We now return you to our regularly scheduled smut.

Renee’s return was marked by a loud slam of the solid Oak door and a seeming return to “normalcy”.

“Joseph, I’ve left your phone with the front desk.”

You nodded not focused on Renee’s words but the waning smile on Eva’s face. You were sad to see it vanish and secretly wished the “other” Eva could have stayed here with you instead.

“Renee, who is currently on-site?”

Back to business.

Without a word Renee spread out a stack of rose red folders next to Eva.

The same style of red folder Kathrin gave you.

However these ones were all adorned with a bar-code and alpha-numeric code followed by a series of silver star stickers ranging in number from one to five.

Stretching her legs out, Eva rested the heels of her Louboutin’s in your lap.

“I know you hate waiting but just a tad longer baby kangaroo”

Hearing her use your nickname so casually, treating you like she was fucking family instantly brought back your sour emotions.

Witch.

Except you didn’t say witch.

Quietly Eva rifled through the folders separating them into two piles.

Finishing, Eva lifted the pile on the left into her lap and again worked through them causally tossing them aside till only three remained.

“Renee is 2316153 here this morning?”

“No ma’am.”

“Shame, she was my first choice.”

“You’d get quite a kick out of her.” Eva said winking at you.

Taking the remaining three she flipped through the pages of each. Before returning her focus to you.

“How do you feel about blondes?”

“Wait, Savannah she was a blonde no?”

“Sweetheart, Brie told me about the break-up. I’m so sorry roo-roo.”

Crushing the burgundy leather in your hands you now struggled to maintain your calm.

Inhale. One. Two. Three.

Hold. One. Two. Three. Four. Five

Exhale. One. Two. Three

You repeated the mantra hoping to quell the storm.

“I can feel it in your heart roo-roo. It’s still fresh isn’t it?”

“Heartbreak is a mortal wound. Always so painful.”

Your stomach was on fire. Her words burrowing beneath your skin.

Why? Why were you even here? Just leave. You don’t have to sit through this bullshit.

You don’t have to listen to her act like she knows your life.

You thought back to Kathrin. To the folder. To the awakening.

No, you can’t leave. Not yet.

Tough it out.

Don’t let her get to you.

“Renee, please fetch 0416996 and make the necessary adjustments to our prior arrangements.”

“Of course Eva.”

Renee said softly gathering the folders up and walking out of the office.

You were alone with Eva.

“You’re the only one in the world who can stop her.”

You pondered if Kathrin’s plans included tossing the bitch out a 7th story window. Because you were pretty sure that’d stop her too.

Eva withdrew her feet from your lap and A bit of relief hit you. Until she leaned in cupping your face in her frigid hands.

You squirmed avoiding her eyes for as long as possible. Focusing instead on the sterling silver serpent choker coiled around her throat.

Its emerald green eyes seemed to glow under your gaze.

“Roo-roo.”

The serpent’s head rose with the small movements of Eva’s throat.

“Roo-roo.”

You refused to meet her eyes.

Your brain still seared with the memories of your last staring contest.

“Roo-roo.”

This time her words were joined with the sharp pressure of her fingers clawing into your cheeks forcing your eyes up to hers.

“Roo-roo. I know you’re hurting. You have my word, no one will ever hurt you like that again.”

“I pinky-promise Joseph.”

Closing her placid lake-blue eyes, she kissed your forehead.

A small part of you. The part tangled up in the hazy memories of Eva wanted to trust her. Wanted to accept her promise with the same sanctity as one from Brie or Lilly.

You hated it. Hated how easily she flipped from frightening to loving.

And you really hated how easily you fell for it every time.

“Now then, I believe I promised you some answers. So ask away Joseph.”