Chapter 1 "The Aftermath"

The crackling and popping of a warm fireplace inside the room create a soothing and comforting ambiance.

Checking the surroundings with half-open eyes, not knowing what's going on. Slowly, like pieces of a puzzle fitting together, memories started to return. With a sudden jump, he fully awoke, his heart racing as the pieces clicked into place—the room, the events, everything becoming clear in a rush.

After lifting the warm blanket covering his body, he paused, perplexed. A realization struck him – no clothes. His eyes widened in surprise, and a mix of confusion and embarrassment filled the room. Glancing around for a few seconds, he noticed the details—the flickering flames, the cozy setting, and then, breaking the silence, a soft voice remarked,

"Finally woke up."

Suprised by the voice ,he got scared and quickly looked in the direction the sound came from, trying to figure out where it was coming from in the shadows.

The gentle shuffling of steps whispered through the air and then a beautiful woman in her middle age appeared. She was wearing a cowboy hat, and her presence carried a sense of calm confidence.

Surprised by the sudden entrance, he was shocked and asked in a shaky voice,

"Who .... Who are you?"

"Me? I'm the person who pulled you out when you were almost drowning in the icy river," she explained, her tone carrying a mix of relief and reassurance.

Upon hearing her response, it was as if the memories of the previous night flooded back. After a moment of silence, he asked in a somber tone, "Why?" There was a palpable sense of sadness in his voice.

Taking a sip from her cup, she locked eyes with a mischievous grin on her face.

"Why not? You were practically fish food, and now I've got a lifelong slave for free,"

she chuckled devilishly, taking another sip. Continuing with a playful tone, she added,

"It's like winning the lottery, but with more drama. Always dreamed of having a young slave, you know who will work for me day and night freely without a question"

After one more sip, she resumed with a smirk,

"I was about to give up on that dream since the government abolished it nearly two centuries ago. But then, voila! Fate dropped you into the river, and here we are – dream resurrected!" She chuckled, finding humor in the unexpected twist of fate.

Upon hearing the unexpected response, his mind froze, and he repeated the word "slave" over and over. After a brief pause, he realized the situation he was in, and a question popped out of his mouth, "S-sex slave?"

As the words escaped, he jolted up, leaping from the bed in a frenzy. Frantically trying to cover himself with the blanket, he stumbled backward, hitting the wall. Wide-eyed, he looked at the lady, who maintained the same devilish smile, seemingly relishing the comical spectacle.

Observing the scenes unfolding before her eyes, she found herself unable to contain her amusement. A hearty laugh bubbled up from deep within, echoing through the surroundings with infectious mirth.

"Haha haha haha!" Her laughter filled the air, a lively and unrestrained response to the comical spectacle playing out in the room. The dancing flames flickered in rhythm with her amusement, creating a whimsical backdrop to the unfolding drama.

Still reeling from the unexpected revelation, he stammered, "A slave? Seriously?" The lady, still grinning, nodded, savoring the awkwardness of the moment.

"But why a slave?"

he questioned, a mix of confusion and disbelief evident in his voice. The lady, with a playful glint in her eye, leaned back, sipping her drink as if she were enjoying a captivating tale.

"Well, life can be mundane, you see. Having someone to liven things up, serve me, and add a dash of drama—it's like a dream come true," she replied casually, her tone tinged with amusement.

He scratched his head, grappling with the absurdity of the situation. "Dreams aside, isn't this a bit, you know, unconventional?" he pointed out, still attempting to wrap his mind around the bizarre turn of events.

She chuckled, "Unconventional? Darling, life is far from ordinary. Embrace the unexpected, and you'll find it's quite exhilarating." Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous gleam.

As the laughter subsided, he couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity. "But why me?" he asked, a hint of vulnerability in his voice. The lady leaned in, her tone softening.

"Sometimes, fate has its whims. You were at the right place at the right time—or perhaps the wrong place at the wrong time, depending on your perspective."

He pondered her words, contemplating the peculiar twist that had led him to this curious predicament.

"So, a slave for life?" he mused, half in jest, half in disbelief.

She raised an eyebrow, "Why not? Life is short, and I could use a bit of entertainment. Plus, you owe me for that dramatic river rescue."

"I, uh, just became an adult a few months ago, barely getting the hang of life. I'm really grateful for you saving me, but giving you my lifelong service is a bit too much."

he nervously tried to negotiate, his words stumbling out.

After a brief pause, he continued with a touch of sadness in his voice.

"Plus, I've got a lot on my plate. Someone's counting on me, you know? I only realized it after what I did which I shouldn't have done, but hey, life's giving me another chance to prove myself."

His words hung in the air, a mix of hesitation and determination evident in his tone.

After a brief pause, she decisively placed her cup on the table beside the bed and declared.

"Not possible. I've already made up my mind – you are my slave, and that's final."

Her eyes gleamed with mischief.

Feeling hopeless about the negotiation, he scanned the room, spotting a large modern fireplace, a fancy-looking sofa, and a window. A sudden idea sparked in his mind, and he blurted out.

"Hey, lady, I don't know what you're up to, but let me go now, or I'll scream and let your neighbors know you're sexually harassing me."

As he waited for a response, her devilish smile returned, sending shivers down his spine. Filled with dread, he mustered the courage to start screaming.

"Help! Help!"

Clap!

The sharp sound reverberated through the room, creating a momentary pause in the chaotic exchange between the bewildered individual and the enigmatic woman.

After the clap, a profound silence settled in the room, amplifying the tension. Breaking the hush, the lady spoke, her tone carrying a mix of amusement and familiarity, "You are very naughty, darling, just like your mother."

Confused and unable to move, he thought, "What the heck! I can't move my body, I can't scream... and did she just mention my mom? I grew up in an orphanage. How does she know my mom? Is she a witch?"

A barrage of questions flooded his mind, but an unseen force restrained him from doing anything. As he grappled with shock, her next words sent chills down his spine, "Yes, I know your mother. I know your family. I know where you come from. I know you've been having strange dreams lately. I know everything about you because you were within my reach from the beginning. We came to this planet together. I might have left you to grow up alone in an orphanage, but I knew every little feeling and every single thing you did in your 18 years on Earth because I was always watching you."

The revelation hung in the air, the room pulsating with an otherworldly energy. The mysterious connection between them unfolded, leaving him grappling with a reality beyond his understanding.