mentioned pushing things faster. You need proper training. Even yesterday, I…” He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’d like to start fresh today. A real training. Take things slow.”
“I’m fine—”
He finally looks at me, giving me a soft smile. “I’m pleased withthat, but I am not.”
My brow furrows, confused about what that means.
With a sigh, he adds, “I think it’s best that we take things slow, is all. We can reassess at the end of the week.”
“If you’re considering letting me go, I’d rather you do it now.”