AN ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING sat beside Kawood gallery. Between both buildings sat a relaxing fountain with live fishes swimming at the bottom. The parking lot held several cars and tall groomed plants slightly obscured a front view of the gallery.
ZEE WALKED INTO the reception hall of the administrative building with Glory behind her. He took a seat at one of the built-in reception seats and watched her walk up to the male receptionist at the counter who looked to be in his early thirties.
“Hello.” She greeted.
“Hi.”
“I’m here about the job advert placement.”
“Okay. Just drop copies of your credentials on the counter.”
“I have already applied online.”
AT THE POSITIVE Message from Kawood gallery, Zee’s face broke into a smile. “What?” Glory asked. “I need to celebrate.” “Celebrate what?” “My job placement. I am now a staff of Kawood gallery.” “Good for you. I cannot wait to see how that turns out,” he replied, indifferent. “What a killjoy.” Without another word, Glory started the car. “Where to?” He asked. “Please take me to any joint where I can get some ice cream. I will consume it at home.” Zee did not want to waste too much time outside, in case Michael called again. She reckoned that the longer she stayed outside, the higher the risk
After Michael's call, Zee found it hard to enjoy her remaining ice cream. She closed the half-consumed plate of ice cream and stuck it inside the fridge in the bedroom. Then she hurried downstairs, hoping to get beer from the men in the security room. The door of the security room stood slightly ajar and she gave it a couple of taps with her knuckle. One of the guards emerged, widening the door. Zee caught a glimpse of computer monitors with views of the estate surroundings as well as several places around and inside the house. “Mrs. Ray, hi.” the guard greeted. “Is everything alright?” “Yes. I’m good. I need to see Glory.” She replied. She was not used to the other men yet. He signaled Glory and returned inside. Glory drew forward and stood at
After his brazen kiss that left her weak in the knees, Zee found herself back inside the house, walking beside him. “So what are you going to eat?” she asked as they were about to climb the stairs. He paused and looked down at her, a smirk forming across his lips. “What are you going to prepare?” “Toasted bread with egg and coffee or tea.” “That sounds nice. I’ll have tea. Make the egg fried, please.” “Okay.” She responded and turned, her direction towards the kitchen, but he held her hand and pulled her back beside him. Her eyes met his in confusion. “Where are you going?” he asked, one eyebrow, arched. Whenever he did that, Zee found him scary and cool at the same time. It was intimidating.
Zee watched as Glory lifted his eyes and met hers. With her eyes, she pleaded with him, shaking her head slightly, which told him to maintain his story. She was afraid of what Michael would do to her if he found out the truth, because, then, it would be clear that she had told him a big lie, risking Glory’s reputation and putting him in danger. Glory’s gaze left hers and returned to Michael’s. “I…I’m to blame. I…I felt like taking her out because she…she’s new in town and…and since you were out of town, she seemed…she looked bored. That’s why I did it. I’m very sorry, Boss.” Michael’s gaze remained fixed on Glory’s as he spoke to Zee. “Is that what happened, Sweetheart?” A sniffle escaped her trembling lips. “Yes.” She tearfully responded. “Is that what happened?” he repeated, this time, arresting her tearful gaze with his. She nodded. “Yes, please.” she gave him a tearful answer again. “Please, I’m sorry. Don’t hurt him anym…”
SHE REACHED FOR the front zipper of her dress and pulled it down, her fingers, tremulous. Then she stepped out of it. Michael held out his hand and she handed the dress over to him. “Get down on your knees.” He said quietly. “Please…” she started pleading again. “I hate repeating myself.” Zee dropped down to her knees. “Good. That will be your position for the next one hour. It’s a small punishment, considering how you eventually became honest.” He glanced at his watch, checked the time, and refocused his attention on her. “The time is already three thirty-five PM. I’ll be back to check up on you. Don’t let me catch you relieving your knees, because, aft
A FEW HOURS LATER ZEE WOKE UP on the bed. A glance at the time told her it was already 7:10 pm. The pain of her punishment had exhausted her and finally sent her sleeping. She could feel a minor throbbing on her knees. She sat up and gently massaged each knee in a bid to ease the throbs. She sighed softly with relief as it worked. The vibrating sound coming from her phone made her leave the bed. On her way to the Television area at the mini parlor, she saw no signs of Michael. There was a half-empty glass of wine on the table beside her ringing phone, which was flashing Patricia’s name. She eyed the glass with disapproval. So he was celebrating after giving her pain? Good for him. She snorted and
That night in bed, Michael touched and caressed her body while she deliberately stayed numb. She had thought he would go mad with anger, but it didn’t happen. She was learning that she could not predict him. He tied her to the bed and continued his caresses over her nightdress until she could not fight the desire he was forcing on her. She gave in, begging him to take her, and he did, ripping off her coverings and ending up making love to her several times before the break of a new day. In the following hours that ensued, in hopes of getting Michael to change his mind, Zee stayed polite and took her cooking lessons without drama. That evening, with Michael present in the kitchen, she made the meal he had earlier expected from her. He sat at the table watching her work diligently. There wa
Inara watched the partiers in the living room turned dance floor. She wished Zee was there with her. It wasn’t as if she didn’t know anyone there at the party. Her friend, Alex was the birthday boy and her colleagues in the choir were there. But, she missed Zee. They would have been there together. Alex was dancing with his Fiancé. As a church boy, the music was Christian Pop. He waved at her and she waved back. Even Tim and his skinny girlfriend were there dancing. She briefly wondered when they would get married. The two were always together. Inara picked up her phone and decided to call her friend. ZEE was still lying on the bed, deep in thoughts. She lay on her front with her fingers laced together, the bedroom door, slightly ajar, although, she was backing the door. She thought about the training coming the following day. She was looking forward to it, but the fear of Michael not permitting her was overwhelming. Her phone b