“Let's take a break.”
I tried to sound as relaxed as possible and gave her a little smile, momentarily forgetting I was meant to order her around and not show any emotion. I quickly recovered, telling her to get up, putting my guard back up. She had noticed though, but if she thought this was the end of it, she had another thing coming. I wasn't going to do combat with her again anytime soon. Can't lose control like that. She will get her time with Zaph tomorrow. That'll be interesting to watch!
Eliza wasn't going to like what I had in mind for her this evening. I planned to take her to the dining room and have dinner with my friends. She wouldn't be allowed to talk or interact with us though and I would have to make her ask permission to sit, eat and drink. I knew she would really hate me for humiliating her like that, but I've done it with my previous trainees and I needed to show Markus, I wasn't treating her any differently. I wouldn't be popular with Zaphire either, but she'll understand. Not so sure about Eliza though.
CHAPTER 29
We walked into the dining room and I could really kill Zack now. He had made me walk behind him, but I could still see all the questioning looks from Ned, Brody and Sam plus a murderous look from Zaphire, all directed at Zack.
“She's under orders not to speak during dinner." Zack explained, as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
It looked like they all immediately understood what was happening, and they all just carried on with their conversations, apart from Zaphire who was still glaring at Zack. I caught a little sympathetic glance from Sam, but she quickly focussed on Brody when she realised Zack looked at her. She probably had the same treatment from Zack, so would understand how awful I felt. I had only met these people once and I felt comfortable with them and they'd been so kind and had accepted me straight away. Now I just looked stupid and immature.
“Zaphy, please just let it go," Zack pleaded with her softly.
“I have no choice," trying to explain himself.
She shook her shoulders and with one last look at me, turned towards her friends and joined their conversation. I was still standing and looked uncomfortably at Zack, but he seemed to have forgotten about me.
“Err, Sir, may I sit down please?" I whispered.
Zack turned around; all joyous expression he'd shown to his friends had disappeared in an instant. His face hard.
“Did you ask for permission to speak?" he spoke loudly.
It felt like the dining room fell silent and everyone was looking at me. I wanted to sink into the ground, but answered instead.
“No, I'm sorry Sir." I said lowering my head.
I could kick myself. Stupid mistake.
“I won't grant you permission to talk or to sit at the moment, Eliza. You can wait till I order you to sit down and then I may let you eat, if you don't interrupt me again.”
He didn't wait for acknowledgement; he just turned back around again and focussed on his friends. This was going to be a tough evening. He left me standing for another half hour or so and by the time he allowed me to sit and eat my dinner, it had gone cold. I was so hungry though, I had no choice but to eat it. I felt so miserable I could cry. Zack, on the other hand, had a great time, enjoying a laugh with his friends and sister, who all seemed to have completely forgotten about me.
As if it wasn't bad enough already, as soon as I had finished my dinner, Zack ordered me to stand up again and face the wall. I have to admit I may have cried a little at that point. I felt very sorry for myself. I told myself no one had noticed, but I was under no illusion that each and every one of them had felt my despair. There was no hiding emotions from that lot. All I wanted to do was go back to our room and go to bed, but I doubted that was what Zack had in mind for me. I started to wonder if I was cut out to do this any longer and for a moment I thought I was going to run out of the cafe, shouting abuse at Zack. But then all of this would have been for nothing and I would probably be subjected to this treatment for even longer. It's not like I could just go home, so I just had to endure it. I found my resolve again just in time for the next task Zack had dreamed up for me.
“Miss Mankuzay.”
I hated it when he addressed me like that as nothing good had ever followed it.
“I've told the waiters you'll clear our table and clean the floor. Use the cleaning equipment from their trolley and make it quick. I want to go back soon. Understood?”
He waited for me to respond.
“Yes Sir, of course." I answered dutifully.
I went to get the plates off the table, starting with Zaphire's. Her hand brushed past mine and the soft touch sent electricity down my arms and made my whole body shiver, resulting in a rather clumsy move which sent Sam's half empty glass flying over the table, splattering all over Sam's legs. She jumped and yelled in surprise.
“Oh Sam, Shit! I'm so sorry!" I blurted out horrified, covering my mouth with my hands in embarrassment.
I quickly grabbed some
