Disclaimer: We don't own, we merely puppeteer.
A/N: I know, I know, late as usual. My apologies. Thank you to all those who have checked on us, poked at us, favorited, reviewed, and alerted. It is greatly appreciated!
First! Some exciting news. Cullen818 got published! So if you love her, go check out her page and her books! Http:/ ellajadeauthor (dot) blogspot (dot) com
Second! Si and I wrote a piece for Fandom4Storms and it's a futuretake of Learning to Kneel, about 10 chapters down the road from here. You'll get to see how the dynamic has shifted over time and how they interact differently with each other than what they do now.
Thirdly! This is late but I wrote a piece for Fandom Fights Tsunamis and July 1st was the last day to donate to receive the compilation. Although if you donate anyway and still send them your receipt, they might still send it to you. It's huge to be sure!
Fourthly! Check out the Hopeless Romantic Awards, there are some awesome authors and stories up, so go vote when it's time! Hopelessromanticawards (dot) blogspot (dot) com/
"Life can either be accepted or changed. If it is not accepted, it must be changed. If it cannot be changed, then it must be accepted."
I awoke bright and early again the next day after a morning full of weird dreams. Today I didn't even bother trying to go back to sleep. I got up, did my morning routine and relished in picking out my clothes again. This time I was going with a long, chocolate handkerchief skirt that barely touched the ground with its tips. It had several layers and showed flashes of my legs up to my knee as I walked and moved. I paired it with a fitted cream sleeveless blouse that had a ruffled front and a silver bangle to complete the look. I had decided when I started getting dressed to forgo the panties as well as the shoes. I typically liked going commando every once in a while and with Jasper in charge of every little thing now I didn't really have that option.
I leaned on the dresser and looked at my hair with a critical eye before deciding to take a little extra time and put it all up in big, bouncy curls like Alice had just shown me on her last visit. I sighed a little, thinking of my best girlfriend. I almost wish she could see the clothes I was wearing now. She would be ecstatic. I went through the motions, reciting her instructions in my head as I watched myself perform them through the mirror. Before long I was done and unplugging the iron to cool. I left it where it sat and made to go downstairs after fastening my collar. As I opened the door though, the flutter of paper caught my attention. A note. Interesting.
Isabella,
You're stuck with Charlotte for the day. We had some business to take care of but we'll be back by dinner. Stay out of trouble.
-Stefan & Vladimir
I shrugged lightly and stuck the note back to the door with a smack before pulling it closed behind me. To the kitchen then.
I padded my way down the hall and down the stairs, pushing against the swinging door so it would open just enough for me to slip through. Once in though, I froze immediately upon seeing James sitting on the counter and laughing with a couple of other guys. I suppose he saw the movement of the door and that caught his attention because his eyes landed on me soon thereafter.
"Isabella, I take it?" He asked politely. I didn't understand why he was acting like he'd never met me before, but there wasn't the cocky confidence that was obvious in his voice before.
"Yes, that's me." I answered cautiously, wondering if he was pretending not to know me because the others were in the room.
"Charlotte asked me to give you this." He extended a piece of lavender stationery to me as he replied to what one of the others said and laughed afterwards.
I came forward and took the note from his fingers with a mumbled thank you. As I opened it up I furrowed my brows.
Bella,
Had to run a few errands and pick up some supplies so you'll have to spend the day with Peter since Stefan and Vladimir are doing business. Please take him some coffee, I'm sure his cup will be empty by the time you receive this. Fix it like you would Jasper's.
-Charlotte
PS. The tarantula is at our home, so don't worry about that. :)
Easy enough. I went to the counter where a mug was already waiting on me. I poured in the coffee before adding a little bit of cream and two teaspoons of sugar. As I stirred it, I glanced at James but noticed he'd gone back into the conversation with the others and was genuinely not paying any attention my way at all, thank goodness.
I decided to get gone while the going was good and took off towards Peter's office, leaving the laughter behind in the kitchen. The door was open when I got there and Peter was back to typing away on his keyboard, imitating machine gun fire like the first time I'd came in here. I came in and set the coffee down on the desk before taking in his appearance. He was wearing a pair of black flannel pajama pants and a T-shirt that read: May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house. It looked like he'd just rolled out of bed.
"Good morning, Bella." He said with a grin. I couldn't see it, but I could hear that it was there.
"Good morning, Peter. Casual Friday?" I asked, a bit cheekily, although slightly nervous as to how he would take it. I definitely didn't want punishment and especially not from Peter.
"Casual indeed. I rarely change out of my pajamas before ten. Nobody sees me anyway, so unless I have something going on I typically just take a shower and get dressed here." He motioned to a door near his desk. I could tell from the tile flooring that it was a bathroom. It most likely had a closet in there. He motioned to one of the few mismatched chairs in the room, offering me a seat.
"Nice." I said simply as I made my way to a large red wingback chair. It looked like it'd been around since the 50's, but it was extremely comfortable. Like it had been broken and worn in to the peak of perfection. I sank back into the soft upholstery and quietly observed my surroundings, really taking in the room for the first time while Peter continued to do his thing.
Peter's desk, computer systems and cushy executive chair were all obviously modern and relatively new. Everything else, for the most part, looked like they'd been around for a decade or six. The wall to the right of the door was covered in floor to ceiling shelving, but only about three quarters of it contained books. The rest held an eclectic mix of odds and ends. On the wall behind his desk, hanging right above his monitor was a very large collection of insects of all sorts in a big lucite block. There had to have been at least a hundred or more in there. I shuddered and went on to check out other things from my seat. My eyes wandered back to the bookcase again.
From what I could tell, the books were sectioned off by interest. A large section of books pertaining to communications, computers and technology were closest to the desk. I could see some small sticky notes sticking out of the tops of a few of them, keeping places to something regularly referenced most likely. I would know, I used to do the same thing.
I froze before pushing the thought away. I didn't need to dwell on that because I'd be doing it again when I was free and finishing my education. My mind cleared and my eyes went back to exploring the books.
There was a rather large section on insects and arachnids closer to where I was. I grimaced in remembrance of meeting his pet. What was it with Peter and bugs anyway? I supposed it could be worse. He could be into keeping lots of live bugs. Upon further perusal, I discovered his interest in both sniping and survival.
On the shelves that didn't hold books were other interesting items, like the entire shelf that was devoted to an impressive looking .50 caliber sniper rifle. Among the other, more harmless items were things like little potted cacti, aloe plants, a lava lamp, a variety of fedoras and a bong. What a strange man.
My eyes wandered back over to the gun. I wonder if he ever used that in this line of work? Maybe it was a replica gun made to just sit there and look cool. I didn't dare touch it or ask to find out. I didn't have to though because he apparently noticed my intrest.
"It's impressive isn't it? Thing has a good kick to it, but I'm zeroed in to fire accurately up to three quarters of a mile away. My favorite weapon." His voice startled me out of my thoughts and brought me back down to earth. When I glanced at him, he was looking at it longingly. I decided to suck it up after all and ask him a thing or two.
"Do you ever get to use it?" It was an innocent enough question. People who used guns like those proficiently had to put in a lot of time in practice. Seeing as he was apparently Jasper's IT department, I had my doubts.
"From time to time. Mostly just honing my skills when I can. Things here keep me fairly busy though. Have you ever fired a gun?" His look was curious, but his expression told me that he bet that I had.
"Yes, Charlie took me to the firing range several times. Made sure I knew how to use and care for a weapon properly." I didn't want to think about that today. Missing him was so hard on me. Hope that I'd see him again one day along with the others was my reason not to commit suicide. If I'd really wanted to I could have swallowed my tongue while Jasper was sleeping and there would have been nothing he could have done about it. Or I could have slit my wrists in the shower the past few days and nobody would have been clued in at all until it was too late. I just couldn't do that to my father. I had to hold out hope.
Peter nodded his head as he leaned his chair back, crossing his legs and steepling his fingers. His eyes got this faraway look in them as a grin played at the edges of his mouth. He came back soon enough though and began to ask me all sorts of questions from the basic to the strange and random.
Before I realized it, it was lunch time and Peter was leading the way into the kitchen. He was looking more like the professional, dangerous looking man that I'd first seen. He was wearing a crisp, pale blue shirt, tailored gray slacks and a matching vest. His hair was pulled back into a tight low ponytail at the nape of his neck and his features were schooled back into professionalism. To anyone who wasn't aware, he was in charge and I was a slave he was keeping an eye on.
I realized it for what it was, which was a front. Behind closed doors he could be more of who he really was. Or more like who he was pre-Mafia. After time spent in the organization, the front he put on naturally melded itself into his personality and became an equal amount of who he really was. Sort of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde like. He was who he needed to be at that particular time. I also recognized it to be a facet of the survival of the fittest mentality that accompanied these situations. If you seemed weak, you could be exploited or replaced.
I mused over the situation of living in a dog eat dog world, yet also having to work and function as an overall team.
He seemed to relax when he saw nobody in the kitchen and gestured me to the breakfast bar. I watched silently as he got out stuff for subs and brought them everything over to the counter on the other side of the bar like Charlotte would often do when she wanted me to help her out. It sorta surprised me when he set a small cutting board with a knife, freshly washed tomatoes and olives in front of me. That was very Charlotte-like. Perhaps she did the same to him at home. Slicing vegetables for him while he pulled lettuce apart and fish pickles out of a jar with the least I could do.
I carefully sliced everything and watched as he assembled the meat and vegetables to his liking before topping it with cheese. He arranged them both on a cookie sheet before sliding them under the broiler in the oven. After the cheese got all hot and bubbly he pulled them out and added ranch dressing and a little bit of mayonnaise before folding them together and cutting them in half. He put both sandwiches on a plate before adding Doritos and grabbing a couple of Cokes for us. He handed me my lunch and let us back to the office.
Once the door was closed again and he was behind his desk he was the Peter I had been getting to know all morning again. So I was right, it was just a façade put on in front of others. I opened my Coke and looked over to him.
"Thank you for lunch, Sir. It looks and smells very delicious." I said quietly before taking a sip of my Coke and eating a Dorito.
Peter had already dug into his sandwich and waited until he swallowed before replying "You're welcome, Isabella. I know I'm nothing like Charlotte in the kitchen but I know I can at least make a mean sub." He finished with a cheeky grin.
I ate slowly, savoring delicious flavors of such a simple yet wonderful, familiar lunch. This was a favorite cheap eat of mine, especially after the five dollar foot-longs came out at Subway. I frequented the one on campus for lunch.
After we were finished I asked him if he wanted anything else from the kitchen before taking our plates and putting them in the sink. Charlotte was a very particular about how the dishwasher was arranged and she preferred me to just leave my items in the sink. She finally had requested for me to do this a couple of days ago after I stuffed a couple of breakfast dishes in there. I grabbed us a couple of root beers out of the fridge like Peter requested and headed back to his office. After I slipped inside I noticed he'd taken his hair out of the ponytail and shaken it out.
As I saw his profile I had a startling revelation. If his hair was a darker shade of blonde and was more curly and shorter he would've easily passed as Jasper younger brother or even as a fraternal twin. Peter either didn't notice or ignored my pause and continued on pounding away on the keyboard.
I sat quietly as he worked and thought about how easily I fell in with him, Charlotte, Stefan and Vladimir. I didn't mind his questions and it was more than easy to the respectful and polite to him as well as friendly at the same time. Before I could stop myself I thought about how much better things would be if Jasper acted more like Peter. I immediately regretted the thought and wished I could pretend it never crossed my mind. Because if he was it would just be that much harder to hate him.
It wasn't hard to respect Peter. He was easily likeable and I just didn't have it in me to resist him, try as I might. At first I'd secretly hoped he'd be more of a dick, like Jasper and that I would be able to easily dislike him also. But no, Peter had to be all damn likable. I wished that I could hate them all like I did in the beginning, but like Peter, they all grew on me like mold. It would certainly make things easier if they were all assholes though.
I sat staring off into space for a while before I was brought back to earth by Peter. He was still pounding away on that poor keyboard of his while dispensing some wisdom.
"You know, if you respected him a fraction of the amount that you respect myself and the others, your life would be so much easier. He truly only wants your respect, honesty and loyalty. Quite frankly you're lucky to still be amongst the living, not to mention relatively unharmed." He glanced at me with a meaningful look over the top of a pair of gray rectangular glasses.
I drew up short because not only did I have no idea when he put them on, but he was also pretty hot with them and that really threw me off kilter. Thank God Jasper never wore anything like those. I mentally shook myself before putting my head back where I needed it to be.
"I don't want to lose myself though." I paused for a second after I got done saying it because I don't quite think he got the message.
His forehead scrunched up before he asked, "Who said anything about you losing yourself?"
"Well, the clothes, the hair, the expected attitude? It's not me, it's a lie. How am I supposed to be honest with him if I'm having to constantly pretend to be something I'm not? I can't help but hate him. He's taken everything I love away, not to mention trying to rob me of who I truly am." I sighed and slouched, hoping he'd get the gist of what I was trying to say and hoping I hadn't said too much.
I was grateful though, when recognition lit his eyes, but not so thrilled at the next bit of dispensed advice.
"I'm not telling you to love him or even like him the slightest little bit. I'm telling you to learn how to survive like the rest of us. Give him those three things and I promise, I promise you things will get better." He looked sincere as he sat his head on his folded hands.
I would think on it though. It couldn't make things worse between us, that was for sure. If anything, I could focus on it being a strategical move. If I continued on as I had been, I wouldn't get anywhere. I just had to keep that in mind. If I could gain enough trust of my owner, eventually I'd be presented with the opportunity to escape. I had to think of my friends and family, not to mention my own future. A change in tactics was in order, but that didn't mean I had to like it.
I heard a drawer slide open and my eyes snapped back to Peter in time to see him pull a brown box out of the desk. He sat it down on a clear area on my side of the desk before resting his head on his hands again to watch me.
I looked back and forth between him and the box warily. I almost didn't want to know what was in the box, harmless as it looked. I finally picked it up when he got impatient with me and hitched an eyebrow. I took my sweet time opening it and was mildly surprised with what it contained. Inside was a block of lucite with three forms inside. On the left was a caterpillar, in the center was a pupa and on the right was a beautiful blue butterfly.
"I just want you to keep in mind that no matter who we are, what situation we're placed in or what we're wearing, at the end of the day we are still ourselves. Our hearts won't change unless we allow them to. We don't become different people, unless we allow ourselves. At its core, that caterpillar is still the same as it was before, during and after the transformation. Just as you will be the same no matter what you're wearing or what mask you're donning unless you allow yourself that change." With the end of his little speech, he popped open two cans of coke and handed me one.
I took it in silence and had a mental war with myself. I had originally planned on thinking about this later but now was an opportune time. The thing was, Peter was right. I thought back again on how all these people donned a mask of some sort depending on the situation they were in because they lived in a dog eat dog world. I gave a small, resigning sigh. I'd toyed with the idea for some time now but I supposed it was time to get serious about it, no matter how much of a bad taste it left in my mouth. The thought of getting back home was what I would have to use as my motivation, my reason for being at this point. For that I would do anything.
My train of thought was interrupted by the sounds of shoes clicking on tile and bags rustling in the foyer. Peter looked at me and nodded towards the door, giving me permission to go. I collected our empty cans and headed towards the kitchen, where the rustling had relocated to. After depositing the cans into the appropriate recycling container, I went over and helped Charlotte put up the groceries with the exception of what she had laid out on the counter.
"How was your day Bella?" She asked as she went to the pile of ingredients to start dinner.
"It was good, thank you. Peter is a very interesting character." I replied as I picked up the knife and started doing my part of slicing vegetables for the fajitas she was working on. She had her back to me and I could barely see her face, but from the shape her cheek was taking on I could tell it was from an amused grin forming on her mouth.
"Yes, he is indeed." She said quietly, bemusedly, before we slipped back into a comfortably quiet working atmosphere. After everything was prepped, I headed into the pantry to get the canisters of dried rice and beans. I usually made two trips because of the paranoia of dropping one or both of the large heavy glass canisters if I tried to manage both at once.
I picked up the one containing rice and turned around to head back out only to stop in my tracks. I had known it was too good to be real. There blocking the doorway was James, his sinister grin making its reappearance.
"Hello again, Isabella." He said as he made his way closer to me. On instinct, I backed away, not thinking how little room I had behind me until I bumped into the shelves. I almost dropped the canister, but tightened my grip at the last second, watching as James step forward quickly to catch it if it did fall. I wished desperately that either someone would come in or he would find a reason to leave, quickly. Instead he came closer and took the heavy glass container from my hands and set it on a shelf before placing an arm on either side of me to prop himself on the shelves. I was now stuck like Chuck.
He leaned in close, towards my neck, and took a deep breath in, letting his eyes fall shut before bringing his face right in front of mine.
"It's too bad we haven't gotten to know one another better so far. I've been off on business for the past week. That's alright though, we can make up for lost time." His voice was deceptively sweet and gentle. His eyes kept darting to my lips and I thought I was about to have a panic attack. This man very apparently thought that I was a 'free to use' commodity. Somehow, I didn't think that would go over very well with my Master.
I saw the curtain that covered the pantry door move to the side and saw Charlotte's eyes widen, then narrow before she disappeared. I hadn't looked at her directly, just with my peripheral vision, so that gave my harasser no indication that anything was amiss. His hands moved to my hips and began to caress my sides. It was all I could do not to vomit all over him. Jasper was right, I was better off with him than the others I could have ended up with. Lord knows what would have happened if I'd have been bought by someone like James.
As he was leaning in to steal a kiss, the curtain was forcefully flung open and in marched Stefan and Vladimir. Both with matching murderous looks. James whipped his head around with a glare, obviously not pleased that someone was intruding until he saw who it was. I felt relief at seeing the barely masked panic. He knew who they were and what they could make happen to him.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Vlad snarled as he grabbed James by the back of the neck and started to drag him out. He glanced at me as they went, leaning in to speak quietly enough to where I couldn't hear. Issuing some sort of threat most likely. They disappeared out of the pantry and I couldn't help but wonder if they were going to drag him off for a torture session. Some sick part of me hoped so.
Stefan remained behind and visually inspected me before speaking.
"Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" He asked, keeping a few feet between us.
"I'm fine. He just startled me really." I said as I straightened my shirt and ran a hand through my hair.
"Has he ever done this before?" Stefan looked me in the eye with a focused, calculating look. He would know if I was lying.
"He's spoken to me before, but that's it aside from brushing some hair from my face during the encounter." I admitted. This could end up good or bad. Bad if Jasper demanded to know why I hadn't told him or good if he was ordered to keep his slimy hands to himself.
"Thank you for the truth. Come on, let's get back out there." He said before picking up the jar of pinto beans.
I didn't have to be told twice and picked up my own canister, following him back out. Charlotte had returned to working on dinner, but looked relieved when I reemerged looking unscathed.
I took the rice to the counter next to the stove and began to make a large pot of Mexican rice just the way she'd been showing me while she poured the pinto beans into the water she already had going. I picked up the salt and felt my cheeks flush as I thought about the punishment she'd walked in on about a week or so ago. I snuck a glance at her but she seemed to be in her own little world of seasoning the meats for fajitas.
The evening continued on as it had for the past couple of days, Charlotte and I working in harmony, creating a meal together. Then we would fix our plates and set the rest out on the dining room table for whoever else was in the house for dinner that night.
After we ate dinner, I stopped by to retrieve my box from Peter's office and then went on to the library for another book. I bid everyone goodnight and slipped up to the bedroom. After I locked myself in I did my evening shower and gave myself some long overdue self satisfaction.
It used to be my own escape and means of relaxation but now I was fighting to keep the visage of a set of striking blue eyes out of my imagination. It was frustrating but I finally got there and felt all the better for it.
When I went back into the bedroom I put the shirt I'd been using as a nightshirt back on and remembered something I'd promised myself. I knew if I didn't do it now there would be no telling when the opportunity would arise again.
I returned to the dresser and opened the small, top, middle drawer and let my eyes glide over all the jewelry again. I poked through the necklaces and cufflinks before venturing to the broaches and pins. I re-examined the butterfly broach again and thought back to the gift Peter gave me. Shaking my head, I went back to the exploration at hand and skipped over the earrings, going for the rings. There were several in this section.
One in particular caught my eye. It was very small; just big enough that it would fit my pinky. It was white gold with a small sapphire embedded in it. I picked it up to get a good look at it and noticed an inscription. When I went to get a better look though, I pulled a Bella, as Jake used to call it, and fumbled it. I could only watch as it bounced on the floor and went rolling straight towards the bed. I ran after it but was too late. I barely stopped in time to save my head from getting smashed on the foot board.
I sighed and dropped down to my knees, looking underneath the California king sized bed. It was the only thing under there and that's probably the only reason I saw it. I crawled around to the side and tried to squeeze under to no avail. I scowled and pursed my lips before lifting the blankets up to reveal a box spring and two mattresses. It figured.
I could only hope that he didn't go looking in his jewelry drawer any time soon, otherwise I'd be getting another ass beating. A huff escaped as I climbed up onto the bed and proceeded to settle in for the night with my newly acquired book. I couldn't focus on it though. I could only think about how tonight was my last night here in this room by myself. How I wouldn't get to choose which person I was going to spend the day with. It saddened me and I wondered what time he would get back tomorrow. I remembered Peter's gift, but didn't know what to do with it. I finally settled on placing it on the nightstand on my side of the bed.
I finally drifted off around two thirty or so and was sleeping very, very well when a noise beside the bed pulled me from the decadent slumber I was in. I listened for it again, but heard nothing. Then my imagination kicked in and I imagined straight, sandy blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail and those eyes of his gleaming in malice.
I forced my body to stay in its relaxed state and peeked my eyes open slowly. The sight that met me caused me to jerk backwards quickly in surprise. There, laying on his side next to me, was Jasper. He was dressed in his pajamas and was looking at me with tired, bleary eyes. The next thing that registered was that I was too close to the edge of the bed. After that thought processed I felt my body slipping off the bed and let out a surprised squawk as I clawed for something to grab a hold of, but neither my fingers nor my nails found any purchase with anything. I ended up on my back on the hardwood floor with a thud and a groan.
A moment later, El Diablo's curly blonde head peaked over the edge of the bed and he was shaking with silent laughter. I totally stopped when I saw his grin. That was a first and it made him look even more beautiful than I'd previously believed. He looked like a dark, brooding movie star normally and this grin lit up his face more than I'd ever seen. It was dazzling.
Part of my mind reminded me that I was stupid for realizing that the Devil was beautiful. Of course he was. Even Biblically, he's described as beautiful. If the description held true, then he can sing like no other either, but I had my doubts with that. From the looks of his fingers, he was more of a musician. Some sort of stringed instrument. Ugh, I'd been speculating on him and his body way too much. My internal rambling was interrupted shortly after.
"Are you alright?" His grin was now down to a slight curl at the corners of his mouth and I was disappointed to see it go. Stupid, stupid me.
"Yes Sir, just surprised mostly. I didn't even hear you come in. All I heard was a small noise a minute ago." I replied groggily as I peeled myself off the floor into a sitting position.
"Yes, I knocked a book off my nightstand when I was setting my phone down. Come, get back in bed and go back to sleep." He instructed gently before disappearing from my sight, back to his side of the bed to settle in.
I got up and climbed back into the bed, resettling on my side and curled back up with my pillow. Apparently, Jasper was feeling chatty.
"Were you good while I was away?" He asked from his position of being stretched out on his stomach.
"Yes Master. Not even a scolding." I reported, slightly proud of myself in some fucked up way for not causing any trouble for anyone. At least I wouldn't be punished.
"Good girl. I was hoping that's what I would hear. I'll speak to the others later today and see if you're deserving of a reward. Now, go back to sleep." He instructed before switching the light out and snuggling back into his own pillow.
"Yes, Master." I got situated again and closed my eyes. After a little while of laying there, I came to the disturbing realization that I felt more at ease with him here than I had the past three days that he'd been gone. It must be because of the James situation. If he wasn't here giving me problems, I wouldn't be feeling like this. Or so I told myself. Regardless of my internal argument, I slept the rest of the night with no dreams that I remembered.
Reviews get teasers! Thank you for reading!