Blast from the Past
A perfect ending
Later that night, after finally returning home, I’m still flying on the incredible high of my scene with Leōn.
The man took me from a place of fear and self-doubt and showed me that it no longer has power over me. I still can’t pretend that I like bondage, but after tonight, it doesn’t have the stranglehold on me that it once did.
I flop onto my bed, grinning like a Cheshire cat. I feel amazing!
Glancing over at the framed photo of Gwen and me taken at the pool last summer, my smile suddenly fades. Concerned about my bestie, I grab my phone to call her.
“Finally!” she cries the moment she answers. “I was worried something happened to you.”
Looking at the time, I let out a groan. “Sorry about that, G. The session tonight went longer than normal.”
“You sound as if you’re out of breath. Is everything okay?”
“You don’t need to worry about me, but I wanted to call because of what happened today with Helen. I’m so sorry…”
“Sorry for what?” she asks, sounding genuinely surprised.
“I wanted to help you, but all I did was make a mess of things.”
“Are you kidding me? You were brilliant.”
I snort at that. Surely, she’s just being kind. “There’s no reason to sugarcoat it. I only made things worse for you. I shouldn’t have come.”
“Seriously? This entire time, I’ve been convinced the cast was against me. No one will even look at me, much less talk to me.” I can hear a tremble in her voice when she shares, “I really thought Helen had convinced them that I was worthless as an actress and didn’t belong there…”
“How could you believe that? You carried the show when she was in the hospital.”
“You weren’t there, Soph. You don’t know how horrible she really is.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask, tears of sympathy filling my eyes.
“What would be the point? You can’t change what’s happening. At least, that’s what I thought until today.”
I frown in confusion. “The only thing I accomplished was getting myself kicked out of the building.”
“You don’t understand,” she insists. “When Helen asked the cast who you were, I was terrified. But not a single person ratted you out. They all kept silent in the face of Helen’s wrath. You don’t know how huge that is. That harpy ruins careers!”
“But I still don’t see how that helps you.”
“I’ve been the sole target of all of Helen’s anger, and I thought no one cared.”
Remembering my conversation with the security guard, I tell her, “You know that security guy who walked me out of the theater? After we were outside, he mentioned that he’s willing to lose his job to protect you if needed.”
“Chuck said that?” Gwen says, her voice choking up for a moment.
“He did, and he even took my number and promised to call if I need to come get you.”
“See…” I hear her sniffle, “…until today, I had no idea that I had their support. I thought they agreed with her and would abandon me after the show ended. But now that I know they have my back, it makes all of this easier to bear.”
“But I don’t see how you can stand facing that kind of abuse every day, G.” I think about that and amend, “In fact, you shouldn’t have to endure it! You should report her for throwing that gum at you. It’s gross and disrespectful on so many levels.”
“Believe me, I looked into it. But for it to count as physical assault, she would have to spit on me.” She utters the smallest whimper, “You know—something really physical.”
I feel miserable for Gwen. “How can you survive another day of that?”
“Now that I know the rest of the cast sees what’s really going on, I don’t have to worry about my future in this business anymore. And I have you to thank for that.”
I chuckle uneasily. “I think you’re giving me far too much credit, G. Regardless, I’m still really worried about you. What if things get even worse?”
“No need to worry about me, Soph. I’m stronger than people give me credit for.”
“I know how strong you are.”
There’s a long pause. “Yeah, you do,” she says softly, then breaks out in ominous laughter. “And Helen Fontaine is in for a nasty surprise if she thinks she can break me.”
“No one can,” I say, letting out a sigh of relief and contentment. I’m happy for the turn of events—in her situation and in mine.
“Well now, that’s a big ass sigh,” she comments. “Everything all right over there?”
“Couldn’t be better, actually.”
“Tell me more,” she pries good-naturedly.
I chuckle, suddenly feeling self-conscious. “Let’s just say I had a great training session tonight.”
“And…?”
“It’ll sound silly if I try to explain, G.”
“I promise not to laugh,” she assures me.
I squirm a little when I admit to her, “I almost had a panic attack tonight.”
“Soph! There’s nothing funny about that.”
“That’s true,” I agree. It takes me a moment to think about how to describe what happened.
“I almost failed a practicum tonight because it turns out I’m a total wimp when it comes to bondage.
I have no problem with pain,” I explain to her, and chuckle at that.
“But a simple pair of cuffs almost sent me spiraling tonight.”
“Oh, Soph.”
I can only laugh when I think back on it. “You should have seen how much I was sweating when they brought out lace for the second practicum.”
“My poor friend…” she whispers, sounding both concerned and protective.
“I was seriously freaking out until Leōn showed up.”
“Your favorite hottie returned?”
“He did!” The surprise I felt on seeing Leōn again returns, giving me pleasant tingles. “You know how much I like the guy, but…I had forgotten how intense he is.”
I tell her how we stared into each other’s eyes without saying a word, and then I confess to her, “It was the most intimate thing I’ve ever experienced, G.”
“More intimate than having sex?” she jokes.
“Absolutely,” I answer. “It took the intense chemistry we have and transformed it into something…deeper.”
“Wow, that sounds amazing, Soph.”
“It was…” I murmur. Then I break out in laughter again when I tell her, “I’m not sure I’ll ever advance from using lace, but Leōn was able to help me conquer my fear of being tied up. I think if it had been anyone else tonight, I wouldn’t have been able to finish the scene.”
“It does sound intense.”
“Oh, it was…in the best possible way.” I let out a soft moan. “You should have heard me. I was quite vocal.”
We both laugh about that. But after our laughter dies down, she tells me, “I’m really happy for you, Soph.”
My cheeks hurt because I’m smiling so hard. “Thanks.”
“I hope I get to meet this hunk of a man someday.”
“I’ll ask him if he does home demonstrations,” I tease, breaking out in giggles at the thought.
I’m still riding the high from last night’s scene the following morning. It seems scandalous to be reliving the experience in my head while instructing my students, but I can’t stop thinking about Leōn.
I swear, every time I close my eyes, I see that man’s handsome face.
Mr. Branson smiles at me when I walk past him on my way out. “You seem in good spirits today, Miss Lane.”
I blush, feeling like a kid caught with their hand in the cookie jar. “I am.”
“Any particular reason?” he asks.
Thinking quickly on my feet, I talk about his daughter. “I’m sure you can hear how much Clara is improving.”
“Yes, I certainly have. The extra lessons seemed to be paying off.” But he looks at me more closely with a teasing smirk on his lips. “However, I suspect there’s something more to it. You have a certain ‘glow’ about you.”
I grin, surprised that he’s picked up on it. “Maybe it’s my new makeup?” I suggest playfully.
His smile broadens. “I don’t think that’s it. But whatever it is, it suits you.”
“Thanks,” I answer, appreciating the compliment.
The two of us stare at each other in pleasant silence for several moments before he clears his throat. “Well, I shouldn’t keep you any longer. Have a good day, Miss Lane.”
“You do the same,” I reply in a light tone before heading out the door.
Walking to my car, I shake my head in amusement. It seems as if my growing feelings for Leōn have somehow made me more attractive to other men. It’s like I’ve unlocked another superpower…
As I reach my car, I hear a familiar voice call my name. I instinctually turn to greet them and immediately regret it.
“I can’t believe it’s really you, Sophie.”
My stomach twists into a knot as I stare at Noah. Although I’ve imagined this moment a million times, I’m not prepared for it today.
Noah boldly looks me up and down, shaking his head. “You look amazing!”
I can’t say the same for him. Not only is Noah’s hair disheveled, but he has dark circles under his eyes. When he flashes his charming smile, I find that those cute dimples no longer have the effect on me that they once did.
When I fail to respond, he furrows his brow and changes tactics. “You sure look different. Have you lost weight? I hardly recognize you!”
I stare at him, saying nothing. I seriously can’t believe he has the nerve to talk to me after cheating on me with his “gaming buddy”.
I feel my anger immediately bubble to the surface, but I refuse to give him the satisfaction of making a scene. Instead, I state firmly, “I am different.”
Flashing those dimples again, he lets out a wolf whistle. “I can see that.”
I ignore his pathetic attempt to flirt and glance at his delivery bike leaning against the light pole nearby. “I thought you were going to quit your job after winning all that cash.”
He shifts uncomfortably on his feet, running his hand through his hair. “I…decided not to.”
“Why? Wasn’t that the big plan?”
He chuckles uncomfortably. “Nah. I’m going to keep hustling on the street for new content.”
I frown, surprised by his answer. “Why?”
Noah shrugs. “Wouldn’t want to disappoint all my YouTube fans, you know?”
But I notice the telltale signs of a blush on his cheeks and can tell he’s hiding something. His odd reaction confirms that what Gwen said was right about AngelEyes’s sudden interest in him. The bitch was only after his prize money and must have taken him for all he was worth.
Serves the bastard right.
Still deluding himself, thinking he has a chance with me, Noah flashes those dimples again and asks, “Why don’t I buy you a coffee and we can catch up?”
Is he kidding me?
Keeping my tone cool and uninviting, I state, “I don’t have the time.”
Noah doesn’t take my hint and asks with a hopeful look in his eyes, “Later then?”
“Not in this lifetime,” I answer, then add cheekily, “or the next.”
Tired of wasting time, I turn back to my car and open the door.
“Don’t leave yet!” he begs.
I smile in satisfaction as I get into my car and start it up. I have played out this scenario over and over in my head in the event I ever ran into him. The memory of his painful betrayal still hurts, but I can finally smile about it. I never imagined such a perfect ending.
As I drive away, looking at his dejected face in the rearview mirror, I start to laugh. I can’t believe I was willing to waste my future on that man…