Stephanie jumped at the sharp three knocks that came from her door. She rushed to finish wiping down the counter, not wanting a single crumb or hair to remain. Her arms felt the fatigue of a full morning cleaning her small apartment, a nearly pointless effort given how pristine she always kept her home.
Tossing the towel into a drawer and out of sight, she reached over the counter and pulled out a bottle of red wine from the rack. Placing it on a small towel, she adjusted the cloth, making sure the edges were parallel with the edge of the surface it sat on. Opening the cupboard, Stephanie pulled out a single wide-rim wine glass, setting it next to the crimson bottle.
With a final glance, Stephanie inspected her surroundings. Nodding in satisfaction, she made her way to the door, stopping at the mirror to scrutinize over her appearance. She smoothed out her top and adjusted her pants. Bringing her hands up to her hair, she rearranged her ponytail, making sure it was perfectly centered and with the right amount of tightness, just the way Veronica liked it. With a nervous sigh and the heavy beating of her heart, she finally approached the entryway.
The door opened to reveal a woman in her mid-thirties. She stood with flawless posture in the middle of the door frame. Her expensive and immaculate business suit hugged her frame tightly, accentuating her disciplined figure. In her hands was a large box.
Stephanie's eyes met with the woman before her. She observed the annoyed look on her face. Likely from having to hold the box for so long, Stephanie figured. "Sorry, I... sorry." She knew better than to make excuses. Moving to the side, Stephanie extended her arm into the apartment. "Please come in." She kept her eyes on the floor until the package was pushed in front of her.
"Put this on the counter," Veronica commanded. She proceeded towards the couch in the living room with a determined gait. "And I'll have that glass of wine now," she added with a wave of her hand, not bothering to face Stephanie.
"Yes, ma'am," the younger woman responded meekly.
Leaving the box on the counter, Stephanie walked around to pull out the bottle opener. She carefully removed the cork and poured a carefully-practiced amount of wine into the glass, making sure not to spill a single drop.
Veronica sat on the couch, her back straight, her right leg crossed over the left with practiced elegance, her hands delicately placed upon her thigh. She studied Stephanie's every move as she approached, wine glass in hand. The seated woman accepted the proffered glass with her left hand, holding it as she continued to monitor Stephanie.
With her task complete, Stephanie stood still, her arms behind her back, her eyes once again downcast. She waited on Veronica. She could feel the woman's eyes roaming over her body, her fiery gaze inflaming the skin beneath her clothes wherever it touched. From the edge of her vision, she could see Veronica bring the glass to her face. She waited as the woman swirled the wine within, listened as she took a whiff, and finally saw the glass approach her delicate lips.
"Flawless," Veronica exclaimed after her first sip, though she wasn't talking about the wine. "As always." Her features relaxed as she stood up, placing the wine glass on the coffee table.
She approached Stephanie, outstretching her arms. "How have you been, my dear?"
Stephanie looked up, a smile forming on her face as she stared lovingly back, accepting the embrace. "I've been well, thank you," she answered. She closed her eyes and focused on the feeling of Veronica pressed against her body. The sound of her breathing in her ear. The scent of her floral perfume wafting through her nose. She wished she could stay there forever, held by her old friend. Reluctantly, however, she pulled back.
Staring into Veronica's deep green eyes, Stephanie asked, "and how is California?"
Veronica scoffed, gesturing towards the couch. "Sit, and we can both catch up on lost time."
The two discussed their lives over the past three years. Listening to Veronica talk, Stephanie reminisced on their history together. They had met five years ago. Stephanie was just discovering the intricacies of her sexuality, of her particular... interests. In her efforts to find like-minded individuals, she came across an ad looking for submissive personalities. After days of debate, she finally decided to respond.
Over the next few months, she exchanged messages with Veronica, learning more about the woman. She learned what Veronica expected in a partner - obedience. Learned what she was willing to offer in return - control.
The day finally came when the two would meet up. Stephanie was so nervous. Veronica had told her almost exactly what to expect, but she was still uncertain. Was this what she truly wanted? What if she wasn't good enough for Veronica? What if Veronica wasn't like what she claimed to be? Despite her worries, Stephanie knew she had to at least try.
The first day was mostly uneventful, as the two tested the boundaries of their respective comfort zones. Veronica was careful to take things slowly, so as not to scare the inexperienced girl.
In time, Stephanie was taught so many things. Things about herself; who she was and what her desires were. Things about Veronica; how best to make her happy and pleasure her. The days spent with Veronica were the happiest moments in Stephanie's life, but it all came crumbling down that fateful evening when Veronica said she was moving across the country. Her job required it. Veronica assured her there was nothing she could do.
For weeks, the girl was devastated. She had contemplated packing up and moving to be with Veronica, but in the end she couldn't just uproot the life she had with her friends and family. Doing so would involve too many questions, questions that she was not willing to answer.
So Stephanie slowly learned to deal with it. She found the best way to cope was to live her life the way Veronica would have expected her to, as if the woman was there to direct her herself. She opted against trying to find someone else to take care of her. No one could replace Veronica, as far as she was concerned.
They still messaged each other, but Veronica's replies slowly grew further and further apart. In the end, it had been two months since Stephanie had last heard from Veronica. While it still saddened her to think about it, she was finally feeling like she was moving on with her life.
While getting ready to go out to dinner with some friends earlier in the week, her phone had chimed. She read the e-mail. Her heart raced. Veronica was going to be in town for a few weeks. She wanted a weekend alone with Stephanie, and she promised a surprise. Stephanie responded with a simple, "Yes, ma'am."
The rest of the week was a blur. She went to work, she talked to her friends, she did everything in her routine, but it was all on auto-pilot. Her time at home was spent preparing. Cleaning things that were already cleaned a few days in a row, making sure everything was perfect. She wanted Veronica to feel as though she had never left, feel as though she never
should
have left.
