Dangerous black ties

In trouble

I walk out of the bakery into a small dimly lit street, lock the shop, and see Dexter leaning against his car, smoking a cigarette.

Immediately he put it out once he saw me smashing it with his foot. The small ember was destroyed immediately.

My feet were dragging heavily and relentlessly, and exhaustion was weighing heavy on me.

Seeing Dexter standing there with a stern expression only made my heart beat faster. I wasn't scared, but I knew they weren't going to be happy. I agreed to the rules, and already on the second day I messed up. I'm not even sure how many rules.

The cool air surrounded me. Fueling my anxiety. Dexter's face showed concern and frustration as I noticed his arms crossed tightly over his chest.

"Meredith, get in the car," Dexter said in a low and firm voice.

"I'm sorry, I left my phone in my locker, and I lost track of time. I should have checked in." I say softly, looking down.

Dexter grabbed my chin firmly as he forced me to look into his eyes. "You know the rules are there for a reason and our peace of mind."

I simply nodded as guilt started to course through my veins.

Dexter sighed deeply as he ran his hand through his hair.

Dexter guided me to the passenger seat of his car, his arm resting on my waist as he opened the door, and helped buckle me in.

Without saying another word.

The drive was filled with uncomfortable silence and
I felt the tension increase as we made it back to Edison's house.

As he opens my door for me.
Dexter's voice still sounded frustrated. "Come inside," he said with a tone that left no room for argument.

I felt Dexter place his hand on my lower back, guiding me to the entrance. The small amount of heat somehow eased my anxiety a little bit.

I walked through the front door, and the atmosphere was thick with tension.

I see the three of them all looking dark and stern. I saw Edison standing in the middle of the living room. Alex and Jeremy both sat on the edge of the couch.

Dexter was leaning against the wall by the front door, having just picked me up. His arms were crossed.

I heard a deep sigh. Before Edison said, "You didn't think it was important to let us know what was happening? We have been worried sick."

I shifted uncomfortably under their intense gazes. The floor slightly creaked under my weight as I shifted anxiously.

"I'm sorry, I left my phone in my locker and didn't notice. I didn't realize how late it was until I checked my messages. My co-worker left early, so I was stuck closing," I say softly.

Dexter stepped forward. "Do you think that's good enough? Do you think we're just going to let this slide? You agreed to the rules." He tells me, arching his brow.

Alex, who had been silent until now, stood up and walked over and stood beside Dexter. "We're not mad about staying late at work," he said, briefly pausing his tone, still serious. "What we are upset about is that you didn't tell us you would be staying late. You left us in the dark."

I looked up at them. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I promise I'll keep my phone with me from now on." My voice is soft; seeing all their disappointed looks is not helping me stay strong.

My gaze snaps to the ground.

Jeremy shook his head; his eyes narrowed. "You think a simple promise is going to fix this? Sorry, but no, you need to understand how serious this is."

Edison crossed the room in seconds, his slight footsteps filling the silence as he grabbed my chin, forcing my eyes up to look into his icy blue eyes.
"When we tell you something, you listen," he says, pausing briefly before saying. "You have rules, Meredith; no more excuses. You belong to us now, and that means you don't just disappear whenever and however long you feel like."

His grip on my chin was firm but not painful.

I swallowed hard. "Yes, sir," I whispered as I felt my anxiety rising.

Alex sighed, "Good. Because the last thing we want is for you to get hurt or lost because you weren't thinking, we need to know where you are and how long you are going to be there."

Jeremy, who had been watching you closely, finally relaxed his stance a little, though his eyes were still hard. "We understand things happen expectedly. You have a phone; you are supposed to call any one of us and let us know about the change of plans. The story closes at 9. One of us could have helped you so you could have gotten off at a decent time. We're going to do this because we care about you," he said, his voice firm. "Because you need to start taking that seriously."

I opened my mouth to respond, but Jeremy cut in before I could get a word out, interrupting me.

"We don't need excuses," he said, his voice sharp. He shakes his head, running his hand on his lower jaw. "You've been gone for hours without a single word. You had us thinking something happened to you."

Edison lightly sat a pillow on the couch.
"Drop your pants and lean over the couch on the pillow. It's soft, so it shouldn't hurt your ribs." Edison says as he lightly smacks the pillow.

The shocking reality of the situation was unfolding before my very eyes finally understood what was about to happen.

"I left my phone by mistake. I really didn't mean to cause any trouble," I say, trying to plead my case.

Dexter's eyes narrowed. "It's about communication and making sure we know where you are and for how long. It's serious when you just disappear when you say a certain time you are supposed to get off and contact us. Now do as you were told, Meredith," he says, still leaning against the wall.

I felt my lip tremble as I dropped my pants; the feeling of humiliation ran through my veins. Kicking them off slightly as I softly get situated on the pillow, my head softly resting on the couch.

Dexter approached me. His expression seemed to slightly soften but was still serious. "It's not just about the rules, principessa," he said. "It's about making sure you're safe and keeping us informed."

I looked at him and said, "I didn't mean to cause a problem." My voice is breaking even more. "I'll do better, I promise."

Dexter nodded, his tone gentler. "We know you didn't mean to, but you have to understand why it's important for you to be responsible. Remember count."

Dexter took a step closer and gave my bottom a few sharp stinging smacks with the palm of his hand.

The simple fact already made a tear threaten to spill out of my pooling eyes.

"That's a reminder to keep us updated," he told me sternly.

I heard Edison approach; his face was stern.


"Meredith baby." I hear Edison say his voice was calm but firm at the same time. "We're doing this to remind you of the importance of following the rules and keeping us informed. It's not just about punishment; it's about ensuring you understand why these rules exist."

His hand firmly hit my bottom. Each swat was deliberate and measured. I felt myself involuntarily flinch slightly with each impact.  Each number fueled my embarrassment about my current situation.

My eyes were still pooling with tears that threatened to release me at any moment.

After he had finished, he softly rubbed my lower back for a moment. He reached out and softly brushed his fingers on my cheek. "This isn't going to be easy, but it's necessary. We need you to grasp the rules and why it's important to follow them." before he kisses my cheek in a calm, reassuring manner.


I see Jeremy approach me next; he radiated authority yet is still comforting. "Meredith, baby," he said gently, "we're not doing this to be harsh. It's because we care about you and want you to stay safe. The rules are there to protect you, what is best for you, and this is a way to help you remember that."

His eyes looked at me disappointed for a few moments. "You need to understand the gravity of not informing us. It's not just a minor issue. It is a big deal. You need to be responsible for your actions." His hand came down on my bottom a few times, making me flinch. Small tears escaped my eyes. It hurt, but not that bad; it was hurting my feelings more than anything.

"You're part of a team, and that means following the rules and keeping us in the loop."

His words upset me, as I knew I upset them. I hated upsetting people.


He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder in a comforting manner; his touch was warm and comforted me slightly after what had just happened. "We're here to support you, but sometimes that means making difficult decisions."

Alex, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke. His voice was gentle yet still laced with firmness. "Meredith, we're not trying to punish you out of spite. This is about making sure you understand the importance of following the rules. It's for your safety, well-being, and peace of mind. It's about respect for the rules and us."

Alex's gaze was unwavering. "It's serious because it affects everyone." He harshly gave my bottom a few firm smacks.

His eyes conveyed genuine concern and empathy: "We hope this helps you see why it's essential to communicate and know the expectations set for you."

Dexter, having observed everything, helped me to my feet, his expression a mix of softness and sternness.

Engulfing me in a tight, much-needed hug.
"We all care about you, and we want you to be okay. This was necessary, but it's done now. You need to get some rest, and we'll talk more about this in the morning."

Edison approached me with a softer demeanor. His face was now marked by concern and care rather than sternness.

Dexter and Edison share a silent conversation.

"Meredith," he began gently taking me from Dexter; my tears had finally broken.

He followed me to the bedroom, "You did take responsibility for your actions. Now, let's get you settled and comfortable; it is way past your bedtime."

Eventually Dexter returned with a jar of soothing crème. His demeanor was soft as he approached me. "I know that was hard, but you need to understand why we did it. Let's take care of the discomfort."

I hesitated, still feeling a bit defensive. "I'm fine; I just didn't realize it would be this intense."

Dexter applied the crème to my bottom with a tender touch, not listening to my growing stubbornness. "It's okay to need some care after what happened. We're here for you, even if we have to be firm sometimes." His movements were careful and soothing.

Jeremy waited until the cream had been applied before helping me with my clothes, making sure I was comfortable. "We will stay with you until you fall asleep. It's important that you feel safe and cared for."

Alex softly brushed the small tears that had fallen off my cheeks. "It's over, okay, we aren't upset anymore."

As I climb into bed, the sting of the punishment feels on my sore bottom. I knew that tomorrow would bring further conversations and adjustments.

Edison approached his demeanor, softening further as he saw how affected I was. "Hey, you're doing great," he said softly. "I know that was difficult, but we all want the best for you."

He gently brushed my hair away from my face and helped me get settled into bed. "I'll be right here if you need anything. Just try to relax and focus on resting. You need to take care of yourself."

Edison sat beside me, his presence calm and reassuring. He spoke in a soothing tone, trying to alleviate the distress I felt. "Remember, we're here to support you."

Jeremy came in next, offering a sympathetic smile. "I know that wasn't easy for you," he said gently. "We just want to make sure you understand the importance of following the rules. We have almost every one of them for your benefit."

He helped adjust the blankets around me, ensuring I was comfortable. "It's okay to feel upset. We're all here for you, and we're not going anywhere."

Jeremy sat down beside me, offering a comforting presence. "If you need to talk or just want some quiet company, we are here. Just focus on getting some rest."

Alex arrived last, his expression soft and understanding. "I know the punishment was hard," he said quietly. "But we did it because we care about you and want to keep you safe."

He helped tuck me in and sat on the edge of the bed. "You've handled everything well, and now it's time to take care of yourself. Try to relax and sleep; it's late, gattina."

Alex placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "If you need anything or just want to talk, we are here for you. You're part of this team, and we're all here to support each other."

With gentle reassurance and caring touches, they helped me settle down, making sure I felt safe and understood. The night ended with a sense of calm, each of them having contributed to both the discipline and the comfort, ensuring I felt supported and ready to rest.