Chapter 5 #3
“I couldn’t stand going by my real name anyway. I’ll take it.”
“So, you’ll do it?” Varen almost sounded hopeful.
“Now, hold on. I have to pretend to be your girlfriend. You’re not exactly expecting anything from me, are you?”
“No. This isn’t a real relationship. If you have someone else, I don’t care. Hold up your end of the bargain by being a good liar.”
“I don’t have anyone.” Nala played with her ponytail. “If I do this, I still won’t.”
“Certainly.” Varen released another pent-up sigh. “I’ll also be willing to pay for any related expenses. It’s the least I can do. Do you need a stipend? You may have to take time off work if he wants to go to the coast. Or Bali. I hear that happens a lot.”
“Stipend? So now I am a pro?”
“Hardly. It’s an inconvenience fee. How does a thousand a week sound? I can give you the first grand before the next club meeting Sunday night.”
“A… thousand…” Nala hadn’t had a thousand dollars to her name in years.
Not since Carson City. A thousand a week?
Dear Lord. “I mean, I think that’s insane, but I won’t say no.”
She wouldn’t tell her that she needed the money.
To eat. To get around town. To save for emergencies, because there would be some in the future.
She didn’t dare to think about moving, though.
The closet sucked, but she didn’t think she and Varen would have this arrangement for too long.
She didn’t know why, but… “All right. All right! Let’s try this bullshit on for size. You said the next meeting is on Sunday? What do we have to do?”
“Watch and mingle. He’s throwing a party in a hotel suite here in Downtown. It would be a good chance for you to study the other women. They are all naturally submissive, and you need to pretend to be one too. We’ll go over the details that night. Oh, do you need money for a dress?
The one you wore the other night was okay, but I’m sure you saw how everyone else’s popped.”
“That’s the only dress I own.”
“I see.” Varen pulled out her wallet and a crisp $100 bill within.
Air shot through Nala’s nostrils. She wasn’t kidding, was she?
Apparently not, because she pulled out another hundred with it!
“Here. Get something sexy that you’re comfortable in. I’ll bring a mask. I’ll pick you up at six and we’ll head to the party. Sound good?”
Nala nodded, although her head felt completely detached from her body. “Are you made of money, by the way?”
Varen cracked a hint of a smile. “Something like that. I’ve had a very successful past couple of years.”
“And you’re single.”
She frowned again. “I told you before. I’m not looking.”
“Oh, but I’m sure every queer woman throws themselves at you. All one million of them around here.”
Nala fanned herself with the money in her hand.
It smelled like dusty old paper, ink, and traces of the cocaine she heard was on every bill.
Again, dirt or feces? “I’ll be the envy of every lesbian in Oregon. That may be the most annoying part of all.”
“Don’t worry. I’m rich, but I’m not high society. I doubt people will be watching out for who I date. This is Portland, not New England.”
“I’ll take your word for it. By the way, when do I get that first check?” Hey, she might as well milk this opportunity! A path of vengeance and thousands of dollars? Sweet.
“I’ll give it to you after our adventure on Sunday.”
“Awesome.” Nala stood, stretching her arms above her head. “Well, Ms. Lake… I mean Varen… I look forward to lying about being your submissive stooge in front of a guy I would love to wring the neck of.”
Varen stood, holding her hand out for Nala to shake. “The feeling is mutual, Nala.”
They shook hands. Varen was firm. So was Nala. There was no denying that they had something to benefit from in this situation.
First, Nala had to go shopping. For a slutty dress that screamed sexual submissive. Whatever that meant. Surely, there was something at a consignment shop. Surely.
After that? She was already thinking about what she would do with the money. What she would do with her access to Xan and the evidence she could amass.
What would happen during her time with Varen.
Her spanking Nala.
Kissing her in front of others.
Also, spanking her.
Why was she dwelling on that? Nala was fixated on the weird shit people could be into. At least it took her mind off all the terrible shit she was exposed to constantly.
Entry 3
Ihad a meeting with Nightingale today. She is rougher than I initially took her to be. Younger, too. I already knew she was both of these things, but seeing how much so reminded me that I must be cautious. She could be a liability.
Business continues as usual. My personal life, outside of seeking vengeance…
it becomes harder each day to separate my past from my present.
Every day she is not with me is like two hands squeezing my throat.
Some days are easier to bear than others, especially if I focus on my work.
But recent events have forced me to think of her every day.
Sleep does not come easy. It’s been three years, yet I feel like I’ve been suffering much longer. Such is Ravenwood’s reach.
I hope Nightingale is my means to an end. What will happen after? I cannot conceive.