The Arrangement Anthology 2(8)

I stand there frozen, wondering what she means by that. Her long dark lashes are lowered and she remains too close for too long, breathing deeply with her lips parted like she wants to say something else.

The sound of static saves me. Black rolls her eyes and turns back toward her desk. “Mel is here.” Gabe’s voice through the intercom is detached and devoid of emotion.

What? Mel was supposed to be here already. What the hell is Gabe talking about?

A moment later, Mel is at the door. “Hey, Miss Black.” She bounds into the room with a fake smile to hide her nerves. Mel isn’t afraid of anyone, but she’s fearful of Black. Mel’s wearing a flirty red dress similar to the one I had on before my shameful scolding. She spins and it floats up in a circle, showing off her lacy thigh highs and new panties. “What do you think?”

“It’s perfect, Mel.”

My jaw drops and I make a face. “What! That’s just like the dress I had on!”

“Yes, dear, but Mel wearing a cute dress is ironic, while on you, it’s just cute and cute doesn’t sell.”

Mel looks over at me and whistles. “Hot damn, Avery. That dress is tight. I like how the little bits of purple lace peak out from your bra. That is one hot look.”

I want to strangle her. Miss Black smiles. “It appears that one of Avery’s talents is teasing, so she should play up the anticipation, don’t you think?”

“Fuck, yeah. I’d do you looking like that.” Mel laughs with Black as they both head over to the table outside her office. The conversation continues, but the words Sean said come back to me. He thinks she has a thing for me, but I don’t get that vibe from her. Mel teases, that’s all. She wasn’t serious.

“So, who are we doing?” Mel asks, as Black measures her. She isn’t asked to strip. I guess the hands on treatment is just for me. WTH?

“Mr. Ferro.” Miss Black says calmly as she pulls out the papers and slides them towards us on the desk.

Mel nearly chokes, but recovers quickly and doesn’t look up at me. She groans, like she doesn’t want to go, and leans back in her chair. “He’s one messed up piece of work, Miss Black.”

“I realize that, but he requested both of you and said he was impressed with your previous services. The fee was quite high, but he paid it, so maybe you won’t mind so much.” She winks at Mel and slips a piece of paper toward her.

Mel is in the middle of a sentence by the time she picks up the paper. “No amount of money could make me want to go back to that guy’s… Holy shit. Are you for real?” Mel can act, that’s for sure. She looks completely surprised.

Black smiles serenely. “Yes, so let him do whatever he wants.”

“Done,” Mel sits up and grabs a pen. “Where do I sign?” Miss Black points and Mel scribbles her name.

“These are for next week. More of the regular.” Black hands the papers to Mel and she signs up for a few more appointments. “And Miss Stanz, here are your clients.” She pushes a paper toward me. They’re names, not contracts, because I no longer get to agree to anything. I go where she tells me, and do whatever the guy wants. I don’t take the paper.

Taking a deep breath, I stiffen and stand my ground. “I was serious, Miss Black. I can’t do this anymore. Mr. Ferro is my last client.” Suddenly, I have no idea what to do with my hands so I fold them over my chest.

Miss Black smiles at me. She’s seated at the table across from Mel, with her long lean legs crossed at the knee with one foot bobbing up and down. She taps the pen once on the paper. “I see. And there’s nothing I can do to change your mind?”

“No.”

“No amount of money will make it more enticing for you to stay?” Mel watches the exchange without comment, but her head turns side to side like a dog watching a tennis ball.

Fear prickles my skin, but my voice is firm. “It’s not about money. I can’t do it anymore. I’m not cut out for this.”

Miss Black grins tightly before looking over at Mel. “Well, we can’t make you stay, Miss Stanz. Although we strongly encourage it.” There’s something menacing in her tone. It completely contradicts the light smile on her lips.

I glance at Mel, but she seems just as surprised as I am. Stepping over to Black, I ask, “What are you saying?”

Miss Black stands so we’re eye to eye. Her gaze is intimidating, but I don’t look away and I won’t back up. When Black speaks, she’s so close that her minty breath washes over my face. “That your life will be better if you work here and worse if you choose to leave.” Her mouth hugs each word tightly, like it’s a simple statement and nothing more. A smile spreads across her face that instantly sends a jolt of ice down my spine.