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He knew Rebecca would have to forgive herself for whatever she believed had led her down this path. It was clear to him that she carried a heavy burden of self-blame. He understood the importance of helping her heal and rebuild her self-esteem.
Rebecca’s essay laid bare her innermost thoughts and feelings, providing a raw and honest account of her current state and aspirations for the future. The words she’d written showcased her determination to acknowledge her errors and make amends.
Putting the essay to the side, he opened his arms. “Come here, darling.”
As Dante settled into his chair to read her work, Rebecca fought the urge to look up at him. She focused her gaze on the palms of her hands where they lay on her knees. It made her vulnerable and open, but not weak. The room around them seemed to quiet, reality narrowing to this intimate bubble that contained just the two of them. The floor beneath her was solid but the rug cushioned her legs. The position was unfamiliar but not uncomfortable.
At first, her mind buzzed with guilt and chaos—fragmented thoughts, lingering to-do lists, echoes of conversations—like persistent gnats. But as she remained still, her butt resting on her heels, the fractured pieces stopped. The simple act of assuming this position before Dante drew a line between the world out there and the world in here.
Rebecca inhaled a deep and steadying breath. She sought out Dante’s rhythm and found synchrony in their breathing almost without thought. It was as if their bodies remembered this dance even when their conscious minds were elsewhere. In... out.... Her breaths matched his, a shared cadence that tethered her to the here and now.
With each shared breath, her scattered thoughts dissipated like fog under the morning sun. They weren’t repressed or forced away but dismissed with compassion, as she acknowledged them and then let them go. There was a purity to the act of kneeling, a stripping away of complex, cognitive noise.
The room around them faded, the world and its relentless pace receding into a distant hum. In this space, time seemed malleable, stretching out and enfolding them in a timeless embrace. Her awareness homed in on the sound of their breathing. She also noticed the reassuring strength in Dante’s presence, the subtle scent of his cologne, and the faint flutter of the pages as he turned each one.
Her busy mind quieted down in the knowledge that she didn’t have to do anything. She wasn’t required to interact, nor was she expected to perform or please. She pleased Dante by kneeling and waiting for him to read her words. The worry about those words was a distant hum in the back of her mind, but the thoughts didn’t take hold of her. The restless energy it normally would have provoked was kept at bay under Dante’s command.
Rebecca found herself in a state of mindfulness she had never experienced before, a place of singular clarity and unwavering presence. It wasn’t about emptying her mind but filling it with the moment. This was a surrender, but not a defeat. It was a surrender to trust, to the sanctity of their bond. It was also a profound understanding that, in this sacred space, they were precisely where they needed to be. Kneeling transformed from being a physical position into a psychological state.
Rebecca closed her eyes and smiled as more tension drained from her muscles.
She didn’t know how long she remained in the position, and time didn’t matter. She was content.
Dante shifted in his chair and the pad landed on the side table. “Come here, darling.”
She looked up at him, finding his gaze fixed on her, steady and unwavering. The corners of his mouth tilted upward in a gentle, affirming smile. The warmth in his eyes was the anchor she needed, a silent reassurance that here, in this space, she was safe and cherished.
Rebecca rose to her feet, dismissing the pinpricks of sensation that accompanied her restored circulation. The minor discomfort paled in comparison to Dante’s warmth. She nestled against his chest, finding solace in the crook of his neck, where his scent of his cologne enveloped her.
With every inhale, she drew in not only the comforting aroma but also the reassuring strength of his body against hers. Convinced he wouldn’t turn that strength against her, not like.... She forcefully pushed that thought away, refusing to dwell on it. Not now, not here.
Rebecca nestled in Dante’s embrace, finding comfort in his strong and reassuring presence. As he spoke, his words were like a gentle embrace for her soul.
“You know, Rebecca,” he said, his voice tender and warm, “your essay was incredibly brave. It takes a lot of courage to lay bare your insecurities, fears, and desires like you did. To let someone in, to trust them enough to show your vulnerabilities.”
Rebecca’s heart swelled with gratitude at his kind words. She hadn’t expected such understanding and support. Meeting his gaze with sincerity, she replied, “Thank you, Sir. It means a lot to hear that from you.”
Dante nodded, his expression softening. “Now, Rebecca, there’s another part of your assignment. You need to apologize for your actions this morning, for snooping and invading others’ privacy. While I understand you didn’t have ill intentions, it’s essential to acknowledge how your actions affected trust and the budding connections you were starting to build.”
Rebecca’s body tensed momentarily, and anxiety gripped her throat at the thought of apologizing. However, she knew it was necessary to make amends and rebuild trust. With a deep breath, she found the courage to speak. “I do remember, Sir,” she said, her voice steady now. “I want to apologize for my actions this morning. I didn’t mean to invade anyone’s privacy or harm the trust we’re building here. My curiosity got the best of me, and I’m deeply sorry for any discomfort or breach of trust my actions may have caused.”
CHAPTER 14
After coordinating a community gathering in the 101 Room with Master Derek, Dante spent the rest of the day helping Rebecca brace herself for the public apology. Besides a brief jaunt to the shop, they hunkered down in his room, working to ease her nerves. The ordeal ahead was no small feat for Rebecca, and while the anxiety was part of the punishment, Dante didn’t want her to crumble or clam up when faced with the crowd. Despite its punitive nature, he hoped this experience would be constructive for her.
The 101 Room was on the second floor of the main resort and had seen its fair share of events. Now, it was the stage for Rebecca’s public apology.
As Dante stepped in, the room’s functionality struck him. The high ceiling seemed to echo the gravity of what was to come. While there was a spotlight that could be fixed on the stage, he’d not wished to subject Rebecca to such harshness. Instead, he’d settled on allowing the gentle glow from the overhead lighting to set a contemplative mood.
The hardwood floor echoed with each footstep across what he was sure felt like an open minefield that Rebecca would have to traverse alone. The theater-style seats, lined up in neat rows, waited for the audience that would soon fill them, their judgment hanging in the air.
He looked at the windows, their thick drapes holding the night at bay. Dante was used to standing strong in rooms like this, defending his clients. But tonight, it was Rebecca, untrained in facing public scrutiny, who’d stand at that podium.
As the room transitioned from a space where demonstrations and lectures were given to a daunting courtroom of sorts, Dante felt a knot in his stomach. Tonight, the room wasn’t about some enlightening demonstration; it was about the courage Rebecca would need to face the crowd and speak her truth.
Rebecca stood nervously by Dante’s side, her eyes flitting between the room’s details and the gathering crowd. Prepared yet weighed down by the reality of what was expected of her, she seemed to shrink. She looked young and vulnerable. The room hummed with subdued chatter as Littles mingled with their Bigs and friends. He wanted to haul her off to his room and keep her safe. But no…
Dante had orchestrated this gathering for Rebecca to publicly acknowledge her missteps and seek forgiveness. A chance for her to mend fences within their community and show her dedication to making amends. Scanning the room, he noticed a mix of curiosity and concern, but what surprised him was that he didn’t see a single judgmental look on the faces around him.
