Chapter 74: Melissa: Thursday

I wake around seven o’clock as I normally do. Mistress Bernice didn’t specify a time for me to get up in the morning, although I presume I’m expected to be washed, dressed and ready when she awakens. In any case, without a timepiece of any description, getting up at a set time would be a guess at best. The bed in the alcove is narrow, but I’ve no complaints about the soft mattress. The restraints Madame Bernice placed on my limbs last night were removed before I was sent to bed.

I put on my club uniform in the absence of instructions to the contrary. Ideally another person would help with the corset laces, but they are easy enough to manage on my own. There’s no sign of Madame Bernice stirring by the time I complete my preparations.

I tidy up the suite as best I can without entering the bedroom and disturbing Madame Bernice. The simple tasks give me time to think. I agreed to allow Madame Bernice to have additional ‘hiring’ rights over me as part of the compensation package Madame April negotiated with Madame Bernice. She was one of the few mistresses who declined the standard compensation package the other mistresses accepted. I’ve no idea why Madame Bernice preferred the deal that was struck, but only Madame April knows of my complicity in agreeing to the terms. As far as Madame Bernice is concerned, my part in all this was commanded by Madame April. Even Madame Chloe wasn’t aware of my consent until I persuaded her to allow this eight-day hire.

Needless to say, Madame Chloe is far from happy about me being Madame Bernice’s personal slave for eight days. I initially feared it might affect Chloe’s and my secret engagement to be married. However, Chloe and I have known each other since high school, and we’ve had disagreements many times before. We’ve always been able to reconcile our differences. My only concession to what Madame Bernice intended was to accept that I couldn’t be Madame Bernice’s Chattel slave. That was because of the strict rule limiting such arrangements to those in a steady long term relationship. Club rules that protect those of the Slave caste from excessive punishment and abuse don’t apply to Chattel slaves.

However, I’m sure Madame Bernice intends to treat me as a Chattel slave, and I’m not averse to experiencing the lifestyle of those in that position. When I take over ownership of the resort next year, in accordance with my late father’s will, I’ll need to understand the lifestyle of each caste, and the facilities needed to support that lifestyle.

I assess my own goals for the next eight days. While I doubt I’ll be given much free choice about my activities, I’ll still be able to observe and experience what I need to learn about how La Chatte Heureuse operates, and the club politics that simmer under the surface. While the needs and facilities for the Mistress caste receive a lot of attention, I’m more interested in how we can make the resort more welcoming to those of the other castes.

“Good morning, Slave Melissa,” says Madame Bernice walking out of her bedroom.

“Good morning, Madame,” I reply.

Mistress Bernice stands before me and points to the ground in front of me. I take the silent instruction to mean that I’m to kneel when she enters the room. I promptly drop to my knees, and instinctively place my hands on my head.