Tea sets

KATALINA 

“Kelvin, no!" 

I woke up covered in sweat despite the fully functioning AC unit in the room. While still trying to figure out where I was, I heard a soft thudding and traced it to the door. Someone was knocking. 

“Tomorrow, you will serve your punishment. Remember you promised to obey." Huracio's deep, and grungy voice whispered into my ears. 

Startled, I abruptly turned around but saw nobody. I was alone in the room. 

Remembering my situation, my back suddenly got covered in more chilly sweats. 

What is he going to do to me? 

Asking him to punish me instead of Kelvin was easy in the middle of a panic attack. Now that I had my wits around me, I was filled with dread. 

I didn't know if I should trust him to honor his words, but as long as he spares Kelvin, I am willing to bear it. 

But having just woken up from a nightmare, where he was squeezing life out of Kelvin while dangling him in the air, I wasn't sure he could be trusted. What if he punishes me and still hurts Kelvin? What will I do? I have no bargaining power whatsoever. 

Thud, thud, thud…

The knocking became louder, bringing me back to my senses.  

With my heart in my throat, I got up and went to open the door, expecting to see him, but what I found was a plump, Mexican woman. In her hands was a suit bag, and a big, black, handbag. 

“Hello, Miss Katalina. I am Rosa, the manager of the house. Mr Huracio asked me to bring these to you. He expects you downstairs in twenty minutes." 

Distraught, I just stared at her. 

“Ma'am, can you excuse me? I want to place these inside." She continued in a steady, confident tone. 

“Ah, yeah, come in." I blinked and stepped aside. 

I watched in a daze as Rosa carefully placed the suit bag on the bed. She opened her bag and brought out a rectangular box. Something that felt like a watch pack at first glance. She then brought out a shoe box and placed it by the box.  

Once she was done, she excused herself. 

Alone again, I walked over to the bathroom and reluctantly took a bath.

“This is outrageous!" I snapped the moment I saw the dress in the suit bag. 

It was a two-piece, off shoulders, dirdin dress, —with an inbuilt corset and tiny, loosened strips that were too long for my shoulders. The neckline was very low, just hanging over my nipples, threatening to fall off at any moment. The bodice was too tight, and the corset was too small, forcing my medium-sized boobs to be propped up, looking like they would fall off at any moment. The dress was a micro mini, just reaching my mid-thigh, leaving my legs exposed. Due to the double-layered flare, my slightly protruding butt had no guaranteed coverage. 

For someone who prefers long pants and jean trousers, this was a test of will. I had the urge to remove the dress and wear something more decent.  

Standing in front of the mirror and seeing what it transformed me into, I clenched my fists in anger and dread.  

Why am I wearing this? I mused inwardly. 

I would be lying if I claimed not to have an idea of what he might be planning to do to me after seeing the dress. I wasn't born yesterday.  

An ominous feeling descended on me as I completed the dressing with the accessories in the gift box. It turned out to be a set of silver jewelry that perfectly complimented the white and pink dress. 

With just twenty minutes, all I could do was wear the dress and put on the silver heels that came with it. 

With just two minutes to go, I exited the bedroom and started towards the staircase. At the foot of the stairs, Horacio was waiting with a long, white, furry coat with oversized collars and a padded hoodie. 

Sighting him, a chill went up my spine. I pursed my lips, took a deep breath, and descended the stairs.

 

Getting to him, he helped me into the coat and grabbed my hand. 

Finally, properly covered, I almost thanked him. 

“Where are we going?" I asked in the car. 

“To the office." 

He is taking me to his office, dressed like this? 

“Why did you have me dressed like this to your office?" I couldn't hold back my curiosity and worry. 

“You’ll see.” He mumbled absentmindedly. 

Swallowing hard, I kept my thoughts to myself. 

I have been to his office a couple of times, so I just walked directly to the living area, where I dropped into the black, leather, three-seater couch. 

While I was worried about what was going to happen, I was too scared to ask. So, I just waited in trepidation as Horacio started his day. 

After more than an hour, I started wondering if he had forgotten about me. Or, maybe he just wanted me to accompany him in the office. 

His office door opened for the umpteenth time, and his secretary came in with a tea tray. 

She placed it in front of me, picked up the already-prepared tea, and extended it to me…  

Slightly confused, I shook my head in silent ejection. 

I didn't ask for tea. I am not a fan of tea. 

“I am sorry, but I don't drink… “

"Take it from her.” Horacio's stern voice reached me before I could finish speaking. This was the first time he would be addressing me since we arrived at his office. 

Scared and confused, I took the cup and watched as the girl walked out of the office. 

"Drink it! “ He glared at me from across the room. 

"I slowly wrapped my lips around the edge of the cup, closed my eyes, and took a sip. 

Just as expected, it tasted like shit. I will never understand why people drink this gutter crap called tea. 

Struggling to tolerate the awful taste, I grimaced and stole a glance at him. 

He was still standing at the same spot, holding a file, and staring me down. 

Averting my eyes, I opened my mouth and poured the whole content into it. 

Luckily, it was lukewarm and the cup was one of those supper-small, Chinese tea sets. 

I covered my mouth with my hand and forced the tea down my throat. Resisting the urge to vomit it, I looked up and gave him a ruffled smile. 

“I finished it." 

"Hm.” He grunted and went back to his seat. 

Well, that was awkward. I didn't even ask for water. Why give me tea? What happened to juices?