Falling for her oppressor

chapter 2

By the time I finished folding the last of Nelly’s clothes, my back was aching, and the scent of dinner filled the air—beef stew with potatoes and carrots, a dish Aunt Lorna liked to brag about, though I was always the one who made it. I placed the pot on the stove to simmer and wiped my hands on my apron, glancing at the clock. She’d be down any minute now, dressed up for another one of her so-called “girls' nights.”

The sound of heels clicking down the stairs came right on cue. Aunt Lorna appeared in the doorway, her lips painted a deep red to match her figure-hugging black dress. She wore her hair in loose curls, and I could see the glint of her gold earrings—new ones, no doubt, likely gifted by the man she was meeting tonight.

She paused in the kitchen, casting a quick, critical look around the room. "You finished with the ironing?"

"Yes, Aunt Lorna," I answered, folding the dishrag neatly and placing it on the counter. "And dinner’s ready."

Her eyes flicked toward the stove, the faintest hint of approval crossing her face. "Good," she said, smoothing down her dress. "I’ll be out late tonight. You’ll need to lock up after me and make sure everything is in order."

"Of course," I replied, my voice steady, though my stomach churned. I knew exactly where she was going, and it wasn’t to meet her friends.

For the past year, Aunt Lorna had been slipping out like this, always dressed to the nines, her eyes gleaming in a way they never did when Uncle James was around. He wasn’t here to see it, though. He was thousands of miles away, working overseas, sending money home, trusting her to take care of things while he earned a living for us. I knew better. I’d overheard the hushed phone calls, the sweet talk, the way she laughed in that flirty, syrupy voice she never used at home.

She had a man—one with deep pockets, who spoiled her with gifts, paid for her nights out, and kept her busy while Uncle James worked his fingers to the bone, thinking she was patiently waiting for him to come back. It made me sick, but I knew better than to say anything. She’d turn it around on me in an instant, and I’d end up paying for it. I’d learned to keep my head down and mouth shut long ago.

Aunt Lorna glanced at herself in the hallway mirror, adjusting her dress, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles. "I’m trusting you to keep an eye on the house, Kyra. Make sure everything’s locked up. And don’t touch anything in my room. Understand?"

"Yes, Aunt Lorna," I murmured, watching her from behind.

She gave herself one last approving look in the mirror, fixing her lipstick before turning back to me. "Don’t let Nelly’s mess pile up, either. I won’t have time to deal with it tomorrow."

As if she ever dealt with anything. But I nodded, keeping my face blank.

With that, she grabbed her purse and headed toward the door. I stood there in silence as I heard the familiar sound of the front door creaking open, the sharp clack of her heels on the pavement, and then the slam of the car door. I knew she wouldn’t be back until the early hours, smelling of perfume that wasn’t hers and laughing at whatever her latest conquest had told her. It wasn’t just about money—though that was a big part of it. It was the thrill of living a double life, of having secrets that only she controlled.

Uncle James didn’t have a clue. Every time he called, his voice was full of hope and pride, telling Aunt Lorna about how hard he was working, how much he missed us, and how he couldn’t wait to come home and finally see us again. She would smile and tell him she missed him too, acting the part of the devoted wife, but as soon as the call ended, she was someone else entirely. I couldn’t count how many times I wanted to say something, but what good would it do? I’d still be the one cleaning up after her, pretending like everything was normal.

I sighed, turning off the stove and setting the table, even though no one would be sitting down to eat tonight. It was always the same—Aunt Lorna out doing whatever it was she did, and Nelly off with her friends, getting drunk or hanging out with some guy who’d be gone by morning.

I sat down at the table, staring at the empty plates, the flickering overhead light casting shadows around the room. The house was always quiet when they were gone, but not the peaceful kind of quiet. It was the kind that reminded me how small my world had become, how each day bled into the next with nothing to break the cycle.

Aunt Lorna was out living her secret life, Nelly was chasing fun and attention, and I was stuck here, doing the same thing I did every night—waiting for them to come back and pretend like none of it ever happened.

The dim lighting of the upscale hotel room cast soft shadows on the walls as Lorna slipped out of her heels and let her black dress fall to the floor. She knew the routine by now—dressing up, playing the part of the seductive mistress, and indulging the whims of the man lying on the bed, his wrinkled skin glowing faintly under the warm light. His name was Gerald Thompson, a wealthy businessman well past his prime but still clinging to the idea that money and power could buy him youth, or at least the illusion of it.

Gerald sat propped up against the pillows, his eyes following Lorna’s every movement with a hungry gaze. She knew exactly how to play him—every glance, every smirk, every slow movement was calculated to keep him enthralled. She’d been doing this long enough to know what men like him wanted.

The bed creaked as she crawled toward him, her smile practiced, her body moving with the grace of someone who knew her power. They had spent countless nights like this over the past few months, each one leaving her with more jewelry, more money, and more leverage over him. Gerald had deep pockets, and Lorna knew exactly how to keep him coming back.

After they finished, Lorna lay beside him, her body draped lazily across the sheets as she gazed at the ceiling, feeling the familiar satisfaction that came with knowing she was in control. Gerald, panting softly beside her, reached for his glass of whiskey and took a long sip, letting the liquid settle into his chest before turning his head toward her.

"You’re a remarkable woman, Lorna," he said, his voice gravelly, softened by age but still carrying a tone of authority. "I knew from the moment I saw you that you were special."

Lorna chuckled softly, her lips curling into a smile as she leaned in closer, brushing her fingers lightly against his chest. "You know how to flatter a girl, Gerald. What’s on your mind?"

He took another sip of whiskey before setting the glass down on the nightstand, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he were thinking carefully about what to say next. "I have a... business situation," he began slowly, his tone shifting to something more serious. "I’m about to close a big deal, one that could make me a lot of money, but there’s a complication."

Lorna arched an eyebrow, intrigued. "Complication? What kind of complication?"

Gerald sighed, his gaze drifting toward the window as he spoke. "The client I’m dealing with—he’s a tricky one. He likes to be... impressed, you know? He’s a man who’s easily swayed by beauty, youth. He likes to surround himself with... well, with women who are young and innocent. It makes him feel powerful."

Lorna’s interest piqued as she sat up, leaning on one arm. "And what does that have to do with me?"

Gerald turned his gaze back to her, a calculating look in his eyes. "I need a girl," he said bluntly. "Someone who can help smooth things over, make the deal go smoothly. She has to be beautiful—innocent looking, fresh, someone who can charm him without even trying. And I was hoping you might know someone."

Lorna stared at him for a moment, her mind working quickly as she processed his words. A young, innocent girl? Someone to impress his client? The possibilities started to unfold in her mind like a perfectly laid-out plan.

Her lips curled into a slow, wicked smile. "Leave it to me," she said softly, her voice dripping with confidence. She knew exactly who she had in mind.

Gerald raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her sudden shift in demeanor. "You have someone in mind?"

Lorna’s smile widened as she leaned back against the pillows, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and something darker. "Oh, I do. But if I’m going to make this happen, I’ll need something in return."

Gerald chuckled softly, clearly entertained by the direction the conversation was going. "Always thinking ahead, aren’t you, Lorna?" he mused. "Alright, what’s your price?"

She tilted her head, eyes narrowing slightly as she spoke. "I want a share of whatever comes out of this deal. If I’m going to bring you the perfect girl and make sure everything goes smoothly, I want my own cut of the profits. After all, you wouldn’t get this deal without me."

Gerald’s laughter rumbled low in his throat, impressed by her boldness. "You drive a hard bargain, Lorna. But I suppose that’s why I like you. Fine. You’ll get your share once the deal is done."

Lorna’s smile was triumphant as she leaned forward, her lips brushing against his ear. "Good. Consider it handled, then."

She pulled back and slid off the bed, reaching for her dress and slipping it back on with practiced ease. As she adjusted her hair in the mirror, her mind raced with the possibilities. The girl she had in mind fit Gerald’s description perfectly—beautiful, innocent, and easy to manipulate. Kyra. The poor, naive girl who lived under her roof, who did whatever she was told without question. She had the face of an angel, and that was exactly what Gerald’s client would want.

Lorna smiled at her reflection, an evil glint in her eyes. Kyra had no idea what was coming, and that suited Lorna just fine. All she needed to do now was set the plan in motion, and soon enough, she’d have her share of the profits—enough to ensure her future, with or without Uncle James.

As she turned back to Gerald, her smile never wavered. "I’ll be in touch," she said smoothly, picking up her purse and heading for the door. The game had just begun, and Lorna was already several steps ahead.