I heard his footsteps on the front steps before I heard him unlock the door. Instead of kneeling in the foyer like I normally do when he arrives home from work, I remained at the dining room table. I busied myself sorting through bills as he stepped into the house. I could hear his sigh of disapproval, but I did not look up. His footsteps got closer, and he finally stopped inches from my preoccupied form.
"I don't have time for this tonight, Ryli." His voice was inching towards the iciness that I have come to fear combined with the dread that he was calling me by name, but I was not going to buckle.
He inched closer and placed his hand on the back of my neck. I knew from experience that his hand on my neck was a warning. Instead of acknowledging this threat, I remained oblivious to his presence and continued absently looking at the water bill.
"Ryli Kate? Look at me." The icy tone had emerged, and I was almost ready to surrender, but the events the nights before were keeping me strong.
Yesterday:
I was rushing around looking for my cell phone before we headed out for an early dinner. Master promised to take me shopping after we had eaten, however anytime we were at the mall, I had to have my cell phone on me. I usually wasn't far from his sight in public, however Master doesn't enjoy my endless browsing in department stores, so we're usually not together on shopping trips. We normally spilt up in the food court and then meet at the main entrance a few hours later.
I continued flipping cushions over on the couch in attempt to find my phone when I heard the familiar beeping and ticks of my IPhone4. I followed the sounds into Master's office. He had his back to the door, and was thumbing through my messages.
"Master, is there a reason you have my phone?" I didn't mean to let my anger slip into my words, but in combination with my ten minute search, I really didn't like the fact that he was invading my privacy.
Master continued looking at my phone, not even acknowledging that I walked in.
"Excuse me?!?" I spat out as I stomped towards him to retrieve my phone. He turned his chair away from me and continued his investigation. My blood was boiling. He knows that I hate to be ignored, and even more that I hate when people touch my phone. Master and I both share a need for privacy, and He hates having his phone touched just as bad as I do.
Looking over at his desk, I noticed his smart phone lying on his briefcase. Instead of thinking rationally, I made a dash for his phone. Just as my hand snatched the phone, his chair turned. He was up in an instant, but before he could reach over, I turned and bolted. I entered the kitchen in time to hear him storming out of his office. I backed against the refrigerator and peered at the homepage of his phone. I managed to hit "call log" before he entered the kitchen. The last call was "4:37pm- Ashley". My stomach dropped and I hit the "main menu" button just as he reached me.
Who is Ashley?!? My mind was in a frenzy.! A million thoughts rushed through my head, and I barely registered the fact that his hand had slipped around my neck. I came out of my thoughts when I felt his hand connect with my face.
"Give me the phone, whore." Master growled as he ripped the phone from my right hand. His hand tightened on my throat as tears formed in my eyes.
I waited for Master to speak, but instead he stood there and stared. I wondered if he was trying to determine what I had seen. I assumed he saw my tears as a reaction from the pain of his hand rather than my heartbreak of this other woman. He released me and started towards the door, depositing my cell phone on the counter.
I don't know where I got the courage, but out of nowhere I called after him,
"Did you find what you were looking for?" My voice was much louder than I intended and immediately I knew I had made a mistake.
Master shot across the kitchen and grabbed my face in his hands.
"Who the fuck do you think you are, cunt?" Master growled as he squeezed my jaw for emphasis. "I will go through anything in this house because it is MY house...anything in MY house is MINE. Any property of yours is MINE because you are MINE! Are we clear, you stupid whore?" Master's voice was ringing in my ears. Never in the two years that he has owned me has he ever used this level of volume with me nor has he called me stupid.
He didn't wait for me to answer as he shoved me harder into the refrigerator and stormed out of the room. I walked over and slumped down in the kitchen chair. Who is Ashley?
*****
What seemed like an eternity later, I was still lost in my thoughts. I was startled when Master came back into the kitchen to retrieve his keys.
"You can forget our plans for the evening. I want you to shower and then kneel in the corner next to the bed until I return home tonight." Master stated. I looked over at him.
"May I eat dinner, Master? We skipped lunch since we were having an early din..." Master's voice interrupted me.
"Did you at any point here me tell you to eat?" Master snarled.
"No, Master," I said defeated.
"Then move," Master demanded. He turned swiftly with his keys, and seconds later slammed the front door behind him.
*****
As the water washed over me in the shower, I continued to wonder about my discovery. I knew I had to find out what was going on. But, how? His phone bill was separate from mine, and he always kept his personal bills locked in his desk. The key to his desk was on his key ring... his keys were with him. Sigh... Closure wouldn't come until he got home.
