The corperate underworld, A beauty to be tamed (open)

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy nodded and thanked Dominique and sighed deeply with relief. She was thankful to have the chance to be by herself with her thoughts. She took her time dressing for sleep in a deep purple and black gown. She struggled to clear her head of Allen, argued internally with herself about his character, kindness, or potential lack there of.

She knelt beside the bed and whispered prayers before climbing into the soft warm blankets. She could smell him on herself, on her skin even she was sure of it. She pictured the shark-like gleam in his eyes and shuddered twisting beneath the covers. She had never slept in such comfortable conditions before and was increasingly aware of the pain her body was suffering. She had slept primarily on the floors or cots in the slave quarters, and had been in a box of sorts for transport. This room and bed too comfortable to be real for her and turning off her mind was proving difficult.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He sat for long moments, his thoughts twisting and turning, he wanted to help the girl, but he also had to keep his front. It was the only thing that kept him alive, that and his hard work, but hard work was nothing without fear in his new world. He finally made up his mind and got to his feet, walking out of his study he wandered down the corridor and down the steps to his shooting range. Taking magazines from a combination locked safe, he walked to one of the two booths, pushed a button and a target slid into position. Drawing the pistol from the small of his back, he used the other hand to plug the earplugs into his ears.

He raised the pistol and opened fire, eight shots and he pressed another button, the big round hole in the target's forehead made him smile coldly. He replaced the target, let it move back, reloaded and opened fire again. He saved the last magazine, slid the pistol back into it's holster and made his way back upstairs after putting the empty magazines away.

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

She laid for over an hour as still as she could, head resting on the soft pillows and eyes shut tight. A feverish sleep did find her, or at least awareness left. She wasn't sure if she had been sleeping for hours or minutes when she heard them, violent screams.
The sound terrified her, it was raw and familiar it took her some time to realize that among the screaming women was herself. She watched herself and faces of loved ones and strangers, heard sound of pain and despair and could not, no matter her effort answer even her own call. The screaming vibrated through her brain becoming unbearably loud.

Ivy's eyes snapped open her hand clasping over her mouth the capture the sound coming from it. She flung herself from the large mattress gracelessly onto the floor and pressed her back against the wall. Her entire body quaked while she took care to slow her breathing and control the tears that soaked her cheeks and neck.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He was passing her door when he heard her scream, he hesitated, then opened the door and found her sitting on the floor, her face covered with tears and her breathing ragged. He walked in and crouched down beside her, his voice soft and caring when he spoke.

"O medo non o neno, está seguro agora. Dano non virá a vós esta noite" (Fear not child, you are safe now. Harm will not come to you tonight)

He laid a calming hand on her shoulder and pulled a handkerchief from his jacket, using it to gently wipe the tears from her face.

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

She flinched at his approach when he entered the room, fearing the worst, she had prepared herself for a fight. Her muscles tensing with his approaching steps. The words he said however, slowed her trembling. The sound of her own language, the soothing voice quieted her panic.

"Go raibh, tá d’fháilteachas gan chríoch "( thank you, your generosity/hospitality is beyond measure)
She responded as he dried her tears, her face was framed by damp strands of hair that had come loose from her braid. "I am sorry I disturbed you" she whispered, her breath slowing as she regained her composure and made herself look up at him to see if the kindness in his voice made it to his eyes.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He smiled gently at her,

"You have no need to apologize, I am sure that what happened in that place would give anybody nightmares."

He loosened her braid and felt her soft hair cascade over his hands, he pushed her hair away from her face and finished drying her face as gently as he could.

"Come, I will sit with you, if it may help to make you sleep better."

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

She exhaled slowly when he loosened her braid and shook the stiffness from her neck. "Thank you" she said again looking up at Allen as she slowly to to her feet. "Can you tell me what will be expected of me? I understand that you have intentions or a use for me..." She shivered a little in the thin blue nightgown that had been chosen for her by the woman called Tina at the clothing boutique.

She sat on the edge of the bed and looked up at him. "I did not know the American's sold human beings" She said, her eyebrows furrowed in thoughts. "The books I read indicated a different picture" she said plainly. Her eyes though swollen and red rimmed from crying, were brighter and more alive with thought and coherency than she had felt in awhile. The drugs that kept the girls cooperative were finally wearing off. She felt sick at her stomache and feverish, but she was thankful that the vile substance would be gone from her system soon.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He picked up that something was changing with her, the look in her eyes for one, gently he rested a hand on her forehead, then placed his fingers on the pulse in her neck.

"Even sedated you fought,"

he chuckled.

"Like I have said, you will have to entertain guests, by my catering chief so to say. I will expect nothing but your co-operation, but you are bound to me, the legal part of that will be sorted out in the morning. So the only thing that I want is for you to do as I say and not try to flee. Stay in those lines and we should get along very well."

He brushed over her hair,

"Nique will first teach you what to do and then she will remain with you the first few times, she is a very discreet lady and I'm sure you will find her tutelage...useful."

He walked over to the window and pushed the curtains open, looking out.

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy leaned her cheek into Allen's hand when he felt her pulse. She crinkled her nose ever so slightly picking up the scent of gunpowder. "You would have done any different?" She mused "I've no doubt that you have plenty of resources to keep you protected, yet its clear you handle firearms yourself in a habitual manner. Not many men carry the scent so casually" She said with a timid smirk. She closed her eyes and quieted momentarily when he touched her hair.
When he peered from the window and his back was to her she pondered what he had said about 'entertaining' and Nique's ability for discretion.

"I think you would have kept fighting as well...."

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

"It is my fighting that brought me where I am, I can do nothing else as well as work hard and fighting tooth and nail for what I want. Nothing in life ever came to me, but with you..."

He smiled as he kept his gaze on the outside,

"You are the first gift in my life and now I wish to teach you what you need to know and set you free. But first you have to earn that freedom with information."

He raised a hand and ran the fingertips over his jaw, then he turned to face her,

"There is a reason I use the weapon, but it is not the reason you think it to be. But get some rest first, more will be revealed to you very soon."

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy's mind was overwhelmed with questions, her eyes were fierce as she tried to sort them. She gave up quickly, she doubted he would repeat things and she would be best suited to comprehend what was being said.

She shifted herself back under the blankets and laid her head down. The moment she closed her eyes this time it was relief. She exhaled in a long slow breath and began to appreciate the stillness of the room.

Her eyes opened again this time with effort and she watched his expression, studied his face and mannerisms. She did not understand how she could feel comforted and so enraged and afraid all at the same time.

"Is fheàrr teicheadh math na droch fhuireach." (Better a good retreat than a bad stand.) She murmered sleepily as she drifted off.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He moved silently and ran a soothing hand over her troubled brow,

"A mellor defensa é o ataque. Neno durmir agora, imos mañá coidar dela propia"(The best defense is attack. Sleep now child, let tomorrow take care of it self)

He took a seat in one of the chairs and watched over her as she slept, this time she seemed more calm and relaxed, but he kept on watching over her.

A soft touch woke him suddenly, a blade slipping from it's sheath into his palm, but he relaxed when he saw that it was Dominique.

"Go sleep boss, I'll look after her."

He nodded at her soft whisper, got to his feet and went to his new bedroom, as Ivy was now using his own. His clothes had been moved already by Dominique's crew and the bed freshly made, he kicked off his shoes and just fell down on the bed.

"Imos mañá coidar dela propia."

He smiled at the words and closed his eyes to slee further.

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy stirred when Allen touched her, making small tired sound and gripping the edge of the blanket she was under. An occasional tremor rocked her frame but she was deeply sleeping. Her body turned off every since of awareness within her and she would sleep without stirring for an easy 20 hours were she not disturbed. She took no notice of the other woman's arrival nor Allen leaving the room.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

He awoke in the early morning, he got up, pulled off his clothes and got into comfortable clothing, hitting his private gym for a hard work out and a nice cold shower. As usual Dominique stood ready with his coffee and the newspaper when he entered his study,

"She is sleeping soundly, nothing seems to bother her now."

He nodded,

"Keep it that way, I want her to be rested and given as much freedom as possible. She is the key 'Nique."

Dominique nodded and made her way out of his study, he read the paper as he sipped his coffee, when he was done, he got dressed and left for work.

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

The blackness was heaven, there were no dreams and no awareness what so ever. If it had been up to Ivy she would have stayed in that blackness. It was warm and safe, she did not worry of intrusions into that blackness.

She opened her eyes very slowly and yawned. Had Nique just left the room? She wondered how long she had slept. Her body felt stiff but stronger and her legs supported her weight with little wavering.

Stretching lazily, Ivy put her feet on the floor and looked around the room. She went to the bathroom to get cleaned up. She decided to avoid her reflection until she had bathed.

It didn't take long for her to start noticing little traces of Allen in the large luxurious bathroom. She bathed slowly and comfortably singing to herself the whole time. She spent a solid 20 minutes brushing out her hair and letting fall down her back. After another hour she had selected a simple white dress and stared at her reflection anxiously.


http://i52.tinypic.com/2589g77.jpg

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Gray

He was seated in his office, going through reports and drawing up programs, he knew that all the other businessmen had people doing this for them. He didn't trust anybody with this part of his businesses, he pursed his lips as he looked at a problem that had arisen in his Wi-Fi corporation.


Domonique

She stood just outside the door, watching Ivy as she finished up after waking, she had to admit that there was more to this woman than what met the eye and from what Allen had told her, she was drugged when she first came here. An entirely different creature this one would be, she just hoped that she didn't try to do anything rash as that might lead to her getting hurt badly.

"Goodmorning Ivy, would you like something to eat?"

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

When Nique entered the room Ivy quickly braided her hair and secured it with the same ribbon she always used. "Is this acceptable?" she asked of her appearance turning to critique herself once more. "Something to eat would be nice...thank you" She said the thought of food appealing in a way it hadn't in quite some time.

"I was told there was some sort of training you would be providing. Do you think you could tell me more about what is going to be happening here?" She looked concerned but far more coherent and sensible than when she had arrived. "I'm afraid I remember little of the details of my arrival." She paused and smiled at Nique, "I do remember you, Thank you for your kindness and for keeping watch over me"

 

[DeathsKnight]

She nodded,

"Yes, it will suffice since there is nothing else to do today anyway."

She motioned for Ivy to follow her,

"Come we will have breakfast together."

Once they were both moving down the corridor on their way to the dining room on the first floor 'Nique answered her.

"You will take my place as hostess, you will entertain his clients and friends when they are here. Entertain as in keep them talking and happy, there will be no tolerance for anybody doing more than that without your concent. I will teach you what I know and when I'm satisfied that you know all you can learn from me, you will be on your own."

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy nodded as she followed Nique down the hallway counting the guards as she walked. She noticed at least one of them was armed but past that she mostly tried to pay attention to what Nique was saying.

When they had reached the dining room she walked around the room taking in the layout. "What kind of clients....and what are we to talk about?" she asked calmly turning to seek further explanation.

 

[DeathsKnight]

"They are clients from both worlds, but even the darker world ones knoew not to incur Allen's wrath, it is very counter-productive to staying alive and well."

She motioned to a breakfast trolley and started to get bacon, eggs and toast for herself, not a big eater she left the rest untouched.

"Anything really, as long as they keep talking and perhaps let slip things that could be of use to Allen. You will be a spy of sorts, but to them you are just a pretty face to flirt with."

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy seated herself after taking a couple of pieces of fruit for herself. She glanced at the doorway looking for wear the guards stood and the attentiveness. "That makes sense I suppose...People talk freely to people they think are too ignorant to really listen" she muttered turning her attention back to Nique.
"Will I be allowed outside?" She asked her eyes drawn towards a window she could see in the next room. "When will my training begin?" She didn't pause between the questions, Nor seem to notice that they overlapped. Her eyes gave way the fact that she was clearly off in her mind, entertaining thoughts other than the present conversation.

 

[DeathsKnight]

'Nique chuckled,

"You're training has already begun, I am telling you all this so that you can get into the mind set."

Her eyes wandered to see Ivy's gaze and she smiled,

"Yes as a matter of fact you are allowed outside, but no further than the walls, that is a place only guards and their dogs are allowed. Not even Allen dare to venture there as the dogs are used only to their handlers and will tear anything or anybody that moves apart."

She turned her gaze back to Ivy,

"It is a comfortable cage, I envy you though. You will not be here long, where my debt to Allen is for life."

She took a bite and slowly chewed it,

"He saved my life and as you should know, ten que a súa vida a quen o salvou.(You owe your life to the one who saved it)"

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

The mock tranquility left Ivy's face under Nique's statement, and she turned to look closely at the woman. "How am I fortunate then? What exception am I that I will not be here long?" She asked confused and forgetting her mental intent to collect information about her environment. "What is it that you envy?"

Her mind traveled briefly to the dark place that echoed Allen's words about what may have happened, had he refused her as a gift. She tried to shake of the unsteady feeling.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Allen Brown

"Like I told you, help me and you will receive your freedom."

Allen came in from the doorway and fixed himself a plate, with his back still turned to them he continued,

"She envy you because you mean so much to me and that you will help me so much, in a way that nobody ever could."

He sat down and looked directly at Ivy,

"She envies the fact that I am dependant on you to help me to escape this life."

He held her eyes for a while and then set to eating, 'Nique refused to say anything as she turned her attention to her food.

 

[WhatsBroknAlice]

Ivy frowned and set down the piece of fruit she had been eating. "I am truly sorry Miss Nique."

She did not look at the woman. She looked at no one really but the direction of her gaze was on Allen.

" I don't understand this world as well as you...I do understand though that it is never easy or fair when you are a small fish surrounded by graceless sharks"

She focused suddenly on Allen as if she hadn't really looked at him before she studied his face. His eyes and the difference of his appearance from how he had appeared to her before. Seeming to realize she was staring, Ivy looked down and began quietly eating again.