Daddy’s Little Pet

RENEE

I shut the door blindly behind me, hands groping in the dim space as I desperately searched for the light switch.

I was finally home. After a hectic day of scrubbing tables, serving dishes, and avoiding the hooded stares of leech-looking men, I was now in my home.

The little apartment I shared with Nicole.

Sighing, I tossed my handbag on the small couch and walked straight to the kitchen. I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and popped the can open, taking a deep sip.

With my eyes closed and my thoughts racing, I allowed myself to ask the same question in my head for the umpteenth time since returning from my mini-vacation.

How was Robert Clarke doing? What was he up to now? Did he miss me as much as I missed him? Did he think about me every night before bed? Did he even touch himself as he thought of me like I did as I thought of him?

Every night since I left Miami, I’d pleasured myself with sex toys or my fingers. With every orgasm that coursed through me, I imagined Robert plowing his dick inside me, whispering sweet nothings in my ear as I came undone.

“Shit!” I cursed, my eyes flying open, and I dropped the water bottle on the table closest to me.

Frustrated, I raked my hands through my hair. I exhaled heavily, trying to get my head together.

I needed to stop thinking about him. I needed to focus on getting my shit together and stop thinking about a random stranger who’d probably already forgotten about me too.

‘Are you for real? You’re obsessed with a random stranger who gave you the best sex of your life? A stranger who bought you expensive parting gifts, despite everything you said to him? A random stranger whose number you still have hidden in your bag? Oh, be fucking honest with yourself, Renee.’ My subconscious rattled in my mind and I tried rolling my eyes at her words, but I couldn’t.

It was all true, and no matter how I tried to forget Robert, it hurt so much.

I’d initiated the break-up of a relationship I never even had. Who knows. Maybe if I’d stayed with him on that boat, and toured through the sea, perhaps he would’ve fallen in love with me the same way I fell for him.

Perhaps I would’ve had a happier ending and even-

The shrill sound of my cell phone alarm vibrated through me, jolting me out of my reverie and causing me to sigh as I looked at the wall clock.

It was already 7:00 p. m., and Nicole hadn’t returned.

I doubted she was still working, but whatever she did was not my concern. However, it was important to me that she stay safe.

Pulling myself up, I turned around the kitchen, my eyes darting around as I considered what I could eat for dinner. Perhaps some quick ramen noodles and white wine would suffice.

I decided on stir fry pasta instead, and after rushing to the bedroom to change my clothes, I returned to the kitchen.

I became preoccupied with making pasta frying the sauce, and even though I was exhausted by the time I was done, the aroma of my spicy meal filled the air, offering me comfort.

As the small oven dinged while the meat cooked, I grabbed my phone and randomly went through my contacts, searching for nothing in particular.

My eyes caught sight of Dylan’s number and I froze. An unprecedented feeling coursed through me.

Why the hell did I have his number still? I should’ve deleted it the night I caught him cheating, but a foolish part of me knew why I still had the number.

It had been too sudden. I kept waiting for him to call and apologize, but what did I get? Nothing, absolutely nothing.

Dylan showed no remorse. I fought back the tears, remembering everything we’d shared and the future we’d planned to build together.

Our children. Our family. Our home.

However, as I reflected on most of our conversations, I blamed myself for not recognizing the warning signs sooner.

He continually diverted any conversations about family. Whenever I brought up our engagement or his getting me a ring, he shunned the conversation, claiming it was too early to discuss such things.

His avoidance had hurt back then, but now I could see he was trying to tell me something. A message I’d finally received, but in the worst possible way.

“Ding!” The oven chimed again.

Reducing its heat automatically, I gently brought out the freshly baked meat.

“Hmmm…” I hummed in satisfaction, glancing at my phone. I swiped my finger across the screen and deleted his number without thinking twice.

It was time for me to move on.

Dishing out my food and walking to the couch in the living room, I was just about to begin eating when the doorbell rang loudly.

What the hell is that? I was about to curse out loud when I realized it could be Nicole.

It was nearly 8:00 p. m. I dragged my feet sullenly toward the door, dropping my plate on the table with a hiss.

I opened the lock, and the second the door swung open, I opened my mouth to say something, thinking it was Nicole, only for my dropped jaw to close again.

“Good evening. A package for Miss Micheal?”

“Wait, what?” I blurted out, my gaze sweeping over the man in front of me.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

A wave of deja vu washed over me as I remembered the delivery man from Miami. I peered out of the rickety apartment’s hallway to see if neighbors were nearby, but the corridor was empty.

Trying to maintain my calm, I asked, “Are you looking for Miss Micheal or someone else? You must’ve knocked on the wrong door and-”

“No, it’s written right here. Fifteen-C is the apartment number.”

That was us. The number was right on my door and the man looked at me, confident.

“What is it?” I asked, curious and scared at the same time.

“If you would just sign here.” He said, handing me a pen and paper and I quickly scribbled my name.

Before I could blink, he bent down, tilting himself toward the left, and picked up a box I hadn’t seen.

My eyes widened when I saw the box had been tied up with colorful ribbons and he handed the package to me.

“I… What’s in here? Who sent this?” I stammered out the question, my lips quivering even as I spoke.

Something in my head kept telling me that this was from Robert, but at the same time, I knew there was no way he would have sent me this.

We’d parted over a week or two now, and I was still to move on from our sexcapade, so why would he send me gifts?

Maybe this was some prank, or Dylan had probably bundled up whatever was left of my things in his apartment and decided to send them to me this way.

That was how foolish he could be.

“Miss Micheal, are you okay?” The delivery man asked softly, stepping away from me. Though his question was full of concern, I could see that he wanted to take his leave.

“I’m all right. I’m fine.” I mumbled after him, asking, “I… Who sent it? You shouldn’t…”

It was too late. I could hear the delivery man’s receding footsteps as he stomped down the stairs and vanished from the long winding corridor.

What was in this box, and who had sent it to me?

Hurrying back into the room, I hadn’t even closed the door before I tore open the package, my curiosity getting the best of me. Within minutes I unraveled the ribbon, ripping the wrapping paper off. I expected to see a stockpile of my clothes, but I was wrong.

Instead, I found a gold-plated preserved red rose bouquet. The heady scent assailed my nose immediately.

What the hell was this? I wondered, but at the same time, I couldn’t take my eyes off the lovely arrangement. Delving deeper, I noticed the envelope attached to the bouquet.

It was a stark shining white envelope. My hands shook as I tore the sheet open, and an expensive-looking card fell out of my grasp.

When I picked it up, I saw Robert’s neat cursive writing.

The card read:

‘Renee, my lovely girl,

I can imagine your expression when you read this, and I’m sure you’re wondering how I know your new address. Knowing it might annoy you, I can’t go into too much detail, but I want you to know that I miss you so much. I’m disappointed you never called me, even after I gave you my cell phone number, but that’s okay. I know you need space, and I’m giving it to you, but my patience is wearing thin. I’ll stop here now, but know I’m not finished yet. I’m on my way to get you, and I’m keeping an eye on you from afar.

P. S. The roses smelled exactly like you, and I had them preserved. Please don’t throw this small note away because it contains some vital information you might need sometime soon.

With love, R.’

As I finished reading the creepy-as-fuck note, it fell from my hands. My chest thudded heavily.

I thought about his words, and a shiver ran down my spine.

I’m coming to get you.

I’m watching from afar.

I’m not finished with you yet.

I stared at the rose bouquet and back at the card on the floor as I tried to control my raging emotions. I didn’t know if I was angry, but my head couldn’t settle.

Was Robert in town? Had he come to get me, or was this a sinister game he was playing?

Why choose to come now-weeks later, as I was trying to move on and forget about him?

Was he stalking me? Why was he doing this to me? We’d parted ways for good, right? So why this?

I-

“Renee! Someone could’ve walked in here and stolen everything, and no one would’ve known. What the hell are you…?”

I turned my head, catching Nicole’s gaze, and saw her walk to me. She must’ve entered without my knowledge while I was still lost in my thoughts.

When she saw me, her expression changed when she realized something was wrong.

“Babe!” She exclaimed, rushing to my side, “Renee, what happened? How come you’re so pale?”

“I… I… see…” I motioned, pointing to the rose bouquet and the card on the floor.

“Huh? Is this Ro…”

The mere mention of his name churned bile in my stomach. Without saying anything to Nicole, I stood, appetite gone, and dashed to the bathroom to throw up.

What the hell was going on? What did I get myself into?