CHAPTER FOUR — STEPHANIE
I wake up in David's bed disoriented. Where am I? It takes me a few seconds. Then I look around. David's nowhere to be seen.
I glance to my right. On the bedside table, there's a note. I pick it up. Gone to work. Stay as long as you want. There's food in the fridge — help yourself. When you leave, just lock the door.
David has an electronic locking system, so that makes sense. I lie down again, plopping onto the white sheets. With him gone, I feel different. The euphoria and warmth I had before is fading.
And anxiety and panic are taking their place.
I sit up and stretch my arms above my head. I'm sore. David wasn't kidding. I gingerly get out of bed and hunt for the clothes I was wearing last night. I grab the green bandage dress and slip it over my head. The material that once felt smooth now feels rough against my tender skin.
Tender from what? I don't know. Everything. There's so much that's happened…being spanked, fucked…
I get tingles up my spine just thinking of last night.
Instead of asking what parts of my body David has touched or fucked in some way, maybe the better question is to ask what parts he hasn't.
Another memory pops into my head. I remember him telling me, "I own you" and "You're mine."
Did he mean that?
I'm not going to lie, I kind of loved it, but maybe that's just something people say during sex. I want him to have meant it, but I also don't want to deceive myself and get my hopes up again.
I've gotten burned too many times in the past. I can't afford for that to happen again. And besides, he still is my landlord, and I do need this place. I don't want to jeopardize that.
What if we try dating and it goes south, and then he kicks me out? Or people find out and I lose my scholarship? I can't risk that.
I'm used to having to look out for myself. I learned at a young age that if I don't, nobody else will. I have to be smart about this.
I'm thinking of all the things that could go wrong when my phone beeps. I pick it up. It's a text from John.
John. I'd almost forgotten about him. John is one of David's coworkers. Or more specifically, one of David's enemies.
I click on John's text. My stomach drops as I read it.
Hey Stephanie, I hope you're doing well. I wasn't sure if I should reach out to you or not, but I thought I would, in case you didn't know. I don't want you to get blindsided by David.
What the fuck?
I text John back immediately.
What do you mean? Blindsided how?
So you don't know? he responds.
Tell me what's going on, John.
David's going to evict you. He's been asking legal at work for advice on it.
Fuck, that's my worst nightmare. It doesn't really make sense with what just happened between us, but who knows? Maybe David's been playing 5D chess this whole time.
I knew it. I knew I shouldn't have let my guard down around him.
I think about it for a few more seconds, though. How does John know this?
How do you know? I ask John.
Like I said, he's been asking legal. I can send you a screenshot of the email if you want.
I'd appreciate that. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but you can't take anybody at their word. And John, well, he doesn't have the best track record for being trustworthy. He also cheated on his ex-wife.
I wait a few seconds as the photo downloads, and then I click on it.
Sure enough, it's a series of emails between David and the legal team asking about eviction.
My heart stops as I read the last one. It was sent 42 minutes ago.
I feel like I've been hit with a baseball bat.
I mean, I could explain away almost any other email, but him sending one now, after what happened this morning…
there's no other way to explain it except that David's playing me. He's playing me like a fiddle.
I quickly go from shock to despair to anger. I always land on anger. Always.
There's no point feeling sad. Sadness doesn't get you anywhere, but revenge does. I click on the box to reply to John.
That bastard, I reply.
Sorry to be the one to tell you, John replies. I just thought you should know.
No, thank you, I reply. I can't thank you enough. I just don't know what to do now. I really need this place.
Well, if you want, I can give you some legal advice. I went to law school for two years before dropping out.
Maybe, I reply. I'll have to think about it.
There are so many thoughts swirling through my head right now, it's hard to think straight.
Of course, John replies. Don't mean to put you on the spot, and I'm sure you're still processing everything. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.
A surge of anger hits me.
Actually, there is, I reply to John.
I'm all ears, sweetheart, he replies.
I smile, already knowing what his answer is going to be.
How do you feel about helping me piss David off?
Excellent, he replies. That's one of my favorite pastimes. What are you suggesting exactly?
Meet me at Woodbine Creek at 6:15 p.m., on the south side near the benches.
May I ask why?
David runs there every day. I'll tell you the rest of the plan in person, but be there at 6:15. He usually starts running at 6:30.
Perfect, I'll see you there, John replies.
You want to play dirty, David? I think to myself as I smile and flop down on his bed. Well, two can play at that game.