Kate couldn't believe it. Mark had made good on his promise and, by the time she'd returned home from work, all of Janeli's belongs and Janeli had vanished from her apartment.
When Mark opened his door, he was assaulted with a pair of arms around his neck and the joyful graciousness of Kate.
"I can't even...how? I mean, she just left?" she asked, amazed at how quickly he worked. "She didn't give you a hard time or anything, right?"
"Once she found out that I knew, it didn't take her very long to understand the situation. I promise, you'll never see her again."
"Thanks, Mark. You're a really great guy."
"Me? Nah. That guy down there. He's a really great guy. I know you're not going to believe me, but I'm a pretty good judge of character, and now you get to find that out for yourself without someone sabotaging you like before. Now go and be happy, girl. I believe he got back about fifteen minutes before you did."
"Thanks, I...thanks!" What else could she say? He was like the father she'd always wanted. He made everything bad go away, patted her on the head, and then sent her off to go get her prince charming. She had no idea how she would have survived this ordeal without someone like him in her life, but she saw now that he was truly a great man.
Mark closed his door, whistling happily on his way deeper into his apartment. Away from the living room and down a short hallway, he entered his bedroom where Janeli laid tied up, gagged, and struggling on his bed. Her eyes were like daggers in the darkness once he stepped into the room, but he simply took a seat on the edge of his bed.
"You want to know the best investment I ever made? Now, I know what you're thinking."
"Mph! Mmmmmph!"
"Nope, you're wrong. It's not the house. It's a good memory foam mattress. Springs are a nightmare, but all of that moving you're doing? It doesn't make a single sound. My TV was off and everything, and Kate still didn't hear a peep." He watched her gyrate and throw herself around even though the bindings that kept her in place made escape possible. "I suggest you not do anything silly like piss on it because I swear I'll leave you right there and let the acid eat away at your skin. Don't think I'm bluffing, either. I've done it before." He leaned in. "If you have to go, simply blink twice."