WARNING!!!: this story, so far quite light and gentle, will take from here on a much darker course, with considerable doses of cruelty and evil in its purest form. It may be disturbing for sensitive minds, specially its end. I just wanted to warn you, thanks a lot to those of you who are following the story!
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I spent the next morning as if I was floating on a cloud. I was quietly lounging in the small pool at our villa, with a smile on my face that wouldn't leave my mouth, I was so happy! My father walked by a couple of times and smiled at me. I saw so much tenderness in that smile that I almost melted. How lucky I was to have him with me!
I didn't know yet that that day held unpleasant surprises for me....
The first one came after lunch. I had cooked meal for my father and me. Since we lived alone we tried to share the housework as equally as possible. When we finished the meal my father said to me:
-Hugo, do the dishes, please.
-Not at all! -I replied jovially-. It's your turn. -One of the rules we had adopted was that if one of us cooked, the other did the dishes and vice versa.
-Yeah, but... you see -my father hesitated a little-, earlier Jose sent me a message and told me that from now on you should do all the work around the house. As part of your training, he said you have to learn to serve. In fact, I have told Alicia to take a break, not to come until further notice -Alicia was our maid, she came twice a week to do the heavier work: cleaning, laundry, ironing, etc. -You will take care of everything now.
I was petrified, what was that all about? Seeing my confusion, my father continued: -Well, you know we promised to follow all his instructions, don't you?
-But Dad... -I didn't know what to argue against that, but I did say: -I had arranged to meet Pedro and Alejandro for coffee. I'd almost have to leave now...
-Well... there is another thing -my father lowered his head, a little embarrassed-, he also told me that during your training you shouldn't see anyone. That you should be totally focused on learning.
I was overcome with despondency. My father tried to cheer me up: -Come on, Hugo, it's not that bad, is it? We committed ourselves to this and we assumed it wouldn't be so easy. Besides... -he winked at me in an accomplice way-, it seems that it pays off, doesn't it? It's been a long time since I've seen you this happy.
-Yes... you're right, Dad -I babbled, remembering the good times I'd had-, okay. -My father gave me an affectionate pat and left, but not before pointing at the dirty dishes, in a clear invitation.
I had to cancel my appointment and started washing the dishes. I felt troubled. I was not in the least bit amused. I deeply hated housework and, although I was not a very social guy, I liked to enjoy an outing with my friends as much as anyone else. But, above all, I was hurt that my father and Jose had been talking behind my back. My father had even fired the maid without even consulting me! Up until now, all this had been a three-way thing, save the hierarchies of the game. Now, all of a sudden, I felt totally ignored. I felt that my fate had become dependent on those two men, that I was a puppet in their hands. And I discovered with disgust that what seemed so exciting in my fantasies was not at all pleasant in reality.
Afterwards, I remembered the good times I had actually had the previous afternoons and tried to forget about it and cheer myself up. Another event came to surprise me. Shortly before the time Jose was supposed to arrive, I saw my father coming down the stairs of the attic with a completely unexpected object. It was the old parakeet cage that my brother and I had had as children, with the perch that held it. I had a bad feeling and looked at my father questioningly - why had he brought that down? My father answered:
-Easy, it's just that Jose asked me if we had anything like this. Apparently he wants to incorporate it into the game. And in fact... -he paused, a bit cut off.
-What? -I said, upset. My father let it go, uncomfortable:
-He wants you to be shrunk and locked in the cage by the time he arrives.
-Oh, come on, Dad, that...! -I couldn't go on. Apparently my father had decided not to discuss the matter any further and, to my desolation, I saw that he already had the fateful command in his hand. Before I could add anything, I felt the usual tingling sensation and saw myself the size of a mouse. My father, without further consideration, bent down, took me in his now gigantic hand and put me in the cage. I threw myself madly at the bars screaming for him to let me out, but my voice was now so weak that I don't think my father even heard me.
I stood there, locked in, swinging hanging from the perch, while a thousand thoughts boiled my brain. I think it was at that moment that I became truly aware of my vulnerability, of how I had put my life totally in the hands of my father and, now, also of Jose, who was a complete stranger, as nice as he was.
Soon our guest appeared. He was carrying a bottle of wine. He greeted my father effusively, looked at the cage and smiled, satisfied that his instructions had been carried out. At no time did he address me.
-Let's relax and have a drink, shall we? -he proposed to my father. He agreed, brought some glasses and they both sat down. I was surprised that my father drank, he did it very occasionally and only at parties and the like. I guess he thought it would be rude not to accept.
