Note from the Author:
Hey all.
Here is another chapter following Callum's first days in the Complex, as well as introduction of new character. For a better understanding of the scenario and setup, I recommend reading Chapter one first.
That said, I will try to put out one chapter per week, as time allows.
Comments and feedback are highly appreciated.
Hope you enjoy :)
*****
Chapter two -- Uninteresting
Mirrors know no mercy. I wiped the fog and the guy staring back at me had worry marks all over his face, his normally thin lips now all but disappeared pressed together. Bright green eyes looking as tired as I felt, despite having had the whole day to himself. Tense. And for a good reason.
Running a brand new towel along my body, I wiped myself dry of the best shower I had in a very long time. In my thoughts, a compilation of events guiding from the day I was born to the conversation I had had on the previous night.
Callum Arthur Langley, 23. Son of parents who were already divorced on the first memory I could remember. My father had found new, shinier love and built a new, shinier family; for a while, he tried to keep around, then the awkwardness became too strong. Mom got sick when I was 15 and didn't make it. Middle school, a struggle: gay. High school, a struggle: ADHD and dyslexia. College, a struggle: broke. Small jobs, small payments, living month by month. Then, the offer which brought me there, to the front of that huge, unforgiving mirror.
Why me, though?
My eyes were nice, yes. Otherwise, a quite unremarkable face, in pale shades of white. I couldn't grow a beard if I tried, so all I had was a weak chin and light brown hair I kept short enough not to have to worry about. Body-wise I wasn't better. While lean, I had never been an adept of exercise. My looks wouldn't stand out in a crowd and, compared to the guys I had seen in that house, I would call myself ugly.
The answer wasn't that difficult: bizarre as it was, the job offer hadn't been for me. That, as many before, was just another place in which I didn't belong and where I would stay until someone inevitably noticed it, too. My concern was what would happen in between those points.
I had been hired to serve men. From the shallowest to the deepest meaning of the word. By accepting to work there, I waived many of my constitutional rights. The Complex had its own set of rules, some of which had been explained to me last night. I had also spent that morning and afternoon forcing myself to read their terms and, upon significant mental strain, drained away the fancy words and made notes that could actually make sense to me.
1. Every day of the week I am assigned to one of the patrons. I must not interact with other patrons that day without permission.
2. I am only allowed to leave the Complex on my day off.
3. My shift starts when they arrive from work and ends when they sleep. I must not keep them waiting.
4. I have access to all the doors, but only I can open the door for the room number 7.
5. I must not disclose one patron to another.
6. If I am given clothes, I must wear them. The same applies to cosmetics.
7. If I am invited to an activity, I must join it.
8. All and any happening or information within the Complex is covered by a non-disclosure agreement.
There were other rules in a myriad of minor details which seemed less important when compared to the seventh rule.
"If you feel like it is too much to handle, you can always end the contract and go back,"
had said Josh on the previous night.
Go back where? And to what?
The smartphone I had received together with the identification card rang a notification.
[Aaron 3:57PM]
"Dear Callum, Today I shall arrive at 18h. I would be obliged if you could meet me by the garden bench. Sincerely, Aaron."
Among the tension of my own thoughts, the message was amusing in a way.
Who texts like this?
, I thought. I recognized the patterns from the infernal Terms and Conditions I had forced myself into reading. It only made sense that Aaron would be my Monday patron.
*****
Outside, it had been a beautiful day. Some clouds to add ease to the sky and be props to the sun about to set. From that bench I could see grass fields all the way to the horizon. No other property, no other building in sight.
Approaching from the house behind, Aaron cleared his throat to make himself noticed. Khaki pants and a dark blue thin sweater over a button shirt. And, of course, the impeccable hairdo.
"You're not required to..." he started, one second too late. I had already got to my feet. He invited me to sit back with a gesture, and did so himself beside me, resting the thermos bottle he carried on the ground aside the bench. One person could fit between us. "Did you have a pleasant day? Are accommodations to your liking?"
I nodded in confirmation. Then, decided that more than that was necessary.
"Yes, I should say yes," I still faced the horizon, but could feel and see Aaron's stare from the corner of my eye. "I'm sorry, I don't speak a lot. Less when I'm nervous."
Aaron shifted position, resting his ankle on his knee.
"I can understand your circumstances. And admit to the fault for the initial misunderstanding," he said. "I am glad you decided to stay."
My eyes darted to his. With all the formality of his manners, Aaron seemed to be comfortable with long, honest eye contact. And his words, so many meanings could be drawn from them. Some flattering, some definitely offensive. However, I brought myself to sense. The excessive kindness I had been treated by the patrons could make it way too easy for me to believe I was the victim there.
I'm here for my decision
, I reminded myself,
and for the payment. I don't get to be outraged.
My thread of thought was broken by a light touch on my arm, making me wince. Aaron offered a paper cup, with hot tea from the thermos bottle.
"Thank you," I accepted it in a second, but I was sure he had seen my reaction.
"There is something I should inform you," Aaron was pouring tea for himself. A calm breeze caressed his hair. "Upon meeting this morning, we agreed to rule out sexual requests for the first two weeks of your contract".
I briefly burned my lips on the tea. I was no prude, but also wasn't prepared to hear that my future sexual activity was a topic discussed over breakfast.
"It is only fair, considering present situation." Aaron concluded, sipping his tea. "The decision was almost unanimous."
With the rules in mind, I held back from asking who had not agreed to it. Instead, I let out a relieved sigh, feeling some of the nervousness fade.
This is officially a problem for future-Callum.
"Thank you for letting me know," I finally was able to taste the tea. A black blend with floral notes. "and for...you know, the consideration."
"You seem surprised," he looked at me from the border of his cup. His eyes widened a bit. "Certainly you didn't expect to be taken here out in the open, like wild animals do?"
"W-well, there was the vibe! I mean, a bench to this landscape...and sunset." I blushed more than at any point before, which seemed to amuse Aaron to chuckles. Rare and genuine, I had been right when considered his smiles to be precious.
"The sun sets every day," he observed, lowering his foot to the ground and leaning slightly to the front. The warming effect of the stance change was as efficient as the tea had been.
The conversation continued onto lighter topics. Aaron was a nice guy, that was certain. Lawful to a fault, but caring. I could also understand more the reasons behind the use of official words in his speech. Aaron was a leader and, as such, didn't allow himself mistakes. When he did, they impacted everyone else. As a result, the tension in him could be seen on his broad shoulders.
I was 23. I had been on dates before, and that felt like a date. Perhaps that's how it was supposed to feel, at least for the patron. After all, the assistant was also supposed to be the social outlet just so patrons could keep themselves concentrated at the task at hand -- whatever that was (Aaron would not mention it).
Time went by and the wind became more chilly. Aaron stood up with his empty bottle and graciously accompanied me back into the house. On the way, some other patrons seemed to cross our path: Samuel was in the kitchen having dinner with a guy I had not been introduced to, while Josh watched a basketball match on the living room. Looking back in time, I should have found weird that none of them talked to me, not even a single word; in my defense, I only had eyes for the blonde guy who walked half a step ahead and talked about suspense books.
And it ended with goodnight wishes. Not cold, but strictly limited to it. He thanked me for my company and politely turned his back towards his bedroom while I closed the door to mine.
Later that night, crawling in bed and wearing pajamas, my mind continued. Was I developing a crush for Aaron? Was he my mind's newest temporary obsession? I didn't know, but I couldn't stop thinking. And thinking made me think more, and beyond.
"The sun sets every day." Translation: not today, but I
will
take you.
The thought made my body respond and my blood flow faster. In some seconds, I was indulging on it, my hand rushing caresses on my hardness as my mind weaved a whole alternative version on how that night could have gone.
*****
[Olivier 1:12PM]
"hey"
[Olivier 1:12PM]
"we haven't met yet. Olivier here"
[Olivier 1:13PM]
"I'll arrive late tonight, around 10."
[Olivier 1:15PM]
"bedroom 2"
With all of the patrons working, I had had the Complex to myself most of the day. I worked out at the gym, taking advantage of the moment alone. I walked around the pool and explored the small pool house next to it. There was a sauna inside, as well as cold shower cubicles and a spa area.
