Meet Anita Olsen. The most popular girl in high school, she ruled as president of The Hot Babes Club - and as a bully who tormented Freddie Simpson for being a nerd. Freddie grew up to be a tech billionaire who invented a system of mind control, and life got very different for The Hottest Babe.
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Frida and Anita were subdued on the flight back home. So many unexpected things had happened, and much more was about to happen. Frida and Greta made plans to work together; Greta knew a magazine editor who'd publish the photographs. Greta promised to find a designer who wanted to photograph Anita. Mari invited Frida to stay with her when she returned to New York to pack up the
Aphrodite
show.
Already, galleries in Europe were inquiring about staging the exhibition. Lives were changing - especially Frida's. Anita felt a mix of happiness and jealousy about Frida's budding relationship with Mari. She planned to fly back to California with Frida after the show was over. It was uncertain what would happen after that. Still, it was nice to think about returning to New York to see Greta - and return to her bed.
Frida had experienced so much stress and anxiety that she was exhausted when Freddie's jet touched down. She needed to spend a night sleeping in her own bed. Anita felt energized. She'd slept well every night - especially the night she had sex with Greta. The trip had been exciting in ways she'd never felt before. She'd loved modeling for Frida; it appeared that soon she'd pose for other top photographers. It was exciting.
She stretched as she stepped out of the taxi that took her back to Freddie's house. She'd spent too much time sitting idly in the jet; she needed to move. When she saw Freddie, she ran to him and they embraced.
"I missed you so much," Anita said.
"I'm sure you found fun ways to occupy your time," he said.
"Yes. But I still missed you."
Freddie had spent a lot of time making long flights, so he realized how much Anita needed to stretch her arms and legs. He suggested they take a dip in the pool. The cool water and gentle exertion was exactly what Anita needed to be refreshed.
"How was New York?" Freddie asked.
"Wonderful. I've never seen it like that before. In the past, I've spent most of my time inside convention centers, meeting with customers and getting them to sign purchasing agreements. Did you know I never saw Times Square before? I've seen it now."
"What did you like most?"
"I liked everything, but the thing I liked most was an amazing dream I had about you."
"About me?"
"Yes. I dreamed I was naked on the bed in our hotel room. I was happy. I knew you were far away, but I dreamed I was wearing a collar with a lease that stretched all the way back here to you. I dreamed you could yank the lease at any time and I'd fly back to you."
"Well. That's interesting."
"It made me feel good knowing there was a physical connection linking us when we were thousands of miles apart."
Freddie was quiet for a moment. "Anita, would you like for me to buy you a collar and leash?"
She hadn't thought of that. "Yes. I'd like that."
"Well. I'll add that to my shopping list." Freddie dunked his head under water and pushed back his hair. "I gather the show went well," he said.
"Extremely well. I've got copies of some of the first reviews. The arts critics were competing to find new ways to say nice things about Frida."
"And about you," Freddie said. "I've read some of those columns online. You are their new darling. I'm so proud of you."
"Frida deserves all the credit."