As they pulled through the front gate of Pedro's compound, Maggie knew she had to compose herself. Lisa must never know what she had been through. As they reached the front door, Maggie asked Consuelo, "How do I look?"
Consuelo responded, "Mistress, you always look great." Avoiding Maggie's gaze, she continued, "And I just want to tell you again how sorry I am that I had to be involved with you and this doctor who works for Pedro. But if I didn't do it," and here she broke down, "he might have someone in my family killed."
Sympathetically, Maggie replied, "First of all, don't call me 'mistress.' I am Maggie. And I understand that you did what you thought you had to do. That is what we are all doing here." The two of them hugged, and exited the car.
Consuelo found a few men nearby to carry up the packages they had purchased. Lisa was not there when they returned. As they were putting the items away, Pedro came in. Cheerily, he asked, "I hope everything went well in town today."
The two women looked at each other. "Oh, yes," lied Maggie.
"The doctor gave you a very good report. He was impressed with you." The women said nothing. Pedro went on, "I have a request. I am entertaining some associates out at the pool area. Lisa is actually there. I would like to introduce you to some of my colleagues."
Maggie forced a smile and said, "Sure. Just let me get into my new bathing suit." She was almost surprised that he did not object when she went into the bathroom to change. When she came out, the two of them walked hand in hand down the stairs and through the house to the back door. Before they could reach the pool area where the party was taking place, Pedro stopped her. "You know," he began, "it would really impress my friends if my special lady would come to the party topless." Maggie bit her lip and sighed. Without a word, she untied her top and handed it to Pedro. He reached over and kissed her. "Thank you so much," he volunteered.
The two of them then walked again hand in hand to the pool.
When they arrived, Maggie noticed she was in the presence of maybe twenty other men. The only female present was Lisa. Spotting her daughter, she asked Pedro for permission to go speak to her. Approaching her, Maggie asked, "Lisa, can I talk to you for a minute?"
Sarcastically, Lisa muttered, "Nice tits, mom. I am sure you will be the life of the party."
Hurt, Maggie responded, "I had to do this. Pedro has asked me to. You know me well enough to know that I would never do this on my own,. I feel so uncomfortable and it would be worse if I thought you did not have respect for me." Without a word, Lisa rose and headed back toward their room.
Maggie wanted to follow her. But she knew Pedro would object. (Maggie was noticing that every move she made now was based on what Pedro would think.) Going back to Pedro's side, she could not help noticing the other men were staring at her chest. Every instinct in her being was to use her arms to cover herself. She had to force herself not to do that because Pedro would not like it. (There was that thought again.)
Pointing at one of the men, Pedro said, "Maggie, this is the Commandante of the local military district. He is a good friend of mine. He is being honored at a dinner this evening. He has asked if you would consent to be his escort for the evening. You would accompany him to the dinner and then possibly join him for some after-dinner drinks at his residence. I told him I did not think you would have a problem with that. You don't, do you?"
Maggie knew there was only one correct answer. To her horror, she was learning that complying with Pedro's whims included being "loaned" out to his associates when it suited his business interests. But she dared not object.
Leering at Maggie, the Commandante remarked, "The tits are very nice." Reaching to grab the other part of her suit, he inquired, "How are you down here?"
