Annabelle

The next few hours stretch like bubblegum. I don't think I've ever both feared and anticipated a moment like this.

Yes, I am still completely freaked out about the repercussions of my stupid carelessness. But at the same time, my normal level of strong curiosity has come back with a vengeance. Now I am curious about the person and what they have in mind for means of payment.

I excuse myself quickly after dinner, getting some weird looks from my parents and my sister, but I don't care. I tell them I still have to study for my history exam and they seem content enough with that answer, even though my little sister Joanne looks a little suspicious.

I'm out of breath after running up the stairs to my room. I close the door when my phone starts vibrating in my hand. My nerves are coming back full force, but I try to push them back down.

I've got this.

"Hello?" I answer, my voice sounding breathless and strained. I clear my throat and try again.

"Well hello there, Annabelle. How are you?" The voice on the other side of the line is deep and soothing, and I have to admit a little bit sexy too. I definitely didn't expect that.

"Hi. I'm ok, thanks. How are you? And please call me Anna." I don't hate my full name, but I usually prefer Anna. It just suits me better somehow.

"I'm fantastic. I'm glad we finally get to talk. I've been so busy all week that I haven't been able to call you before today."

"No problem. It's not like I've been eager to have this conversation at all." I let out a very unladylike half snort, half laugh. He probably thinks I'm totally mental anyway. At least I was right about it being a guy though. Better than nothing.

His sudden laugh fills my ear and a small smile forms on my face immediately.

Some people have the most contagious laughs. Whenever they laugh, you automatically have to laugh or smile too. He's one of them. And that's not even all of it. My belly suddenly has a few little butterflies flying around too. Apparently, all I need to hear is a sexy sounding guy laugh. Embarrassing.

"Understandable." He finally answers. "I'm sure there aren't many people out there who like to pay their debts, in whatever form they come."

"That's true. Doesn't sound like fun." Neither one of us says anything for a few seconds and somehow the silence doesn't bother me, but I break it anyway. "So what's your name? If you don't mind asking."

"Of course not. You can call me Tyler."

Tyler. I like that name. As weird as it sounds, it somehow suits his voice. "You sound like a Tyler."

"Is that so? Well, I'll just take that as a compliment, so thank you." His voice is laced with amusement.

For some weird reason, I can feel a slight increase of heat in my cheeks, and I want to smack my head. What am I doing here?

Focus, focus, focus.

I clear my voice, hoping to get this all over with as soon as possible. I still feel like there's a sword hanging over my head. The last thing I should be doing right now is enjoying a conversation with a stranger that has some power over my immediate fate. He could make my life hell in no time.

"So Tyler, would you mind telling me about that proposition you had in mind for me?" I tried sounding casual and professional at the same time, but I don't think I succeeded when Tyler answered.

"Was I going to propose something to you, Anna?" The smile is evident in his voice and I can tell he enjoys making me squirm.

"Well, uh, you said you had something in mind for me to pay you off?" There. Isn't that exactly what he said to me in his message?

"Yes, I do." He pauses again for a few seconds as if he is trying to make this even more suspenseful. "I want you to talk to me every night at 10 pm for the next three weeks, and then I'd like to go on a date with you in a month."

"Excuse me?" He wants to do what?

"I don't really have a good explanation I'm afraid, but those are my terms. If you don't agree to it, we can work out some other payment plan I suppose. And the date after a month is optional." He stops talking and seems to be giving me some time. My brain is working a mile a minute right now.

"Ok," I answer him, not wanting to think about it too much longer. That sounds like the weirdest request in history but hey, if it keeps me from having to find a job to pay him off, I'll do it.

"Really?" He sounds surprised like he was expecting me to deny it.

"But no weird phone sex stuff. Understood?" Apparently, the filter between my brain and mouth is temporarily unavailable, and he starts laughing again.

"Sounds good. Awesome. Well, I have to go now. I'll talk to you tomorrow night at 10 pm then, Anna. Have a good night."

"Talk to you tomorrow, Tyler."

We both hang up, and I stare at my phone a little longer, trying to understand what I just agreed to.

****

😉

❤❤