Fling to Ring

Threats From the Past

When I left my bedroom, I came out to see everything clean and Eric was nowhere to be found. A small note was left by my house keys by the door. I picked it up and looked at his handwriting, at how neat it was. 'I will pick you up from work today, please give me a chance.' I threw the card into my bag and left for work.

My walk to work was bland, the people that filled the sidewalk were mute, sounds were inaudible, and all I could hear in my head were the degrading thoughts that crept into my head now and then. I walked into the office and sat down at my desk. Nobody said anything to me, except for a few glances for coming in late. Sandra rolled up to me in her chair, holding a Pedialyte in one hand and she looked at me with concern.

"Anna, you hardly come in late, let alone miss a day of work. What happened?" She tried to pry, but I only looked at my desktop and began to work without speaking to her. She grumbled on and went back to her work. I left work early to avoid Eric, and he left a few missed calls and messages on my phone. He must have exchanged phone numbers while I was sleeping. I carried on with the activities I had been doing and tried to focus more on work.

Two weeks later, I was given a day off after much hard work, and I stayed home to clean and read. Reading had been on my to-do list of things to do when given the time. I heard a knock on my door and went to answer it. There was a package delivered to me, a package that I did not order. The sender information was blank, so it only made me more confused. Eric crossed my mind, and I thought that maybe this was something he had sent. I didn't want to open it, but then something told me I should. I brought the package inside and grabbed a knife from my kitchen to cut open the tape keeping the package closed. When I opened the box, I screamed in horror as there was red liquid at the bottom, with a teddy bear drenched in it. On the top of the teddy bear, a sticky note was attached to it that read, 'DIE BITCH!' I was scared. Never have I ever received something so disgusting and creepy in my life. I immediately called the police and they showed up within half an hour with a forensics unit to find out who had sent the package in the first place. They determined that the liquid was not human blood, but the fake blood you buy at the party store for stage makeup. With all the cop cars near my house, my neighbors had posted it on social media. I know this because I saw it on Instagram. Sandra even called me to check up on me. Of course, I told her everything was fine. In the end, the police were unable to determine who had sent the package, as no prints showed up on the package except mine.

Another two weeks passed, and Eric had called me at least five times. Maybe I was being obnoxious, but I really wanted it to move on and be a one-night stand. I don't think I can really get Eric off my mind, though. I just felt like what he said may have been true. Given the circumstances, I think it is better that we don't see each other. However, the universe has other things planned. I was sitting on my couch after work when I heard a knock on my door. When I opened the door, it was Eric. He looked handsome with his dark grey dress shirt and black slacks. He asked if he could come in and I let him. I'm not sure why I let him in, but I couldn't say no.

"I have something I need to tell you, but please promise me that you won't freak out." Another round of disappointment is about to come, and I feel it in my bones. Eric grabbed my hands and kissed them. Seeing him act that way only made my heart melt more, just when I was trying to get over him. "I really miss you."

"Is this what is supposed to freak me out because it's not working..." I looked at him and he chuckled.

"No, but I wanted to let you know that my feelings are pure. Anna, I want you to date me, and I want you to be my girlfriend. I really want to make this work." He looked at me with sincerity, the kind of sincerity I couldn't ignore. A few tears had escaped my eyes when he said this. I truly did miss him too. It wasn't a reminiscence of the night we had together, but I missed him in general. I missed his body and the way I molded so perfectly with his, I missed his voice and the conversation we had within the little time we were together. Sounds a little dramatic, but I wanted every second to be with him.

"I'm sorry I overreacted..." I sniffled and looked the other way to dry my tears.

"You had every reason to be upset, Anna. I apologize for that completely. The time I have had apart from you has made me realize just how much you mean to me." He kissed me on the cheek after he said this, before looking me in the eyes. "That is why I wanted to ask you to be my wife." I choked so hard on that last part.

"Your what?" I swear I started to have a panic attack.

"This leads to the next reason why I am here. This is going to be the part that you are not supposed to freak out over." I tried to control my breathing. I mean, I wasn't opposed to it, but at the same time, I met him only a few times. Well, then again people have arranged marriages and that works out too sometimes. Sometimes. I needed to check back into the conversation that was going on before I get ahead of myself.

"I did some digging up, and it turns out that the person who sent you that package was my ex-girlfriend, the one who tried to sabotage my father's business."

"Wait how does she know I am the one who was with you?" Probably that paparazzi photo that was plastered all over the news a month ago.

"That's not the only thing." He paused before continuing. "That lady happens to be the lady who chased you out of the coffee shop." My heart stopped. The events of that day popped into my mind again. I was done for.

"So she was the one who sent me those packages..." I was at a loss for words.

"I have a theory that she is also responsible for breaking into your home the night I stayed over." I was scared now. "It happened twice that day right?" I nodded.

"But how could she know where I live?" I was so confused.

"She has connections everywhere, just like I do. I know it's confusing, but I know she is capable of doing much more harm than she has done already. I suggest you come move in with me. She can't get you from my place." A part of me wanted to decline this offer, but Eric knows more of what we are dealing with than I do. I only witnessed her craziness once, but he dealt with her in a relationship.

"Won't that make her even more mad?"

"Not if you're married to me, she won't. She thinks she can still wiggle her way into my family." Moving in with Eric is a big step in a relationship. Marriage is a huge leap, too. "I will give you one day to think this over, okay?" I nodded in agreement. One day, I could do that I think.

"Uhm," he looked me. "Can you spend the night here then, if she is really that dangerous?" I probably sounded like a child who just had a nightmare. Before he could respond, there was a knock at my door. I jumped because the last time there was a knock at my door, I got a disgusting package on my doorstep. Eric went to go open the door, and he picked up another package that was left there.

"Stay there, I am going to open it."

"What if it's a bomb?" I freaked out.

"She may be crazy, but not that stupid. The whole neighborhood is owned by her father. At least a couple buildings next door and across the street are his." I didn't even know. Eric opened the package and coughed as the odor of animal blood reeked out of the box. It was another teddy bear but drenched in animal blood. A note was attached to the top of the bear. This time it read 'IT WILL BE YOUR BLOOD NEXT TIME BITCH!' On the back was a date for next week, exactly seven days from today. 'IF YOU SURVIVE UNTIL THEN!' Suddenly a gunshot was heard, and a bullet hit the side of the door. Eric pushed me down onto the ground, his body over mine. I did not know how serious this was going to get. After about five minutes of silence, Eric got up, checked outside and saw nobody nearby.

"That was only a warning, she must have hired a gunman. I don't think you are going to be safe here." I nodded and I packed my bags to leave with Eric.