Chapter 18 Sreeni

Closing the door to the SUV, I look up at the Eden building. It doesn't seem as tall or imposing anymore. The awe and mystique seem to have given way to a comforting familiarity.

I make my way past the front doors, through the lobby, and press the button for the elevator. My mind is a million miles away. I don't even notice when someone appears next to me as I wait.

"Hello, Mistress." The voice shakes me out of my trance. I blink and turn to face the figure next to me.

"Chloe!"

I can't hide the surprise in my voice.

A familiar blonde smiles as she bows her head. I forgot how short and tiny she is. Her beige tunic uniform is visible underneath a maroon, puffy coat. Her dirty blonde hair is down, rather than up in a bun like I was used to. Her locks frame her face, making it look thinner. Or maybe it

is

thinner. She does look different. Older, more mature.

"How are you? How long has it been?" I ask, still reeling from mild shock. I try to recall the last time I saw her. It feels like an eternity. So much has happened.

"I'm well, Mistress. Thank you." Her voice is even and calm. "It's been quite a while. Almost a year, I believe."

The elevator dings, and the doors slide open. Chloe gestures for me to enter first. She follows me inside. She presses the button for the sixth floor, and turns to me. "Eighth floor?"

"Yes, thank you."

The doors close. Suddenly, I feel a rush of awkward energy. I have a million questions. How is she? What is she doing nowadays? Is she happy? Is she as thrilled to see me as I am her? So many things to say! Things I want to update her about. I want to hug her.

We simply stand side by side, quietly facing the doors.

"I wanted to say," Chloe starts softly, "that I was sorry to hear about what happened at Fabien's. When I first heard, I wanted to rush to you and see if you were okay. Of course, I didn't-- couldn't-- because ..."

I cautiously smile at her. "I know. I get it. Thank you. Yeah, it was a tough time." I believe I perceive her body leaning slightly towards me, but otherwise she stays very still. "I think things are okay now."

Her head turns towards me, but her eyes are still downcast. "I'm so very relieved to hear that."

I can't hold back any longer. "So what has happened with

you?

I feel like I never even see you on the floors ever. I was kind of worried you were fired or left."

"No no." Chloe shakes her head. "My assignments are more behind the scenes these days. I'm mostly a runner now." She lifts her arms to indicate a full, beige tote bag in each hand. I didn't even notice them until now. "I spend a lot of time out of the building."

I feel a twinge of guilt. "Chloe, if this is some kind of demotion, I'm really sorry for my part in it. I never meant for--"

She laughs. "Oh, not at all, Mistress. I enjoy my duties. It's actually nice to be outside more often. Plus, nothing was your fault. It was more my doing. My impetuousness." She pauses for a moment. "And my silly infatuation with ..."

She trails off. I wasn't exactly ready to address this. I feel such deep affection for Chloe. But to have a session with her ... it would feel extremely weird. I see her more like a baby sister. "Look, about your request--"

"Mistress Lisa," she says, cutting me off. "I want to apologize for that. I was being silly. I let a crush cloud my role and responsibilities. And honestly, I'm over it. I withdrew my request a few months ago."

"Oh!" I look back towards the doors as I process her words.

"In fact, I'm--" She pauses again. "I've been seeing someone. Another Server. Perhaps you know him? Luke? He's tall and thin. Dark hair and beard. Very cute." She grins to herself.

I'm too ashamed to admit that description and name don't ring any bells. "That's great to hear. I guess I'm ... happy for you?"

"Thank you, Mistress."

The elevator pings for the sixth floor, and the doors part. Chloe steps forward onto the floor. She turns and smiles at me. "It was very nice to see you again, Mistress."

"Yes! It was great seeing you, Chloe!" I reply as the doors close.

The elevator begins moving again. I replay the scene with Chloe in my head. I can't help but feel a sting of rejection. Which is stupid since I didn't want to go through with a session with her anyway. I'm ashamed that I don't feel happier towards Chloe moving onward. Isn't this the best scenario? I don't have to worry about talking her out of a session. Or going through with it. And she seems happy. But she's no longer my server. I don't get to see her everyday. Not that Melissa hasn't been wonderful. She and I have a rapport now, but it's different.

I frown at myself reflected in the metal doors as they open onto the eighth floor. I walk a few paces into the landing space, when I spy Sreeni on the couch.

"Hey!" She flags me down with a wave. Sreeni stands up, emitting a tight frown. As she walks towards me, I get an ominous feeling.

"Were you waiting for me?"

Her black hair is tied into a side braid. I spy a few strands of gray. Not sure if those are new. She's in a lavender t-shirt with a cartoon dog. There's a bowl of bones at its feet. Underneath are large letters that spell out

Bone Appétit.

"Yes," she replies. "I think we should have a chat about this thing going on between you and Lily."

A startled panic hits me.

"What?

Me and Lily? What are you--"

"You two have always been contentious. But it's getting disruptive. Messing with work. Pretty soon that will mean that Mistress Elizabeth will have to intervene. You do not want that."

"Oh," I reply, taking a breath. "Uh ... I think I've got that under control. No need to--"

"No." She places her hand on my back and guides me towards the elevator. "I want to talk more, but let's go somewhere else. Outside of Eden."

***

We make our way out of the building and to a coffeeshop a few blocks away. We pass a chalkboard sign as we enter. In green and pink hand drawn lettering, it says:

Free Coffee and False Advertising.

Sreeni greets the barista, and orders a latte for her and tea for me.

The cafe is half full of people working silently on their laptops. A Father John Misty song plays out over speakers hanging down from the corners of the space.

We collect our beverages and claim a small wooden table in the back corner.

The silence up to now has been agonizing so I dive right in. "Look, about me and Lily--"

"I don't care," Sreeni states.

I do a double-take and lean back. "What? What do you mean? I thought the whole reason we came out here was because--"

She shakes her head. "That was just to get us out of the building without raising any eyebrows."

I'm completely thrown. I silently look at her, my eyebrows furled. She leans forward and places her elbows on the table.

"I wanted to talk to you. And without any ears to listen in."

She goes silent for a second, and then smiles.

"I've been thinking about leaving Eden."

I was bracing myself for something awful. And somehow this is more upsetting than anything I was imagining. My jaw drops open. My brain can't formulate any thoughts. But my mouth manages to fire off a barrage of words.

"W-- what?! Why? How? Why?!

When?!"

She holds her hands up. "Not immediately or anything. But it's been on my mind more and more. I just feel like it's time."

"Time? Time for what? What are you going to do? Why would you ..." I can't keep the frenzy out of my tone.

She smiles.

"It's time.

I've been in Eden for a long time. Too long. You know this is a young person's job. No one can do what we do forever. Eventually you have to move on."

"B-- but, okay," I sputter. "Is that even allowed?"

Sreeni laughs. "This isn't the mafia. We're not stuck here to serve for the rest of our lives or until we get whacked. We have a shelf life. Beauty and youth are fleeting. Elizabeth will find new blood. It's best to know when the time has come."

"What makes you think it's your time? You still get plenty of Clients coming for sessions."

Sreeni's one of the more senior Talent, but she's only in her mid-thirties. I scan her face. Her skin is flawless and without lines or wrinkles. However, I can detect weariness behind her eyes. Still ...

"What about the Mistresses like Vanessa and Tai? You could be like them and not see Clients anymore. You could just stay on to coach and teach!"

Sreeni shakes her head. "The drive isn't there anymore. I'm just more ... tired. I had actually thought about leaving before you even came along."

She grabs my hand. "You sustained my desire to keep going in Eden."

"Until now. What happened?"

"You're on your feet. You're prospering. You don't need me to help you along anymore."

"I don't know if that's true," I mutter. "So now what? What are you going to do?"

"Well ..." Sreeni shifts her head from side to side. "I've actually been seeing someone. For a while now. We started off very slow. But it feels like things have progressed to the point where I'd call it a serious relationship."

"What! Oh my god! You met someone? How? Who?!"

She throws her head back, laughing. "I sort of figured you'd have this reaction." I glare at her with narrowed eyes.

"His name is Peter. I went to a Diwali festival about a year ago. He was there. We talked. And he asked me on a date."

"Peter,"

I echo. "Maybe I'm ignorant, but that doesn't sound like a traditionally Indian name."

"No, he's white," Sreeni replies, grinning. "He was brought to the event by a friend. He's very kind and sweet. You would like him."

"Uh huh. And does he

know

what you do?"

She gives a big, slow nod. "Not at first. But after a few months-- when I felt that we had built up enough trust-- I told him everything."

"And?"

"He was very shocked. Very surprised. He had

many

questions. But he ended up taking it well. He's never cast any aspersions on me."

I cup my chin in my hands as I lean on the table. First, running into Chloe, and now this news from Sreeni. It's too much to take in. Both of them were integral to my introduction into Eden. The idea of losing them both is distressing.

I let out a big sigh. "Well, this sucks. I mean, for me. I'm happy for you or whatever."

Sreeni laughs. "Clearly. But I know how you feel. We've become close. You've come to mean a lot to me. Which is why I wanted to tell you first."

"Why,

again, are you leaving?"

"Lisa," she sighs. "It's time. You haven't been here as long as I have. Being with Mistress Elizabeth-- Eden. It was an amazing choice. One that I'm forever grateful that I made. But life continues on. I'm not done growing. It's time for a new chapter. Time to get to know myself a little better."

She takes a moment to sip her latte, peering at me over the lip of her cup.

"I just don't like it," I say eventually.

She sets her drink down, squaring her jaw. "Please, Lisa. Be happy for

me."

The emphasis of her last word cracks through my feelings of lament. God, I'm a selfish asshole. This whole time all I could focus on was what Sreeni's leaving would mean for me.

My mind rapidly flashes through imaginary scenarios of Sreeni and a tall, blonde man with a killer smile and kind eyes. They walk hand in hand along the pier. They cuddle on a couch while watching a movie. They make breakfast together in a sunsoaked kitchen. She beats him at bowling and he takes the loss gracefully.

I gaze at Sreeni with reverence. She always seems so strong and assured. My eyes drift down to her cartoon dog on grinning at me.

"That is the dumbest shirt ever."

She laughs. "You're just jealous of my high brow chic."

A smile slowly emerges on my face.

"You have seemed different lately," I tell her. "Kind of distant and detached. But happy. It all makes sense now. I'm happy for you."

"Thank you." She smiles warmly at me. Then she cocks her head. "You seem different too. I can't put my finger on it. What's going on?"

"I dunno," I offer vaguely, with a shrug.

She narrows her eyes.

"I just ran into Chloe. My former server. It was jolt to my system. I'm probably still just thrown off."

Sreeni studies me with a doubting frown. "Hmm. Okay."

As we finish our drinks, Sreeni tells me more about Peter. The way she looks when she speaks is one of adoration and fondness. It's the kind of look that everyone would kill to get from a partner. She suggests that I meet him sometime. We agree to do a dinner in the near future.

"So ... have you broken the news to Mistress Elizabeth?" I ask.

"Dear god, no," Sreeni says, shaking her head. "She's not one to take bad news lightly. I'm still trying to figure out how and when to tell her."

A devilish grin spreads across her lips. "Maybe you could go tell her for me."

I recoil from her. "Uh ... fuck that!"

We both erupt into laughter. I feel a vibration in my pocket. I check my notifications. It's Melissa.

"Shit. I

really

have to get back."

We wrap up and head back to Eden. Sreeni links her arm through mine as we walk down the sun soaked street. I glance at her to see an absentminded smile on her face. It's good to see her so cheerful.

Sreeni and I hug before parting to our separate rooms. I pass through my door and immediately plop onto the sofa, letting out a big sigh.

I know I've got minutes before Melissa shows up to help with my Client preparation. I should be getting ready, but I just lounge and let my mind drift.

Chloe. Sreeni. A lot was thrown at me in quick succession. A person can only absorb so much.

My god, I haven't even had a chance to reflect on last night with Lily ...

***

I took big breaths out of my nose as my lips were entangled with Lily's. She spun us around, and pressed me hard against my door, her hands gripped my sides. My hands curled around her back and squeezed her ass. She leaned into me. My raging hard-on rubbed against her hip.

I'm not sure who made the first move. It all happened so fast.

"Whoa,

fuck!"

I let out, releasing my mouth from hers.

"Yeah." She nodded, breathless, and looked me in the eyes. Her green irises glimmered. "Inside?"

I nodded eagerly, and fumbled desperately with my keys. Once inside, I slammed the door shut and pushed her against it, engaging our lips again.

Her touch, her taste, her smell-- they all unleashed a tsunami of desire within me. My skin felt abuzz. She peeled off her jean jacket. I followed suit with my hoodie. Flinging the clothes to the side, we converged again. Lily pressed her chest into mine, pushing me backward. We fumbled blindly across the room. My thighs bumped against the armrest of the sofa. She kissed me eagerly, sucking on my lower lip.

My body was aflame, but my brain was still reeling. Is this really happening?

How

is this happening? I mustered all my willpower and pulled my lips away. Her head tilted to the side, as one eyebrow twitched quizzically.

"What's going on here?" I asked her.

"I dunno," she shrugged. "I had an impulse. I'm going with it." She cracked a trembling smile. "Is that okay with you?"

"Um ... hell yes!"

We both giggled as our lips met again. She grabbed handfuls of my hair as she pushed against me with sudden force. I lost my balance and I tipped backwards onto the sofa. Lily managed a muffled squeal, and I tightened my arms around her as we landed on the cushions. She chuckled as we readjusted. I inched my way fully onto the sofa. She pulled her hair back behind her ear as she craned down to suck on my neck.

Carnal need began to coil inside me like a spring. The mounting tension melted away any doubts or rational thoughts. I was breathing heavily. My heart was racing. I tipped my head away to expose more of my neck to her. She eagerly explored my flesh with kisses, bites, and sucking. Each touch unloaded a rush of pleasure through me. I pulled her body tightly against me.

She sat upright and we locked eyes. I soaked in her radiant beauty. Lily's lips trembled as she smiled. It was a pure, genuine smile. One that I'd never seen from her before. The knot of desire tightened inside of me.

Lily criss crossed her arms and began to pull off her standard Eden-issued black shirt. It initiated me to strip mine off as well. She tossed her shirt onto the floor. Her hair now mussed yet still alluring. I reached out and around her to undo the clasp of her black lace bra. Her breasts sprung free, with the pink tips beckoning me like a beacon.

I held her sides and pulled her again towards me, taking a breast into my mouth. I sucked on her nipple, causing Lily to moan and squirm. I dragged my tongue along her impossibly soft flesh.

Lily swiveled her shoulders, prompting me to slather attention onto her other breast. She let out a loud exhale as I flicked the engorged nub of her nipple with my tongue. She lowered her full weight on me, grinding into my crotch. My cock pulsed with anticipation.

It occurred to me that this wasn't the first time we've had sex. Yet all those other times were under weird, crazy circumstances. Even though we should be pretty familiar with each other's bodies, this somehow felt new. It was different. There was the electricity that always happens the first time you see someone naked, and are able to touch them. A desperate yearning to feel as much of their body as physically possible, and feeling like nothing will ever quench that need.

Despite our past and everything that's happened, I still felt a twinge of disbelief. Disbelief that I was here with Lily. That she would ever give me the time of day. That she would direct her passion and sexual energy towards me.

"Oh god!" Her head lolled in loose arcs as she absorbed the sensations of my touch at her breasts. Her hair dangled and obscured most of her face. But as I looked up, I caught glimpses of her parted mouth and heard her vocalizing soft sounds of enjoyment.

She let out a sharp groan and pulled her breasts away from my mouth. I looked up as she climbed off of me. She stepped off the couch and knelt down onto the rug in front of the sofa. Her hands fervently ripped off my shoes, tossing them behind her. She then gripped my leggings and began tugging them off, taking my panties with them.

My cock swung up into the air rigidly. Lily let out a soft "Ahhhhh."

I shifted myself into a sitting position in front of her. She curled her fingers around my shaft and started lightly stroking up and down.

My head dropped back as I groaned. "I can't believe this is happening," I sighed.

Lily looked up at me. Her eyes were big and shining. Her mouth pouted, yet still slightly parted. "Do you want to continue on with this?"

"Without a fucking doubt in my mind!"

She flashed a smile before sticking out her tongue and taking a long glide up the length of my cock. A shudder of pleasure tore through me. I heard a long "Uuuuuuuuunnnnnghhh!" leave my lips.

Encouraged by this, Lily lapped her tongue up and down repeatedly all over my straining cock. The head was a deep purple, clenched with tension. She traced her tongue around the ridge, an extra sensitive area that caused me to moan even louder.

"Ahaaa!" She smiled devilishly, as she repeated the looping path with her tongue. I flailed about from the ecstasy, but Lily held me in place with a tightened grip at the base of my shaft.

She finally relented, enclosing the head of my cock with her mouth. She sucked, causing bolts of rapture to hit my brain. How is it possible to feel this good?!

Her tongue rapidly fluttered over the surface of my dick, occasionally stopping to press down on the tip. I grabbed a handful of her hair. "Augh fuck! Lily!" I cried.

She emitted a muffled chuckle and then slid my cock further down the back of her mouth. I heard a choking sound from her throat as I felt the contraction squeeze the head of my dick. I moaned without restraint. The pleasure was overwhelming.