"Who is he?"
"Master—"
"Answer my question?" Master William yelled. I could hear my heart drumming in my own ears.
"Do you have any interest in him?" He questioned, clenching his jaw.
I nodded, immediately earning myself a hard stinging slap on my left cheek that had me landing on the floor.
Tears stung under my eyes, I didn't dare look up. I didn't dare stand up.
"He wants to marry me.." I finally answered. "I apologize, If I angered you Master. I'm not good enough, I don't deserve to be here. I would like to go work in the field where I belong. You deserve better. I'm not the best looking person as you have mentioned. If I don't take this marriage proposal, I fear I will not have any other future proposals." I said these words hoping they would please him and he would grant me permission to leave. It had been three months since he broke my virginity. Three months of being spoiled and ravaged by him. I hope, my agreeing to being worthless would give him the satisfaction to allow me to take my leave.
"I will not disclose this to anyone, I promise." I added, my tears just kept flowing down my cheeks. I wouldn't let him see me cry.
After a moment of silence, he spoke. "...don't you ever call yourself not good enough, are you blind?!" He yelled and I flinched. "You must be as blind as a bat if you think you aren't good enough. Stand up!"
Praying he doesn't hit me again, I stood but kept my eyes down.
"Panashe.." He said calmly, he had never said my name before and I had actually believed he didn't know it.
"Look at me!" He demanded. It was hard, I couldn't keep eye contact.. I was intimidated.
"What is going on in here? You left Liam unattended!"
Thanking God for this interruption. I immediately rushed out of Master William's office.
Lady Tracy snarled with disgust as I left.
"Liam!" I called.
The boy immediately came racing, I picked him up and placed him on the wooden kitchen counter. I asked him what he wanted to have for lunch. He was always such a happy child, with his mothers green eyes and blonde hair. He was just adorable. It wasn't my fault that Master William had dragged me to his office after he read a letter I had received. He invaded my privacy.. did that even matter since he invaded everything I own including my vagina.
-Dear PanasheI had a wonderful time, thank you for taking that walk with me. You strike me as a very intelligent woman... not just beautiful with an impeccable body but smart too. I haven't stopped thinking about your smile. In fact I haven't stopped thinking about you at all. I walked to the Gallagher ranch and was informed that you work for junior Gallagher. I hope you don't mind me sending this letter to your working address.My father always said when you meet the woman whom you will marry, you will immediately know. I'm absolutely infatuated by you. I do not know if you get this often - you most probably do - but you're absolutely stunning. Such a kind soul with a good heart. I want my kids to have your golden brown eyes and your smile. If I wished for my daughter to have a body like yours.. I don't think I would be able to chase away all the flock of boys around her.
I would love to spend some more time with you if given the chance. I work throughout the week but I'm allowed to have a day off on Sundays. The Cunningham family are a very nice bunch. They even took me to school. I'd like to think they're better than the Gallagher's. If we marry, you would live here with me. I know the Gallagher's have a history of taking advantage of women from our kind. I just hope I can protect you before that occurs. They have been known to fetishize black woman, it is no banter. I do not want to see you get hurt.
I can safely say, I love you.Ps. Please respond with this address below. I can't wait to see you again.Love Elliot-I was getting ready for bed when, Master William came in without knocking. I was in my undergarments, I understand he has seen it all before but I still felt nervous under his eyes. I then remembered.."I apologize Master, I have been awfully occupied. I haven't had time to.. trim my—" I said looking at the floor.
"Rest assured, I am not here for.. that!" He said. "I expect you to look at me when I talk to you!"
Struggling to keep eye contact, I faced up. He towered over my 5'2 frame.
"Have you ever been kissed before?" He questioned. Believe it or not. I hadn't, he only ever filled me up sexually but never ever touched anywhere near my face.
"N-no."
He stepped closer.
"Master William, should I strip and lie down." I questioned nervously.
"No, I want to kiss you."
That had my heart pummeling out of my left rib cage.
"I'm disgusting!" I blurted out. "I mean to say Master William, you took my virginity. The least you could do is leave my first kiss. I beg of you!"
This made him chuckle.I didn't find anything amusing.
"I'm assuming you plan on giving it to Elliot? Poor Elliot... claiming that my family has a fetish for black women."
"He is to be my husband." blurted out, sweating like a pig. "He isn't exactly wrong."
"Are you that desperate?!"
I couldn't fathom all this because this was the first time he had actually conversed with me ever.
"He thinks I'm beautiful, I want to feel beautiful." I'm also annoyed by my own lack of confidence.
"Do you not think you're beautiful without anyone telling you? Do you not look in the mirror?" He spat.
"Master William, should I lie down.." I asked again.. at this point I just wanted to sleep. It had been a long day.. the sooner he started the sooner he would finish and I would be able to clean myself up then sleep.
"You're really pushing it now."
"Master—"
"Quit being obnoxious, it's Will."
I didn't say anything, I just blinked. He stepped closer. His hand cupped my chin, his thumb rubbing my bottom lip. I gulped down a feeling of fright and nervousness. This man's only mission was to ruin me.
And he did.
Once his lips touched mine, I was soaked. My skin tingled, my nipples hardened and everything felt like it was spinning. Removing his lips from mine he only smirked. I uncomfortably moved away from him. He didn't say a word as he left me flabbergasted.
I was washing a load dishes after Lady Tracy's friends had taken their leave. They held a book club every month and took turns hosting at each others houses. This month was Lady Tracy's turn."Your room wreaks of a male whiff." She said out of the blue. When had she even gone down there? I couldn't open the windows so I knew she was right. Anyone who knew the smell that was produced when male and female genitalia entertwined knew well enough that it didn't go away in just a few seconds. I had learnt that the hard way over these past couple of months. It required a lot of baths."Are you bringing men into my home?" Lady Tracy scowled. She looked very angry. I had no way of answering this, I could not tell her that her husband came in every night or sometimes twice per week, it all depended on his schedule or if Lady Tracy was asleep or out."No, Ma'am."My answered seemed to aggravate her. She immediately slapped me, it stung because she wore her wedding ring and it would surely leave
"Master William was here, yesterday." My dear mother said with a gentle smile. I did not wish to speak of him. I just sighed.."What's wrong Nashe?""I want to go back home.." I immediately burst out crying. I had been holding it in for so long that being with my mother.. just made me show my vulnerability out in the open."It's not easy out here in the field, my child." She rubbing soft circles behind my back. I knew why she was happy for me... My two brothers had been sold off when they were only sixteen and we hadn't seen them in over eight years. That hurt my mother deeply, we had no communication with them.. infact we did not know if they were still with the living."I know but—""No but's, this is what's best for you. I had to serve Master William's father and it did me good. My husband was treated better and so were my kids. Well atleast a tad bit better.."I was absolutely taken aback but then it all made sense how my mother had to spend the night else where and—My brothers!
Forget when I said I had it good.Just think of it no more.I nursed the bruises on my face, mainly under my eye. I dare say, as it may be, I deserved it. Master William's had visitors, they had supper here. Upon my serving... the seemingly old aged man grabbed my behind making me lose my grip on the tray I was holding. It all went daubing all over him and his wife. I didn't do it calculatedly, I swear I didn't. I was startled, this had happened so many times to me in my life but I still managed to be startled. It was never something I would get used to.The man continuously said that my owners didn't discipline me enough and that I was a little ungrateful floozy. He also kept talking about my body. He said it was my fault that I wore a dress that outline my behind like that. I did not own any tight fitting clothes, I did not understand what he wanted me to wear. I did not respond as I cleaned up the mess. As soon as I was done, Master William stared at me with so much vile anger. Lady
Lady Tracy was a dressmaker. She worked from home, she had a room where she did everything required. Master William also had his own office. There were two guest bedrooms and yet I still slept in the basement. Sometimes.. I thought Master William wanted me in the basement because of the things.. he wanted to do to me. These words kept ringing in my head.. 'Nothing can be heard from the basement.. you can moan as you please.'My name was called.I hurriedly went to the dining room where I met Elliot. He was smartly dressed in black worn out slacks and a brown dress shirt. His black 4c hair was smartly combed. He gave me a clean white smile. His teeth were so white, they were the highlight from his dark skin. He was a tad bit lighter than myself though."You could chat a little while I go fetch Mrs. Cunningham's possessions." Lady Tracy said with a hint of amusement. "Just don't do what I wouldn't." She warned.I panicked, what if she told him that she thought we were having sexual rela
Just when I was beginning to think, I was off the hook and he wasn't coming. I heard foot steps, steady as to not make any sound. The door slowly closed. I turned to look at him. He intimidated me."Don't call me Master William, it disgusts me." He said immediately cutting me off. You disgust me! I said to myself."Call me Will." He paused. "You make me feel like a bad person which I'm not." He took slow steps approaching me. I did not wish to this close to him. To call him by his name, no!"She will kill me." I finally said. "Is that what you want? You can beat me to a pulp for saying what I'm about to say but I don't care. I will gladly take it. I don't mind dying in fact I really want to die so badly and you would be doing me a favor."He seemed amused, he gave me a smirk. I looked away. I hate this man."I like this rebellious side of you. I was starting to think you're dim-witted.""She won't kill you." He added when I remained unwaveringly quiet."If you love her why are you doi
"You never touch me, William." I heard Lady Tracy whining. The door was closed but as I cleaned the passage, I could hear. "I'm a woman, I'm your wife.. I need to be touched. Liam is five, we ought to give him a sibling already.""I will not be having kids like we're breeding chickens. Liam is enough." Master William arrogantly yelled back. I could tell he was aggravated. I could also tell that his wife was desperate."We said we would have five kids and I'm best fertile now. We planned on a big family remember? Now whenever you're with me... you never cum or you claim to be tired then roll over. Is something wrong? Would you like to see a doctor.""Woman, don't disrespect me like that! It's not my fault you're as stretched out as a rubber band.""Wi..lliam!" Lady Tracy gasped clearly shocked. I felt awful for her. I couldn't wait to be stretched out.. maybe he would leave me alone."I gave you a son." She said in a quivering voice."Yes, I'm grateful for that!""No, you aren't if you
He ignored me.Not just for a day or two but for a week. I should be happy right? I'm not not happy. He didn't talk to me. He didn't laugh with me. He didn't share crude remarks with me. He acted mutual, like he didn't care if I was there or not. I probably sound stupid for trying to get his attention. I would always expect him to say something when we were alone but he did not, he would dismiss and tell me to close the door behind me. I do not know what I did. Before I went to sleep, I replayed everything I said that day. Did I say something wrong? I probably did. Maybe I came off as rude, I just did not understand why he had suddenly become distant.It all made sense when I saw her.I was replaced.Long curly bouncy hair, green eyes and a lighter skin tone. She was obviously the result of an... unwanted affair. She was much more appealing."This is my half sister.. Mary. She will be staying with us for a bit. She will help out around the house.." Lady Tracy informed me.Half sister?
Mr. Durham had his fiftieth birthday celebration. It was a milestone achievement into old age for someone with so much wealth and over seven children with different mothers. It wasn't anything new. I was—Obviously not very not invited.I knew how those always events planned out, I used to help serve every time there was an event at the Gallagher household. People would arrive extravagantly dressed up and powder faced. Socialize for a bit, more like comparing wealth and achievements. They would then gather around the piano for entertainment. Playing piano pieces composed by Oliver Shaw, Thomas Moore. Most of the time they just repeated the same songs like "Coming through the Rye," "Annie Laurie," "Old Dan Tucker" and "Oh, Susannah."... I had them all memorized by head.After their piano sessions they would eat because what's a party without a big meal. They would socialize and simultaneously find slaves to make a banter about or look for a slave to be angry at. The theme never got old