A note from AfterDusk:
Thank you to those who have read these stories; this will be the last chapter of the Nightingale Agency. I've found that not only has interest for them dropped off but my writing has begun to evolve past the need to continue it any further. Please vote and comment!
-AD
*****
"Mistress Nightingale, you are quite early for a Saturday," Rob says softly from behind the podium.
Eve smiles warmly, walking towards him, "Indeed. Today, Rob, will be a very, very interesting day."
Rob opens the door leading into the bar, "Living the dream then?"
"Always," she replies with a coy smile.
She spots Jonathan quickly. He chose a round booth in the corner, giving him a line of sight to the door yet offering some privacy from the few other patrons in the bar. Eve makes her way to him, tossing her duffel bag into one side of the horseshoe before sliding into the other. Jonathan keeps his hands clasped on the table nervously.
"Hello," she offers once she is finally situated.
"Hello, Mistress," he says quietly, afraid that someone might hear them. Carefully he slides a manila envelope over to her. As she opens it up and starts thumbing through the papers, a handsome black man with dreads walks over, placing two glasses of water with lemon on the table.
"Hello, Miss Eve," he says somewhat curiously, his eyes flickering back to the man in the booth with her as he reassesses him, "can I bring you something else to drink?"
Eve smiles brilliantly at him, "Yes, please Darnell, I'd like a gin and tonic. What about you? A beer perhaps?"
Caught off guard, Jonathan opens his mouth and stutters out a response, "Ah, no?"
She laughs slightly, "It is all right, Jonathan, we will make an exception for today. Have a drink."
"Okay," he replies a bit uneasily, "Maker's? A double please."
Darnell smiles, his bright white teeth shining against the lush darkness of his lips, "As you wish. Just a moment."
Jonathan looks back at Eve, somewhat confused. He sees her eyeing him over the top of the paperwork.
"Everything seems to be in order. Now, Jonathan, do you remember our safe word?"
"Abracadabra," he replies softly.
She nods, "Yes. If at any point, this afternoon, things get to be too much for you, I want you to use that safe word and everything will stop immediately."
"And terminate our contract," he says, rotating the glass of water with his fingers.
"No. From this point forward, our contract remains solid. Unless you choose to terminate it or if I see fit to terminate it myself, it will stand. Using the safe word has no effect on it. Please realize that you are in control of this situation, you decide how far I get to push you. If I push too much, say the word and I will stop. We will take a step back, a moment to breathe and reassess where to go from there but know that by using the word I will not be disappointed in you and I will not walk out on you, do you understand?"
Darnell comes back, placing the drinks on the table.
"Bill me for them, will you love?" Eve says causally.
"Of course," and with a nod, he disappears again.
Jonathan takes a long, slow swig from the glass, draining half of it in the process, "I understand, Mistress."
"Good. Now, I will explain to you what will happen. After that, you can decide if you want to go through it or not. We will go through an entrance in the lobby that will lead us to a different, non public section of the House. After your paperwork is processed at the counter, you will be assigned a helper who will undress you; they will wash you, head to toe, in a large communal shower. Then, you will be brought to me and dressed in the clothes I told you to bring. I will take you to a room where you will wait while I find a sub for you to play with. Once you are finished, you have two choices, you can either leave and return home or I can arrange for you to stay for the evening's entertainment."
"What entertainment?" He asks curiously.
She smirks, "Let's just say it isn't for the faint of heart. However, if you choose to stay, there are some conditions. First, for the remainder of the night, you will not make contact with me. Under no circumstances will you approach me or indicate to others that you know me, understood? This is for your own safety more than my reputation."
"I understand," his brow crinkles, "may I ask, why?"