Her Little Helper

Chapter 10

*Abigail's POV*

"Three."

The look in Mama's eyes was an unwavering sign that I was in big, big trouble. But I didn't wanna be in trouble! So I took off running before Mama could even move. 

I dashed through her office and out to the little waiting room. I didn't know where I was running to, but I just knew I wanted to escape the punishment that surely awaited me when Mama got her hands on me. I rounded the corner, hoping maybe that I could find sanctuary with Erin at the front desk. But as soon as I turned I hit a tall, solid object. It sent me to the ground, making me land hard on my butt. This only made the tears stream more. 

"Ooo, be careful, little one," said a deep voice above me. I looked up through tear-blurred eyes to see a tall man towering above me. He wore a well-tailored suit and had his styled neatly, with the sides of his head buzzed and the top waving elegantly above.

"Abigail Elizabe-, oh!" I heard Mama's voice shout angrily behind me, being swiftly cut off I'm assuming by the sight of whatever big man I had just crashed into. 

He extended his hand to me, offering to pull me to my feet. I accepted his gesture, avoiding making eye contact with him. He was tall, super tall. Even taller than Mama. He chuckled as I whimpered beneath him, wiping the tears from my eyes. I thought Mama was supposed to fire anyone who laughed at me. Why would she just let that happen? 

"Samuel," Mama said, clearly surprised but trying to keep a professional presence. "What are you doing here? Did we have a meeting scheduled?" 

I stood in between Mama and the man, unsure as to where to go or what to do with myself. 

"Abigail, come here, sweetheart," Mama said, seeing my uncertainty. I hesitated. Would she punish me in front of this stranger? In front of Erin? She sat quiet as a church mouse behind her desk, eyeing the interaction happening before her. I eventually gave in and obeyed Mama's command. She held out her hand for me to take and I shuffled behind her somewhat. That man was intimidating, and even though I was most definitely in trouble with Mama, being behind her brought me a sense of safety. 

"Who's this sweet little thing?" Said Samuel, smiling brightly.

Mama didn't smile back. Instead, she spoke plainly. "Samuel, this is Abigail. Abigail, this is Samuel Baxter." 

Samuel Baxter? The one who stole Mama's last little? What was he doing here? Mama had a look in her eyes that made it seem as though she was asking herself the same question. 

"Well Abigail," Samuel replied with a smile, "it's a pleasure to meet you." He bowed his head slightly as he said it. I half-smiled, too shy to show any other kind of response to the intimidating man. 

"Samuel, what can I do for you?" Mama said, her face like stone and her voice sharp as a needle. It was clear she didn't expect him to be here, nor did she want him to.

"Well I heard some good news through the grapevine that you had adopted a new little." He stated with an excited chuckle. "I figured I'd come by and introduce myself."

"Why," Mama asked interrogatively, "so you can steal her from me too?" Samuel smiled, though it didn't feel genuine. 

"Oh, Savannah," he said somewhat dismissively. "I did not steal Molly. She made the decision all by herself to be my little."

"That's bullshit and we all know it, Samuel. You're probably more of a sugar daddy than an actual daddy." Mama said, anger slipping into her tone. I giggled with surprise at her use of a bad word. She heard this and gave my hand a firm squeeze, as though telling me this was serious and I needed to stay quiet.