His Prize

Chapter 29: A Parbeing Party (Part 1)

We're cooking an eggs and bacon breakfast. I figured that if I learn to cook, then even when he isn't home, I can still have fancy meals.

"That bacon looks like it'll be ready in two minutes," he says, looking over my shoulder.

On the note of him not being home. "Can I hang out in the backyard today?"

He stops scrambling the eggs. "No."

"But it's just for today. I won't-"

"I said no. You need to learn to respect my authority as your owner."

"I just-"

"Nina! Enough."

Fine. Whatever. I move the bacon to a cold plate and head to my bedroom, closing the door behind me.

I lie on the bed. Screw his bacon and eggs. I can make my own breakfast after he leaves. He clearly doesn't want me there anyway.

Some time passes, and my anger has turned to sadness. He opens the door. I don't face him, rather choosing to stare out the window.

The mattress bends as he sits. "Breakfast is on the table."

"Okay," I say, still looking out the window.

"I don't want to leave for work on a sour note." He rests his hand on my hip.

"I'm fine... you can leave."

"No, you're definitely not. Tell me what's wrong."

"If I tell you... you'll just scold me before I can finish."

"I won't. I will listen."

I watch the window for a while longer.

I sit up and lean against the headboard. "I know that you're my owner, and I do respect your authority. That's why I was asking for your permission... It's just that... I don't like being inside the whole day... Even though you said no, I just thought that maybe if I told you that, then you'd reconsider. That was all."

"You aren't allowed in the backyard today, but not letting you speak was my mistake. This whole pet thing is new for me too. I'm going to mess up sometimes." He opens his arms for a hug.

I hug him.

"Well if it wasn't new for you, I'd be really worried," I joke.

We return to the kitchen and begin eating.

"If you want to go outside, you can come with me to work."

"Really?"

He nods.

"I'll come."

"We leave in five minutes."

"Five minutes!? I haven't even showered yet."

"Tick tock." He taps on his watch.

* * * * * * * *

"I look like a moron," I sigh, looking down at my clothes. I didn't have time to dry my swimsuit at all, and now my clothes are covered in wet patches. That includes my whole t-shirt other than the sleeves, and an underwear shape on my pants. And we're just around the corner from the military base.

He glances at me. "Did you wear your swimsuit in the shower and then put your dry clothes over it?"

"Yea."

"Why?" he asks, perplexed.

I'd rather not talk about that. "It's just what I like to do." I pull my hair out from under the neck chain. That way it's less visible. I was in such a rush I didn't even notice till now.