The heat radiated quickly through my huge woolen sweater. The sun was scorching hot, but it didn't get to me much because I was only in my underwear under the sweater. "Merc! Take that fucking sweater off. It's like 90 degrees," Rachelle hissed, running down the staircase. Her beautiful blonde hair was braided in a messy pigtail, and she looked barely dressed in her bind crop and shorts.

"Okay," I stood up from the reading table, pulling my reading glasses off. "You're exaggerating. It's not that hot." I folded my arms, watching her apply her mascara in front of the large mirror in the sitting room. Rachelle and I had lived together for the past four years. She was someone you could call a jack of all trades; she didn't care about the job as long as money was involved. She was wild, loud, funny, brave, and carefree, and I honestly doubt I would've been able to survive without her by my side.

She really isn't the best housemate or roommate, even, in the sense that she brings a man every night, and I can barely hear myself breathe with all her moaning. But yeah, I wouldn't trade her for the world. "Hm," I hummed as my gaze shifted to the wall clock. "Going somewhere?" She nodded, now applying her nude-colored lip gloss. "Yeah, I'm going on a date." I rose my brows at her statement. Not that I was shocked because she was going on a date in a bind crop and shorts, because come on, I know Rachelle... she could do anything.

What infact shocked me was that she was going on a date. Elle had never been one to want an actual relationship. She was always a one-night-stand sort of girl. A one-time, best fuck of your life kind of girl. "A date?" my lips twitched a little, a small smile threatening to display. She glanced at my direction before shifting her gaze and adding finishing touches to her makeup. "Yeah, I mean he's got the biggest dick of all the guys I've banged this year... so, why not give him a try?" She shrugged.

I raked my hair as I fell back on the reading table. I heard her groan as she walked to the door. "I'm twenty-one, Merc. Not fifteen." She reminded me as I heard the door open. "He's here." She paused. "I won't be home tonight..." "I probably won't be able to walk straight in a few hours." I heard her giggle, and I cringed at her words. "Have fun!" I yelled just before the door shut close. "Like hell I would!" I heard her yell back through the closed doors.

I chuckled, shaking my head, just before I dug it back into my books. My schedule was very busy; I took online courses and worked part-time in a mall. I had an evening shift, and I had to get ready before then. I sighed as I tried to fantasize what life would've been if my father hadn't died. Not that I particularly dislike my life now, no moment is ever dull with Rachelle by my side, but still... I recalled how many times I screamed and argued, telling the authorities that it wasn't suicide.

I screamed so much I lost my voice. I kicked out too often I became numb. No one cared to listen. They painted my father as a suicidal who murdered his pregnant wife and then killed himself, leaving their only young daughter in the closet scarred for life. That period of time, my father's case was the talked of town. Little attention was paid to the nine-year-old survivor who claimed that they were robbed and her parents murdered in cold blood. Everyone said the incident was too overwhelming and messed with her head, a few others said she was covering up for the devil of a father. But, she knew better.

I scoffed as the painful memories flooded into my head. My gaze found its way to the clock again. It was already three in the afternoon, and in at least two hours, I'd have to leave for my evening shift. I shut my laptop as I ran upstairs to throw on a pair of jeans. I'll pop by the pharmacy to get a tablet; I was feeling a little feverish.

As I walked to the pharmacy, I couldn't help but think about my life. I had been living with Rachelle for four years, and she had become like a sister to me. We had our differences, but we always managed to work things out. I thought about my job and my online courses, and how I was trying to make a better life for myself. I thought about my father and the pain that still lingered from his death.

When I arrived at the pharmacy, I was greeted by the pharmacist, who was chewing gum slowly. "That'll be seven dollars," she said, her sleepy eyes blinked.

I pulled out my purse, my hand dug inside, shoving everything inside aside. I pulled out the dollar notes and placed them on the counter. "Thank you." I took my drugs and walked out. I had started walking a few steps when a car pulled up beside me. It wound down, revealing a handsome tanned man. His hair was a mixture of black and brunette, he had bristly brows, his nose hawkish, he had well-defined cheekbones and a concrete jaw. His eyes were almond-shaped, and his sea-rover blue eyes twinkled. And his thin lips parted into a small smile, showcasing his white set of teeth. An earthy scent swirled around him.

"Hello." His deep voice was weirdly sexy. I smiled awkwardly. "Can I drop you off?" I could feel my cheeks turn slightly pink. Can he drop me off? "Thanks, but I live a few blocks away. I'm fine." His smile slowly dropped, and I could feel my heart ache a bit. Was I too rude? I bit my lip as I contemplated accepting the ride. This was a really nice man who offered me a ride, refusing his offer would be rude.

"Uh," I twitched my lips as I cracked my fingers nervously. "Thank you for the offer. I guess I'll take it." He unlocked the black SUV, and I hopped in. "Thank you." I appreciated for the third time, and all he did was nod. He had started the engine, and we had begun driving when he spoke again. "So, how's your day been going, Mercedes?" he inquired, and I could feel my heart stop. My face turned pale as I slowly shifted my gaze to him.

His beautiful nose and lips were covered with a face mask, and all I could see were his almond-shaped eyes. "How do you know my name?" my hand carelessly yet quietly searched for the door handle. I was ready to jump out of the moving car at any moment. "Well, I've been watching you for the past three months." He chuckled. That voice I had found sexy some minutes ago suddenly sounded so scary. "Why?" Yes! My fingers gripped the door handle and tried to push it open. Shit! It was locked.

He glanced at me before shaking his head and chuckling again. "Don't you want to know my name, Mercedes?" He completely ignored my question. I couldn't give two flying fucks about his name. I could sight my house as we approached it slowly. My joy slowly turned into realization. Rachelle wasn't home, the neighborhood was always lonely, and even if I ran out, he'd run after me. "P-Please, if you want money, I'll give you." I paused. "I'm a virgin. I-I have no experience, I wouldn't be able to satisfy you in any way."

I wasn't proud of that, but if it could save my life, Hell! I'll take it. "Don't worry, Mercedes, you'll know soon enough." Almost immediately, he pulled out a white folded handkerchief and pressed it on my face, I could feel my eyes grow heavy as my vision became blurry. A single tear rolled down my cheeks just before my eyes shut, and my mind went blank.



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There you are guys!
The very first chapter of G.A.T.M.
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