The Stain of Red

Rebecca looked at herself in the mirror, she estimated she had been gone long enough, don't take too long she thought, make him wait a little. She reached into her clutch and removed her lipstick, as she applied the ruby color to her lips she knew he would respond to it. Rebecca had waited patiently for him to ask her out, doing everything she could to capture his attention. The ball was in his court now, all she had to do was play her cards right and he would be hers forever.

Edwin's heart jumped into his throat as he saw his date return. Her brown skin accented the color of her dress so well he couldn't help but be memorized by her beauty. The way her wide, inviting hips swayed as she walked, the click of her heels as she approached was a symphony of rhythm, he remembered her telling him that she loved to dance, it really showed in the way she moved, just captivating, he could watch her all day. He stood from his seat and pulled her chair out for her, he would use any excuse to get close to her, the euphoria he felt when being next to her was unmatched by anyone he had ever met. He never knew this feeling before but he couldn't get enough of it, since the first time he laid eyes on her, as she was given a tour of her new workplace, his shy demeanour changed, he wanted to get to know the new enchantress and he had to be the first to conquer such an unconquerable mountain.

"This is nothing like those late night talks at the office is it?" Edwin nervously chuckled. Rebecca gave him a curt smile and replied. "No it isn't, I'll admit I'm really nervous about this date, I didn't think I would find such a wonderful, interesting guy at work of all places, you have definitely helped a lot with my anxiety about starting over." Edwin and Rebecca spent many late nights together working, both young and single. It was only a matter of time before human nature took over and thoughts of an office romance would occur. Edwin always thought, if you work long enough with someone you can learn who they are without saying much to them and at first it took him a while to break his habit of not getting too personal as it could affect his work but it was as if Rebecca had put a spell on him, he began to chase her. In some ways she was terrible at her job but it was a convenient excuse to get closer to her, he learned she was an only child and that she went to college for the liberal arts, she used to dance before she tore her ACL. There were nights when he would catch her dancing in the break break room. She looked so graceful and peaceful, he could feel the pain in her movement, she must have been something to see before the injury. She also had a love of TV dramas, it was her one obsession she told him. She was very much a homebody, he had reassured Rebecca that she wasn't a freak for not wanting to go out and socialize and that he liked being at home. He told her he had a passion for cooking and baking, his family owns a restaurant back in his hometown, so when he finally mustered up the courage to ask her out he knew just the place to take her.

Edwin's thoughts started to wonder as he caught a glimpse of Rebecca's ruby red lips, he was certain that they would taste like a ripe strawberry, he bit his lip to control his random thoughts of her but he was swarmed with the thought of holding her in his arms, feeling her soft skin on his. His nerves were on fire; he wanted to see how she would react to his touch, he wanted to hear her moan in pleasure as he caressed her soft plump thigh. Suddenly his vision was filled with red, dread washed over him like a tidal wave, every sense told him to run from something dangerous approaching him but he couldn't move his legs. He had forgotten where he was for a brief moment as he shook away the confusion that engulfed his mind. What looked to be a glare was the waitress, patiently waiting for his order. "Oh sorry about that, I kinda lost my concentration." He continued. "My lovely date says you guys have a wonder merlot that would pair well with the t-bone so I think we both will have that." Edwin handed his menu to the waitress as she said she would be back with a refill for their wine. He placed his hands on the table and Rebecca reached out and touched them. I'm really glad we got a chance to do this." He said. "I feel like I learned so much about you but you don't know much about me." Rebecca with a gleeful smile replied. "Then tell me your biggest secret."

Deanna walked into the kitchen with her order and told the chef two t-bones for table three. She noticed it was louder than usual, most nights the guys were listening to music and having a good time but they all seem enthralled the true crime podcast they had on. "What's going on you guys?" She questioned. As if she had appeared from thin air they jump in unison. "Oh D you are here! You like all that true crime, mind of a serial killer stuff right? What do you think about this last string of murders happening in the city?" Deanna rubbed her chin in response. It is scary to have a killer out there but from what she could find on her internet searches, there wasn't much to go on. All the victims had in common were they were all white males, ages 25-31 tall and athletic and they all had a red mark on their cheeks hence the name The Red Killer. "Oh you guys have nothing to worry about, you all are short and out of shape, you wouldn't be in the killer's ." Deanna caught all the side eyes as she got back to work and headed back to table three with their wine.

The wine glass made a tiny clanking sound as her ring made contact with the stem of the glass. She raised the glass to her lips waiting for Edwin to do the same before she took a sip. She smiled at him revealing her dimples to him, she noticed how big of a smile he got when he saw them. She was quite thrilled about Edwin, he is not what she usually goes for when dating but there was an obvious connection, she wanted to explore that to its fullest. She could tell how much effort he put into this date, in every sense of the word Edwin was average, most of the guys she has dated have never been so attentive to her needs it was all about them and how she could make them feel but Edwin was handling her programming well. He was on the edge, seeing him bite his lip trying to control his urge, it was sweet, now she just had to get him to leave with her. She batted her long lashes and pulled her hair behind her ear and in a soft tone she could, said "I'm really starting to like you." He sat a little taller after hearing that. He was falling for it so well. Another rabbit for me to stick my fangs into she thought. It was only a matter of time before he would be willing to do anything for her. Men can be so predictable, it's laughable really, all one has to do is wear a tight dress and give them googly eyes and they are like puddy in your hands, especially the one you don't get an attention from the opposite sex like Edwin here. I am going to have my fun with him, I want to see how long he can last before he begs me to stop. Rebecca could feel herself getting too riled up; she could no longer delay her gratification. She wanted to take her time with Edwin but she had to speed things up, the anticipation was maddening as her blood boiled at the thought of her playing her favorite game: The little rabbit and the hungry wolf, with Edwin.

The more she tapped her glass the more he drink, the more she seemed vulnerable the more he let his guard down, easy prey for her, she always had to work so hard with the others but Edwin was easy, so willing to enter her trap, so eager for her attention like a loyal dog doing anything to please his master. She couldn't help but wonder if maybe she was playing this all wrong. Why have one night of pleasure when I can make him love me. Rebecca offered to go back to her place where they could have some privacy, Edwin agreed, in fact he was excited for it. Rebecca stood up and walked outside as Edwin finished paying the bill. Deanna watched the couple walk out. She could tell their night would end very happily, she somehow felt jealous of the two of them. "It must be nice, I wish a guy would stare at me the way he looked at his date." She whispered. She hoped things would work out for them, they seemed perfect together, the way they smiled and laughed. Maybe she witnessed the start of a beautiful love story. She shook away the distracting thought as she walked to another table to greet her new guests.

Deanna walked into the restaurant dreading another busy night, she didn't notice until she got to the kitchen but the entire staff was huddling together watching the news on someone's phone. "Why is everyone packed in here like this?" One of the other waiters waved her over to watch. She saw on the screen the red killer dumped another victim early this morning and not too far from the restaurant, they suspect a copycat seeing as the male is in his mid 30s and African American with red markings on his neck instead of his cheek. The good news is he is still breathing but due to his injury he's been placed into a medically induced coma. Deanna was shocked to see the man she served last night on screen. She wondered what could have happened to him since last night what had changed. She couldn't keep her legs from shaking, she had to leave, she had to tell the police what she saw.

Rebecca hummed a tune in rhythm to Edwin's breathing apparatus, she slowly outlined his lips with her finger. "I knew I picked the right guy this time, no man has ever lived through the night with me." She slipped into the bed, cuddling Edwin's half alive body. She ran her hand down his chest."You are my rabbit forever now Edwin, no man has been able to please me the way you have and I'll be here when you wake up, so please hurry I want to play again." She slowly kissed Edwin's cheek brushing off her ruby red lipstick from his face. "Don't worry my dear rabbit you will love my new game." Rebecca wiped away a single tear running down Edwin's face. "I know baby, it hurts me too, these doctors have no clue how much in love we are but leave it to me I'll find a way for us, I promise." Rebecca placed her head on his chest listening to Edwin's heart pump blood through his body, such a wonderful sound, she could listen to it forever.