Chapter 39: The Hub

1 December 2025

“Bloody hell, how do you put up with that wanker?”

Ginny was speaking more loudly than normal, enough to carry over the noise in the pub. Her words were definitely hitting home. Caroline knew she deserved so much better than how she was treated by Marcus Stone. She was smart, pretty, and from a good family. In most other fields, she could be a leader even just out of university. But here, and with him, she felt like she was nothing but a piece of arse for his particularly sweaty hands to grope.

“I don’t, Ginny. There’s something about him. When he makes those comments, or worse when he touches me, I just… I just freeze up. I can’t explain it.”

Ginny took a bite of her salad. Then she did something unexpected. Before she had finished chewing, Ginny put her arm around Caroline and leant in close.

“What if I told you that I could teach you how to stand up for yourself?”

Caroline pulled away slightly. There was something conspiratorial about all this. She couldn’t explain the feeling to herself, but it felt like Ginny was leaving something out.

“Stand up how, Red? Are you suggesting I boot him in his willy?”

Ginny giggled and almost did a spit-take as she was sipping from her Buxton water. “I’d love to see that, love. But no, actually I can think of something else you can do with him.”

“Go on, then. Spill it.”

“I know you can’t understand it just yet, but if you’ll trust me, I’ll make sure you see.”

“See what? Ginny, you aren’t making sense.”

“Caroline, dear, would it be okay if I snogged you?”

“Um, what? Are you mental?”

Ginny smiled, and Caroline swore that her eyes flashed. But that’s not possible, is it? Then the redhead shrugged.

“Maybe I am. Let’s see.”

And with that, Ginny kissed her. Not just any kiss either. This kiss left Caroline breathless. No chap had ever kissed her like this, much less any girl.

“Did you slip me some tongue, Red?”

“Fuck, yes, I did, Blondie. And I’d do it again. I bet you want it too, don’t you?”

Caroline was getting light-headed. Her heart was racing and she thought she might pass out. Then Ginny was holding her, and saying things that didn’t make any sense about needing to go see her boss. Why do I need to talk to Mr Edwards?

Caroline watched as Ginny settled up. She felt almost disembodied. Ginny’s hand took her hand and led her out of the pub. Ginny interposed herself physically to keep anyone else from getting near Caroline. It was strange and sweet all at the same time.

The walk back to the bank was brisker than the journey out. Ginny refused to let Caroline slow down or dawdle. More than once, she tugged on Caroline’s arm.

“Keep up, love. This can’t wait.”

Ginny pushed the call button for the lift about a dozen times. Once the door opened, she practically shoved Caroline in, before positioning herself at the entryway. When a bloke tried to step in, Ginny wouldn’t allow it.

“Occupied,” she said coldly.

Inside the lift, Ginny pulled out her mobile and did something. Caroline couldn’t trust her senses. She swore that everything was turning a brilliant shade of blue.

The lift jolted to a stop, and the door opened.

“Master,” Ginny sighed.

Mr Edwards was there, waiting. Like he was expecting them.

His hand surged forward, grabbing Caroline’s hand.

“You are mine, Caroline. Come with me.”

The world shifted for Caroline.

Before that moment, she had a family whom she loved, and friends she enjoyed, and a job she tolerated. She had dated some, and she had shagged some, and she was still figuring out what she wanted from her life. She was cautious but enthusiastic, and she had a plan for her life.

Now, she had a brand-new organisational chart in her mind. There was Mr Edwards, and there was her beneath him. Nothing else existed, and no one else mattered.

“Yes, Sir. I will come with you.”

Caroline instinctively fell in line behind Mr Edwards and followed him. That only made sense. He told her to come with him, and she had to comply. She couldn’t bear to be separated from him, and she wouldn’t dare disobey him.

For a moment, she thought she heard her name being spoken behind her, but that didn’t matter. After all, it wasn’t Mr Edwards who had said her name. If he had called to her, she would have stopped and turned immediately. But since it wasn’t him, she could ignore it completely.

She had been in Mr Edwards’ office before, but she couldn’t remember how many times. It certainly wasn’t often, or recently. She had a fleeting recollection of going in there with someone else, perhaps a man. He certainly couldn’t have been very important, though, since she didn’t have any important men in her life other than Mr Edwards.

He, on the other hand, was incredibly important. And she was his. He said so, and whatever he said had to be true.

Mr Edwards showed her into his office and she quickly went inside. He closed the door behind them. Had there been someone else with me? The thought didn’t make any sense. If there had been someone else, surely she would have remembered. There was only Mr Edwards and her.

“Caroline, do you know what has happened?”

She tried to think, but no good answer came to mind.

“No, Sir. Other than that you told me that I am yours, and then… I was yours. That is what I know. I am yours, and I will do whatever you need me to do.”

“Thank you, Caroline. That is what I want. Ginny had a good idea with you.”

Ginny. She remembered that name. Ginny was a nice girl. She was so pretty, and had that amazing red hair. And she was a really good kisser. Wait, what?

“Sir, is Ginny… is she yours too?”

“Yes, dear. Ginny is mine too. How do you feel about that?”

Caroline pondered his question for a moment.

“I feel very good about that. You should have what you want. And if that means Ginny, then that’s good. And if it means me, then that’s good too. But, Sir… why do I think that I didn’t always feel that way?”

“You didn’t, Caroline. Before a few minutes ago, you thought that you were a regular woman, with rights and thoughts and all that blather. Didn’t you?”

Caroline nodded slowly.

“Yes, Sir. That sounds right. It was quite silly of me, though, wasn’t it? I can’t possibly be a regular woman. I’m yours. Why should I want rights or thoughts, when I can do what you want?”

“You are such a good girl, Caroline.”

The words hit her like a bolt of lightning. Good girl. And just like that, her knees buckled and her insides spasmed.

She was about to collapse, but Mr Edwards caught her. He was so strong, and it felt so right to be in his arms.

“Oh, thank you, Sir. I am so happy that you think that about me.”

She heard the door open and close behind her. She didn’t turn or look. Why should she? The only person of importance was right here, holding her.

“Everything is clear, Master. Elaine was asking about Caroline, and wondering why she followed you to your office. I have explained things to her. You should pay her a visit shortly, though. Mr Vance is away for a doctor’s appointment, so Elaine is unsupervised until about 15:00.”

“Sir,” Caroline said with an inquisitive tone. “Would you prefer if I called you Master, like Ginny does?”

“Not yet, Caroline. It’s better if you stick with ‘Sir’ for now. That way, you don’t have to think about whether someone else could be overhearing us.”

That makes perfect sense.

“Yes, Sir, of course. I’ll do whatever you say.”

Mr Edwards helped Caroline to sit down in one of the chairs facing his desk. Ginny sat in another chair to her left. Mr Edwards leaned against his desk and looked down at the two women.

“Caroline, I’m going to have you go back to your role as Marcus’s PA soon. You are going to be focused and efficient for him, but in the back of your mind, you will always know that you are mine, won’t you?”

“Yes, of course, Sir. I am yours. I will be happy to attend to Marcus for you, if that’s what you want.”

“Good girl, Caroline.” Another deep throb of pleasure. “When the day is done, I want you to go with Ginny. We will be discussing our plans for the rest of the week, and that needs to wait until we can have some privacy. I have some definite ideas for you.”

“Oh, thank you, Sir. I’m honoured that you find me useful.”

Mr Edwards came over and kissed Caroline on her forehead. The sweet gesture was also positively orgasmic for her.

“Ginny, help Caroline back to her station, and you can explain what it’s like to be mine when you girls have some privacy during the afternoon. I need to go and visit Elaine to introduce her to my ideas.”