**The Weekly Gratitude Ranking**

**Chapter 14 – The Weekly Gratitude Ranking**

And while he was sketching his plan in the dimness of that windowless room, on the marital bed Adriana smiled alone in front of her glass, typing quickly and confidently in the “Elite Account Management” group chat.

Suddenly, Chris’s phone buzzed on the folding side table. Notification after notification. The chat he had just closed barely fifteen minutes earlier was lighting up again.

**Adriana C. (Admin):** Guys… before we all go to sleep, I think it’s important for everyone to be aware of a small change at home. Mr. Cuck, my husband, is grounded until further notice. Starting today he’ll be sleeping in the laundry room. He needs to learn to trust and respect my management.

The group exploded instantly.

**Mark L.:** hahahahaha for real? Mr. Cuck in the junk room?

**Robert G.:** Damn, boss, you’re a legend. It was about time someone put order at home

**Harry S.:** Poor Cucky… does the bed have lumps? Bet he sleeps better thinking about how well you take care of us

**Jack B.:** Can we send goodnight pics to Mr. Cuck so he feels included?

**Oliver G.:** This is already legendary level. Well done, Mrs. Chechik.

Chris, lying on the narrow single bed full of lumps and springs digging into his back, read every message with his heart in a fist. Each laugh was a stab. Each fire emoji reminded him that the entire section now knew his wife had banished him from their own marital bed.

**Adriana C. (Admin):** Thanks for the support, family. And since we’re at it… I’m launching the **Weekly Gratitude Ranking**. Every Friday Mr. Cuck will publicly choose the best photo of the week from the chat and explain why. The winner gets a special prize. We start tonight.

**Adriana C. (Admin):** Mr. Cuck, the floor is yours. Pick the best photo and tell us why. Don’t keep us waiting.

The chat fell into absolute silence. Everyone was waiting. Chris felt his back aching, the lump in his throat, and humiliation burning his cheeks. It took him more than three minutes to reply.

**Chris C.:** I think… I’d say the one with Malik. It’s the one where you look the prettiest with all that, I don’t know, “cream” smeared across your face. I guess that one.

The group went nuclear like never before.

**Mark L.:** “CREAM”? HAHAHAHAHA THE FUCKING MALIK IS A CREAM FACTORY

**Robert G.:** I can’t believe this

**Harry S.:** Mr. Cuck just leveled up

**Jack B.:** Cucky, bro, you’re a legend. “Cream”… I’m dying

**Oliver G.:** hahahaha face cream straight from the source, please someone record this

Adriana let out a soft laugh on the bed and typed calmly:

**Adriana C. (Admin):** Well, that vote gets you a tiny bit closer to our marital bed and to Malik…

**Adriana C. (Admin):** Let me finish, guys, don’t get naughty thoughts

**Adriana C. (Admin):** Malik has won, thanks to Mr. Cuck, a private dinner and relaxation session at our house. It’ll be in the master bedroom (because it has the best dim lighting for the photo shoot we’re going to do to motivate the whole team). Mr. Cuck will serve the table and be the perfect host. Sound good to you, Mr. Cuck?

**Chris C.:** What the fuck? No way! How the hell is that okay with me?

**Adriana C. (Admin):** Mr. Cuck, Chris, you keep disappointing me. Thinking, imagining things in your twisted head… The dinner will be just that: a dinner. Dim lights, good wine, motivational conversation, relaxation session, and nice photos for the chat. You’ll assist us with whatever we need. It’s nothing obscene or anything your dirty mind is inventing.

**Chris C.:** But Adri… let’s talk about this in private please…

**Adriana C. (Admin):** No, Mr. Cuck. You no longer have the right to demand anything. Look where your distrust has gotten you: sleeping in a cubbyhole while I sleep alone in our bed. If you want to turn things around, grab your life and wake the fuck up.

The chat filled with laughter and clapping emojis.

**Mark L.:** Grab the popcorn

**Robert G.:** Cucky, obey and that’s it.

**Liam E.:** I’m already picturing the photo shoot pics… it’s gonna be epic.

Chris swallowed hard, defeated, his back wrecked and humiliation throbbing between his legs.

**Chris C.:** Ok… I’ll help with whatever you order, Mrs. Chechik…

**Adriana C. (Admin):** That’s it. Now thank and congratulate Malik like he deserves.

**Chris C.:** Thanks Malik… for taking care of my wife and congratulations… on the prize.

**Malik K.:** Thanks Cucky I’ll make sure the boss ends up very… satisfied with the dinner and the relaxation cream… See you at your place, champ.

Adriana closed the chat with a victorious smile and poured herself another glass. From the room came her singsong voice:

“Good night, Chris… sleep well. Tomorrow you have a lot to prepare for Friday’s dinner.”

Chris turned off the light in the cubbyhole. His back hurt. His chest burned. And yet, he couldn’t stop picturing Malik’s photo… that shiny “cream” on his wife’s face.

The Gratitude Ranking had just begun.