The Harem on the Hill (Part VIII) (Patreon)

“Rule #1: Disobedience will be punished.”

Tina stares, unblinking.  You tilt her face in your hand your hand, but it flops back as you release it.  Her vitals are stable—no alerts from your phone—but it’s evident the shock has her in shock…or some other (hopefully temporary) vegetative state.      

“We’ll discuss the other rules later.”

You position your right arm under her knees, your left arm beneath her shoulders, and lift her from the gazebo’s stone floor.  She’s light as a feather--even with the extra pounds of food in her belly.  You wonder how much longer you’ll be able to move her so easily.

As you carry her back to her chamber, you also wonder if this is another trap.  Your heart races with a euphoric mix of anticipation and adrenaline.  If you were wearing Tina’s bracelet you’re certain your phone would be blaring.

You feel a touch of disappointment as you lay Tina on her bed without incident…though you are relieved she’s begun to stir.  You’re not sure what you’d have done had she gone into cardiac arrest.  

A shudder goes through you.  In addition to logistical complications a medical emergency like that would create, you don't want to hurt Tina.  And if the events of the day are any indication, she doesn’t want to harm you.  She just wants to be part of the team.  It's food for thought.  

Right now, however, the only food you're interested in is that which can fatten up Tina.  

You leave Tina alone to recover.  You have work to do.  Contrary to popular belief, maintaining your corporate kingdom is a full-time job even in "retirement."  Not that you're afraid of hard work.  You've always been a do-it-yourselfer, for better or worse.  Your "bull by the horns" mindset helped build your empire, but your obsession with micromanaging minutia almost destroyed it.  Ultimately, stepping back was the only way to move forward. 

You pay bills, return phone calls, and respond to e-mails.  Out of curiosity, you flip on the local news.  No mention of an abduction or a missing person.  

After supper and a quick workout, you plan to check-in with Tina but ultimately decide against it.  You're not angry with her.  Quite the opposite, really.  Her ambush has you more invigorated than you've been in years.

But she doesn't need to know that.  You want to make her sweat a little (figuratively, at least).

You can only stay away for so long, however, and the next morning you rush to your office like a kid at Christmas.  Tina may have been on your 'wish-list,' but she's proven anything but expected.  

Her chamber looks like a frat party just broke up.  Wrappers and remnants of food litter the kitchen, and a smorgasbord of half-eaten foodstuffs covers the coffee table so completely that you can't tell its color.    You cringe at the mess, but seeing it on-screen blunts the impact somewhat.    

Tina lies asleep on the couch, camouflaged by the clutter.  It's hard to imagine all that food for a party of one...especially someone looking so peaceful and petite.

You check Tina's vitals.  125 pounds.  A five-pound gain.  Unfortunately, other physical evidence is obscured by the clutter and Tina's crumb-covered robe.

"Rule #2: You must keep your apartment tidy."

Tina doesn't stir.  An empty wine bottle at the base of the sofa suggests more than just a food coma.  

You're not sure what to make of it all.  Is it a ruse?  A good faith gesture?  Or is Tina resigned to her fate?  You've always been able to read people, but Tina is a locked-tight tome.  

What do you do?