Caviar Glace

The smell of fresh coffee wafting from the kitchen woke Maya gently from her slumber. She rolled over running her fingers through her dark purple hair, trying to get out any knots from sleep the night prior before pushing off her plush comforter and heading over to her large closet.

The room itself was decorated fairly sparsely, though everything from the four-post bed to the dresser was high-quality, the walk-in closet was the most opulent thing about the room, filled to the brim with high-end clothes. But then even those were off the rack.

When Maya had won the lottery two years ago, she knew the sort of life that people expected they would have in such an opportunity. Mansions, servants, designer clothes, yeah that was a way to make winning that money null and void. She wasn’t some heiress whose money made money, just some lucky young woman who now had to fill her time.

She picked out a nice ruffly white top that exposed her shoulders and a pleated mid-length black skirt, choosing some dangling earrings and a bracelet to accessorize. She wasn’t to look good not attract attention. After winning the lottery she had to erase most forms of contact, change of address, change in phone number, making sure the money itself was secured in a trust because the thing that plagued most lottery winners was past connections and after finally getting lucky, Maya wasn’t going to risk being taken advantage of.

She examined herself in the mirror, her olive skin highlighted by the pale shirt “Not bad, maybe I should pick out a hat though, it’s tradition after all…”

Today she was heading to the derby tracks, she had gotten a tip from one of her online contacts that the frontrunner was sick and that it was another jockey's wedding anniversary. It didn’t guarantee anything but nothing was guaranteed in this world, you just had to do everything you could to increase the odds in your favor.

Before the unexpected windfall, Maya had been a high school dropout working two different jobs trying to support herself and when she found that she now unexpectedly had fifty million dollars to her name (though closer to twenty million after taxes) she had found herself adrift for a time. Suddenly she had all the time in the world, no one to spend it with, and not much she had wanted to do. She had tried desperately to find something that would make life feel worth sticking around for.

It wasn’t until her tries at the casino that she had latched on. Before dropping out, Maya had had a head for numbers, and gambling ignited something in her that made her feel like maybe her life wasn’t over. She kept most of her money separate, and let investment bankers deal with it so that she’d never go broke, but the rest? It was a means to an end and that end was the thrill of the gamble.

She walked out of the room to her automated espresso machine and took the fresh cup that had woken her from her sleep and breathed in letting the mix of earthy and acrid fumes dance over her palette before taking that initial drink. She pondered about preparing breakfast but at the same time there would be food at the track and eating it would help her blend in.

Making her decision she initiated her security system before stepping out into the bright sunlight of the day.

She ran a hand across her hair and crossed to where her car was waiting. One of the few splurges she had made once she had money was this car, a white 2005 Camaro. Maya herself knew next to nothing about cars, but her mom had always talked about her dream car if she ever had the money so when Maya did…it was one of her first purchases.

She climbed into the driver’s seat and sat her bag down, it would take a little over an hour to get to the track so she wanted to get things situated beforehand. She then felt a wave of tiredness overtake her out of nowhere and the world went dark.

When she returned to consciousness, her head was throbbing and she thought that maybe she had been in some sort of accident. Maybe she couldn’t remember starting the car due to the trauma. But as her eyes focused and she made out her surroundings she was more clearly able to make out the Italian-style theater that surrounded her.

She crossed her arms and looked out defiantly, her voice piercing as she spoke up “If you’re after my money then I have unfortunate news for you.” She had been kidnapped, she was sure, someone must have snuck into her car, she cursed herself for not checking the back seat.

A cruel laughter rang out and she turned and saw the host gleefully smiling, “Well my dear it’s a good thing we are not after your money…” He trailed off as he let the light of his staff fill her in on the situation.

Everyone in the audience was watching all trying to solve the same conundrum. Everyone had essentially gathered that they had been brought here because of their connection with Caleb, but a quick glance at the Master showed he was baffled beyond belief, so who was this girl?

Caleb for his part was relieved, if this really was the last contestant it meant that the worst hadn’t come to pass. He had thought given the already horrid nature of the show they might have tried to bring in his estranged mother. But at least he was safe from that…still he had no idea who the woman on stage was.

Maya shook her head as the vision faded from her mind, “You’re kidding, I’m intended to…suck up and appeal to this schlub?” She pointed at Caleb.

“Ooof hear that Master? You got your work cut out for you with this one.” Lucian mocked Caleb in the audience before continuing “Yes, and I think you’ll find you’ll be expected to do more than “suck up” to him, though sucking may be involved”

Maya clicked her tongue at the host's crude remarks

Reyna tugged at Lucian’s coattails “Lucy! Introductions!”

The host paused and stared down at the red-haired assistant like something stuck to his shoe before swallowing whatever thought he had. “Yes, of course, my dear if you please.”

Maya now felt herself waving beyond her control and the words began tumbling out of her mouth “Good Morning! My name is Maya Quinn, I’m a high school dropout, lottery winner, and gambler. I have no friends, no family, and no hobbies outside of gambling. I only have ever dated one boy but it was in elementary school and we just held hands. I’m a virgin and I have never encountered the Master in my life as far as I’m aware.”

Caleb leaned in expecting the host to interject like he had with Amy so that he might learn how he knew this woman but instead, Lucian turned to face him directly before appearing directly next to him in a puff of smoke, leaning in with his stick as if it was a microphone.

“So tell me, master eight women all competing for your affections, must feel nice right?” Lucian had a shit-eating grin on his face.

Caleb swallowed and tried to muster all his courage, “Who could be happy about this? You kidnapped all these women and now expected us to date on a whim? That’s insane”

Lucian swung the slapstick with a flourish, “And now how do you really feel.”

Caleb clutched his throat as he felt his mouth moving on its own, “The thought is kinda hot, all of these women are so attractive, the idea of being with even just one turns me on. I just don’t trust you and am scared.” Caleb gasped as he felt control of his mouth return and looked out to see several of the women, particularly Lily giving him a wary look, though hers was closer to disgust. However, Stella was shooting him a casual thumbs up.

Lucian for his part tittered away and smiled “That’s better, out of all these girls who appeals to you most right now?”

Caleb started but before he could say anything Lucian cut in again “Remember we want honesty…”

Not wanting a repeat of what had just happened Caleb cast his eyes down “If I had to choose one it would probably be Maddy she seems nice and the least intimidating”

Maddy felt her face go bright red, she certainly hadn’t expected her name to be dropped in all this.

Caleb continued “But I don’t want to **** anyone to do anything!”

“Well, then Master” Lucian dragged the word out like a curse “Maybe it’s time I explain the game you’re all playing then.”

With a flash, the host appeared back on stage as Reyna led Maya off into the audience.