Erin on the Gambling Table (Overhauled).
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Chapter II. A Game You Can't Win.
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"Good morning, sleepy head," she heard the voice greeting her. Not her grey-eyed captor's silky voice, but a cheerful and playful female voice.
Erin turned around and straightened up.
Before her stood the figure of a young woman, although a few years older than her, likely in her late twenties, with a tall, slim but well-toned body, and a gorgeous amber gaze fixed on the redhead. Her skin was white, probably of a similar tonality, but she sported a light tan that made it look considerably darker compared to Erin's fair complexion. Long, golden blonde hair, arranged in a messy but nice-looking ponytail draped all the way to her upper back. She was dressed in a plain, fitted white crop top and a red pencil miniskirt.
Erin stared at her expectantly. She didn't expect to see another person but her captor for a very long time, especially so soon. Her mind immediately lit up with the possibility of escape, but her caution prevented her from saying anything.
So absorbed in her own thoughts and her surprise she was that for a moment it made her forget she was completely naked in front of a stranger. Once she realized it, she instinctively reached for her clothes, deeply embarrassed, only to remember she only had two pieces of clothing, both transparent. Blushing deeply, she crawled under the covers. The blonde girl couldn't help but laugh at her awkwardness and distress.
"No need to be shy dear, you look so lovely," the stranger reassured her, but Erin remained under the covers with her embarrassment for a while, until the blonde's gentle reassurance and the intoxicating smell of breakfast drove her out.
Just like the man had done the day before, the girl brought a silver platter full of food into the room and started arranging the table. This time around, she had brought her what looked like a finely made omelet and something else she didn't recognize at first; it looked like pieces of bread, but as red as a strawberry, and covered in cream and chocolate.
Those meals were little moments of happiness in otherwise sorrowful days. She hated herself for enjoying them; they were one of her captor's ways to try to control her, but she couldn't help it.
"You're wondering where he is, aren't you?" the girl's voice interrupted her thoughts, "Tired dear, very tired. Have you ever heard the expression 'quit while you're ahead?' He believes quite the opposite. When his sessions are going well, he just can't stop. It seems last night was a particularly good one. You should be glad; now that you're in this current situation, whatever is good for him is good for you. Don't worry, he should be up in a couple more hours. In the meantime, he sent me up here to bring you breakfast. I'm Justine, by the way. I cook around here."
Still smiling, she brought a teapot into the room.
"Technically, I'm breaking the rules. He made it clear he didn't want me to give you any hot water, but by the time he arrives it will already be at room temperature, so I think it will be alright. It will be our little secret. It is a special blend, to welcome you to the house."
Erin couldn't take her eyes off the girl. Was she supposed to ask for help? Was it a trap? The situation was so strange she couldn't begin to figure out what to do. Did Justine know what was going on? She behaved like she was completely oblivious of the situation. But at the same time, she seemed to be hinting that she knew. Even if she did know, would she be willing to help her?
Finally, her caution couldn't hold her any longer. She didn't want to get in trouble, but the opportunity was too good to pass.
"Could you... Could you help me escape?" she pleaded.
Justine looked at her with a tender look full of genuine pity.
"Oh, honey... Do you think if there was even the slightest chance that I would he'd let me come up?"
Erin hung her head in defeat. It was painfully obvious in retrospect. She cursed herself for having thought such a thing would work.
"I'm sorry, dear, don't take it personal. It's just... life, I guess. Don't be sad; I'm sure you're going to learn to enjoy it very much."
"Are you a slave too? Is that why you won't help me?" she asked, her voice sad and embarrassed.
"No, dear. I'm an employee. I get paid very well for doing a very pleasant and comfortable job. I'm not willing to lose it, and I'm absolutely not willing to antagonize the wrong people."
Erin cursed her under her breath.
How can someone refuse to help in a situation like this just to earn money...?
A few moments passed in silence, and Justine went back to arranging the table.
"Would you at least not tell him I asked you that? I don't want to get another beating..."
Justine's eyes lit up and a mischievous smile drew across her lips. "Another? Turn around, I want to see..."
A day before she would have told her off. She wished she still had enough strength to do so. But she was so demoralized she could barely try to refuse.
Justine wouldn't take no for an answer.
"If you want me to keep quiet, you'll have to do something for me, won't you? Then again if you don't mind the punishment..."
Ashamed, the small redhead turned around and stood naked on all fours, like a dog in the vet's clinic, while Justine examined her battered buttocks. Though no longer bright red, light bruises and marks of the beating lingered.
"Oh, that must have hurt," she told her while gently caressing her. Erin's face was red, but Justine's touch was so tender, "Don't worry, it doesn't seem like he hit you that bad, it won't leave any permanent scars."
Not that bad?!...