“Hey you!”
I startle, yanking a handful of grass from the ground. I didn’t realise I’d sat on the ground to feel the grass. A female Unfortunate jogs over to me. Her frizzy hair bounces around her shoulders and the sun gleams against her gorgeous, dark skin. I quickly pull myself to my feet and drop the handful of grass. I’m careful not to get any dirt on my purple dress.
“Nine, right?”
I recognise her from the branding ceremony. She poured Kade’s drink while I got towels to clean up the alcohol she spilt. I don’t remember telling her my name, but we work in the same house, so I guess it wouldn’t be too hard to figure it out.
I nod. “Yeah.”
She smiles, exposing a set of perfect white teeth. She seems so upbeat and happy… why can’t I be upbeat and happy? Will I be, eventually?
“I’m Portia.”
I frown. Portia? I was expecting a number or something a little more degrading.
“Portia?”
She hooks her arm around mine and pulls me along beside her. My heartbeat quickens and I peer over my shoulder. Are we allowed to walk around so casually? Touching and chatting like the Fortunates do?
“They replaced my number when I started here. Sometimes, they run out of numbers and give you a name instead so they can reuse the number in the system.”
“They have a system?”
“Absolutely.” She giggles. “They’re not total barbarians.”
Aren’t they? Why doesn’t she think so? Questions form in my head one after the other and as I open my mouth to voice them, I see Master Kade walk by.
“Look, there’s Master Kade. It’s his birthday today.”
I freeze and dive into a near bush so he doesn’t see me. As soon as I’m hidden and sticks jab into my body, I regret it. What the hell am I doing? There’s a stick poking right into my brand, thankfully, it’s almost healed, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less.
“Portia?” Master Kade demands, his voice getting too close for comfort.
Through the branches, I see Portia peer nervously at me. I shake my head, begging her not to tell him. She clears her throat. “Yes, Master Kade?”
He strolls up to her, his handsome face pinched into a frown. Cold sweat trickles down the back of my neck and bubbles over my top lip. I ignore the leaves tickling my nose and the stick prodding my ass.
“Make sure Nine gets her dress.”
She nods, dropping her head. “Yes, Master Kade.”
He walks off without another glance in her direction and when he disappears inside the house, I force myself from the bush. When I’m out, the cool air stings new scratches on my arms and legs.
“Are you insane?” Portia scolds me, her thin eyebrows furrowing. “If he saw you we both would’ve been done for.”
“He didn’t see me,” I say, running my hands over my dress and plucking off stray leaves. “Thank god.”
She folds her arms. “Why’d you hide?”
“Because I’m avoiding him. Obviously.”
She shakes her head. “You can’t avoid him, silly child. You are his. If he wants to find you, he will.”
If he wants to find you, he will. The words make me shudder. Avoiding Kade isn’t the only reason I hid from him. I hid because it’s his birthday and I don’t know what that entails, exactly. Will he want things from me? Am I expected to do things for him? To him? Do I say happy birthday?
Portia snatches my wrist. “You look like you’re going to be sick.” She giggles. “If you keep your head down and do as you’re told, you’ll be fine. Now come, I’ll show you your dress.”
∞
I peer out the window at the beautifully lit back yard. Tiny white lights shine from almost every inch of the back yard and stunning large, bowl-like lights hang from the canopy. I’ve never seen anything so mesmerising. I watch Fortunates mingle and dance—laugh and drink—and I envy them. They’re so carefree. No one expects anything from them. No one wants to hurt them… or humiliate them. All they have to do is exist. I turn from the window and back to the mirror. My short beige dress doesn’t conceal my nipples—even with the pretty, flowers shaped sequins on top. I have the feeling I’m meant to be on show. I’m Kade’s gift… and he wants me to dress like one. I touch my hair. Half of it is pinned back by a pretty hairclip. I’ve never had my hair clipped before nor have I worn such beautiful accessories. I stare at my face. I don’t look like myself. Portia insisted I wear makeup. She outlined my eyes with a black pencil and combed through my eyelashes with another black tool—for a whole hour she put things on my face to ensure that I looked like ‘the untouchable possession’ Kade wants me to be. Possession. It’s an ugly word.