Maya
It took me a few days, but I finally recovered from the event. It took more out of me than I thought it would. Today, I am having a relaxing day. Conrad is at work. He won’t be home until late. I have to call Joshua if I need him, but I won’t. I will be fine alone. The apartment is safe without anyone else here.
I didn’t wake until after ten, which is unlike me, but I didn’t have a restless night. I must have been up and down about six times. Thankfully, I didn’t disturb Conrad since he had to be up at six this morning. I am making myself a hearty breakfast to try to help bring my energy up. Chocolate protein pancakes with Greek yoghurt and fruit and, of course, coffee on the side. It looks and smells delicious. I am excited to tuck in.
I head through the living room, setting everything down to get my cell from my room. It needed charging. I check to see a text from Conrad. I had texted him to tell him I was awake.
Hey, beautiful. Are you feeling okay? It isn’t like you to sleep as late. Xx
I am fine. I had a bit of a restless night. I was up and down multiple times xx
Angel, you should have woken me up xx
No, I knew you were up early for work. I was fine. I am just sitting down to some breakfast xx
You know you can wake me any time. It doesn’t matter if I am up early. Enjoy your breakfast, and I will call you soon on my lunch break xx
Talk to you soon, handsome xx
I set my cell aside and focus on my breakfast. I tuck straight in and groan at the first bite. I have to admit, I make good pancakes. I do a little dance with my head as I heat. Why is this food making me so happy? I am halfway done when my cell beeps with a text. My first thought is Conrad texting again, but the number isn’t stored so it can only be one person. I roll my eyes and open the text.
Hey, gorgeous. You looked so pretty in your red dress, so much so I would like to make a deal with you. One that can make everyone’s life a little better xx
How the hell did he see me? Was he outside or at the event, stalking me? Or maybe he has seen it online since there are photos and articles about Conrad and me. I did not expect all of the media coverage; it was overwhelming.
I wouldn’t make a deal with you if my life depended on it.
I don’t send straightaway but then tap the send button. I shouldn’t be replying, but I am tired of him and his bullshit.
Now, now, baby, no need to be so mean. You won’t even hear me out? X
I groan and shake my head. Why is he pretending to be sweet? He is up to something.
No, I won’t hear you out. I owe you nothing. Leave me the fuck alone! Leave us alone!
Come and meet me for a coffee. I promise it will be worth it xx
Does he think I am fucking stupid? I would never meet him! He would kidnap me or something. He will never be having a face-to-face with me again. I will not give him the opportunity to lay his hands on me in any way ever again.
You and I will never be alone again.
Even if it means I will back off and leave your pretty boyfriend alone?
What does that even mean? Does he really think I will trust a damn word that comes from his mouth? I would do anything to protect Conrad, the same way he protects me, but Callum can’t be trusted.
I am not an idiot, Callum. I will not believe a damn word you say, no matter what you try to bargain with or promise. I know you well enough to know you have no damn honour.
I wait for his reply, but it doesn’t come. I have pissed him off enough not to reply, or he is trying to think of another plan. Whichever, I don’t care as long as he leaves me alone. I toss my cell on the sofa next to me and finish my breakfast. I try to forget about his texts, but they keep running around in my head. What deal did he want to make? The only thing I can think of is he is trying to come up with a way to make me go back to him and is using my love for Conrad to make it happen. It will never happen. I am sure things would be even worse than they were before if it did.
I wish the police would just catch him already. I have managed to talk Conrad out of hiring someone privately, but it won’t last long. He is losing patience more every day, but I am beginning to wonder if perhaps he should do it if it would mean Callum getting caught quicker.
God, why did Callum have to text? I was in a good mood, but now he has ruined it. I sighed and took my things to the kitchen to clean up. I need a way to distract myself from everything.
I think for a minute and decide to go see Conrad for lunch. If I am out of the house and with him, then I won’t be thinking about Callum and our conversation.
I reach for my cell again to text Conrad. He has a busy day, so I need to make sure he has time for me to come for lunch.
Hey, babe. Can I come by the office and have lunch with you, or are you too busy? And don’t tell me you aren’t busy if you are to make me feel better xx
It is the kind of thing he does.
Hey, sweetness. Yes, of course, you can come by. I will take lunch at one. I will get Joshua to come pick you up xx
Okay. I will see you then xx
I head through to take a bath, and my cell is with me so I can listen to music as I do. I start the bath, gather everything I need, and return to the bathroom. I stay in the bathroom until my bath is ready. I strip down, sinking into and sigh in relief. My music is quietly playing close by. It gets interrupted by a text. I noticed it is the same number as a little while ago. Only, this time, it was a photo attached.
I open it and feel sick to my stomach. It is a photo of me naked. When the hell did he take that? I don’t remember it. I am in bed, passed out, it looks like, but you can tell it is me—sick, creepy bastard, taking naked photos without my consent. I shouldn’t be surprised; it is the only thing he took without permission. A message comes through a moment later.
Maybe this will make you rethink things and listen to what I have to say. This isn’t the only one I have. I have an entire folder. I may even have some videos somewhere.
He will not hesitate to share it with the world. I try to keep it together but end up crying. What the hell am I going to do? I can’t have photos like that out there for everyone to see. I don’t reply. I need to talk to Conrad. He will know what to do. I hope. What else can Callum do to me? Too us? Why can’t he just back the hell off?