Chapter 20
The day was postcard-perfect, with fluffy white clouds drifting across a limitless expanse of deep blue sky, beams of sunlight illuminating everything they touched with an enchanted glow.
Playful dolphins frolicked off the shore of the lagoon’s shimmering turquoise waters where the prop plane rested.
The dark shadows of fish and other sea creatures moved below the water’s surface in a sea teeming with life.
The tropical foliage behind them was lush and bursting with color.
Dappled sunlight wound its way through the verdant trees and bushes and filled with the music of the birds and wildlife that made the island their home.
Madeline, Kel, Ruthi, and Eve assembled on the spacious dock, waiting for Ms. Leighton and Antonia to arrive to see them off as the staff loaded their luggage onto the plane.
The group was quiet, the rare conversations between them stilted, as each woman reflected on her experience.
Just as Ms. Leighton had told them upon their arrival, the island was a place that gave you a chance to believe more, to do more, to be more, if only you had the courage to tackle your dreams head-on.
Their lives had been changed forever, in ways that none of the women had ever anticipated, because they had dared to go after their dreams over the last week.
A few minutes later, Ms. Leighton and Antonia arrived, walking the length of the pier and moving to the head of the group before turning to face them.
“Sadly, our time together is at an end,” Ms. Leighton began, smiling at the group, while Antonia stood stoically beside her.
“It has been my great pleasure to have you here on the Isle of Dreams with us. I thank you for the honor you have given me in allowing me to assist you in fulfilling your fantasies. My hope is that you have each made discoveries of value that you can take with you as you return to your lives on the mainland. Before I conclude my remarks, however, this is the time for you to share your own thoughts about your visit this week, should you feel the need. Of course, you are under no obligation to do so. However, guests typically make a few parting comments, if only to bid a more public farewell to the others.”
Her gaze was penetrating as she glanced at them. “Would anyone like to begin?”
For a beat, Ruthi hesitated. Can I do this? she thought. Can I live without Eve? Or can I be brave? Then she knew what she had to do. She raised her hand. “I will. I have things I would like to say to each person.”
Ms. Leighton gestured at her to go on.
With a deep breath, Ruthi faced Kel and Madeline.
“First, I owe you two an apology. For reasons I’ll state in a bit, the nasty behavior I showed and the attitude I threw at you at the beginning of the week was not something either of you deserved,” she said, her tone still clipped but not unkind.
“One day maybe, you’ll be able to forgive me.
However, actions, not words, are what make apologies more than empty gestures. ” Her gray gaze fell upon Madeline.
“Shooting that commercial with you gave me the opportunity to see your range and depth as an actress, not simply as a laugh track sitcom mom who fell prey to the typical Hollywood typecasting, Madeline. Of which I was the biggest offender when we first met.” The blonde actress was clearly startled.
“Stop doubting yourself. You are worth far more than the joke in the room. Nothing can hold you back but you, my friend. I look forward to directing you in Kel’s film.
” Tears ran down Madeline’s face at Ruthi’s words.
“Make Hollywood see you, the real Madeline Whitley. Believe in your talent and your instincts because they will never steer you wrong—as long as you trust.”
Next, Ruthi turned to Kel, who had put her arm around an emotional Madeline.
“As I’ve said, your screenplay was one of the best things I’ve read in years, Kel.
Maybe ever,” Ruthi said, cutting directly to the chase.
Kel’s eyes widened. “After I read it, not knowing who had written it because it had been left anonymously on my bed, I went to Ms. Leighton to ask her who the writer was. She was the one who told me it was you. And as I said at the lagoon, I want it. Your story? It’s raw…
honest… gritty… real… exactly the kind of movie I like to direct.
Again, when we get back to the mainland, I would like to sit with you and Madeline to discuss where we go from here.
Just as I told you, the more I think about it, the more I can’t see anyone but Madeline in the starring role. ”
The two women looked frozen in disbelief at Ruthi’s words.
“Trust in your talent, Kel, because it’s formidable.
I suspect that after this movie comes out, and we win the Academy Awards I feel in my bones is more than possible, studios will be lining up begging you to write for them.
You have a long, lucrative career in front of you, Kel Lehman.
But these conversations can wait until we get home. ”
With one more deep breath, Ruthi moved directly in front of Eve, who stood there quietly, with an enormous pair of shades covering her eyes.
Ruthi knelt before her, her knees opened wide, bottom resting on her heels, with her spine straightened and her eyes cast down, hands lying open on her thighs, palms up.
“Permission to raise my eyes and speak, Mistress?” Ruthi asked softly but audibly and waited in the deafening silence for Eve’s response.
After a long pause, the Domme finally said, “Permission granted, Ruthi,” her voice giving nothing away. “But—”
“I am a submissive,” stated Ruthi in a decisive tone that carried over the entire dock, cutting Eve off.
“In my soul, I’ve always known I have this need inside of me to hand the reins of control to someone else, although I didn’t know why.
I thought… I thought I was abnormal. That wanting to submit to another woman meant I was mentally disturbed in some way.
“My ex-girlfriend not only cheated on me, she did everything possible to destroy my career in Hollywood after I refused to take her back, because I had been her meal ticket and she didn’t want to lose that.
When I rebuffed all her attempts to get back together, she stole virtually everything in our house in revenge, then told the world I had abused her.
” Sharp breaths came from Madeline and Kel.
“While I managed to set the record straight in the end, my ability to trust was destroyed.”
Looking at Eve with tears in her eyes, Ruthi took a deep breath.
“Ms. Leighton offered me a deal. If I would direct a commercial for her, she would grant me my fantasy of being a submissive.” A slight laugh came from her.
“Dominants expect their submissives to give them their trust completely, but I figured there was no harm in going through the motions and pretending so I could protect myself.
‘Nothing wrong with that kind of pretense,’ I told myself. ‘Not for a mere week.’
“But then Eve, a Domme who has no equal, saw through my bullshit immediately and opened me up in a way I never thought possible.” The inhabitants of the dock were deadly quiet, seeming to barely breathe at Ruthi’s impassioned words.
Crying, Ruthi choked out her next words.
“Mistress Eve taught me that total trust between a Domme and her submissive was one of the most beautiful and empowered expressions of love that exists in this lifestyle. A good Dominant will protect her submissive with her life, if necessary. And a good submissive? A good submissive doesn’t hide what she is…
she stands proudly at her Mistress’s side or kneels with visible self-respect at her feet, as she trusts her Domme to give her everything she needs and keep her safe while she’s doing it.
“I failed that final test this week.” Ruthi cried harder, anguish in her heart.
“While I embraced the many valuable lessons my Mistress taught me about self-awareness, treating others with respect, and how to live my life in honesty and kindness, I was still afraid people might find out about the submissive part. Eve walked away because there was no room in her life as a professional Dominant for a submissive who chooses to hide. I lost a woman who has shown herself to be everything I’ve ever wanted, both as a Dominant and a partner in life, because of my fear. ”
Her gray eyes narrowing, an expression of determination crossing her tear-swollen face, Ruthi shook her head.
“No more, Mistress,” she growled. “The hell I’m giving up something so integral to my soul.
To lose you, because I won’t woman up? I refuse.
Besides, why in the world should I care what others think?
Do you really believe those pussies in Hollywood will have the balls to ask me to my face if I’m into kink? ”
Eve, who had been crying right along with Ruthi, burst into startled laughter, along with everyone else on the dock.
“I offer you my submission, Mistress Eve Mondragon, in every way possible.” Ruthi’s face glowed through her tears.
“The details, we can work out after we return to the mainland. When Lynn and I split up, I sold my house in Beverly Hills, then rented a condo to which I am in no way attached. There are no ties in my life I can’t break, nor changes I can’t make should they please you.
I belong to you and only you. Let me serve you, Mistress.
Let me love you as I long to do, as both your submissive and your partner in life.
Be mine in return.” Ruthi held up both hands in supplication.
“Total love and total trust, until the very end of time.”