Master Gallagher

Called me shameless

"Jesus christ! What are you doing here..?! Quickly away from me." These were the sour words, I woke up to. "For goodness sake get dressed." He hissed looking away from me. I was hurt... but I was expecting it. The alcohol must have worn off.

"What happened?" He questioned, then immediately answered himself before I could form an answer. "You most probably took advantage of me. You're shameless!"

I didn't mind, he had thrown much worse insults at me before. Insults more lethal than this. I looked at the watch at the corner of the room, it was currently five am. Lady Tracy, Mary and Liam would be back soon. I should forget last night ever happened. When I was about to leave.. he pulled me against his chest.

"My wife shouldn't know." He said. "I was very drunk. I most probably said things, I didn't mean. Don't let them get to your head."

I only nodded, before he let me go.

—

It didn't take an hour before they were back. They were all seated having breakfast. Lady Tracy was telling her husband all that she had missed out on. He kept glaring at me so I looked away quickly. I could feel him burning hole behind my back. I didn't know what I had done wrong. Perhaps, he was still convinced.. I took advantage of him. An average 5'2woman taking advantage of a 6'1 man. I know height had nothing to do with anything but if anything.. he was the one who constantly took advantage of me.

It didn't matter.

"What's that?" I heard Mary say from behind me. I was startled, I immediately panicked. "What?"

"Your neck.. better wear my scarf before Tracy see's this." I didn't have time to protest as she had already handed it to me. My heart was beating fast, I was afraid.

"It's him, isn't it?"

I shook my head quickly.

"He told me." Mary added.

"He did?" I questioned clearly surprised.

"Aha! I knew it."

That's when I realized, it had all been a trick.

"He faked being sick yesterday so he could come home.. I just knew it!"

"I do not know what you're implying."

"It's fine, I won't tell anyone but I promise from now on. I will be with you at all times. He won't have any opportunity to be with you alone."

"... thank you.." I said not sure what to say.

"That what friends are for.. now keep that neck covered." I didn't understand what she meant until I was staring at myself on the mirror. I was dark.. I did not think it would be the least visible but it was. If it wasn't for Mary, surely today would have been my judgement day. I can't believe master William had let me leave looking like this. It then dawned onto me that... he did not care about me.

I immediately threw all the thoughts, I had of him. He was only nice until he got what he wanted. He wanted to ruin me for everyone. I didn't understand why.. I hated him even more.

My name was called, it was lady Tracy. I immediately went to her tailoring room.

"Strip!" She said.

"What?" I said holding onto Mary's scarf.

"I have this beautiful dress made for Gertrude. She is about your body structure so I want you to try it on."

"Uh—"

"Do you have a problem with following my orders?"

"No ma'am!"

"Then hurry and fit this dress for me so I can makes any required alterations."

"Let me try it on." Mary interrupted.

"I said Panashe, not Mary."

"Just give me the dress, Tracy." Mary saved me. I was thankful.

Lady Tracy was skeptical before she finally agreed.

"Your hips are bit wider. You wouldn't have made the perfect fit." Lady Tracy said looking at me from head to toe. I was afraid she would see something but she didn't. "Mary try it on quickly then. Nashe make sure Liam is having his afternoon nap." She instructed.

"Yes ma'am." I replied, clearly relieved.

When I made my way out of her room. My heart hammered, I did not like this feeling. I did not like hiding and feeling like this. It made me feel worse than anything. I was the only person who bore the consequences while Master William played golf with his mates. Tears swamped right under my eyes. I didn't want to see him, I didn't want him to touch me or to lie to me.. I wanted him far away from me. All he brought me was shame and discomfort. He treated me poorly.. after last night what was I expecting. That we would marry off at the beginning of sunset. I was stupid and naive. He clearly figured that out and kept using the very same trick on me.

I had to do something.

Perhaps there a herb that could make me sick. So sick, I'd be forced to go home. So sick I could potentially die? There had to be. I had heard of it all the time. Rumors always went around that there were multiple herbs for everything. I just needed to ask an expect.

"Nase!" Liam said with a frown. I realized I had been crying in the middle of the passage. Ashamed, I quickly wiped my tears.

"Did you have your nap?" I asked trying my best to put on a bright smile. You're probably asking yourself why would a five year old need a nap like a new born baby. Well, Liam was treated like a child. I figured no matter how old he grew, his parents still required me to treat him like an egg.

"No, I don't want to." He replied.

"So what would you like to do?"

"I want to play ball with my dad."

My throat immediately felt constricted.

"I could play with you." I said.

He shook his head. "I want my dad."

"What's wrong Liam?"

"Grandpa said people like you are animals. I don't want to play with you animals." He spat. It was very funny how an innocent child could easily be violated and taught the wrong terms but it was perfectly fine.

"I will help you look for your father then.."

"No no, don't touch me." He almost screamed.

I knew this day would come. It was only a matter of time. He went to one party and came back with a sharp tongue and unknown hatred. It really wasn't my fault. Now that Liam did not like me.. maybe they would let me go.

Master William said if I went back, I would be serving his father. That was perfectly fine with me, he would most obviously kill me in the process. I would rather have someone who treated me awfully than someone who pretended to care just so they could take advantage of me. I knew, I was going to far with Liam's father.

It's time, I address him this way.

Liam's father. 

Lady Tracy's husband.

It made me loathe him. It pushed a boundary, I just wanted to never ever see him again. It hurt so much. I let my dreaming go too far.