“Wait one second, Callie.”

Ray stood and looped a skinny silver chain round my neck. I recognised it instantly. It was the necklace he had given me for my eighteenth birthday – a skinny silver chain with a black round pendant subtly representing a collar. I’d obtained such a kick out of sporting it out and about with out anybody understanding its true which means.

“How did you get this?”

“Your jewelry field. Whenever you have been introduced again to me. I knew you’d have stored it.” I do know I ought to have felt creeped out by what he stated, however I felt inexplicably overjoyed to see it once more, and to have some mark of his possession to put on whereas he was away. It felt virtually sufficient to guard me from something Mark may attempt to do, as if it wouldn’t permit anybody apart from my Grasp to the touch me. I threw my arms round him.

“Thanks, Grasp.”

“Every little thing you do for him you’re doing for me, perceive?” I nodded. “Come on then, infant.”

The person who stepped by means of the door was precisely as I remembered. He was extra bodily imposing than Ray and wore the identical inscrutable expression on his face that I at all times pictured him with. His eyes discovered me virtually instantly as he entered the home, however he merely nodded a greeting at me earlier than turning again to murmur one thing to Ray. I felt awkward as hell standing there virtually unacknowledged whereas the boys exchanged a couple of quiet phrases. I adopted them over to the couch, making an attempt to recollect the whole lot Ray had advised me.

“W-would you want something to drink…” In such a brief area of time, I’d change into so used to calling Ray Grasp that it sounded odd to me to not tackle Mark in any explicit means.

“Sir,” added Ray. I hesitated for a second however then tried to ensure my shock didn’t present on my face.

“Sir.”

“A beer. Please,” Mark muttered gruffly.

“Grasp?”

“No, thanks, pet. Simply Mark’s beer and no matter you desire to.”

Grateful for a motive to depart the room, I hurried out into the kitchen to get the drinks. I can do that, I believed. I’m positive he gained’t demand a lot from me. How can he if he infrequently speaks? I’ll simply be well mannered and respectful to this man for a few days, keep away from him as a lot as attainable, after which Ray will probably be again, and it’ll simply be the 2 of us once more. I fetched Mark’s beer and poured myself a big glass of wine.

After I re-entered the lounge it was evident that the 2 males had abruptly ceased their dialogue. I pretended to not discover, however the air felt uncomfortable. Mark didn’t even look at me as I set his drink down on the desk, and he stored his palms stuffed into his jacket pockets. If he’d ever had any curiosity in me up to now, it had vanished fully now. I sat down beside Ray, and he instantly wrapped a comforting arm round me. I stayed silent whereas the 2 of them made small speak. I attempted to deal with the heat of Ray’s physique, as if I might someway retailer it as much as preserve me reassured when he was gone. I began shaking once more when the time got here for Ray to depart. He held me shut and made me promise once more that I’d be good.

“Two nights, angel, perhaps much less.” I nodded, not trusting myself to talk with out letting my feelings present. “Take care of her.” He stated the phrases virtually sternly to Mark.

“In fact,” replied Mark. “Watch out.”

What did he imply by that? I’d assumed Ray was going away for one thing work-related, however then why the warning? I wished to ask him however knew Ray wouldn’t admire my questioning him. He wouldn’t inform me the reality anyway.

After which the door was closed, and I used to be alone with Mark. I might really feel his eyes on me and gave him a weak smile.

“He’ll be alright.”

I nodded, making an attempt desperately to not cry in entrance of this man.

“What time would you want your dinner, sir?” I managed to ask in a whisper.

“Seven will do.”

I escaped into the kitchen and let a couple of tears escape earlier than I pulled myself collectively and began making ready the meal. When Ray had first advised me I’d be cooking for Mark, I had felt barely indignant, however now I used to be grateful to have a activity to deal with and an excuse to be out of his firm. I made positive to tempo myself on the wine; I didn’t need to make any errors. I used to be concentrating all my power on simply pleasing this man as greatest I might.

I heard the clink of bottles within the fridge and began, practically slicing by means of my very own fingers. Mark had are available to get one other beer. I kicked myself mentally; I ought to have considered that.

“Sorry, sir, I ought to have checked—”

“I can get my very own beer.”

“In fact.” I turned again to what I used to be doing and anticipated that he would return to the lounge, however he leant again towards the fridge and easily watched me working. I felt uneasy below his gaze and immediately discovered it a lot more durable to pay attention.

“Do you normally cook dinner for Ray?”

I couldn’t see why he’d be enthusiastic about that, however I wished to be as agreeable as attainable. “Ray… Grasp normally cooks. He’s so good at it.”

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