Little Doll

Chapter 3: Seeking comfort

Monday morning

Arabella

Cleaning up my little kitchen, I grabbed my lunchbox that I had just prepared and placed it in my bag ready for a productive day in the University library.

I was frustrated that my weekend of pampering had come to a bitter end. But what frustrated me even more was the fact that I couldn't tell that guy that because of his sweet gesture, I had the best weekend of my life.

Self care and self love was what I needed when studying in a field that was dominated by men. 

Even though I was faced with judgement, discrimination and sly comments, I was more determined than ever to pull through and prove the sexist guys that I can do it myself. And that I don't need a 'sugar daddy' as some of them joked.

Dropping my bag before the long mirror, I ran my hands down the dress I had chosen to wear and stared at myself.

It felt unnatural wearing this. A light summer dress which showed off a lot of skin and highlighted my slim waist.

I would never normally wear something like this, but it was as if the kind man's gesture ignited something within me. If I had the confidence of a supermodel then I'd be wearing dresses and skirts all the time, but it was men who made me nervous to wear such revealing things. You could feel their eyes on you looking at you like a piece of meat.

Of course, if I had a boyfriend then I'd want his eyes on me as I spun in front of him wearing such a dress. I'd dress up for his eyes only, but today I was going to look good and feel good.

Picking up my bag, I threw it over my shoulder and stared at myself once more feeling satisfied that I was going to have a great day.

Leaving the warmth of my flat, I quickly hurried down the stairs and pushed open the heavy doors of the building and smiled as the rare heat hit my face.

Living in England meant I was used to rain, clouds and even more rain. But today it was 30 degrees, something rarely seen in the UK. Also another reason to wear a dress.

Walking along the road with my bag in my tight grip, I started my slow and steady walk to the University library.

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Taking another bite of my ham sandwich, I tapped my finger against the wooden desk smiling as I submitted my 3,000 word coursework.

It had been like a dark cloud lingering over my head. The amount of sleepless nights tossing and turning over it. The torture I put my body through drowning myself in coffee to stay awake to get it done. But now, a weight had lifted off my shoulder.

Shutting down endless tabs on the library computer, I quickly opened up my emails to see if there were any updates from my lectures but frowned to see only one email with the attachments from Mr Cappello's assignment.

It wasn't compulsory, but there was a great incentive. It would be amazing to earn an amazing salary. Maybe then I wouldn't have to live bills to bills. I could actually spoil myself and get things that were normal to people. God, the first thing I'd buy myself is a phone.

As I read through all the attachments, I frowned at what I was reading.

It was so black and white and screamed out privilege. It certainly supported my judgement on Mr Cappello. Stuck up and cocky.

Biting my lip, I quickly opened up a new tab to do some investigating of my own.

"Let's see who you are, Mr Cappello" I smirked hoping to get some dirt on him. Maybe then I could play him at his own game.