Breakfast was at six-thirty sharp, though I was already dressed and more or less ready for the day when I came down to the "relaxed" dining area as it was called well ahead of that. Deidra and Bella were already seated however in preparation of being served.
"Sit down, join us," Bella said.
"I will...but I need to do something else first," I informed them grinning. They looked at one another also grinning, and then stood...leading me back down the hallway, up the stairs to Ted's private study. I wasn't honestly too terribly surprised to find that he was already up, busy working at his desk when Bella poked her head inside asking if he had a moment to see me. In seconds, I was ushered inside, both Bella and Deidra closing the door stepping back out again.
"I take it you've made a decision," Ted said sitting back in his chair with a smile on his face.
"I have," I said simply reaching over to grab one of the contracts, the one I am sure he was hoping I'd sign.
"Before you do that, I need to make sure...you do understand everything in there yes? If you need to read it again..."
"No, I have read it several times now, though I do have just one or two questions I would like to ask first."
"Of course, go right ahead."
"What does, 'Companion' mean specifically?"
It had been one of the terms in the agreement, a title if you will, that I had some minor concerns and doubts about, not at all sure what it specifically meant, represented...or more importantly, required. Ted nodded his head.
"Simple really, as you already know, Deidra and Bella are both classified as 'Mistresses,' and though you will have a similar stature, or status around here for various functions and events, until such time as you decide to be trained, and thus elevated to that status, you will be known only as a 'Companion'. As a Companion, you will not have authority in any way shape or form however. Even the Novices and Attendings will not have to lower their eyes should you pass in the hallway. Though they must always treat you with respect, any infractions of that towards you, will be meted out by either Bella, Deidra or myself. At no time, until such time as your status changes, will you ever personally be involved with doing that."
We discussed that a bit more, clarifying a few smaller points until I had at least satisfied what that term specifically meant, which included doing anything that was outside of the terms of the written agreement.
"One last thing...the name."
"Oh yes, your new name. The name you go by now, and perhaps will continue to use outside of this place, will however no longer be used here. You will have but one name, just as Bella and Deidra do, and will be referred to only by that name while you are here on the grounds. It is a name I have already chosen for you, and will from the moment you sign the contract, be the only name you will ever be referred by again. Can you also accept that?"
"Yes," I said now satisfied, picking up the pen, and signing my old name on the document.
"Welcome to your new home, Maringa," he told me giving me my new name. A rather strange sounding one, so different than my own, though he'd obviously done that for a reason. He then pushed a small button beneath his desk, though I heard no sound. Seconds later the door opened, an Attending now slipping in waiting for instructions, she was the woman I had now met and seen twice before.
"Marlene, would you please escort Maringa back down to the dining area and introduce her please to Mistress Bella, and Mistress Deidra, as our new Companion, Maringa."
"Yes Master," she acknowledged, bowing appropriately, and then held the door open for me as I got up.
"Thank you...Master," I too bowed, though not nearly as low, but sufficiently enough I assumed, catching a look of approval on his face upon doing that.
"Oh and Maringa? Don't worry about your apartment, or your personal belongings. I'll see to it they are picked up and stored, you can go through them later and bring a small selection of personal items back with you. Everything else will be taken care of, including the sale of your home should you chose to do that."
**
I had rejoined both Bella and Deidra for breakfast, both of which were excited about the news that I'd signed the contract, and was now officially to be known, formally called as 'Companion' Maringa, less formally of course as simply Maringa.
After we had eaten, they immediately showed me my new quarters, which they confided, Ted had had done in the event that I did indeed decide to come and live here. I knew of course they could have just as easily been prepared for someone other than myself, had I chosen not to, but it was obvious he'd had them decorated and modeled after some of my own tastes and preferences in color. Master, had indeed done his homework.
It was after that, that both Bella and Deidra began instructing me in what specific duties there were I might have, along with the "rules" of the house, once again reminding me of my less than authorative position here. Which included of course my limited contact with any of the Novices and Attendings, save for "asking" them...not "telling" them to help me out with something, or to get something for me should I not be able to do so for myself. Even then, they could only do so if they didn't have other more important or pressing duties they were currently involved with.
Even knowing this, I had no real intention of abusing my stay here, or in asking someone else to do anything for me, that I could obviously and just as easily do for myself. After that, it was a matter of wardrobe selections, an appointment back in the city for a beauty treatment, shopping, and of course fittings for what I learned would be "proper" and "appropriate attire" for my status, including a entirely new selection of lingerie and the like, which Ted had already chosen and selected for me.
The rest of the day was spent being pampered and prepped, constantly being taught, informed and reminded over and over again as to how I was to conduct myself at all times. And though there was a lot to remember, and do...it didn't seem that it would be all that difficult for me to live up to and remember.
"I will tell you this though," Bella said in a somewhat serious tone of voice. "Though I don't know the specifics of your agreement, or what you signed, I do know Ted," she said speaking less formally now that we were off and away from the estate, as well as not wanting to draw unnecessary attention towards us. "You can rest assured, he will test you, when you least expect it. In the beginning, it will no doubt be somewhat minor things, but he will test your compliance, your obedience, and your diligence in performing immediately, whatever it is that he asks you to do. I would warn you only in that if you don't, he may very well ask us...or do it himself, in performing whatever punishments as he sees fit. And whatever that may be...whatever he then requires of either Deidra or myself, we will do it, without holding back or taking it easy on you. Just so you know."
It was yet another warning, and a reminder of what I had gotten myself into. And yet, having considered and thought about it all very carefully over the past several days, I found myself anxiously curious, even excitedly nervous, looking forward to the new challenge. It was a time to test myself as well, to discover just who I was as a person. Where my own limitations were, where my own boundaries might be. As Maringa, I was about to find out.
**
If anything, I probably had it pretty easy as the next two days flew by, most of my day spent in relaxation, some reading and taking care of my own surroundings as I'd already determined I wasn't going to sit back and become a slob, or someone to be waited hand on foot on either. I joined Deidra and Bella for morning workouts, and looked forward to our daily late afternoon massage. In between that, they had other duties to attend and see to, none of which I was asked to participate in, or be a part of. And aside from a few occasional curious looks from time to time as I passed both Novices and Attendings in the hallway as they hurriedly scurried about on some matter, or some task they'd been given, no one seemed too upset that I was there.
"You ready for tonight?" Bella had asked me early that morning. I had of course been briefed on what to expect, which, as I understood it, would be a rather lavish party that was monthly given and held on the estate. One in which where there would be many influential friends, acquaintances, and clients, not to mention a few other important politicians as well. Most of which would prefer having their identities and names kept out of the papers. One of the strictest and most important rules, was strict confidentiality. A single infraction of that, was dealt with severely, and always, always ended up with immediate dismissal, no matter how minor the infraction might have been.