Becoming the Enemy's Servant

"Ugh, I hate this..." – Edward’s thoughts, now Stephanie's, spun through his mind as he knelt, scrubbing the floor in front of the chair where his former business rival, Jonathan Gray, lounged. The man, enjoying the situation, sipped from a glass of brandy and smoked a cigar.

– Hurry up, girl, I see my reflection on the tiles, but it doesn't seem shiny enough – Jonathan lazily shook the ash onto the floor, clearly knowing that the "servant" would immediately clean it up.

Edward clenched his lips, holding back a string of insults. "Damn Alt Shift, damn this body... How the hell did I end up like this?" He lifted his gaze, and the bright chandelier light glinted off Jonathan's white teeth as he grinned.

– You wanted this, didn't you? – Jonathan suddenly spoke, tilting his head to the side. – Wanted to feel "closer to the people"? Let me help you with that.

He extended his leg, clad in a perfectly polished Italian loafer, and gently nudged Edward, making him lose his balance and fall onto his elbows. In another time, in another body, Edward would have put this smug bastard in his place in an instant, but now he could only helplessly stare at his own thin hands, gripping the dirty rag.

– You were so fierce, so confident – Jonathan continued, exhaling a ring of smoke. – And now look at you. Come on, don't dawdle, the floors aren't going to clean themselves.

"Calm down, don’t snap, just do what they say," Edward reminded himself, feeling his own pride being torn apart by the humiliation.

– You know what’s the funniest part? – Jonathan suddenly leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. – You were the first one to vote for these laws and the conversion camps. Who could’ve guessed that there’d be another round of exchanges ahead? Ah, the irony of fate...

Jonathan paused briefly, his gaze lazily sliding down. He was openly ogling Stephanie's backside and grinning.

– Admit it, it’s not so bad being on the bottom, right? And your view... probably better than I expected.

Edward felt heat flood his face, but not from embarrassment – from rage. "That bastard... he gets off on this. Every second, every word – just to humiliate me." But he only gripped the rag harder, grinding his teeth.

– You’re so quiet, Stephanie, like you're ashamed of something, – Gray emphasized her new name with a barely noticeable smirk. – I remember you differently. Energetic, unshakable... the one who refused to make a deal with me and almost bankrupted me. And now you’re scrubbing the floor so obediently. Progress, I’d say.

Edward raised his head, trying not to flinch under his gaze.

– I’m doing this only because I have no choice, – he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

Jonathan squinted, taking a deep drag from his cigar.

– Mr. Jonathan Arthur Gray, – he emphasized, slowly exhaling the smoke in a ring. His voice was both relaxed and sharp, like a blade. – That’s how you should address me, Stephanie. Not just "Mr. Gray." Full name. Every time. And before you speak, you bow your head to show respect. Like a proper servant.

Edward, now Stephanie, closed his eyes for a fraction of a second, trying to calm himself. He felt his fingers tightening around the rag. "Just shut up. Just obey. It’s all temporary… at least I hope so," – he thought.

– Got it, Stephanie? – Jonathan raised an eyebrow, his grin widening.

– Yes, Mr. Jonathan Arthur Gray, – Edward barely whispered, bowing his head.

He stole a quick glance down and saw Jonathan lazily flick the ash from his cigar again. This time, the ash fell onto the part of the tiles he had just polished. "I hate this… I hate him."

– Much better, – Gray continued, reclining in the chair. – See how quickly you’re learning? I’m now certain you were made for this job. Maybe it’s your true calling?

Edward swallowed, his hands shaking with rage, but he didn’t show it. He lifted the rag and slowly began wiping up the ash that Gray was so gleefully scattering.

– That’s it, – Jonathan said, tilting his glass of brandy so that some liquid splashed over the edges. – You’re becoming more obedient. How’s that feel? Do you feel relieved now that you don’t have to make decisions? Just follow orders.

Edward wanted to say something, but instead, he clenched his teeth, feeling tears welling up in his eyes. "No, I won’t give him that satisfaction," – he told himself, wiping the last traces of ash from the floor.

– Hey, don’t stay quiet when your master is speaking to you, – Jonathan casually set his glass down and patted his knee. – Answer me, Stephanie. How does it feel to finally be useful?

Edward lifted his gaze, full of hatred, but quickly lowered it again, not wanting to give away his emotions. "He wants to provoke me... He wants me to break." Clutching the rag, he spoke, trying to sound as even as possible:

– It’s... an honor for me, Mr. Jonathan Arthur Gray.

Gray raised his eyebrows, his smirk widening, and then his loud, maniacal laugh echoed through the large room.

– Ha-ha-ha! An honor, you say? – Jonathan wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, still chuckling. – God, Edward... or Stephanie, whatever your name is now? You’re just magnificent. I never thought I’d see the day when you, the mighty Edward Winters, would say such words.

He reclined back in the chair, pleased with himself.

– Alright, sweetheart, I see you’re done here, – Jonathan shook off an imaginary speck of dust and lazily waved his hand toward the door. – Now go to the kitchen. Margaret is waiting for you to help with dinner. Hope you know how to cook Lancaster duck?

Edward tensed but quickly composed himself. "Cook? Of course, I don’t know how to cook a duck. I’ve barely made tea before, but I guess I’ll have to improvise." He stood, trying to keep his head low, so as not to show the anger boiling inside.

– Yes, Mr. Jonathan Arthur Gray, – he said softly, performing a curtsy, as he’d been taught. His knees protested with pain from the unfamiliar motion.

– That’s a good girl, – Jonathan winked, watching his former rival leave the room, barely holding back the humiliation. – Oh, and don’t forget: when dinner is ready, serve it yourself. I want you standing next to me while I eat. So that, if I need anything, you’ll be right there.

Edward nodded, not looking back, and left the living room.