20 Request and Appreciation

Three days ended up a week. Not once did her captor comes home.

And true to his words, her meals were delivered every four hours. LITERALLY, every four hours that she was becoming stuffed quite fast.

Audrey was extremely grateful for the abundance of food but she was receiving too much of them. Although she may well throw them away with no consequence, she did not have the heart to waste them.

She had been actively trying to talk Gerard out of it and begged him to reduce the incoming food. Even then, he gave an excuse that she was pregnant and that an order is an order. Neither he nor the rest of the housekeepers would directly disobey their master.

The latter comment was enough to make the captive lady grasp the situation well and as someone who is a mere nobody who had been in the house for only two months, she would not want to overstep her boundary.

Thus, she decided the only way was to wait for her kidnapper to come home. However, as the man had overshot the timeline to return home, Audrey figured it was best to ask someone than be silent. She needed to know how long more she had to stuff her mouth before she would burst.

"Do you know when he will be back?" The woman in khaki shorts and sleeveless tee shirt asked through the slit of the door.

"I apologise, Young Miss. The master rarely shares his schedule with us as it may get unpredictable. If you want, I can try to contact him. What message do you want me to deliver, Miss?"

"No, it's fine. I'll wait for him to come back, thank you," Audrey rushed out her words. She would not want to cause trouble to anyone nor would she want to disturb the captor from doing his work.

"It's alright, Miss. I'm sure the Master would be pleased to hear from you."

"Thank you, sir. It's truly fine. If it's alright, I shall retreat back to my room. Good day."

The lady in the room wanted to nip the conversation short. She felt awkward for causing trouble for the old man and hoped no one would be penalised for it.

Miserable with what happened, she carried the tray of food onto the vanity table and moaned at the sight of five medium-sized bowls on it. She quickly slapped her mouth for being ungrateful and forced herself to finish her meal.

Perhaps it was the pregnancy or rather the ridiculous amount of meals she was having, Audrey Bloodsworth was feeling quite bloated. Her once flat tummy and skeleton-skinny body were now replaced by a slight cute bump with nice curves. Her ribs were no longer visible and the clothes that were loose two months ago fit her excellently.

Even her eyes which used to be hollow, are now illuminated with small happiness and blessings. As she mumbled with the mixed emotions she was having, an unfamiliar song rang through the room causing her to jump on her seat.

It lasted for quite a while as Audrey searched for the source. When the sound abruptly stopped, she assumed it was a jingle from the television. But then, the melody tune came back again.

Never in a billion years would she assume it to be coming from a phone. Yes, she had seen it. But before meeting her saviour, she was never given one nor exposed to its uses. Thankfully, it was not that hard to work out the way it operated.

She swiped the green button up and heard a familiar voice she last heard seven days ago. Quickly, she placed the gadget on her ear.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Princess. Miss me already?" Even through the phone, she could hear his voice laced with an arrogant smirk. "What took you so long?"

"I... was trying to find the phone."

"You're doing good? Eating well?"

"Y-yes. I'm doing superbly. Gerard had been religiously sending me meals every four hours around the clock."

"As should he! Listen, I might not be coming home for quite a while. It's taking longer than I expected. I'm afraid I have to disappoint you and miss out on this week's photo bump. But I'll promise to be back before your next appointment."

"It's alright. B-but if you could..." Audrey murmured under her breath, contemplating whether it was worth his time to trouble with her nonsense.

"I really have to go now. You be a good girl and —"

"W-wait!" Her faint murmurs suddenly grew louder when he failed to hear her.

"Yeah? Anything wrong, Princess?"

"It's not that... C-can you please tell Gerard to cut down on the... food?"

"Huh? Are you alright? Are you losing appetite? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

Audrey was bombarded with his unexpected questionnaires. She tried to assure him that everything was fine while directing her complaints.

"The portion is a little on a heavy side and I have trouble finishing them."

"Princessssss... You know you don't have to clean the plate."

He was almost chiding at the end of the line but she knew it came from a good place.

"B-but..."

"No buts! What kind of person am I if I can't afford to waste food?"

She knew she could not win the argument any longer and she, too, would not like to drag him on the phone needlessly. Thus, she ended up apologising and wished him safe.

Time passed by with her dreading meal times. Particularly when she had no other means to unbloat herself but a visit to the loo.

And when the four hours come a-ticking, to her pleasant surprise the portions had reduced greatly! She was so appreciative that her wishes were granted.

Even when it may have meant nothing to the other party, her plea was still realised and she felt delighted knowing her existence, her request mattered. And in the end, she was glad she shared her wants with him.

For it was a blessing to know him. Her nameless kidnapper. Maybe once he returned, she would pluck her courage and ask for his name.