Dominant

Chapter 10

I sit at my vanity, my face is so pale. Could be malnutrition. Three days with no food can wear on you. Not that I care for myself at this point. My door squeaks open behind me. I look to the left of my mirror, Mark holding a platter of delicious smelling Italian food.

"Food for my mister?" He says quietly. I look away from the mirror and slowly shake my head no, I haven't spoken to him in three days. Since the paparazzi confirmed my biggest fear. "Well. I have a request."

I look to him slowly, and sit silently. He probably wants me to leave.

He clears his throat. "I have a formal dinner scheduled tonight. The new stations and all of my closest investors and family will be there and I... wish for you... to go.... with me... and. Be. My accompanied, uh.... date?" He says awkwardly.

My face turns red. "Your date? Like your boyfriend? Or..."

"Yes. I want to announce our relationship. That is. If you still want that." He mumbles. "I have a suit waiting for you, if you wish to accompany me this evening, just um... let me know."

He steps out and I stare at the door in disbelief. Was this his way of apologizing for his behavior just days before? Does he even care about how his words made me feel? Mr. Adams knocks and slowly opens the door, carrying a black dress bag.

"My my, I do say that Mr. Fischbach seems quite infatuated with your presence in the home, Mr. Northstrum... I mean... Ryland." He says, smiling. "Are you going to accompany him to the dinner this evening? It is quite a marvelous and privileged event. It upholds some of the greatest and wealthiest individuals in North America. I even believe that Mistress Levine will be making your acquaintance as well!" He says excited, laying down the bag on the bed. He unzips it and pulls out an all white suit, almost making me squint in distaste. He really doesn't know me. Why on earth would any human trust me to wear all white?

"Richard, that suit is hideous. I do not want to wear that!" I say, almost offended Mark would put me into something so unlike me.

"My apologies, Mr. Fischbach also requested you wear this." He reached in his pocket and pulls out a deep red handkerchief. "A pop of color, he said you would not like the... blandness. Although I must say, it is a black and white formal. He seems to be bending the rules." He says, embarrassed.

I smile slightly, gently grabbing it from his hands. "Soft and playful. He really does know something about me, huh?" I say, almost impressed. Bending the formalwear rule for me is a step in the right directions. Although, I do wish to test his patience. I reach in the bag and dig to the bottom, pulling out a pair of bright and shiny white loafers with a golden buckle. "Dear god, Richard, he is trying to turn me into a grandfather."

"Mr. Fischbach plans to be in full black attire. You know what they say, opposites attract." He says playfully, as I eye myself in the mirror.

"This is the only night he has to prove to me that he is willing to sacrifice his dirty secret for me." I whisper, turning to Richard as a look of confusion plasters his face.

"If you... don't mind me asking?..."

"Your employer lives with homosexual tendencies, mixed with heterosexual tendencies. I am not quite certain, but our relationship has reached a point of obvious intersection." I mumble bitterly. "I will not be with a man who refuses to tell his peers of our relations, he knows that, I know that, so tonight is the only night he has to prove to me that I should stay here."

Richard smiles. "Oh believe me, I knew of his sexuality Ryland. He has had relations with many misters and mistresses of the manor before. How far they went, I am not too sure. But all of them ended with the individuals quitting spontaneously or being fired with no notice. Some even filled restraining orders against their previous employer." He whispers. I shiver at the thought. Could we end up like that? I sure hope not. Richard turns me to face him, a bright and pearly smile on his cheeks "Fret not, I can tell the master very much enjoys your presence here. He has never taken anyone to the dinner before."

I step away from him slightly. "D-Did you just call him master?"

His face drains of color, causing him to let out an awkward and forced laugh. "Why of course not! Anyhow, you should get ready now. I will leave your quarters!" He says rushing to the door.

"Richard, I..." I call out, the door slamming abruptly.

That was so strange.