Graduation Week #2
I glance at Carlisle, who is sporting a black leather vest and pants. The shy guy with the iPad has certainly upped his game since the first day. He’s no longer as awkward, but he still oozes the cool nerd vibe.
I catch Tamara looking at me from across the aisle. She looks stunning in her yellow bustier. Not only does it emphasize her shapely chest, but the color contrasts beautifully with her darker skin tone and velvety brown eyes. I’m going to miss her quiet strength in my life…
She leans over and says in a hushed voice, “I was just thinking about that night when you could barely touch the bondage equipment on the table.”
I roll my eyes. “I was such a chicken, wasn’t I?”
Tamara shakes her head. “No, you were exploring your boundaries.”
I smile gratefully. “If you ever want to catch up, I’ll give you my number.”
“I’d like that.”
Mr. Onassis glances at the clock in irritation.
“I have no idea what is keeping Ms. Foster and Mr. Nash, but there are several things you need to be aware of before we head downstairs. Because this is the first graduation for the Training Center of New York, Dominants from around the world will be in attendance, including the Dominants that you have worked with. Those who are looking for a partner will be wearing a gold band on their wrist.”
Michelle grins at me.
“Each of you has been assigned an escort for the evening. Mrs. Adams, you are paired up with Lord Murray, Mr. Carlisle with Mistress Kim, Miss Robinson with me, Mr. Russo with Dono Marcelo, Miss Prescott with Socrates, and Miss Lane with Rytsar Durov.”
I have to squelch my cry of excitement when I hear who I’ve been paired with.
“So that you understand the order of things, Headmaster Wallace will announce each one of the graduates in alphabetical order, starting with you, Mrs. Adams. You will stand beside him and then move to the left when he calls the next name. Once all of you have been introduced, you will be free to socialize.”
He glances at the clock again just as Pixie Girl makes her grand entrance.
She’s come dressed as a sexy fairy, complete with gossamer wings and a floral wreath for her head.
Mr. Onassis doesn’t even bat an eye and reprimands her.
“You are late, Miss Foster. You will remain here while I escort the others. I trust Mr. Nash will make his appearance in the meantime.”
The six of us follow behind Mr. Onassis as Pixie Girl waves us on, seemingly unaffected by Mr. Onassis’s displeasure.
I think it’s a shame, because she’s been doing so well the last few weeks…
Mr. Onassis leads us down to the lower level, where they had the auction last week.
I’m floored by the sheer volume of people I see gathered.
The large room has been transformed with elegantly set tables and floor-to-ceiling black and gold banners.
Each of the banners has one of our names on it in big letters.
I feel like a celebrity when the entire group breaks out in polite applause as we walk to the stage where Headmaster Wallace is waiting. To the right of the stage, all of our escorts are lined up in the order we will be presented.
I have to contain my excitement when I walk up to Rytsar and stand in front of him. I’m relieved to see that he looks like himself, other than the gash above his eyebrow which no longer has stitches but is still an angry red. I tremble, feeling the weight of his magnetic presence behind me.
“Remain here with your head bowed, while I retrieve Ms. Foster,” Mr. Onassis orders all of us.
I hear him walk onto the stage and say something to the Headmaster before leaving.
Headmaster Wallace then addresses the assembly. “We are honored to have you join us tonight for this auspicious occasion. This is the first graduating class for the Submissive Training Center of New York.”
The room echoes with applause.
“For those unfamiliar with our program, the submissives who stand here today have been through a rigorous six-week course involving classes, practicums, and weekly auctions, where they were exposed to different settings and cultures.”
I smile to myself, wondering which of my winning Doms are in attendance here tonight.
“Additionally, the person who established this New York chapter is with us tonight. He’s asked not to be singled out, preferring the attention to remain centered on the graduates themselves.”
Oh, how I adore Anton!
Headmaster Wallace goes on to explain the timeline of the evening and the protocol for the interviews we will be conducting.
All of this becomes more real when he mentions the collaring ceremony.
“We will conclude the formal portion of the evening with the Collaring Ceremony. Those submissives who wish to offer their collar will present it to their Dominant of choice.”
While the room breaks out in reserved applause, I notice Pixie Girl and Nash discreetly following Mr. Onassis as they walk up to join the line. I’m surprised to see that Nash is dressed in his class uniform instead of his own clothes, and it strikes me as odd.
Headmaster Wallace nods to Mr. Onassis and begins the formal graduation ceremony, calling “Mrs. Michelle Adams” to the stage. I stand there in nervous anticipation as I wait impatiently for my name to be called and glance around covertly until I catch sight of Gwen waving at me nearby.
I’m deeply grateful she’s here!
“Miss Sophie Lane.”
I take a deep breath before I step forward, walking up the steps of the stage, knowing everyone’s eyes are on me.
Standing next to the Headmaster, I am hit with a wave of sadness.
He was the one who was there for me when I thought Noah had been seriously hurt on that night I attended the New Year’s Eve party.
Our scenes together were both incredibly enlightening and hot, but it was the private conversations, when he let his guard down, that I cherish the most.
I’ve come to really care about him…
“Miss Lane began the program as the student with the least amount of knowledge about BDSM. However, her aptitude for learning and willingness to address the obstacles she faced were truly inspiring. Not only to us as her Trainers, but her classmates—”
“Are the rumors true that you are in a relationship with this student?” a woman calls out from the audience.
I glance at the Headmaster and blush in humiliation.
“That is not the case, Lady Onyx,” he states firmly.
I look out into the audience in the direction of her voice. I immediately recognize the woman with jet black hair that Amethyst identified as Lady Onyx the night I saw Nash flinch outside the hotel.
People start murmuring amongst themselves.
Lady Onyx shouts, “Of course you would say that. You’re the one abusing your student!”
Normally, I would want the ground to open up and swallow me whole in a moment like this.
But I refuse to stand here and let her tarnish the Headmaster’s name, or the reputation of the Training Center.
Addressing the crowd, I tell them, “These accusations are false and have been fabricated by a fellow student here.”
I glance in Nash’s direction and notice Anton is having an intense conversation with him.
“This whole program is a front! There is no training taking place at this school,” Lady Onyx declares, causing the tension in the room to rise.
Lord Murray storms onto the stage and yells, “Enough!” His deep voice echoes powerfully through the spacious room, and a hush falls over the crowd. “These allegations are entirely unfounded and made in bad faith.” His righteous indignation commands respect from the assembly.
Anton walks Nash onto the stage and puts his arm on his shoulder. “This boy is under my protection.”
Lady Onyx growls. “Take your hands off him immediately. He’s mine!”
Anton nods to Maxim, who moves through the crowd toward Lady Onyx. She alternates her gaze from him to Nash as Maxim draws nearer.
“Come now, stupid!” she orders Nash.
When he doesn’t move, she growls threateningly. “You need to come right now, or the consequences for disobeying me will be severe.”
When Maxim is within reach, her face hardens with growing malice. “Come. Here. Now!”
I notice Nash wavering, but Anton stands firm beside him and tells Lady Onyx in a frigid tone, “Leave.”
“I refuse to leave without him.”
He glances at Nash, telling her, “Ask him if he consents to your punishment.”
She glowers. “Disobedience requires punishment and must be given to maintain order. It is not a choice!”
“Then you understand nothing about consent. I will see to it that you are banned from the community.”
When Anton snaps his fingers, Maxim removes her from the premises against her vehement protests. Once order has been restored, Anton turns to the Headmaster. “You may continue with the graduation, Headmaster Wallace.”