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
After crying her eyes out, Zee managed to go downstairs for dinner. Then she walked out of the house and strolled around the garden with Glory hanging by. It was dark outside, but there were enough fancy lights to keep the place illuminated. She was in a pretty environment, but she was void of happiness. The sight of the pool sent her craving a swim, so she hurried back upstairs to change, realizing she didn’t even have swimming trunks. She had forgotten to pack that. She settled for tights and camisole. During her swim, she tried to drown herself, sinking in the water and refusing to come out. She could not hold her breath any longer and emerged, coughing and exhausted. She did it three times and by the third time, Glory was at the edge of the pool. “Mrs. Ray, aren’t you hurting yourself?” “Leave me alone.” She said and left the pool in anger, returning to the bedroom. Surprisingly the swim had exhausted her body to the point that she just po
Michael flung the belt aside, the sound of the buckle clattering harshly against the tiles and escalating her fear. “Get up!” he ordered. “Rise from that bed right now!” Zee shot up to her feet with trembling limbs. “Why don’t you just kill me?” she threw at him. “We’ll see how ready you are to die.” He said as he grabbed her hand. “Let me go.” She cried as he lifted her onto his shoulder, leaving the bedroom as she kicked out her legs and beat upon his shoulder. He walked into the room where he had punished her and opened a shut door inside. It revealed some kind of prison cell with a slab of smooth stone, attached to the bare wall and raised above the ground like a bed for sleeping. The stone bed had a stone bedside
Zee looked up as the door opened again. Glory was there with a mattress meant for one person. She sat up, moved to tears by his kindness. She knew she didn’t deserve his kindness. “That stone bed is for enemies and potential threats.” He said. “You are neither of those. You are Mrs. Ray. Please rise, Maam so I can put this down for you.” “Thank you.” She replied. “But, what if he returns and finds me on it? I don’t want to be in trouble.” “I asked for his approval. And even if he didn’t grant it, I would still bring it to you. Then I can always take it away before he returns.” “Thank you. And I’m sorry for my behavior towards you.” “It’s okay. You’re in a difficult position. Just know that in life, there are ups and downs. No con
Zee watched his eyes grow round with panic. Then his face clouded over with disappointment. “Ask me anything else, but not that.” “Glory, please? You’ve seen how he treats me?” “I also witnessed how you came into his life. You didn’t notice me at the wedding you ruined, but I was there.” “I can’t turn back the hands of time.” “I don’t want you to.” He said. “I prefer you to her. Your attitude is quite understandable because of everything that’s happening. The other girl had no reason to be nasty.” “Thanks. But please, help me. Will you?” “I…I can’t. How can you even ask me that? I’ll get in big trouble. I’ll end up losing my life. He will kill me. He will punish you. But he will kill me.” “No. We only need to plan it well, so that it happens in a manner that does not arouse suspicion.” He shook his head. “I cannot betray my boss.” “This is not betrayal. This is about doing the right thing.” Glory