Getting up from the bed, she made her way to the bathroom to shower and brush her teeth. Finished, she went into her teeny tiny kitchen to start the coffee. Her coffee addiction was probably the only thing she hadn’t changed about her life. How was she supposed to cope without it, after all? Being forced to make so many changes in her life, so often, has left her bitter towards people. She had a nice, if not lonely, life before. She didn’t have men lining up for dates, but she had friends and was occasionally asked out. Being so short, her weight showed; curvy was just how she was made. She accepted it, but just once, she’d like to be the girl with a happily ever after.
Her mom had always told her that she had child bearing hips. They were wide, and one day a man would recognize that and cherish her for it. She wasn’t holding out hope on that one. Grabbing her coffee and going to unlock the front door to grab her morning paper, she didn’t notice the note and flowers at first. Walking out to the mailbox that was hanging from the porch railing, she grabbed the paper and turned to see blood red roses and a large envelope next to her door. In her shock, she hadn’t noticed that she dropped her coffee and shattered the cup until she took a step forward. Emily grabbed the vase of roses and envelope, and as soon as she went inside, she took the flowers out of the vase and smashed it in the garbage can, shattering it. The flowers were stuffed down the garbage disposal before being turned on. With that done, she looked at the envelope, scared to open it but knowing she had to.
She had the twisted reality of needing to know exactly what he was sending her. Wiping the tears off her cheeks, she hadn’t even realized she was crying. She tore open the envelope to find more pictures of herself; in the garden, through her kitchen and bedroom windows. Grabbing her mail, which included the most recent one from yesterday after her hose had exploded and soaked her yellow shirt, making her pink bra visible. Shaking in fear and anger, she was about to tear it up when she remembered overhearing someone talking about a security firm that specialized in stalking cases.
Dropping into a kitchen chair, she put her head in her hands and tried to remember the name of it. After a few minutes of thinking so hard she was starting to get a headache, she got up to go get dressed and saw the blood drops on the floor. The pain in her feet from stepping on the broken mug finally registered. Sighing, she made her way to the washroom and started cleaning her feet when it suddenly hit her. Dropping the cloth and tweezers, she ran to the phone, picked it up, and called information for the number; she had them direct her right to the company.
After the line rang four times, someone finally picked up. “Maxwell Secures, this is Keeley, how may I help you today?” Unsure of what to say, Emily froze. Making the person say, “Hello, are you there?”
Finding her voice again she said, “Yes, umm, well, I need help.” The words cracked at the end and tears filled her eyes. She was relieved when the woman understood her panic.
“Honey, we will help. What’s your name?” she asked kindly.
“Emily.” Clearing her throat so she sounded stronger instead of some oversized mouse she repeated it. “It’s Emily Baxter.”
“Alright Emily, why don’t you come on in and we’ll talk. I feel like it might be easier on you to know who you’re talking to.” Keeley phrased it as a question, but Emily knew it was more like a demand. “Ok,” she whispered. Hanging up after getting the address, she rushed around getting ready so she could, hopefully, get help and maybe have her peaceful life back.
~~~~~~
Getting off the bus just a block from the address she was given for Maxwell Secures, Emily made her way towards the building. Looking at it, it seemed like a modern warehouse with a slanted roof and gray exterior walls that looked like they could be reinforced steel, but she didn’t really know anything about that. The doors were huge glass panes with a simple M across one and S on the other, both letters acting as the handles. She noticed cameras strategically placed along the front and top of the building, as well as in the parking lot. If it had not been for the initials on the doors, she wouldn’t have known it was a security firm. Taking a deep breath and walking in, she was greeted with a very bright, modern-looking reception area. The walls were a light blue, beige carpeting covered the floors, plants were placed in every corner, and different types of artwork hung on the walls. Books and files filled shelves behind a big oak desk that held a computer screen, phone, and small picture frame.
Hearing laughter coming from a hallway, she stayed where she was and waited with baited breath for them to appear.
Body tense and feet ready to bolt at the first sign of danger, she felt the breath knocked from her at the beautiful, black-haired, young woman that rounded the corner, followed closely by two of the most gorgeous men she had ever seen.