by Theo Baxter
"But, Melissa—"
"Please, Dean, let's not talk about it," she interjected, getting out of bed.
Simply because she didn't want to talk about it didn't mean I could magically stop thinking about it. I was really worried about what that could possibly mean.
Melissa was more messed up than I originally believed. Clearly, there was something seriously dark in her past, and that worried me to no end.
Chapter Seventeen
Hallelujah, praise Jesus. Alert all the press, gather all people up, because the miracle finally happened. I got a job. The notion made me want to start dancing around the room, but I didn't dance.
The position was nothing like my previous employment—nothing ever would be—but maybe that was a good thing. Perhaps I got too stuck, lulled into complacency earlier. With such a teaching job, my whole life was mapped, planned for me. I was still a young man. I needed to do and try new things in life, experience as much as possible before settling.
As I mentioned, this job was nothing fancy, but it gave me a great deal of freedom. I was a part-time online tutor and class creator. As it turned out, none of my emails worked. I got zero replies for all the resumes I sent, probably due to the fact that Chancellor Rothberg hated me with a passion. Yet an opportunity came knocking on my door on its own in the form of an email invitation.
One of my former students, Steven Marsh, a gifted young man, created a website for all kinds of online courses and tutorials and asked me if I wanted to join him. Of course, I said yes. I was given full freedom to create classes and teach them how I saw fit. Naturally, all my classes revolved around psychology. I had to say it felt good teaching again, although it was a challenge to do so online. I was unfamiliar with this type of media and I would need some time to get used to it. Most of all, despite all the difficulties, I was excited. The prospect of creating something of my own was thrilling as much as it was challenging.
You can do this, Dean.
Creating a proper curriculum took some time, and I rarely left my room while doing so. That was of no interest to my father, but Melissa started to suspect that something was going on. At first, I kept quiet, not wanting to get anyone's hopes up, including my own. There was a big chance that I wasn't cut out for such an endeavor.
After teaching my first class, I changed my mind. I absolutely adored it. And by the reactions of all my students, I wasn't the only one. The subject of my first course was the history of psychology, and I was stunned to see a lot of people were livestreaming it. Steven told me people who paid for the class had the opportunity to watch the video any time they pleased, and yet here they were, there with me, in real-time. That felt like old times.
Doing this, I realized how much I missed teaching. I ignored it all this time because I knew I could never do that again. As it turned out, I could, if only in different ways and for different audiences.
I was overly excited by the instant successes my class became and couldn't wait to share my big news with Melissa.
Despite my initial confusion and doubt, we continued our torrid affair behind my father's back, and I couldn't be happier. At times, I wondered about her past, what made her like pain so much, yet I never questioned her again. It was a tender subject for her, and I respected that.
As for my father, I worried about nothing since he was constantly away. Besides, both Melissa and I deserved a little happiness in our lives. We were fortunate enough to stumble upon one another in this bleak existence.
Choosing the perfect moment, I surprised Melissa from behind, and giving her a little twirl, I kissed her deeply and passionately on the mouth. She’d just returned from shopping.
"You are in a good mood," Melissa observed as I presented her with her favorite cocktail. I liked to pamper her when I could.
"Yes, I am."
My father hated when she drank. Naturally, I wasn't my father, and what Carson didn't know couldn't piss him off or hurt us. The real problem we had was sneaking around the house with all the cameras installed. Over the course of weeks, I'd managed to slightly shift the positions of some of them, creating pockets that were not too noticeable. All the same, we had to be careful when and where we hooked up. My room was safe since I disabled my camera the moment that I stepped into this house again, nevertheless, it was risky for Melissa to be seen entering it.
Creating a prison out of this house is one of my father's many successes.
Luckily, over time, we became pretty creative. That was part of the thrill, anyway. Knowing he did his best to control us and failed gave me pleasure few things could.
"Do tell," Melisa urged.
So, I did. "Remember when I told you about that business opportunity for me to teach online?"
"Yes. Your former student offered you an online course, right?"
"Yes."
"And? What happened?"
"Well, I started doing it."
"Really? And you didn't invite me to watch," she pouted. "I love watching." There was a slight double entendre there that I didn't miss. She was always playing. I liked that about her.
"You will, I promise."
"How did it go?"
"I think really well. People are into it."
"I'm so happy for you." Melissa gave me a big hug, finishing it with an even bigger kiss.
"Thank you."
"I'm proud of you. I knew you could do it."
Her words were really appreciated. Frankly, I was proud of myself too.
I worried about a lot of things regarding this, yet in the end, it paid off. Now I knew I could do it, and more importantly, I wanted to. It was something new in life, a challenge that already brought me a great deal of satisfaction.
Speaking of satisfaction, I wondered when I could have Melissa all to myself. Things were finally starting to brighten up in this life of mine. Soon enough, I would be able to leave this house for good.
Would you actually do it? I wondered, looking at Melissa's smiling face. When I was like this, happy with Melissa, it was easy to pretend the rest of the world didn't exist. That my father didn't exist. Unfortunately, the utopia we created for ourselves wasn't real. It was built on lies, kept hidden out of fear. I couldn't keep on pretending forever. No matter how much I wanted to stay like this, enjoy my days like this with her, it was not possible since I had to put my life back on track.
She could come with you. I ignored that small voice inside my head.
"Things are finally brightening up," I replied, banishing all other thoughts from my head, focusing on the here and now, enjoying this moment with Melissa because we couldn't know or predict when would be our last time together.
That was a rather depressing thought. I couldn't say what came over me. I was happy while coming to meet her. What changed?
Nothing. It was just me. My mind wasn't used to happiness as a phenomenon, so it would require some adjustment period.
"You know what?" she said with a big smile, and I looked at her questioningly. "We need to celebrate this."
I like how she thinks. "What did you have in mind?" I asked as my melancholy disappeared completely. "Dinner at Alfredo's followed by a romantic walk through the park?"
I could really eat some of their pasta.
"No," she replied with a small shake of her head. "Something much better." She gave me a devilish smile and I instantly got turned on. That woman would be the death of me.
"Give me ten minutes then join me in the wine cellar."
All unnecessary thoughts and worries vanished from my head as I became hyper-focused only on the woman in front of me and the feelings she was evoking. I was game.
"Ten minutes?" I complained.
"Do not move," she ordered, biting my chin playfully before dashing away.
I groaned. This would be the longest ten minutes of my life. It was pure agony remaining at my place for freaking ten minutes wondering what she was doing. What she would let me do to her in return.
When my time came, I practically ran down to the baseme
nt. Of course, the place was monitored as well—Carson was deeply concerned about this wine collection—but Melissa discovered a few dead corners that could help us get in and out without being seen. In the basement, there was a small enclave where we could do whatever we pleased. Occasionally, we did. I was in awe of that woman. She was a genius, always finding safe spots for us. Without a doubt, Melissa would make a great evil mastermind, I joked to myself, reaching the cellar.
"Melissa?" I called out since it was dark and couldn't see anything. Also, I didn't want to turn on the lights. What would be the fun in that?
"Over here."
I followed her voice. As expected, she was at our favorite spot, standing in a pool of light created by a small window to her left.
If the gardener decided to take care of the grass on that side of the house, we would certainly get caught, not that I gave a shit about something like that at the moment. I couldn't stop staring at her, drinking in the sight of her as I slowly approached her.
Melissa was completely naked apart from a couple of accessories. She was wearing her favorite red pumps, and there was a silk bow, also red, tied around her neck. Her hair was down, left free just the way I liked it. I liked to bury my face into it, to get lost in the feeling of it. This was definitely my new favorite look. She should be like this all the time.
Suffice to say Melissa looked glorious, like some pagan goddess, and I was completely rendered stupid, ready to worship her forever.
"I have a present for you, for getting that job," she said almost conversationally. She couldn't completely hide her own arousal. It was plain for me to see by the way her breasts rose and fell with each breath she took.
"I can see that," I managed to choke out.
"Do you like it?" Her voice was velvety, seductive.
I gulped before replying, "Yes."
"Do you want to play with your present?"
I licked my lips in anticipation. "I thought you would never ask," I said as I lunged for her like a starved man would when put in front of a buffet.
I wrapped my hands around her as we started to kiss. She fit perfectly into my body. I used my teeth to pull off the pieces of silk tied around her neck. Present unpacked, I joked. "Thank you for my present. This was thoughtful of you."
"Mmmhmm."
She shuddered when I kissed her on the neck the way she liked me to. I adored that I could elicit such reactions from her. Every sigh, every moan turned me on even more.
I was about to check how ready she was for me with the tips of my fingers when something, or more accurately put, someone, froze me in place.
"Melissa?" We could hear my father yelling. "Where are you?"
Fuck. Shit. We clung to one another as though hoping he would simply go away, disappear. We were not that lucky.
"Why is the basement door open?" he continued to rumble.
Oh, fucking hell. I completely forgot to close it. That was my screwup.
"Melissa?"
My father returned home early, and we were trapped in the basement, which made us beyond fucked.
Chapter Eighteen
"Oh my God, Dean, what are we going to do?" Melissa whispered to me in panic.
My mind raced as I tried to think of something, figure out a way out of this mess.
"Get dressed quickly," I said to her in haste.
By the looks of it, we only had a couple of minutes before my father decided to come downstairs to investigate on his own. I knew the man. He wouldn't be able to help himself.
"I don't have any clothes with me," Melissa said in return.
My brain short circuited at that. It would be funny if it wasn't so tragic. Or if it were happening to someone else.
"Well fuck."
"This damn house is turning into a circus," my father continued to talk with himself since all his usual victims were hiding in the basement.
"Melissa?" my father growled, clearly getting closer.
"Hide," I told Melissa, pushing her between some shelves out of sight. "Be quiet." I grabbed two bottles of my father's precious wines.
"Stop yelling," I replied in return, loud enough that my father could hear me.
Here we go. I braced myself, hoping I wasn't making a terrible mistake.
"What are you doing?" Melissa hissed from her hiding place.
"Trust me, stay hidden no matter what," I pleaded.
I turned around in time to see my father appearing at the door. He rushed down the stairs surprised to see me down here. It would be redundant noting that he was not pleased to see me.
"What are you doing down here?" he demanded, eyeing me with suspicion. Of course, the first thing he did was look around as though needing to make sure I was all alone.
I needed to create a distraction. "What do you think?" I asked rhetorically, waving with those bottles. "I'm celebrating."
"Are you drunk?"
I chuckled. "Not yet, but I'm planning to be real soon. As I said, I'm celebrating," I repeated, praying like hell that he couldn't see Melissa's red shoe. It was sticking out, shining so brightly it was a wonder I didn't go blind.
It's all in your head. You are overreacting.
"Celebrating what?" he sneered in return. "Being the biggest failure?"
I walked right into that.
"It was a tough competition," I replied without missing a beat.
"Get out of here, you loser, and leave the bottles," he commanded. "The last thing I need is for you to become a drunk, as well."
Sighing as though he was ruining my plans, since in a way he kind of was, only not the ones he believed he was, I only partially listened. I kept one bottle.
"Is there something wrong with your hearing? Better check that out, old man. And let me repeat it to you. I'm celebrating," I said in exaggeration. "I got a job."
As expected, my father didn't look impressed by that announcement. His next words confirmed as much. "I'm sure you'll find a way to fuck that up like everything else in your life."
"Aw." I placed a hand over my heart as though touched. "Thank you for your kind words."
I started walking past him, but he didn't move to join me.
He will search the entire basement. I started to panic. "If you're not in the mood to celebrate with me, I'll find someone else who is. Melissa?" I called out, all cheerfully.
I went up the stairs, and thankfully, my father followed behind me like I knew he would. He couldn't stand me being alone with Melissa. Jealous bastard. That almost made me smile.
I pretended to look for her, moving as far away from the basement as possible while staying inside the house. Naturally, I ended up in the kitchen. The jealous bastard kept following me as though expecting to discover something I had been hiding.
If he only knew . . . on second thought, I preferred his staying in the dark. We were all safer that way. You wouldn't have to worry about such things if you simply left the house and Melissa. I banished those thoughts.
"Where is she, Nancy?" my father demanded from the doorway. I was certain he was physically incapable of entering the kitchen. Maybe I had to invite him in, like a vampire.
The startled woman simply shrugged in return.
I grabbed some wine glasses and went to sit on the terrace, pretending to enjoy the view, nice weather, and the drink while scared shitless about what was happening with Melissa. Where was she? Would she manage to leave the basement without getting caught?
About ten minutes later, while I was having multiple panic attacks, Melissa entered through the front door carrying a bunch of bags with her. She appeared as though returning from a shopping spree. I didn't know how she’d managed that, but I was grateful and relieved.
"My darling," Melissa sang, greeting my father.
"Shopping again?" I heard my father grumble in return.
"I bought you the most magnificent tie," she announced, completely ignoring his words or mood.
I guessed her charade did make sense. My father being angry at her for spendin
g his money was a much better option then his being angry for catching us sleeping together. My heart pounded like crazy the entire time. This was too close. This was too fucking close.
"Where's your driver?" he demanded.
"I took a cab," she replied without missing a beat. "I know you don't like it when strangers come inside, so he dropped me off by the gate and I walked the rest of the way."
I applauded her inwardly. That was an impeccable lie.
"Next time, use a driver."
Although she continued to fuss around him, he continued to be in a sour mood, which meant it was business as usual.
Considering everything, I felt like I really should start drinking but refrained from doing so. My seizures were acting up again despite medications, and besides, I couldn't teach while hungover. No matter what, I couldn't afford to lose this job.
When my father retired to his office to do some more work, I couldn't take it anymore and had to speak with Melissa, no matter the danger.
She was all smiles when she approached me, taking a sip from my glass of wine. I couldn't believe how cold-blooded she was about the whole thing. She almost looked proud we’d managed to get away with it.
"What's the matter, Dean?"
I simply stared at her. Where shall I start? "We almost got caught."
"We weren't," she pointed out as though that was the most important thing.
"Yeah, this time," I argued.
She leaned against the railing facing me. "We will be more careful in the future," she replied. Her lack of concern or fear was starting to bother me.
I simply shook my head, feeling a lack of words. I knew what I should be doing, but I couldn't. I was weak. I was a coward.
"Hey, Dean," she tried to get my attention. "Everything is all right," she said with a smile.
Was it?
"Besides, can you honestly tell me it wasn't exciting, thrilling?" she challenged. "I mean I was completely naked, for crying out loud." She giggled, and picturing that scene, I had to laugh as well.
"I almost shat myself," I replied in return, which made us laugh even more.
Melissa looked so good, so carefree, and at the same time, wild and daring. I wanted to be like that as well. Naturally, I wanted her at once. We were interrupted during our celebration, after all. That was impossible while my father was under the roof with us. I resented that man on a whole new level.