"Cobb," she said as he poured her more coffee. "I have a meeting with Antwon in the near future, do I not?"

Cobb nodded, and stopped pouring just as the coffee was exactly half an inch from the brim of her mug. Always a perfectionist, she thought. "Indeed. This Friday, I believe."

Alexa sipped at her coffee and hummed. "Ooh, this is good Cobb."

"Thank you, Madam," he said with a grin. "Oh, and Kat would like to know if she may have a new book. Apparently, she's devoured her first one and hungers for a second. Quite a fiend, her."

Alexa chuckled. "Tell her I said sure, we'll get her something this weekend. But back to Antwon, Cobb," she said, a serious look befalling her face. "You know what I told you?"

"Yes, Madam," he said, placing the coffee pot back and wiping down the counter with a wet towel. "I couldn't forget something quite so astonishing."

"Right. Well, this Friday, I'm thinking we should give our friend Antwon a very, very special treatment, don't you think?" she asked, raising an eyebrow with a wily grin on her face.

Cobb looked over his shoulder and smiled hungrily. "I do agree, Madam. I think that would be most fitting."

Alexa took another sip of her coffee and set it down on the table. "Good. Now, where is Kat? I haven't seen her all day."

"She is out back, Madam. Her plants are starting to blossom quite well, and she takes some pride in them, if I may say. It's honestly been rather enjoyable to watch."

"You and that garden, Cobb. One day you'll become one of your precious plants, you know. I read it in a book one time. You'll grow roots and vines and become a tomato," she said, matter-of-factly, holding a finger up to illustrate her intelligence.

Cobb turned around and leaned on the counter. "And they say if you eat too much meat your brain becomes a little too fat. Shame you're such a carnivore."

She sipped her coffee and flipped him the bird. He only laughed it off and turned back around, starting to do some dishes. "She is quite an alright catch, Madam. And, I'll say, you seem much better now that she's returned."

"Yeah, well... I'm just glad she's back," Alexa said, staring into her coffee. Her reflection looked up at her with tired eyes, but smiled nonetheless. "Dunno if I could handle losing her."

"I'm not sure I could either, Madam," Cobb said. "You should spend time with her in the garden, if I may. I'm sure she would appreciate that."

Alexa smiled and nodded. "Yeah, that's not a bad idea. Good one, Cobb."

He shrugged. "My pleasure."

Alexa downed the last of her coffee and stood, heading for the door. The morning sunlight was bright, but pleasantly warm, she thought as she made her way around the house and into the garden. When she got there, stepping under a lattice arch overgrown with morning lilies, she found Kat trying to plant something from a smaller pot into a bigger one.

She cleared her throat so as to not spook Kat. Kat still flinched, but turned around and, upon seeing Alexa, smiled and said, "Good morning, Mistress."

"Good morning to you," she said, walking over to Kat. She stared down at Kat's little project. It looked like a little tree. "What is this?"

"A gooseberry bush, Mistress," Kat said, digging a small hole in the dirt of the larger pot.

"Ah, those," she said, smiling. "I like the way they hide in their little shells, but are so sweet once they come out."

Kat nodded, looking up. A small bead of sweat trickled down her forehead, and she wiped it on her sleeve. "They are really tasty."

Alexa bent down next to her. "I never took you for a gardener. I guess Cobb has been getting into your head more than I thought."

Kat paused, and sat back on her heels. "I... I just like the way they bloom. Come to life. I like bringing them to life and watching them grow, Mistress. It's... soothing."

She planted a hand on Kat's head and rustled her hair. "Now you know how I feel."

Kat stared up at her blankly, a confused look on her face. Alexa chuckled and shook her head, giving Kat a small kiss on her forehead. "Don't worry about it sweetie. I'm just glad to see you enjoying something."

Kat smiled again. "I... thank you, Mistress."

Alexa winked. "Anytime. Now, let me see what you're doing."

Friday came faster than she'd expected. It was as if Wednesday and Thursday had been completely skipped by reality. It was jarring, to say the least. She'd spend the past two days in meetings downtown, arguing with her executives over the stunt she was about to pull tonight. They weren't happy with her, but eventually they warmed up to it. After all, this was an honest business she was trying to run here, and honest businesses didn't deal with criminals, much less slave abusers.

So, she thought, there were no hang-ups on this. She never really liked Antwon anyway. He always had that air about him that said that he was up to something shady, something suspicious. The way he smiled made her think that he was trying to manipulate her. She'd seen manipulation before; there was plenty of it in the corporate world. So she could tell when someone was doing it to her.

The doorbell rang, and she could hear Cobb answering it. She sat in her dining room, dressed in a fine black suit, not really for any other reason than to make a show of it. She waited patiently, as Cobb told Antwon where she was, and he made his way into the dining room.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

There, Alexa stood and welcomed him with a forced smile and an uncomfortably tight handshake. She offered him a seat, and he took it gladly. Then, she sat at the head of the table, placing her hands on the wood and crossing her legs.

"Well then, how have you been?" she asked.

He smiled at her. There it was. That manipulative, disgusting grin. She had to stifle a scowl. "Well, thank you. And you? How's that slave of yours been? Better, I would imagine."

"Yes, thank you. She is doing quite fine," Alexa said, gritting her teeth. "Does she know you? It seemed like she had something against you."

He rolled his eyes and clucked his tongue. "She used to be mine. Did you know that? I ought to have told you, but I had the feeling that the dinner party wasn't the best time."

Alexa's eyebrows rose. "Oh was she?"

He nodded, then pointed to the scar on his head. "See this? Gave me this one night when I got home from work. No reason, too. Just wanted to test me."

She squinted at him. "And here I thought you got that in prison."

"Did I?" he asked, scratching his chin. "I don't recall. Either way, my only point is that you ought to be wary of her. Keep her well disciplined and you won't have to worry. Just keep that in mind. She's manipulative and a liar. I personally couldn't take it. Had to sell her."

Disciplined, huh? Is that what he called it? She huffed. "Thank you for the notice. Now, onto business. After all, that is why we're here, is it not? Ah, but first, can I offer you coffee or tea?"

He nodded. "Tea sounds good. Thanks. What kind do you have?"

"Mint, chai, black, and green," she said.

"I'll take black, please," he said, looking over his shoulder. Cobb stood there in the doorway and gave a little bow.

"Cobb, be a dear and prepare something for our friend."

"Of course, Madam," he said before leaving and closing the door behind him.

"Now then," Alexa said, crossing her fingers together, "I wanted to bring something... unfortunate up."

He cocked his head. "Oh? And what's that?"

"Our company has decided to no longer participate in the merger," Alexa said professionally. She sat straight up, towering over him, and looking down at him with a hint of disdain. "I regret to say this, but my executives agree that it is best we do not participate in a business deal with a criminal."

"A crimin--" he started, mouth agape. Staring incredulously at her, he blinked and said, "All because of a bar fight?"

Alexa shook her head. "Typically, abusing a slave comes with the punishment of slavery. You know that. I know that. What I don't know is how you got out of it. But you're a slimy one, I'll give you that."

A look of rage fell on his face. "I, you, you can't speak to me like that! This is absurd! That slave of yours has gotten into your head. Listen," he said, taking a deep breath to calm down. "That girl is a pathological liar. She stole from me, she ran away from me, she hit me. What more proof could you want?"

"I already have my proof," Alexa said, thinking back to the long scar on Kat's back. "I have plenty of it."

He pushed away from the table and stood, looming over her now. "This is absolutely asinine. You're honestly going to believe a slave? One who has proven herself to be violent and erratic? Alexa, what has gotten into you? We're friends."

Alexa stood, towering over him once more. "Not anymore, I think. Cobb! I hope you've prepared something by now!"

Cobb stepped into the room, smiling amiably. "Of course, Madam. Sir? If you could follow me?"

Antwon looked at him, then at Alexa. "This, this is absurd. Absolutely absurd. You wouldn't do this Alexa, would you? To a friend?"

"Not to a friend, no," she said. "Cobb."

Cobb stepped over to him, and Antwon got in a defensive stance, kicking a leg back and putting up his fists. "Stop right there, bucko."

Cobb just laughed. "Sir, do you really think that would stop me?"

Antwon threw a fist at Cobb, but Cobb deftly backed away, landing gracefully on the balls of his feet. "A good throw, Sir," he said, grinning. "But allow me, if you will."

He danced forward and threw a punch of his own, swinging wide and landing a firm hit on Antwon's ribs. He doubled over on the dining table, before quickly pushing himself up and kicking at Cobb, who took it square in the thigh. He grunted.

Cobb sneered and lunged, landing another firm hit in Antwon's gut. Then, he landed a second, and a third. Antwon doubled over, but not before throwing a punch at Cobb that landed in his cheek. Cobb spun for a moment, before quickly regaining his balance and glaring at Antwon.

"You hit like a girl, Sir," he said.

"Hey!" Alexa exclaimed. "Not true. Watch."

As Antwon tried to push his guts back down his throat, Alexa swung a kick and knocked his legs out from beneath him. Antwon flopped down to the ground, and on the way down, Alexa gave his head a good, solid kick like a soccer ball. By the time he'd hit the ground, he was out cold. Cobb and Alexa stood over him, both breathing heavily.

"Madam? May I?"

"Please," she said, snarling.

Cobb bent down and picked Antwon up, his body limp, and slung him over his shoulder. Then, he started out of the room, and Alexa followed, her hair slightly frizzed. She got the door to the foyer for Cobb and stepped out of the dining room with him, heading for the front door. And that's when she noticed her.

Kat stood at the top of the railing, staring down, eyes wide and body shaking. She'd probably been curious about the racket and come to examine the problem for herself, but now, staring at her old Master's body, Alexa could see the terror in her eyes. She simply smiled up at her and said, "Sweetie, go to your room. I'll come find you after, alright?"

Kat nodded hastily and scurried away, vanishing down the hall. "Now then," Alexa said. Antwon groaned, starting to come too. "Out you go."

She pulled open the front door and a blast of cool evening wind rolled in over Cobb. He reached up and slung Antwon off of his shoulder and out onto the gravel driveway. Then, he wiped his hands free of any sort of perceived dirt, and turned away.

"The garbage has been taken out, Madam."

Alexa smiled at him, and then watched as Antwon struggled to get to his feet. "Antwon, I believe that our professional relationship is over. Goodbye."

And with that, she closed the door on him, leaving him in the cold.

In Kat's room, Alexa sat on her bed, stroking Kat's hair. Her slave was huddled up in bed, not quite asleep, but quiet all the same. She was cute, Alexa thought. So cute, so little. She smiled down at her sadly, thinking back to Antwon, Kat's story, all of it. How she ran, how skittish she was. And, with a heavy heart, she sighed.

"Kat," she said. "Did you know that I could free you?"

Kat perked up at that, lifting her head and looking up at Alexa. "Really, Mistress?"

Alexa nodded. "All it would take is some paperwork and a signature, and you're free. Technically you have to have been a slave for three years, but I think there's a way around that."

Kat laid back down and stared blankly at nothing. She was quiet for a moment, breathing deeply. "I..."

Smiling down at her, Alexa said, "It's not something you have to choose right away. But... I've been thinking. About you. Your wants and desires. And I think that this may be in your best interest."

Alexa felt a sadness fill her heart like water filling a sinking ship. Just feeling Kat's hair in her hands felt right. The silky softness of her short hair, the smoothness of her face, her little features that made her look so gentle and small. To lose her would puncture Alexa like a hole-puncher, but... if it was best for Kat, it was best for her.

"May... may I think about it, Mistress?" Kat asked, a worried look falling on her face.

Alexa nodded. "Of course. Take your time. Just think about it, alright?"

"Yes, Mistress," Kat said, quietly shifting in her bed. She looked uncomfortable, and Alexa understood why. This was a big option. Most likely a shock, too.

Alexa stood and said, "Ah, and you don't have to worry about your old Master anymore. He's been taken care of. Got Cobb's special treatment." She chuckled and turned for the door. "I doubt he'll be back anytime soon."

But just before she left, she heard Kat whisper," Thank you, Mistress."