Slave: Chapter 1 pt. 1
Cyrus Cain, 14 , Billionaire.
Young Lord Cain had just landed in this beautiful, humid desert for a business meeting. His father, though not much of one, had given him the Egyptian branch of Cain Corp.
Cyrus looked around and spotted the Cain tower a mile or so off in the distance.
“Young Master, I’m sorry to inform you that the car for our trip has blown a tire on the way to come get us. They don’t know when it will be repaired and if we want to make it on time we must walk.”
The voice that delivered this bad news was his faithful Butler/Bodyguard, Sebastian. Sebastian had been with Cyrus since he was born and had been more of a farther to him than the president of Cain Corp.
“Well, no use complaining about it. Let’s get going Sebastian.” He was seriously starting to regret wearing this heavy and expensive suit…. But he couldn’t very well show up in flip flops and a Hawaiian print shirt. He wasn’t here on vacation.
How would they ever take him seriously as the owner of this branch if he didn’t look and act the part?
“Yes Young Master.” Sebastian said following behind him all the while thinking about how mature he was being about this, and feeling quite impressed.
Cyrus Cain was used to throwing money and getting what he wanted. He had a temper when things didn’t go his way. But Sebastian knew he was angry and was acting for his image. He only hoped nothing angered the Young Lord any further.
They made it Half way to the Cain Tower when Sebastian knew for sure that today was not his lucky day…..
Slave: Ch. 1. Pt. 2.
Cyrus Paused and had to do a double take. He was confused. Then he realized that they were standing outside of the Red light district.
There were so many people and they were doing things in the streets that were meant to happen indoors and in private.
Just as he was about to look away he saw something that was out of place.
A little girl was standing in the middle of all this. He was stunned to say the least. The little girl was so beautiful. Not much younger than him. Maybe two or three years. She had the most amazing eyes he had ever seen. But to him they looked dead and empty. Something about her face had seemed so familiar.
Then it clicked, it was the look in her eyes. He had seen that look before. A few times in fact. That was the look he would see in the mirror every time his father had canceled on him. The look on his face when his mother left for good, leaving him behind.
He couldn’t comprehend why there was such a beautiful little girl here. All alone.
Then he saw something that made his blood boil. A man had ran his fingers through her dusty hair and was leading her to a room……
Sebastian tried to grab Cyrus but missed by an inch.
“Young Master!”
Cyrus knocked into a whore and almost knocked over 2 of her “customers”.
he grabbed the little girl by the arm and dragged her away from the man.
“Sir. You will have to wait your turn.” the girl said to him in a plain voice.
He let go immediately and turned to face her.
“You… you’re a child! What are you doing in a filthy place like this!?!? I’m taking you away from here. Where do you live?” He said in a tone that was harsher than he intended.
“This is where I live. Now I have to go before he comes. If he comes you’ll be in big trouble. No one touches his property without paying.” She said with a tiny bit of worry in her voice.
“Property??!?! You’re a little girl. Not property!” He was so enraged he felt like hitting something.
“Oh no…”
Just then he was covered in a massive shadow and was just quick enough to evade the massive foot heading straight at his face.
“No one touches my most precious belonging with out paying the ultimate price.”
The voice was not from the massive monster that had just attacked him but from a shorter and more robust man standing behind the giant.
Cyrus straightened himself out and tried to think of a way to get this girl out of here.
Slave: Ch. 1. Pt. 3.
“Price you say? Okay, how much? I’m not leaving without her. Just name your price.”
“You may wear nice clothing but there is no way you can afford her.” the fat man said in a matter of fact tone.
He had no idea who he was talking to.
“I SAID HOW MUCH!” Cyrus snapped. Sebastian put his hand on his shoulder and Cyrus stepped aside.
“It’s one thousand just to touch her. If you were to buy her it would be 500,000. So I suggest you leave before I let my men have at you.”
“Well Sir how about we throw in another 300,000 just for your silence. A total of 800,000?” Sebastian said calmly handing the man the amount in cash.
“W-w-what?! Th-that’s not enough. You can’t have her!” The man sputtered and stumbled over his words.
“Sir I believe I have given you your money, it’s in your hands. She now belongs to my master.” There was a tone in Sebastian words that told the man that the deal was done and that the girl would be going with them if he didn’t want any trouble.
There was something terrible about that butler. He could feel it. He tucked the money in his pocket and returned to his customer to return his money.
Slave: Ch. 1. Pt. 4.
Cyrus turned to look at the girl.
“What is your name?” He asked in a very gentle tone.
“Aziza. Am I going to live with you now Master?” the way she said it was like this was an everyday thing…. that bothered Cyrus to no end.
“M-master?! Uh… don’t you have a family?” He hadn’t thought about the fact that she might be an orphan….
“No, Sir.” she said Quietly.
Well damn. he didn’t think about what would happen if she didn’t have a family…. He looked at her sweet face and something in him stirred. I can’t just leave her here. I did this, I took away her home.
Then he made the decision that changed his entire life.
“Okay then Aziza, you’re going to come live with me.” he said looking at Sebastian’s shocked face. “We have enough room Sebastian. I did this and it’s on me take care of her now.”
“As you wish Master. But next time try not to be so rash.” Sebastian looked at the girl and back to the young lord. He saw how he looked at Aziza and knew that there was no swaying him from his decision.
“So you’ll be living with me in Hidden Springs from now on.” He said with a little smile. He raised his hand to pat her on the head but thought better of it. Who knows what this little girl had been through… .
Aziza saw the gesture and felt something in her chest get warm. She waited to feel his hand tell her it would be okay.
When he withdrew she felt a little pain where the warmth was.
It’s okay he’s my new master. This is the way it is. Aziza thought to herself. she didn’t even understand why she got the warm feeling.
“Young Lord, a car has arrived to take us the rest of the way to the meeting.” said sebastian ushering Cyrus and Aziza to the car.
Aziza Looked back for one last look at her old home.
Cyrus quickly finished his meeting in Egypt and immediately made his way home with his new…. Friend? Could he call her that?
No. He didn’t have friends. Only employees. But still, she didn’t fit that description either… it hurt his head to think of what to categorize her as in his life so he left it be for now.
He looked at her in a seat somewhere ahead of him. She seemed to be the same as when she had left that poor excuse for a “home” with him. He had doubted that this girl had ever been on a plane. Wasn’t she excited? Maybe she was scared. Maybe she didn’t know what to think.
He leaned back and rubbed his eyes. He had much to plan when he arrived home.
He stepped up to his mansion and she stood sheepishly behind him. Her face didn’t change but he saw a look of amazement in her eyes as they widened evr so slightly.
“This is your new home Aziza.” he said to her in a business like tone.
“Yes Master.” she said quietly.
“Again with the Master thing? I’m not your Master. My name is Cyrus….”
“Sebastian calles you Master”
“He’s done that since the day I was born. You don’t call me that. Just Mister Cyrus, just Cyrus or something. I don’t care just not Master. You aren’t a slave anymore. You’ll be with me here always. No one is going to hurt you ever again and you are going to grow up normally from now on.” he told her all of this even though he wasn’t sure that he was capable of rasing a…. How old was she?
“Aziza, How old are you?” What was he thinking she probably couldn’t do math….
“I’m Twelve.” Only 2 years younger than him.
“Oh. So did you go to school in Egypt or something?” he asked he figured he should at least know a little about her.
” No but the old man i lived with in my old village taught me all these things when I was little.” her voice didn’t even sound sad.
“Oh, alright then. You’ll start school tomorrow.” they walked inside and Cyurs started some paper work at the table.
Aziza brought brought out a special book and sat next to him.
“Hey, we’ve been traveling all day why don’t you go get cleaned up?” he said.
she got up but and stood there looking a little confused. She tugged on her shirt and looked at her feet.
oh….
“I had Sebastian order you some clothes. I’ll go but you more tomorrow. But the bath room is upstairs. Go take a bath.”
She still looked at the floor.
” A-aren’t you going to come with me?”
“Wha- Why would I do tha-..” He stopped when he realized what she was suggesting. It made him angry but he held it back knowing it wasn’t her fault.
“Uh. Look. I don’t do that sort of thing. I didn’t buy you for that. anyway this house id pretty big so I can show you to your bathroom and I’ll get your clithes ready on your bed.”
“Yes Master.” she said still not looking up from the floor.
He cleared his throat.
“Master Cyrus?” she corrected hopefully.
He figured that it would take a while for that to change… He led her upstairs and showed her her room and her bathroom. Then left her to it.
She had never been in such a clean house before. She let the tub fill with warm water and then she let herself feel what she remembered as happiness. She pretended she was a mermaid from one of the old man’s stories. Then she pretended she had one of those new machines that was a boat that could swim under the water with the fish.
Aziza splashed and splashed until her fingers had become all wrinkles.
She hadn’t had this feeling in a long time.
After laying her clothes out on her bed Cyrus went to his room just next to hers and enrolled her in school. Then he decided that actually konwing her knowlage level was important before he sent the papers in.
So he set up some tests for her grade level. (or the grade she was supposed to be in) he would see what she knew and if he had to he would tutor her himself until she was up to going to school.
He went downstairs with his packets of tests and waited for her to come down stairs.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Aziza Came out of the bath to find a very pretty blue dress laying on her bed. the sight of it took her breath away. It was a pretty blue, had white tights, pretty shoes and a neck bow. She loved it. she couldn’t believe it belonged to her.
After she dressed she turned to see these cute little white wing earrings. She had her ears pierced by one of the women in the village so she put them in and looked into the mirror.
She didn’t recognize the pretty girl standing before her. She was… happy. She was beginning to understand how this felt again. For the first time since the day she was taken from her village, she smiled.
Aziza ventured back downstairs only to find the young lord smiling at her and holding a rather large stack of papers in his hands. she wondered what he was up to.
“Looks good on you. Do you like it?” Cyrus asked. He looked at how pretty she was and knew his choice was good because she was smiling at him.
She was a very pretty little girl and the blue of the dress set off her eyes. He liked her smile. It made him feel warm. He hadn’t felt that way in a long long time.
It was then that he decided that he would try his hardest to see it more often. A little girl that had been through horrible things like she had, deserved it.
“Yes master Cyrus I like it a lot but are you sure I can have this?” She asked.
“Well I said it’s yours didn’t I?” he wasn’t sure why she would think she couldn’t keep it.
“Anyway” he continued, “I have some tests I need you to take before I enroll you in school.” He waited for her to groan or whine but she did none of that.
He was stunned as he watched her walk over to the table and grab the top test and a pencil and sit on the floor.
“What are you doing on the floor Aziza?”
He didn’t receive and answer as she began answering questions. He sat down next to her. They were working for a good hour and were almost done. Aziza was amazing. she was basically on track and only needed guidance everynow and then.
As she finished her current test and started to begin the geography test Cyrus got a phone call.
“Sorry Aziza just let me see who this is and we’ll get back to work okay? You’re doing an amazing job by the way.” he gave her a little smile that immediately faded when he saw his caller ID.
Great he thought to himself.
“Sebastian. Take Aziza to her room.” he said in a tone that meant business.
“Hello Father….”
He was dreading to hear what his sad excuse for a father was going to talk to him about. Though he already had a hunch.
Cyrus’s father was never around. And by never I mean the kid only met his father 8 times in his 14 years of life. Though he had sent him money every month, let Cyrus have the house and Given him the Egypt Branch of Cain Corp. he was never there for him. Not when he really needed him.
His father Sighed into the other end of the phone and it made Cyrus nervous. Even though he told himself many times that his father didn’t matter to him and that he wasn’t scared of him, that was all a lie. He feared his father’s temper….
“Cyrus, Why do you find it necessary to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong?” His fathers voice was calm sounding but Cyrus knew all too well that if he was in the country Cyrus would be in for it.
“I don’t know what you mean father.” He lied even though he knew it was hopeless. His father could find anything on anyone at anytime. His father knew what he had done.
” DON’T! Don’t you lie to me boy! I asked you a question! Do NOT make me repeat myself….” Here it was, his father’s temper. A temper that often led to physical abuse if pushed.
“I’m sorry Father, I had to help her. She’s very smart and Very sweet I couldn’t just leave her there!”
“Yes! that’s exactly what you do Cyrus! You leave things BE! You are my son, your social status is at stake when it comes to these things!”
“Who cares about social status?! It’s not like I have friends anyway and she’ll be well taken care of and I’ll pay for her things and I’ll make sure she gets an education!”
“Damage to your social status is damage to your Credibility as a president of the Cain Corp! But fine as you wish you’ll get tired of your pet soon enough.”
His son??? Yeah right! He looked at his father’s ring in disgust.
“Aziza isn’t a pet she’s a person! everything will be fine Father.” Cyrus Hung up.
He couldn’t stand how everyone was talking about Aziza like a thing! He knew he had to work hard and prove his father wrong. He would do it if it killed him.
Aziza was lead to her room by Sebastian, though she had already been here so she did not see a reason for and escort. Though she followed quietly, glad to be granted the opportunity to ask this man some questions…
“Here you are My Lady.” Sebastian said, giving a small bow. Aziza was a little shocked by the title he had given her.
“Thank you…. Um…. Can I ask you something Mister Sebastian?” she asked not exactly looking him in the face.
“Anything.” Though he would soon find himself short on answers.
“Why did Master Cain Buy me if he isn’t going to use me?”
Aziza’s question left nothing to be explained though that didn’t keep it from catching Sebastian off guard. He was quite sure that the young master would never use this girl in such a nefarious manner but he also knew that the Young Lord himself did not know the reasoning behind his actions.
“That is something that I do not know how to answer completely, Lady Aziza. Young Lord Cain is a very serious and very mature young man. He does not make relationships beyond that of an employer and an employee. He usually has a level head and doesn’t make such rash decisions. Though something about you-… Well I have never seen the Master act that way before. So I don’t think I would be the one to ask that sort of question.” He started to walk away but turned to add, “Though I can assure you he would NEVER abuse you.”
“Abuse? I don’t understand.” She didn’t understand what was abuse about her purpose. She had always been told what would happen to her when someone bought her. She would be used for their enjoyment. Enjoyment is something happy. She was going to continue her thinking when Sebastian interrupted.
“My Lady, this is something best discussed with Master Cyrus. Though I will tell you the things you might have gone through before coming here are indeed abuse. A beautiful child such as yourself should NEVER have to go through something like that. Goodnight, Lady Aziza.” And with that he walked out or her room and left her to her thoughts.
Abuse? But isn’t that something bad? Something that hurts someone else? But the things that happened where she went always made the people around her happy. how was it abuse? though she did have to admit that something made her uncomfortable.
The more she thought about it the more it made her remember how she lived before she was taken from her village. She remembered the happy feeling. The feeling of…. Love? Is that what the old man had taught her?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aziza Lived with an old man in a small village by a river. Her parents had died when she was only a baby so the old man took her in. When she was old enough to walk and talk he started teaching her things like math and how to read. After doing her chores everyday she would sit down and do lessons with the old man.
When she did well the old man would praise her by patting her head and saying kind words. Just remembering made her feel the warm feeling in her chest again. The same feeling she had when Master Cyrus reached out to her. She thought about the feeling in her chest after he dropped his hand. Sadness?
She was brought back to the day she was taken from the village. She had gone out to pick some flowers for the old man. When she returned ……
She stopped herself from thinking about such a sad day. She properly remembered these feelings. Happiness, Excitement, Disappointment, Sadness And most of all Fear. she wondered when she had lost touch with these feelings. They had not all returned to her just yet. but she knew in her heart that they would return eventually. Though she had hoped that she could do her best to convey her feelings from now on.
One thought that kept coming to her over and over again was about Master Cyrus.
If he didn’t buy her to do things with her than what was her purpose?
Aziza tried to take her mind off of all the things that made her confused, so she decided to explore her room. HER room… She had never had anything of her own before. And even if she did it was NEVER this expensive or pretty looking.
She hadn’t gotten a very good look at herself in the mirror before. Now she had more time to look at herself properly.
Te dress was so beautiful. Her earrings went perfectly. Her hair was very shiny and long. Finally she looked at her face. She didn’t realize she was smiling so much. She felt happiness. It made her giggle. Then she giggled some more. This feeling was so nice. She laughed and played in the mirror for a good 15 minutes. After she had laughed herself silly, she felt sleepy. So she looked at her HUGE bed and had the strange urge to JUMP on it.
She must have been very tired because she felt the cover and the pillow and was out as soon as her head hit the pillow. It was so soft and smelled so nice. Everything was just so Wonderful.
~~~~~~
Cyrus Hung up on his father and thought about how crazy these past 2 days had been. He wasn’t acting like himself at all. Why did this little girl have the power to make him behave as someone else? He sighed and walked up the stairs to apologize to her and tell her that they would finish the test now.
As he walked to her room he noticed the light was off. He entered slowly and quietly. the sight before him made him smile. She had passed out still completely Clothed.
He rubbed his neck tiredly and let out a sigh. What on earth had he done? How was he going to take care of this little girl? What had possessed him to make a life changing decision with his emotions alone? That wasn’t him at all….
He looked at the sleeping girl and smiled a little. he wanted to reach out and hug her. Hug her?!?!?!?!
Where the hell did that come from? He didn’t HUG people… well maybe when he was little….
He took her shoes and earrings off. He covered her with the blanket and noticed a wisp of hair hanging into her face. As he leaned in to tuck it back into her braid he saw how lovely her hair was and she smelled nice too. After tucking the hair back into place he reached to brush a few fingers across her cheek in a soft caress….
He stopped himself before he touched her face. He had realized what he was doing. He stood up straight and turned from her, frustrated with himself. This wasn’t allowed. He was angry that he was acting so out of character. What was it about this girl that made him so drawn to her? He would have to be more careful from now on. He would NOT Hurt this beautiful little girl. Ever. He wouldn’t let anyone else hurt her either.
He walked away and went to send in the enrollment papers. Geography wasn’t so important that she couldn’t attend tomorrow. He figured she had been so amazing with the school tests that she would be fine.
After Cyrus got the paperwork set up for Aziza to go to school the next day he relaxed on his bed thinking about all the questions that were running through his head earlier.
Finally at around two in the morning he felt tired and put himself to bed. His dreams were a medley of happy images. Him Playing with his mother as a child. Him playing with kids his age.
Then it changed. He was in a park with Aziza chasing her around and listening to her scream and giggle. Suddenly she tripped and cut herself. Cyrus was alarmed and ran to her side. He picked her up and brushed away her tears. He hugged her to his chest and kissed her hair.
He woke with a start feeling someone watching him. He tried to blink away the fuzzy images in his head. Slightly sad that his dream was gone but he became more alert as he heard a sniffle from the other side of his bed.
He blinked the fog out of his eyes to find Aziza, red eyed and sniffling, tugging at her nightgown.
“Aziza, What’s wrong?” he said in a husky voice full of sleep.
“The m-men. T-t-they came to get me again…..” She shook and shuddered.
Cyrus ushered her up onto his bed. Then got up to tuck her in. He did’t want to ask who the men were. he figured she would tell him that story one day but tonight she was too upset.
This is against the rules. He knew that. This feeling was slowly growing inside him and he had to stop it. She could stay for the night. He would correct things in the morning. Right now she needed him to sooth her. He could keep his distance.
He tucked her in and went back to his side and lay there staying awake just in case she needed him. He thought about the way he had started feeling towards her. He tried to rationalize them. She was 2 years younger than him She was still just a child. He was angered that a child he barley knew could have such an effect on him…. Then he figured it out.
He was behaving like a parent. He wanted to protect her. He wanted to hug her like a father. He wanted to teach her. He wanted to make her happy. Yes, All like a father.
He would discuss it with Sebastian tomorrow while she was at school. But for now he let himself drift off to sleep. He could rest easier now that he found out the reason behind these confusing feelings.
When morning came Cyrus knew he had to set the boundaries. Even if he felt fatherly towards her she could not sleep in his bed.
He would figure out a way to make her comfortable if this ever happened again.
“Aziza,” he started “uh. I know you were upset and all but next time we’ll go back to your own bed. Okay?” he was trying to be tender but he didn’t seem to be doing a good job.
“‘Yes Master….” she said quietly
“Uh. You really don’t have to call me master… but uh I don’t mean to sound rude or anything. Next time of you want I could uh sit with you until you fall asleep. you know? Would that be okay?”
Aziza was not really paying attention she was getting herself ready to ask him what her purpose was.
“Yes that would be good. um. Mas- Mister Cyrus, Can I ask you something?”
“Yeah.”
“What is my purpose?” she asked looking at the painting on the far wall making sure not to meet his eyes.
“Wha- I don’t …. What do you mean by that? I mean I don’t think anyone knows their purpose in life until they fulfill it….”
” No, no. I mean why did you buy me? I know you don’t plan on using me for the reasons I was told I would be used for. So. What is my purpose here?”
He didn’t know who to answer that. He didn’t understand why he had gone and done something so rash. HE BOUGHT A PERSON. Well in his eyes he liked to think of it as rescuing her from a terrible fate. But why did he care so much. Why?
” Well, you see…. I cant answer that fully. I don’t even really know how to explain it other than to tell you that all i kept thinking was that I had to get you away from there… I had to save you.”
“Save me? I don’t …” then she remembered Sebastian calling it abuse.” mister Cyrus. How was it abuse? I mean isn’t abuse bad? All the people around me seemed happy.”
He sighed because it was all he could do not to get angry.
“Aziza, I don’t know what you went through or what those people did to you. If you ever want to tell me I’ll listen. But what they were preparing you for is WRONG. you are a little kid. All you should ever have to worry about is having fun with kids your age, learning all you can, and having fun. Those things should never be forced on you. Did you ever feel scared or sad? Aren’t those bad feelings. Couldn’t you feel that those things were wrong?”
She nodded without saying a word.
She had felt scared and she felt sad many times with those people. when they first told her about her “Purpose” it made her tummy hurt. he was right, it didn’t feel alright. Deep down inside she knew it was bad.
When exactly did everything get so twisted? When had her feelings been buried so deep she forgot how to feel? When had she lost her sense of right and wrong? How were things supposed to get back to “normal”?
“Hey, Everything will be alright. okay?” Cyrus told her seeing the sadness in her face. He would make it right. He had to.
But how? He hadn’t had what you would call a “normal” childhood. He didn’t have friends. He only made connections out of necessity. This was going to be hard but it’s what she needed. She needed “Normal”, or something like it.
He could do that for her, he could try hard to be normal.
As soon as he thought of one thing he could do there came more and more and more things that they could do together. He would take her out and have ice cream on the beach he would take her to the park and pay catch and tag. the possibilities were endless. He could-
“Mister Cyrus?” she looked at him with a slightly worried face. “Am I going to school today?”
“Y-yes. Oh and that reminds me as soon as you get there someone will show you around. You should go get ready the bus will be here at 8. okay?”
“Uh.. okay.” She said nervously.
“Hey!” he said as she turned to leave. ” Everything will be alright from now on. I promise.” He gave her a handsome grin that made her feel like everything really would be okay.
And with that she went to get read for her first day of school…..
After Aziza left for school that morning Cyrus decided to ask Sebastian about these feelings and confirm that they they were just parental.
Though Sebastian had never had any of his own children he had basically raised Cyrus, so he would understand the feeling…. he hoped.
Sebastian was in the piano room playing one of Cyrus’ favorite melodies and he hated to interrupt him but he had a lot of things to do today.
“Sebastian, can I talk to you about something?” he asked feeling a little embarrassed.
Sebastian stopped playing and walked over to his young master. He knew that face and had a hunch of what he wanted to talk about. He knew Cyrus inside and out, there was something that had confused Cyrus.
He smiled and waited for what he knew was to come.
“Of course young master.”
“Well I know that you don’t have kids of your own but..”
Maybe Sebastian didn’t know where this was going…..
“Well you’ve always been like a father to me, and I know that you treat me like your own so you know what it’s like to feel… fatherly?” he finished in a rush un aware that he was blushing ever so slightly.
Oh no. Sebastian thought.
“Yes well I do feel as if you are my own. B-“
“Good so it’s normal to want to protect, teach and to want to hug your kids right? That’s fatherly right?”
“Yes it is, b-” he was cut off again…
“Great! Anyway I have a lot if things to prepare before Aziza comes home. Thank you Sebastian!” he said happily as he went off to attend to his business.
Well…. Sebastian wasn’t completely off on the subject of discussion. He laughed to himself at the young lords cluelessness. He’ll figure it you eventually… even if I have to help him out a bit at times.
Sebastian scratched his head wondering how someone could misread their own feelings?
