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Monique wrapped her hand around her throat. She hadn’t worn a collar fulltime since Jacqueline.Helen asked me what subs do with theirs when the relationship ends.She looked to her dresser, where a slim black box rested in the top drawer.

She went there now, opening the drawer and staring into an abyss of satin, cotton, and underwear. Monique pushed two piles out of the way and pulled out the black box hiding at the bottom of her lingerie pile.

The collar she wore for Jacqueline twinkled in the light.

Her heart grew heavy. So did the collar, suddenly weighing five more pounds than it had a second ago. Yet Monique did not cry, weep, or sob.There are better things ahead.

She couldn’t get rid of the collar. As much as she detested Jacqueline and everything she did to her, it was still… it happened. It existed. Monique ran away from the situation, but she would not run away from the memories. As long as she had this collar, she would remember. A bad woman. A bad relationship.

It could never happen again.

Helen wouldn’t like it, but she would understand. Although the circumstances of her old relationship were different, she probably kept a keepsake or two of her former sub who had to leave. In fact, Monique was grateful that Helen had memories like that too. She would be able to relate to her. Any other woman may become jealous, but not Helen.

She’s mine, now.Monique put the collar away and shoved the box to the bottom of her underwear drawer.And I’m hers. That’s all that matters.

She went back to the garment on her bed. White. Pure. Beautiful. It would look bridal if it weren’t so sexual. Nevertheless, Monique would find her best accessories to go with it. Diamond earrings. Silver glitter for her hair. A diamond tennis bracelet Etta gave her in celebration of the Manoir’s opening.Should I wear a ring?Helen hadn’t mentioned a ring,

Something else caught her eye. After she pushed away more tissue, she came across a cut white blazer that matched the tone of the lingerie but would give her some formality for their ceremony. Monique chuckled. Helen thought of everything.

Her phone rang.

“Are you looking through my window, Ms. Warner?” she asked the woman on the other end of the line. “How did you know I opened your present?”

“I’m damn good, that’s how.” Laughter told Monique that it was pure coincidence that her Mistress called at that time. “I just finished work for the day. Thought I would call and see how my lovely is doing.”

“Your lovely is done with work as well.” Monique put the items neatly away in the box and replaced the lid. A tuft of tissue stuck out, forcing her to redo the whole thing while her phone balanced between ear and shoulder. “Interviewed some women today.”

“Any good candidates?”

“I completely forget. Your present has jumbled my brain.”

“Good. I want to keep you on your toes. Does it fit?”

“I haven’t tried it on yet.”

“It came from the same boutique as the purple negligee, so I’m guessing the sizes…”

“Helen.” Monique chuckled into the phone. “I don’t want to talk about shopping right now, believe it or not.”

“You’re right. There are way more exciting things to talk about. Like what’s happening this weekend.”

“Is there something I should know?”

Helen was silent for a few seconds. “Everything that you haven’t planned is a surprise. You’re always spoiling me. I’m going to spoil you that night.”

“I think you’re confused on who is always spoiling whom.”

“Oh, no, our entire relationship may be founded on us trying to out spoil the other. Whatever will we do? It almost sounds like we’ll be happy.”

This time Monique laughed, and she was grateful to have the chance. “I have to wonder about the white, though. You do know I’m hardly pure or virginal, right? Quite the opposite.”

“If we were getting married, that would be one thing. You’ll see why I sent you white. Besides the fact it will look beautiful on you.”

“I already know what I’ll wear with it.”

“Don’t wear a necklace. One of my surprises… I can’t wait for you to see the day-collar I picked out for you. I’m fully confident that you would have picked it out as well.”

“I look forward to seeing it.” She was glad Helen suggested buying her a collar to wear in her daily life. The bulky silver and diamond one was great for certain occasions, but barely practical for going out to lunch or doing her work. “You have immaculate tastes. That’s the real reason we get along so well.”