Humiliation and Revenge
Part 1
They destroyed her life. The man who loves her will get payback
by G. Lawerence
I have read disturbing stories on Literotica about false friends and vicious enemies destroying the lives of young women. I want to see these women avenged. I've tried to make this entry straightforward, but there are conspiracies and surprises lurking in the corners. And just to warn readers, this is a love story. If a love story isn't your cup of tea, this isn't for you. Please note: this story is fiction. It is not intended to be realistic. All characters are over 18 years old.
* * * * * *
He walked into the rundown diner a little after lunchtime. The plaster walls decorated with old travel posters needed paint. The leather seat cushions needed patching. Locals said the food was good. John looked around to see nearly all the booths were full so he took a swivel chair at the counter. The waitress rushed over to give him a menu.
John was enthralled from the first moment he saw her, the nametag reading Lilly. She looked about 24 years old, 5'5 and 120 pounds, with long golden-brown hair tied back. Her sad eyes were deep brown. The pink uniform hid her breasts, but she had a nice figure.
"Welcome, we haven't seen you in here before," she greeted with a shy voice.
"I just started work at the factory," John replied. "Trying to find my way around town."
"Lots of workers eat here," she said.
"Are you from around here?" he asked.
Suddenly the woman backed away, as if she'd been struck. He saw the pain in her eyes. Raw and heartbreaking. It took a moment for her to recover.
"No, I've only been here a few months," she answered, dashing for the kitchen. An older woman came up, possibly the owner. Gray hair in a bun under a white cap.
"What did I say?" John asked, watching where the young waitress had gone.
"You need to forgive Lilly," Marge said. "She doesn't like to talk about her past. What can I get you?"
"How about a BLT and a cup of coffee?" he requested.
John was back two days later, taking the same seat, happy to see Lilly approach. She gave him a quiet smile.
"I'm sorry about the other day," she apologized. "It won't happen again."
"Lilly, you can be yourself with me. Don't worry about any of that. I think you're very cute. I'm new in town and don't have much money, but I would like to ask you out."
"Oh, no. You don't want to date me," she replied. "That would be a mistake. There are lots of nice girls around. Linda and Mindy don't have boyfriends. I can make introductions."
"Is it because I'm so much older than you?" John asked, stocky with short auburn hair and broad shoulders. "I may be 42 now, but friends say I look younger."
"I think you are very handsome," she bashfully answered, looking down.
"Are you married? Do you have a guy?" he gently inquired.
"No, not married. I had a guy once, but never again. No one will--" She broke off, starting to tear up. "Please, excuse me."
Lilly disappeared. John ordered onion soup and a coke, needing to get back to work. Friday afternoon, he was sitting in his regular seat, waiting for Lilly to come by.
"I keep saying I'm sorry," she apologized, handing him a menu. "Please don't take offense. You seem perfectly nice."
"Marge says you have Saturdays off," John responded. "We are going out. We'll walk in the park. Go to a movie, or the amusement zone. Whatever you want. But I need to see you. Please. Please say yes."
"Okay, but you mustn't get your hopes up."
"Are you that shy?"
"No, I'm-- I can't explain. I'm sorry."
"Lilly, you may not realize this, but I think we have a lot in common. Let's give this a chance."
"Yes, sir," she humbly replied. "But you should know my name is not Lilly. It's Emma. I only use Lilly here at work."
"Your secret is safe with me," he assured her.
John picked her up Saturday afternoon in a small rental car. Emma was waiting at the curb outside her modest boarding house wearing a long green dress, a light jacket, and sandals. She carried a purse just big enough for her housekeys, wallet, and dark sunglasses. A floppy yellow hat covered much of her face. John noticed she didn't have a phone.
"Where to?" he asked.
"The park sounds nice," she quietly suggested.
"The park it is. We can walk around, feed the ducks, and watch the soccer matches. Do you like sports?"
"I did. I used to love sports. Not so much these days."
John didn't inquire further. He knew questions about her past were triggering, and their relationship was too new. But he intended to find out everything.
The day in the park was terrific. John couldn't remember ever having so much fun doing simple things, and Emma was a joy once she started to relax. Beautiful, obviously well-educated, and possessing a playful sense of humor. On the rare occasions when she smiled, it lit up the world. They went to a modest restaurant on the pier followed by a long walk on the beach.
"This has been wonderful," John said, dropping her off before 10 o'clock. "If you enjoyed it as much as I did, we must do it again."
"I did have a nice time," she admitted. "But you shouldn't get involved with me. Nothing good will come of it."
"May I give you a kiss? Just a light one. A goodnight kiss," he requested. She nodded, allowing a soft touch on the lips. John drew her closer, feeling her heart pounding. Excitement? Or fear? He couldn't tell. But she felt great in his arms. Like she belonged there.
They dated every Saturday for a month, sometimes going to baseball games or outdoor concerts. John wasn't surprised to learn Emma had a fine arts degree. He took her to a gallery where she discussed the backgrounds of the artists and provided insights on their techniques. John thought her very bright. He wondered why she was working in a coffee shop at minimum wage. They began dating Tuesdays, and then Thursdays, too. Their kissing grew passionate, with mild caressing, but there wasn't more.
"I need to stop seeing you," Emma said after a long day in the park.
"Why? Why would you say that?" John questioned.
"Because I've fallen in love with you," she replied. "This isn't fair to you. It's not fair to either of us."
"Emmie, I don't understand. We have such good times together. You need to explain."
"Yes, I know. I allowed this to go too far. Please believe that I didn't lead you on deliberately. I just got caught up." She started crying. John took her in his arms.
"We can't go back to your place. The boarding house doesn't allow gentlemen callers after hours. Is it okay to go back to my apartment?"
"Do you have a computer?" she asked.
"I do. A very nice one."
"Let me make sure I have bus fare."
"Bus fare?"
"After our talk, you won't want to see me again," she said, trembling.
John's apartment was modest and recently furnished. Emma thought it hardly appeared to be lived in. The cheap furniture was new. The dishes in the kitchen barely seemed used. The towels in the bathroom still had their sales tags.
"Sorry, I know it's not much," John said. "Between seeing you and my new job at the factory, I haven't spent much time here."
"It's fine," she said, sitting on the long couch. There was a laptop computer on the coffee table. John sat close, brushing knees.
"Can I have one last kiss?" she asked, tears welling up.
"It won't be our last kiss. You need to stop thinking that. Nothing you show me on a computer will change anything." She sighed and opened the laptop.