Chapter 11

Laying my head back on the pillow, I curl up and hug the blanket. There are so many emotions going on in my heart right now. I'm angry. I'm so angry at the men who took me away from my home, away from my father, away from my happy life far from all these people who want to hurt me this way.

I'm sad. That's clearly an understatement, but I can't think of a better word to describe it. The loss of my father has cut me deeply but it feels so unreal, so untrue that I don't think I'm even fully allowing myself to accept that he's gone.

I'm relieved that I have met this woman named Akida. She has been the only person, other than the slave who offered me water at the auction house, since this all began who has truly shown me compassion, sympathy, and genuine kindness. Having at least one person by my side makes me feel like maybe everything will be okay in the end.

I'm humiliated. I was stripped of my clothing, my dignity, dragged in front of countless people who see me as less than a nice fat hog, good for slaughter. Completely disposable. I'm a branded animal in their eyes. Touched by strange men and ogled by others, I feel dirty and soiled. This makes me angry all over again!

And then I feel scared... Who exactly is my new master? Zion Velucia. Akida told me he's not an evil person but what does that mean? He looks at me with no emotion, no feeing in his face whatsoever. His eyes feel cold while his hands are warm. If the situation were different and I'd seen him from afar, his beauty might make my heart flutter like butterflies in the breeze.

Maybe he would make me swoon like the princesses in the storybooks when a handsome knight comes to save the day. Under these circumstances though, he is terrifying. I can't tell if he's merely unfeeling or an absolute monster. Is he a person who will let me live my life if I don't get in his way? Or does he enjoy torturing someone like a villain?

It seems as though there are people in the world who get a thrill out of seeing others suffer. Is that the kind of man I now belong to? I lie there thinking and questioning what I think I know for what seems to be an hour or so and then the door opens to reveal another familiar face.

"Are you awake?", asks a lady in a blue dress and a crisp white apron.

I recognize her as one of the women I was supposed to follow last night when I fainted. Her voice was also in the room shortly before I lost consciousness. I vaguely remember seeing her face after I hit the floor, for a brief moment.

"Yes?", I reply apprehensively.

"I've brought you some clothes...", she starts to say but before she can finish her statement, I shoot up from my relaxed position.

"Please!", I say in a loud voice, holding my arms out as far as I can to take them.

She starts to giggle and I lower my arms a little. The giggling isn't meant to mock me, but I feel embarrassed either way and I make a concerted effort to regain my composure. I may be in a vulnerable position, but that doesn't mean that I can't hold onto my dignity with my nails dug in.

"You're much more lively today, aren't you?, she says with a warm smile. "Much better! I'm Elise. I'm a maid here and I'm in charge of showing you the ropes."

"Ropes?", I whimper and hide my wrists.

"Oh! No, no! Sorry! I mean I'm supposed to show you around, teach you what to do, that kind of thing. Mr. Velucia doesn't quite seem to know where he's going to place you yet but I've been asked to show u where everything is and what we do around here."

I look at her skeptically for a moment and realize that she's very attractive as well. Is everyone here beautiful? Her blonde hair is neatly tied in a knot but there are little wisps of it hanging down her forehead. She has large brown eyes and smooth rosy cheeks that compliment a v-shaped jaw line and a long neck. She's only slightly taller than me so she feels approachable.

"Oh. Well, can I get dressed first, please?"

"Of course! Here, I'll leave these here for you and give you a little time to gussy up. There's a hairbrush in the drawer.", she says as she lays the clothes down on the end of the bed and leaves the room.

I lean over and inspect the clothing. It's all white but there's certainly more fabric this time. Curiously, I hold up the first piece. It's a plain cotton dress with a rounded collar and elbow length sleeves. The bottom flows a bit but not too much.

There is a white bra and a pair of white cotton panties but they are much softer than the previous pair I was given at the auction house. I stand up and dress myself before moving to the table with the mirror. The black on my eyelashes is gone and so it the shiny liquid from my lips. This feels more like my appearance is meant to be.

I sit down on the stool and I reach up to release my hair from the band Akida gave me. It falls down in long, wavy brown locks and rests on my back, just kissing the stool where I sit. My face has color in it again. I smile softly at this thought. My face is slimmer than before, but I look more like me. I like me. A knock at the door catches my attention, cutting my self admiring off.

"Ready or not, here I come!", a voice calls playfully and Elise enters with another one of the women in blue dresses. "This is Anna."

"Hello Anna." I say shyly, admiring her red hair.

Anna is much taller and not quite as pretty as Elise but she's still very attractive. They look like they are close with each other and I'm envious of them. There's something about Anna though. I can't put my finger on it, but I feel like she's not eager to be friendly with me.

Anna looks at me and smiles, uttering a simple "Hey."

Elise nudges her and then turns to me before saying, "Mr. Velucia would like to see you. Are you ready?"

My heart drops, as I wasn't expecting to have to face him again already. I thought Akida said she would tell everyone to let me rest for at least a few hours. Now, it appears that I'm starting work already, despite being so exhausted. Oh well, it looks like this is my life now. If I'm obedient, maybe he'll just let me exist as far away from him as possible.

"Can I ask you something first?", I murmur.

"Sure."

"Do you have a microchip too?"

She looks at Anna confused for a moment and Anna, with a smirk on her face answers my question in her place, "We're not slaves. We're servants."

"Servants?"

"We get paid to do a job here. Some of us do laundry, some cook, others clean. There are security guards, gardeners, attendants, and a plethora of other workers here. Anna and I are attendants. Our job is to wait on Mr. Velucia and bring him what he needs. We serve his food, help him dress, bring him things he asks for, that kind of thing.", Elise explains.

"I see.", I say, lowering my head. "And I'm a slave... I'm ready. Let's go."

I stand and follow them out, determined to go to him, without the use of force this time. I can handle this.