"Daddy?" I called meekly from my spot on the floor across the room. His eyes abandoned the work they were previously preoccupied with just moments before.
"Yes, Kitten?" He answered back, his gaze meeting mine. I saw the fatigue from a long day in his handsome face. His eyes, a piercing mix of blues and greens, looked tired beneath his glasses. I felt my cheeks burning; he was waiting.
"Daddy, I..." I fumbled over my words in the way I often do, questioning myself at every syllable. "I was wondering if maybe we could take a break. I've finished studying, and my chores are all done," I went on, "and my tummy is making noises!" Master sighed, grinning at me. I truly felt like he could see into the depths of my very being when he looked at me that way.
"Princess, what am I ever going to do with you?" I felt my cheeks get hot again. Without hesitation, he stood up and walked over to my day bed in the corner of the room where I was lounging. I sat up quickly, and he put a finger under my chin, tilting my head back to meet his eyes again. He grabbed my leash with his other hand and pulled it taut, wrapping the excess around his palm.
Letting go of my chin, Master made the noise that I had been trained to associate with inspection, and I assumed the correct position. Proudly, I arched my back and parted my legs, on my hands and knees, looking at Master intently. After a moment of silence, he petted my head and said, "good girl". Without loosening his grip on the chain attached to my collar, he tugged and motioned for me to start moving towards the kitchen. I did so, crawling next to him.
Once in the kitchen, Daddy tied the leash to one of the legs of the kitchen table, and he started cooking. My stomach kept crying out, getting louder and more frequent in its outbursts as the smell of food crept into my nose. I heard Master humming, and I laid down on the cold tile floor, trying to forget my hunger.
Several minutes later, Master walked into the dining area where I was, and he put my bowl down in front of me, stroking my back affectionately.
"Thank you, Daddy. May I please eat?" I asked impatiently. His expression went cold, and he lifted my chin up forcefully. I whimpered, realizing my mistake. I was so hungry that I had forgotten my manners. Master has to start eating before his kitten can.
"Kitten!" Daddy looked so disappointed in me. "Bad girl!" I winced as if he had hit me. He dropped my chin, sat down in his chair at the head of the table, and started eating. I knew better than to rub up against him or to scratch at his legs. I kept quiet and I laid at his feet, trying to sink as low as possible on the floor.
