SHADOW

Consummation

I found myself in the clothing store again, looking for her. She was bent over picking up something. I made my presence unknown until I was standing behind her. She stood up straight, a fallen shirt in her grasp. "Did you make your final decision?"

She jumped in surprise, spinning around fast enough to make anyone feel sick and clutched her chest. I held her hips, grinning at her. "Did I scare you?"

She brushed my hands away from her, glaring holes into my face. "Don't do that."

"Your wish is my command, my love. But answer my question. Did you decide yet?"

She took a step away from me, shaking her head. "I'm working."

"I see that, Jayde. Did you decide yet?" I repeated more sternly.

White teeth grasped her bottom lip, fussing with it.

I invaded her space, pressing gently into her. "Tell me. Do you want me to make you feel good or not? I know your answer; I'm just waiting for you to voice it."

"Where's your phone?" she deflected.

I pulled it out of my pocket, unlocking it and handed it to her. She typed her number into it, pausing on the last four numbers. She was probably thinking of what she just got herself into.

She had no idea that she signed her life away to me. I was going to be her world for a while before I decided it was time.

She handed me back the device. I took it from her, a look of pure mischief saturating my cunning eyes. "Tomorrow Jayde."

I planted a swift kiss on her cheek and left the store. As soon as I was out of the mall I pulled out my phone to send her a simple message.

To Jayde (3:04 p.m)

Save my number, love

I shoved the phone back into my pocket, continuing my nonsensical journey through the shopping center. I didn't care for anything here. I had everything I could possibly need.

I've had decades upon decades to accumulate wealth. My money sat untouched. I spent so much of my new life working that now I didn't lift a finger for others. It was the upside. I did not worry about petty, trivial human ailments like wealth anymore. I was above that.

I strolled through a shoe store, the smell of fresh leather tickling my nose. I trailed a lone finger over a line of expensive leather men's boots. I cocked my head.

Maybe I had spoke too soon. I liked these. The distressed leather was perfect. I looked through the boxes searching for an 8 in men's. I found it quickly and approached the checkout. The man looked over me.

"Watch your eyes," I scolded, cutting my eyes at him. If the daggers I were throwing at him were real, he'd be the next person on the 5 o'clock news.

"I-I'm sorry."

I looked at my nailbeds in interest, flicking away his apology with one motion.

He scanned the box with a shaky hand, stuttering out the price. "374.23 ma'am"

I fished my black card out of my pocket and slid it through the card reader, I punched the code in and waited for it to be approved before I dashed out of the store, bypassing a farewell to the perverted cashier.

I spent the rest of the day walking up and down streets with a shoe box in my hand and my thoughts on dark eyes.

The next morning, I received a text message from Jayde.

From Jayde (10:01 a.m)

I don't work today. And nobody will be home until tonight. Come over around 3?