CLAIMED // 18+

Chapter Eighteen - Elaine

I noticed that my life was going way too smoothly. All in less than a month, I met the man of my dreams, fell in love, and even got engaged. Soon, very soon, we would get married. Everything felt like a dream.

And then suddenly, with only a call from an unknown number, it feels like everything I'd gotten in the past few weeks is beginning to crumble way too quickly.

Or will, crumble way too quickly.

"It's good to hear your voice again, baby girl."

Cal's voice sends shivers down my spine, the kind of shivers that you'd get from getting jumpscared when you least expect it. It catches me off guard, and then suddenly, I can't speak anymore, move or even think anymore. My entire body chooses to go numb in a second.

He continues to speak, his voice slightly muffled "I've been waiting for you, and I really missed you all this time. But clearly--" he scoffs "You didn't seem to miss me." 

"H-How... did you get my n-number?" I uncontrollably stutter, letting my voice fail me. I don't want to sound weak, or come off weak. Because, I'm not. Not anymore. I'm not the same weak Elaine from three years ago, when this man thought he owned me. It was my weakness and vulnerability that made this man think he had me wrapped around his fingers.

And I guess he wasn't wrong. Because, he did. I knew everything was wrong, yet I chose to turn a blind eye and be a complete fool. If it wasn't for Paulina, I probably would've never been able to escape. But now, I still sound like an utter fool. I'm stuttering, my lips are trembling with every word and I'm sure he can tell. I bet he's smiling, that crooked smile of his.

"You know, night shifts as a hotel security officer isn't usually the most exciting job on earth, however..." he clicks his tongue "thanks to you, Elaine. The moment I saw your face appear on the monitor, all red and hungry for your mafia boyfriend's dick, things changed for good. I had to have it like a keepsake. And then I thought... maybe I'll make a little deal. You know how much I love an exciting deal, right, Elaine?"

My eyes start to build tears, my throat hitches as I say "What do you want from me?!"

"Now, now, baby girl. You're getting impatient." Cal tells me, sounding bolder "it's a simple deal, so don't worry. You give me something I want, and I'll do the same."

"I've got nothing for you. Do whatever the fuck you want with that video, because I'm not taking part in your stupid deal!"

After I say my part, a quiet moment later, Cal laughs. His clownish laugh scares me to death. No, it doesn't make me scared for my own self but rather-- what he could be possibly thinking of.

My phone beeps with a text notification and as I take a glance by pulling it away from my ear a bit, I see that he's sent something again.

"What did you send this time?" I try to calm myself and think straight. Ineffective, but at least I'm trying my best.

"Give-- as in 'give and take'. Why don't you take a look and call me back, hm?"

And then he hangs up. I quickly head over to the message inbox and see that he's sent another video. I take a deep breath and click on it. My biggest nightmare's suddenly coming true.

"I could do this all day."

I immediately pause the video. My palm covers my mouth as my eyes lie upon the screen of my phone. As soon as I hear my voice, saying that, I can no longer continue. I can't bear to. 

He filmed all of that. The first time we did it.

"Tell me that you're obsessed with me and that you'll never leave me for another guy, Lainey."

"I'm obsessed--"

"Say that you're only a slut for me, your first love. And that you'll only suck my cock."

"..."

"I'm just a slut for you, Cal. And I'll only suck your cock."

"Good. Now, swallow it."

"I... I don't--"

"Swallow it, you fucking bitch! You don't want to disappoint me, do you?"

"N-no... I won't disappoint you! I love you!"

My phone nearly falls off my hands and crashes into the hard cold floor. I can no longer hold my tears back. They begin to roll uncontrollably down my cheeks, warm tears flushing my skin. All these years, and now only do I realize how blind I was the whole time. It's like I was under some kind of hypnosis. I let this man destroy me, use me, call me all those disgusting things and make me do all those...

And the fact that he'd filmed it without my consent is news to me just now. After three years.

I block his number and delete it from the call history and message inbox immediately. I know this isn't going to help at all, but it's the least I can do for now. He must know where I am, where I live now. No... He definitely knows where I am. He definitely knows about Sebastian. His face was clear on that CCTV footage.

I'm having a hard time trying to get my brain working, and my body working again. I have no idea what to do, and if I should be telling this to anyone. Calling the cops and filing a report about this would be useless. And it wouldn't be good for Sebastian, furthermore. No doubt that the police know him. I bite my nails harshly to calm my raging anxiety, but it doesn't help.

My entire body jumps up with a fright as soon as the phone starts to vibrate again. My lips tremble, and I'm too scared to check the screen because I just know who it might be. But how? I blocked his number. 

He might have another phone.

I can't take it anymore as I blindly accept the call and hold my breath.

"Please just... fucking leave me alone! Please! I beg you!"

"Elaine?"

Sebastian's voice comes out of the phone, and I pause immediately. It's like my heart suddenly calms down.

"Oh my god..." my voice shakes, and I cannot stop myself from starting to sob. I know that Sebastian can tell from the other side, but I can't help myself. Hearing his voice is really all I needed. But, it's not enough.

I need him.

"Elaine!? Are you okay? Baby, why are you crying? What happened?!" I hear Sebastian yelling on the other side, his words flooded in concern for me. But I can't say another word. There's way too much tears rolling down my cheeks, and a huge lump blocking my throat from uttering anything. 

I muster up the energy to respond "I'm not okay, Sebastian. I--"

Suddenly, my vision's hazy and I can no longer stand on my legs. And then, everything around me disappears into a blackout and the last thing I feel before my mind shuts down is my body falling on the cold hard floor in the middle of the street.

To be continued...