Only Ever Yours

After I pop the pills into my mouth, I chug the bottle of water, not realizing how dehydrated I am until the water and pills slide down my dry throat. Then, sitting back on the bed, I open the note and begin to read:

Camilla,

Please don’t be scared. Last night I found you at Rainy Days where a man (who will one day pay) drugged you. I made sure Yasmin got home safe, and then, so that I could care for you, brought you back to my place, where you are now...

With his words, everything from the last forty-eight hours comes flying back to me.

Getting hired by Lucinda and going on a date with an asshole who tried to hit on me.

Punching said asshole and getting fired.

Yasmin coming home and crying that she told Todd about her job and he dumped her.

Telling her I’ve been fired from Fairy Tales.

Begging the manager of Azul’s to hire me back and him refusing, deciding to make the moment a life fucking lesson.

Yasmin insisting we go out and forget all our problems.

Meeting some douchebags who wouldn’t leave us alone.

Agreeing to him buying me a drink so he’d go away.

Downing the drink so I could do as Yasmin insisted and forget all my problems.

I scrub my palms over my face, remembering Isaac showing up and telling me I’d been drugged, which was the last thing I remember. I can’t even imagine what would’ve happened had Isaac not been there. I could’ve been kidnapped or raped or murdered. Oh my God! I could’ve been kidnapped and then raped and then murdered! What the hell was I thinking accepting a drink from a man I don’t know? I know better than that. That’s club rules 101. You never accept a drink from a man you don’t know.

My phone buzzes, so I grab it and see it’s Yasmin calling.

“Hello.”

“Hey,” she says softly. “I needed to hear from you that you’re okay.”

“I’m okay. I’m at Isaac’s…”

“I know. I tried to take you home, but he insisted and I was drunk…” She sniffles into the phone. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay. It was a shitty night, but we’re both okay and safe.”

“Are you coming home?”

“Yeah.” I glance at the note. “I’m just waking up. Isaac isn’t here, but he left me a note. I’m going to read it and then get going. I need to look for a job.” I sigh in exhaustion, knowing there’s no way I’m going anywhere but to my bed today. My entire body feels like it’s been run over by a semi, and all my energy has been depleted.

“You were drugged,” Yasmin says. “You need to rest. You can job search tomorrow.”

“You’re right. Are you working today?” I can barely remember what today is.

“Yeah. Text me once you’re home so I know you made it okay.”

“Will do.”

We hang up and I start reading the note over again from the beginning.

Camilla,

Please don’t be scared. Last night I found you at Rainy Days where a man (who will one day pay) drugged you. I made sure Yasmin got home safe, and then, so that I could care for you, brought you back to my place, where you are now. I watched over you and was hoping to be here when you woke up, but I have to go to my office. I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but please make yourself at home. I must admit, despite the circumstances, I really liked seeing you in my bed. Actually, I more than liked it. There’s food in the fridge and a list of places you can order in from. Just give them my name and they’ll add it to my account. If you want to relax, my bathroom has a large tub, and down the hall on the left, I have a library if you enjoy reading. I have Netflix and all that shit on the TV if you want to watch something. If you want to leave, I understand, but I hope when I get home, you’re still here because I’d really love it if you’d stay.

Xo Isaac

Holy shit. I read the note again just to make sure I’m not seeing things. He wants me to stay? For how long? He probably just means today, right? His offer is tempting, and a part of me wants nothing more than to stay and wait for him to get home. Before James messed things up and then Isaac pissed me off with his blackmail stunt, there was evident chemistry between us. But the other part of me, who remembers how much of a fool I’ve made of myself, wants to cut my losses and leave without doing any more damage. Yet, he did make it clear in his note he’d love it if I’d stay, and this was written after everything that’s happened.