Hello,
This is the last chapter in 2018. The next one is going to appear early in January. Here, I'd like to thank for a cool year and great readers who wanted to give a few minutes of their time for this story.
Enjoy the chapter and Happy New Year :)
~m

Chapter 11

?POV

For people on the outside I might seem uninteresting, reserved or even cold. I got used to that. My social circle has always been very small. However, I've always wanted to have few close friends. I couldn't change the fact that I was an introvert. I loved it. When I needed, for instance at work, I could pretend an extravert for the necessary period of time, but it was only to reach some goal.

My day started as usual. I woke up too early, I spent a few hours on working and I had too many coffees. Everyone has to die someday, right?
Coffee might become my doom one day.

I didn't plan that, but I decided to go to the club. I've been a member for about three years, but it's been a while since my last visit. I had too much on my plate and I wasn't sure what I was looking for exactly. I was observing people playing but I felt nothing. It was always nice to see familiar people, but I didn't engage with anyone. It's been a long time since I've engaged with anyone. I was ready to go back, so here I was. Day before New Year's Eve. I should be doing something else, but I couldn't resist much longer. I needed to start looking for someone eventually.

Everyone knew I was just an observer. I wanted to go back to what I've known and what has always been my comfort zone.

"I haven't seen you here before." Some guy approached me. He appeared my age, but I didn't want to talk to him. I was lost in my thoughts. I didn't want to be interrupted. I looked him straight in the eye and he saw I wasn't interested.
Apparently, everyone was good at something. I was the best at death stare.

I didn't want to be like this. I knew I needed to talk more to people. Unfortunately, they weren't a code. That would make everyone's life easier.
Although, I had to admit people were very ritualistic creatures and that was beautiful in a way. Routine was good. That was the moment when I felt old for the first time. That sense of stability and security… That was a lot more than many people could have. I was happy with my life though. There was simply one thing lacking.

I knew I should think my decision though, but I was tired of feeling different and adjusting for the sake of others. I was trying vanilla relationships, but there was always something missing. I felt misunderstood.

"What a pleasant surprise." I heard a familiar voice of Mrs. L. behind my back. I immediately turned to look at her. I didn't cast my eyes down. I wasn't contracted with her. I only smirked at her sight.

"I needed a break, but I'm thinking about going back in." I admitted and shrugged.

"Then I might have someone you'd might be interested in." She got me interested. Over the years, she'd been helpful to me twice. I met two good Doms with whom I felt safe. I waved my hand for her to continue. She knew me enough to know I wasn't easily interested in anyone. The older I was, my demands were evolving.

"Why would I be?" I frowned.

"How about we go somewhere to speak in private?" I nodded and we left the main area. We moved away from others and moved to more quiet area.

"One of my friends is looking for a submissive and you've already met him. As far as I remember you two parted ways in friendship." I had to think who she was talking about. Almost all my relationships and arrangements peacefully. It was actually easier to remember which ended badly, but Lincoln had something to do with only two men.

"J. or C.?" If that was Jonathan, I could be interested. We got on well, and from what I've known he's been single for a few months. As for the latter… It was simply impossible. I knew he was involved with a woman. From what I remembered he never liked to share. Lincoln was surprise by my direct question, but I've learnt that she only respected those people she had reasons to be afraid of. I might have been a sub, but nobody could call me a pushover. It was my choice, not weakness. Besides, I could hurt her if I had a reason to.

"C. He's currently looking for someone and the last one I offered him was unfortunately rejected." She said smugly and I was standing there dumbfounded. That couldn't be true.

"As you said, we parted ways in friendship. If he were interested with engaging with me again, he would've reached out to me personally." I said as calmly as I could. I could preserve my harsh look for hours, but I hoped she hadn't noticed my disgust with the news I got.

"You know he's a busy man, he doesn't really think too much about conducting interviews with every submissive woman. I want to make it as easy as possible." I sensed something false in her, but chose to stay quiet.

"May I ask, which one was rejected? From what I know, he really values your opinion. " I was curious if that was someone I knew.

"Leila." I closed my eyes and remembered her. She was and artist. A painter if I remembered correctly. She was a freelancer. Her aquarelles were beautiful. If he rejected her that meant there was something wrong.

"I'm really grateful for informing me. I'll contact Mr. G. if I'd be interested to another arrangement." I stated calmly although I felt totally petrified with what I've learnt.

"I'd rather you contact me first. I want to know how you two progress together." I nodded not really knowing what to do with the knowledge I got. She left me alone. I went back to others and asked for water. I didn't want to drink my alcohol. I wasn't going to touch my drink after leaving the bar.

I joined my friends for a brief moment and I promised I would call them at least next year, which was kinda ironic, because next year was about to start in about twenty-four hours.

"You don't look very good. Do you need help?" Daniel asked me when I stopped responding to their talk.

"I'm good, but I should get going." I called a cab and I finally found myself at my apartment.
I didn't know what to do with the knowledge. I didn't trust that woman. My relationship with Grey ended, but I was completely fine with that. It was a mutual decision that didn't hurt either of us.

I quickly opened my laptop and googled Leila Williams. I looked through her gallery on her official website and I was really impressed. It was all very suspicious to me. Everyone knew Leila at the club and I've never heard a word of complaint about her. I needed to talk to her. I remembered about my NDA, but we've talked before on some occasions. We knew the most valuable information about Grey and he allowed us to talk about it. We were in touch for time to time.

The number I had on my phone wasn't working so I tried the one I found on her website. I didn't care it was late. There was something wrong and I needed someone to talk to.

"Hey, good to hear from you." She answered the phone. Apparently, she still had my number.

"Hey, Lulu. Is this a bad time?" I knew it was late.

"No. I've been thinking about you lately." I heard she was yawning.

"I'm sorry for waking you up." I said apologetically.

"You didn't. Besides, I can't sleep too well for the past weeks. I was approached my Mrs. Elena and my last months were rough." I didn't like the sound of it.

"What happened? Are you okay?" I immediately asked. No matter how careful you were, there were many psychos at large. I could never stop being vigilant.

"I'm fine. How about you?" I wasn't exactly sure where to start, but at least I was sure I had her attention.

"She approached me today. Leila, please tell me he isn't looking for anyone." I was trying my best to control my voice.

"You saw the photo as well? Yes, he's with someone. It looks like he's settling down. She wanted to contract you with him again?"

"Yes." That was all I could say.

"I don't know what she's playing at, but she's up to something and that's nothing good." I had that feeling, but I had no idea what she wanted. What she could want from me?

"But why?"

"I don't know exactly. I left her and cut her down when I realised I was being used." I still knew close to nothing. I didn't know what to feel. "It has something to do with Grey's girlfriend. Whenever she spoke about her, she sounded as if she wanted to kill her. I think she believes Grey is her toy and she doesn't want to share him with anyone." She was one possessive bitch.

"I'm sorry I bothered you so late."

"I'm glad you did. Please contact Grey. I would like to help him more, but I don't know how. You are the last person she contacted. Besides, he might want to track you down for another reason." I didn't know what that might be. I didn't want to call him. I shouldn't do that, especially that Lincoln probably keeps an eye on me.

"I'll manage. Thanks, Lulu." I ended the call. I wasn't able to eat anything. When I was in the bathroom I was staring on all the marks on my body. I looked at the scars on my back for a moment and went under the stream of water. I wasn't sure what to do. My routine was broken and it was odd. I didn't know what to feel. Before I went to bed I took out my pen and started noting down what happened today in dark blue ink.

Okay, that's it for this year :) Any speculations?
Hopefully you enjoyed it. All the feedback greatly appreciated and see you in 2019
~m