by Sarah Tork
Mom’s eyes bulged out in disgust. Wasting one of her precious date nights at Canadian Tire, scouring the aisles for cleaning supplies and cutting boards in every size known to man was her worst nightmare.
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Mom snapped, her eyes flaming, obviously trying to keep it in for the sake of Dad. But if he wasn’t next to us right now, I’d be getting more than an eye roll and a silent fuck you.
“Anyway, it was just a suggestion. I actually came to also say I have to go,” I explained as Mom stopped mid-eye roll, jerking her face back to me, looking panicked and horrified.
“What?” she screeched.
“I told you before. I’ve got an appointment I need to be getting to,” I explained with a small smile, making her eyes widen.
Hilarious, she thought I was being serious.
I rolled my eyes. “Geez, relax, I’m meeting a friend.”
“You can’t leave! What about Ben?” Mom screeched.
“Yeah, what about him? I had a talk with old Benny-boy back in the hallway. Nothing’s changed, so stop it,” I warned, leaning toward her. “Stop whatever it is you guys are trying to do!”
Mom looked frazzled. “I don’t know why you insist on keeping up this behavior. Ben said he was sorry. What more do you want?”
She’s such a traitor. The urge to throttle her is strong, but I keep that shit locked down. “His apology can go to the dogs for all I care. It’s about as genuine as all the puffed up lips in this room.”
Mom’s eyes widened. Her lips were puffy courtesy of Dad’s wallet. That shit was expensive; and there was probably a dent in the finances due to it.
And I’m the selfish one, look in the fucking mirror.
“Well, this was fun, Dad.” I leaned toward him and gave him a hug. “I hope you have a blast for the rest of the party, and we’ll talk tomorrow. I’ll call you.”
“Okay, but I better hear from you tomorrow,” Dad said in my ear.
“Don’t worry,” I assured him. I glanced at Mom who looked like a fish out of water. “Goodbye, Mom. Have a nice night.”
Once in the hallway, I feel like I can finally breathe again. The night was over, well, part of it at least. There’s still one part I have to get through before I can officially call it a night and return my anxiety levels back to normal.
Halfway down the hallway, a strange banging noise came from a pair of doors that read employees only. I slowed down for a second to investigate.
“Oh!” a loud moan echoed from the other side. What the…. I pressed my ear to the door and my jaw dropped.
“Fuck me, fuck me like that!” a women screeched, sounding like a hyena being shaken. The door started to shake while whoever it was on the other side got pounded.
Fucking hell!
“That’s right, Donald, that’s right!” The woman moaned loudly. “No, don’t come inside me… there; come inside me here. That’s right, big boy, right in my mouth!”
Donald?
OMG! It’s Ruthie!
“That’s right…that’s right…fuck, baby, you suck me so hard,” a man moaned, probably Donald. “Fuck…fuck…fuck…ease it with the teeth…fuck!”
“Oh, Donald, I knew you’d be great when you served me fried shrimp earlier. But I didn’t know your cock was this big, you savage beast! I want it in my ass next!” Ruthie moaned, clearly not sucking cock anymore.
“Why aren’t you sucking? Baby, my dick, it needs your mouth…fuck…that’s right. Suck it…lick it…suck me…baby!” Donald moaned like he’d just crossed the finish line.
Was that…yes, I think it is…home run!
“Fuck me, now!” Ruthie ordered breathily. “Fuck me. I’m ready Donald…right in my ass…now!”
“Fuck! Baby, hold on for a second. I need a minute…or two,” Donald panted. “Where’s your underwear?”
“I threw them out. They would have just been in the way,” Ruthie giggled. “Isn’t it better like this?”
This woman is fucking horny!
I struggled not to laugh out loud when music began to play. Lovemaking music, something to fall into the beat with. I knew because I quickly began grooving to it.
Work it, Chica!
“Yeah… that’s right… my big boy… ohhh! Big boy likes playing with his old lady’s ass, round and round…oh!” Ruthie moaned as the sexy song played.
This was definitely the highlight of the night.
“Fuck me…fuck me…let’s get nasty…get nasty with me… get faster... faster… faster!” Ruthie’s moaned. “Why can’t you go faster? I need it faster!”
“I’m going as fast as I can!” Donald panted, sputtering like a used car.
Yeah, Ruthie, he’s going as fast as he can!
“Wahhhhh! Ruthie needs her big boy to go faster!” Ruthie cried. “How are you going to be later?”
“Later?” Donald panted, sounding as if he were still plunging into her.
“Later, big boy, we’re going back to my place and getting this party really started! How do you feel about taking codeine with cola?” Ruthie moaned. “Hey, why’d you stop? Fuck me…fuck me now!”
The door began to shake again, but this time it was earthquake status.
“Fuck yeah. My ass…it wants more…go in me more…I need you inside of me…fuck!” Ruthie moaned loudly and I jerked my ear away from the door, looking down the hallway for anybody walking this way.
“I’ve got to go home,” Donald said abruptly. “I need to go!”
“What! Why?” Ruthie cried. “What about later?”
I heard footsteps fumbling around, knocking against some sort of shelving.
“I need to go,” Donald said again and it was enough for me to move my legs and burn rubber, before he opened the door, finding me creeping.
If I smoked, I’d definitely need a cigarette after that.
What even was that?
Whatever it was, it was an experience of a lifetime. One that I knew I’d be using time-and-time again, in my most depressing moments, when a laugh was required in order for me to snap out of it.
I might need a laugh after having this visit with Xander. I walked by the bathrooms and stopped instantly; an idea striking like lightning. My mind struggled to comprehend all the information, trying to sort it out.
An idea that involved payback… the perfect revenge against Xander. It’s perfect timing. I was in the right place at the right time for a reason. Someone had wanted me to be listening in on the conversation between Ruthie and Francine earlier. I rushed inside the ladies bathroom, and sure enough, sitting nicely on top of a pile of discarded paper towels in the trash bin, was a small, blue, plastic bag.
Yes! I stared, mesmerized at the plastic bag.
It was exactly what I needed to restore balance.
An eye for an eye.
Something dirty, for something dirty.
I hoped he shrieked like the thief bitch he was. It’s not every day your face came into contact with a woman’s underwear covered in another man’s cum. He wouldn’t see this coming. I knew he liked used women’s underwear…. supposedly (Still unsure), but how would he feel about a little something extra on top?
An extra condiment if you will.
I was generous like that.
I pulled out a stack of paper towels from the dispenser hanging above the trash can, and wrapped it around the plastic bag. With a paper towel glove protecting my hand from whatever juices covered the blue plastic bag, I pulled it out of the trash, curling more paper towels over it.
This was going to be amazing. I glanced at myself in the mirror and did my version of a victory dance. I exited the bathroom laughing, when I heard my name being yelled from the down the hallway.
“Marisa!”
I looked down the hallway and it’s Ben, looking frantic. As soon as he sees that it’s me, his pace quickens towards me.
Uh no! I didn’t have it in me to have another heart-to-heart. Nope. I started running towards the exit.
“Marisa! Wait!” Ben yelled.
I ran out of the building as fast as my high heels allow me to. As soon as I get outside, I waved my hands into the air, hoping Daniels could see me from wherever it was he parked. An engine roared from somewhere as I hit the steps; I hope it’s Daniels. The doors to the facility open abruptly.
“Marisa, wait!” Ben pleaded, panting like crazy.
“Leave me alone!” I shouted, not bothering to look behind me at him.
“Wait, stop running from me,” Ben yelled, his voice sounding closer than before.
Shit!
“Stop following me, geez!” I yelled back, hitting the bottom of the steps. I looked ahead at the parking lot and see the giant SUV circling into the driveway.
Hurry up, Daniels!
The next second, Ben’s strong hand gripped my arm, pulling me back and twisting me around to face him. His forehead glistened with sweat as he scowled with fury.
Yeah, I did that to people, too.
“Get your hand off me,” I ordered him, trying to yank my arm out of his grip, but he was too strong.
“No!” Ben snapped. “Why did you run?”
“Because I’m tired,” I snapped back.
“Tired of what?” Ben asks, clearly frustrated.
Don’t cry! I ordered myself when the corners of my eyes began to feel moisture. “I’m so tired, Ben; tonight’s been horrible. I’ve been under attack since arriving. You, Mom, your mom.”
“That’s because you’ve been gone for months, and no one’s known where you’ve been. You didn’t think by coming back that you’d have some explaining to do?” Ben asked.
“I don’t owe any of you any more explanations of how I live my life, or what I’m doing, especially not you. Have you forgotten that we’re no longer together?” I reminded him softly; all fight inside me gone.
His eyes softened, looking sadder. “You’re the one who wanted to break up, not me,” Ben said.
Daniels pulled the car up to the curb and got out. “Ms. Gellys, is everything okay?”
Ben lets go of my arm as I turned to face Daniels.
“I’m okay; just give me a minute, okay?” I tell him and he nods, getting back inside the car. I turn back to face Ben who is staring at Daniels.
“Ms. Gellys?” Ben murmured, confused. “Who’s he, Marisa?”
“I told you, I got a ride from a friend,” I explained to him, not looking him in the eye.
“Right,” Ben murmured, unconvinced.
“I don’t care if you don’t believe me,” I snapped at him. “What are you doing out here? Go back inside and join the party with people who are more like you.”
“I tried to talk to you inside, but you’re still shutting me out, not willing to see things from my side,” Ben said.
“I don’t need to see things from your side. We’re over. I don’t like you anymore. I don’t want you in my life anymore!” I snapped at him. Ben then grabs my face, bringing me to his.
“No,” he pleaded. “No.”
“Yes,” I hissed back. “I don’t want you. You’re a liar and a cheat. Those things are not the recipe for love or for an honest relationship.”
“Baby, please, I’m sorry,” Ben pleaded some more. “I don’t want you to go.”
“Well, tough, and I’m going back soon,” I told him. “I don’t live here anymore. I live in Toronto.”
“Toronto?” Ben let’s go of my face and jerked back in shock. “That’s over four hours away!”
“I wanted to get as far away from all of you as I could,” I informed. “What’s the point of being in the same city as people who always look down on you and treat you like shit?”
Ben marched back in front of me, grabbing the sides of my face again, looking deep into my eyes. “Baby, please. I’m so sorry. Please. I’m so fucking sorry.”
Oh no! I felt my defenses wavering, my body wanting nothing more than to give in and let him consume me.
I lied. I loved this man.
But that shit that happened in the past, it’s not like I didn’t still have those horrible memories. I couldn’t help but be reminded of all the bad times.
His love came with a price, and that was my dignity. So unless he decided to change and become more respectful, being together again would never work. It might be good in the beginning, but soon his real side would come out. Following him would be Mom and Gwen, ready to pounce. Just like old times.
“No,” I said. “I can’t.”
“You can’t,” Ben repeated. “Please, I’m sorry. I swear I’ll change. Just don’t go.”
“You’re still the same,” I said, trying not to cry. “You don’t want to change.”
“Why can’t we just go back to the way it was before?” Ben caressed my cheek. “It was good back then.”
“No it wasn’t!” I snapped, jerking my face out of his hands. “It wasn’t good. It wasn’t good for a long time.”
He stepped away, looking at the ground, then looked back up at me with a scowl. “You can go now.”
I shook my head.
He’s telling me to go now.
How funny was that? I guess it was finally sinking in. How many times could you hear someone say they didn’t want to be with you?
It finally hit home.
“Ben, I’m not right for you. I’m not what you want. You need to be with someone who’s like you: driven, had a university degree, and all that stuff. I’m none of those things. There would always be a problem between us,” I told him softly, touching his shoulder. “I can’t make you happy.”
Ben stayed silent, staring at my hand on his shoulder.
“I was never good enough for you,” I whispered to him. “Go find someone and be happy.”
He still didn’t say anything.
“I’m going to go now, okay?” I told him.
He nods and looks up, staring me deep in my eyes. I lean in and kiss him on the cheek. “Bye, Ben.”
“Bye, Marisa,” he murmured softly.
I let go of his shoulder and opened the car door. Ben helped me inside and shut the door for me. He stood on the curb, staring at me.
“Ms. Gellys, is everything okay?” Daniels asked, twisting his body to face me.
I stare at Ben as he turned around and marched up the steps. I turn back to face Daniels, “I’m okay; this was just a long time coming. I just…I don’t know. I was kidding myself into thinking tonight would go smoothly.”
“I’m sorry,” Daniels said.
“It’s all good.” I smiled small. “So, are we going to Xander’s now?”
“If that’s okay with you?” Daniels replied.
“Yes, it’s a requirement, apparently,” I sighed. “He is a demanding bastard, isn’t he?”
Daniels chuckled quietly. “Shall we go, Ms. Gellys?”
I took one last look outside my window, catching Ben walking back inside the building. “Yeah, let’s go.”
As Daniels drove out into the main street, I leaned over and placed the paper towel-wrapped treasure down between my feet.
En route to Xander’s.
Here we go.
CHAPTER 17
*Demetria*
I don’t care if I have to stay here all night; I’m not leaving till I see Xander.
Tonight was the night, no matter what.
The waiting around was officially over. It’s time to take life and love into my own hands, and make what I wanted to happen, happen. That’s the way things worked in life. If you wanted something bad enough, you had to do whatever it took, letting no man or woman distract you from your goal.
I pitied any man or woman who dared stand in my way, especially in my current mood. I’d been waiting for over an hour for Xander to come home. How long was his charity work going to take him?
Tragically, I was stuck inside a coffee shop that had a view of the Ogall Hotel. I looked down for the first time since arriving; my hot chocolate was finished, and the cup was sitting there empty. That reminded me of
my heart. The only way I could fill the void was if I asked for a refill; the same as my heart, I needed a refill of Xander.
Desperately.
And as if the love gods were listening to my despair, a familiar car pulled up to the curb in front of the hotel.
I knew that car. I’d ridden in that car.
That’s Xander’s car!
Oh my God!
Baby!
My fingers trembled as they gripped the empty cup. I slowly slid off the stool, shoving the empty cup into the trashcan that’s nestled beside my table. It’s as if my blood was frozen, and after so long, I was about to come face-to-face with the love of my life, and only he could make my blood flow again. I would do anything to be with Xander; even sit in a pedestrian-ridden coffee shop for over an hour, drinking commoner drinks.
Goodbye commoner mother-ship. I hope I never have to step foot into one of you again. Even though your hot chocolate was not that bad. A lady of my stature did not buy hot drinks from places like this. She had them made fresh during brunch at a high-class hotel after a night of making love with her one and only love.
A cool breeze hits me, refreshing my senses from the stale odour that consumed the airflow back inside.
Ugh! Disgusting! The things I do for love. My eyes were transfixed on the car as it sat idle by the curb. I zipped my waist–length, creamy-white mink jacket while I waited for the crosswalk to turn green.
I followed the rules sometimes.
But, not all the time.
CHAPTER 18
“Ms. Gellys?”
The clouds parted.
“Ms. Gellys?” Daniels said again, a little louder.
“Yes,” I turned from the fog that’s consumed me for the last forty minutes and faced Daniels. “Sorry, I was out.”
Daniels chuckled quietly, “That’s alright. We’ve arrived.”
I glanced out the window and stared at the hotel Daniels had brought me to. “So this is where that bastard is staying?”
“Mr. Barns frequents the Ogall Hotel often during his visits to Ottawa,” Daniels explained.