The next few months are mercifully uneventful. I dive back into my Client sessions with renewed zest. My epiphany with Mistress Elizabeth allowed me to refocus on my purpose. I realized that I had quickly gotten complacent. I give a lot of thought about my time with Kait in particular. I begin aiming for a deeper connection with the women that seek me out. I keep asking
why are they here to see me? What is it that they need?
My sessions morph into spending more time with Clients in the lounge. Before, I'd try to get into the private room as quickly as possible. Quick banter, light buzz from drinks, then fucking their brains out. But now, I allow us to linger in our conversations. To dive further into their thoughts and feelings. At times, there were tears. Other times, it was tears from laughing so hard. They would lean in and speak to me as a true confidant and friend.
Often, most of the night is me chatting with a Client at the bar, and then duck out for a quick, intense fuck at the end. A couple of times-- with repeat Clients-- we don't even leave the lounge. One steady Client, our routine has become only lying in bed to cuddle and chat. She spends the entire session with her head on my chest and her hand on my crotch. That's all she requires. She'll let out soft sighs as we lay together. I think she just wants to feel safe and at ease. No expectations, no judgement. She usually falls into a slumber, snoring contently.
***
My downtime is spent with the crew in The Loft. It feels like it's been forever since I've had a group of friends like this. Their jolly nature is refreshing and charges me up for the next day. Most nights are composed of chill conversations. Sometimes, we have movie nights or binge sessions for TV shows. There will be the occasional board game. Esther gave salsa lessons once. One night, we played poker.
"I call," Evan says, dropping two chips onto the green felt tabletop.
I peek at my cards. I haven't played in years, but remember enough to participate. A four of diamonds and a ten of spades. I push my cards into the center. "I fold."
"I can't pick," Ryan states, crossing his arms.
Julia tosses her cards.
"I'm serious," Mari replies gravely, "you gotta choose."
Ryan shakes his head. He looks at the rest of us, sitting around the table. "I can't do it."
"Come on," Mari groans. "Stop being such a pussy."
Jomi and Anthony push chips out.
"It's an impossible choice!" Ryan shrugs as he falls back forcefully on the backing of the seat.
"I raise!" Mari exclaims.
Everyone groans.
"Goddamnit, Mari!" Ryan wails. "You're small blind. Just call the big blind!"
Mari scowls playfully. "Don't tell me what to do. Maybe I have good cards."
"Maybe you have jack shit," Jomi replies.
Mari sneers at him, and pushes in a stack of chips. Another chorus of groans. Everyone folds their cards. Mari snickers as she rakes the winnings in with her arm.
Ryan deals a fresh hand of cards. Blinds and bets are placed on the table. I curl up the corner of my cards. A pair of queens.
"I'd choose Mickey," Evan offers.
Mari snorts. "So fucking dull. Of course you would."
Evan's jaw juts out, a sign of annoyance. "Oh, and you would pick..."
"Stitch!"
A cacophony of replies fills the space.
"See? No one agrees. How could we choose just one of them?" Ryan spreads his hands dramatically.
"Because that's the game, dumbass!" Mari retorts. "You can only pick one Disney character."
"What about Piglet?" Julia asks. "He's so cute!"
"Piglet's a
he?"
Anthony looks around. "All this time I thought it was a she."
Ryan deals out three cards into the center of the table. A six, a two, and a queen. Mari pulls out her phone.
"Hey!" Anthony points at her. "No cheating!"
"I'm looking at all the hand options!" Mari shoots back.
"If you don't know how to play then you shouldn't be playing," Jomi replies.
Mari gives him a wide grin and turns back to Ryan. "Are you going to pick or what?"
"I'm thinking!"
Evan calls. I place out four chips. "I call and raise fifty cents."
Everyone successively folds.
"What the fuck?" I ask.
"Lisa, you always fold unless you have something," Evan replies.
"What? Do I?" I look around the table. Julia smiles sympathetically.
"You never bluff," Ryan says, chuckling. "I'm guessing you have two pair. Or trips."
"Ugh!" I groan and toss my cards into the middle.
"Alright. Hurry up, dumbass!" Mari barks at Ryan, crossing her arms. "Choose one Disney character and the rest die."
"The rest die?!"
Ryan looks aghast. "What the fuck kind of question is this?!"
"It's a psychological test," Mari retorts. "I'm gettin' into yo braiiiiiins!"
"I fuck with Snoopy," Jomi says.
"Oooooh yeah." Julia nods. "Snoopy is the fucking best!"
"Dude."
Ryan rolls his head. "He's not even Disney. Now you're just complicating the situation!"
***
After my encounter with Paige, I was allowed a phone. Not my old one with all my contacts, but a new one with just Paige and other Talent contact info. I make it a point to text Paige more regularly. She's always quick to respond, usually with pics of Maeve.
My exercise regimen has leveled off into a good routine. We don't need me to build any more muscle but to maintain tone. Anthony stopped coaching me daily and now does sporadic check-ins. My body measurements stay at pretty consistent numbers.
In Heels, Mistress Vanessa is finally satisfied with my ability and form, even in steep stilettos. "Look how far you've come." She basks in her pride. "Should we try ballet heels?"
Since I lost Chloe as my personal Server, Melissa is tasked as a replacement. I was never fully comfortable being waited on hand and foot, but Chloe and I got into a reliable routine. With Melissa, all the awkwardness comes rushing back.
Melissa's demeanor is distant, not unlike Chloe's when we met. On one of our first days together, I tried to break the ice with Melissa. I sat at the table across from her as she worked on my manicure. Her auburn hair was tied into a ponytail as she focused on buffing my nails.
"So, Melissa," I ventured, "how long have you been at Eden?"
Melissa lowered her chin. "Mistress..."
"Uh huh?"
"I've been advised to keep our interactions strictly professional," she said softly. "For both of our benefits."
"Oh." I wasn't exactly surprised, but my temper flared. "I don't believe in treating you like some faceless drone..."
"I know, Mistress." She smiled without looking up. "I appreciate the sentiment. And I assure you, I understand where you're coming from. We all do."
I cocked my head at her. "We?"
"The staff," she replied. "We know how well you regarded Chloe. And how you treat all of us in and around Eden. Everyone really likes serving you."
I had to smile. Not at the compliment. But knowing that the Servers indeed talk and gossip amongst themselves.
"Not that anyone else treats us badly," Melissa continued. "But it's noticed that you make extra effort for us."
I blushed, feeling a bit uncomfortable. I've never taken praise of any sort well. But I was glad the Servers recognized my respect for them. "I understand your position with our working relationship," I told her. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to totally follow the rules."
Melissa grinned, revealing the white of her teeth. Her eyes darted up to mine for a brief moment. "That's what I figured."
***
One day, Lily stops me on my way to the gym section. Her face is dour. She pulls me into an empty classroom. "What's up?" I ask, as she closes the door.
She exhales loudly. "Another special assignment."
"Cecilia?" I theorize. Lily shakes her head.
"Fabien," she answers. The name sounds vaguely familiar, but I can't place it. The look on Lily's face doesn't induce enthusiasm. "He's a fucking asshole."
"Great," I mutter. Then I stop. "Wait--
he???"
She pats the air with her palm. "He's not a Client."
I furrow my brow, perplexed. "He's a Master of his own operation," she continues, "like Mistress Elizabeth." She opens the door and walks out, nodding for me to follow. We make our way up the stairs.