I look at myself in the mirror and I like what I see. Tall, slim and lithe with long auburn hair. A beautiful face, flawless complexion, green eyes and Cupid's bow lips.
I gaze at my body from my pert, out-thrust breasts encased in the flimsy, salmon coloured bra, down past my slim waist to my hips. Narrow but not skinny. I am wearing a pair of sheer panties that match my bra. I can just make out the soft shadow of my pussy lips through the material. My shaven pussy lips. I wear it like that because I think it looks so much sexier. At least that's what I allow myself to think.
It's really because David likes it.
Not much of a victory, but a victory nonetheless. I shave myself for David.
You don't understand, do you?
Neither do I.
Like I said, I liked what I see... It is just so sad, that I hate who I am. Or at least, what someone else wants me to be.
I'm a bitch.
There, I said it. I'm a bitch. I don't want to be but I am, that's all there is to it. I want to be nice to people, I despise myself when I play my games, but I can't help it. I feel like a puppet sometimes, like I'm dancing to someone else's tune while they pull the strings of my life.
I try to cry about it when I'm alone here in my bedroom, but I can't even do that.
In the middle of the night... you know that feeling when you don't know whether you are asleep or awake? Your mind just floats somewhere in the cosmos and you don't think about anything at all, at least nothing you can remember when the light of day finally opens your eyes.
Well, I remember!
Not all the time, just once or twice. And I remember that I hate myself. In the middle of the night I semi-woke and found myself in that place and I remembered so clearly that I pinched my arm really hard to try to make myself cry. I couldn't... Not a single tear.
But now, the feeling is taking over, I am starting to doubt who I am even in the harsh reality of my waking life.
And I discovered that the puppet master still has me. Nothing seems real any more, sensations seem dull and everything has a plastic taste.
I am starting to wonder if I'm even here at all. Who am I? I don't know any more.
I hear a sound like it is coming from a great distance, but I know it's not. It's David and he is walking into the room. He stands behind me and I feel his strong arms snake around my waist, the slightly moist touch of his lips on the back of my neck.
I shiver.
Forgive me. Did I say that nothing seems real?
That wasn't strictly true. One thing, just one thing in my life seems real and that is David. I love him so much, he is handsome, gentle, kind, loving, considerate... and not rich.
I suppose that's the main reason I hate myself so much, because of the things I do, the games I play. If David knew what I got up to when he wasn't here, he'd hate me, I know that but I play my games anyway. And I know why, because he's not rich. He's second best, he's a toy to play with until someone better, someone richer comes along.
I know, I know. He's nothing to me and at the same time I love him more than life itself. I don't understand and it's tearing me apart.
I can feel his strong hands sliding up my torso to my breasts. Even before he reaches them I can feel my nipples begin to stiffen in anticipation. His kisses on the nape of my neck are tender and loving. His lips are moving now, slowly to the side of my neck and on to the corner of my jawbone.
God that feels so good!
He's making me shiver and I can feel my legs turning to jelly. David's hands cover my breasts and start kneading warm flesh gently. His palms are directly over my nipples and the feelings are sending me wild with desire.
If only I could respond physically. All I do is watch us in the mirror. My arms stay by my sides and I make no effort to return his gentle caresses. I want to, but I can't.
I can feel a fire starting in my belly and my panties are becoming moist. I want to scream! I want to turn around, take him in my arms and make love with him.
"David," I say irritably, "Not now, we'll be late. And you're messing my hair."
His hands remain where they are on my body, but he stops kissing me and looks over my shoulder and into my face in the mirror. He is grinning that grin of his that makes him look like a mischievous schoolboy.
"I don't mind being late. Anyway your hair would look lovely even after I dragged you through a hedge."
I turn a 1000 megawatt smile on him, he always has the right words, but I say, "Thank you Darling, but I must get ready."
Firmly disentangling myself from his embrace, I gently push him away and take my dress from the hanger on the wardrobe door.
Quickly slipping it over my head, I look at my reflection once again. I was right, I am beautiful. I know that and I know that David thinks the same. I can see it in his eyes.
I give him a peck on the cheek being careful not to smudge my lipstick.
Then I grab my small purse and we head out of the door.
We get to the party fashionably late, but not rudely so. That was down to me. David doesn't seem to notice about that sort of thing, but I do. I wish it wasn't so, but it's what I do. I even made him drive round the block a couple of times just so we could do it my way.
Oh, it's wonderful here. A big house in the richer area of the suburbs. It belongs to David's boss. A man I really want to meet, David doesn't know that, but I can't help feeling that the time is near for me to drop him. He is after all, just a stepping stone.
My heart lurches as I have that thought.
Did I just think that?
Why?
I love David, I don't want to lose him.
The puppet master is playing his games with me like I play my games with everyone else and I hate myself all the more.
I wish I could break free. I wish I could be me and not this complete bitch.
Me and David are dancing on the patio. It has been decorated with Chinese lanterns and I can see red coated waiters moving amongst the tables that are set around the edge of the patio area and along the side of the heated swimming pool.
There's a slight breeze and I am beginning to feel the evening cool, so I snuggle closer to David and luxuriate in the warmth he imparts. My hand is in his, trapped between us and my head is laid against his shoulder as we move.
Through half closed eyes, I see... him.
It's David's boss.
I remember the first time I met him when I went to see David at work. His name is Simon and he's dreamy. He has that look about him. That air. He looks like he should be dressed in smart casual attire as he surveys his Italian estate on horseback. Tall, handsome and self-assured.