"Yes Madam, pick up address please.”
“Shit. Hang on a second okay?” she replied realising she didn’t know the address. Jogging in high heels was never easy she thought. Past the front gate she could see the street sign. “It’s Calloway Drive,” then doubling back to look at the house, “number 52.”
Ten minutes later Melissa sat in the back of the cab holding her head. Pushing her dress down her legs she knew this was going to be one hell of a headache. The driver must have known she was in no mood to chit chat and left her to her hang over in the back. Melissa started to think back to how she ended up with that guy, but decided maybe it was best to leave last night in the past.
Back at home Melissa opened the solid oak front door, kicked off her heels and headed straight for the bathroom. Grabbing two tablets from the drawer she swallowed them with a glass of water before looking back up at herself in the mirror.
With her hair all dishevelled and make up worn off the edges she thought to herself that she looked like hell. Reaching her hand backwards she unzipped her dress and let it fall to the ground.
She not only felt unclean and needing a shower, but dirty in the other sense of the word. She was about to take off her underwear and have a shower when she remembered that she hadn’t checked the answering machine.
Clicking the button she sat down on the couch after walking back to the lounge room, still feeling the effects from the copious amount of wine she had consumed the night before.
“Hi honey. I have been held up here due to a problem with the product launch. So I won’t be back until probably Monday now. I’ll call you tomorrow okay. Bye.”
Sinking into the couch Melissa’s conscience was working overtime. Hearing his voice on the answering machine brought back the vivid words and emotions of the fight that took place before he left. In the light of day and without a glass of wine in her hand, things seemed different from the night before.
Melissa stood up and walked back to the bathroom and turned the shower on. The warm water felt cleansing on her skin. She lathered her moisturising gel onto a sponge and spent the first five minutes washing her entire body. Melissa took her time washing her long brunette hair after that. The next ten minutes Melissa did nothing but enjoy the water.
Deciding she needed to get out Melissa turned off the water and wrapped her Egyptian cotton towel around her hair and another around her body. Exhausted she fell onto her bed deciding five minutes could be spared before getting dressed.
Melissa awoke some time later to the sound of her mobile phone and a sore neck from sleeping in a strange position. She wasn’t quite sure if she was upset at falling asleep on her bed or at being woken up. She slowly dragged herself into an upright position and reached across to the chair where her handbag was laying, pulling her phone out.
Melissa clicked the flashing message – “Hi sexy. You were great last nite! Ps: Are you missing something?” Melissa couldn’t believe she gave him her mobile number. She must have had more to drink than she thought.
And what was he talking about with the missing something. Melissa decided to ignore him and he might go away. She lay back on the bed and stretched out her muscles. She always felt better after a shower. Getting up to change, Melissa put on her panties while deciding what to wear. The phone went off again.
“Something important? Missing I mean...” was all it read. Melissa decided again to ignore him and he might go away. While still deciding what to wear, the phone chimed a third time. “I wouldn’t have thought you would want me to keep this...”
Melissa had to put an end to this. Dialling the number she was planning what she was going to say.
“Oh hello Sexy. So you do want it back?” a rough voice said on the other end.
“What are you talking about?” Melissa replied.
“So did you have a good time last night?” he asked changing the subject. Melissa paused thinking of the best way to get rid of him for good.
“Listen last night was last night and I would really like it if you would not call me any more okay...” she tried.
“Okay then hun. So you’re letting me keep it then? Or at least pawn it for some cash?”
“Enough with the riddles! What are you talking about?” she blasted.
“Your ring. You left it here my dear,” he replied before letting out a dry chuckle.
Melissa looked down at her hand and panic set in as she realise her diamond wedding ring was not where it should be.
“Fuck!” she cursed with one hand over the phone. Raising her hand again, “I’m coming to collect it okay,” she finally said. “What’s the address again?”
In her car on the way over she kept on cursing herself for such a stupid mistake. When she arrived at the address she wasn’t sure how to handle this guy. Remembering parts of the previous night she recalled he was a strong man who knew what he wanted. She was worried for a moment, before collecting herself confidently and getting out of the car.
The grass in the front yard was long and scrappy and there were empty beer bottles interspersed throughout the yard. The front area had a small strip that was concrete with a solitary chair with an overflowing ashtray next to it on the ground.
Knocking on the front door, she waited trying to recall what he looked like again. She knocked again, more forceful this time after he had not answered. Grabbing hold of the handle she turned it, surprised it was unlocked.
Walking into a cluttered lounge room, the smell of cigarettes filled the air. She could see dirty dishes on the kitchen table and coffee table, but no person in sight. “Hello...” she offered, “is anyone home?”
“I’m in the room sweetie,” the deep voice replied.
The door was ajar and Melissa walk to it and pushed it inwards.
Dave lay in his bed naked. He smiled as he saw Melissa though the doorway. “You all cleaned up again my dear?” he said.
Melissa took one step into the room and the seedy smell hit her. She looked over at the disgusting man on the bed with a sheet covering his bottom half as he stubbed out a cigarette into the ashtray on the bedside table.
“Yes. It’s amazing what a shower can do,” she replied. “Maybe you should try one too.”
“Nah, I’m not one for showers. I have maybe one a week,” he said laughing out loud. “Unless you’re offering to have one with me hun? Maybe wash the spots I can’t reach too well?” he said laughing again.
Melissa was trying to work out the smell in the room. The cigarette smoke was chocking, but it was the smell of sweat from a disgusting man that caused her the most problems. “I’ll just take my ring and go alright. I appreciate you calling me and returning it.”
“Not so fast my dear. What’s the hurry? Hubby going to be home from work soon? You need to have dinner on the table for him,” he said with a wry smile on his face.
Melissa thought quickly, “Actually yes he will be. So if you don’t mind I will take my ring and go.”
“I’m not sure I want to give it up that easily,” he said playfully. “What’s it worth to you sweetheart?”
“Don’t play games. Just give me my ring,” Melissa bluffed.
“I don’t think you’re in a position to be giving orders sweetheart,” Dave said. He looked her up and down relishing the memories of having her body hours before. Melissa remained silent. “So, what’s it worth to you?” he asked again.
“What do you want?” she replied in a stern tone.
Dave snapped back, “Right. Fuck off then! If you’re not going to play the game then you can just go.”
Melissa feared he was not going to give her ring back without something in return. “Alright, alright,” raising her hands in a subduing manner, “Tell me what you want?” using a softer tone than before.