Chapter 31 - 31

The next day I called in sick to work, not wanting to face anybody or deal with anything. Especially if those things and people came in the form of a giant, know it all, two-timing Master.

I went back to bed and woke up a little while later to find I had not turned my phone up after getting Lizzie's text message yesterday. I opened it up to find there were seven voice mails and twice as many text messages from her ranging from: "Mia where are you?" to: "Mia if you don't fucking call me right now then I'm coming over." There were messages from Reed as well which I just deleted not even bothering to listen to them.

My heart still ached something fierce and my head felt as if someone was pounding it against the walls. I dragged myself off the couch and took a cool shower before shuffling back out into the living room. I figured this was the perfect day to dig out the ice cream I had hidden in the back of my freezer and was delighted to find I still had some wine in my fridge. I grabbed the essentials and shuffled back to the couch where I turned on some crappy soap operas and that is where I stayed all day.

My phone rang continuously, but I refused to answer it. I would only look over on an occasion to find it was either Reed or Lizzie calling. Once I even caught Jordan calling, much to my surprise. I did actually listen to Jordan's voice mail worried it might be something about Lizzie.

"Mia, I think I should warn you that Reed really doesn't like to be ignored and the punishment for that is more severe than the one you got for calling him a fucking bastard. Not to mention I do not appreciate how you are making Lizzie worry. I suggest you call someone back and let them know what the hell happened last night and where the hell you are before someone comes and kicks your door in," he growled at me over the message.

I felt extremely guilty over making Lizzie worry. That had never been my intention at all. I just couldn't handle how betrayed I felt by Reed, Who the hell was Nina? And why hadn't anyone mentioned her up until now?

God, I felt like such an idiot falling for every word that man had said. I squeezed back the tears and grabbed my phone. Reed's failures were not Lizzie's fault and I needed to let her know I was okay. If for no other reason than I didn't want anyone over here while I was throwing my own private pity party.

-Lizzie, I'm fine. I'm at home, right now. No, I do not want company. Please make sure that Reed and Jordan do not come over here. I really don't want them here. - I hurriedly texted her.

I was shocked and relieved when the calls immediately stopped and the only thing that came in after that was one text.

-You owe me... BIG TIME!!!-

After my third attempt to sleep past the annoyingly buzzing alarm, my ringing phone finally woke me up. I groped for it on my bedside table only to realize that I had left it by the couch yesterday when I had finally convinced myself to go to bed.

I jumped up and hastily ran down the hall. Half-awake, the race was more of a stumbling, bumping, and cursing attempt. Yet, I still managed to grab my phone off the coffee table and answered it in time.

"Frick!! Hello?"I answered irritably.

God, a phone call before coffee was immoral. It honestly should be illegal. I momentarily contemplated calling the police to see if they would arrest whoever was at the other end.

"Hello, Mia," came the response.

"Who is this?" I asked.

I wasn't really paying attention to the voice as I began looking at the newly raised bruise on my arm from the door jamb. There was another one that was beginning to show up from hitting the corner of the coffee table as I had skidded to a stop to grab my phone.

"I can tell you this, it certainly isn't Master Tom. Though I'm thinking of taking a few tips on punishing disobedient subs from him," Reed growled through the earpiece.

That worked to get my tired mind to pay attention.

However, instead of feeling fear or hurt, the only emotion I felt was anger. Hearing his voice had brought out the hostility I'd felt towards him ever since I had seen him with that blonde bimbo.

"Oh, I do apologize, Sir," my voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm just not human without my first cup of coffee."

"Well, I suggest you get human. First Rule: I demand respect. I don't request it. I don't earn it. I demand it," he said his voice made of granite.

"Look, Sir," I spat out.

"If you wanted respect or pleasantries, I suggest you call back at a decent time. How about never? I'm just in no mood to kiss your ass like you want me to right now.”

The silence that came through sent warning shivers down my spine. The words "oh shit" went through my head. But after the other night, I couldn't care less.

"I'll call back in a half an hour. Have your shower and your coffee, but do not dress. Do not disobey me on this, Mia," he said quietly, although there was no mistaking the chill that permeated his words.

The unmistakable click on the other end told me that he had hung up on me. In shock, I stood there staring at the phone. What just happened? I had the upper hand, right? The ball was in my court, right? So why did I have the feeling that I was just fooling myself here? I felt like I was floating down a river-rapid and only Reed knew where the rocks were.

-29 minutes-