Possessing Bella Ch. 05

"Yeah, honestly I feel like I am being babysat most of the time," Bella admitted. "Like they are ready to jump in if I make a bad decision, so I need to do everything perfectly, to show them I am serious about everything." She sighed, "It's harder than I expected, and I was hoping to get away from it all this weekend but now..."

"I heard," Dianne grinned. "Seems, Hunter has dropped his current schedule to attend and appraise your worthiness." She laughed, and Bella realised she was teasing a little. "Dorothea had organised a brunch for us girls on Sunday it's been moved to a late lunch rather than cancelled. Sara threw a tantrum when we tried to cancel it," she continued to laugh lightly.

Bella laughed with her, "I do miss our lunches, Dianne. You know just you and me, but my life just, well, it's on a bit of a rollercoaster at the moment. I feel like if I stop and take a moment just for me, I may just fall off the ride completely."

"You still might, but luckily you have friends. Together we can keep you strapped into your seat," again she smiled. "Now about the party this weekend..." Dianne proceeded to fill Bella in on what she knew of the three pet masters vying for her training and that the rumour Hunter was planning show up and what that will mean for her. As she listened her mind went back to Rob's words of that morning; the pet masters were a strange group who did things a little differently.

When Dianne finally finished her summarising of who would be at the party and what would possibly happen she stood to leave hugging Bella tightly. "I wish I could be there with you but stay close to Tali, keep her within sight and she will help you as best she can."

"I am sure I will be okay, nothing you have said frightens me now that know it's coming," she embraced her friend fiercely. "You're amazing Dianne and I don't deserve you're friendship but I am so glad to have it."

"You forget I was once a Domme, and I feel every bit as responsible for you as Kurt and Rob, possibly more so. I am every bit as protective as both of them, and I too am sorry for misunderstanding your need to grieve alone and make a new life without all of us constantly asking you to relive your nightmare." Tears came to her eyes, "I love you honey and I want you to be able to trust and lean on me, how about we do a breakfast meeting, once or twice a week while you're here," she asked hopefully. "I mean we managed some time his morning without being interrupted."

"That's a great Idea. Do you think Kurt would mind?" Bella asked.

"He will be fine," Dianne smiled, "Now I have something for you. When I was a much different person, I designed this, and had it made by Rob," she smiled. "He really is an artist in his own right." She pulled a delicate circlet collar from the small leather wallet she had carried into the room. It had a twisting chain of rose gold woven around the polished copper of the band, giving the whole piece a pink hue. "I know it is not your first or most precious piece but I want you to have it for your collection. I am very happy with Kurt and can't imagine using this again now."

"Dianne," Bella gasped, "It's beautiful. I will take it as a loan only." She looked around. "I am having more realistic models made by an artist but until then you may choose where it belongs, any display case you like. When the real models come you can change it as you like."

Dianne laughed, "Let's see what you have then," She went along as if inspecting them carefully, finally opening a case and placing the circlet on the torso of a smallish female model painted in pale skin tone.

"Perfect," she smiled her eyes becoming glassy. She pressed the leather wallet it came in into Bella's hands then she turned and left the room without another word. Leaving Bella with the impression that giving up that last piece of who she once was more difficult than she had thought it would be.

The day like all of the others since returning to work had gone by in a rush, and it was close to five when Rob arrived accompanied by Kurt and Rhys. Andrew looked apologetic as they barged into her office ahead of him making her laugh at the stunned expressions on their faces as they took in the showroom style of her office.

"Welcome gentlemen to what do I owe this pleasure?" Bella remained seated at her desk with a teasing smile on her face.

"I'm just a courier," Rob chuckled placing several boxes on her desk. "They," he indicated Kurt and Rhys, "Don't seem to like couriers coming to your office unescorted."

"I got tired of waiting for an invitation," Rhys shrugged sitting in of the antique chairs.

"I don't need a reason," Kurt continued walking around touching everything and stopping before the case that held the collar Dianne had once used for her own submissive. "Security?" He turned to question her.

"Toughened shatterproof flexi-glass and each cube is individually alarmed," she chewed her lip, "That's part of the reason it cost you so much but we had to know it would work before we did it for real in a shop space." She had risen to go and stand beside him as they spoke.

He nodded and continued his inspection. Bella turned and focused on Rob, "Thank you so much for lending these to me until I find some designers and get some samples ready. I was sort of hoping you might do some special designs for me too, please, Master."

"I'm pretty busy but it might be good to keep my tools sharp," he winked at her knowing he would help her to the best of his ability. "These are a few things I had lying around you can use for now."

She spent some time inspecting and placing each piece into a display cube as the men asked questions and commented on her décor and design choices. Rhys chuckled as he explained that Patrick had come to him with an idea about putting a sunken roman style bath in their own home after seeing this earlier.

Once the pieces had been locked away and alarmed, Bella locked her office for the weekend feeling a sense of achievement. She declined invitations to dinner claiming she just wanted to curl up on the couch with some soup and a movie. For once no one argued with her and Rob took her home and walked her to her apartment, kissing her forehead as he said goodnight.

*****

Bella had a relaxed morning getting out of bed late for the first time in weeks because she had nowhere else to be and no one else to please but herself. She spent time in her kitchen actually cooking for a change and smiled; she loved to cook, and her mother had taught her well. It was such a shame she never got to cook for anyone anymore. Maybe Rob would let her cook for him one night, or if she felt brave enough one weekend Jake might even like to have someone cook for him for a change.

Having cleaned up the kitchen and still in her comfortable robe she sat and went through her plans for next week, adding idea's and fine tuning the things she wanted to put in place before leaving for two weeks of training again. It felt good to know that Andrew and maybe Dorothea would be there to keep the momentum up during that time. She realised that, by the time she was ready to make her plan a reality it would be as much Andrews work as hers that would make it a reality.

There was a tap at her door, and Bella got up to answer it thinking it was Rob as she checked her watch and realised it was early afternoon. Opening the door, she was surprised to see Stephen stand there with a woman she knew but couldn't name. Pulling her robe closer around her and regretting not getting dressed she opened the door wider silently inviting them in. Bella took in, a large box in Stephen's arms and the makeup cases the woman carried and a similar scene played in her mind.

"Belinda?" she whispered. The woman turned and nodded with a smile.

"It's good to see you again Bella," she said cheerily, "and in another costume!"

Bella was confused and looked at Stephen with the question poised on her lips when he put the box down and sat in a comfortable chair throwing a cushion on the floor beside him. "You can set up over on the table there Belinda," Stephen said and smiled as Bella took her place on the cushion without being told and looked up at him with those big green eyes.

Stephen dealt with a lot of young and beautiful women on a daily basis in the club, but the sight, sound and feel of this girl yesterday had stayed vividly in his mind last night. He had found himself considering carefully just what sort of pet she should be for him as he escorted her to this gathering of the pet master's guild. Given the limited time he had to organise this he had woken Belinda early and demanded she come into the club. Since Marie's death Belinda now managed the wardrobe and makeup areas of the club and would be best placed to assist him.

Belinda had given him the usual options that seemed far too commonplace but before discarding the whole notion and leaving with just a body stocking and some ears, he gave Belinda an hour to come up with a unique costume before he returned. At the end, given a chance to be creative, Belinda came up with a three interesting ideas and after selecting one, the smiling Stephen promised her a bonus day off for all her help.

He hadn't truly considered beyond the usual puppies and kittens himself and he marvelled once again at Belinda's creativity as the woman set up her kit at the table, and he turned to Bella, "I am assuming Rob explained about the gathering tonight, and you would require some sort of costuming," he said slowly watching her expression. She had never truly word anything but the collar and tail for Mel, but she nodded not wanting to appear naïve.

"Good then, do as Belinda asks. I will return for you," he leaned forward and stroked her cheek. "I am sure you will make us all proud tonight." He wanted to say that he would be proud to be the one holding her leash but he also knew that she was not ready to hear that from him yet.

"I will try, Sir Stephen," she said with a smile, watching him leave.

"Okay, we don't have much time," Belinda approached her as she got up. "First, we apply this temporary tint to your hair, then shower full body shave and use this soap, no moisturisers so that you skin will hold the tint I am mixing." She dragged Bella into the bathroom and bent her head over the sink.

Bella didn't question anything she was asked to do, all she knew about pets and pet masters was what she had seen of Tali and the enjoyment Mel had with a collar, leash tail and the basket she slept in when on the yacht. She patiently stood as what appeared to be a bronzer was applied to her back, sides, arms and legs. A pale colour was then applied to her belly, chest and neck. She sat as her face was painted and then held her breath as a setting agent was applied over the top to ensure its longevity. Belinda assured her it would come off when she showered tomorrow or at least in a day or two.

"Don't look so worried," Belinda laughed, "It will be okay I promise. Now that the hard bit is done let's get you dressed." She went to the large box on the table and extracted what looked to be a small faux fur stole, then another. Realising they were joined together Bella looked curious as Belinda came closer. Realising as Belinda worked that the thin strings holding them together worked as a G string of sorts she stepped carefully into it and held the impossibly soft white fur against her torso as the darker fur was run up her back to her neckline where it was tucked into her collar temporarily to hold it in place. As Belinda worked quickly the two tones of fur surrounded her neck and clipped into place against each other.

Next came a leather body harness that blended in with the back while hugging to and enhancing her curves at the front. Stepping back to the box and retrieving the tail Bella had been expecting. "I will just attach this to the harness for the moment; you won't be able to travel with it. Sir Stephen will have to put it in when you get there," she gave Bella an apologetic look as she saw the blush creep in behind the heavy makeup. She stood back and inspected the look quite pleased with herself. "oh, I almost forgot," she went back to her make up kit and pulled out two small round discs and two larger fluffier disc's.

With the small fur ears in place with hair clips and rosy pink pasties covering her nipples, Belinda finally relented and took Bella to the full length mirrors in her wardrobe. Bella turned this way and that admiring the sexiness of the look she had been given but she was totally confused as to what sort of puppy had small rounded ears like a bear. "Are you sure about these ears?" she asked tentatively not wanting to insult Belinda.

"I know the pale inners and pale belly look more like a weasel than a mink but with a rhinestone choker," she held out her hand in which she held some costume jewellery, "You will look so expensive no one will be in doubt as to how valuable you are."

"Oh," Bella laughed at herself more than anything, "I thoughts the pets would all be like Tali, you know puppies ,kinda, sorta."

"Well I don't really know myself, because I would have thought sex kitten, if someone had had asked me before today, or playboy bunny," she mused. "Well it doesn't really matter what we think does it," she laughed, "This is what Sir Stephen wanted." Pulling the rhinestone choker in place and helping with the earrings, she smiled into the mirror with Bella. "A quick lesson how to fix any makeup glitches, and then we'll try on the paws."

Bella had never realised there was so much involved in this fetish. She wondered if this much preparation was necessary for everyday appearance or if it was only at special gatherings that this much costuming was expected. She had always known by Tali's dress that she identified as a pet puppy, but it was never as over the top as this.

There was a soft knock on the door and Belinda positioned Bella in the Middle of the room, before she went to answer it. Stephen smiled as he eyes lighted on Bella. "Great job, Belinda," he moved into the room circling Bella several times before stopping. "Do you feel comfortable," he finally asked her.

"Yes Sir Stephen," she said quietly.

"You will have to put this in on arrival unless you wold like it attached to the other skin," Belinda held up the tail.

"I expect they would want it done properly," Stephen murmured watching Bella's face. "You are fine that that?" he asked noting the patches of her face not painted become pink with a half hidden blush.

"Yes Sir Stephen," she said quietly looking up at him. The tall, well-built man wore his usual dark suit, but rather than his suit jacket he had opted for a leather jacket that hung loosely from his broad shoulders. Bella could breathe in its soft well-conditioned scent, and she almost purred, her love of leather remaining with her and reminding her strongly of Mel.

"Do you think I could have a photo please?" Belinda asked almost shyly, "I would love it for my album. I still have my one of you as Tinkerbelle with Hook and your parents as the King and Queen of Hearts." Stephen nodded his assent and Belinda pulled a leash encrusted in rhinestones out of a small leather tote bag and handed it to Stephen before taking up her camera.

"Down," he said as he attached the leash, and she dropped to her hands and knees. Belinda took several shots and put her camera away.

Belinda untied and placed the tail in a small leather back before zipping it up, "There is makeup for quick repairs, lube for the tail, and she can keep her paws in here until you get there if you prefer." She handed the small bag to Stephen, "One other small thing," she said seemingly unsure of herself. "I am not sure how these sort of parties go, I have never been myself but should she need to go to the bathroom the harness can be unclipped, here or here to give her some small freedom the res should be able to be held aside," she finished her voice trailing off as her hands made the movements.

Stephen nodded his understanding, "Paws," he held out his hand to Bella. She immediately took them off revealing cuffs made of the same faux fur as the paws surrounding her ankles and wrists and small white slippers that she wore on her feet. He counted backwards from ten forcing his arousal to the back of his mind and once again reminding himself that she did not belong to him, nor was she a club girl open to his use. "You have a coat?" he asked as she continued to look up at him.

"Yes, of course," she murmured and disappeared into her room returning with a white coat that hung to her mid-thigh.

"Let's go then it is quite a drive out to Woodford," Stephen said gruffly keeping a tight rein on his own feelings about escorting this desirable girl to meet a prospective Master.

*****

"Try not to fidget so much," Stephen said gently, "Belinda put a lot of work into that body paint," he smiled at her and returned his eyes to the road. Bella was nervous as they drove out of the city heading north and had not realised she had been fidgeting.

"Rob said this was about compatibility, what if no one likes me enough to want to train me," she said quietly, feeling like she would be letting Mel down in some way if she didn't impress the men she went to meet.

"I do not think you have to worry about that happening, making the choice yourself should be a greater worry. You do have choices in all this you know, the training and all that it entails," he said with concern. Like Kurt, he held misgivings about the path she was taking back into the lifestyle and was pleased he could be there to protect her from herself for the most part.

"Do I?" she asked wistfully. "I don't know what it is that this lifestyle entails to know if it's right for me or not. I knew nothing before Mel, and I think that is why he started this whole thing off and gave me such wonderful and diverse friends, so I could know, you know?" She stopped talking knowing that she wasn't making sense, but knowing also that it was something she needed to do. When she had begged for Mel's collar she had asked for more, asked him to show her everything, she still wanted that and knew he did too even though he was no longer here.

"So what did you learn from your time with Sire?" Stephen probed into the silence that filled the car.

"My limits and the difference between soft and hard limits," she smiled at the memory of him being grateful at times when she safe worded so he too could stop something he did not enjoy very much. "And that it is okay to use a safe word when I need to."

"Those are important things," he nodded, "You did not learn that with Mel?" he was a little shocked at her response.

"I trusted Mel completely, he knew me so well. He pushed me past some initial limits without even realising it I am sure, or knowing that I could be pushed; I guess we never truly had the time to explore as much as we would have liked," she shrugged feeling his loss again.

"Is Sire a Master you would consider returning to?" Stephen pushed her.

"I enjoyed my time with him immensely; he helped me in so many ways, but I'm not sure. I don't know if I would want his lifestyle fulltime. Maybe not, but I will always count him as a friend and be indebted to him for the lessons he taught me."

Once again Stephen was struck by how thoughtful Bella was. She seemed to consider how she spoke about others; another girl might have just said no, it wasn't for me, but not this girl, she praised Sire while saying no in such a way you didn't notice it was there in her words. They spoke about her time with Sire and her limits as she knew them. He was impressed and more than a little surprised with the comprehensive list she was able to speak about with ease. He quickly revised his opinion of the loud and uncouth William Wilder, whom he had doubt would benefit Bella's training at all.