His slave I

Alfred tossed restlessly on his bed, sweat glistening on his forehead. His lips moved as he whispered in his sleep, his voice breaking like a child’s.

“Please… don’t hurt my mom! Please don’t do this to my mommy. Daddy, please… don’t leave me alone,” ten-year-old Alfred cried in his dream, trapped once again in the memory of seeing his parents in a pool of blood.

His eyes flew open, chest heaving, lungs burning as if he had just run miles. He gasped and pressed a trembling hand to his forehead. His body ached with exhaustion though he hadn’t moved.

The glowing numbers on his phone read 12:30 a.m. Midnight. Another night stolen from him. He dragged himself into the bathroom, splashed cool water over his face, and stepped into a quick bath, hoping the chill would drown out the screams that haunted him. But when he returned to bed, staring into the dark, sleep never came.

Fifteen years. Fifteen long years since that night, and still the nightmares ripped him apart. He rubbed his temples and gave up, rising to head for the study. Work, numbers, files, power was the only way he could quiet his mind.

A knock at the door broke the silence.

“Boss,” a familiar voice called. It was Andrew, his personal assistant and closest friend.

“Come in,” Alfred muttered, snapping his laptop shut. He glanced at the wall clock—7:00 a.m. already.

Andrew stepped in, his eyes immediately scanning Alfred’s weary face. “Didn’t sleep again?”

Alfred only gave a slight nod, pushing back from his chair. Andrew sighed heavily. He had grown used to these nights, but it didn’t mean he liked watching his friend destroy himself.

“What about the girl, Alfred?” Andrew asked carefully. “She’s been locked up for three days. No food, no water. Do you want her dead?”

Alfred paused in the doorway, his back stiffening. For a moment he said nothing, then turned his head slightly, his eyes dark and unreadable.

All I want is for Lisa to pay. Pay for every single thing her father did to me. She won’t die… not yet. No, death would be mercy. I’ll make her live and suffer. She will feel what I felt. She will carry the same scars carved into me.

His chest burned with rage, his veins surging with vengeance.

“You should get ready. We’re attending the board meeting today,” Alfred said curtly, ignoring Andrew’s question altogether. He stormed out, leaving behind a trail of anger.

Andrew blinked, baffled. “I asked one thing… and he gave me something else. Weird.” He rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath as he left the study.

“Sir, breakfast is ready,” a maid said politely as he passed. Andrew waved her off.

“What about Sir Alfred? Should we send food up to his room?” she asked.

Andrew chuckled dryly. “If you’ have a death wish, go ahead.” He left without another word.

⸻

Lisa’s eyes fluttered open. Her body ached, her limbs heavy with pain. She blinked at the elegant, unfamiliar room around her. The ropes binding her hands were gone, but the bruises burned as if she were still chained.

“Oh God… when will I ever get out of here?” she whispered, voice hoarse.

The memories came crashing back, her mother’s lifeless body, her uncle’s betrayal, and the cold emerald eyes of the man called Alfred. She shuddered. His words echoed like poison: my sex slave. Your body and soul belongs to me.

Her stomach turned, bile rising. The thought alone made her skin crawl.

She rubbed her temples as a sharp pain throbbed through her skull, forcing herself to stand. She spotted a door to the bathroom and stumbled inside to bathe.

When she stepped back into the room, steam clinging to her damp skin, she froze. A maid was tidying up, and the woman gasped.

“Argh!” The maid dropped the cloth in her hand, eyes wide.

Lisa flinched.

“You—” The maid paused, narrowing her eyes. She’s the girl Sir Andrew brought in three days ago.

“You scared me,” the maid muttered before glaring coldly.

“I… I’m sorry,” Lisa whispered, bowing her head.

The maid studied her silently, eyes flicking over the bruises and marks marring Lisa’s face and body. Beaten… was it last night? she wondered.

Lisa squirmed under her gaze. “Please… where can I find clothes to wear?” she asked softly.

“Check the wardrobe,” the maid said flatly, then walked out before Lisa could say another word.

Lisa sighed and opened the wardrobe. It was filled with women’s clothing. She picked out a red gown and slipped it on, her fingers trembling. Whose room is this?

She sank onto the bed, tears streaming freely. “I wish Mom was here,” she whispered, covering her face. Her chest tightened painfully. I have to escape. If I don’t… I’ll die here.

Summoning courage, she crept to the door, cracked it open, and stepped into the hall. Her bare feet padded softly against the floor as she tiptoed toward the staircase.

But before she could descend, a maid’s shrill voice shattered her hope.

“What are you doing?! Trying to escape?”

Lisa froze in terror. Her lips trembled, eyes glistening. “I… I…” she stammered, unable to form words.

The maid scoffed and stormed toward her. Without warning, her palm cracked against Lisa’s cheek, the force knocking her to the ground.

“Please… I…” Lisa sobbed, collapsing into tears.

The maid laughed cruelly. Lisa curled up, weak and ashamed. This isn’t me. I can’t even fight back. I can’t even speak. I’m pathetic.

“Weak asshole,” the maid spat before striding downstairs. She snatched up the phone and dialed.

“Hello, sir,” she said quickly when Alfred answered.

“What do you want?” Alfred’s icy voice sent a shiver down her spine.

“The girl… she tried escaping, but I caught her.”

Silence. Then the line went dead.

“He ended the call?” Ria, that was her name. She stared at the phone, hurt tugging at her chest. She had worked for Alfred for a year, longing for him to notice her, but he never did. And now this stranger, this girl, was getting all his attention. Rage simmered.

She set the phone down, turning toward the stairs. But before she could move, the front door slammed open with violent force.

Alfred stormed in, his eyes blazing, his entire presence radiating fury.

Ria’s stomach dropped. A cold sweat broke over her skin. This is not going to end well, she thought as she watched him thunder up the stairs toward Lisa’s room.

TBC