Cobb was in the kitchen preparing some lunch for all of them, while she went around picking things up and either throwing them away or making them look tidy. The party was tomorrow, and Mistress Alexa had ordered her to clean the whole house. With help from Cobb, of course, but he was busy cooking. Which left the chores up to her.

She moved into the dining room, checked the potpourri over to ensure that it was filled and fresh, realigned the chairs, and straightened the table runner. She'd already wiped down the table, so she didn't need to focus on that. Most of the wiping and sweeping had been done that morning.

Thoughts of her Mistress floated through her head. The smell of her shampoo, the softness of her skin as they slept together. And then, the kindness. The promise. And, for some reason, the trust. It was all there, like the ingredients of some special potion that intoxicated her, confused her, made her dizzy.

A part of her found that she actually hoped that the party would go smoothly for her Mistress, and wanted it to be a hit. Perhaps this was why she was taking cleaning so seriously today; she had to ensure that everything was perfect. All of the chairs were in line, all of the shelves were organized, all of the platters cleaned and ready for use.

Idly, she wondered what she would be doing during the party. Serving drinks, most likely, or h'orderves. Either way, it should be an easy task. There was nothing too strenuous about either of those tasks, save for being in a crowd. And as long as she could find a way out, she'd be fine. She just had to know where her exits were, that's all.

Just then, her Mistress walked into the room. She wore a simple brown shirt and blue jeans, and was carrying around a duster. She looked at Kat, smiled, and said, "Hey sweetie. How goes it?"

"Good, Mistress," Kat responded, looking back to the bookshelf on the right. Surely something needed her attention there. Something that could get her out of a conversation. But it was too late, and her Mistress was by her side, petting her.

"That's good. Cobb says you've been working pretty hard all day," she said, pressing Kat against her bosom. "You want a reward? Some chocolate?"

"N-No thank You, Mistress," Kat said, blushing.

It didn't seem like her Mistress would let that slide, either. "Nope! You get a treat!"

At that, she gently pulled Kat with her and into the study, where she got a chocolate bar from her desk and snapped off a piece. Before Kat could even say a word, Mistress Alexa had put it in her open mouth.

Kat bit down in it, and sweet flavors of cocoa and a bitter hint of salt hit her tongue. She resisted it for a moment, but the more it melted in her mouth, the more she gave in to its soft, creamy taste. She purred happily to herself as her Mistress held her close.

"I need this party to go well," She said. "Like I said, I have a business deal relying on it. A very, very important business deal. So tomorrow night, you need to be on your best behavior, alright?"

Kat nodded and swallowed. "Yes Mistress."

"Do that for me, and I'll give you a whole bar of chocolate, all for yourself. You want that?"

Kat thought about it as a warm smile spread across her face. "Yes please, Mistress."

"Then be a good girl for me tomorrow, alright?"

Kat nodded. "Of course Mistress. But Mistress, what exactly will I be doing?"

Mistress Alexa let Kat go, and Kat knelt before Her as She hummed. "Serving drinks, mostly. Fetching things, if anyone asks for them. Refilling people's glasses. Cobb will deal with the food, so you don't need to worry about dinner."

Well, that explained what he was doing in the kitchen. Kat thought on it for a moment, and then closed her eyes and savored the last tastes of chocolate on her lips. "Yes, Mistress."

"Good girl. Now go on, keep getting the house ready. There's still lots of work that needs to be done, and I'd prefer to get it all done today so that we can take tomorrow off."

"Yes, Mistress," Kat said, and went on her way.

The next day was slow, and the air was dripping with anticipation. It was even getting to Cobb, and as she helped him make mimosas, she could see his hands shaking, just a tiny bit. He made a small mistake here or there, adding too much alcohol to one, spilling another just a little, little bit. Pretty bad, for such a perfectionist. She watched him work, as he accidentally overfilled a glass and cursed beneath his breath as he wiped up the spill. The air was tense, and it was getting to him too. Which, in a way, was comforting, she supposed. It was nice to know she wasn't alone.

Her Mistress had been supervising them all day. It felt like micromanagement, but Kat didn't really mind. It just meant that she didn't really have to think about what she was doing; she just had to do it. Every so often, a gentle hand would caress her arm or shoulder, just in passing, as she worked on setting out plates at the large dining room table. She would shiver each time, unsure if it was delight or fear.

Maybe it was both. A strange form of hybrid anxiety welled within her. Part of her wanted to please her Mistress, to get more little chocolates, to be called a good girl. Another part, however, wanted the whole thing to collapse. She frowned as the two warred within her as she set out the china.

Fork, fork, spoon, knife. Fork, fork, spoon, knife. She repeated it in her head as she set out the silverware. Fork, fork, spoon, knife. It took her mind off of things, off of the party ahead, off of the stress around her. Around the dinner table she went, blankly setting out the silverware as her Mistress watched behind her. Fork, fork, spoon, knife.

"No, set that one a little closer to the plate," Mistress Alexa said. Kat could hear the stress in her voice, see it in the way she folded her arms and alternated the hip she leaned on. Her eyes were still cool, calm, collected, but her body betrayed her. Kat watched for a moment, before doing as she was told.

"Mistress?" she asked, carefully eyeing her.

Her Mistress blinked, shaking her head lightly as though she was coming out of some sort of haze. "Yes, sweetie?"

Kat bit her lip and scuffed at the ground. "Are you nervous?"

Kat wasn't sure what prompted her to ask, but something had made her curious enough that she couldn't simply ignore it. Besides, her Mistress would likely appreciate the chance to talk, so this was as good a time as any to gauge her and the situation ahead.

Her Mistress forced a chuckle. "No, sweetie. I'm excited, that's all."

"But you seem nervous."

Kat wanted to slap her hand over her mouth, to huddle down and hide. Something had prompted her to be so bold, and now, she couldn't take it back. But before she could truly react, Mistress Alexa gave her a look over, and then sighed, taking a seat at the table and leaning her face into her hands.

"Looks like you caught me, Kat," she muttered. "I'm very nervous. This is an important deal, and I would really like for it to go through. We're talking about the acquisition of tens of thousands of dollars and a joint business venture. He produces tons of novelty items, and that's the kind of business I need in the palm of my hand. So yeah, I admit, I'm a little nervous."

Was... was Kat supposed to say something to that? What could she say?

"I... see, Mistress."

Mistress Alexa looked at her from between her fingers, and then rubbed her eyes and sat back up, running a hand through her hair, which was, unusually, down, and not braided. She looked at Kat, and offered a genuine smile that looked, if anything, just a little tired, though optimistic. Kat tried to smile back.

"Kat," Mistress Alexa said, "this is going to be your first time around such a crowd, at least in my company. I admit too that I'm nervous to see how you're going to handle it."

Kat shivered. "I'll be okay, Mistress. I... I'm more worried about you."

Her Mistress smiled at that, this time, fully. "That's cute Kat. I love you sweetheart. Listen, if you're ever overwhelmed, or if anyone says something to you that you don't like, or if anyone treats you poorly, you come find me. Heard?"

Kat gave a small bow. "Yes, Mistress. Thank you."

Mistress Alexa nodded. "Good. Now then, back to the prep work. We have a party to plan!"

Some of the color in her Mistress's cheeks returned, and Kat found herself internally relieved. She smiled back, authentically, and with a bow, got back to work, setting the table. Fork, fork, spoon, knife. Fork, fork, spoon, knife.

It took her mind off of things.

The nighttime came too early. When the sun finally set, dark clouds were rolling in on the horizon. It would rain again tonight, they all knew. And from the looks of it, it would be thick, and hard, and cold. The clouds on the orange horizon were fat and gray, and threatening, as Kat and her Mistress stood outside, greeting the guests.

One by one they rolled in, pulling up in exquisite cars, some with slaves, some without. There were suits of all sorts and colors, and dresses that sparkled and dazzled and simply stunned. It was Kat's job to welcome them all, and by the time the last guest had entered, her throat felt incredibly parched.

The final guest was a younger man, handsome in the face but with terrible posture.

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"Welcome, Master!" she said with the forced pep she'd been instructed to have. She even managed a small smile and a graceful curtsey. Tonight, she wore her blue dress, the one her Mistress had gifted her, much to the amusement of the party guests. Many had commented playfully on it, calling her 'quite cute' and 'a darling'. Every time, she'd forced a giggle and said, "Thank you Master," or, "Thank you Mistress," but on the inside, she was fighting the urge to hide away in her room.

So many people, and she was at the forefront. If it weren't for her Mistress standing beside her, greeting her guests with Kat, she might've given up and simply kneeled before the door. But as it were, she was forced to stand there, cheery as could be, while this or that slave Owner wandered into her Mistress's home like an invading army. For some reason, she felt a little violated.

After the young man had passed, her Mistress commanded her to shut the door, and she said, with a pleased smile, "Good girl. You did really well."

Kat turned around, only to find a hand land on her head and give her hair a light tussling. Mistress Alexa smiled down at her, her pearl earrings and sequined dress - Kat never even knew she had a dress - sparkled beneath the light of the rising moon. Looking up at her, Kat thought she seemed almost... beautiful. Stunning. With her makeup on, Mistress Alexa was definitely ready for the formal occasion, with gold eyeshadow accentuating her hazel eyes. Little wings of eyeliner flipped off the sides of her eyelids, and she wore a deep red lipstick. She was just... so pretty. Kat thought she was gorgeous tonight.

Kat blushed and turned away. "Thank you, Mistress."

Her Mistress chuckled lightly, though Kat could hear the tension in it. "We are missing one, though," she said. "But he's always late. We won't wait for him."

"Mistress?" Kat asked, as her Mistress reached for the door handle to let them into the waiting party.

"Yes?" Mistress Alexa asked, tilting her head.

Kat hesitated, trying to figure out what she had even wanted to say in the first place. "Who are you making the deal with?"

Mistress Alexa rolled her eyes and huffed. "Well, if he were here on time, I'd show you. But like I said, he's always late. I'll point him out later in the night. Now come on, we should get in. Maybe put some music on. I should teach you how to play the piano, Kat. I think that'd be quite cute."

Kat blushed and smiled. "I'd like that, Mistress."

"Good. Now come, Kat. We have a party to attend."

She opened the doors, and let them both into the crowded, waiting foyer. Within, under the light of the chandelier, Cobb was weaving in and out of groups of people, offering them different types of small finger food, from little rolls to slices of fruit. The conversation was raucous and mirthful - these people clearly knew each other, and her Mistress. It made her squirm a bit, but she stifled it and swallowed her nerves. She had things to do.

"Well Kat, I believe you have some drinks to serve," Mistress Alexa said, placing a hand on her shoulder and giving her a gentle nudge. Then, quieter, she said, "Go on. I'm going to go mingle. Ugh. Grab me a drink first, okay sweetie? I could use one."

Kat almost giggled, but she wasn't sure it was appropriate. Instead, she nodded and bowed, and headed for the kitchen, dancing carefully around clusters of chatting Owners and slaves. Somewhere behind her, a loud laugh came from some man, followed by a cough. She ignored it and stepped into the kitchen, where the murmur of the voices became more background noise than anything. Cobb was here, fiddling with his phone, and she could see a music app on it. She watched him for a moment, before remembering her task. She carefully picked up a silver platter of champagne flutes and mimosas that sat on the kitchen island, and turned back for the kitchen door.

Cautiously, she stepped slowly out of the kitchen and back into the main foyer, where her Mistress had joined into one of the groups. They all looked the same to Kat. Men in suits, women in dresses, slaves in collars. The only one that truly stood out to her was her Mistress. She clung to that mentally, the unease of being in such a crowd - a crowd at all, really, but amongst monsters, she thought - made her want to gnaw on her fingernails. Stifling a grimace, she began to make her way between the clusters of people.

"A drink, Mistress?" she'd ask, and either they would or they wouldn't.

"Master, may I offer another drink?"

Just like she and Cobb had rehearsed. If only he could see her now, she thought wryly. His little project, blossoming, becoming a butler through and through. Whenever the butterflies in her stomach got too bad, she'd always fall back from the strangers and find her Mistress under the guise of offering her another drink, or taking away her glass. As she would approach, all eyes would be on her for a flash, and it always made her uneasy. But when her Mistress saw her and smiled, she knew everything would be okay.

Still, eventually her Mistress started to catch on, and Kat could tell, because at some point she said with a wink, "Not right now, Kat. But maybe in a while. Don't be a stranger."

So, Kat spent the first part of the night trying to soothe her stomach and serve drinks as best she could. Whenever she approached someone, her brain went into autopilot, spitting out one of Cobb's professional phrases that she'd learned. Would you be interested in a drink, Master? Mistress, would you care for a beverage? Easy.

Then, Mistress Alexa clapped her hands, and all eyes turned toward her. Kat paused and sunk to the back of the room, out of everyone's sight, watching. Mistress Alexa had clearly had a few - Kat had, perhaps, overdone it - but she held her composure magnificently

"Ladies, Gentlemen. Thank you for joining me tonight," she started. "I hope everything has been to your liking. My butler is currently preparing dinner for us all, so please, feel free to move into the dining room at your leisure. As well, my slave is passing out drinks, as you may have seen. If you are in need of anything, please let her know, and we will accommodate you as best we can. Once again, thank you for joining me tonight. I hope you all enjoy it."

A few 'cheers!' went up after that, and suddenly Kat found herself even more busy, passing out drinks and taking away empty flutes or glasses. Silently, she paled at the mention of her in her Mistress's little welcome speech. Still, some of the guests did end up going into the other room, leaving her with a little more breathing room than before, which was a good thing.

Soon, Cobb was running plates of food from the kitchen to the dining room. The smell of roast turkey and potatoes filled the air, and Kat found that she was starting to salivate. She'd eaten before, of course, but still, Cobb could cook. He could really, really cook. These guests were in for a treat, she knew.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Her Mistress pardoned herself from a group of people and gave Kat a look that said, "See? I told you he'd be here." She walked up to the door and cleared her throat, wiping her dress as if something had spilled on it or as though it had wrinkled. Kat could tell from the slight sloppiness in her mannerisms that the alcohol had definitely begun to kick in.

She reached out and opened the door, revealing a man of a tall stature, bald, slightly overweight but stocky enough to handle it well. He wore a genial smile on his face, and there was a long scar above his left eye. He reached out with open arms.

"Alexa!" he cried.

"Antwon! Ah, always a pleasure," Mistress Alexa said, hugging him back.

Kat craned her neck to see the new arrival. She had to turn a bit to see him, but one her she laid eyes on his stoney face, his bald head, his piercing blue eyes, the close shaved beard, the round features, her world shattered. She stood there, frozen, time itself unmoving. Her hand began to shake, her knees felt weak, and her stomach churned and revolted. Her eyes were wide, and she tried to move, but found she couldn't. Every muscle, every bone in her body screamed at her to run, but she just couldn't.

It was him.

Her Master.

The glasses on the tray began to clatter as her shaking grew worse. She tried to steel herself, to calm her nerves, but she found she couldn't. The anxiety was too much. Slowly, eyes turned toward her. She wished they would turn away, mind their own business, leave her alone! But they didn't. As the clattering grew louder and louder, the glasses clinking together, spilling their contents, even her Mistress turned to face her, a concerned look on her face.

"Kat?"

The man took a step toward her. Time stopped. Her muscles acted before her brain could process what she was doing, and in a moment, she launched the platter at him. As if the world itself was standing still, she watched in horror as it sailed through the air, the glasses falling from it and shattering on the ground below. She threw it at him, dead on. Oh god, she thought, what the fuck had she just done?

The platter collided with his chest, sending him to the floor, as the horrified onlookers gasped. He fell slowly, colliding with the ground with a grunt. Part of her was pleased with her aim, proud that she'd landed such a good hit, but the other part, the primal part, told her to flee. To run. To escape. Her heart threatened to beat its way up her throat and out of her mouth.

Just then, a hand collided with her cheek. She hadn't even noticed her Mistress approaching her, the angry look in her eyes, the dark expression on her face. A loud pop rang out through the foyer as Mistress Alexa slapped her hard enough to send her tumbling to the ground, dazed. Her world spun, her head swimming. The wind had been knocked out of her.

She gasped, trying to regain her breath as she rolled over. Her face stung from where she'd been slapped, and she gently touched her cheek, moving her jaw to see how it felt, before remembering the weight of the situation.

It had come. Finally, it had come. The beatings. They were here. Her Mistress lied. That man should be in chains, she said. She would never hit Kat out of anger, she said. She loved Kat, she said. Lies, lies, all of them lies. Of course they were lies. She should've seen that coming, and felt incredibly stupid.

Looking up at her Mistress, tears welling in the corner of her eyes, she tried to speak, but couldn't. Mistress Alexa breathed heavily, towering above her like a demigod. Her Mistress was staring at the palm of her hand, wide eyed. Without looking to Kat, she said, "Go to your room. Now. We will deal with this tomorrow."

Tomorrow. The real beating came tomorrow. Kat rolled over and scrambled to her feat, shards of glass embedding themselves in her hands. She winced, but kept from crying out. She sucked the tears in, just for a moment longer, while she darted from the foyer, up the stairs, and to her room, leaving the guests aghast.

It had happened.

In her room, she stared at her hands, tears falling on her bloody palms. The ring her Mistress had given her still sat on her ring finger, a promise broken. She took it off and slung it across the room, and it hit the wall with a small clatter. She sobbed. It had happened. Oh god, it had happened. Of course it had. Of course.

She wanted to scream, to cry out, to do... something, anything. She wasn't sure what to do, but one thing was certain. She couldn't stay here. She wasn't about to be beaten again, especially not by her Mistress. She... she trusted her. She couldn't believe it. She was starting to trust the woman, and now, this. Her cheek still stung, but her heart stung more, and the tears freely flowed down her cheeks, dripping from her chin as she cried.

She had to leave.

Standing, she quickly changed out of her dress and into a more casual outfit, black jeans and the blue top her Mistress had given her. She threw her shoes on, and... and what? Was she going to run? Again? Did she really have to do this again?

She fell to her knees and hid her face in her hands, her tears and her blood mingling. She'd managed to pluck the glass from her hands but they still bled, aching. Oh god, she thought. Why did she do that? What had she done? Was this her fault? Did she deserve a beating, she wondered. Should she stay and take what she had coming?

No, she thought. Never again. An anger welled within her, a bitterness, and despite her best efforts to push it down, she found she couldn't, and the pain turned to anguish. To fury. With herself, with her Mistress, with him. He ruined everything. Again. And so did she. She pushed herself up and walked over to the window. It was a long way down, but there were bushes below her, hedges. She could make it.

She raised the window, and peered out and down. The rains were here now, lightly falling, but she knew it was just the beginning of the storm. It would be a bad one. Was she really ready to do this? Did she even have a choice?

She hesitated, and looked back. The ring had rolled into the center of the room, and now it glistened in the dim light of her lamp. She stared at it for a moment, watching it as though it would move. She could hear the murmur of the crowd downstairs, and knew what they were speaking about. Her.

Walking over to the ring, she bent down, and picked it up. Mistress Alexa had given her someone to trust, for the first time in five years. For the first time in five years, she felt comfortable, safe even, and that was over now. She examined the ring through her teary eyes. Sniffling, she thought on it, before slipping it back on her finger.

A memento, she thought. A memory. She'd keep the ring, she decided. If only to remember the only Owner to ever show her kindness. The scar on her back ached, though she wasn't sure if it was all in her head or not. Yes, she'd keep the ring. For the memories.

She thumbed it for a moment, before turning back to the window, and looking down once more. She could make that, she thought. It might not feel good on the landing, but she could do it. So... she would. And this was it. The end of her time here, at least, that was the hope, she thought bitterly. Some strange feeling welled within her, not trust, something darker.

She placed her bleeding hands on the windowsill, and on the count of three, she hoisted herself over, and fell.