Welcome back! That last chapter was… somewhat intense? Unfortunately there may be more chapters like that, probably going to be written better. Anyways, good news, this chapter is going to have some fabina fluff! *internally screaming*

As always, I do not own HOA nor do I condone Jerome's treatment of Nina.

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Nina's P.O.V

I'm lying in my bedroom on the ground, I barely slept a wink in two and a half to three days. My stomach growling, my chin covered in drool from my ball-gag, and my inner thighs shaking uncontrollably from the overstimulation. Finally, something happened. The buzzing. It stopped. I squirm in my restraints and look at my pussy, the vibrator died. Finally. My joy was short-lived, though. Right when I shut my eyes for a few minutes, Jerome unlocked the door to my room, coming in with a plate of eggs and toast. I looked up at him, tired, desperate, he just smiled at me.

"Good morning slave" he expressed in a happy tone, setting the plate in front of me, "Here…" he says as he unclips the ball-gag from my head, pulling it from my mouth and untying the dead vibrator from my area. "Lets be a good girl today, yeah? I'm going out to the aquarium with Fabian and Joy later…" he says to me while he grabs the key from his pocket to my cuffs, reaches behind me and unlocks them, freeing my wrists. I rub them and stretch my limbs, finally, slight freedom. Am I ever truly free, though?

"Go on, eat up"

I'm broken from my train of thought to Jerome pushing the breakfast plate towards me, offering me a plastic fork in his hand. I barely acknowledge the fork, and stare blankly at the plate of food. My stomach continues to growl. I grab the fork without looking at him, and take a small bite of my eggs.

"I hope you're not angry at me, are you slave? Surely it's uncalled for, I own you. Not the other way around" Jerome says in an annoyed tone.

After that first bite of eggs, I rip off a piece of toast and eat it.

"Is it from punishing you? Is that what you're on about? You deserved, WELL deserved, everything that I-"

"Master. I'm fine." I look up at him, speaking softly. He never finishes his sentence and flashes me a slight smile, mouthing the word "Okay"

"Maybe it's for the best… I feel as if I've fed you a little too much, fucking pig."

Those words repeat in my head over and over. My stomach may be growling, but I couldn't be any less hungry. I silently push my plate back over to Jerome.

"Done already?" he says, still chewing on his bagel he brought down to enjoy himself,

"Yes Master" I respond softly, not making eye contact with him. I see him shake his head out of the corner of my eye while sighing in annoyance.

"I wanted to spend some time with you, I figured having breakfast together was a good way to do so. I was being nice. Do you deserve my kindness? Not at all. And you have the audacity to sit there, barely acknowledge me, and take a bite or two out of the breakfast I took time out of my day to prepare for you? Please, fucking ungrateful bitch." I barely have any time to react before he stands up, slapping me across the face in the process. I feel so weak it knocks me onto my side briefly.

"Whatever. Last time I try showing you some real kindness, worthless fucking whore" he growls at me, before kicking me in the side causing me to whimper loudly and slightly curl up on the ground. He then gets down to my level, crouching.

"Also…" he grabs me by my chin to make sure I'm listening to him, "You are to NEVER. I mean NEVER. Interrupt me when I speak again. You. Are. Nothing. Is that clear?"

I nod my head yes, "I SAID IS THAT CLEAR" He practically screams, inches from my face.

"Y-yes Master" I stutter out softly, looking up at his face full of rage. He lets go of my chin, and next thing I know the hand that was holding it turns into a fist.

Boom

He punches me in my face and swiftly stands up, looking down at my beaten, abused body. He doesn't utter another word before exiting my bedroom once more, shutting and locking the door behind him.

Fabian's P.O.V

"Joy, we're going to be late" I yell upstairs. Christ sake, how is she still getting ready? It's been 90 minutes. "Joy we need to get going to Jerome's house for a quick bite then we have to head to the aquarium! I would like to get there sometime today please?" I say, slight annoyance in my tone. "COMING Fabes, I'm coming…" Joy says, just as annoyed, before I see her running down the steps. She stops at the bottom and smiles at me, she's not wearing a ton of makeup. That's alright, she truly is one with natural beauty. It's just humorous today, though.

"Really, Joy?" I chuckled at her, lightheartedly. "What?" is what I got in response.

"All that time just for… that?" I laughed again, in return she playfully hit my arm.
"Let's go Fabes" She smiled while she grabbed the car keys. I grabbed my jacket and left right behind her, locking the door behind us and getting in the car with her while she began to drive to Jerome's house. It was a few minutes of awkward silence and occasionally changing the radio station to try and find a good song to help it before Joy finally spoke again,

"So…the…. Um…. The sla-"

I cut her off

"I don't know Joy but really… don't… call her that, please?

"What else am I supposed to call her? It's what Jerome calls her. He hasn't told us her name. What else?"

She was right. He hadn't told us her name, rather odd of him. Sure, if he doesn't ever want to use it… whatever I guess. But shouldn't we at least get the choice?

"Yeah… it's pretty… hard. I guess it's more Jerome's fault than yours, Joy. I apologize."

"It's alright Fabes. I love you"

"I love you too"

I gave her a quick peck on the lips and she continued to drive. That small conversation got me thinking about the girl again. Would I be seeing her again? I know I'm with Joy… I love Joy. Joy was my highschool sweetheart. This girl, though… she seems somewhat unique. She seems nice. Pretty. Shy, I think? Or maybe she just comes off that way because of Jerome, she seems to be somewhat scared of him from how she reacted when he came to the basement stairs as I was trying to help her up the other day. Eventually, we pulled into Jerome's driveway and left our car. Jerome let us in gladly when we knocked.

"So, excited for the aquarium guys?" He said to us in a positive tone, "Yeah, yeah…" I responded, looking around seeing if I can see her anywhere… I can't.

"Of course I am!" Joy responds after me, "My favorite sea creature is manatees… I would LOVE to see one!"

"Manatees?" Jerome chuckles out

"Yeah! I think they're cute! Aren't they Fabes?" Joy continues, tapping my arm at the end of the sentence breaking my trance.

"Wha-? Oh! Manatees! Yes, very… very cute. I agree with Joy"

"Are you alright Fabes?"

"Yeah… just… didn't sleep well last night. Maybe I'll feel better when I eat something…" I began, this was my chance to maybe ask about her. "Where's the girl you have here, Jerome? Can't she get me something to eat?" Jerome thought quickly before nodding his head a little,

"I mean… sure, isn't that what she's here for? Of course I can get you something Fabian if you'd really like…"

"No, no… that isn't necessary. I wouldn't want to bother you like that. Maybe you can go fetch her? I don't want anything too fancy, a quick little Caesar salad made up in Tupperware." Jerome let out a large sigh… "Alright then, fetch her I will" he said before smiling at Joy, getting up and going into the kitchen. Likely to go into the basement, where I last saw her. Where I presume her room is. A few minutes later, the basement door opens and I see Jerome sit back down. "What did you say her name was again?" I asked, hoping to get an answer this time. All I got was a confused look mixed with a glare

There goes that question.

A couple minutes later, the girl comes in with a bowl and a fork. She smiled at me again. She has a beautiful, beautiful smile. I noticed some things though… her lip. It was slightly… bent? Busted? And her cheek… it was bruised? Not super dark, though… but enough where I could see. My mind wandered. Had… had Jerome beat her after our last visit?

"Thank you! Thank you so much, it probably tastes as good as it looks, I really was craving one of these so again thank you… what was your name again?"

She smiled at me, it almost looked as if she nearly responded, but caught herself. She then proceeded to turn to Jerome, who was starring daggers at her.

"As far as everyone knows, her name is nothing but Girl or Slave. Is that a problem?" Jerome says, looking right at me.

"Sure, sure… no problem…" I trail off as she walks away, "Wait, excuse me?"

She turns around to face me.

"How… what happened? I mean, to your lip and face…" I asked, concerned.

Before she could respond, Jerome did for her. Of course.

"Don't you remember Fabian? She fell down the stairs a few days ago! You were there, you even helped her up!" Jerome explained to me, "Oh yeah…" I replied, although I knew in my head that her face didn't quite look like that a few days ago before Joy and I left.

I ate the salad while Joy and Jerome talked, occasionally giving the quick nod and smile like usual so I seemed to be apart of the conversation.

"Ready to go Fabes?" Joy asked me, I looked around at her and Jerome.

"Actually…" I responded, pretending to be in discomfort, "I feel as if… my stomach is having issues. I thought I just needed to eat something, and to play it safe I ate something light like the salad… but it didn't work. I still feel pain and discomfort…" I said, trying my best to put on a good show. I immediately saw Joy buy it, she scooted closer to me and rubbed my shoulder, then my stomach which just so happened to gurgle at the same time. Thank you, stomach. "Aw Fabes… do you want me to take you home?" I looked at her for a second, pretending to think… "No… no it's alright Joy… you were so excited to go to the aquarium a few days ago, don't let me stop you. Why don't you and Jerome go?" She looked to him, and he immediately did the "Whatever" shrug with a patient expression on his face. She looked back to me and hugged me. "Thank you Fabes! Thank you!... If you feel worse at all, call me okay babes? I have my phone fully charged with me…" said Joy before Jerome chimed in, "Yeah bud, I have a heating pad in the bottom drawer of the entertainment center, too. If it's that type of pain. And you are welcome to anything in the kitchen, you're my best friend and I want you to feel better buddy. Don't feel bad about not being able to come." Jerome consoled to me, I agreed with a nod and a slight smile, still trying to play the sick part while Joy put her jacket back on and kissed my cheek, Jerome got up as-well and put on his shoes.

"We'll be back in a few hours, Fabes!" Joy yelled excitedly as she exited,

"Don't wait up!" Jerome said in an obviously mocking, girly voice that made Joy giggle as he shut the door and locked it. I sat on the couch watching Jerome's telly until I heard his car leave the garage… perfect. I got up and started to look for the girl.

I pretended to get a glass of water in the kitchen… no sign. I dumped it.

I looked in the bathroom, no sign. I heard slight footsteps coming from upstairs, I decided to check that out next. When I get to the top of the steps, I walk down the hallway and start looking in the rooms. Upstairs bathroom? No. Guest bedroom? No. There was only one more, Jerome's bedroom. I slowly walk to the doorway, and… I see her. She's making his bed. I can't help but stand in the doorway and smile at her. It doesn't take long before she notices my presence and slightly jumps. "No, no! It's okay… it's Fabian, you made me the salad earlier?..."

She continues to look at me like a deer in headlights.

"I actually, I… I wanted to… t-talk to you" I stuttered on the last few words. Of course. She looked at me and then continued to make the bed, fluffing the last few pillows.

"Are you alright?" I asked, she looked at me. Only looked. "Come on…" I attempted to joke, "I'm not THAT bad at conversations to where you can't think of anything to say, am I?" I say in a sarcastic tone. I got a slight smile out of her, and even a giggle. The sound of that giggle made me smile even wider. "Well at least someone thinks I'm funny" I say, sitting down on Jerome's bed. She sits down next to me and gives me a confused look. "Oh…um… its fine." I say at first before I continue, "My girlfriend… Joy. That was the girl I was with the other day. She… she doesn't laugh at my poor attempts at jokes or sarcasm very often if at all. So hearing you do even the slightest giggle, ah…" I said, I saw her smile at me and look down at the ground.

"I'm sorry, I know I asked this a few days ago and got a weird response from you… I don't mean to pry. Don't answer unless you would like, but… can you speak?"

She nods her head yes. Yes?

"Is… is there a reason you don't?"

She thinks for a moment, before nodding her head yes again.

"If you don't mind me asking… why?"

She thinks for a moment, and then goes over to Jerome's work desk. She grabs a pen and a blank sheet of paper. Maybe she's mute? Who knows. I think a variet of things as she scribbles down words.

"He doesn't let me speak unless spoken to, and I can't speak to other people without his permission"

Reading that made me… sad. I put the paper down and looked at her. "Hey… Jerome isn't here, you know? If you feel comfortable… you can speak to me. It's okay. I promise I won't say anything…" she looked up at me, and I could tell she was scared.

"O-o-okay…" She stuttered out, fear evident in her voice. Her fear and what she wrote make me think once again that Jerome is the reason for her face. I don't want to believe it, he's one of my best friends… but it just… adds up.

"Do you feel comfortable telling me what your name is? I promise I won't call you it in front of Jerome, so he doesn't know we spoke. But… just for my knowledge. It would help out a lot speaking to you now, too"

She thought for a good few moments before looking at me, shaking her head and looking back down. My original, comforting smile turned into a frown.

"Hey, hey… I'm sorry… you don't have to, if you don't want…" I began saying. She then looked up at me suddenly.

"…N-Nina" She spoke. Nina? Did I hear that correctly?

"Nina?" I asked again, she nodded her head yes. A big smile grew across my face. "Pleasure to meet you Nina, I'm Fabian. I'm sure you already knew that, though…" I said, holding out my hand for her to shake it. She stared at my hand for a few seconds before carefully reaching out her hand to shake mine. Once she shook hands she got up from the bed.

"I thought you were going to the aquarium with Master and your girlfriend?"

"Yeah…" I trailed off, "I'm feeling a little off, so I stayed behind"

She gave me a concerned look, "Would you like me to get you anything, sir?" she asked me. The word "Sir" made me somewhat uncomfortable, although I don't think it's off the table that it's probably what Jerome makes her call him when she doesn't call him 'Master'. I don't think I've heard her say Jerome's name once.

"Call me Fabian, it's alright, I don't need anything. Thank you, though. Really… you're… you're very kind, Nina."

She looked as if she didn't know what to say

"Nina are you alright?"

"Y-yeah… I… I-I don't know… I'm not used to people calling me by name. I haven't heard my name in just over 4 years."

I looked at her with shock.

"You haven't heard your own name in 4 years? Nina that's… unusual" Unusual. More like just plain wrong. She shrugged, almost as if it was no big deal.

"Nina, another question…" I say softly, looking at the bruises on her face and her busted lip, along with the slight bruising I just noticed surrounding her collar, "Did… did Jerome hurt you?"

Her expression was hard to read. She almost looked… sad. Along with ashamed. That's the part that killed me, she was ashamed. She couldn't bring herself to tell me yes or no, I feel as if that's all the answer I needed. I couldn't even begin to imagine my best friend hurting anybody, nonetheless a woman.

"Nina…" I trail off, "Nina that isn't okay…slave or not. It isn't."

I can see tears form in her eyes, does she WANT to break my heart?

"You don't know me enough to tell me that it isn't okay…" she whispered. What does that mean? "What's that supposed to mean?"

"How it sounds… you don't know me enough to tell me that him hurting me isn't okay. He has… reasons. Sometimes I do something to… to be p-punished. Other times, he does it because of who I am. I'm just… not worth a whole lot" she whispered again.

"Nina…" I started, but before I could continue she walked off, and it sounded like she walked downstairs. My heart almost split in half.

"I'm just… not worth a whole lot."

What does Jerome do to her when they're alone? Is he why she thinks so lowly of herself? It breaks my heart, it really does. I hate… hate how it's clear that he's somewhat treated her as if she isn't a human. The rule for speaking? The name thing? It's absurd… I can't confront him on it, thought. Not without putting Nina in danger.

What a beautiful name for an even more beautiful girl.

Nina