Consequences

greeted her, “Good afternoon, Claire.”
    Slowly, she placed her bookmark in her book, laid the book on the end table, and stood. Her smile radiated as pleasant a welcome as she could muster. Her mask was not only on, but also intact. “Good afternoon, Anthony.” Their eyes met. “It is nice to have you home. How was your trip?”
    She didn’t walk toward him, but she stood straight, tall, and defiant. He approached her, not touching her, yet standing close and watching for her reaction. She stood her ground, smiling, waiting for his reply. Asking for a verbal answer to her question was not a good idea, so she remained silent and refused to drop eye contact.
    “My trip was long. I am pleased with your greeting. Does this mean your temper tantrum from before my trip reached its conclusion?” His body only inches from hers, she could smell his cologne and feared if she inhaled too deeply her chest would touch his.
    “Yes, I believe it has. I apologize for my behavior. It was childish and unnecessary.”
    He grinned, wondering if she was sincere or playing him. His tone and words tried to enlist her motivation. “As I recall, a good deal of your behavior was far from childish.” He paused, no reaction. “But my memory could be failing me, it has been a long trip. I know how we could find out.” Another pause, no reaction. “Or review?”
    Claire didn’t react. She didn’t take his bait. Instead, she responded, “You are right, it was very adult. I would be glad to do whatever it is you tell me to do again. I believe I have a debt to repay, my goal is to make that happen as soon as possible, and that is the means to that end.”
    He pulled her against him and looked down into her eyes. He saw a fire that had been dowsed with tears ten days ago. She smiled, said all the right things, but her eyes were fighting. He bent down and kissed her. It started slowly but soon became hard and forceful. She hesitated for only a split second and then responded with equal force. She didn’t back away. He hadn’t intended for this reunion to go this direction. He had expected someone different.
    About six thirty he used his cell phone to call the kitchen and have dinner brought up to her suite. The flight had been long. By nine thirty he was sound asleep in her bed. She sat up and watched him. She still loathed him, but Claire felt she had won this battle. She stood strong and quieted the fury in his approach. She gave in without incidence. That made him less aggressive. The final result would be similar no matter the mode, but this way it happened without violence and without video replay. To Claire that was a victory. She read her book for a few hours before joining him in sleep.
    The next morning when she awoke, he was gone. She knew the tedious schedule of her daily duties had resumed. She didn’t mope. Instead she headed to the exercise room and worked out, back to her suite and showered, then ate breakfast and learned of Tony’s location. Today he was at the office, not home. She sighed with relief. That meant she had until five to do whatever she wanted. Already ten, traveling to and from the lake was a three-and-a-half-hour journey. She would need to get up earlier on days she wanted to go there . Perhaps that would be something she did on days he was out of town. She would miss her lake, but Claire was determined she wasn’t going to risk losing her piece of paradise. She’d wait until a better time to go. Of course, that didn’t mean she couldn’t go into the woods for a walk. So she did. It still felt liberating to get away from the cameras.
    That afternoon she spent at the pool. She returned to her suite and showered, ready for instructions by five. Catherine brought word; Mr. Rawlings would be home and they would dine in the dining room at seven. Claire didn’t need Catherine’s help with appropriate clothing, dining room meant formal. She knew how to follow the rules.
    At six forty-five Claire went down to the sitting room and waited for dinner. A little after seven Tony joined her. “Good evening, Claire.”
    “Good evening, Anthony.” They walked to the dining room.
    “I went to your suite expecting to find you there.”
    “I apologize. I was told dinner would be in the dining room at seven, I didn’t want to be late.” She emphasized her obedience to his rules. Tony pulled out a chair for Claire, she sat. She couldn’t help notice his eyes, black as night. She knew her impudence had an