[~Song Recommendation: Starving by Hailee Steinfield & Stand By Me by Skylar Grey~]
"Master!..." Layla exclaimed and kept on staring at his hand. Micahel followed her gaze and soon discovered that he had just bruised one of his knuckles beating the delivery man.
"It's okay. You don't have to worry about it." Michael said nonchalantly although internally he was intrigued that she cared for him. He recalled that bastard's words when he blurted out everything about the culprit behind the whole incident. He felt his blood surge just thinking about the person.
"..." A sudden burp sound broke him from his daze, leading his attention back to Layla. She cursed herself inwardly for being unable to control her body, but it wasn't her fault; she was starving as well because she didn't have anything either.
"Sorry…" She just proclaimed but she kept on gaping at his knuckle. 'Isn't he feeling the pain? Why did he have to beat him so hard? Wait, he did that for me?... Nah I must be delusional. After all, I'm just a pet to him.'
"..." Michael snapped his fingers in front of her face and she stared up to meet his mesmerizing face. He was feeling giddy for odd reasons when he felt her gaze lingering over his injury.
"Layla, Didn't you have your lunch?" Michael remarked. Layla's eyes instantly grew wide and that didn't go unnoticed by her Master. She knew she had already given herself away. She shook her head while looking straight into his blue orbs.
Michael sighed and suddenly she saw him putting his fork down. She panicked that maybe she had angered him but what happened next was something that she never even dreamt of even in her wildest dreams.
She watched him leave the chair and move towards the kitchen. Layla bit her lower lip in panic and although she wanted to ask him, her throat failed her to voice out her thought.
"I shouldn't have lied. But isn't it obvious that I have to wait considering he's my Master?" She mumbled and soon her vision caught him exiting the kitchen. He had a plate held in his left hand while his other hand held a glass of milk.
"Eat now… This is the last time you've done something like this. Okay? Never keep yourself hungry for me." He said in a commanding tone, keeping the food down before her. Layla just nodded her head and kept on glancing at him while she devoured the stake.
She saw him leaving the table once again and soon he brought a bottle of scotch from the cellar. He finished his food in no time and Layla was now watching him enjoying his drink while his gaze was concentrated on her.
'Why I feel like, I'm doing wrong keeping her… And how is she not reacting to her condition? Does she like it in here? Isn't she concerned about herself that what if I touch her? Does she trust me that much? Or is she faking it that she cares for me?' The thoughts bombarded his senses like a plague.
He saw her leaving the table while carrying the plates and cutleries. He shifted his place to the couch, placing his glass and drink on the side table, he turned on the TV, and the same news was getting broadcasted, considering it was a hot topic for the media business.
"What the fuck? I'm a villain now?" He stated while keeping his voice down. Michael turned it off not because he felt distressed seeing him being portrayed as a villain but because he didn't want Layla to know about his little act.
On the other hand, Layla heard how he turned on the TV and instantly turned it off after hearing that offending news. She felt bad that maybe because of her, his reputation got ruined. Fidgeting with her hands, she approached him slowly before she crouched down on her knees before him.
Michael was shocked at her behavior but instead of interrupting, he let her speak. Layla collapsed her hands and bowed, just like a slave is supposed to do.
"I'm really sorry Master… I know I've ruined your reputation. I can—" Her voice got cracked and she was on the verge of shedding some tears.
"What are you saying? Get up… Get up now!" Michael exclaimed and teary-eyed Layla looked up to meet his gaze. She saw him approaching her and soon she felt his hands over her shoulders. He held her and made her stand on her feet. Holding her hands, she let him take her to the bedroom.
"Sit here…" Michael said pushing her gently to sit on the bed before he offered her a glass of water which she hurled down in no time. She turned to face him who was now sitting just beside her on the bed.
"You did nothing wrong… It was that bastard's fault who drugged my pizza. And talking about my reputation, well you don't know me well; I've been through several ups and downs. This is nothing, Layla." He consoled her with his sweet words and Layla couldn't contain her emotions.
Earlier she was scared that he might punish her or something and she had been waiting for that moment to come when he was going to treat her like a slave. But so far she was stunned to see, that he never mistreated her at all. Even now, as he squeezed her hands, she could feel the warmth that was emanating from him.
"Okay… If you say so, Master. But may I know who's behind this?" She asked while rubbing her tears. Michael shook her head in complete denial and later told her that he'd be disclosing the person's identity in front of everyone; first thing in the morning.
Layla just nodded her head and went ahead to bring the first aid box. She applied some ointment over his wound before she wrapped up a bandage around his knuckle. In between her treating Michael, unknowingly her boobs were brushing against Michael's elbow. 'Gosh! Is she doing that on purpose?' he mused.
"Layla… Can you maintain some distance, please?"