Tess Awakening Read Online Free PDF Page A

you are lucky they will kill you; if you
are not so fortunate they will allow you to live.” The look in her
eyes told Tess that living had not been a blessing to this
woman.
    Kejal left the bathroom, allowing Tess some
privacy. Around the rim of the pool, various expensive toiletries
were set up for her to use. She immediately took advantage of them;
particularly the shampoo and body wash liquid. ‘This is bizarre.
The world is exploding, I am a prisoner, and here I am enjoying a
hot bath.’ She ached to linger and luxuriate in the warm water, but
she hurried with cleaning herself, feeling dread and almost
guilty.
    She stood up, and the woman appeared almost
instantly, wrapping her in a large, fluffy towel. Well, Tess
observed, not everyone in this country is poor and uncouth. Someone
in this house is used to quality goods.
    “You must rest,” her attendant suggested. “I
have brought out some dresses for you to choose from. You will find
excellent cosmetics on top of the makeup cabinet. Call me when you
are ready.”
    Tess quickly surveyed the luxurious bedroom
suite that apparently belonged to a wealthy lady. ‘I wonder who and
where she is,’ she muttered to herself. She is probably the
General’s wife.
    She selected underwear from one of the
chests, put on a luscious, soft cotton bathrobe, and proceeded to
inspect the apartment. In spite of its luxury, this was a highly
secure area. There was only one exit, guarded by at least two
soldiers. All windows were barred by ornamental iron. ‘I am not
going anywhere fast, sorry to say,’ she concluded.
    Hanging on display were three evening gowns,
obviously haute couture, probably French, all designed to show off
a woman’s figure. These were at the same time beautiful but
frightening. A war is raging outside and I have to wear a fancy
dress. Dear God, what is this insanity?
    Her energy was waning rapidly, and she
hungrily bit into an apple from a fruit basket. A few minutes
later, she felt somewhat restored; nothing like fruit sugar to perk
you up. Since there was no way out, she took Kejal’s advice and
laid down on one of the sumptuous sofas. She closed her eyes, and
would have loved to get some sleep, but did not dare. Against her
will, exhaustion prevailed, and she passed out.
    Kejal gently touched her. Tess instinctively
jumped to her feet, affecting a bellicose posture.
    “It’s okay! It’s me” The woman raised her
arms to protect herself from a potential blow. Tess realized that
she had been sleeping for some time.
    “I am sorry, Kejal, I was in a deep
sleep.”
    The woman relaxed. “You must dress now. Which
garment do you wish to wear?” Tess suddenly felt the irony of her
situation. ‘After all I went through to become an Army officer, I
am reduced to playing a bimbo for a pervert. Good, going,
girl!’
    Kejal again exhorted her with urgency.
“Please choose your dress. The General does not like to be kept
waiting!”
    Tess glared furiously. “I don’t care what he
likes!”
    Her attendant did not back down. “Don’t be a
fool! If you make him angry, he will kill you and your soldiers.
Please choose a dress!”
    Tess sat down, holding her head that she felt
was about to explode. She needed time to think. She needed to
regain a sense of control. ‘It’s obvious that I have to play along
with this until I figure something out,’ she muttered to herself.
She stood up, inspected the dresses, and selected a stunning gown
in Burgundy and cream with matching shoes. Amazing, everything
fits, she noticed. She looked at herself in a large mirror. Her
breasts were beautifully showcased by the generous décolleté.
    “You are beautiful, Major. Please do what the
General wants, and you will survive.” Kejal admonished.
    Tess looked at the beautiful, gaunt woman.
“Apparently that’s what you did, and you don’t seem to have fared
very well.”
    Kejal looked at her with her sad eyes. “He
keeps my four-year-old daughter in one of his other houses