William walked towards a corner where rows for planting flowers were already made. Crawling on the grass for easier for me, the dew on grass kept making my overalls wet. The cold seeping into my clothes were so distasteful, but all my focus was already glued on William's hands. I let stealing glances of his finger hoping he would order me to stop but his steps were leisurely strolling, admiring the tiny flowers that grew along the pathway. The grasses along the path we were walking looked trodden.

I was saved by a blade's tip today. I wonder how William didn't punish me for chanting daddy in his absence. A tug on my wrist broke me up from my thought chain. I found him looking at me and his index finger pointed up. Realizing I again lost my focus from one simple thing, I quickly huddled my way up on my feet. His fingers circled my wrist and he turned around to take another step ahead.

"Since you're feeling a little girl today, my Annabeth; I can't have you roaming around"

His face held that ever so glorious smirk. His eyes sparkles differently when he mocks me and it makes my lips carve up a smile. My hands started dusting off few soil particles that stuck between the threads.

"Annabeth"

"Yes Master"

"Did I give you the permission to dust yourself?"

No
I never asked.

I looked up to meet his eyes, they weren't dark; he didn't look angry. But his face was unreadable.
"No master"
He stepped closer to me, his hands made their way to my cheeks.
"Why do you keep earning punishments? Are you being a brat?"

Brat

No!
"Master..I forgot. Forgot to ask"

"You'll not speak until I permit you too"
He snapped his fingers back to the ground. I obeyed dropping down on my hands and knees and crawling. He chose the path that had softer, older grasses. After crawling around so much behind him, I started to enjoy the touch of earth. William stopped in a small corner, there were small plants swaying in the breeze. He took out his shoes and dropped down, clearing some soil with his hands.

"Pass me the shovel ,Annabeth"
I took the shovel laying on his left and handed him. But instead of using it he took it from my hands and threw it back.

"Pass me the shovel ,Annabeth"
I furrowed my brows. I held the shovel again and placed it beside him. He reached to pick it but threw it back again.

"Annabeth, pass me the shovel"

Oh

I lowered my mouth and picked up the shovel between my teeth and lowered it beside him.
He took it before I could place it on the ground and started digging the soil. I sat there watching him work with the earth, planting saplings of English rose.

"William..Hey!"
My head turns to search the source of the voice and I found Jake standing behind us.

"Hi Jake, why do I see you alone?"
William stood up to talk to Jake but didn't give me any permission. I kept my posture intact but my eyes were busy admiring the small rose buds swirling with the wind.
"Hey Anna! How have you been?"
My head snapped towards William and Jake. Both of theirs eyes were fixed on me. I opened my mouth to answer but..
You won't speak until I permit you to.
William's words flashed in my mind. I looked towards him, hoping he would allow me to speak but he didn't. His face was same..unreadable.

"What happened? Are you okay?"
Jake's concern always warms my heart. He calls me Anna. Cares about me. He is like a friend I can always talk to.
But I never talk to.

"Yes she is alright Jake. Annabeth is not going to speak for today"

"Oh"
A chuckle left Jake's mouth as he came and lowered himself infront of me.

"He troubles you alot doesn't he?"

His laugh is infectious, I couldn't help but chuckle and shake my head at his question.
Jake cupped my cheeks and placed a kiss on my forehead.
I smiled at his affectionate behaviour. He knows how to make some relaxed from absolute state of tense.

"William, I came to tell you that headmaster Alexander is hoping to see you in his office"

"Right now?"

"Yes mate right now. Why? Don't wanna leave your pretty submissive with me?"
William glanced towards me but his eyes shifted to Jake immediately.

"Alright Jake. I will be back in few minutes"

William stormed out of the garden within a blink of eye.
"You can speak now that he is gone"

Jake smiled at me, tugging me up from my wrist.

I can't talk. William didn't allow me.

My mind debated to speak or not to. I don't want to disappoint William again. But I know Jake will never tell him of I do.
I kept my mouth closed.

"Oh Anna! Stop following rules so much"

"Come"
He chuckled again and started walking. His easy breezy demeanour is always a jolly. We walked through all the flower rows and stopped near a bench. I saw Jake dig out a cigarette out of his pocket and place it in between his lips.
I never liked smoke. Any kind of smoke.

I diverted my attention towards the sky. Watching birds fly towards south, the clouds covered the sun. I glanced towards the gate, no sign of William. Headmaster wouldn't interrupt a day like this without a reason.

"William has a black heart, Anna"

Huh?
I turned my face towards Jake. He puffed out his cigarette's smoke, his eyes fixed on my face.

Black heart

"What do you mean Jake?"

"All these days and you didn't realise. Oh Anna. Really?"

My head is spinning from all these puzzles.
"What? What did I not realise?"

"William isn't like every other dom. He has no emotions. He doesn't care about anything if he witnesses something going against his ways"
Jake's words drown me like a bucket of icy water.

I know William is disciplinary. But emotionless.
It can't be true.

"I think you're mistaken Jake. Why are you telling me all this anyway?"

He stepped closer to me till his face was just few inches away from mine.
"Are you forgetting how to talk, Anna?"

"No"

Jake cupped my face, the pad of his thumb kept brushing my chin occasionally.
"Look Anna, I consider you a friend. You're a beautiful, innocent soul. It's not like I don't want you with William. I just want you to know you don't have to continue with someone who might be too harsh for you"

I nodded my head, smiling for his thoughtfulness.

"Annabeth"