Page 19 of The Assignment: Room 3

Chapter 4

CELEST

“We’ll be fine, won’t we Gracie?”

“Yes, Gan Gan.” My baby girl is the cutest person on planet Earth. With a little lisp from sucking her thumb, she runs over to me, wrapping her arms around my leg. “Wove you, Mommy.”

Gracie is the best thing that ever happened to me. Being her mom is my single greatest achievement, and yet she came from such a dark point in my life. She’s why I survived and got myself out of a bad situation.

The past four years have been the most difficult of my life. Being a single parent is hard, and I take my hat off to all the amazing single moms and dads who make it look easy. For me, it’s been a struggle. Thankfully, my mom moved to New York a year ago to help with Gracie. They are partners in crime, and I love to see their bond flourish.

My mom and I haven’t always had the easiest relationship, but we love each other, and I know she would walk through fire for Gracie. Life is good right now. I have a job I love, my little family, friends I love, and the club.

Venom saved my life after I had Gracie. Or more specifically, Dalton Callaghan saved me from repeating my mistakes. He gaveme a chance when no one else would. Pregnant and alone, I applied for every entry-level job I could find, desperate to make sure Gracie would have a good life.

He gave me a secretarial position at The Callaghan Group in their acquisitions department. I took night classes online and have worked my way up a few rungs on the ladder. My journey to better myself is far from over, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come.

Being a new mom with no one to share the load was lonely and overwhelming, but when I found friends I trusted to watch Gracie for a few hours one night a week, I found the lifestyle. It gave me somewhere to let it all go and give over control willingly for a few short hours while simultaneously keeping complete control. I trained at a BDSM club across town, which was great at the time, but it wasn’t until I went to Venom that I found my tribe.

The first night was embarrassing when I came face-to-face with the man who hired me—Master Callaghan. I’ve never seen the color drain from someone’s face so fast in all my life. When I explained that I was already part of the lifestyle and had trained before finding Venom, he was cool about it but still reminded me I needed to sign an NDA before I set foot on the premises.

Venom has been my safe haven ever since. Until recently, I kept the fact that I’m a mother a secret. Not because I’m ashamed but because I enjoyed just being me—as much as I can be—for a few hours a week. She has my heart, no question, but it can be tough being everything to everyone all the time.

Last year, I decided to tell my regular Dom that I have a child because I’m ready for a long-term relationship. It took me a long time to trust someone with my heart again, and it seems I still suffer from the ability to pick men who don’t deserve my time. He was a good lay and knew what I liked in the playroom, but he sure as hell wasn’t worthy of my affection. The second I told him about Gracie, he ended our arrangement.

I’ve been floundering ever since. I didn’t think he was ‘the one,’ but I didn’t expect such a negative reaction. The moment Dalton found out he dumped me in front of everyone in the club, he barred the guy from frequenting Venom.

The silver lining after being dumped by that douchebag is that I finally got back in touch with my mom. I needed someone alongside me. I’ve been so afraid to accept help when it comes to my daughter, but I realized I was being selfish. Gracie deserves all the good things in life and someone to rely on other than me.

“You heard her, Celest. She and Gan Gan will be fine. We love you, so go and have some fun.”

“If you need anything, call me. You have Freya’s number if you can’t get a hold of me for some reason. I always have my phone on.”

My mom pulls me into her arms, and, for a moment, I feel the comfort and peace of my early years. “Stop worrying yourself. Everything is fine. Go and meet your friend.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

She squeezes me a little tighter. “I love you, Celest.”

“I love you too.”

Gracie tugs on my leg before putting her hands up. She loves a group hug. I lift her into my arms, and she wraps one arm around my neck and the other around my mom’s, smushing us together. My heart is full, and I feelhappyas I leave them to a night of games and toys. Content. For the first time in years.

Our humble house is only four blocks from the subway into Manhattan, and I make it just as the doors are about to close. I told Freya I would meet her at seven, and I hate to be late. I find a seat, pull out a book from my purse, and settle in for the ride. I always have a book handy for my commute. Losing myself in fiction has been an anchor through the storms of life for me.

For a little while, I can step into someone else’s shoes and forget my worries.

I don’t realize the time, so lost in my book that I almost miss my stop. Shoving it in my purse, I step out to the unsavory stench of the underground. I hate being an ant, carried along in the crowd. I’m saving to buy a house in a nicer part of town and eventually get my own car.

Walking at a brisk pace, I navigate the short distance to Venom, my muscles relaxing at the sight of the security guard in the lobby.

“Good evening, Ms. Monroe.”

“Hello, Donovan. How’s the family?”

“Doing well. Have a good night.”

“Thanks.” My heels click against the marble stone as I approach the elevator. I tap out a quick message.

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