Good afternoon world! Normally, I don’t preface my short stories with any kind of introduction. There’s no real reason why, I just feel better about posting them and getting on with the day. But this one is different. I’ve wrestled with the decision to post it since the day I finished writing it. Not because I’m not proud of the work, but because it’s a sensitive topic. And while I don’t pretend to be the most sensitive man in the world, I never want to intentionally offend someone. But at the end of the day, I came to the conclusion that its better to put it out and let you, the reader, decide how to feel about instead of voluntarily censoring myself. So please be mindful that the subject of this story is of a sensitive and potentially troubling nature. This story in no way is meant to glorify it. Peace and love… 

Angela felt his warm, moist breath on her neck as she struggled to free herself of Luke’s iron grasp. Never in her wildest nightmares did she think she’d be in this situation. And definitely not with him.

They had started at the firm around the same time, she as a paralegal and he as an associate. Early on, he did everything he could to show his interest in a more personal relationship. He’d routinely ask her out for drinks or to dinner. Each time, she’d graciously turn him down. The pictures of his wife and kids hanging in his cubicle made it easy. And while his ego was a little bruised, Luke said that he understood. Over the five years they had worked together, they had become good friends. Luke even introduced her to her fiancé, Shelton. Luke and Shelton went to Duke University together. Shelton even stayed with Luke and his wife when he first moved to New York.

Since the hospital was within walking distance of the Manhattan skyscraper that served as the home of the law firm, Shelton would routinely stop by to take Angela to lunch or bring her coffee. Sometimes, the two couples would get together for dinner when Shelton’s schedule would permit. On more than one occasion, Shelton caught Luke staring at Angela. This made Shelton uneasy.

“There’s something about him,” Shelton would say each time, “I think he still likes you.” Angela would always brush off the insinuation. After all, she felt like they had developed a real friendship over the years. “He’s responsible for us being together,” she would respond, “Why would he hook us up if he wanted me for himself?” Angela also made sure to let it be well known that she was more than happy in her relationship with Shelton. The walls of her own cubicle were plastered with pictures of the two of them. Her wedding plans were the talk of the office.

A few months later, the law firm threw an office party to celebrate Luke’s promotion to junior partner. Everyone was in attendance. When Angela and Shelton walked in, the whole room noticed. Shelton was dressed in nice three piece sharkskin suit with a lavender shirt and tie. Angela had on a white silk blouse, a tight fitting black pencil skirt and a pair of 6 inch Christian Louboutin heels. They walked around the room and Angela introduced her fiancé to all of her co-workers. As they walked to the bar to get some champagne, Luke and his wife approached. The two couples exchanged pleasantries and small talk. As Angela and Luke’s wife, Christina, stood and listened to their men talk football, Angela started to feel a little queasy. She politely excused herself and made her way to the bathroom. A few minutes later, Luke followed her.

Angela was washing her hands when Luke slipped into the women’s restroom behind her. She didn’t even notice he had entered the room. In an instant, he pushed her up against the counter in front of her and quickly pulled her pencil skirt up around her waist. “Please don’t,” she whimpered as he pawed at her breasts through her silk blouse. She begged and begged for him to stop. Her pleas went unanswered. He reached between her legs and ripped her lace panties off. She fought back with all her might as he fumbled to find the opening to her womanhood. Tears formed in her eyes as he shoved his fingers inside her. “You’re so wet,” he growled as he unzipped his pants and pulled out his member, “I see why Shelton loves you so much.” Hearing him mention her fiancé’s name seemed to hurt more than the sensation of him digging in her vagina. She began to sob uncontrollably as he forced himself inside and thrusted away.

After what felt like an eternity, he grunted and stepped away from her. Angela collapsed onto the marble floor below her and curled up into a ball as he zipped up his pants and scurried out of the restroom. A mixture of confusion and rage washed over Angela as she laid there and wept. Why would he do this to me? That was the prevailing thought in her head. Just then, Justine, one of Angela’s coworkers entered the room. “Oh my God! Honey are you okay,” she exclaimed as she knelt down beside Angela. Angela didn’t respond, she just laid there and cried. The lady quickly ran to fetch Shelton.

When they returned, Angela was trying to get back on her feet. “Babe, are you okay,” Shelton asked, “What happened?!” He reached out for her but quickly withdrew from him. He looked around and noticed the torn underwear on the floor. “Who did it,” he snarled. She didn’t respond. Justine walked over to Angela and embraced her coworker. “Honey, tell us what happened.”

The trio exited the bathroom and found an empty office to go into. Justine helped Angela into a soft leather armchair and knelt beside her. After a few moments of intense silence, Angela finally recounted what had just happened to her. When she was done with her story, she looked up at Shelton. A look of pure, unadulterated rage had exploded all over his face. “Can you please take her to New York Presbyterian, and I’ll meet you there,” Shelton asked Justine through clenched teeth. Then he stormed out of the room.

By the time Angela got to the hospital, she had calmed down enough that she was no longer crying. Justine held her hand as they walked into the emergency room and told the nurse that she had been raped. Angela was quickly whisked away to an examination room. The rape exam was almost like living through the ordeal again. She was asked to strip and her clothes were sealed away in evidence bags. Every inch of her body was photographed for marks or bruises. Then, the doctor performed a pelvic exam on her. And while it didn’t necessarily hurt, Angela flinched every time she was touched. Finally, she was interviewed by a detective. The questions she was asked bordered on invasion of privacy, and she didn’t feel comfortable answering them. But she did. By the time it was over, Shelton arrived at the hospital. When Angela saw him, she ran into his arms and buried her face in his chest. “I’m so sorry babe,” he whispered as he squeezed her tight.