Chapter 23

I couldn’t stop thinking about the encounter with Barnett for days. The only things that could distract me were my job and my workouts, both of which I happily threw myself into. I just thanked God that Barnett did not show up to “coach” my workouts during that time.

Even without needing the distraction, being a stylist and recording my workout vlogs were only adding to the newfound joy I had in life. Yes, the schedule was hectic and a bit stressful, but it was a good kind of stress—the kind that kept me on my toes, rather than kept me retching from stomach pain.

My body fat had dropped to 23%, and I could see the results in my reflection. I was not just getting healthier; I was sexier than ever, too.

I had managed to keep my plump, round ass, but my waist had started to shrink. The fat around my arms, legs, and neck had begun to disappear as well. My breasts were a little smaller—enough to not give me back pain—but still big and firm enough to catch anyone’s eye.

Take that, Kim Kardashian.

Of course, the best part was all the people who followed me on social media and seemed to truly care about me. We traded workout and healthy living secrets, not to mention served as each other’s support system when life took a turn. These people motivated me to do better every day, no matter what happened.

Then there were the trolls. Or were they just disgusting fanatics? Best to just call them what they were: perverts.

They always commented on how I looked during the workout. Some asked if I had an OnlyFans page. I was certain that at least one of them was my ex-brother-in-law, Peter.

If only the comments had stayed online, then I might have been able to handle them on my own. But life is never that easy.

John, Arthur’s dogwalker who had once longed to see me fired, seemed to change his tune once my workouts started to pay off. He had stopped hanging out with Rebecca in order to start looming over me, and it was very distracting. He didn’t seem to care if I messed up Arthur’s makeup, though now for a very different reason.

One morning, I was taming Arthur’s locks into a messy quiff when a long wolf-whistle startled me, causing me to drop the comb I had been using.

“Damn it,” I muttered as I bent over to pick it up.

“Nice ass,” John said from right behind me. “It looks like those squats are really paying off, huh?”

I blushed but tried to remain composed.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

Without looking at John, I returned to the task at hand, hoping that he would get the hint and leave me alone.

“Your form could use a bit of work, though.”

This forced the heat in my face to spread to my neck and ears.

“Oh, really?” I asked through clenched teeth.

I grabbed some hairspray from the table. Then I removed an earbud from Arthur’s ear.

“You should cover your eyes now, Arthur. I’m going to apply the hairspray.”

“Thanks for the warning,” he said louder than necessary as he covered his eyes with his hand.

I rolled my eyes and put the earbud back in place. I shook the can and then started to spray Arthur’s hair liberally with it.

“You really should have someone more experienced to show you around the gym,” John continued. I could feel his breath on the back of my neck now, and my skin crawled with uneasiness.

“I’ve used gyms since high school, and I have a coach. I’m fine,” I snapped back.

“A coach? You mean Barnett Cogsworth?”

I finished with the hairspray and slammed the can on the table. Before I could rip out his earbuds, Arthur took them out himself.

“Are we done?” Arthur asked, his tone slightly concerned.

I sighed and tried to pull myself together.

“Yes, we’re done.” I pointed back to the rack of clothes. “Outfit two.”

Arthur grinned and patted my shoulder. “Thank you, my little fan girl.”

I watched Arthur walk away in the hopes that completely ignoring John would make him go away. The world proved me wrong, again.

“A rich boy like Barnett can’t give you the individual attention you need…during a workout,” John said, his voice practically in my ear.

I jumped and swatted at him. He only laughed at me.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

He looked me over and cocked his head at me.

“Let me show you what I mean. We can start with a squat. Show me your form.”

“John, no. We’re working. We need to focus on that.”

“It’ll just take a minute.”

Before I could stop him, John had grabbed my shoulders and forced me into a squat. I held my arms out to balance myself and did my best to shift into the proper form, but his suddenness had thrown me off.

“No, no, you need to raise your ass above your knees. Let me help you.”

As though to help steady me, John placed his right hand just below my breast. His other hand went to my ass, but instead of helping to lift me up, he grabbed my butt and squeezed hard. While I was distracted, his right hand took its chance and groped at my breast.

“Ow! John, quit touching me!” I yelled, making sure that everyone in the office could hear.

Arthur came running out from behind the divider just as John released me. He was only half-dressed, with his torso in the blue three-piece suit I had chosen for him and his legs still in the blue jeans he had worn to the office.

“What is going on here?”

Arthur immediately set his eyes on me. They seemed frantic, panicked, concerned—for me? He looked as though he were ready to rip someone’s head off, if need be.

“Anna, are you okay?”

I nodded at first. Then I thought about his unwanted touch on me, of all the times Peter had done the same thing, and my nodding dissolved into head shaking as tears streamed down my cheeks.

“No, I’m not. John…he’s been harassing me about my fitness videos all morning. And just now, he claimed to be showing me the proper form for a squat, but instead he…he grabbed my ass and my breast.”

I had never seen Arthur turn the shade of red that overtook his face at that moment. At first, I feared that he would be mad at me, mad that I hadn’t said something sooner or that I had allowed John to distract me from my duties. Then he faced John.

“She’s exaggerating,” John said. “That’s not what happened—”

“Out!” Arthur shouted so loudly that everyone in the office turned to face him. “Get out of my office now!”

“What? Arthur, you don’t honestly believe—”

“It’s Mr. Stardust to you, and yes, I do. Now, get out before I do something that I will regret.”

John paled. “But…but what about my job?”

“You don’t have one anymore, not here. So, leave before I contact security and the entire building—including its owner—learns of the kind of pervert that you are.”

John glared at me once, sending chills down my spine, before storming out of the office.

After I was sure that John wouldn’t be coming back, I turned to Arthur to see him taking deep breaths through his nostrils. I felt horrible for causing him so much distress. I hesitantly walked forward and gently touched his arm.

“Are you okay?” I asked him.

Arthur turned and watched me with big, quizzical eyes. Then he laughed—a full, hearty laugh.

“You get sexually harassed and then ask me if I’m okay? Anna, you are a treasure.”

I lowered my eyes to the floor. “I’m sorry that you had to fire your dogwalker for me.”

He snorted. I glanced up in time to see him roll his eyes as well.

“My little fan girl, your safety and comfort are far more important than some easily replaceable dogwalker. Besides, I’ve been meaning to replace John, anyway. My dogs have never really liked him.”

I smiled weakly at him. “Thank you, Arthur.”