Chapter 3: Called me charcoal.

I was washing a load dishes after Lady Tracy's friends had taken their leave. They held a book club every month and took turns hosting at each others houses. This month was Lady Tracy's turn.

"Your room wreaks of a male whiff." She said out of the blue. When had she even gone down there? I couldn't open the windows so I knew she was right. Anyone who knew the smell that was produced when male and female genitalia entertwined knew well enough that it didn't go away in just a few seconds. I had learnt that the hard way over these past couple of months. It required a lot of baths.

"Are you bringing men into my home?" Lady Tracy scowled. She looked very angry. I had no way of answering this, I could not tell her that her husband came in every night or sometimes twice per week, it all depended on his schedule or if Lady Tracy was asleep or out.

"No, Ma'am."

My answered seemed to aggravate her. She immediately slapped me, it stung because she wore her wedding ring and it would surely leave a mark but the advantage of being dark skinned was that it would fade within the next minute.

"Are you calling me a liar then?"

I kept quiet.

She didn't hesitate hitting me again. Lady Tracy took the dish towel near the sink and continuously hit me. It was painful because it was wet. It hurt because she put so much effort on my face. To get through it, I bit on my lip. It became swollen. I don't think it was a mistake when she aimed my for eye, twice.

"I will not stop until you tell your truth?!"

My cheeks had swollen up, my eye looked battered up. It was red and slowing closing. If I didn't admit to it then she wouldn't stop—

"I am, yes, I am!" I yelled.

"Who is he?"

"Elliot owned by the Cunningham family. He wishes to marry me." I said the last part because I already felt like a harlot and I did not want to be seen that way or to feel that way. It was a disgrace.

"You should invite him over for supper on Sunday then?"

My heart immediately started to thud faster.

"He might be working, Lady Tracy!"

"Well tell him to ask for a day off. It must be hard not seeing your fiancée for a while. No wonder you get at it whenever you do meet." She smirked.

I faked a smile.

"Well, I hope you don't plan on leaving us after you marry"

"Actually Lady Tracy, I have been meaning to speak to you about something."

"Tell me already!"

"I really appreciate all that you have done for me. Your kindness, you clothe me, giving me a roof to stay under and I never sleep hungry."

Lady Tracy smiled.

She loved compliments.

I had to keep them coming.

"I have learnt so much from you. I love seeing your latest fashion. You inspire me to want to be beautiful. You're such an inspiration.." Honestly I could care less. She only ever bought me oversized dresses. I didn't mind, I loved covering up. It's the thought that counts and I know other slaves must have had it worse.

"Arghh you flatter me too much Nashe!"

"I'm just being honesty, Lady Tracy.."

"Then what's the problem?" She questioned.

"I miss my family, I would like to work in the field, I'd like to go back."

"But you visit them every Sunday after church..."

"Yes... but..."

"I will be sure to speak to William about this."

"Thank—"

"Speak to me about what?"

"Nashe would like to go back to her family and work in the fields."

I looked down immediately not because my face was swollen and I probably looked much scarier but because after what happened last night. I couldn't look him in the eye.

—

I was reading the Bible. I always did before I slept. I liked reading, anything. Ever since Master William had kissed me, I hoped he would not come back again but just to be on a safer side, I had trimmed my pubic hair. I hated doing it with a razor.. it didn't make it feel any better but I had mastered a way of doing it. I hoped he was nauseated. I checked the clock, it was nearing ten pm. Master William abruptly entered my room. His eyes scanned me from head to toe.

"Evening, Master William." I whispered anxiously. I immediately faced the other side and started unbuttoning my dress letting it drag down to my knees. Master william would always snap at me that I took too much time, which wasted his time.

"I want to take it off you" He said stepping closer.

He did.

His fingers traced the stretch marks on my breasts and my hips. It gave me a tingling feeling. I didn't like this, couldn't we just go back to doing it the way we used to. I was on the verge of losing my mind. I laid back on my small bed and waited for him. I looked aside since I wasn't allowed to watch him undress.

He hovered over my body, in between my thighs. His chest was broad and chiseled but I didn't allow myself to look any further. I busied myself by looking at the brick wall beside me.

"I want you to touch me." He demanded, bringing my chin to face him. He was so close, and it made me nervous.

"Master—"

This seemed to aggravate him.

He took my small hand and made me reach for his girth. I became beyond petrified. I could feel the veins and how rigid it was. There was a myth that white men were quite small, if this was small then how big were black men.. this wasn't small at all, my hand couldn't even go around it.

"That's how much I have been wanting you throughout the day!" He said in a constrained voice.

I didn't say anything.I didn't wasnt to seem rude but-

"Master William, I'm supposed to go to the market early in the morning and I would appreciate if we.."

His eyes only stared down at mine then lowered to my lips.

Oh no please!

He placed a wet somber kiss on my lips and whispered. "... I love it when you play innocent"

I remained silent.

He kissed me again, this time biting on my lower lip. He tasted like mint. I didn't kiss him back, I didn't know how to.. I didn't want to disappoint him either. After a while though, I eventually started moving my lips with his. His fingers started rubbing in between my flower and I was terrified stiff at the feeling. My nipples hardened against his chest as he slipped his middle finger inside me, causing my thighs to slightly shake.

It was a foreign feeling especially with his lips on my mine. He moved to nibbling at my nipples. I let out a sound, I couldn't have been more embarrassed. What was wrong with me! He rubbed his member on my clit until it soaked and pushed into my opening. I let out another sound. I was embarrassed, he only smirked.

"Nothing can be heard from the basement.. you can moan as you please." He added. "Wrap your arms around my neck."

I did as I was told.

He laid his lips back onto mine again and committed damnation on my body. Feeling him going in and out only to slam back into me felt like torture. He filled me up to the point that I felt I couldn't take anymore. If I did.. he would rip me apart. It worried me, if he left me damaged, I would really have nothing to offer. He was on a mission to ruin me.

He put his hands under my butt squeezing it lightly so he could hit harder. I whimpered, I was close to crying, I had never felt this way before. His tongue swirled in my mouth, his teeth biting lips. I shuddered—

My thighs shook as I felt the most relaxing yet satisfying feeling. I didn't know that could happen. I assumed sex was only to bare fruit of the womb and satisfaction for the male. I never thought I could feel this way!

I opened my eyes only to find him watching me. I immediately removed my arms and looked away. Guilt was all I felt, I was sleeping with a married man and I didn't feel the least guilty about it. He pulled out and released his load on my stomach.

"I will go pee then we can do it again."

I didn't understand why he was talking to me... he must have noticed my confusion as he further explained that he needed to pee so that he could remove any remaining sperm from his last ejaculation, that way he could come and give it to me again.

For the first time I was excited.

I didn't talk much or add anything to the conversation. I didn't want to say anything wrong.

He came back and we did it again.

I didn't know what time he left because I woke up disoriented and sore.

—

"What happened to your face?" He questioned. Lady Tracy gave me a threatening look.

"I think I'm having an allergic reaction to something I may have eaten."

He didn't seem convinced.

"You ought to appreciate us taking you in and here you're wishing to return to the plantations... Are you mental?"

"I also found out she has been sneaking a man in her room." Lady Tracy added. "She admitted that it was her fiancé who came to visit her."

Master William cleared his throat.

"She doesn't have a fiancé!"

"William, she does and they plan to marry soon." They chattered amongst themselves as if I wasn't there.

"Pathetic.. who would want to marry her of all people!" I was expecting it.

"William.." Lady Tracy bellowed.

"You know that I had specifically asked for her to work for us because I was well aware that she is the most hideous and you agreed, saying she must not have had many proposals so she would work for us for years."

It hurt but I was used to it.

"I only agreed because I knew there was no way in hell she would seduce you looking like burned charcoal but someone wants to marry her and we can't take that away from her." Lady Tracy replied.

At this point, I knew I had to leave.

Not just leave the kitchen but leave. I needed to accept Elliot's proposal, I never wanted to see Master William again.