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Charli seemed even more relaxed, which was fair. The contracts were a form of protection.
“So, when do we start?” she asked.
“Right now,” I said, stowing my copy of the contract in my briefcase.
“Yes, Master,” Charli whispered with conviction.
I reached across the table for her hand, but just as I was about to touch her, a sound cut through the cafe like an air raid siren. Everyone’s cell phone went off at once. It was a city-wide message.
We were going into lockdown, to quarantine due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Everyone had twenty-four hours to get home, and until further notice, no one would be permitted to leave except for emergencies.Chapter 7 - CharliHe was amazing. I felt so safe and protected by my master. People all around us freaked out, but Max kept calm.
He called the office and told Elsa to get home before sending out a company-wide email confirming that everyone could work remotely and that their jobs were safe. He then called for a car.
The biggest, fanciest vehicle I’d ever seen pulled up to the curb by the door of the café. It wasn’t a limo, but it was very close to being one. There was even a driver in a uniform who opened the door for us.
I thought we would go straight to his place in Montauk. Max had clarified that we would be doing the training there away from the city and the panic the lockdown had brought, but I was surprised when the car stopped in front of my building.
“Get anything you need,” he said. “You have one hour.”
That was way more time than I needed. I got a bag packed with essentials and was back in the car within twenty minutes—one of the few advantages of not owning much. I had always been a minimalist at heart, and not just because I usually didn’t have much spending money. I just liked things to be simple and predictable.
Except for this, of course.
Now nothing at all in my personal or professional life—or the world at large—was either of those things, but I didn’t care. I was excited to discover what my future with Max might hold. I was ready to be done being boring and predictable, and to become spontaneous and adventurous with him.
“Ready?”
“Yes, Sir,” I said, as he’d instructed me to do when around others.
During the drive, he seemed to ignore me. I didn’t know if it was part of the training, or if he was just thinking. Either way, I remained silent and waited for him to speak first. It wasn’t long until I got used to the silence.
Closing my eyes, I listened to the hum of the engine as we sped out of the city, managing not to get stuck in traffic.
We pulled up a long, tree-lined driveway, and when I saw the house, my jaw dropped. I had seen similar mansions on TV and in movies, but I never thought I’d ever get to stay in such a place.
“Thank you, Cedric,” Max told the driver. “Go home and be with your family.”
“Sir,” the driver replied with a bow.
Max took me by the hand and led me up the front steps to the place I would call home for the immediate future.
“Did you eat enough?” he asked, hanging up my coat.
My stomach grumbled in response.
“No, Master.”
“Come with me.”
I’d heard that some of the greatest cooks in the world were men, but I never suspected my sweet master of being among their number. But the silver domed tray he presented me within the echoing chamber of his dining room carried some of the finest food I’d ever tasted.
“Have as much as you like,” he said as I made a pig of myself.
I ate as much as I could handle and then a little more when the dessert tray came out. I felt full. It hurt a bit, but it was the good kind of pain that comes from true satisfaction.
“Place your palms on the dinner table,” Max instructed me.
I obeyed him, laying both of my palms flat on the polished oak tabletop as he took the trays back to the kitchen. He returned a moment later, looking serious. I knew the first part of the training had begun.
“Stay here, in this position, until I get back.”
“Yes, Master.”
It seemed like such a simple task. What I didn’t know was that he would be gone for five hours.
My muscles trembled and ached, and it was all I could do to keep from leaning forward and laying my head on the table, but I did as he’d ordered and didn’t move an inch until he came back. I collapsed when I saw him, and tears of gratitude flowed down my cheeks.
“Good pet,” he cooed, holding me tight. “That’s my good pet. I’m proud of you for obeying. Now you get a reward.”
