Chapter Five
I’ve heard it said before that curiosity killed the cat but, what can I say? I’m stuck here with a man I can’t stand, in an awkward situation, with nowhere to go, and I am not only bored out of mind, but I’m also terrified we’re going to get in trouble. What I need is a distraction and it needs to be something inside this house.
So, curiosity getting the best of me, I decide to explore my boss's home – as you do. What else are you supposed to do when you're snowed in? Plus, it might give me some insights into his personality. Maybe I'll find a secret shrine dedicated to '80s rock bands or a secret collection of ornate duckfigurines. Either way, it's bound to be interesting.
I walk down ahallway, peering into rooms as I go. Because the first door I try is locked, I move onto the next. There has to be something interesting in this house.
The door creaks open as I turn the handle, revealing a dimly lit room. I take a cautious step inside, my curiosity tinged with apprehension as I feel around on the wall for a light switch.
The room lights up and I realise where I am. Oh, boy. My eyes widen, and I let out an uncontrollable gasp. What I'm seeing is unbelievable. There's a full-fledged sex dungeon right in front of me. Yes, you read that correctly. My boss has a secret room for all things kinky. Oh, Richard, I never would've thought you were the type!
The room is crammed with intriguing and, dare I say, intimidating objects. Chains dangle from the ceiling, cuffs and restraints hangfrom the walls, and an entire wall is covered in whips, paddles, and other outrageous objects. I feel like I've stepped into Fifty Shades of Awkward - Ineed to get out.
I take a step back, trying not to lose my cool, but my foot gets caught on something. I stumble, arms flailing, and inadvertently knock over a shelf containing...well,I'd rather not go into specifics. Let's just say it has something to do with furryhandcuffs and a ginormous plastic...
A noise stops me in my tracks. A bang. Is that Chris, roaming around? It's probably best I move on to somewhere else. I would never live it down if he found me in here.
I can't help but wonder what kind of person my boss is as I scramble to pick up the fallen items, hopefullyputting them backexactlywhere I found them. Richard always seemed so proper and buttoned-up at work. Who'd have guessed he had a secret interest in...er...adultactivities?
As I try to process this new information, a nervous giggle escapes my lips. It's not every day you come across (ew, poor choice of words)your boss's secret sex dungeon.
I can't help but laugh as I carefully make my way out of the room, taking care not to disturb anything else (the last thing I want is for my boss to come home and know that someone was in here). This whole thing is just getting weirder and weirder.
I continue my exploration of the house with a newfound appreciation for my boss's quirks and hidden depths. Who knows what I'll find next?
After wandering down the hallway a little further I happen upon a large wooden door. Inside there is a library. Yes, an actual library. Now we’re talking. Walls covered in shelves, all absolutely packed with books, and they’re even organised alphabetically by genre. I’m a total bookworm, so this is the best thing I could have found in here, second only to a snowplough.
Before I let myself go to town on the books I hurry back to the kitchen and make myself a big mug of hot chocolate. Then I hurry back to what is clearly the best room in the house, set my drink down on a coaster next to an inviting looking red Chesterfield chair, and then start browsing for something to read.
The thing that catches my eye is that, in an otherwise serious, old fashioned looking library, there is a kids’ section for his children, and it looks exactly as you would expect. A colourful rug, multicoloured small chairs, and shelves and shelves of fun looking books.
I can’t resist looking at them first. I loved reading when I was a little too. Choosing a library book, reading on the carpet – oh my God, when it was Book Day, and they would wheel in the big silver case that opened up into bookshelves, I would take my free token, and buy as many books as my mum would allow, and I would spend the longest time trying to choose what I wanted.
It is as I am skimming the kids’ books that I notice something. A series of books that look familiar and, even though they were kids’ books, they’re not ones people are going out and buying these days, this collection is from the 90s. I know it so well. Goosebumps books. The original ones too, with the bright, bubbly textured, creepy covers. My eyes dart left to right, up and down, instantly looking for the green spine of my favourite. Sure enough, I locate a copy of The Barking Ghost and then curl up in this chair with a throw over my legs, sipping my drink as I turn the pages and, wow, I am content.
It’s funny, this is definitely a book for kids, but reading about a boy who hears strange noises in the night makes me feel a little creeped out, being here, surrounded by nothing – and that nothing is surrounded by sea.
I need to get a grip. I’m a grown woman. I shouldn’t be scared of…
The library door swings open and I jump out of my skin. Thankfully it’s just Chris – although I kind of wish it was a creepy dog instead. At least I could look that in the eye. Don’t think it isn’t at the back of my mind that I slept with Chris last night. I mean, I don’t remember if it was any good, but I don’t suppose that matters. I’m just annoyed because, usually when people have a one-night stand, they get to do the walk of shame home and try to pretend it never happened. I have to spend another night with Chris, and it doesn’t matter that we’re in separate beds, although it’s definitely preferable. The point is I’m stuck here with him.
‘What?’ I ask, a little annoyed he’s interrupted me as soon as I’ve started enjoying myself.
He tosses some clothes at me.
‘Put these warm clothes on,’ he insists. ‘Then catch me up, I’ll be in the kitchen. We’ve got a problem.’
I sigh. I seriously doubt we’ve got a problem – he’s got a problem – I don’t know why he has to drag me into it.
‘Fine, fine, I’ll be there in a second,’ I say.
He leaves me to get changed into what I’d guess is Richard’s wife’s clothes, which is totally weird.
I drain the last of my drink – never one to waste chocolate of any description – and head for the kitchen. I wonder what he’s going to make me do, that I need to wear Richard’s wife’s clothes for. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I really hope we do have a problem, because otherwise this is some kind of roleplay thing, where he is Richard, and I’m Richard’s wife – well, he did pretend he was my boss when we met, I’m sure of it. Pretty sure of it. Maybe. One thing I’m sure I’m sure about is that, if that is what this is, I’ll take my chances outside with the freezing snow and the creepy dogs. Suddenly they don’t seem so scary .