-- C H A P T E R
N I N E T E E N --

I ended up telling Freddie everything in regards to my parents' death. How they died, how old I was, and how much I loved them. I wasn't sure if I was completely comfortable telling him about being in the foster care system just yet, but even as I was a sobbing mess, Freddie remained true to his word. He held me through it all.

"How long have ye been holding it in, darling?" he asked me, removing a part of my hair to the other shoulder as he looks up at me, his eyes no longer lustful but rather warm and inviting; comforting to the brim.

I sniffle, then swallow my saliva.  "Awhile," I mumble. "I haven't told anyone else besides Jade."

Freddie rubbed circles on the back of my left hand with his thumb. "Who's Jade?"

"My best friend," I replied, wiping my nose with my cardigan sleeve. "she's also my roommate." I take a deep breath and exhale slowly. "Thank you for holding me," I finally say. "I really appreciate it."

Freddie presses a lingering kiss on my cheek, then hugs me tighter. "No problem, love," he says. "this is what I want to do for you."

I nod, though I still had a couple of questions in regards to this strange Daddy Dom and little girl relationship.

"How about I take ye out to dinner tonight at 7:00?" The Englishman offers.

I give out a small smile. "Sure," I reply. "is there any sort of outfit I need to wear?"

"I'll text you the information." Freddie says, motioning for me to get off his lap. I get off of him and go over to my chair; gathering my bag.

"I'll see you tonight, Mr. Highmore," I say, heading for the door.

"Ms. Helgard?" Freddie calls out.

I stop in my tracks. Turning my head back to face him, I speak. "Yes, sir?"

"Yer not going to leave me 'anging are you?" he asks me, a smirk playing on his lips.

I go over to him and stand in front of his tall figure. "Right," I reply. "I forgot." I extend my hand in a shake, and as Freddie grips it, he pulls me towards him and crashes his lips on mine; his other hand on my lower back.

After a few seconds, he pulls away, smiling.

"I'll see you later this evening, Ms. Helgard."

°°

"He proposed!"

I nearly spit the water out of my mouth as I drive home from Freddie's office. I was still slightly high off of the kiss we had endured before I had left. As soon as I'd gotten into the car and drove, Jade called me.

"What?" I choked out.

"Eric!" she exclaimed. "He came over and we talked, I set up some boundaries and he said he was getting help. We ended up doing... You know... And then he proposed!" she squealed, sounding like a mouse trying to break free from its trap.

Huh, I guess the dumbass cheat took my advice after all. Wish he had taken the other half, but hey, I can't judge.

"That's..." I merge onto the next lane. "... great," I reply, gritting my teeth. "I'm happy for you."

"We have to celebrate tonight!" she says.

I turn off of the highway and make my way into Taco Bell to get something to eat.

"I can't," I reply. "I'm going out with Freddie." I mouth a 'thank you' to the lady at the drive-thru after she had handed me my order. "He's picking me up tonight."

"Get your ass over here, now!" Jade demands. "We're giving you a make-over!"

°°

I look at myself in the mirror, examining my look. I was wearing a bright red dress with a neck wrap around it, exposing some of my cleavage. It wasn't too obvious, nor was it too modest -- it fit just right. The dress, itself, hugged my body in all the right places. I slip on my crimson-red heels that Jade let me borrow, and then I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror once again. My hair, which reached a little past my bustline, was curled to absolute perfection.

Jade insisted that I wear make-up, but I refused. I always hated make-up. Why do I need to cover up my face? If I wanted a mask I would have just gone to the Halloween store.

Just then Freddie texted me again for the evening. He had first sent me a message around 4:15p.m, informing me that I needed to dress casual, but still formal. So, this red dress was the best fit for me.

I grab a hold of my device and look at the text before me.

Your address, Ms. Helgard.

I quickly type it in, then take a swig from the water bottle standing upright on my nightstand. I was nervous as all Hell, and it didn't help that he was minutes, possibly seconds away.

Why was I so nervous? This wasn't a date!

...Or was it?

I take a deep breath, then exhale. As I was calming down from my minor panic attack, the doorbell rings.

Crap!

°°°