Daddy’s Little Pet

RENEE

“I’ll go check who’s at the door.” Nicole offered, smiling as she kissed me goodbye and exited the bedroom for the living room.

“If it’s the delivery guy with flowers and notes, just send him back to wherever he came from.” I yelled after her, my eyes rolling.

“As usual.” She snickered.

“Of course. As usual.” I said.

“I’ll do exactly that, my lady. Whatever you say.” She responded with a mock curtsy, and I rolled my eyes.

Sighing, I sat on my bed, pushing the comforter across my legs and pulling my knees into my chest.

I leaned back and watched as the sun rays from outside flickered across the walls and curtains, casting a warm orange hue into the small cozy room.

My thoughts drifted away as I reminisced on the past few days’ events. I faintly smiled and closed my eyes as I inhaled the fresh breeze that filtered through the open window.

Even though my life was in shambles, and I was still unemployed, I was doing my best to stay positive.

Suffice it to say that nothing else in my life interested me anymore, but I tried so hard not to dwell on that.

However, I was struggling physically and mentally because of the man who had once occupied my thoughts more than anyone else on the planet.

Robert.

My heart raced like crazy when I thought of him, and my chest tightened painfully.

I missed him. So, so much, despite my best efforts to deny it.

When things got tough, he was the only person who could keep me grounded and make my world feel more manageable.

His laughter, his presence. The sound of him calling me and assuring me everything would be fine.

The way his lips felt against mine. And the smell and feel of him. God, he always smelled so good.

So fresh and clean. Not the musky, spicy cologne that most men preferred… Robert was the exact polar opposite. He was flawless and perfect. He was everything, and yet I’d pushed him away.

I’d told him to leave, yet he hadn’t.

A little pained laughter bubbled from the back of my throat as I thought of the flowers, he kept sending every day-each one different and exquisite, with handwritten notes attached.

The notes were addressed with the words ‘My Sweet Renee…’ and each said something different every time.

Sometimes he’d go on and on about how he was feeling at the moment, how much it hurt that he hadn’t heard my voice in such a long while or touched me too, and how badly he wanted me by his side.

Sometimes his writing appeared cluttered, as if he was rushing, and I couldn’t understand half of what he wrote. But I knew exactly what he was trying to tell me-the message he was trying to convey.

Apart from that, I sincerely admired his effort and tenacity in trying to win me back and get me to forgive him. Still, I knew from experience that none of this mattered.

Yes, the flowers and notes were romantic and sweet, but I couldn’t forget the reality of our situation. I couldn’t forget what he’d done to me. The secrets he’d kept from me and the humiliation I was still subjected to as a result of his crappy actions.

He’d hurt me, and though I’d heal later on, the pain was still fresh for now.

I couldn’t forget it so quickly or forgive him and act like nothing happened.

Aside from that, what would the media say if we did reconcile? I’d considered it before and decided I couldn’t handle the scrutiny.

The media would adore Robert and praise him, but what about me? I’d always be known as the lady who slept with a father and his son. A whore. A slut.

“Oh, my goodness…” I muttered aloud, rubbing my temple where an ache had formed behind my eyes. “I need to sleep…”

‘But Renee, you just woke. It’s not even eight in the morning.’

“Right. Perhaps I should drink some orange juice and read a book. I need to do something to combat my daily boredom and…”

“Renee?!” Nicole’s voice interrupted my rambling thoughts, and I jumped in surprise.

“Yes. What’s the deal with the delivery?” I asked, stretching my neck to look past her, “Who’s at the door?”

She was still standing by the front door, holding something that looked like an envelope, and from her body language, I could see she was a bit startled.

“You gotta come check this out, Renee!” She exclaimed. I arched my brows in confusion.

“Huh?!” That was all I said before dragging myself over to Nicole, who was staring at me with wide, excited eyes.

“What is it?”

“Take a look at it yourself.” Nicole replied curtly and handed me the package.

My hands shook as I held the envelope, and my heart thudded loudly.

“Where is the delivery guy?” I asked Nicole, and the emptiness of the doorway gave me my answer before she could respond.

The delivery man had vanished.

I slowly turned the envelope in my hands and began to open it.

My heartbeat was racing, and I was fighting the growing panic in my stomach.

What kind of present was this? I knew it was from Robert because his signature R was neatly stitched along the top of the paper.

What was he up to this time? I turned over the brown paper wrapping and opened the flap at the top to reveal a small white note attached tightly at the edge.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

The note had three sentences, scrawled neatly in dark cursive writing. ‘Love means patience. Patience surely pays off, and the reward for me is your forgiveness. This is my special apology present to you. Robert.’

I sucked in a breath as I continued to unfold the package, feeling lightheaded with my eyes burning-his words from earlier replaying in my head repeatedly.

I could hear Nicole asking me questions about the package, but I ignored her, concentrating instead on unwrapping the envelope and… I saw it.

Damn! What the hell was this? When I saw what the papers inside contained, my breathing came in gasps, and a frown marred my features.

A key? A single key laid innocently on top of some official-looking documents and…

“Renee!” Nicole’s worried voice cut through my haze, and I looked up to see her staring at me. Her gaze dropped to the key in my hand, and she asked, “What’s that? A key from Robert? What does this mean?” She asked, and I shrugged my shoulders. I was as perplexed as she was.

“Is this a prank? What are these other papers for? They look like official documents.”

“I don’t know, Nicole. I don’t know.” I murmured, my gaze still fixed on the items in my hands.

“Renee, are you alright? You’re trembling, and your face is flushed red.”

“I… I…”

“Here, let me look at that.” She offered, taking the envelope from me and scanning the documents with her brow furrowed. She suddenly gasped out loud, and the sound startled me.

“What the…?” When I looked up at her, she mumbled under her breath, and her expression became strange, with her eyes growing impossibly wider.

“Wait… what does the… the papers… what does it say?” I stammered nervously, staring at her with a worried expression.

Her gaze remained fixed on the paper in her hands before she swallowed heavily and opened her mouth as if to say something-but nothing came out.

“Nicole, come on, talk to me.” I urged her, and she finally spoke up.

“This is a property deed.”

“Property deed? You mean-”

She abruptly cut me off before I could finish.

“These are original and duplicate copies of a signed contract transferring ownership of a building to you.”

“Wait a minute, what? Robert bought me a building?” I asked, wholly perplexed.

“He did. Renee, this isn’t just any random building. It’s the restaurant. Robert bought your old workplace and is now giving it to you. There’s a document here that requires your signature. If you sign it, the building will be yours to do as you please. Wow!” Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she screamed. “This is crazy!”

Crazy? That was putting it mildly. This was a motherfucking big deal. As Nicole began reading the specifics of the written contract, I stood motionless, unable to speak.

Robert had purchased a restaurant. For me. Here in Orlando.

Holy fucking shit!