Hacked Into My Heart

7R1XYW0LF

On the ride to Chase's house, I sat up front with him. Part of me knew he was trustworthy because my Aunt and Uncle wouldn't have encouraged me to go if he couldn't be trusted. I jumped when I felt his hand brush mine.

"Hey, keep your hands to yourself, buddy!" I scolded, glaring at him in the dark.

"I'm sorry. I was just changing gears. I didn't mean to." He apologized.

I nodded. "I'm sorry for snapping on you like that. I'm just nervous, that's all." I excused, looking down at my lap.

He came to a red light and lifted my head up with his fingers to face him.

"Don't apologize. If someone makes you uncomfortable, let them know. Whether it be kicking them where the sun doesn't shine or simply telling them, it could make a difference. Promise me." He rambled.

I gave him a weird look. Why is he being so serious about this?

"I promise?" I said more like a question.

"Good." He smiled. He started driving again when the light turned green. "I know I'm a little persistent about these types of things, but I have a good reason to be. Something bad happened to me when I was little and I think about how I could have changed it every day." He frowned.

I felt my heart sink. I felt bad for being rude to him earlier. I never would have guessed bad things happened to him as a child. He seems so well put together. Like a spoiled rich kid without the attitude.

"What happened?" I asked, obviously showing I was concerned as I reached over and held his free hand.

"It's a surprising story. Also a little triggering, so are you sure you want to know?" He inquired and I nodded. "I was born into s*x trafficking. I had a new "master" as they would call it every couple of weeks. I was a cute little boy so I often sold for a lot of money. One time they slipped up and sold me to an undercover cop. I thought it was over. All the torture, abuse, and pain." He started.

I rubbed the back of his hand gently with my thumb. His skin was soft like silk.

"At least you got out of there, right? That's a good thing." I reassured, trying to make him feel better.

"Maybe. Maybe not." He smiled at me weakly, glancing between me and the road. "I was put into foster care. I was around six at that time. Maybe older, maybe younger, I didn't keep track back then. Since most foster parents only took infants or toddlers, I was placed in a group home. Two beds per room. Same-gender, of course. The boy in my room was thirteen. His name was Tyler. Tyler would crawl in my bed at night, take any clothing from below my waist off and have his way with me. He told me if I made a sound, or told anyone he would go harder and longer."

The next time Chase looked at me, he had tears running down his face.

"That happened every night for years. A couple of days after Tyler's seventeenth birthday, Child Protective Services got suspicious of all the bruises on me. They moved me to an actual foster home. The home of Caroline and Boone Briggs. They helped me understand what happened to me and that it wasn't normal and shouldn't happen again. They adopted me after they found out what had gone on. They helped me enjoy what was left of my childhood and even gave me the construction company. I still have nightmares sometimes of Tyler and the trafficking, mostly Tyler though. It helps if I hold my stuffed animal, Trixy." He explained.

"I don't know what to say." I admitted.

"You don't have to say anything. Most people are speechless when they hear about it too." He shrugged. There were no more tears in his eyes, instead, he was smiling at me.

"How are you smiling after all of that?" I implored, feeling terrible about his tragic life story.

"It helps that there is a beautiful young girl in my car." He joked.

"I bet it does." I mumbled.

"Can I ask you a question?" He asked out of the blue.

"Sure. Why not?" I shrugged.

"Are you ALPHAGIRL?"

"Yeah..."

"I'm TRIXYWOLF."

Of course. Of course, he is TRIXYWOLF. It doesn't surprise me really. He seemed to like that conversation about the weird email a bit too much.

"Okay then, I have a question now." I faked a smile.

"What is it?" He responded.

"Why do you think of me as a high-class p********e?"

"Who told you that I think of you as a p********e? That is nowhere near what I asked." He sighed.

"Why didn't you say that earlier when I used that comparison?" I pondered.

"Because your parents were there earlier. Your parents don't need to hear this conversation." He excused.

"That's my Aunt and Uncle. My parents were people who didn't know how to keep their legs shut. My parents were people who tried to get me aborted until my Aunt and Uncle convinced them not to. My parents hated me." I vented.

I sighed and mentally scolded myself.

"It's okay. Everyone needs to just let it out sometimes. I'm sorry I got them mixed up." He apologized.

We pulled into a massive driveway and my mouth dropped. He literally lives in a mansion! I don't know what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn't this.

"Woah." I said out of astonishment.

"Do you like it?"

"Of course I like it."

He opened my car door after he got out and I followed him inside, carrying my trunk of necessities beside me. He noticed me carrying my stuff and gently took it from me.

"I told you, I may be rich, but I'm also a gentleman." He smirked.

I blushed and looked at the ground. Why am I blushing? I never blush.

"Thanks." I murmured.

"Let me show you to my room. I mean- your room. Unless of course, you'd like to see my room." His smirk deepened.

I chuckled and shook my head. He's really getting to me.

"I mean, if your offer works out..." I trailed off purposely with a grin.

He gave me a shocked look, which was followed by an ear-to-ear grin.

"You're actually considering it?"

"We can sort out everything in the hot tub." I smiled.

We settled into a comfortable silence. To break the silence Chase whistled, as if to get someone's attention.

"Trixy! I'm home." He smiled.

Who's Trixy? I know it's part of his username but I didn't know he knew someone by that name. I heard someone running and they bounded toward the stairs. Looking up, I was shocked to see a dog.

It had long hair and seemed like it would be expensive to groom. Around its jaws had loose hanging skin and its long ears framed around its face.

The dog scampered toward Chase, making noises of happiness along the way. It ran straight to Chase, ignoring my presence and sat on its hindquarters in front of him. He crouched down and petted the dog lovingly.

"Akira, meet Trixy, my St. Bernard. She is the "stuffed animal" I was referring to earlier." He smiled.

She turned and looked at me before she leaped at me, knocking me to the floor and licking my face. After I regained my breath, I started laughing at her antics. I couldn't be mad, or scared, she was just too cute.

Chase got on his knees and pulled Trixy off me. He lost his balance and fell, but his hands stopped him, which were positioned beside my head. I had winced, expecting an impact. We both chuckled lightly when we realized how funny the situation was. His face lingered above mine, his eyes piercing my soul.

Chase leaned his head toward mine, and before I could stop myself, I was shifting my head toward him. His tense body relaxed some and a slight smile tugged at his lips. I found myself staring at him, curious as to what those beautiful pink lips felt like. Our lips brushed ever so slightly.

4LPH4G1RL signing off