Gillian acted as though everything was normal but inside she was bleeding. She didn't know if she had a heart but she felt she was dying."May I ask a favor?" she asked brightly."What favor?" Rye was curt. Gillian almost lost courage."I'd like to ask Sam's help--""Sam is busy. Ask me." Rye declined coldly.Gillian gulped down her disappointment. "Um, it doesn't matter," she replied faintly. She drunk her cold coffee. It was bitter.Rye sighed deeply.Gillian heard him and looked at him furtively. He was watching her. She glanced away hurriedly."I'm available, Gillian," he stated softly. "I have nothing to do."She sucked her lips before exhaling air uncertainly. "I... I have to go to town. Um, I'll close the massage parlor for good." This was the first thing that came to her mind when she woke up today."The authorities closed it down already," Rye uttered flatly."Oh..." Gillian didn't expect that."What is your concern with the place?" he asked curiously."It was mine but I guess

After the exhausting intercourse, Gillian fell half-asleep. Her body was still trembling from the inside. Every atom in her being was jolted by the series of orgasms that she had never experienced before.Rye rinsed both of them with a warm shower. While the spray of water sluiced between them, his mouth was grazing her neck and his hands were caressing her smooth body. She noted absently that he was not avoiding the scars on her back. He stroked her soft skin again as though he could not commit her texture to his memory.

Gillian went downstairs in the afternoon. Genova was in the living room. Nurse Sanchez was just nearby, writing on a medical journal."Oh, Mother! You are well!" she exclaimed happily. She hugged and kissed her mother."Thanks to Nurse Sanchez. She took care of me," Genova said cheerfully while observing her daughter very carefully.

The dinner lasted for about two hours. Everybody was talking in low voices. The two bodyguards stood outside the lanai. Ginny and Gillian cleared the dirty plates and utensils. They left the glasses and a bottle of brandy, which Sam had produced after dinner.Jamil was explaining something to Rye earnestly. The younger man remained enigmatic while listening intently.Gillian glanced at his direction sporadically. She wanted to catch his eye but he was elusive.When Ginny started yawning, Gillian took the opportunity to escape."You're sleepy, Ginny. Say goodnight to everyone."Ginny came near Sam and kissed him on the cheek. "Goodnight, Sam! Goodnight, Mr. Jamil and Sir Rye! Goodnight, everyone!" She waved to the two bodyguards."Goodnight, Ginny." Sam stood up to give Ginny a chaste kiss on the forehead.Gillian bowed her head wordlessly in the direction of the men. Her lips remained unsmiling and her eyes lowered as she bade a silent goodnight. Her throat tightened as they walked ins

"Here we are, bitch!" Arnault paid the taxi.Gillian peered at the sprawling mansion disinterestedly. She was languidly neutral.They entered a large door with two guards. They did not question them but they stared at Gillian very closely. Arnault cleared his throat."The dungeon, Mr. Schmidt," the first guard said courteously.The wide hallway was full of lavish objects. They were not there to decorate. They were on display to boast the riches of the owner.After the long array of extravagant purchases, like the diamond studded of life-like bust of Medusa, they turned to a narrow corridor. The eyes of the snakes on its head were glittering menacingly. An invisible door opened when Arnault touched the wall."Come in, Mr. Schmidt!" a booming voice called from within.There were no windows. The walls were lined with books and magazines. There was one wall that had several television screens with black and white images.Gillian glanced around impassively. There were a handful of balding m