“I just noticed I don’t know much about your life. How you were raised. How you became so…” I stopped myself before I said ‘obsessive’.

“Rich.” I continued, instead.

“You always did like me for my money.” His tone was amused but his face was not. I look down, ashamed. He isn’t wrong, exactly. I did like him for his money and the security that gave me, but I didn’t know he had any, at first.

At first, I simply liked being with him. I don’t want to tell him that, though. He should already know it anyway.

“So tell me, River. Why now? Did something happen?” He doesn’t need to add ‘why come back to me now?’, because I understand. I’m not sure if he actually wants a proper and honest answer, but I have told him the reason already. As much as I can give out, at least.

The ‘did something happen?’ part makes me a bit angry, however. Is he making a reference to getting me fired, like Barrie said he had done? Or did he know I met up with Barrie? I wouldn’t put it past him, so I choose to ignore that part as to not put myself in more trouble from misinformation.

“I told you, I was tired of running.” I act as if it’s no big deal, but I am not even convincing myself.

“I missed you.” He said with an emotion in it that is anything but kind or soft. It sounds like he is blaming me for letting him wait long enough to miss me. Like I owe him an apology for doing so. Like he is expecting me to tell him that I missed him too, and that was the reason I called.

I can’t tell him that. I won’t tell him that.

“I’m sure you did.” I said, trying to get the upper hand with the well-known feeling of anger rising in my stomach. How dare he blame me for that?

He laughed, but it’s hard and cold. There’s something evil in it that makes me think I’ll pay for that comment later. No doubt about it.

I slightly regret it, but the fuel to my anger is welcomed and I focus on that instead.

“I liked sleeping alone.” I said, simply. As if that explains anything. It doesn’t, of course. I only hear how stupid and fake it sounds when I let it out. Like it’s the sole reason for me staying away.

“Sadly that wasn’t part of the deal. You’ll sleep with me.” He sounded less cold now. As if the mere thought of sleeping with me makes him mellow. I swallow the fear that rises within me. I hadn’t been as delusional to think he might give me my own room, but the way he looks at me, merely thinking about me, is enough to make me consider running again. Far, far away.

“I know.” I said simply and ate the last of my eggs. I knew, I tell myself as I swallow the fear, the eggs and the tiny speck of anticipation and relief.

“If we’re done, let’s get going. I have a lot of work today.” Sean looked at his phone as he talked, fully focused on reading something. A slight frown got deeper and deeper the longer he read. I wonder what could make him frown like that, but keep it to myself.

“Too busy. Today of all days.” He muttered under his breath, getting ready to leave. I follow and we walked to his car. It drives us to a big house that I know too well. I don’t want to be here. It’s big and black and imposing, and I want to run.

One of the men from the car opens the door and lets me out. Just before I’m about to take a step towards the door, Sean pulls me back down and I land back on his lap.

“I’ll be home late. Just make yourself comfortable, and if you need anything, tell someone inside. Don’t go anywhere.” And with those orders, he kisses me quickly and lets me go.

I’m somehow surprised enough to forget to answer, and just follow the man in front of me inside.

He really didn’t lock me up. I was so sure that he wouldn’t keep his promise. That he would at least put chains on me inside, but here I am, able to walk around freely.

Yes, if I took a single step outside this house, there’s no doubt I would get chained up the next second, but for now… I’m still only wearing the invisible kind.

I get shown to a room that I know too well. Sean’s bedroom. I’m told to unpack and make myself at home, and then I’m left alone. I look around, but nothing has changed. To a weird and unnatural degree, nothing had changed at all.

With an odd feeling, I go to his private bathroom, and see that even my toothbrush is still there. I go to his closet and notice the shirts he had bought me are still right there, on my shelf.

“It’s like I never left.” I whispered to myself with nausea rising up and my stomach clenching together. I want to cry. Scream. Both. Punch something. Kick and scream and run away.

I do none of those things.

Instead, I go to bed and close my eyes.

I pretend like it’s all one of my familiar nightmares. Like I’m not here at all. I pretend like I moved away from my apartment a week ago and never met Olyvar. I never talked to Barrie or took his deal. I never called Sean, and I certainly didn’t go back to him. I took the cheapest flight to who-knew-where and left everything behind for good.

Everything happening now is just a nightmare, and once I wake up, I’ll go and find a job. I’ll throw away the suit he gave me, I’ll burn the piece of paper with a number I haven’t memorized, and I’ll move on with my life.

I’m going to make enough money to move to a place far away, and I will never look back. I will finally leave this city. One day I will forget his name entirely, and I will meet someone new. A new friend or a new... I don’t know. Someone I would be able to laugh with and ask for advice. Someone I wouldn’t be afraid of. Someone I could relax with, and talk about hopes and dreams and something as simple as the weather.

But none of that is happening.

I’m right back where I started.

Nothing has changed.

Not Sean, not his house, not his room.

Not me.