Chapter Thirty: A Breath of Fresh Air
A breath of fresh air escaped from my lips after shutting the metal door behind me. I heard footsteps and quickly began my walk back to my room. As I walked on, I avoided the gaze of the people I passed by. I felt their eyes bore deep holes in my skin. And as if I had no control over my legs, I took on my heels fleeing the stairs and avoiding having any body contact with anyone until I got to the slave quarters. Lady Ana had not dropped off any box as she used to and it somehow worried me. Maybe she might have heard all that had happened. I wanted my life as a slave to return to normal.
The usual morning box that had the tools that described the work that I would do for the day and the two men who had suddenly become part of my daily job. I pondered whether I would ever lay eyes on them again after the events of the previous night. I swiftly darted into the bathroom, which was old and dilapidated with cracked walls adorned by fresh green mosses and moulds.
I could not get my mind off of him, after all, he had only been a sad lover that was the reason for the hard labour. My body began to respond as I thought about him, I felt the wetness again, just as it had been when he was with me. The desire for him was real, I knew this.
A drop of the water touched my tongue, its upsetting taste dragged me out of my thoughts and I quickly spat it out and walked out of the bathroom. I took up the dress from where I had kept it and placed it over my chin as I stared at the broken mirror in the room. Every slave had a room of their own, with a bathroom attached. Lady Ana called me lucky as I had a mirror and a soft bed in mine as most of the slaves had hard beds and no mirror.
I saw the dress and I saw the beauty which made me happy that I had chosen to accept it from him. It matched my skin tone and the rhinestones glitter even without the lights. It reminded me of the good times and fancy dresses back home.
I jerked on hearing of Lady Ana’s voice outside. I knew that she would open the door in no time and so I quickly put the dress underneath the bed but I had been too quick to turn around to see if I had perfectly put it in.
Lady Ana badged in just as I had predicted. “Morning lady Ana.” I hid my eyes.
Lady Ana looked in disgust as she surveyed the room with a glance. Then, she handed the basket that had the sickle to her.
“The rice farm? Will I be working there alone?” I asked. But she did not respond. She only eyed me and moved away from the door. I looked over her shoulders but did not find the men. Lady Ana had not come with them, indeed I knew Ryan had a hand in it. She scanned the room thoroughly as though she had heard that I had brought in something.
“After an hour in the rice farm, you will assemble at the ball hall just as the rest of the slaves. The ball is coming up and the hall should be sparkling.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
After a while, she walked out. And my lungs suddenly felt free as air rushed into my lungs.
“That was close,” I turned towards the need tucking the dress properly underneath it. I took the basket and walked out.
As the annual ball approached, Lady Ana made sure that all hands were on deck for the preparation. The morning sun spilt its golden rays through the large windows into the grand hall. I had assumed my position with Beth as we scrubbed the floors of the hall. The sound of brooms, dusters, and mops swayed in unison, caressing the marble ground till its mirrored look shimmered. Radiant in my diminished apron and worn-out clothing, directed the arrangement of ornate curtains in opposition to the pallid walls, making them cloaked in bright colorations of azure, emerald, and gold.
“How were you captured again?” Beth asked, “I was kidnapped.”
“How?”
“Why are we talking about that sad memory when we should be focused on the future,” Beth responded with a smile and they went back to work. I shoved off the thought of why Beth always asked about that.
In her sleek red robe covering down to her feet Patricia appeared at the doorstep of the hall and Ryan followed in just immediately. He shuddered at seeing her standing in a corner sipping wine from his cup.
“Hey Patricia, didn’t think I would find you here. What are you doing here?”
“Oh, so I can’t just come into the hall but they can?”
“What does that even mean?”
I reduced the pace and intensity of my scrubbing so I could hear them clearly.
“I hear the rumours, Ryan.”
“What rumour? And why should I be bothered about some rumour?”
“I know that you can’t keep what’s in between your legs to yourself with these slaves.”
“Let me worry about who I share my bed with. Why are you here?”
“Who is she? Tell me who the slave is and let me have her head.”
“You would do no such thing, Patricia.”
Suddenly my heart stopped for a second and then continued again.
“Oh no, you know I can.”
“I won’t let what happened the last time happen again.”
Patricia chuckled, “We will see about that.”
“You still haven’t answered my question.”
“I’m here to make sure that everything about the ball is in place just as you are here.”
“You know you don’t have to worry about that. Your mother is capable of handling things to perfection.”
“I know, I just thought I should come around. I knew I would meet you here though since you weren’t at your chambers. I have missed you so much.”
She grabbed his arms and took my eyes away for a bit before returning it to watch them.
“Patricia, you act like a baby sometimes.”
“I am your baby.”
“You are not.”
He took out her hands as they continued moving around the hall watching as we scrubbed.
“So who is this person, who is she?”
“Who do you speak of?”NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.
“The one you share your bed with.”
“What do you want with her?”
“Or are you protecting her?” She chuckled and continued, “I know you Ryan, I know this is not love but one of the numerous games that you play to satisfy your unending urge, but I don’t quite get why you are protecting her. May I remind you that she is not worth anything, she is just a slave.”
“Like I said before, let me worry about that.”
He rolled his eyes and walked on leaving her behind.
“Or is she the lady I saw you with the other time?”
Ryan did not respond.
“Don’t worry I’ll find her.”
She walked up to Ryan again as they got closer.
“I see the ball is coming up. This would be a great opportunity to seal the deal with the foreign merchants from the state.”
“Yes, I want the affairs of the ball to be in good hands that’s why I would be putting you in charge.”
Patricia smiled on hearing that she would be heading the affairs of the ball.
“Sounds interesting.” Ryan pulled her into a corner, “Don’t try anything stupid.”
I read his lips.
“Chill, you have nothing to worry about. I will do just fine.” She held the smirk on her lips as she walked alongside him.
“It’s so good to be home.” She whispered under her breath as he took her into the grand hall which was being prepared for the upcoming ball.
I looked ahead as I heard his voice, a soft, even tone of manliness that always turned me on whenever he whispered in my ears. Beth trailed my eyes to him as I did not shift my gaze when he entered the hall with Patricia.
“He is such a fine man, I bet he wouldn’t notice you.”
“He is, but I wouldn’t mind if he didn’t notice me.” I lied looking away.
“Just kidding though,” she nudged my arm.
“Do you think that he likes her?”
“I don’t know, maybe yes,” I replied.
“Why so?”
“They look good together,” I said.