Chapter four: The stranger at the table

I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Somehow my heart aching heart had stopped, replaced by something I couldn't name.

I had gotten my revenge but why do I feel empty inside?

I sighed, closing my eyes and the stranger's face came into view. His mouth trailing on my neck, his hand slipping between my legs

“No!” I snapped my eyes open. “We are not doing that!” I said to whatever parts of my brain that was conjuring those images.

I reached for my phone and opened the video. My hand hovered at the delete button. I couldn't press it, instead I found myself removing the bear sticker from his face and somehow, he seemed more striking.

My thumb pressed play on its own.

"Ventolina…" His voice filled the room. Low. Sultry. Dangerous. I still didn't know what Ventolina meant, but hearing him say it sent an unexpected warmth through me, my breath came slow and deep as the video played on—his hands gripping my hips, his lips trailing down my neck.

I watched as he bent me over the edge of the mattress, my hands fisting the sheets, my body arching into himI pressed the phone to my chest and pressed my thighs together.

Damn!I was already wet.

I slipped my fingers in and closed my eyes and there he was, dark eyes peering through my soul.

My fingers moved faster.

I gasped as I felt my release building—

My phone buzzed on my chest, snapping back to earth, my heart hammering. I cursed under my breath, and reached for it.

I thought it was Stefan, probably calling from another number.

But it wasn't him.

I stared at the name and answered at the we ring.

"Mom?" I tried keeping my voice light.

Her voice came through bright and warm. "Brandy! I've been trying to reach you all morning. I was so worried. Piper's here with me. She said you weren't answering your phone." She said in one breath.

I sat up, pressing my palm against my forehead.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I've been... busy. Settling in." I lied.

"Settling in, Of course" She laughed, relief in her voice.. "Oh, I knew you'd love it there. Naples is so beautiful. And Stefan—how is he? He must be so surprised to see you"

I closed my eyes. If only mom knew just how literal she was.

"He was…Surprised…We both were..” I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Just hearing Stefan's name exhausted me.

"You sound tired, sweetheart. Are you alright?" mom asked

"I'm fine." The words came out sharper than I intended. I don't want her to suspect anything. She adores Stefan. Telling her what happened would absolutely break her heart.

"Good. Good." She paused, then added warmly, "I'm just so happy for you, Brandy. You and Stefan... you're perfect together. He's everything I prayed for, for you. The way he looks at you? The way he talks about you? It reminds me of your father."

The words twisted through my heart like a knife.

I opened my mouth. closed it

Stefan is nothing like my father. I wanted to say but the words wouldn't come.

"Anyway," she went on, "Piper wants to talk to you. I'll let you two catch up. I love you, sweetheart."

"I love you too, Mom." My voice cracked

The line rustled. Then Piper's voice came through—sharp and far too awake for this hour. "You're alive. Good."

“Piper, I'm sorry about earlier…"

“You lied!” She cuts in

I blinked. “What?”

“You're lying, you're not with Stefan!”

For a moment, neither of us said a word.

“So are you going to tell me what happened, or are we going to keep listening to each other's breathing?” She spoke, breaking the silence.

I let out a sigh and told her everything.

Stefan. The shower. The woman. The bar. The stranger. The video.

By the time I finished, Piper was huffing with anger, "I'm going to kill him."

I let out a laugh—hollow, watery, but real.

"I'm serious, Brandy. If I were there right now, I'd—"

"He's not worth the jail term”, I said as my voice turned serious . “And I'm sorry I didn't listen to you."

She gave a long sigh, "It doesn't matter now,....I'm just glad you're okay and it's over now, right?."

I laughed.

Brandyyyy?

"Its over "

There was a pause. "Good. He was never worth the trouble.”Then Piper's voice softened. “Now, tell me more about this stranger…"

"What?"

"You heard me. You slept with him and then sent Stefan a video—which, by the way, is absolutely unhinged but I'm proud of you—so who is he?"

I laughed, "I don't even know his name."

"Oooh, Mystery man. That's so hot." She squealed

"Piper—"

"Okay, okay. But tell me. What did he look like?"

I bit my lips, remembering his face like a fond memory “ He had grey in his stubble. Tattoos all over his neck and chest. Scars. A lot of them."

"Damn! Hot…and dangerous. So when are you going to see him again?."

“What? That's not going to happen. Plus, like you said, he might be dangerous." I said, taking a breath. "I honestly hope our paths never cross again”

"Well, that's very convincing." she said dryly

"Piper—"

"I'm just saying. You described him with more detail than you ever used to describe Stefan."

"That's not true." I groaned.

"It's absolutely true. But fine—you two are over. Dangerous stranger you'll never see again. Got it."

"Thank you."

"Mmhmm."

We stayed on the line a little longer. Piper told me about her day. I laughed at something she said. For a few minutes, everything felt normal.

Then we said our goodnights.

---

The moment I closed my eyes, he appeared in my dream.

His hands wrapped around me from behind, his lips brushed against my bare skin and he whispered “Ventolina” against my ear.

I arched into him, wanting more, craving him—

"Brandy." A distant voice called out "Brandy…Brandy wake up."

I blinked, the dream dissolving.

Leti was standing over me, shaking my shoulder, a smile tugging at her lips.

"You were moaning in your sleep"

I flushed. " No, I wasn't," I said sitting up.

"You definitely were." She grinned. "Breakfast is ready. Dress up and come downstairs". She left.

I stood up, my cheeks still burning. I showered quickly, pulling on a pair of slacks and an oversized sweatshirt. I didn't bother with makeup. I didn't have the energy.

I made my way downstairs, following the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, warm bread, and something sweet and buttery.

The dining room was bright. Sunlight poured through tall windows. And at the head of the table, a man sat reading a newspaper.

He looked up and my heart stopped.

I froze in place.

The stranger from the bar. The one that made my dream wet last night

No!

No, no, no, no!

What is he doing here?

Leti turned and spotted me. "Oh, good, you're down. Come, sit."

But I couldn't move. She turned towards the stranger. Smiling.

"Papa, meet my friend Brandy Fischer."

My pulse thundered in my ear.

Papa?

My one night stand is Leti's father?