Page 98 of Survival

Ihadrealizedin the beginninghe was using sex as a form of punishment, a reminder that I washis, but eventually, it just became another one of my many dutiesas he didn’t have to punish me very often anymore. I would stilltry to keep up my feisty attitude every now and then because I knewthat Darren liked it; he loved it even more when he got to give mea good swat on the ass every time. He didn’t need a reason to, buthe liked having one.

Every other week,Irina and Anya would return to redo my nails and treat my hair. Iapologized to them for my behavior last time, and even though theyhad no idea what I was saying, they seemed to understand. I letthem do what they needed to without afussand didn’t even complain when they waxedmy unwanted hair since I wasn’t allowed to have any razors. TheVaseline had also been removed from my bathroom, and I found thathilarious.

Aside from Darrenand the occasional Scott, the Russians were the only other humansin my life and the only source of estrogen I had access to. I oftenfound myself looking forward to my appointments with them, even ifthey weren’t allowed to converse with me. I was just grateful fortheir company.

One day, a fewweeks after my last run-in with the cage and after coming home fromwork on a Friday, Darren had a gift for me. I involuntarilysauntered back at the thought of receiving a gift from him, as Iwas already terrified of his surprises. But when he held out asmall robin egg blue box with a white bow tied around it, I felt Iwas able to relax a little.

“Open it.” He smiled.

I tentatively tookthe box from his hand, pulled the ribbon off, and opened the lid tofind a beautiful platinum diamond studded infinity ring fromTiffany’s. I had always wanted one, but now that it came fromDarren, I just wanted to throw it to the floor and crush it undermy foot.

“Do you like it?” he asked me.

“It’s beautiful.” I smiled like Miss FuckingAmerica.

Darren then tookthe box from my hand, pulled the tiny ring out, and slipped it onmy left ring finger. My eyes widened in shock as I looked up athim, hoping my suspicions were mistaken.

He just chuckleddown at me. “No, it’s not what you think it is, princess. It’s justthere to keep this finger warm until I decide the time is right.Consider it a gift for the dramatic improvement in your behavior aswell as a promise for the future, which I expect to lastinfinitely.”

“Thank you, Darren. I love it.”

I fucking hatedit. It matched my fucking cuffs!

“I’m glad,” he said and then his expression became veryserious. “It is never to leave this finger. Is thatunderstood?”

“Yes, of course,” I said a little taken aback by hisabrasiveness.

“Good. Now, I have another gift for you. Followme.”

Oh,no.

He took my handand led me downstairstothe foyer where we stopped and he smiled down atme.

“This is your gift,” he said slowly holding his arms out andlooking about. I gave him a very confused expression as I looked inall the same directions he had. “I’m officially giving you theability to roam the house while I’m gone. I think you’ve provedwell enough that you are capable of following my rulesandshould, therefore,receive a reward for pleasing me the way youhave.”

I blinked a fewtimes, really wondering if I had even heard himcorrectly.

“Really?” I asked softly, disbelief filling myvoice.

“Yes, really,” he replied.

I was in shock. Ihad wanted to be able to leave my room so many times only to havethe slight reminder of a minor shock instead. And now, here I was,finally able to explore and live just a little bit. I was sooverfilled with joy that I ran over to him and slammed him in a hugso tight I thought I would break his bones, but of course, he feltnothing.

“Thank you,” I whispered against his chest. “Thank you somuch, Darren.”

His arms wrappedaround me and held me in a tight embrace as he kissed the top of myhead. “You’re welcome.”

He then held meback by my shoulders and lowered his face to mine. “You are stillto remain indoors at all times. No going outside, Jaden. If you candemonstrate your ability to continue to follow my rules, that couldchange eventually, but I need to see how you handle this first.Don’t disappoint me.”

“I won’t,” I vowed.

“Good girl. Now, let’s go upstairs so you can thank meproperly.”

ChapterTwenty-Seven

Fuel

Another week went by after that, and I feltso much better being able to roam the house while Darren was away.There was so much to explore and do, and I could feel my spiritsfinally lifting. Each day after breakfast, I would wash my makeupoff, work out and train for an hour or two, shower, and make myselfpretty all over again. Myworkoutsdid wonders for the depression that had been slowly seeping in, andI looked forward to it every day. I could feel myself gettingstronger, and it wasn't long before my body began to bounceback.Darren still had not supplied me with boxing gloves, andI think he was afraid I’d break another nail again. Stupid girlyconcerns.