Caterina

Okay, I'm not proud of this but...I might've eavesdrop on their conversation, ear sticking to the door even. So when she pulled it open, I stumbled but thankfully, didn't fall and was able to balance myself quickly before she became suspicious.

"Hey, didn't see you there." I smiled and laughed a little, you know that unconvincing awkward laugh? Yeah, that.

"Sorry" she did a quick look over, then glanced back inside the room before smirking.

"It's no problem" I didn't know what that gesture meant but couldn't give a damn. I head inside to see Ms. Williams on her desk per usual.

"Um, I'm just here to drop off the payment. My dad was tired from work and thought he'd need some rest. Anyway, here." I handed her the envelope containing it and she calmly accepts before setting it inside in one of the table's drawers.

"Is that all you came here for?" shrugging it off, I nod.

"I think so, yeah." I'm pretty sure I didn't forget anything...or have I?

"I'm surprised, I thought you'd file a complaint." my mind clicked and thoughts about that night flooded my head.

"N-no, you've helped me calm down so I'll let it slide." my hands balled into a fist, cheeks probably flushed as embarrassment slowly fills me.

"Please, have a seat." as I sat down, I took a few calming breaths. Wouldn't wanna embarrass myself even more.

"I would like a review, an opinion per se on my company's services." I was baffled, my mind barely recovering but cleared my throat.

"Do you always ask this after every session?"

"No, only to the first timers." I nod "if they come back after that, I'd already know the answer." she grabs a file and opens it, with a pen ready on her hand.

"So? If you please, and don't hold back, honesty is always appreciated."

What the fuck am I supposed to say? That her hugs are nice? Her skin feels warm and pleasant against mine? That she's a great pillow replacement?

"I'm not quite sure what to say" i nervously tap my forefinger on my bag.

"Anything really, it doesn't have to be detailed. Just a general perspective." I suddenly met her gaze, before shifting back to my surroundings.

"Um it was pleasant, I thought it'd was awkward and tense at first. But then, you went out your way and cooked for me." I paused and looked at her curiously.

"Was that part of the contract? Do we have to pay extra?" it was only brief but I caught a glimpse of her smile. It was small, but at that brief moment, she was even more beautiful.

"No, it's alright. But it was part of the contract, after all we'd like to provide a sense of comfort and ease to our customers."

"But you called me princess, are endearments part of the contract?" I squint my eyes at her, but she furrows her eyebrows together, confused.

"I don't recall calling you that." I was flabbergasted, but remained calm.

"Oh, alright then" I brush it off, while she leans back and crosses her arms looking at me, studying me.

"Would you like to book another appointment?" I thought about it for a moment.

"I'm not gonna lie, the services were beyond my expectations. I thought it would be some creepy dude saying 'come here, sugar' oh my god, just imagining that gave me shivers" I hear a snicker, and knew that I was rambling.

"Um anyway, as much as I...liked the trial, I'd like to decline." she nods her head and writes something on my file.

"That's unfortunate to hear, but it's your choice after all." she closes the folder and stood up, offering her hand for me to shake.

"Pleasure doing business with you, Ms. Kingsley" I took her hand, they were so soft and warm, then I remembered that night, how I felt secure and calm. The storm brewing and plaguing my thoughts ceased, replaced by a calming ocean wave that I didn't even know was possible.

"Y-yeah, a pleasure." slowly letting go, I felt cold once again but ignored it and placed my hand in my pocket, and exited the room.

Walking out the building, I felt the pitter patter of rain on my skin, resulting me to sprint and turn to a corner and thankfully found one.

"Ugh, stupid rain." I tried drying myself off but to no avail, then heard footsteps coming towards me and looked at that direction.

"I'll say" he chuckles, it was a young man but looked older than me, in a hoodie and ripped jeans. He stood next to me as we waited for the rain to stop.

"Here" a hand offers me a handkerchief, and looked up to see the man smiling at me.

"Oh no, no thanks I'm fine" kinda sudden to offer that to a stranger, plus I don't know where that's been. He could've blown his snot on that, disgusting.

"it's fine, I'll just dry myself off with my hoodie." he must have seen my hesitation and chuckles.

"it's clean, I promise" I awkwardly took it from him and mumbles thanks, just wiping down my arms.

No way that's going near my hair or my face.

From the corner of my eye, I see him take off his hoodie revealing a shirt underneath, and dries himself with it. After awhile, we just stood there watching and waiting for cabs to pass by.

"So um, where you headed from?" I looked at him suspiciously, but he raises his arms in surrender.

"Just making conversation"

Great, small talk.

"From that building" I pointed to the HC building, it didn't matter really, I only told him where I came from, not where I was headed. He looked at the building longer than a few seconds and turns towards me.

"Do you work there?" I shook my head no.

"You're a customer then?" he asks again.

"Not exactly." he just nods his head and turns back to the streets as the droplets of water clash against the concrete.

"It's just I heard some weird stuff about the business going on there." now I'm curious.

"Like what?" he shrugs.

"That it's basically a hugging service" he laughs, but I find nothing amusing.

"I mean, is that all they really provide?" my foot starts to tap the ground as I cross my arms over my chest.

"Yeah, you'd think it'd be weird at first, but that's all they really do." he chuckles.

"So you are a customer."

"former" he gives a small laugh.

"I take it that it wasn't a good service?"

"No, it's actually quite decent, just not for me." I shrug, he hums and nods his head, tying his hoodie around his waist.

I looked ahead of us and saw an available cab, quickly waving my hand and have it stop in front of us.

"Thanks for this again" I hand out the piece of cloth to which he declines.

"It's fine, keep it." crap, I didn't have enough cash for this and the cab.

"Um I'll pay you back" I paused, the chances are highly unlikely "somehow" he smiles nodding and I quickly headed inside the car, and drove off. I sighed and relaxed, I didn't notice I was still clutching the handkerchief in my hand.

Folding it neatly, I noticed some initials were sown onto it.

"QF huh, what could that mean."

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Some of ya'll reading list names are funny....and also directive 👀