goes by. There are moments I feel like she’s not g s#82ectletting what I’m trying to teach, and then as if she suddenly understands, she’s doing heartfelt, warm things, like she did today with Number Eleven. I’m not let down by her decisions, but I am torn over them. A great part of me needed Number Eleven to learn her lesson, yet at the same time, I think—surprisingly—she did.
“Master, the guests have arrived.”
I turn to my door and nod at George. He’s wearing a full mask that only leaves his mouth on view. He’s standing straight and tall, his arms settled by his sides.
I nod at him. “I’ll be right there.”
I’m putting every ounce of my trust in those girls tonight. It’s their chance to let me see that my lessons are beginning to pay off.
I only hope I’ve made the right choice.
~*~*~*~
NUMBER THIRTEEN
“W e need to make sure this is done to perfection,” I say to the girls in my group.
We’re all dressed in dark polos and black slacks. Our hair is tied back and we’re wearing comfy, black shoes. We’re ready to serve. Ready to show him we can do as he asks. Ready to earn some trust. Ready to get ourselves ahead enough to find a way out of this place.
“What if we fall, or slip?” Number Seven murmurs, rubbing her hands nervously together.
“It’s going to be okay,” I soothe. “Just pay attention to what you’re doing, and don’t worry about anyone or anything else. We’re going to get this done efficiently.”
“There’s so many people,” Number Twelve says, her face is pale.
“You’ll be fine,” I try to reassure her, but the truth is I feel just as ill as she does.
I look over to Number Three who is just staring out the window. She’s been off today, and barely saying anything. Her eyes are empty, and her shoulders are slumped. Like the effort to lift them is just too hard.
“Number Three?” I say softly. “Are you okay?”
She nods briskly. “Let’s just get this done.”
Something is going on in her mind, something deep and dark. I don’t have time to help her now, but I hope that maybe tonight, after all this is finished, I might get to talk to her.
We all straighten our clothes and head out to the kitchen. Number Eleven took charge, and has everything laid out on nice platters. We all take one, breathing in a steadying breath before entering the massive ballroom in the middle of the house.
I gasp as I step into the well-decorated space. The floor is polished, and so shiny it squeaks as we walk over it. There are massive chandeliers hanging from the roof, and tables are beautifully presented throughout the space, all decorated with white tablecloths and sparkling-light table pieces.
There are people mingling everywhere, all of them wearing masks. The women look elegant, with long beautiful dresses and dainty masks. The men look masculine and mysterious, all suited up.
“Would you like some?” I say, approaching the first group.
“Oh, thank you.” A red-haired woman smiles, and picks up a canapé with her bright-red fingernails.
I take the platter around the group, and then continue walking through the room. This isn’t so bad. I’m doing well, and I haven’t screwed up. As far as I can see, neither have the other girls.
I step into the next group, and when the people turn and move, I see that familiar shator is polimask. My heart stammers, and I struggle to catch my breath as once more I lay my eyes on William.
So perfect.
He lifts his gaze when he notices me, and the eye I can see connects with mine, causing little shivers to run over my skin. He doesn’t smile, but the look he’s giving me is... intense . I keep my shoulders straight as I offer everyone something from the tray. William leans forward, his lips coming down to graze my ear. He murmurs, “You’re doing a impeccable job, Beauty.”
He didn’t say Beauty in Romanian. My face heats up.
He stands up straight and reaches out, plucking a prawn piece off the
“Master, the guests have arrived.”
I turn to my door and nod at George. He’s wearing a full mask that only leaves his mouth on view. He’s standing straight and tall, his arms settled by his sides.
I nod at him. “I’ll be right there.”
I’m putting every ounce of my trust in those girls tonight. It’s their chance to let me see that my lessons are beginning to pay off.
I only hope I’ve made the right choice.
~*~*~*~
NUMBER THIRTEEN
“W e need to make sure this is done to perfection,” I say to the girls in my group.
We’re all dressed in dark polos and black slacks. Our hair is tied back and we’re wearing comfy, black shoes. We’re ready to serve. Ready to show him we can do as he asks. Ready to earn some trust. Ready to get ourselves ahead enough to find a way out of this place.
“What if we fall, or slip?” Number Seven murmurs, rubbing her hands nervously together.
“It’s going to be okay,” I soothe. “Just pay attention to what you’re doing, and don’t worry about anyone or anything else. We’re going to get this done efficiently.”
“There’s so many people,” Number Twelve says, her face is pale.
“You’ll be fine,” I try to reassure her, but the truth is I feel just as ill as she does.
I look over to Number Three who is just staring out the window. She’s been off today, and barely saying anything. Her eyes are empty, and her shoulders are slumped. Like the effort to lift them is just too hard.
“Number Three?” I say softly. “Are you okay?”
She nods briskly. “Let’s just get this done.”
Something is going on in her mind, something deep and dark. I don’t have time to help her now, but I hope that maybe tonight, after all this is finished, I might get to talk to her.
We all straighten our clothes and head out to the kitchen. Number Eleven took charge, and has everything laid out on nice platters. We all take one, breathing in a steadying breath before entering the massive ballroom in the middle of the house.
I gasp as I step into the well-decorated space. The floor is polished, and so shiny it squeaks as we walk over it. There are massive chandeliers hanging from the roof, and tables are beautifully presented throughout the space, all decorated with white tablecloths and sparkling-light table pieces.
There are people mingling everywhere, all of them wearing masks. The women look elegant, with long beautiful dresses and dainty masks. The men look masculine and mysterious, all suited up.
“Would you like some?” I say, approaching the first group.
“Oh, thank you.” A red-haired woman smiles, and picks up a canapé with her bright-red fingernails.
I take the platter around the group, and then continue walking through the room. This isn’t so bad. I’m doing well, and I haven’t screwed up. As far as I can see, neither have the other girls.
I step into the next group, and when the people turn and move, I see that familiar shator is polimask. My heart stammers, and I struggle to catch my breath as once more I lay my eyes on William.
So perfect.
He lifts his gaze when he notices me, and the eye I can see connects with mine, causing little shivers to run over my skin. He doesn’t smile, but the look he’s giving me is... intense . I keep my shoulders straight as I offer everyone something from the tray. William leans forward, his lips coming down to graze my ear. He murmurs, “You’re doing a impeccable job, Beauty.”
He didn’t say Beauty in Romanian. My face heats up.
He stands up straight and reaches out, plucking a prawn piece off the
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