My Little Pup

Chapter 13

A few days have passed since the bittersweet reunion with my father.

Heeding my father's warning, I've made a conscious effort to think before I acted. There were some close calls when I physically had to bite my tongue to prevent me from mouthing off against Negan whenever he uttered a crude comment, which was often.

Negan poked and prodded at my mental and emotional resolve daily, testing its integrity to see if he could cause a rise out of me. I held firm, refusing to fly off the handle no matter how bad I wanted to.

My compliance was rewarded in true Negan fashion when he upgraded me from laundry duty to full-blown housekeeper. Along with the laundry, my duties now include vacuuming, dusting, and cooking, amongst other household chores.

"You've been doing such a fucking phenomenal job washing my rancid boxers that I figured it was time to promote you." Negan had explained his reasoning behind the promotion. "Also, view it as a sign of trust. I've flung a shit ton of shit your way the past few days and you've fucking taking it in stride. I must admit, I'm proud of ya, pup."

'Proud of me ?' I wasn't expecting that reaction from him.

Negan is such a hard-ass to the point where it's out of place for him to show any emotion that doesn't involve tearing someone down. This fact made gaining his genuine approval and trust truly unprecedented. I can't squash this opportunity.

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I thought that I was tired before when having to spend my days doing Negan's, and whoever else's clothes he decided to add, laundry. Boy, how I wish that I could go back to that!

He wakes me at the crack of dawn so that I can begin brewing his coffee while he's getting ready. Occasionally, his order will be expanded to include an omelet or bowl of oatmeal with his beverage. Either way, his coffee and breakfast better be waiting for him by the time he comes into the kitchen.

After I've washed and changed into my clothes for the day, Negan would pass on my honey-do list for the day before walking out the door. Each task is to be completed before his return later that evening. I don't dare ask what would happen if the list was incomplete.

Only after Negan leaves, and my babysitter for the day arrives, am I able to prepare breakfast for myself. I know to prepare two helpings of food if it's Simon's lucky day to watch me; the man never turns down a meal.

After cleaning the kitchen from breakfast, the honey-do list begins. The chores are usually the same everyday – vacuum, laundry, prepare lunch for Negan if he isn't gone on a run, dishes, etc.

My initial thought – 'How much mess could one man make that would require daily maintenance?'

A lot… A whole damn lot….

I don't know how it's humanly possible, but he manages to dirty anything that I had just spent hours cleaning. Whether it's constantly coming upstairs and walking on the freshly mopped floors with shoes covered in dust and unknown substances, or choosing to sit on the furniture with his filthy clothes on, knowing that there will be stains left. I'm constantly cleaning up after him.

Only after straightening up from dinner, am I finally off-duty for the day.

By that time, I'm nearly begging Negan to attach the chain to my collar for me to finally get some shut-eye, knowing that the tiring routine commences again tomorrow.