By the time I was fifteen, I used to go in and help Dad for he had fired the young man who came in the afternoons, for some inexplicable reason. I helped my father, having watched him back over the years. Old Alice remained but I suspected that she worked for a nominal wage now. Dad’s cake stands became sad-looking and desolate and we had fewer customers.
On the home front, Heather was a disaster in the kitchen but luckily, I loved to cook. So I was practically running the kitchen at home as well. This was how I knew that Dad’s finances were in a bad shape for he would ask me to make do with the cheapest ingredients... & One afternoon, I saw him arguing with a man in a cheap suit with a pockmarked face, in the bakery. I had walked back home, for I had to help Dad with the scones that evening. They were arguing and the man was speaking in a loud, threatening voice, “Either you pay up or…” Dad froze when he saw me at the door, my backpack slung over my shoulder, mouth open. The man who had been speaking in a high voice turned and smiled, a smile that made my flesh crawl. His eyes took in my figure, lingering on my full chest, my mouth and my hair. I turned beet red. “Get inside,” barked Dad in a voice I had never heard. I rushed inside but my flesh crawled. That was my introduction to Dean Nelson. He was a loan shark, but a small one, compared to the big guns in the game. But Dad had borrowed from him and was over his head in debt, as I found out from Alice. In my childish way, I tried to ask him about it but he cut me short, brusquely, ‘I can manage it. You’re too young to bother your head about it, Bianca!” And then, pleadingly, he added, ‘Don’t tell Heather, my dear.” & A few months later, he was dead. Committed suicide, declared the policeman who came to inform us. Drove ¬¬off a cliff.to * The Present Day I have followed Finn St Just like a little puppy, down the hall, deeper into the shadows, away from the controlled chaos of the front rooms. There is a staircase, I notice as I trot, trying to keep up with the man as he takes me down the hall which is strangely deserted. Doors flank the hall but all of them are closed, like lips sealed tight, holding their secrets within themselves. When he opens the door at the end of the hall, I just have time to see that it is a thick wooden door, and beyond that, is a room, dimly lit, all cherrywood and cut crystal, bottles gleaming with their golden contents, and heavy drapes, dark maroon in colour. Leather and smoke seem to fill the sir and I stop, hesitating for a minute. I can see men, with dark, curious eyes and dark suits. And I feel the panic rising up in me. What have I done? Where have I let myself? The man shuts the door behind me, shutting out the sounds of the office behind us, the mechanical and smooth everyday murmurs of employees going about their daily tasks before leaving for their warm houses, away from the evening dark, the light rain. I turn to him blindly, the only refuge in this room where I can feel eyes stripping me of my poor weathered old hoodie, and I gasp, ‘I…think…I want to leave.” The hard set to the golden-eyed man’s mouth tells me the answer even before he speaks. I am dimly aware of the broad strength of his shoulders but I plead anyway. “Please Sir.” The golden eyes; can they be called tawny? I wonder hysterically, flicker over me, with a sudden flash of something that is quickly gone, even before I can comprehend it. * I’m a virgin. No, I have never made out with a boy, although I am turning nineteen next month. Simple: once Dad passed, I took over the role of father and tried to run the house. With the deteriorating health of my stepmother who was steadily becoming an alcoholic in denial, and with the added task of taking care of my sisters, along with running the house and the business, I was exhausted. My old school friends went to parties, had boyfriends, and break ups. At first my besties, Sadie and Gladys tried to make me come along. But soon they gave up. Besides, they had their own lives … & And so, I remained sleeping exhausted at night, too weary to care. When I looked in the mirror, it was only to brush out my cascading chestnut hair, which I had yet to get cut. It hung to my waist now, a mane of untamed, unruly curls. And as for make up; forget it. The only thing I did was dab a little moisturizer, and this afternoon, I had pulled out an old lipstick and run it over my full lips. * Now I look up into the unflinching golden gaze that seemed to strip me, to see into my very soul. But somehow, for some bizarre reason. I want to hide behind the man, behind his wide, tall body. From somewhere, I realize that his hands are large, so large, they could wrap around my waist, plump though I am. Finn St Just’s like a giant before me, a giant hewn of stone. And as hard as one, I think, my mouth falling open slightly. His tawny gaze lands on my mouth and stays there. * I hear an impatient chuckle behind me and I turn, trembling. “What have you brought in, Finn?’ growls a bored, gravelly voice that makes my insides turn to jelly. Dear God, I think, clasping my hands before me, wringing them unconsciously. Where am I? In Hell? &I focus on the man who has spoken. He’s sitting, smoke curling from his lips and my heart drops to my stomach. This is the devil alright, and as handsome and evil as one, I think crazily. * The man is dressed to the nines, in a slate grey vest and lavender tie. It would look effeminate on another man, but this man makes it look more masculine. It’s probably the two days' growth of stubble on his strong jaw or the devilish glint in his black eyes. Whatever, he’s all man and I step back, suddenly afraid as I notice the glint of interest in his eyes, which sparkle as they rake my figure and face. “Eh, Finn?’ he asks, swivelling in his chair to take a good look at me, “Who is the little lady?’ I feel my face turn hot with embarrassment, and I square my shoulders. My hair is in a braided chignon at the base of my neck, and I can feel Finn’s eyes on my nape, but he just grunts. ‘Listen to her, Liam,’ he growls. * Liam O’Grady, I think, my heart pounding, he who is regarded as the D
Bianca It was only a lot later that I asked myself why Liam O’Grady had been so curious to know my age.I mean, why would you ask for a prospective employee's age before hiring her?It made no sense.But at that time, I was too overcome to think straight.At that time, I was feeling cold and confused. I was taken aback by the wealth of the people inhabiting those rooms. And I was overwhelmed by the proximity of two men who seemed to send my sexual cravings to never-before-plumbed heights! Liam leaned back and his hooded lids hid his expression, while Finn stood in the background, a menacing presence. I bit my lip and then, as I saw the way Liam O’Grady’s eyes fastened on my plump mouth, I hastily swallowed, cleared my throat and sat up straighter. It only made me come closer to the man before me, his blue eyes, like brilliant stones, locked on me. “Ummm…so, can you help me? Please?” And then, because I was a well-brought-up girl, I added quickly, “Sir?” The groan that came from
Bianca All the way home, in the rattling old bus, I kept trying to figure out what had happened there. I was a mess, my panties were wet and I had actually wanted to get down on the ground and offer myself that rakishly handsome rogue, Liam O’Grady. And to melt in the arms of Finn St Just, surrendering to him completely. Yes, Sir. I had suddenly metamorphized into a seriously horny virgin sex addict! As I got off at my stop, I decided to call one of my best friends to ask about boys and men and what to do…I was clueless. * But when I turned down the road leading to our home and the bakery, for we had begun to stay in the old house, I saw the sportscar that belonged to Dean Nelson, that my father had bought when he was married to my mother. It was tiny but cosy, in my eyes. Shabby but welcoming nonetheless. I ran the rest of the way, my shoulder bag thumping against my hip, fearing the worst, as I breathlessly covered the last few meters. * When I rushed into the front room,
Bianca As I sat there, sobbing at the enormity of what was happening, I felt like doing what my Dad had done; run away and end my life. But …I could not. Heather, for all her sins, was a good soul, kind-hearted and sweet but utterly clueless. And Anna and Rose, my sweet younger sisters, who were five years younger than me, deserved a better life. Nelson would not hesitate to prostitute them, I thought grimly if I was not around. A soft hand on my shoulder made me look up. It was Heather. She sank to her knees beside me, so that we were on eye level. “I’m sorry Bianca,” she said and I melted. I threw my arms around her and wept. “I failed you, I failed my husband, your father. But…I loved him and he never told me…” I pushed away and smiled, “It’s ok, Heather, I’m trying to get someone to help me.” A pair of brilliant blue eyes and a set of tawny eyes flashed into my mind’s eye and I shivered. Heather looked at me in concern. “No, darling,” she said and I felt Rose and Anna
To my shock, Liam O’Grady turned his smile on me but his eyes were …blazing. I stiffened.Job? I thought stupidly. What was he talking about?Had he misunderstood me yesterday?*But my stepmother was gabbing away cheerfully, blissfully unaware of the tension in the room. But then, she was nicely drunk, I thought wearily.Heather, whose hand he had been holding, clasped his with both her hands fervently, as she said, happily,“Oh, Bianca, it’s your lucky phase now, don’t you think so dear!”And she turned to O’Grady, still smiling benignly as she said, clucking her tongue at me with a mischievous smile,“Just yesterday she had a job offer and she turned it down…the naughty little girl!” I whipped my head around t give her a lethal look. Naughty girl indeed, I thought, fuming, and my anger shot up as I saw Liam O’ Grady smirking at me. Finn St Just gave an audible snort and I wanted to die of humiliation.Suddenly Heather saw my expression and stopped. She had figured out, a little
Bianca I rose, my cheeks hot with embarrassment and …I did not know what else. “How dare you…?” I began but Liam O’Grady nodded at his brother and gripped my hands. ‘We will take care of Dean Nelson. In return, you will be our submissive for a year.” The words sank in slowly and I recoiled in horror. “OUR submissive? Did you just say OUR submissive, Mr. O’Grady?” I stammered, as I went on, shock making me widen my eyes, ”You mean like…sleep with BOTH of you?’ “Ah lassie, ‘ said O’Grady almost tenderly but his eyes were hot and blue and openly laughing at me as he said, “Not just sleeping, love.” I pushed him away fiercely, throwing the sheets of paper at Finn, uncaring as they scattered wildly. Breathing hard, I spoke in a low voice, jabbing my finger at him. “So, I have to be your sexual slave for a year and in return, you will free me of my father’s debt?” I looked from one to the other. Finn was watching me, his face blank but Liam? His eyes were glowing with an unholy
All the way home, I thought of what my options could be. I did not want to look at the only solid option on the horizon. By the time I arrived home, I had made up my mind. I was going to meet Liam O’Grady and Finn St Just and agree to their…barbaric proposal. But I would have to make up a tale to tell dear Heather.*The news that we were to be evicted had already reached Heather who was hysterical with grief. The twins, who had come home to their weeping mother, were shaken and white-faced.I sank to the ground where Heather, ever the drama queen, was sitting, a bottle of vodka beside her.She reeked of drink.Putting my arms around her, I said quietly,‘I have a way out of this problem. Trust me.” The twins looked upset. They glanced at each other.“We heard you…speak about that dirty old lecher, Nelson.”And Rose, ever the softer one, began to sob,“Bee, you don’t need to sacrifice yourself for us!”I smiled thinly.If they only knew!But I stood up and said, “Make me a cuppa, the
Liam O’Grady stood at the wide table, in his pristine white shirt and neatly pressed deep blue trousers, looking for all the world like a model in a men’s fashion magazine. I made out Finn St Just who was lounging in a chair beside his brother.The northerly light fell into the large room, pale and diffused, for the myriad glass panels were helping it to filter in slowly, and the aroma of cigarettes, leather, and whiskey greeted me.*This was a man’s den.The overwhelming masculine power that radiated from the walls, made me shrink in alarm. There was nothing soft and feminine here.And I bet, I thought, my throat clenching in terror, the walls must be soundproofed too! I don't know why I made that observation.My fertile imagination was working overtime.But the feeling of being totally at the mercy of the men in the room brought on a feeling of fear.Of helplessness...*This room had a dark wooden floor, and no carpeting to disguise the beauty of the polished wood. The ceiling,