A Fresh Ending

Chapter 11

So many emotions course through my body at the thought of spending the entire evening alone with Steve. I knew things couldn't go too far with him healing from his surgery, but I still couldn't help but feel anxious. All I could think about was how it would feel enveloped in Steve's arms, his lips on mine, and our bodies pressed together. The very thought caused a shiver to run through my body as I searched my closet for something to wear tonight.

I took my time getting ready, wanting to impress the man I loved. It didn't matter that he made a living selling human flesh to others. I wanted to be pretty for him tonight. I did my best to curl my hair with what I had. I'm sure there was a part of Steve that didn't trust me with an actual curling iron. I would have to convince him that it didn't matter how I ended up here, I would never leave. I would never try to escape. I was his forever, or as long as he would have me. I would die with Steve by my side.

I pinned my hair back in ringlets, hoping they would result in curls later. I put little makeup on my face, wanting to remain as natural as possible. Steve commented many times on our first date about my natural beauty. I sighed at the thought of our first date, then thought about tonight. Was tonight a date? It felt like a date. He was making dinner, and I was sitting in my room, dolling myself up, wanting to look ravishing just for him. I guess I would have to swallow my nerves and ask him while we ate.

I slowly slipped my body into a white sweater dress. It hung off one of my shoulders, fitting loosely against my body. It wanted to feel comfortable, yet take Steve's breath away. I smiled at my reflection while removing the pins from my hair. I combed my fingers through my hair, allowing the curls to fall where they wanted. I placed my feet in a pair of simple white flats before taking one last glance in the mirror.

The clock next to my best displayed 5:00 when I exited my room. I was greeted with the warmth from the fireplace, soft music playing, along with the most delicious aroma. I shuffled into the living room, finding it only lit by the fireplace and a few candles. The ottoman was gone, pillows replacing it, along with a few cozy blankets. My cheeks flushed at the many things that could happen in front of the fireplace.

Biting my lip, I shuffled to the kitchen. I couldn't quite place the variety of scents, but I knew that whatever Steve prepared for us this evening would be delicious. I scanned the room, finding the dining room table set perfectly with the best dishes, candles, and a bottle of wine chilling. But Steve was nowhere to be found.

"Steve?" I called out, walking towards his bedroom, finding it empty.

I searched every part of the house, I thought Steve would be, coming up empty-handed each time. I crossed my arms across my chest, shuffling back to my room. It was at that moment that I realized I hadn't even been down the hall leading past my room. I never had a reason to. Nibbling my bottom lip, I trotted down the hall greeted with silence. Maybe Steve had to step outside for a bit. There was so much ground I hadn't discovered he could be anywhere.

I slowly turned around, ready to head back to the kitchen to wait for Steve, when I heard a voice. I inched closer to the sound, finding a door cracked open. A door that I wouldn't know was a door by just looking at it. I crept closer, hearing Steve's voice.

"Ann, you put yourself here," Steve said, his voice oddly calm.

"You betrayed me, Steve," she expressed with anger.

"No, you knew what all this was," he explained.

I inched closer, pushing myself through the door. I found myself standing at the top of a staircase similar to the other house. Was this where Steve would keep the girls he collected for his work? I felt a bit of nausea sweep over my body. How could I be okay with this? I turned to leave, but the voice pulled me back in.