Page 20 of Framed Obsession

She leaves the bathroom and heads into the kitchen, scanning both it and the living area. I think she's looking for Zoe. Too bad she was fucking with a headache of a man all night. All my doing, by the way. Another favor from Zane. She plops onto the couch as she waits, for all of two seconds, before Zoe shows up.

Dahlia doesn't move or say anything. I can tell she is nervous. Instead, she waits for Zoe to notice that she is sitting there. I watch as Zoe jumps in fear at the unexpectedness of my girl sitting there in utter silence. Not a minute goes by and I see her rush over, cupping my Little Flower’s face in concern. I turn the volume up, taking a seat on the edge of my bed, not wanting to miss the conversation. I shouldn’t be listening in the first place, but I can't help myself.

“What the hell happened to you?” Zoe starts.

“Something happened when I was walking home after dance class last night.”

“W-What happened?”

“Well, I was… attacked. I was in the alley behind the apartment when this masked guy came and tried to take advantage of me. Well, he sort of did. Do you remember the guy who has been leaving me creepy notes and pictures of me around the apartment?”

Hey, they are love notes. Thank you very much. Only mildly creepy.

“Did he do this to you?” Zoe asks in concern.

“No! He saw what was happening and helped me. I don’t know how he knew I was there, but if it wasn't for him, I’m not sure what else would’ve happened. The man that attacked me pinned me on the floor in the alleyway. And the stalker guy pulled him off me, and I’m not sure after that… the next thing I knew, I was being carried into the apartment.”

Yeah, thank fuck I was watching her. She doesn’t need to know how.

“Wait, wait. What the fuck? You got assaulted and your stalker was there too?”

Saving the day.

“Zoe, he helped me. He didn't hurt me; the other guy did. He carried me to the apartment and helped clean me up. He didn’t lay a finger on me without my permission.”

“Dahlia, that doesn't make it any better. He could have easily hurt you, too. I mean, Jesus, you don’t even know the guy. What you do know is that he is a creep.”

“But he didn’t hurt me, Z. He saved me. The thought of me being unsafe with him did cross my mind. But he took care of me. I couldn't fend for myself. I blacked out pieces of it, even though I thought I was strong enough to withstand it. I know you're concerned, and thank you for that, but I’m not looking for a lecture. What I’m looking for is for you to be here for me. Be the best friend I know I can always count on. I need you now more than ever.”

I’m a little ticked that Zoe keeps talking down on me. She wasn't there; she left her best friend alone to walk at night. I was there. I was the one who took care of her. She wasn't there to witness what happened.

My blood begins to boil. I stand to pace around the room, zoning out the rest of their conversation. I can sit here and put the blame on her, but it’s not her fault. It’s not like she would've been any help, anyway.

I peer at the screen, watching as they embrace each other in comfort. I turn the TV off, not needing to see anymore. I have to check on Zane to see if he has made any progress because it’s killing me to not torture the fucker right now.

Chapter 18

The Flower

1 Week Later

The trash bag rustles as I toss old bandages into it, instantly feeling a weight lift off me. I won’t be missing you, I think, as I wave goodbye to the worn cloth. The scrapes and bruises have mostly faded, leaving behind last week’s tortuous evidence as if it never happened.

I’ve been beating myself up about it every minute of the day, thinking how I could have done more. I know it's not good for my mental health, but I am scared shitless that it can happen again. Think of the paranoia I had before, and now times that by a billion.

I turn, leaning over the doorway from my bathroom and glance into my bedroom. A small, warm smile perks up as I gaze over the endless amount of bouquets I received from my stalker. And by endless, I mean it. There has to be over twenty-something bundles that are filling up every space in my room. You can hardly see any furniture. I’ve even resorted to placing a few in the living room and kitchen.

I don’t think Z minds it. At least she hasn't said anything to me. I know she still thinks this guy is a complete creep and doesn’t understand why I’ve been accepting these love gestures with open arms. What else am I supposed to do? Throw them out? They're too beautiful.

It’s kind of endearing and slightly amusing that they're all the exact same bouquet. Green dahlias, big and small, surrounded by greenery and baby’s breath. The apartment has never smelled better, and I kind of don't want it to end.

He even accompanied the last bouquet with a photo of me surrounded by the flowers. I looked like I was floating in a pool of dahlias. It caught me by surprise. But a good surprise. He must have taken it when I was asleep. I’m still unsure how to feel about him and what he's doing for me right now.

He has also been leaving me notes, reassuring me that he’ll catch whoever did this to me. He even includes vivid, passionate, and unsettling details about what he plans to do once he does. A part of me feels concerned. I don’t want him to kill the man. Do I want him to pay for what he did? Yes, but in some other way. Some other sane way.

I don’t think there is any convincing my stalker, though. I do appreciate him being angry, even though it is hypocritical. After all, he forced himself on me too. I think he forgot that. Or maybe not. Either way, this is all too much for my brain to process at once.

I have work in about an hour. I took last week off, and Parker was not happy with me. He thought I was calling in for some me-time. There is no way I’m going to tell him what happened. I owe no one an explanation. My excuse was that I fell and sprained my ankle. Obviously he didn’t believe me, but that is a him problem.