His Captive Toy

by Sophia Gray

  “Where to?” the driver asked. Teresa wondered for a moment.

  “Take the longest route to Purgatory, the bar on Lincoln Street. Do you know the place?” she replied.

  The driver nodded, and the parting glass went up. The music started. Someone opened a bottle of champagne, and Teresa let go of all her fears, doubts, and worries for the night.

  It was a night to remember: they went to the best clubs in town, and the party went on until the break of dawn when the driver dropped everyone off at their respective homes. Teresa was last to go home, and when she did she fell asleep on the couch – she was so tired she couldn’t even make it to the bed.

  Chapter 6

  Vance

  The alarm rang loudly and consistently the next morning, making his head pound. He didn’t drink much the night before, but the lack of sleep was as bad as a hangover. Vance crawled out of bed and into the shower to get ready for his shift at the charity. The thought of seeing Teresa there, and the hot water and steam, cleared his head and cheered him up a bit.

  When he left his apartment, he still had time to walk around the city for a bit before going to the Silver Spoons for Charity. He started walking mindlessly when he saw a jewelry shop displaying the most beautiful rings he had seen. One of them caught his attention: it was a small engagement ring, plain to the eye but once you studied it, the ring was stunning. The band was made of white gold and had a small sapphire mounted on top. He saw the price: it would take a chunk out of his savings, but he could afford it.

  Half an hour later he left the shop with the ring in his pocket. His heart was pounding in his chest. He had already proposed to Teresa without a ring, but it felt right to give her one. He loved her, he was sure of that.

  Teresa was already at the charity when he arrived. She was sweeping the floor and humming a song to herself, though she looked a bit tired. She yawned as he made his way to her: she had not heard him, as she was too lost in her task to notice. Vance embraced her from behind, and Teresa jumped at his touch before realizing it was him.

  “Vance! You scared me,” she said, yawning again.

  “Someone didn’t sleep well last night, huh?” he teased, letting her go.

  Teresa smiled and gave him a quick kiss before answering, “I told the girls about the wedding.” Vance went to the back of the kitchen to put his stuff down, then returned to Teresa. “They insisted on throwing me a bachelorette party, so I barely got any sleep. And I think I’m still drunk,” she whispered with a giggle. Vance laughed. He had not been the only one out late at night.

  “I’m really glad you had a good time,” he told her. “I also went out, although my party wasn’t as fun as yours, for sure.”

  Teresa stored the broom away and started getting the tables ready with his help. “Why is that?”

  “I had to go back to my hometown for a bit to run some errands,” he said vaguely. “So, I swung by a club I used to frequent, but everything’s different now. Things and people have changed.”

  Teresa did not press further, and Vance was glad for that.

  “I’m sorry. But you’ll make new friends here,” she assured him. “Like I did. Although sometimes they are a curse! They want us to throw a real wedding, and now I have to invite everyone at the charity and at my bar,” she said with a groan. Vance looked surprised. Weren’t they going to have a quiet ceremony at the courthouse and a meal somewhere?

  “Don’t look at me like that,” Teresa added like she had read his thoughts. “They forced me, and I didn’t have the energy to argue with the girls. You can also invite whomever you want. But the girls won’t shut up if we don’t do it properly. They already booked a place to hold the party and have registered our gifts,” she said, rolling her eyes. Vance could not help but laugh.

  It had started as a fake wedding, but since the feelings were beginning to be real for him, he didn’t mind doing it right. He was glad he bought the ring; it made it even more real. He decided he would give it to her that day, after their shift.

  “Do you have plans for this afternoon?” Teresa asked, taking him out of his reverie. He looked at her, raising one eyebrow.

  “What do you have in mind?” Vance asked, smiling playfully.

  “I wanted to show you something after the shift... and after we invite the whole crew.” She groaned again. Vance was excited to spend time with her afterward, and the morning shift was the slowest he had ever experienced.

  Hours seemed to pass, yet every time he looked at the clock, it had been only minutes. Vance figured that wherever she was going to take him, he’d try to give her the ring then. He worked in the kitchen that day while Teresa was in charge of serving, and not being able to see or talk to her between customers was driving him crazy with impatience. By the end of the shift, he was pacing the place waiting for her to finish like a caged lion.

  “Relax, boy!” Pete said when he saw him. Vance calmed down a bit and smiled apologetically.

  “There is something Teresa and I need to tell you, Peter,” he announced. “Could you call a meeting after we’re all finished?”

  Peter nodded, curious.

  “Teresa already told me there was something she wanted to announce. I must confess, I am dying to know what it is.” Peter smiled and left the kitchen to finish the day.

  They were finally all together in the bar when Teresa told them.

  “So, I don’t know if you noticed, but Vance and I have been dating. After spending time together, we decided, well... Vance and I are getting married,” she blurted out. “And we would love for all of you to come to our wedding. It’s only two weeks from now, so I understand if you can’t make it at such short notice,” she explained fast.

  The whole crew cheered. They hugged and kissed Teresa as well as Vance, who was surprised by their warmth and happiness for them. They were all thrilled by the news and reassured them that they would not miss it for the world.

  Impulsively, Vance grabbed Pete by the arm, pulling him aside, and asked him, “Would you be my best man? I have no one, and I could not think of anyone better than you, anyway.” It was the truth. Peter was taken aback by this request but accepted it immediately.

  “Of course!” he replied. “I love Teresa like a daughter and couldn’t think of a better man for her than you. I am really happy for you both... Although your sudden engagement is a surprise,” he confessed.

  Vance smiled, and Peter embraced him again, very much like a father would. Vance’s stomach turned upside down when he thought about his parents, but it was much better this way. This could be his new family.

  Peter did not let them go until he had cracked open a bottle of champagne that he had in his office, and they all had a glass. After the toasts and the small celebration, Teresa and Vance were able to leave the place, and Teresa dragged him to her car. Vance was surprised – he didn’t know Teresa had a car since she always walked everywhere.

  “I’d rather walk around everywhere,” she admitted, guessing his thoughts correctly again. “But we need it to go where I want to, so I drove it here to save time,” she explained. Vance jumped into the passenger seat, and Teresa started driving.

  She resumed talking, never taking her eyes off the road. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been there. I used to go there often when I first moved to the city, but then I got too busy. It’s a lovely place to go on a motorbike, but it’s been so long since I rode mine that I don’t want to risk an accident!” She laughed.

  Vance was surprised. He had not expected Teresa to tell him that she still owned a bike. Of course, he knew, but that meant she was opening up to him and he did not hesitate to ask.

  “You own a motorcycle?”

  “Yes. It’s just gathering dust in the garage, but I would love to ride her sometime again. I’m just not ready yet,” she told him. “We are almost there.”

  Vance looked around at their surroundings. They were out of the hustle and bustle of their town, and the road was now taking them through the w
oods around the mountain that was nearby. It was a beautiful sight, and he was surprised when Teresa pulled over at a lookout.

  She stepped out and Vance followed her. He stood beside her and could see the whole city from where they were standing. Night was falling, and the city lights were starting to wake up. Teresa looked even lovelier than ever, her gaze lost in the city below her.

  “In my hometown, there is a lookout very similar to this one,” she said. “I loved driving there, all alone, and just staring at all the lights and buildings. It helped me think and connect with myself. The memories I have from that place are the only times I remember feeling free. The only good memories I have.”

  Vance stood silently and grabbed Teresa’s hand, squeezing it.

  “I discovered that place when I was sixteen. I had bailed out of class again – you see, I was never the best student.” She laughed. “And I was heading home, knowing that my parents would not be there yet. But they were. They were having a massive fight, so I hid outside and just stayed there, afraid they would catch me and punish me. I don’t remember what they said to each other, but suddenly the front door opened and my mom walked out.”

  Teresa’s body tensed up, and Vance took a step closer to her. He put his arm around her shoulders and Teresa leaned into his body, lost in her story.

  “She was crying and had a huge bag with her. I knew immediately that she was leaving. She had threatened to do it so many times; it actually surprised me that she didn’t do it way before that day.” She chuckled lightly. “I understand now why she left, but I didn’t back then – so I called to her. I screamed and begged her not to leave. She just looked at me, holding her breath, and took off without saying a single word.”

  Vance felt a rage inside of him that was burning him alive. He thought his childhood had been tough, but how awful hers must have been. He knew Jimmy Love wasn’t the best father, it was clear as day, but he didn’t know her mother could be so heartless as to leave without so much as a word. How could parents be so selfish sometimes?

  “When she left, I lost it. So, I took my dad’s bike and starting driving – I had learned long ago. I drove and drove for I don’t know how long. I could barely see the road; I was crying so hard that I honestly don’t know how I didn’t crash. And suddenly I didn’t want to drive anymore, so I pulled over, and there was this lookout where I could see the whole city. I sat on the grass and stayed there for hours. I cried until I had nothing left to cry and then I went back home. I didn’t even dread my father’s punishment anymore – and it never came.”

  She stopped dead for a moment, took a breath, and went on.

  “My father was still at home. He was so drunk; the drunkest I’d ever seen him. I had been out for hours, and I knew he knew I had taken his bike, but he just didn’t care. He looked at me when I came into the house as if I was nothing.”

  Vance could not believe how cruel his boss had been. How could he have ever been able to work for that man? He felt nauseous.

  “Still, I didn’t leave. I should have, but every time I argued with my dad, I would go to that spot, and I would calm down. After a while, it became a routine to go there every day. It really helped me cope with my mother’s abandonment, and gave me the strength to leave my father’s side the moment I understood that he would never change. He had not changed for my mother, and he would not change for me. The day I understood that, I understood why my mother had left and decided it was time to do the same. I can’t believe it took me so long to figure it out!” She laughed bitterly. “What an idiot, right?”

  Vance snapped. He placed himself in front of Teresa and grabbed her arms gently.

  “You are not an idiot, alright?” he told her seriously, gazing into her eyes. “Never ever say that again. You are the most amazing, clever, funny, and beautiful person I have ever met, and I will not marry you if you keep saying those things about yourself.”

  Teresa looked at him, eyes wide in surprise.

  “Your father is nothing more than rubbish. The sad fool must be rotting in his own pity for not having been able to see the wonderful daughter he has been blessed with,” he insisted. Teresa smiled a bit, and Vance kissed her hard, trying to will her to see all the amazing things he saw in her.

  When they parted, Teresa was smiling again. “Thank you,” she said, and Vance smiled back at her.

  “And how did you discover this place? Because you just told me about the one at home,” he asked, trying to lighten the mood again.

  “It was the first thing I looked for when I moved here. I chose the city because it had a lookout, in fact. I drove here the first night and stood here looking at the city, and decided that I would dictate my own life from then on. I would do charity work like I always wanted to, I would find a decent job, and I would be happy.”

  “And are you? Are you happy?” he asked, slightly nervous. He wanted her to say yes, but he wanted to know the truth. Only he did not know if he could handle a negative response.

  “This whole time I was content,” she told him. “It was good. I loved the job at the charity, but I would have liked to study something, too. But I do have a nice job, wonderful friends, and the charity. Almost everything I wished for.”

  Vance swallowed hard. Why was this all in the past tense? She was not happy anymore?

  “And now?” he pressed.

  “Now I know my father’s grip is still over me. I know he watches my every move. And I have to get married to run away from it!” she exclaimed.

  Vance closed his eyes. She does not love me, he reminded himself. She was only marrying him out of convenience. Because it was the only thing she could do.

  “But,” she spoke again, and Vance’s heart skipped a beat. “I’m happy that I am marrying you to get it. You make me happy, Vance.”

  Vance looked at her, and his heart started racing. She looked lovely under the moon’s light, and Vance knew he would do anything for her. He would kill for her, and he would die for her.

  Vance felt the pocket of his jacket and took the little box that was nestled inside it. He started to kneel down in front of her for the second time, and Teresa looked at him, her jaw dropping in surprise.

  “What are you—” she went to ask, but he put a finger on her lips before producing the box, and she remained silent.

  “You said that you were content before and that I make you happy. I know you’re marrying me because you need to and that we don’t even know a lot about each other... But I want to make you happy every day for the rest of our lives, Teresa. I’m hoping you won’t marry me for convenience,” he said and showed her the ring. She gasped. “Marry me because you want to and I will make damn sure that you will always be happy.”

  Silence fell over them as Teresa looked at him and the ring in utter disbelief. Then, a smile came to her face, and she gave him her hand.

  “Only if you let me make you happy, too,” she replied, and Vance couldn’t help but laugh. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. His heart was racing, and his hands trembled a bit as he took out the ring and placed it on her finger. It fit perfectly.

  “A girl can’t be a bride-to-be without an engagement ring,” he said, getting up. “And look, now you have your something blue!” he joked. Teresa looked at it, amazed.

  “It’s gorgeous, Vance. Thank you,” she whispered and threw herself into his arms, kissing him with passion.

  Vance embraced her knowing the girl in his arms was the only thing he needed in this life.

  Chapter 7

  Teresa

  “What are you doing...?” Teresa asked when she saw Vance kneeling down in front of her. Her heart stopped for a moment and then started pounding like a hundred horses racing when she saw him urging her to keep quiet and produced a small, velvet box.

  “You said that you were content before and that I make you happy. I know you’re marrying me because you need to and that we don’t even know a lot about each other... But I want to make you happy e
very day for the rest of our lives, Teresa. I’m hoping you won’t marry me for convenience,” he said, and when he opened the small box, Teresa could not help but gasp. “Marry me because you want to and I will make damn sure that you will always be happy.”

  Teresa didn’t know what to say and looked at Vance and the ring in utter disbelief. He was proposing, again, but now he really wanted to marry her. He wanted their marriage to be real, not a charade to fool her dad. Teresa thought for a moment and realized she wanted to say yes so badly it hurt. She had opened up to him in ways she had never done before and, during that day, she even found herself wishing more and more that the wedding would happen out of love, not necessity. What if it could still be that way?

  After a brief moment of doubt, a smile slipped through her lips.

  “Only if you let me make you happy,” she said, and Vance laughed in relief. He took out the ring, and her heart started racing again in her chest when she saw his hands trembling as he slipped the ring on her finger. It fit like a glove, as if it had been made for her. Teresa noticed it was a very simple and delicate ring, nothing too fancy, but it was perfect for her. The sapphire in the middle gleamed in the night.

  “A girl can’t be a bride-to-be without an engagement ring,” Vance said, getting up and dusting off his pants. “And look, now you have your something blue!” he joked. Teresa looked at it, amazed, and laughed a bit at the coincidence.

  “It’s gorgeous, Vance. Thank you,” she whispered, truly touched, and then she threw herself into his arms, kissing him with passion. She could not think of another way to express herself and her feelings, but with her body. She had never been good with words anyway; she was a woman of action.

  Stumbling about, she ended up trapped against the door of her car with Vance’s strong body pressing against her. She felt the heat rising in through her body, and the kiss became hungrier and deeper, more desperate.