Chapter 7
Olivia walked into her apartment, slowly. The memories of what Lewis did to her assaulted her brain with a vengeance. She was lost and fumbling again. She knew that she had the time to take, but she was hoping that Mistress would collect her while she tried to "get better."
Mistress' letter seemed off. Liv couldn't place it, but she reread it several times. She finally understood that Mistress would send for her, but she would have to call again to verify that she wanted Mistress. She wasn't sure she could take Mistress leaving her again. So, she debated.
She stood in front of her windows, the "emergency" cell in her hand, and stared out into the cold night not seeing the concrete jungle before her. A beer that she opened sat untouched on the table before the window like a decoration in front of photos of her friends and family. She stared down at them, but didn't smile.
She thought about Mistress' words. Call and I'll send for you. It wasn't an unusual arrangement for their situation, but it was at the same time. She couldn't help but think that she was reading too much into it, but the letter was promising towards the end. It was finally her want and need that won the conflict between her brain and her heart. She dialed the number and waited.
"I am awaiting your instructions, Mistress," she said simply to the voicemail on the other end of the line before ringing off.
She knew if she said more it would anger Mistress. She wanted to prove to her that she was a good pet, an obedient pet, a loving pet. She went into her bed room, into her closet and pulled out a small duffle. She stood in her closet and stared at her clothes. Four outfits, she thought, but she didn't know what type to pack. Shaking her head, hoping that she read the letter right, she grabbed two outfits that she would wear to work, a cocktail dress (just in case), and a pair of jeans to be complimented with a sweater. Once she was packed, she sat on the end of her bed and waited, hoping that she wouldn't have to wait long.
She walked into the white stucco mansion in the Hamptons and suddenly felt at home. The grand stair case in the foyer that lead to the bedrooms, her study and her playroom greeted her like a long lost lover. She did something that she had done in years, really. She smiled.
"Mistress," Stephen said coming in behind her with her bags.
"Take them up to the blue room at the end of the east wing, Stephen. Then, you can make yourself comfortable in the grey room at the far left of the west wing. That will be your quarters while you are here. If I need you, I'll use the intercom to call you," she told him.
"Yes, my Mistress," he stated, going upstairs with her luggage.
"Oh, and Stephen," she started.
"Yes, Mistress," he replied, turning on the stairs to look down at her.
"Sapphire will be here tomorrow for lunch. I do hope that you will behave yourself. I would hate for your owner to be upset with you. Remember that you are on loan, dear and not my pet. Speaking such things would not be good for you with Sapphire, understood?" she asked.
"Yes, Mistress."
"Then, continue with your work. I'll be in my office. Look around the house and get acquainted with the rooms and the grounds," she told him effectively dismissing him and walking away.
It felt good to command again. She knew that Sapphire would punish him tomorrow and she would allow it. Stephen wanted the position but kept rebelling against his place. She had seen pets like him before, but she wanted one. Sapphire however was a different breed of mistress.
Her thoughts were interrupted by her cell phone ringing. She looked down at the caller ID and let it go to voicemail. She still didn't trust herself to talk to Olivia, yet. She waited until the phone told her that she had a voicemail and then she checked it.
She smiled as she heard Olivia tell her, "I am waiting your instructions, Mistress." It was enough to make her giddy. She couldn't believe that Olivia still wanted her. She was amazed by the fact that she still called her Mistress. There was no venom in her voice, it was only honey when she said it and it made her shiver in delight.
She reached into her desk and pulled out some paper. She dug around until she found a pen and she prepared to write Liv again. She knew that if she mailed it, Liv wouldn't get it for days. She would have to send it by courier, so Olivia would get it tonight. She knew that she had to gather her thoughts this time. She couldn't be so disjointed and "all over the map." She needed to be concise and controlled. She needed to be Mistress.
My Dearest Pet, Olivia,
I was happy to hear from you today. It made my heart glad that you still think of me as your Mistress. Even though I released you some time ago, you still fall back into your habit. This makes me happy because it means that I was a good Mistress for you.
I will let you know that I have arrived in state safely. I am still trying to settle in but I will send for you shortly. I will send a driver for you. His name is Stephen. He will be commanded to bring you to my house, but not speak to you. Be not afraid of him or his worth to me, he is not my pet, nor will he ever be. I believe dear that you have ruined pets for me, as you have been my only one. Please remember your manners with him, however. I believe that his owner will be with me tomorrow, and she is one fond of her punishments.
I hope that this letter finds you well enough considering everything that you have been through. I will assess your abilities when you arrive. Please be ready no later than 3 o'clock. I'll be waiting. Be good, my pet. I am here for you, now.
She folded the letter and placed it in an envelope. She placed it on the desk and wrote Olivia's name it. She reached for her phone and dialed the intercom.
"Stephen," she said into the phone and waited for him to respond.
"Yes, Mistress," he replied after a few minutes.
"I need you to find a courier service and have this letter delivered. I need it delivered tonight. Is that going to be a problem?"
"No, ma'am, I'll be right there. I deliver it myself if I have to. I'll make sure that it happens."
"Good," Mistress stated as she hung up her phone.
She sat back in her office chair and looked across her desk. Things were starting to look up again. Things were starting to make sense again. She was starting to feel normal.
She knew that she couldn't go to the City. There were too many memories there. She could only hope that Olivia would understand her need to be where she was. She wanted to show Olivia off, but she needed to make sure that she could handle herself with Olivia, first. She sighed. She hoped that she could be what Olivia wanted, but she wasn't sure that she could be the mistress she deserved anymore. She wasn't sure that she didn't need punishment instead.
She picked up the phone and called Sapphire. She needed another mistress' help. She hated admitting that, but she knew that she needed to get herself somewhat grounded before she had Stephen pick Olivia up. Sapphire would be more than willing to help her.
"I am surprised you called," Sapphire practically purred into the phone.
"I am, too, Sapphire."
"What is it that you need? You already have one of my best pets. Is there something else that I can help you with, old friend?"
"I need you to come over before lunch tomorrow," she stated.
"You need me?"
"Yes…I do."
"I can come by after dinner, if that will work for you."
"That will be fine," she replied.
"I could cancel my dinner, if you need me now."
"No…no, I wouldn't inconvenience you, Sapphire. Whenever you can come will be fine. I'll be okay. I don't want you to go out of your way, just for me."
"I'll be there in an hour, dear. Calm down. I'll get you ready for her. She must be something if she has you this torn up at her return as your pet," Sapphire told her.
"She is my everything," Mistress replied.
Olivia went into her kitchen and found a bottle of wine. She poured herself a glass and sat down on her couch, staring out in the starless night. She reminded Cragen that she would take some time. Now, all she had to do was wait. She sipped her wine and dreamed of her Mistress.
The knock on her door brought her out of reverie. She carefully set her wine glass down on her coffee table and made her way to the door. She looked out her peep hole to see a man dressed in a tux waiting outside. She stepped back and debated whether or not to open the door. Her curiosity won out and she opened the door.
"Olivia Benson?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied, wishing she had her gun closer.
"This is for you," he stated handing her an envelope.
"Thanks," she said taking it.
She looked at the script, recognizing it immediately. She wanted to tear it open right then and there, but knew she needed to wait until this messenger was gone. She looked at him. He was waiting for something.
"Am I supposed to give you a reply?" she asked.
"I was asked to wait for one, yes," he told her.
She tore open the letter and read its contents. She was smiling by the end of the letter. Mistress wanted her back. She wanted Liv ready to come to her by three tomorrow. She was ready now, but she knew that she had to move at Mistress' pace.
"Tell Mistress that I will be ready. I only have one question about the bag I am supposed to be packing. She asked that I bring four outfits. Is there something special I should bring?" Olivia asked him.
He smiled in an odd manner. He bowed slightly, before reaching into his breast pocket and handed her another letter. She stared at it and the script, realizing that it was again in Mistress' handwriting, she opened it. She read it quickly.
"I see. Then, I am ready. I will be awaiting her tomorrow," Liv answered, trying to maintain some level of decorum as she was jumping up and down on the inside.
"I shall let her know. Until tomorrow, Miss Olivia. Have a good night," he replied as he walked off. He stopped at the stairwell and turned around to look at Olivia. There was something in his eyes that Olivia didn't like.
She smiled at him, pushing down her instincts. She couldn't do anything to him without Mistress' permission. She would let Mistress know about her misgivings about the man. She then realized that she didn't know what the man's relationship was with Mistress. Suddenly, Olivia was filled with a completely different emotion when it came to the man. Jealousy. And, she didn't like it.
She closed the door to her apartment and resumed her spot on the couch. She reached out for her wine glass and took another sip. She reread the second letter and smiled.
Don't worry about what to bring, my darling. I will provide anything and everything that you need. Make sure however to bring that one dress that I like and some casual clothes for you to wear while I am not around. I know that this is unusual, but this is all I can give you right now. We can discuss more tomorrow. Be good and be ready. I have a great need to hear you scream.