A preview
She had been dressed almost exactly like Penelope: a short crop top, cute shorts, and flip-flops. Everything was from brands Molly had never even heard of, but which Penelope seemed to take for granted.
As they passed a shop window, Molly caught sight of her reflection.
For a moment, she almost stopped.
She and Penelope looked like two friends of the same age out shopping together.
Not employer and employee. Not one who obeyed and one who gave the orders. The image felt strangely… normal.
She almost found herself liking it before they moved on.
The shopping trip unfolded entirely on Penelope’s terms.
She went into almost every store they passed, demanded the staff’s full attention, tried on outfit after outfit, and bought a little here and a little there without even glancing at the price tags.
All the while, she talked nonstop about her upcoming trip to Europe.
Paris.
Milan.
Barcelona.
Molly’s job was simple.
She walked half a step behind, carrying the shopping bags.
As time went on, there were more and more of them. They dug into her fingers and bumped against her legs with every step she took. Before long, she felt more like a pack mule than a person.
After what felt like several hours, Penelope came to an abrupt stop.
“We’re about halfway through,” she said with satisfaction. “Now we’ve earned a coffee break.”
They settled into a secluded booth at the mall café.
Molly sank heavily onto the bench and took a deep breath. She was hot, her legs ached from all the walking and previous squatting, and her hands were sore from carrying so many bags.
Penelope ordered a large iced coffee and leaned back comfortably, she didn’t even seem to consider asking whether Molly wanted anything as well.
Penelope kept talking.
Her stories jumped from people to trips to random events without any clear thread. Molly tried to keep up. She nodded at the right moments and smiled whenever it seemed expected of her.
Eventually, she lost the thread.
The words faded into distant background noise.
“Well?”
Penelope’s voice suddenly cut through the murmur of the café.
Molly flinched.
“Wha… I’m sorry?”
She hadn’t heard the question.
Penelope’s smile was gone.
Her face had hardened, and in her pale eyes was the cold, watchful look Molly had learned to recognize.
“I said, take off your shorts. Now.”
Molly just blinked.
“W-what? My shorts?”
Penelope held out her hand.
“Now.”
Molly looked around. There was no way out of this. The booth completely shielded them from view. Maybe she’d get them back when it was time to leave?
She awkwardly slipped out of her shorts and handed them over.
Penelope folded them neatly.
“And your panties.”
Molly’s heart sank.
