Plus Sized Assassin

S*X WITH A STRANGER

Barbara Neil Aryan spent the rest of the day in a strange, liberating haze, doing things she had never dared to do before.

Most of the time, when her mental illness flared up, she was hit with powerful bouts of depression, self-depreciation, and a melancholic state that was so great that it threatened to overwhelm her, but this time, things were different.

This time, she was ecstatic, free, and very confident in her size sixteen five-foot-five frame.

The red-haired woman first indulged in a luxurious spa day, and then, on a whim, she crashed a cute tattoo shop and got a beautiful butterfly tattoo on her wrist, got a haircut too while she was at it.

Still feeling like she was on top of the world, she took out her phone and dialed the numbers of two of Mariana’s other friends, Belize and Andrea, inviting them on a shopping spree at one of the newly opened, exclusive fashion malls in the city.

The excitement and confidence radiating from Barbara surprised the girls, especially as they hadn’t seen her this lively in years, and they made her know it.

“What are you on, woman? Give us a shot too!” Andrea teased, making Barbara chuckle in amusement.

“Oh, girls, I just had an epiphany.” She sighed dreamily, locking arms with each of them, an excited skip in her step. “Life is too good and too short to waste it on being docile, being timid, you know? My new motto; just do it.” She declared passionately, “Whatever you want for yourself, don’t hesitate, just get it.” She cooed happily.

As they entered a high-end boutique, Barbie spotted a short, red dress in her size with intricate beading and ruches that she instantly loved. Her hand reached out, touching the delicate fabric, as she envisioned herself in it, fierce and confident.

It was not something she normally would go for, but why not?

Unfortunately, Belize and Andrea exchanged glances.

“Uh, Barbie,” Belize started, her tone saccharine sweet but laced with that hint of condescension they used on her whenever they were about to laugh at her behind her back, “Don’t you think... maybe something a little longer would suit you better? I mean… your folds… and all that cellulite…”

“Yeah, Barbie, you know?” Andrea chimed in, her voice laced with faux concern, “Why don’t you try out something a bit more... conservative? You’ll look like an uncomfortable whale in these, no offense.” They shared a conspicuous giggle.

Barbara turned to them, a cold, defiant smile creeping onto her face.

If she had the chance, maybe she’d get rid of them too right there and then, because clearly, they wanted to bring her down from her high.

“Oh, is that what you think?” she asked them, her tone laced with the same saccharine sweetness they had used on her. “You know, it’s funny, because it sounds more like your insecurities talking than any real advice for me. I mean, with a forehead like that, Belize, and teeth like that, Andrea, I do see why you’ll want to pick on me for my weight.”

Belize blinked, clearly taken aback by her surprising outburst, while Andrea looked down in embarrassment, fidgeting with her purse.

Oh, so they could dish it out, but couldn’t handle it when someone did the same to them?

“Barbie, that’s… that’s not... I mean, we just thought—”

“Thought what?” Barbara interrupted Belize snidely, “That I need to hide, to make you feel better about yourselves? To blend in the background so you two can stand out?” She took a step closer, enjoying the way they squirmed uneasily. “Tell you what, girls, I do not need your useless pieces of advice, so you can shove it.”

Wow, who knew standing up for herself would feel this good?

Clearly not she.

The girls exchanged guilty looks, realizing they'd been exposed. Andrea quickly raised her hands in apology. “We didn’t mean it like that, Barbie. Honestly. It’s... just habit, you know?”

“Yeah,” Belize added, nodding contritely. “We’re sorry, Barbie. Really.”

Barbara's smile softened, just a little. “Good. Because tonight is all about having fun, about celebrating freedom. No more insecurities, no more hiding. Just us. Alright?”

They nodded enthusiastically, eager to keep the peace.

Barbie grabbed the dress, and quickly went to try it on, and boy, what a beautiful sexy sight she made in it. When she stepped out of the dressing room, she visibly saw the girls’ eyes widen in surprise.

“I look good, don’t I?” She smirked proudly.

“You really do, Barbie, and it’s the truth,” Andrea said honestly. “You know, I’m really liking the new Barbie… unapologetically bold and not afraid to go for what she wants. I stan!”

“Yes.” Belize agreed, “I wish Mariana was here to see it.”

Eh, unfortunately, that was not going to be possible.

“Yeah, I tried her line, but I couldn’t reach her, maybe she’s busy with work,” Barbara lied through her teeth.

The look the two shared filled her with a cold dread.

They also knew about Mariana’s affair with Peter.

And yet no one had bothered to tell her about it.

The dark moment quickly passed though, and Barbie found her happy mood coming back again.

Now was not the time to brood and be moody? She needed to celebrate her freedom from two evil people!

“You know what, girls?” She glanced at her two fake friends, “I really don’t want the night to end. Let’s go to the club!”

The music was so loud that you could feel it right in your chest, and the lights were dim and sensual and pulsating, promising to shield daring people from the judging eyes of others, and Barbara, clad in her sexy red dress, felt like for once, she just might be one of those people tonight.

The girls headed over to the bar of the exclusive Timeless Club, where Barbie ordered drinks for the three of them… shots. She drank hers neat, letting out a loud howl from the spirity rush she felt, and the sound sent Andrea and Belize into a fit of excited chuckles.

“This new Barbie is so much fun!” They said simultaneously.

They took in a few more shots, playing games with it, having fun, until Barbie made eye contact with a handsome stranger across the bar.

Now, normally, she would have quickly avoided eye contact, instantly told herself that there was no way he’d be interested in her, but tonight was different.

She looked good, felt it too, and so fueled by confidence—and perhaps the lingering effects of her manic episode and the couple of shots she had just downed—she made her way over, her steps bold, her gaze unwavering.

“Hi, I’m Dahlia,” she said, flashing a daring smile.

The man’s eyes lit up with intrigue. “Mm, like the flower,” he said appreciatively in a British accent, his eyes sweeping over her in a way that screamed respectful and yet felt absolutely sinful. Barbara reached out to shake his hand, but when he took it, he lifted it to his lips instead, a playful smirk on his face. “They call me Knight.”

Oh, Lord.

The man was handsome.

In his expensive-looking black shirt dress with matching slacks, dark hair slicked back with a stubborn curl on his forehead refusing to lie flat, there was no denying it, but that wasn’t what drew Barbie in. There was a darkness in him that attracted her, and for the love of her, she wanted to know more.

“What say you about a dance, Dahlia?” He extended a hand out to her.

Barbie took it, a challenging smirk on her face, “I say bring it on.”

Knight led Barbara to the dance floor, guiding her with a firm yet gentle hand on the small of her back, and as they moved, she felt the warmth of his touch seeping through the thin fabric of her dress, sending shivers up her spine.

The music pulsed around them, an intoxicating beat that matched the quickening pace of her heart. Knight drew her closer, his body aligning perfectly with hers, their movements in sync as if they’d danced together a thousand times before.

His hand slid from her back to her hip, pulling her in so close that she could feel every inch of him, every shift and flex of his muscles as they swayed together. She arched against him, allowing herself to melt into the rhythm, into the sensual tension that crackled between them. His warm, minty breath brushed her ear, hot and tantalizing, and she shivered, pressing her lips together to keep from gasping out loud.

“God, you smell incredible, Dahlia,” he murmured, his voice a low growl that sent a rush of pleasure through her.

Barbara leaned back just enough to look up at him, her lips curving into a playful smile. “Glad you think so,” she whispered, her fingers grazing his shoulders, eyes dancing with mischief.

She felt his hands tighten on her waist, a silent promise, a hint of something she was ready to explore herself.

“So,” he whispered, in her ear, his seductive voice made a thousand times hotter by his accent. “Are you going to tell me your real name now, Dahlia?”

Oh, s**t.

Barbara laughed, tilting her head so she could meet his gaze, their faces inches apart. “Now, what's the fun in that, Knight?” she teased, her green eyes sparkling with mirth. “Let’s see if you can earn it by the end of the night.”

His smirk said it all;

Challenge accepted.

Their movements grew even more intimate as they danced, and Barbara savored every second, every lingering glance, every soft, charged brush of his fingers against her skin. For the first time in ages, she wished the night could last forever.

And it seemed the sentiment was one he returned.

Before she knew it, they were in his hotel room, kissing with a hunger she never knew she could possess. His hands roamed her body, pulling her close. They charged at each other in a frenzy, stripping each other out of their clothes, their passion so hot it could burn, and right there, under the low, golden light of the hotel room, Barbara let herself go completely as she surrendered herself to the handsome stranger, drowning in the sensation of being wanted, being seen.

For the rest of the night, they were lost in each other, caught in an unbridled dance of passion, desire, and freedom—two strangers wrapped in the thrill of something wild, new, and unforgettable, and they went at it all night.

***********

Barbara’s eyes fluttered open, and it took her a moment to remember where she was.

Sunlight streamed in through the hotel’s silky soft curtains, bathing the room in the golden light that had roused her.

She glanced to her side, and seeing Knight’s sleeping form, a small smile of accomplishment made its way onto her face.

But with the recollection of the night before came the memories of the morning as well… the horrors she had committed against the two people who had dared to betray her.

A great chill settled over her as she scrambled to her feet, still in a daze. Shame, regret, and a gnawing horror clawed at her as she slipped out of bed, hastily grabbing her clothes.

Oh god, what had she done?

She had killed them!

Not one, but two people… she, she who couldn’t even kill a mosquito even though it dared to come for her blood, she had graduated right on to killing humans.

Oh god, she was a murderer!

And a stupid one at that too.

She had left the bodies back in her house, and gone partying like nobody’s business.

What if they had been found by now?

What was she going to do?

She wouldn’t last a day in jail?

Prior to this incident, she had never hurt a thing in her life!

Barbara kept her crying hyperventilation to a minimum, lest she woke the stranger up, because she really couldn’t deal with him too.

No, seriously, who was this woman?

She barely recognized herself, the woman she had been yesterday.

She had murdered two people and partied in celebration of their deaths, gotten a tattoo, a haircut, slept with a stranger… the memories were faint, hazy… but it was no dream, she had really done it.

She needed help—someone who could guide her through the mess she'd made, someone she trusted.

Lucky for her, she had someone like that.

Barbara slipped out of the hotel room, steadily closing the door behind her. As soon as she was back at the club and in her car, she dialed the number of the one man she could trust with this.

“Uncle Kenneth? It’s me, Barbie,” The tears were heavily streaming down her face now. Full-on sobs that she just couldn’t stop, “I need your help. I’ve... I’ve done something terrible.”