Daddy’s Little Pet

RENEE

“A package for a woman named Miss Renee….”

The second I heard my name, my brows lifted and I instantly whipped my face toward the room’s doorway where Nicole was standing.

We’d been busy packing our things and getting ready to leave for the train station when a knock sounded on our motel door.

At first, we hesitated, thinking the sound wasn’t coming from our end. But after two more taps, Nicole gave up and went to attend to whoever was at the door.

We weren’t expecting anyone, and considering how sullen and moody I was this morning, I didn’t pay any heed or bother to check who this unexpected visitor was.

Not until I heard my name, and the wheels in my head started to turn.

Who the hell was that? The voice sounded masculine, and he said he had brought me a package. If I could recall clearly and I kept searching my brain to remember, I didn’t order anything from anyone or anywhere.

Where would I get the money to order? More so, what would I order?

There must be a mixup somewhere. That was the only logical explanation I could come up with.

However, keeping my wandering thoughts aside, I slowly rose from the bed.

Straightening, I turned around, ready to meet this mysterious person and receive the package he’d brought.

Nicole was still standing by the door, her face turned, her gaze locking on mine, with a raised brow and a confused expression. Something seemed off with her look.

Even though she seemed surprised, there was a hint of a knowing smirk tugging at the ends of her lips, and it had me raising my hunches.

Was there something she wasn’t telling me? She’d seen the package, so did that sneaky smile have something to do with it?

Well, I’d never know the answer because I didn’t ask. Staring ahead blankly, I trudged toward the door. That’s when I saw him or it-The said package- Gifts? For me?

I felt a chill running down my spine, and my subconscious told me something I dreaded to voice.

‘No freaking way Renee. No way!’ I reassured myself, plastering a smile on my face, and walked to meet the delivery man.

He was wearing a pair of shades, obscuring his face. I squinted as his dark shades stared right back at me. His presence, or the thing he was holding rather, was causing an immediate drop in my mood. I felt something strange go up my skin. It was giving me goosebumps.

Was it curiosity? Was it anger or bubbling fury? Or was it irritation? I had no idea.

“Are you Miss Renee?” He asked, a warm smile stretching his lips. I nodded, dumbfounded, staring at him, then back at Nicole.

Oh, boy. My hands were fiddling anxiously and I was sure Nicole wouldn’t have noticed if she hadn’t been looking at me. She touched my shoulder, giving me the support I needed and I exhaled in brief relief from her support.

“Um… Yes. Yes, I’m Renee. How may I help you?” My voice came out shaky and quiet but audible to the delivery man.

“For you.” He said, handing over a brown parcel.

“Oh…” That’s the only word I could muster. My eyes roamed over the gift, which looked like a frame. Though it was neatly wrapped, I could see it was a photo frame or card, judging by how it was shaped.

“And this is for you, too.” The delivery man said again and when I looked up to face him, I gasped.

“Oh my goodness!” Nicole exclaimed. When I glanced fleetingly at her, I saw her looking at me, wide-eyed and mouth gaping.

My cheeks burned a bright crimson and I dragged my gaze back to the large bouquet of purple flowers in front of me. A mixture of lavender and hyacinth stared at me, and my heart beat wildly inside my chest.

I didn’t need to ask the delivery man who’d sent the packages because I knew. My earlier hunch had been correct.

Oh goodness. He’d gotten me flowers and so many of them. Though his gesture was sweet, I was angry because I remembered that he must’ve known what my favorite flowers were when he investigated me.

Just how much did he know still? How much-

“Can I come in and drop the bouquet?” The delivery man asked patiently, and clearing my throat, I apologized for keeping him waiting.

Then I opened the room’s door wider for him to come in.

Dropping the bouquet, he walked toward me, handing me a small bag I hadn’t seen.

I was tempted to look inside and see what it was, but before I could, the young man spoke, “If you could sign here. I’ll tell your admirer you got his gifts.”

My admirer? My cheeks blushed uncontrollably, and a peal of hysterical laughter almost bubbled underneath my throat, but I kept it to myself.

If only he knew what Robert was to me.

Swiftly and without saying another word, I grabbed the pen and signed my name on the large book he held.

Finished, I asked the delivery man to wait. I gave him a small five-dollar tip- as that was what I could afford-and I saw him out of the room.

The second I locked the door, Nicole squealed, her eyes rolling as she screamed, “Renee! Damnnnn… This had better not be what I think it is.”

“Whatever you’re thinking, you might be right.”

“Oh my goodness! Do you see all this? What’s in that bag? And these flowers too, they’re so over the top. What are we going to do with them? We can’t take this with us to the station. You know that, right?”

“I know….” I said with a sigh, my chest tightening as I at the thought of leaving such a beautiful bouquet behind.

“Bitch, aren’t you going to check what’s in the bag and the box? I think it’s a photo frame or something.”

Nicole didn’t need to say much, because as she finished her sentence, I dragged my feet to the bed and plopped my ass on it. I undid the bow and looked inside the bag.

There was a small note, and it read…

‘Something to remind you of our matching initials. ~ R.’Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

R? Robert & Renee? Oh jeez. Tears burned at the back of my eyes, and I blinked them quickly before they could stream down my cheeks.

Slowly I unboxed the bag and saw a small black jewelry velvet box. I opened it with trembling hands, and my breath caught in my throat.

It was a stunning necklace with a gold letter R at the tip and it shined bright, almost blinding me.

The long chain sparkled. Also, with the letter ‘R’ was a single rosebud with four tiny gemstones around the bottom. The petals were white gold and very delicate. I touched them tenderly, my eyes closed, trying to calm my rapidly hammering pulse.

“Oh jeez, Renee, I did say you landed yourself a sugar daddy. I wasn’t even joking about it. This man gifted you a freaking diamond necklace. Fuck!”

“These are diamonds? I… What are you…”

“The second I saw the engraved designer name at the top, I knew whatever was in this box was going to be stunning and expensive as fuck. You’re holding a handmade Cartier diamond necklace there, bitch. Bet you don’t want to know how much this cost. This is crazy. It could be worth half a-”

“I don’t want to know about the price tag.” I cut in, my hands still trembling as I cautiously dropped the box by the side of the bed.

My eyes still staring at the shining necklace, I then opened the next item he’d given me.

When I ripped open the cardboard, I gasped. It was a photo frame. A folded piece of paper was attached to the frame’s back edge, and I carefully picked it up, afraid of tearing it.

I took another deep breath and unfolded it, my jaw dropping when I saw Robert’s neatly cursive handwriting.

How perfect could this man be? He was still forbidden despite his perfection. Even when I’d been cold to him, he put my behavior aside and sent me these.

What were they? A parting present? Payment for the time spent with him? Or had he sent them because he was just thinking about me? Should I even send them back to him, or what?

My heart slammed, and tears pooled at the corners of my eyes.

Sniffing, I began to read the note.

‘Baby girl,

I don’t know how to begin or what to say, honestly. I’m picking up this pen to write to you, and I realized that you’d be the first woman I’ll be doing this sort of thing for. What is this? A love letter? Goodbye letter? I have no idea, but I wanted to say I miss you already. I’m sorry we parted under such bad circumstances, and I accept it’s all my fault. Thank you for being with me, even when I strangely approached you. Every night spent with you in my arms was the best I’ve had in years. I wanted you to know that. I’m not really expecting anything in return for this gift besides I know you’re already leaving. I wish we’d had more time together. Maybe this was for the best. I wish you a safe trip and hope you’ll wish me the same, as I’ll return home soon. Nothing is keeping me in Miami anymore, so I have to leave. Don’t hesitate to contact me if there’s anything you’d like to say. I attached my cell phone number at the end of this letter. I’m not expecting your call, but I hope to hear your voice again someday.

P. S. I know you’re wondering how I figured out your favorite flowers. You should have the answer by now. Knowing that the subtle knowledge might piss you off, I’m offering my apologies in advance. You left a lacy lingerie with me. I saw it in our cabin when I returned to the yacht, and I’ll be making good use of it. (winks).

Till we see again, Renee.

With most sincere regards,

Robert Clarke, your Daddy.’

“Robert…” I chuckled as I finished his beautifully written note.

His words tugged at my heartstrings, and his cryptic message at the end confused me. ‘Till we see again?’ Well, I wouldn’t dwell on it.

I tried to convince myself it was a typo. But deep within me, I wanted the message to come true.

I wanted to see Robert Clarke again. I wanted to bury myself in his broad arms and inhale his hot masculine scent. Maybe I’d fall for him, over and over again and-

“Oh, Renee, you’re crying.” Nicole whispered gently, her right hand rubbing my shoulder and her words snapped me out of my reverie, bringing me back to the present. “Let’s see what he framed for you, okay? Maybe it’s an artistic photo of you he took when you were asleep…” My best friend began to guess, but she was put to shame when I saw the photo or painting rather.

It was the silhouette of a woman staring away into the distance. She had strawberry blonde curls, the same shade as my hair and my heart did another backflip.

“He commissioned a painting of you. With your hair and-damn, this man’s got money, which only confirms what I saw about him on the internet. When did he even order this?” Nicole asked, mirroring the questions in my head and I could only shrug in surprise as she was.

‘I have my copy of this portrait too. Something to stare at when I’m thinking of you.’ He wrote at the edge of the frame, and I showed Nicole.

For a second, we sat in silence, staring at the gifts, not saying a thing.

Finally, she broke the tension by asking, “Are you going to call him and thank him for the gifts? Do you want to go see him now or….”

“Uh? Why do you ask that?”

“I can see the look on your face girl. Like you want to do something and-”

“We have a train to catch Nicole. And it’s almost time.” I cut her off, staring at the watch on my wrist. Sure enough, we only had thirty more minutes to get out of this place and to the train station.

“Are you sure, Renee? You know if we get on that train, there’d be no turning back, right?”

“I know, Nicole. But I have to think and be sure. He gave me his number so I can call him when or if I want to.”

“That’s true. You’re right.” Nicole agreed, and I smiled sadly.

“Let’s continue packing, shall we?” I urged and nodding, Nicole stood up and walked to where our packed bags were.

Following suit, I stood up and glanced at the flowers, wishing I could take them with me.

As for the jewelry and the lovely portrait, I sharply stashed them into one of my packed bags and with a sad expression, I dragged my gaze away from the bed.

It was time to pack. Time to leave.