Chapter 12

*Laurie*

The music drifted around us. Deep within, I knew this wasn’t a dance. It was another of his games. And Theron never played fair. He was trying to get under my skin again!!

His grip remained firm, guiding me effortlessly across the polished floor, his movements precise, and practiced… like a man who had done this a thousand times before. And yet, I felt like the only one he had ever held this way.

Shit! The thought made me want to slap myself.

"You should wear something red tonight," he murmured, his lips near my ears. Damn! His voice was smooth as silk.

I stiffened. "Excuse me?" I murmured.

He spun me slowly before pulling me back against him again, his touch never faltering. "There’s a dinner party tonight. I’m attending, and you’ll be coming with me."

I blinked up at him. “What?”

His face was expressionless, though a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Be ready before seven o'clock. I’ll send the maids to help you dress up. Given that you have a poor aesthetic."

I nearly stumbled over my own feet. "You’re taking me out?"

I seem not to even care about the final words. All that rang in my head was “Dinner party tonight".

What's Theron playing at again? I thought… I was meant to be locked in here forever.

He caught me effortlessly, his grip tightening just slightly and comfortably around my waist.

"Is that so surprising, Cookie?"

I stared at him, trying to make sense of his words.

Didn’t he buy me? Did people who owned others take them out? Wasn’t I supposed to be locked up in this cage?

What if I ran?

What if I escape while at the party?

Did he trust me that much?

My thoughts were a whirlwind, but Theron… Theron was composed as ever, as if this were just another business meeting.

He released me abruptly, stepping back with a slow, deliberate ease, like he had already grown bored of this conversation. "Be ready," he said, his tone final.

And then, just like that, he walked away. I stood there, frozen, my breath uneven.

I felt Baffled. Angry. Annoyed. What the hell was going through his mind? First, he made me feel worthy and then coldly walked away making me worthless.

The sound of footsteps broke through my thoughts. I turned sharply, and a young maid in a crisp black uniform stood before me, head bowed in respect.

"Mistress," she said softly, keeping her gaze low. "What would you like to do next?"

I stiffened.

Mistress?

The word sent a jolt through me. Mistress? Is that a mistaken statement, or am I being delusional?

I owned nothing here. I was no one. And yet Theron’s staff called me “Mistress”

I swallowed, my fingers curling slightly at my sides.

"I’m not the Mistress," I said in a calm voice.

"My name is Laurie. I’d prefer you call me that."

The maid didn't react. She only kept her head bowed, hands folded neatly in front of her. "What would you like to do next, Mistress?"

I frowned. "Did you hear me? I said…"

"Mistress," she interrupted gently, as if my words were irrelevant. "What would you like to do next?"

A slow, uneasy realization settled over me. This wasn’t a misunderstanding. It wasn’t a mistake. Theron must have ordered them to call me that.

Why? What was he playing at? I inhaled deeply, swallowing my irritation. "I’d like to work," I said finally.

The maid bowed her head slightly. "As you wish."

She didn’t question me further. She simply turned and gestured for me to follow her.

…

The room was silent and everything was just as I left it. I let out a shaky breath and turned back to my worktable.

Fine. If Theron wanted to play mind games, he could play alone. I wouldn’t let him get under my skin.

I reached for my tools, my fingers wrapping around the fine precision cutters as I stared at the unfinished sapphire. It looked marvelous yet I oddly felt the design would look better with a different gem in place of the sapphire. I frowned, watching the gemstone gleam under the soft light, waiting to be finished.

It's fine. I set to work, blocking out everything else.

The hours slipped by in quiet focus. The scratch of metal against stone, the soft hum of concentration… It was the only thing that kept me from overthinking, from analyzing every little detail of Theron’s latest moves. He made me feel like a past lover, bought to control and pamper.

The next time I glanced at the clock, it was already 4:30 PM. I stared at the nearly finished necklace. It was perfect. Just like the drawing. All that was left for me to complete was the final polishing and a pair of matching earrings.

But before then came a knock.

One.

Two..

Three…

I barely had time to react before the door swung open, and this time, the young maid wasn’t alone.

Seven others followed behind her, moving with silent efficiency.

Trays of sliced fruits, delicate oils, steaming towels, and expensive fabrics filled their arms as they entered like a well-rehearsed team of professionals.

I stiffened, my fingers still hovering over my sapphire.

The first maid bowed slightly. "Mistress, it’s time to get ready."

I turned back to my work. "Not yet. I still have things to do,"

"Master Theron has given strict orders," she interrupted, she continued with a careful low voice, "that if we fail to prepare you before time, we will all be dismissed."

I stilled.

Dismissed.

The word echoed in my mind. Knowing Theron for the shortest time, I couldn't help but slowly turn, my gaze hovering around each one of them as I asked. "And dismissal means?"

The maid hesitated.

A beat of silence passed.

Then, quietly, she said, "Dismissal is no different from death."

My stomach churned. It was a slightly expected yet unexpected response. I searched their faces. There was no pleading, no desperation, only quiet acceptance. As if they had already made peace with their fate, should I refuse?

Damn it.

Theron knew exactly what he was doing.

I clenched my jaw, pushing down the surge of frustration.

I didn’t want to obey him. I didn’t want to play along with whatever twisted game he was orchestrating. But I couldn’t let them suffer because of me.

I set my tools down with a sharp exhale.

"Fine," I muttered. "Do whatever you need to."