I came to collect the girls from their cells, about an hour after their punishments had ended. I brought them warmed oatmeal cookies and their vanilla clothing, while assuring them the scene was all over.
As Carley stepped out of the dimly lit cell, blinking in the bright fluorescent lights of the facility, her cramped muscles stretched in relief. Beside her, Cassandra emerged, her lovely features still showing signs of remorse from their shared ordeal. They exchanged sheepish glances, a tacit understanding passing between them - they'd faced a trial by fire, emerging bonded by their secret enjoyment of it all.
They shed what was left of their prison garb, trading it for the comfort of their normal clothes before returning to the main portion of the home.
"Do you really hafta go?" Cassandra whined to Carley, as I quietly watched this exchange from the bar.
"Yes, I better get back to Robbie." Carley replied, causing Cassie to crinkle her nose in defiance.
"Hey, Carley...um...do you wanna maybe hang out sometime or grab a coffee or sumthin?" Her query hung like a tentative thread, testing the waters of their fragile connection.
I could see Carley's heart skip a beat as mine flooded with a maternal sense of warmth and pride. My eyes immediately glossed over with tears.
Awwwwww my heart!! My sweet little Cassie. She's asking Carley out on a date!
I held my breath and continued to eavesdrop, anxiously waiting for Carley's response as I'm sure Cassandra was as well.
"I'd like that Cassie. That sounds lovely, really lovely actually...it's just...there's Robbie, right?"
"Oh just fuckin' bring him too. He'll think he's won the lottery. Here, put your number in my phone," Cassandra boldly offered, handing her phone to Carley as both girls began to giggle.
This of course led to Cassie's tongue darting into Carley's pretty mouth. I pretended I was polishing glasses at the bar while the two stole a final little make-out session, just as I heard Robbie's car pull up the driveway.
As Carley stood, enveloped in Cassandra's gentle embrace, soft words were whispered against her ear. "I don't want you to go, Carley. Stay with me for a little while longer?" Carley reveled in the sweet pressure of Cassandra's arms, but eventually pulled away and headed towards the door.
As the door closed behind Carley, Cassandra turned to me, her vision blurred by unshed tears. "Andrea," she murmured, her voice trembling like a leaf. "I think I'm falling for her."
The admission spilled from her lips like a confession, a fragile hope nestled within the folds of uncertainty. My maternal instincts stirred and my expression softened, as I opened my arms to enfold Cassandra in a comforting embrace.
I stroked her hair to calm her turbulent emotions, before ushering her over to the window to let my experience guide sweet Cassie. I nudged her to peer out the window.
"Watch closely, little one," I counselled, my tone low and infusing confidence. "If Carley turns to look back at you, if she smiles, it will be a sign - a signal that her heart beats in tandem with yours."
And then, like a promise sealed, Carley's lips curved upward - a gentle smile that conveyed the tender stirrings of her own affection.
Cassandra spun on her heels toward me, squealing and leaping into my arms, radiant joy illuminating her tear-stained face.
I have never seen her so happy.
Mistress Andrea 🥲
xoxo
Continued in: Why the long face?
