Page 22 of Slave

Briefly I wondered what he would have in store for me later; surely today would have a price. But that didn’t matter. I didn’t think there was much he could do to me that Ian hadn’t already done. Just the way he touched me made me think he’d be much gentler than my former Master was. All I had to do was endure it.

I kept my head down as I ate, but I knew he was watching me; he watched me all the time. The old Brianna wanted to ask him why, but I’d learned that lesson the hard way a long time ago, so I remained silent. When we were both done, he took our trays and threw our trash away.

Next, we walked to see the giraffes. There was a raised platform, and we watched as a line of kids held out food to feed the long-necked giants. It was a sight to see, and I felt myself start to relax again. I would enjoy this. He was not Ian, and come what may, I would deal with it. I’d survived before. I’d survive again.

As the giraffes got their fill and ambled away, so did we. There were ducks by the pond, and a house filled with exotic birds. It had been so long since I’d visited a zoo, I’d forgotten how much there was to see and just how enjoyable it could be.

I could tell we were almost done and heading back toward the zoo entrance when I saw a small fenced-in area holding barnyard animals. It was silly, I know, but he’d indulged me so far, so I walked closer.

There were cows, geese, sheep, and goats all roaming together in the small pen. Children were mingled in alongside their parents with food cupped in their hands. I watched as a little girl who looked to be about five desperately attempted to hold onto her stash as a goat tried to find a way through her defenses. She jumped back and squealed when his nose touched her hand.

Suddenly, I heard the weirdest sound. It took me a moment to recognize what it was, but finally I did. It was me. Laughing. I laughed.

It had only lasted a few seconds, maybe not even that, but I laughed. When was the last time I had laughed? I didn’t know. I couldn’t remember the last time.

The little girl giggled again, regaining my attention. Her mom stood behind her watching, so proud of her little girl for her small accomplishment. I remembered that. I’d been that little girl.

Then I felt my Master’s hand on me, and I jumped, startled out of my reverie. My automatic response was to apologize, and I’d almost slipped, allowing the beginnings to cross my lips. He didn’t seem to be concentrating on my words, though, as I once again felt his fingertips brush the tears I hadn’t known I’d shed away from my cheeks.

“Are you ready to go, Brianna?”

I nodded, and we left.

As he drove us out of the parking lot, I started looking out the window again at the passing scenery. My eyes were on the buildings and trees, but my mind was on what had happened today and my concern for what would happen tonight.

An electronic ringing filled the car. He reached for his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. “Hello?”

For about a minute he was quiet, listening to whoever was on the other line. After a moment, I felt his eyes on me, and I couldn’t help but stiffen a little.

“Okay,” he said. “I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes if you can have everything ready.” There was another short pause, and then he closed the phone.

Calmly he placed it back into his jeans pocket and returned his hand to the steering wheel. I was curious as to the conversation, but I knew better than to ask. It wasn’t my place. Obviously we were going somewhere.

Ten minutes passed before he spoke. “I need to stop at my office for a few minutes. I won’t be long, but I was wondering if you’d like to see Lily while I take care of this?”

Another question. He was giving me an option. Did I want to see Lily again? Yes. “Yes, Master.” Nothing else was said for the remaining drive.

He parked his car near a set of elevators on the first floor of a parking garage in the middle of downtown. I knew he wanted me to follow him, so I did so this time without him asking, hoping this would please him.

We got into the elevator, and he pressed the button for the tenth floor. The ride up went quickly with no stops in between. I could see his reflection in the metal doors. His face was tense as if he was preparing himself mentally for something he really didn’t want to do.

My guess was he hadn’t wanted to bring me with him. I was sure the part of his life that included me was not something he wanted those he worked with to know about. Just having me here with him could cause him problems. And then what? What would happen to me? Would he get rid of me or . . . ?

Stop it, Brianna! You won’t let that happen. You won’t cause problems for him. Make him happy with you.

And so here I was walking down a long hallway beside my Master with one major difference, I didn’t have my head down. With my eyes facing forward, I followed him until we turned a corner and walked into a brightly lit office the size of his living room.

“Hello, Megan,” Stephan said, smiling.

“Mr. Coleman.” She smiled back. I realized immediately that she was flirting with him. It was obvious Megan didn’t know.

“Is Lily in?” he asked.

Megan nodded and she leaned forward. Her actions were clearly deliberate, made to flaunt her generous assets. A shudder started to go through me as I thought of the obvious innocence of this woman. She had no idea who she was flirting with, or what the possible consequences of her actions could be. I did, which was why I just stood there in silence.

“Would you like me to get her for you, Mr. Coleman?” Her voice dropped an octave, trying for that sultry sound you always heard in movies.

It was strange. Some of the girls in my high school used to do that with the boys they liked. From what I remembered, most of the boys receiving the attention used to flirt back in response. My Master didn’t. Instead, he began to walk again, this time around Megan’s desk. “That’s okay. I’ll get her myself,” he said with a polite but dismissive smile.

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