I was folding the laundry when my master called me into his office. He sat at his desk with a hard look on his face. His personal assistant, Jill, sat on a corner of the desk in a short pencil skirt and half unbuttoned blouse, her long, perfect legs crossed at the knee and her blonde hair up in a bun.
"Anabelle," he began. "I am disappointed in you."
My heart sank and I dropped my gaze to the floor.
"Do you know why I am disappointed in you?"
I thought furiously. I hadn't served him any food cold or overdone for some time. I had kept the house clean. I hadn't balked at any of his commands. There had to be something.
I nervously smoothed my hands over my skirt. Today it had pleased my master to dress me as a schoolgirl in a short, plaid, pleated skirt, white stockings with shiny black shoes, a short sleeved button up shirt, and pigtails. My master loved me in pigtails.
I finally had to admit defeat and shook my head.
"I don't know, Sir."
"Look at me when I'm speaking to you," he snapped, and I raised my gaze but didn't meet his eyes.
"Do you have any idea how long it's been since you wrote a story?" he questioned sternly.
That took me by surprise.
"I- I..."
"Jill, how long has it been?"
She consulted her notepad.