Always the Same

Blah, blah, blah. More info to help the story along. Sorry if you get bored with it-this does lead somewhere, I promise.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Duel Monsters or the Yugioh characters used his his story and I do not have rights to Alice Cooper (my other unhealthy fixation) and I mon Jon Jeep Cherokee, as it is my favorite vehicle. Same with Amarreto and Vanilla Coke-I don't own them, I just drink them. Adult language
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Chapter 4

I rolled over and groaned. I managed to sleep through but I paid for it. My skin felt like there were ants crawling all over me. I got up from the bed and noticed small streaks of crimson-I bleed a little after cleaning up. I pulled the sheets off and remade the bed with clean sheets. I then picked up the few items of clothing I had left on the chaise. Since it was just me, by myself, cleaning up was pretty easy. I walked to the closet and looked inside, trying to find something to wear. You would think that the huge walk-in would have plenty of choices but I settled for an old, worn and, most importantly, loose sundress. I needed room to move and something that wouldn’t irritate my skin further.

I walked into the kitchen to start the coffee-I needed to go to the store to restock my groceries. I walked back out to the living area and moved towards the sound system. I hit the button to turn on the CD player and Alice Cooper’s voice blared out of the speakers. For whatever reason, his music soothed my tortured soul. I walked back through the kitchen to the laundry room and started to wash the bed linen. I went back into the kitchen again and paused at the fridge. Nothing appealed to me for the moment. I grabbed a clean coffee mug from the cabinet, poured and added sugar and Irish cream to the brew. I sipped slowly and walked back to the living area.

I flipped the switch on the computer. There were a couple of e-mails that required answers, two marriage proposals, and the usual number of requests for more intimate sessions outside of the club. I checked my bank statement next and paid a couple of bills. I shut the computer down and went to switch the laundry out. I realized that I couldn’t put off the trip to the grocery store any longer-I was getting hungry.

I grabbed my purse and shopping bag and headed to the door of the loft. I set the security system and took the elevator down to the garage level. I walkver ver to my yellow Jeep Cherokee and climbed in. I backed out of my slot, drove the entrance of the garage, and pulled out into the street. I felt the hairs on neck prickle-it felt like someone was watching me. I shook it off and went to the market.

I knew I wouldn’t have to work tonight so I planned on grabbing a steak, some easy to steam veggies, and coffee ice cream. I wandered over to produce to see if any fruit appealed to me. Bananas, mangoes, apples and a ripe pineapple ended up in my basket. I glanced up and briefly caught a glimpse of ice blue eyes staring at me over the top of a pile of oranges. I looked away and quickly looked back-the eyes were gone. I wondered if I had imagined them in the first place. I continued to move through the store but I couldn’t shake the feeling I was being watched. Not the creepy stalker kind of watched but something different. Something I had never really felt before-curiosity. I headed toward the front to pay for my groceries and then left the store. I loaded up and drove back to the loft.

The message light was blinking on the phone; I checked the machine. A message from Flo-just wanted to see if I was doing okay, two telemarketing calls, and four hang-ups. I wondered slightly about the hang-ups but then shrugged them off. They were probably wrong numbers. I took the grocery bag to the kitchen and started to put stuff away. I picked up the kitchen extension and called Flo back on her cell. She sounded relieved I was all right and wanted to know if I would show at the club tonight. I told her probably not; I needed time to wind down. We chatted a little bit longer and she hung up. I cleaned up the dishes from lunch and lay down on the couch. The CD player changed disks and I drifted off to the sound of Alice Cooper’s voice.

The alarm went off. I turned and started running for the stairs. The guards met in the atrium and started to look around. I tried to open the door quietly but someone saw me. “I see someone…over there. Stop them!” I tore the door open and started up the stairs. I had a couple of flights on the guards before I heard them start up as well. I reached the roof access and pushed the door open.
I’m running across the roof.

I sat up quickly and looked around for…someone? There was a loud knock at the door. That was the sound that woke me up. I stood and walked over to the door. I unbolted the locks and opened it to face a dozen long stemmed, blood red roses. I signed for them and closed the door. I moved across the living area to the pass thru bar by the kitchen. I noticed the envelope tucked inside and carefully pulled it out. There was no message-just a Duel Monsters card. Why did someone put a trading card in the envelope and not a message? I shook my head and positioned the vase on the bar. The roses were beautiful…I wondered who had the taste to select them and then send them to me? I received gifts from clients in the past but these felt different. Too many weird feelings in one day-I needed to get a grip. I walked into the kitchen and started to fix my dinner.

A short while later, after I was done eating, I decided to go to the club after all. I still felt like I was being watched and it bothered me. I changed and headed out for the night. Back down to the garage, into the Cherokee, and back out to the street. I drove the short distance to the club and parked in my reserved spot. I got out and walked to the entrance. Wheeler glared at me: jerk had a black eye. “Thanks a lot, you bitch. I got this from Marik after you left. He wasn’t too happy when he came to, so he took it out on me” he snapped. He then jerked the door open for me to enter.

I looked around and saw that Flo wasn’t on stage. I asked Mai, the bartender, if Flo was with somebody. “No, she’s in the back. Could you do me a favor and take her this water? I’m kinda swamped at the moment…oh, and do you want your usual?”

I nodded. She poured me an Amaretto & Vanilla Coke and passed me Flo’s water. I thanked her and headed towards the back. I passed Bakura and Marik’s office and peeked in. Bakura was behind his desk, working on some papers. I strolled in and made myself comfy on the overstuffed couch.

“So…how pissed is he anyway?” I asked without hesitation.

“Who-Wheeler or Marik?” he asked.

“I saw Wheeler and I’m no too worried. He can think about revenge all he wants. The second he tries anything and I will take him out. No…I’m more concerned about Marik.”

“Well, after he came to, he was looking for you and found Wheeler instead. He was not a happy camper, let me tell you.”

“I’m sorry if you had a hard time with him last night.”

“Are you kidding? The sex was fantastic…I may want you to do that again for me sometime.” Bakura grinned. “How are you doing, Dark Star? Don’t take this the wrong way, but you look like crap.”

“I've been better. But, I can’t shake the feeling like I’m being followed and watched. It’s not creepy-just curious.”

“Do you want me to check it out for you? I need to protect my investment.”

“I’ll get back to you on that one. I’m going back to see Flo and grab some costumes that need some working on. Friends?” I asked.

“You know I only do what I do because I sense you need it. I do care, in my own way. And send the costumes out to be fixed…everyone else does.” Bakura kissed my cheek as I stood up.

“I’m not like anyone else…you keep telling me that, remember?” I teased. I turned and walked out of his office. The sound of his laughter followed me out the door.