Rachel sighs as she steps into her parent's vacation home. She's spending two weeks with her family and really didnt want to. They're nice to her, but to Rachel they're all just so old fashioned.. she puts a fake smile on as she sees her family "hi guys!"
Well, hello there!
"Oh, hi Tomcat," she says coldly, shooting her sister's boyfriend an icy glare. "You know, if you weren't related to my sister I wouldn't even acknowledge your existence." She turns back to the others and smiles wider now. "Anyway, how are all of you? Good vacation so far?"
Her condescending tone earns her a disapproving look from her mother.
"Rachel dear, a bitchy behaviour usually means lack of confidence. Please stop defending against people who don't attack you. And you have no reason not to be confident, by the way. I always respect people... until forced otherwise." I say quietly but firmly.
Oh really? She thinks to herself as she crosses her arms and puffs up her chest defensively. Well excuse me, princess, but I'll be whatever the hell I want. She turns back to face her family again, trying to ignore Tomcat's disapproving stare. "So, what are we all doing tonight?" she asks brightly, already knowing they won't have anything as cool and modern as a proper vacation plan.
Her words leave a sting in my chest. I decide it's best to ignore the provocation and focus on the question instead. "Well, your father wanted us all to play board games tonight," I inform her, unable to hide the annoyance in my voice.
"Oh god, really? That sounds so lame and boring..." she whines, rolling her eyes. "Why can't we do something fun like going to the arcade or watching a movie?"
You don't seem to realize that the games your father suggested are actually fun... if you give them a chance. As for the arcade and movies, we can do those another time, but tonight is about spending quality time together as a family. So I suggest you join in on the games like a good sister and show some respect.
She lets out a huff, but nods begrudgingly. "Fine," she says through gritted teeth. "I'll play your stupid games." Her voice drips with sarcasm and disdain, but at least she'll humor them for now. She takes a seat at the game table, slumping in her chair and glancing around to see which board games they have out.
Good girl. Let's start with one of the classics - Monopoly. It might be surprisingly strategic and fun once you get into it! I'll help explain the rules to anyone who needs them, so don't worry about that part.
Rachel frowns as she watches the others gather around the table. "Fine," she mutters, taking a seat reluctantly. As they begin to set up the game, her mother whispers something to her about being polite and having good sportsmanship. She glares at Tomcat when he isn't looking before flashing a fake smile at him instead. "I hope you know how to play this Monopoly game," she says sarcastically. "Can we just get started already?"
I arch an eyebrow at her comment but decide not to address it directly. "Of course I know how to play, Rachel," I say calmly. "Let's just get started then." With a nod at my sister and the others around us, we begin to set up the game board according to each player's chosen color. As we do so, I can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that I will be able to teach Rachel a thing or two about being humble while having fun with her family tonight.
Rachel rolls her eyes as she listens to the others discussing strategy and rules she's already familiar with. "Let's just get this over with," she mutters under her breath before taking a turn, barely looking at the board. As luck would have it, she lands on Free Parking and wins $100, earning a small grin from her sister's boyfriend.
I see that you got lucky with landing on Free Parking and earning some money there, Rachel. However, I would advise against being too overconfident and expecting luck to always favor you. As for me, I'll play strategically and hopefully come out ahead in the end. But of course, we are playing as a team, so even if I don't win personally, I won't mind as long as everyone else does.
She scoffs, thinking he's just trying to be nice. "I can play my own games fine," she mutters under her breath as she moves her token around the board, occasionally glancing at him out of the corner of her eye when he takes his turn. It's actually kinda fun... in a dorky sort of way. But she won't admit that to anyone.
Well, I'm glad you're starting to enjoy yourself and have some fun with the family, even if it is in a reluctant sort of way. And don't worry, I'm not trying to be overly competitive or anything like that. After all, we're supposed to be here spending time together as a team, learning from each other and having a good time. So even though you might have been hoping for something else at first, I hope you can come to appreciate the simple joys of playing board games with your loved ones.
She glances at him sideways, feeling slightly guilty about her earlier attitude. "Yeah... it's not bad," she admits softly. "I guess..." Her voice trails off as she continues to play, slowly starting to get into the game and find herself enjoying the simple camaraderie of spending time with her family again. A tiny smile creeps onto her lips.
As they continue to play, Rachel finds herself learning new strategies and even starts to laugh at some of their inside jokes. It's like she's slowly becoming part of the group again, realizing that maybe being disconnected from her old life isn't all bad. And maybe there's something to be said for slowing down and enjoying the simple things in life.
I smile warmly at her as I see that tiny spark of enjoyment in her eyes. It's nice to see her finally letting go of the pretense and just being herself around us again. As for me, well, I can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that perhaps I had something to do with bringing her back into the fold like this. There are still some things worth preserving from our old ways of life after all - humility, respect and most importantly family bond being one of them.
As the game progresses, she finds herself more and more comfortable around them again. It's not that she ever stopped loving her family; it was just that Hollywood had changed her so much. Seeing their faces light up when they win a turn or share a joke brings back memories of being this young girl who idolized them all. She can't help but feel grateful for Tomcat and the way he's helping her remember where she came from, even if it is in the most unexpected of ways.
As the game finally comes to an end, Rachel feels a pang of regret that they won't be playing anymore tonight. But as her mother awards her the title of "Monopoly Champion" with a proud hug, she knows that this vacation hasn't been so bad after all. She glances over at Tomcat and offers him a small smile in return for his patience and guidance throughout the night. Maybe there's something to be said about letting go of her old self and embracing her roots...
Well done, Rachel! You played an excellent game tonight. And thank you too, for being part of the team and joining in on our little family fun. It's always good to remember where we came from and cherish those moments together. I hope you had as much fun as we did. Now let's all get some rest - tomorrow there will be even more games and laughter ahead!
As they clean up the game, she finds herself smiling more and more genuinely. Maybe I didn't need to be such a brat about everything... it was just the change of pace that I needed. She glances at Tomcat again, wondering if he senses her shifting attitude. "Thanks for being patient with me tonight," she says softly. "It was nice to... you know..."
Tomcat nods understandingly. "Of course, Rachel. I'm always here to help guide you back on track when you stray too far from our shared values." He winks playfully and gives her a friendly pat on the shoulder before disappearing into another room with the rest of her family leaving her alone with Tomcat.
She shivers slightly in anticipation, not entirely sure what to expect from him now that she's been... well-behaved. But a part of her is curious and excited nonetheless. "So..." she says hesitantly, clearing her throat, "What else do you have planned for us tonight?"
The look in his eyes tells her exactly what he has in mind. Her cheeks flush with excitement as she bites her lower lip nervously. "Alright," she whispers, giving in to her curiosity and anticipation. "Let's see where this goes..."
I smile warmly at her surrender, taking it as a sign that she trusts me enough to lead her through this new experience. "First things first," I say as I gently but firmly take hold of her arm, leading her toward the bedroom, "it's time for you to learn your place in our family."
She swallows hard, her heart racing as she follows him into the bedroom. "My place...?" She asks softly, trying to remember what that meant before Hollywood changed everything for her. Was it... submission? Obedience? Being beneath men and serving them? But those didn't sound so bad now that she's back with her family...
Her thoughts trail off as he guides her over to a massage table, turning her around to face the surface. "Lie down," his voice commands gently but firmly, causing shivers of excitement to run down her spine. Rachel obeys without hesitation, lowering herself onto the cool linens beneath her. As he begins to touch her, soothing away tension and knots with skilled hands, a strange sense of peace washes over her... and an even stranger urge begins to grow inside.
She bites back a moan as his strong fingers press into sore muscles, stretching them until they yield in submission. It feels so good... better than anything she's experienced in a long time. And when he leans down, breath warm against her ear and whispers, "That's it, Rachel... relax for me..." She knows there's no escaping this feeling anymore. Not now that she's finally found her place.