Wednesday was my day off and I decided to actually spend some time away from Torch. After classes, I spent the afternoon shopping and even met up with a couple of my friends for dinner. It was so nice not to have to worry about what I would be wearing, or how sore I'd be afterward.
After dinner, I went back to the dorm and started packing my things into the boxes and plastic cartons I'd picked up. It wasn't worth going back and forth every morning now that I knew I was sticking it out at Torch.
I didn't have any classes on Thursdays, so the next morning I packed my stuff into my car and bid a silent farewell to the dorm and even my "old" life. I was moving into Torch, officially, and there would be no going back.
I pulled into the driveway and grabbed as many boxes and bags as I could manage. I went inside and ran right into Lawrence. Literally.
"Oh, sorry," I said, embarrassed beyond words. It was hard to look a man in the eye after he'd handcuffed you to the bed, taught you how to be a prostitute, and then rubbed salve into your sore ass.
He smiled at me and said, "Not a problem, Marri. Moving in, I take it?"
"Yeah."
"Why didn't you call ahead? Will and I would have met you at your car and helped you out."
"'Will'?"
"Will," he said, grinning. "William Earl, our boss?"
Oh, so that was his first name.
"I didn't really think about it," I told him.
"Here. Give me some of that. I'll carry it for you."
He took some of my things and followed me into the apartment. He set them down on the table and asked, "Got more, I assume?"
"Yeah."
"Come on. Let's get it."
We went downstairs and were met by Mr. Earl. Will. Whatever.
"Marri!" he exclaimed. "Here a little early today, aren't you?"
"She's moving in, Will," Lawrence explained.
"Wonderful!" he said, a broad smile spreading over his face. "Come on. I'll help get your things."
The three of us got everything in two more trips. By the time I had it all, I was exhausted from going up and down that damn staircase so many times.
Lawrence set down the last box on the floor and said, "Well, Marri, I gotta get going. I've got some errands to run before everyone shows up for the night."
"Okay," I said, amazed at how easy it was to around him without feeling anything sexual. "Thanks." I guessed I was really adapting to the whole "it's just a job" mentality.
Lawrence left and I was surrounded by all of my things, alone with my boss.
"Well, thanks, Mr. Earl," I said, anxious to just put my stuff away and get rid of all the clutter."
"Please, Marri, you don't need to be so formal. Call me Will."
"Okay. Will."
"Did you need any help unpacking?"
"Uh, I think I'm okay." Being alone with him unnerved me.
"All right. Well, I'll see you later."
"Okay."
I watched him leave and I busied myself with putting my things away. After all, I was working that night, and all I would want to do afterward was collapse into the bed.
* * * * *
"Damn," I muttered. It was getting very late, and I'd only managed to find homes for half of my stuff. I threw a sandwich together for my dinner and went into the other room to get my outfit.
I ate quickly and took a fast shower. I pulled on the clothes, happy to see it wasn't that different from what I normally wore for a date. True, the pants were tighter and the shirt's neckline was much lower, but all in all, it wasn't bad.
"Marri, your client is here," Beverly's voice informed me.
I rushed out of there and went down to the foyer. Beverly was standing there with an average-looking man. She waved to me and I joined them.
"Marri, this is Peter, your client for the evening."