Author's Note: The character "Bella Donna" from chapter 2 has been renamed "Demi Tanzer" to differentiate her character from a real-life actress. I apologize for any confusion. All characters are above the age of 18. I want to thank my wife for editing and my friend Ann for her encouragement.
It's about three in the morning, and here I am, awake, in the living room with my tablet, banging out a journal entry. Dr. Angioli, do I get bonus points for extra entries? No? I didn't think so.
I had a nightmare in which Mark was my Dom. He was so horrible to me. He slapped my face during sex, told me that I was no better than a farm animal as far as he was concerned, and kept me in a dog kennel cage when he didn't have a use for me. I tried to use my safeword multiple times during the dream only to realize that I didn't have one. There was nothing I could do to stop him.
The worst part of all was the fact that it turned me on. Being humiliated and abused turned me on. Being neglected and ignored made me dripping wet. It was horrifying to have my body betray me like that. I was constantly on edge, ready to be fucked into my next orgasm, whether I liked it or not.
When I woke up, the bed was soaked. I wish we already had the waterproof mattress protectors that Vince ordered; this is getting ridiculous. I've never leaked so much in my life. I've never cum so much in my life. Ever since I started that damn conditioning, I've been horny almost perpetually.
That's probably the origin of my dream - the conditioning. Yesterday, when Vince told me who had called - that Mark had called - my heart sank. At that exact moment, I also felt the need to talk to him... to listen to him... to obey him. Of course, I didn't tell Vince this.
He thinks his conditioning video worked. I may have given him the impression that I was cured prematurely. These feelings are just a part of the conditioning I wasn't aware of and haven't encountered before. They must have been subliminal, somehow, buried deep within the video and audio.
He couldn't have called at a worse time. Mark was like that - he always made things as painful as possible, whether intentionally or unintentionally. I was so in love and felt so close to Vince on a spiritual level, blissfully in his arms. If he had asked me to marry him, I would have asked if tomorrow morning worked for him. And then Mark happened.
So that's why I'm up at 3:43 in the morning. I'm typing on a damn tablet instead of a keyboard, hoping that I don't wake Vincent. And I'm praying that the handful of hours I've slept today will be enough because my first day back on the job is tomorrow, and I don't want to blow it. Fuck it. I'm making coffee.
_____________
"I'm surprised you're up so early," Scarlet said from Persephone's computer monitor. "I didn't expect you until later today - after your appointment."
Scarlet was an older woman with long raven-black hair. She wore a blood-red blazer and skirt over a cream blouse, as she often did. Behind her was the backdrop of sunlit windows, which hinted to Persephone that Scarlet was in her office.
"The doctor canceled," Persephone said with a frown. "Or, rather, her office canceled. She's developed COVID symptoms." She shifted at her desk in the bedroom, hoping that her surroundings weren't too casual.
Scarlet smiled sadly. "I understand. The doctors think my mother has it, but there are so few damn testing kits..." She shook her head. "Anyway, I'm trying to keep my mind off of all of that."
"I really am sorry to hear that, Mrs. Belliveau," Persephone said.
"Thank you, but please call me Scarlet," she replied. "I'm going to spare you the morning meeting, seeing as you're not 100% back yet, but the rundown is that we're considering cost-saving measures, including cutting back all of our employees to 4 days a week. The alternative would be to start letting people go. However, after looking at the work each individual does for the company, I really can't find anyone who doesn't pull their weight, so I'm trying to avoid layoffs at all costs."
"I see..."
"We have a new line of COVID masks, which we're already debuting on our website, and we've started donating masks as well for the less fortunate. Other than that, it's business as usual," Scarlet explained.
"Well, I'm excited to start on this project. We should call it the
Night Bride
dress line. By the end of the week, I hope to have at least three dresses for you along with suggestions on how to expand into accessories." Persephone smiled.
"I was thinking about your proposal last week and had an epiphany," Scarlet said. "The wedding industry can't be the only industry that will face hardships in these upcoming months, so why not pool our resources and work together with those outside of our bubble. My daughter suggested I contact Demi Tanzer, a fetish wear designer and well-known personality within the BDSM community. The star power alone would boost visibility and help us reach our target audience."
"Star power? Am I still the lead designer on the project?" Persephone asked.
"Of course you are - it was your idea! And you will still have the final say over all pieces of the project. However, should we have her as co-designer, her name alone would boost the credibility of our product and potential customer base..."
"Is my name going to be a part of the advertising?"
"No, but then again, you're not a big name," Scarlet argued.
"Then I'm not going to be seen as the lead designer, and this line of clothing might as well be called the Demi Tanzer line," Persephone said.
"I was actually thinking the Demi Tanzer Bridal line," she clarified.
Persephone's eyes lit up. "That's where I heard that name before - she's a former porn actress!"
"Now, don't hold that against her. She's... wait - you've heard of her?" Scarlet asked.
"Yes. I'm not holding that against her. If you'd prefer Demi Tanzer to do the project - let her do it. Yes, it was my idea, but you're trying to save the company, and I respect that. If you're handing the design duties to someone else, go ahead. However, if I'm going to work on this project? I want the credit, not someone else. Those are my conditions."
"You've never been this demanding before," Scarlet said.
"You've never asked something so unreasonable before," Persephone countered.
"Touche." Scarlet leaned back in her chair and sighed. "I haven't heard back from Demi yet, so nothing is set in stone. However, I wanted to offer her something that would raise the profile of both of our businesses."
Persephone shook her head. "It would be a good idea if I talk to her directly before you make any final business decisions. Of course, you have the final say over the agreement, but if I can talk to her, designer to designer, maybe we can come up with something that works for everyone involved."
"Okay, I'll let you have the first crack at her. I'll trust you on this, Persephone. I'll see what I can do about arranging a meeting, and you start work on my daughter's dress," Scarlet said.
"Sounds good," she responded. "I'll talk to you later, Mrs. Belliveau."
"Again, please call me Scarlet..."
_____________
Vince sat at the breakfast bar in the kitchen, surveying the submarine sandwich he just created. He sighed happily and lifted half the sandwich to his mouth when he saw Persephone walking out of her bedroom.
"Hey, Sephe - How was your session?" he asked.
"Didn't happen. Dr. Angioli developed COVID symptoms over the weekend and is waiting for testing. I really could have used to talk to her today, too," she answered with a frown. However, her attitude changed when her eyes fell on the Italian submarine in front of Vince. "Oh wow - that looks good!"
Vince smiled. "Italian subs are a specialty of mine. If you get a plate, you can have half."
Persephone flashed Vince a bright smile and went into the kitchen.
"You said you needed to talk to Dr. Angioli? Is it something you can talk with me about?" he asked as he watched her grab a plate from the kitchen cabinets.
"I'm not sure," she admitted. She circled to the breakfast bar and sat down next to Vince with her plate. "It might be a touchy subject for you, and I don't want you to overreact."
Vince transferred the second half of his sub to her plate. "When have I ever overreacted?"
"Kassandra," Persephone quipped before taking a bite.
Vince sat back and took a deep breath. "You know I don't like to hear her name, Sephie. The bitch broke my heart. Cheated on me with an employee under her direct supervision." He took a bite of his sub.
