I Unintentionally Became Her Kitten

Chapter 28: The Hangover

I woke up to a headache. It was clamping down on my scalp like an unwanted hat and I rolled over, trying to see if the pressure would lessen that way.

A soft touch to my forehead pulled me a bit more awake and I cracked my eyes open to see Alisha sitting on the bed next to me, her hand now gently smoothing my hair back.

“Good morning Kitten,” she said softly. “How are you feeling?”

I shifted and dragged myself closer to her and laid my head on her thigh, appreciating the gentle warmth from her body.

“Poor thing,” she murmured and resumed her pets.

I closed my eyes and let her run her fingers through my hair, gently teasing tangles out as she did so.

I could hear her other hand tapping against her phone screen, but didn't know if she was handling business or if she was just burning time.

After a while she started to shift and I picked my head up.

“Do you want any medicine?” she asked. “I'll get you some water at least.”

She got off the bed and I put my head back down. “Do you have acetaminophen?” I asked as the throbbing returned.

“Yes, would you like some?”

“Mm,” I said affirmatively.

Her footsteps led away from the bed for a few minutes. I heard a glass of water get poured and then the rattling of a pill bottle in the bathroom.

I slowly got myself upright when she came back and folded my legs under me while I swallowed a couple tablets and drank the water.

“I'm so sorry I gave you wine,” Alisha said.

I shook my head, regretting the motion instantly. “I could've said no. And it was good wine, I enjoyed it.

I leaned back against the backboard and let her get back on and settle down next to me.

She handed me my phone from behind us and I looked down, confused.

“It’s been vibrating,” she explained. “I imagine your sister is worried about you.”

“Right,” I said understanding, and unlocked it.

There were three separate messages from Sophia:

“Hey, I had a great time. Hope you feel better.”

“Hey, are you feeling any better?”

“Are you okay??”

They were all sent a few hours apart and I hurriedly responded.

“Yes, I’m feeling a lot better. Sorry, I was asleep.”

There was a minute before she responded.

“I’m glad, I was getting worried.”

“Thank you,” I managed to send back before I gave in to the persistent exhaustion and pounding in my head.

I laid back down, my head on Alisha’s lap.

“I’m just gonna sleep for a bit,” I told her. 

“Okay, Kitten.” The soothing pets resumed. “I have to make some phone calls but if I’m too loud let me know.”

I nodded and let my breathing even out.

I didn’t quite sleep, though it was very relaxing to stay on Alisha’s lap, even if she made calls regarding ‘product’ and ‘revenue’ that I was sure involved the illicit trade. She also called Sergei and had a surprisingly calm and productive talk with him about reclaiming the North Block. It sounded like she was going to try and arrange a deal with the family that currently had control there, but the names kept getting lost to me. What I could glean was that Sergei was eager to keep Alisha happy, at least for now. Whatever punishment she had inflicted–I suspected but had not confirmed she took one or more testicles–had effectively put him in his place. He probably continued to hate Alisha, but he was also terrified of her. I wondered if it would last long, or if he would eventually revert back to being the insufferable ass he was. In my experience, people didn’t change much if they thought little of you. But I also didn’t know how traumatic having your wanted sex organs cut out of you was.

Toward the afternoon, I finally got up and brushed an awful taste out of my mouth, replacing it with the mintiness of toothpaste. Alisha had her phone still, and I had a feeling today was a very meeting-focused day as she continued to make phone calls and on some she apologized for not being able to be there in person.

It took the fourth one for me to realize she didn’t usually stay home this late.

I sat on the end of the bed as she typed something out.

“Alisha,” I started.

“Mmhmm?” She didn’t look up and continued her phone activities.

“Did you stay home because of me?” I asked.

“Yes, but I’m not missing anything super important.”

I gazed at her as she continued whatever business she had on her phone. I was sure if she wasn’t stuck here she wouldn’t have quite as much typing and messaging to do. 

“Don’t worry, Kitten,” she said finally. “I wanted to be here for you and it was just routine meetings. I’m perfectly capable of doing them from home. Going in person is a way of reinforcing my presence in areas that don’t need as much attention.”

“But I was going to be okay,” I told her.

“I was sure you would be,” she said. “But I didn’t want you to wake up alone and suffering when it wasn’t a big deal for me to stay home.”

I nodded, though I still felt some guilt for worrying her.

“If you are feeling better there are a couple meetings I should go to in person but I can move them to tomorrow.”

“I'll be fine,” I reassured her. “Don't let me interfere with your work.”

She got up and gave me a few head pats then made a face and used her other hand to pet me as well.

The sensation was a little overwhelming as she continued this for several seconds before stopping and staring at me.

She finally cracked and smiled. “You're so adorable,” she said. “How am I supposed to leave you on your lonesome when you look so cute.”

She sat next to me and pulled me close, planting her chin on the top of my head.

“You need to go and do work, though,” I told her. “Don’t bad things happen if you let them run wild?”

She sighed. “Yes.”

“...maybe I can accompany you more often.” It felt wrong, and I knew it was a mistake but I did miss her when she wasn't home.

“No, Kitten.” She smoothed my hair down again. “It's not pleasant work.”

I pressed against her a little. “I know. But you could use an emotional support cat.”

She smiled and kissed the top of my head. “I'll think about it. But you know what happened with Sergei, and I don't want you to have to go through that again.”

“I know.” Sergei seemed to be the exception though. The majority of Alisha’s underlings treated me either like an extension of Alisha, or with the same blankness as one of her guards. It probably mattered greatly if they realized her and I were in a relationship. “Alisha, if I were to accompany you, you know you could always tell me to wait in the car. I understand that beyond things being unpleasant, there are things you probably just don’t want me to see.”

She hesitated. “I don’t like the idea of leaving you alone either,” she sighed. “Even if that car is bulletproofed, when people are determined they can destroy almost anything.”

I nodded. “It’s just something to consider,” I said. “If it ends up being better for you.”

She kissed me again. “I like you, Kitten,” she said softly. “And it’s very nice to have you with me.”

“I like you, too,” I said.

Note: I'll be gone for a week or so, so no more Kitty for a little bit. I'll be back though. I did end up cutting this chapter short because I didn't like the second part of it but didn't want to just disappear for a week with no notice.

Thank you always for any comments or likes or just views. I do read through them but I usually don't do so everyday and my Spec Fiction professor was very adamant that we not give into temptation to respond to comments (it was a workshop-style class so there was a lot of constructive criticism getting thrown around), because in a traditionally published book, we don't have the luxury to explain things.

But I do read them and make note of important things. 

Enjoy~!