Chloe After Dark

Chapter 14

It was still early, but Chloe decided to go straight to the studio. It would give her more time with her fans outside, and more importantly, she wanted to thank Blaire for the dress and fill her in on the lunchtime meeting with Caspar.
Blaire became increasingly grave as she listened to what had been said. At the end, she sighed and looked away. "If Caspar feels he has to take you home, then this guy is creepier than we thought. And that's not good."
​"I know," Chloe said. "Still, he's got a lot of things in place and thinks we'll be able to nail him soon."
​"Yeah, he'll definitely work something out." Blaire hesitated and didn't say anything else on the subject. "You're ready for tonight?"
​"Yes...as ready as I'll ever be."
​"Good. We can't let this guy scare us silly and keep you from entertaining the masses." Blaire gave her a hug. "I'll do whatever I can to help. You know that, right?"
​"You've done a huge amount already." Chloe hugged her friend back. "What should I do for the hour I'm waiting?"
​"Read through some more of your fan mail," Blaire said. "You've got enough. If creepy guy has written to you, send it straight to Caspar. Otherwise, have fun."
​"God, I hope he hasn't started emailing me." Chloe followed Blaire to one of the small offices and went on the laptop. "I'd like something to be untainted by the threat of this stalker."
​"I know, hon. I'll come get you when it's time to go live. See you soon."
​Blaire left and Chloe clicked on the laptop, logging into the email address she'd been given. Just over one hundred unread messages popped up, and she started going through them. The volume blew her away. How many people listen to this show? How come they all find it so engaging, they bothered writing to me about it? Fame, limited as it might have been, had taken her by surprise, and her rising popularity astonished her. There were compliments and suggestions, some mild complaints, and a few saucy fantasies the people were too shy to talk about on the air. Unfortunately, every time she opened a message, Chloe dreaded it might be from Theo. The tiny flutter in her stomach with every click started to fade away as she found he hadn't emailed, at least not in the first thirty or so. She replied to each one, sometimes just a quick thank-you and occasionally with a little more detail. Overall, she liked the process and found it soothing. The public genuinely enjoyed her work, and she didn't get nearly the same amount of praise when she did her fashion stuff. This was definitely a direct and obvious statement of success. She couldn't help but smile through many of the emails, happy to have the interaction with her audience.
​Thinking back to when Blaire asked her to be on the show, Chloe felt like a fool for resisting. Now she was doing the job and reaping the benefits, she loved it. Yes, there were some inconveniences beyond the stalker, but overall, it bolstered her ego and granted her a sense of professional worth she'd been lacking before. The depression that had threatened her earlier seemed a thing of the past now, and that in itself was worth the late nights and strange sleeping patterns.

***

Chloe woke next morning to the sound of her phone ringing. It was just before eleven, and she squinted at the screen, barely able to make out the phone number of her mother. Taking a deep breath, she tapped answer and rolled on her back in preparation for the conversation to come. I really don't feel up to this today.
​"What's up, Mom?"
​"Just checking in, Chloe. How're you doing?"
​"Things are fine. Really."
​"Have you spoken to Daniel yet?" Her mother really knew how to cut to the chase. "Are you getting back together soon?"
​"Wow! If that's why you called, we can finish this conversation right now. No, I'm not getting back with him. And I've been too busy anyway."
​"So, work has picked up?"
​Chloe hesitated to answer.
​"Oh, God..." Her mother sounded like she was about to cry.
​"Mom, it's not like that. What the hell?"
​"I just...do you need to come home? I can make room."
​"No! Lord, no. I'm fine, Mom! I've got a job with my friend Blaire. Remember her?"
​"That really nice lady who works at the radio station?"
​"Yes." Chloe sighed at the tiresomeness of the conversation.
​"What are you doing there?"
​"Just stuff." Chloe sat up. "Mom, I literally just woke up. Is there anything else you need?"
​"Now you're trying to rush your mother off the phone! What has this world come to? What's next, Chloe? Are you going to try and put me in a home? Leave me to rot there? I mean, seriously! What are you thinking?"
​"Jesus Christ, Mother! I'm not going to send you to a home, but you might need some medication!" Chloe grabbed the phone and headed into the kitchen. "I've got a lot going on right now and I'm tired. So, please, just relax. I'll tell you what. Why don't I come visit you next weekend? Would that be okay?"
​"Next weekend?"
​"Yes..."
​"Okay, sure. We can have lunch."
​"Sounds fantastic." Chloe rubbed her eyes. "Can I talk to you later?"
​"I suppose so...I just wanted to tell you about your cousin Amanda. She's getting married next month. And your other cousin, Jeff? Remember him? He's gone to jail! Apparently, this is his third time. I can't believe it! Apparently, he had a thing for loose women that cost money, and they caught him! Did you know they put people in jail for that?"
​"Wow, Mom. Yes, I knew. Listen, I've gotta go. Let's talk about all this crazy stuff later. See you soon." Chloe ended the call and leaned against the kitchen door, blowing out her cheeks. Part of her wanted to go back to bed, but it would be pointless. After a chat with her mother, she was wide awake. Might as well get on with the day.
​Caspar had brought Chloe home the night before and checked the apartment before he left. She'd waited in the hallway for him to finish, and he'd called her to say it was all clear.
He was about to say something else, when his phone rang. Apparently, the guy he was working with needed help, so he had to rush off. He made sure Chloe locked up and he was gone. He said he'd bring her back tonight to check again and would be doing so until they had dealt with the stalker. She didn't even want to think about how much this was costing the studio. Hopefully, it would be worth it. Still, his company was very nice, so she wasn't complaining. She no longer had feelings for Daniel, and Adam had just been a one-night stand, but Caspar...he was hot as hell.
​After preparing breakfast, Chloe sat with her laptop and went through her own emails. Most of it was standard nonsense, but near the bottom, she had a response from her website, the possibility of a fashion job. Holy crap! I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever get another one. This bonus could help out with my current expenses. Chloe opened the email, and it was fairly simple. It just said:
Hello. My name's Keith and I need some help with my work wardrobe. I've got a new job with a company, and I don't really have the necessary attire. Can you help?
These were her most typical jobs. It made Chloe yawn...but work was work! She replied to the email, saying:
I'm sure I can, Keith. Let's make an appointment for next Wednesday. I suggest we meet up at the Toronto Eaton Centre so you'll be able to pick some things out. Would just before lunch suit you? Please let me know, and we'll make it definite.
​Chloe went about her day, doing everything except housework and getting ready for the evening. The new client got back to her a couple of hours later.
Sounds perfect. Meet you at Auntie Anne's pretzel stand in the food hall at noon. Here's my cell number, just in case (+12019184781). Thanks again! Keith.
She felt pleased and relieved. Getting back into her old game was something she could do easily and well. I've waited a long time for a request like this. Helping some poor guy to buy a few clothes sounds like just the thing to reclaim the last part of myself that was missing.

  ​​​​​***

Chloe went to work that night, still feeling tired from her abrupt wake-up call that morning. She drank a couple of cups of coffee and brought a bottle of water into the studio with her. Tom smiled and waved, looking back at his laptop as he prepared for the show as well. He also received a lot of fan mail and was busy catching up. Just before they went on air, Blaire burst into the room with a couple of people she introduced as sponsors. They exchanged pleasantries for all of thirty seconds before rushing off to some other part of the building. Tom shrugged when they left, but before they could get back to what they were both doing, Jack spoke to them through the headphones.
​"We're getting started in less than a minute. A queue's already formed...wow, looks like over forty people!"
​The show had never wanted for callers, but they generally started off with five to ten in the queue. Such a huge number suggested that news of Scarlett's nomination for the Radio Awards had been doing the rounds. Tom wouldn't have time to banter with so many people. Forty meant they wouldn't even get to them all before the end of the show.
​Chloe looked at the first call and smiled. She'd be talking to a husband and his wife about their interest in having sex with a female estate agent at a house they wanted to buy. The line went live, and she kicked things off. "Meg and Gary, you're on Red Light Confessions on 98.5 Fantasy FM, one of the hottest places to buy property out there."
Two people laughed on the line. "Thanks for taking our call!" said Gary. "We're very excited!"
​"I hope so," Chloe replied. "So, you're in the market for a house with some extra amenities, I see. Tell us about how this all came about."
​Meg replied, "We were watching one of those house-hunting shows. You know the ones, right? Where the people show up and they're like...'I've got a part-time job saving possums and my husband works twice a week at the bowling alley...our budget for a house is ten million dollars'?"
Chloe chuckled. "Yes, I know what you're talking about."
​"Anyway," Gary continued, "we were thinking about the presenters on these shows. They're super-pretty women with amazing dress sense. Meg likes the look too, and we thought...what would they do to go the extra mile for a sale? If you were a real-estate agent, how would you get us to buy from your company instead of someone else's?"
Chloe thought for a moment. "I'd furnish the house to let you know what it would look like if someone really lived there. We'd meet up and I'd give you the grand tour, bringing you to the bedroom to do some negotiating. I'm poised in front of the door, my hands on my hips, wearing a grey tailored suit, stockings, and heels. Then I'd ask, 'What do you think? Can you see yourselves living here?'"
​"I don't know..." Gary sighed. "It's a little expensive, don't you think, Meg?"
​"It is," Meg said. "But I'm sure we can negotiate on the price. I just...I'd want a little more incentive."
​"I agree." Gary clicked his tongue. "What else can you do for us, Scarlett?"
​"Whatever do you mean?" Chloe asked, feigning innocence. "I really need this sale...I'll do just about anything to get you to sign."
​"Anything?" Meg asked.
​"Of course. Truth be told, I'm really behind with my sales quota this month, and my boss isn't happy."
​"Maybe..." Gary hesitated. "Maybe show us your panties."
​"You mean you want to...?" Chloe gasped. She paused for a moment, pretending to be shocked at what they were suggesting. "Okay, Gary. Here you go. I hike up my skirt..." She gripped her own skirt under the table, tightening her fingers and pulling it up slightly. "I'm wearing a beige lace thong."
​"I come closer," Meg said, "and touch your hand, leaning in to kiss you."
​"Oh my..." Chloe drew a breath through her nose. "I put your hand on my clit, pressing your fingers onto me."
​"God, Gary..." Meg groaned. "I want her to give you a blow job."
​"Come over here, Gary," Chloe commanded. "Take that dick out and let's fuck on this showroom bed. Do you want to fuck me?"
​"Yes..." Gary hissed. "I want to feel your red lips around my cock while Meg licks your ass...We want to...to..."
​"I'm going down on you now." Meg sounded desperate, and Gary let out an orgasmic moan before the line went dead.
​"Definitely a couple of satisfied homebuyers," Chloe said. "I'm glad to have helped. I think they're going to have the time of their lives tonight. What do you think, Tom?"
​"I think their real estate agent is in big trouble," Tom replied. "Okay, I'm taking a call from Ruth, who wants to be disciplined by her college librarian for being too noisy while other people are trying to study..."
​Rather than waste time while Tom was talking, Chloe turned to her computer to answer some more emails, and her heart nearly stopped as she read the first one:
I've tried to call you for three nights, but your fucking screener keeps blocking me. We need to talk, Scarlett. I have to tell you about my fantasy. I't urgent. You can't avoid me. Believe me, I am determined about this, and we have a lot to do. When I'm finished the first time we fuck, you're going to beg for more and never look at another man. I have studied the art of domination. Your mouth will water when you think about my cock, and when I'm inside you, you'll be begging me to shoot my load. But I'll be shooting it wherever I want--on your ass...your tits...your mouth...on your face. I'm sure you're one of those girls who thinks facials only happen in porn, but I promise you, that's what your life is going to be like. I'm convinced you're a fucking slut and you need discipline. When you finally give in to me and are mine, you'll understand what it means to be adored and cared for, shown the respect your little cunt deserves. And if you're naughty, if you're bad, then there will be consequences. Tell your screener to let me through, because if I don't talk to you soon, I will consider this your first act of disobedience. When you're in the dungeon, you'll regret every single time that little bastard blocked me out.
Chloe instantly forwarded the email to Blaire and Caspar before standing up. Her hands were shaking, and she stepped out of the room. Tom watched her go with wide eyes, but he was deep into conversation about the librarian. He looked worried, but she only barely noticed, heading to the kitchen to lean against the cool refrigerator.
​"What happened?" Blaire's voice startled her. "Did you have a bad call?"
Chloe shook her head. "Check your email."
Blaire took out her phone, and a moment later, she cursed. "What a fucking animal! I need to speak to Caspar immediately. He has to get a move-on here. This is straightforward harassment now."
​"Thank God, he'll be here to pick me up tonight," Chloe whispered. "I don't even know...Jesus, what the hell pushed this guy to be so...so deranged?"
​"God knows. Too much porn, probably." Blaire stepped away and spoke on the phone, giving Chloe a chance to attempt to recover. A moment later, she felt a hand touch her shoulder and she jumped again, spinning round to see Tom holding his hands up and taking a step backward.
​"Hey, sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. Are you okay? You walked out so quickly."
​"Oh shit, who's carrying on with the show?" Chloe asked.
​"We're on a break. A couple commercials and a quick song. Jack's handling it." Tom frowned. "You look pretty unhappy, hon."
​"That stalker asshole wrote me a disgusting email." Chloe shook her head. "I'll be okay in a moment, but he's demanding to be let on the air."
​"I thought Jack was told to let him through," Tom said. "You know, to help the detective catch his ass."
Chloe shrugged. "I guess Jack figured he wouldn't do it. I don't know. We need to talk to Jack and find out what happened."
Tom nodded. "Let's do that now before we go back on the air. I'll take the next call to buy you a little more time, but are you sure you'll be okay? This kind of thing can be really terrifying."
​"I'll be okay." Chloe smiled. "I appreciate your concern, though. Thank you."
​They headed back to the studio and got on the microphones. Tom asked, "Jack, have you been blocking that stalker weirdo's calls?"
​"I have," Jack replied. "Why?"
Tom sighed. "Amigo, you're supposed to let his calls through. The detective guy is trying to catch him, and we need another chance to get him talking. We think he'll let something slip and then we'll nail him."
​"Oh, sorry. I forgot about that," Jack said, frowning with concern. "He's such a piece of shit, I didn't want Chloe to have to deal with him again. It's not healthy to have to listen to a freak like that. I mean, he's not talking about fantasies. He genuinely believes his bullshit. It's sickening, and I seriously don't think we should let our listeners hear that sort of stuff either."
​"Nevertheless," Tom said, "you need to put his calls through, okay? Especially after what he's just emailed Chloe. Okay, let's get back to the show. I'm taking the next call."
Chloe appreciated Tom's help, especially as she didn't feel like telling Jack off for just trying to protect her. Hopefully, Caspar would catch the creep before he got through to the show again. She wondered if she should reply to the email, telling him in no uncertain terms to leave her alone. Something told her she should just let him sweat. Fuck this guy! He's a sick freak and deserves to wonder if I even got his revolting email. I'm not giving him any more control by acknowledging him. If he calls, I'll do what I have to in order to get him caught, but I'm not going to let him terrify me. No, this is my show, and I won't let him hijack it or my life.