Chapter 19 - after part 3

The chocolatier tour, Rebecca, the earring....

I shook my head. What would the connection be? That maybe Rebecca had my earring? What would she even do with it? It made no sense.

"Actually, it was the Beijing trip that made me come over yesterday," Heather said with a sign. "It felt wrong going without you. So I finally just said 'f*ck it, I'm heading over whether she wants to see me or not.'"

"I wanted to see you."

"Oh, please. You wanted to slam the door in my face."

I signed, she wasn't exactly wrong.

"Heather. I really can't express how thankful-"

"Jess, you don't have to. Again, I'm your friend, I'm here for you. Now, let's jump in the car before you're too late for work."

~*~*~*~

"Please, take care of yourself. I'll be back soon and we'll get this all sorted out," is what Heather had said as I exited her car.

I reflected on it as I looked out my office window into the short downtown below. I watched people going about their lives; hopping in cars, entering buildings, going about their lives.

I had my third cup of coffee in my hands, hoping that with enough of these I'd keep awake.

On the drive over, Heather had promised she'd skype me in the evenings, which meant when she first got up in the morning thanks to the time difference. She clearly picked up on how desperately I felt I needed her support.

I hoped it was enough.

Still, that feeling of light at the end of the tunnel returned. It was only five days. My head felt clearer than it had in months, my confidence was returning. Even if I slept, Rebecca couldn't really be upset when I returned. She was a dream. She had to be. What else could be true.

'Yes, I am real. I am Rebecca. I come to you to make sure you are taking care of yourself *almost* as well as I do...' I heard my mistresses voice echoing in my head from our last session and shuttered, closing my eyes as I did. It just couldn't be true, it couldn't.

My stomach growled wimpily, but I ignored it. I hadn't eaten yet that day, my talk with Heather this morning taking up the time I usually spent on breakfast. The first thing I did when I came into my office was dump all the snacks I had in my office in the big kitchen trash bin. It had taken two trips, but it was worth it to feel free of them.

Of course I'd have to eat eventually, but for now conquering my hunger felt like a rebellion against my mistress, it made me feel like I was taking something back.

I was stronger than I had been acting all this time.

I took a deep breath and watched as a cute young couple walked down the street hand in hand.

I heard a bang and snapped around in surprise.

My once closed door had slammed against the wall.

Rebecca stood, silhouetted in the doorway.

Her face was livid.