All The Hurt Would Go Away

I owe it to myself to try...

I hummed the tune of 'Satisfied' as I polished the dinner table, yes, I was listening to Hamilton. I was supposed to be listening to all different kinds of musicals but I just need to hear some friendly voices at this point. One thing I had become aware of though was the time slowly ticking on closer and closer to when Andrew would return, I had 20 minutes left and had finished polishing everything as he wished. I quickly put the cloth and polish back in the kitchen then went back to the mirror to fix myself up, it seems silly to dress up for Andrew but it's more for myself. If I feel like I look terrible I'd probably just stay home alone all day but since I can't, I have to do with what I have. And right now I have 15 minutes. I turned the music off so I could have a moment for reflection and sat back down on the couch. He obviously has intentions for tonight hence why he said I'd pay him back later, and he did say it would be gradually harder so I hope it's at least tolerable, well, so that I can handle it without any sort of emergency case. I listened to the slow ticking of each second on the clock and slowly became more agitated with the constant noise - how does Andrew cope with that? Ah, how could I forget? He's a psychopath. My mind wondered back to my phone, there's probably been many people trying to contact me and I can't do a damn thing about it, I mean, there's the house phone but the only number I know by heart is my mother's. I am not going to drag her into this mess at all, especially after all she's been through. I suppose I could try and get her to call Lin for me but she would only get suspicious. There's not much use anyway. As I reached the deadline of ten minutes I decided to explore the house for something I did not know I was looking for, I just needed a source of hope. Entering the kitchen I picked up the washcloth feeling the texture in my hands:

I picked up some of the bubbles from the mix onto my finger and ran it down his face.
"Oh you're gonna regret that."
I laughed as Andy proceeded to grab a dishcloth and soak it in the soapy water.
"What are you -?"
Then proceeded to wipe it across my face.
"To answer your question. It gets more water on you. More effective."

I was pulled out of my thoughts as the door lock clicked and I quickly ran out to the corridor - he said he wanted me by the door but if I ran any further he'd notice.
"Jon?"
"Yes? Yes Sir?"
I caught myself and luckily he let it slide.
"Uh, thanks for waiting, I didn't think you'd remember."
He looked up at me with a tantalising smirk, low blow, really low blow, but if this is how it'll be I'll take it.
"I made sure I would Sir. How was the job interview?"
"Good, thanks for asking, the guy was nice and I think I impressed him. Coat."
I watched as he stretched his arms out behind him and I quickly jolted to action removing his coat and placing it on the peg.
"So what have you been up to Jon?"
"I polished everything, then just had a while to myself, Sir."
He hummed in approval,
"Yes, I hoped you'd like that. Maybe I'll let you have alone time throughout the week, if you behave that is."
"Thank you Sir."
He hid a smile, I've had lots of time to focus on not mucking up his new request just so I could get privileges like that extra time.
"Good, very good, I see you've cleaned every surface. Now, I need to do some work in the study so I'm expecting you to make lunch. You can use anything in the fridge since everything I have, I like."
He winked at me then turned and left, I scolded myself for almost falling for it then walked into the kitchen. Why is Andrew trying to impress me though? Some sort of Stockholm syndrome type thing? I'll call him Sir but I hope he knows it is against my inclination, it's the last thing I'd like to call him. I opened the fridge door seeing the biggest variety of foods I'd seen in my life, obviously Andrew had a specific taste preference, an oddly specific one too. I shrugged and got out some sliced ham and a block of cheese, I'm sure he'll like ham and cheese sandwiches? Maybe I'll find crisps somewhere too... I found the cutlery drawer and found a reasonably sharp knife to cut the cheese into slices. Then about 15 minutes later both plates had sandwiches, crisps, and a muffin from the cupboard. Slowly I carried them through and placed them on the dining table, then approached the study:

"I was working daily and I knew if I wanted you I had to quit to spend time with you."
"Flattery won't get you everywhere. Sir Rannells."
"Don't worry, I have other methods. And if you call me Sir again you're gonna see them real quick."
I blushed as he winked at me then looked back down to his laptop. He remained eyes glued to the screen as he did numerous financial codes and math stuff. I guess he's the smart one out of the two of us.

I shuddered at the memory attempting to piece together when that was in my head, we must've been dating before the hospital, or was that three years ago dating? I slowly knocked on the door then entered seeing Andrew working on the exact same laptop, I stared at it as he tried to get my attention.
"Jon?"
"Hello? Jon what are you looking at?"
"Jon!"
I blinked out of my thoughts to see Andrew glaring at me.
"Sorry Sir, lunch is on the table."
I quickly left as I heard him muttering behind me about how sorry I would be later tonight, I couldn't even control it yet I will get punished. But he did say I have no control. I went to sit at the dinner table and a couple minutes later he joined me.
"Why haven't you started yet?"
"I thought I should wait for you Sir."
"Right, well, you can eat now."
He grudgingly stated, I quickly remembered I'd completely forgotten about drinks.
"What would you like to drink Sir?"
"Water. You have water too."
"Yes Sir."
He knows I hate the plain taste of water, I always have the water either flavoured or ice cold. I just can't stand it otherwise. Pouring two glasses full of disgusting tap water, I later returned and placed them on the dining table. We began to eat and after say 20 minutes we were both finished.
"You haven't drunk any of your water."
I looked up at him and he had that look in his eyes - the 'challenge me I dare you' look.
"No, I haven't Sir."
"Go on then, down it."
I can't chug down plain freaking water! I'll either gag or puke or feel terrible after. Let alone get hiccups, choke, or die from choking.
"Sir -"
"- Go on. I told you to do something, do it."
I sighed staring down at the glass, I haven't had plain water since the flashbacks started. Even Lin said he requested ice cold water at the hospital so I could drink it.
"Jon, I haven't got all day."
I grabbed the glass and began to empty it into my mouth, my eyes squinted shut as an attempt to trick my brain into thinking I was consuming something else. It wasn't working. I slammed the empty glass on the table once I was done and erupted into a choking and spluttering fit after having so much water and no time to process it. In the background I could hear Andrew pushing his chair back and leaving the room, an obvious sign he was not impressed. He's gotta accept I did what he asked though, even if  I couldn't keep my cool afterwards, I raised a hand to my chest and patted it as a way to die down the coughing fits which I'm still unsure whether it works or not.
"Jon?"
I took a deep breath then approached the study door, remembering to knock first.
"Come in."
"Yes Sir?"
"I've decided to allow you one phone call to Lin, it can be at any time. As a payment you must only drink tap water - nothing else. Okay?"
"Yes Sir."
I moved to leave but heard his voice behind me.
"Go to the kitchen and pour yourself another glass of water then come back here."
Is he kidding? I know water is healthy but that's why I still have it ice cold. There is really no need for me to have tap water whatsoever.
"Jon?"
"Yes Sir?"
"Move."
I rushed to the kitchen and placed the glass under the tap then once full I returned.
"Whenever I say for you to have some water, do not hang around. Understand?"
"Yes, sorry Sir."
"Right, you can either down that now or put it upstairs in our bedroom for later. I don't mind which."
"I'll have it now Sir."
"Smart move."
I finished the glass and put it in the dishwasher, still cringing from the plain taste of it. I'm glad I chose the correct choice; I don't want to give Andrew any sort of object to use against me during the night. But that doesn't stop him getting some water himself. Who am I kidding, water is the nicest thing he could force me to handle. I went to the living room and lay down on the couch, maybe if I don't move for long enough he'll forget I exist. I stared at the ceiling and listened to the ticking of the clock as the time slowly edged on, giving me the slightest hope that it will be over soon.