She is gone

I wake slowly, realizing it is a little lighter out than it should be. I snap up and look at the clock. I need to rush to get to work on time. I workout most mornings, and briefly consider just using the apartment gym for a light one, but think better of it. If I am going to get back at Victoria, I had better stay on her good side until I pull the ripcord.

I grab the crumpled pants from yesterday and pull out a clean shirt. While buttoning it, I notice the fitted bed sheets have come loose and the duvet heaped on the floor. The intense scene replayed in my mind. For a minute, I wasn’t thinking of my bitch boss. I quickly sweep the apartment for no dress lady, or even purple dress lady, and would have called out if I had known her name, but purple dress lady had already left. A pang of disappointment passed over me, but a satisfied grin emerged anyway.

Remembering my rush, I hustle to the door. As I fling it open and step into the hall, I finally notice a purple thong swinging from the knob. I pick it up and inspect it. She was wearing a thong? I don’t remember seeing one...

The apartment unit next to me opens and my recently moved-in neighbor exits, carrying a laundry basket. She is an adorable redhead in fleece sweatpants with a pink stripe down the sides. I usually see her with her... boyfriend? Husband? I’m not sure. They live together, but I have not talked to them enough to know anything about them, other than knowing our bedrooms share a wall. I have listened to them going at it a few times now. I since I don't know her name, I think of her as "neighbor hottie". Oh Jesus, we must have given her an earful last night.

“Good morning,” I say automatically.

Neighbor hottie gives me a playful smirk. “Nice souvenir. Sounds like you earned it... Tiger.” She giggles to herself.

I quickly lower my hand, jamming the thong into my jacket pocket. I am momentarily at a loss for words. By the time my tongue loosens she is already down the hall on her way to the laundry room.