CHAPTER SIX

In a darkened room, the man faced a glowing computer screen. His fingers darted nimbly across the flat keyboard, creating paragraphs in a matter of seconds. The love letter was almost complete.

The funny thing, he realised, remained that he knew Molly wasn't getting her love letters. He frowned, opening the tab to his anonymous email server. Hundreds of blank email alerts stared back at him, relaying the message that the emails sent bounced back.

He knew it was Molly's real email address, he didn't make stupid mistakes like that. It took him a while, but he soon came to realise that the emails sent to him, telling him the ones he sent out, weren't authentic.

Someone was in Molly's email and intercepting all his notes. He frowned at this, a slight fury building up inside.

Perhaps, he thought, some prick was stalking her. Making her life dangerous. She didn't even know it, poor thing. That's why she needed him, though. She was so defenseless on her own, so tiny and frail. In that respect, at least, she was perfect

He'd only ever had three relationships before Molly.

The first, Susan, would be impossible to live up to, he knew. And yet, that's what he wanted. Someone just like Susan. She was quiet, shy, and beautiful. She lived for him, she really did – always at his place, fixing him food and helping him clean up his room. But, she died. Out of the blue, she just disappeared.

It had taken him until university to recover. Celeste looked so much like Susan had, he remembered. That's what made him love her so much at first. Then, when she displayed similar characteristics to his first love, he thought he'd die from his desire to be with her. But then she went and fucked it up – cheating and denying him and all that.

He hadn't found someone good enough for another fifteen years. Sure, a friend of his recommended a few girls. Though it was terribly ironic, one of these recommended girls turned out to be Molly Hooper. But by the time he went to look at her, his so-called friend already swooped down and started dating her.

So, he found Shaelee. While she looked very little like Susan had, she had very similar mannerisms. Quietness, and the way she seemed uninterested completely in the company of men. He thought he'd found someone perfect that time. But then she went and made the same mistake as Celeste and cheated on him. Twice.

Really, he thought, infuriated at the memory, why did he attract so many whores?

But, Molly was different. Sure, she'd probably fucked his friend – but since that was before they dated, she could beg and earn his forgiveness. He honestly believed she might be the closest to Susan. She looked like his childhood sweetheart (though she wasn't blond – but that's what hair dye was for), and even acted like her. He halfway wished he could thank his friend for recommending her, but then that thought shut instantly, remembering how his friend had betrayed him.

He shook his head, and began to proofread his email.

Molly, my little kitten, I know it's been a while since you've gotten an email from me. But, don't lose hope. I'll never give up on you. True love, after all, is forever.

He considered adding in a bit explaining how someone was intercepting the emails, but decided against it. Women did tend to panic, even if he was looking after her.

And that's what you've got with me: true love. Nothing can tare us apart. I wish I could have you straightaway. But, of course, that's not how it works. The thing about great love stories: people only ever get together at the very end. Fucking crazy, really. But, I think we should adhere to it, don't you?

I'll come for you soon, Molly. Don't lose faith in me. And don't wander. It might take awhile – some shit's going on that I need to fix before you're completely safe and ready to become perfect. But I'll come for you.

He smiled, seeing his email went well. Then, on impulse, he tacked on a final bit of the message, before pressing send.

I love you dear, it had said. And you love me, too.

A few days after Christmas, Molly invited Greg over to her flat for a bit of social interaction, if nothing else. They put in an old rental DVD and readied themselves for a fun night, away from worry of what lay on the other side of the door. Distraction was the key, and they seemed to provide that distraction very well together.

As Molly waited patiently, watching the Main Menu circle around for the fifteenth time, an abrupt ringing sounded from Greg's laptop, lying open on the sofa.

With a quick glance, she recognised the name on the Skype window. Collin Porter.

Beginning the call, she waited as the web cam adjusted to the room. Collin blinked in surprise. "Molly. Hi."

Molly waved to the techie on the screen.

Collin frowned slightly. "Where's Greg?"

"Kitchen," Molly gestured in the general direction. "He's getting popcorn."

"Oh." Collin said, suddenly uncomfortable, eyes shifting from one side to the other as though he wanted to say something. "So…how were your holidays, then?"

"Fine," She said. "Yours?"

"Had a nice Christmas cocktail at the pub," Collin said, a sly grin splattered across his pale features. "The cock was mine; the tail belonged to a pretty thing with a passion for Shakespeare."

Molly furrowed her brows and let a nervous gurgle escape her throat.

"Oh, come along now," Collin said, swinging his head to the side and reaching for hand sanitiser. "It was just a joke. Don't be angry. I didn't really do anything wrong."

"It's," Molly paused. "Fine."

Greg entered from the kitchen, a massive bowl of popcorn in his hands. "Who're you talking to, Molly?" He said, concern filling his voice.

"Collin," Molly answered. "I accepted the call, since you were away."

Greg grunted, nodded, and took Molly's seat in front of the laptop. "All right, Collin," he said, taking a small handful of popcorn. "What's going on?"

"Well," Collin said, typing something into his own computer on another window. "I was looking through the laptop, and I found something encrypted and hidden in the hard drive. Took me a while, but I recovered it. Sent it to you."

Greg frowned and looked underneath the video to see a file sent to him a few minutes before. "Okay," He said, moving the track pad over the icon. "It's a video."

Collin nodded. "Yeah. I wouldn't look at it with Molly in the room, though. Bit unprofessional, that."

"Why?" Greg asked, absently popping another piece of popcorn into his mouth.

"It's a sex tape." Collin said, leaning forward a bit, sinking between his shoulders.

"Uh…all right?" Greg asked, exchanging a quick befuddled glance with Molly. "Why did you send me a sex tape?"

Collin gave a quick breathy laugh. "Sounds bloody awful when you say it like that." He shook his head again. "It's of Shaelee Birdie."

Greg's eyes shot back to the screen. "Okay. Go on."

"And you'll never guess who she's with." Collin smirked, a challenging spark in his eyes.

"George Willis?"

Collin shook his head, grinning mischievously. "It's Maryann Thompsen."