"This room shall be yours, Ms. Martinez." Sir Stefan hands me a felt card with his contact information etched in gold lining and a silver key attached to a plush star that was likely Leo's idea. I analyze the card carefully and tuck it inside my bag with the key.
"Thank you, Sir Stefan." I bend my head downwards to him out of respect for him. He returns the gesture with a deeper bow and opens the door for me to enter the private sanctuary I've been graciously provided.
"It is my pleasure." his voice hovers over my perked ears. The room called me broke in approximately twenty different languages. At the sides of the walls loomed lights that gave the room a welcome vibrancy similar to a coffee shop. The marble tiles at my scraped feet gleaned like mirrors, bouncing off the silk exterior of the furniture spread throughout the room. Wide with a beautiful overview of the backside of the mansion was a large window draped in soft creme curtains. I force myself to close my mouth while Sir Stefan closes the door behind me.
After a not-so-careful evaluation, I toss my heels beside the bed and fall flat on my back, letting the soft silk sheet brush my skin. I stayed there glancing at the ceiling, registering the events of tonight, not knowing what was next.
Would I be able to ever go home?
What about my job?
Am I ever going to be able to have a normal life after this?
I rip open my last sour candy and lay it on my tongue. I knew this would all come crashing down on me, but I didn't want to look pathetic, not in front of Leo. It was bad enough at the parking structure.
I tilt my head further into the pillow and allow the tears to slip from the sides of my cheeks. I keep my eyes closed and stay in a stiff position, imagining myself in a sensory deprivation tank where nothing and no one would bother me. Before I knew it, my body relaxed, and my exhaustion overtook me like a veil. I told myself it was going to be okay. It had to be okay.
I think back to our contract from when he entered my apartment after he had given me the dress, and we outlined our backstory.
"What are the terms?"
"No touching." I immediately say.
"At all? No hugging? Holding hands? Won't that look a tad bit suspicious? We'll need to be convincing to both of our parents," Leo reasons as he tucks the pen I have him over his ear. He sat in the living room with a blank sheet of paper over the coffee table while I was making a cup of coffee. Caffeine was non-negotiable regardless of whether it was one in the afternoon.
"Okay, what do you recommend superstar? If you're such an expert, how would you recommend how we go about this?" I take out my gallon of milk from the fridge and plant it on the counter.
"Well, you've already signed the NDA. We still need to decide on an ending date and your compensation. From there, it's a matter of terms and conditions. Realistic ones, but nothing that would bring you discomfort. Does my touch affect you that much?" He turns his jaw from the paper and to my direction.
I turn on my heels and pour the milk into my cauldron mug, allowing my back to be all he sees. "Let's get something straight. It's not just your touch that affects me. It's everyone. I am not a physical person. I rarely let Beth hug me as it is. However, as long as you remain respectful, I will permit it. Try anything and I will come for you."
Silence slips into our conversation as I put my cup inside the microwave. It reopens when I shut the door and input the seconds. "I would never disrespect you, Estrella. Contract or no contract. I won't make you commit to anything that you're not willing to do."
The microwave light bulb shines, and my cup rotates inside it. "I know Leo. " I feel his presence from behind me. His steps were those of a cat, quick and silent.
I strengthen my spine and face the 6'5 man that I had once known as the boy next door. "Steph-"
"How about this, should I feel uncomfortable, I will let you know."
"Maybe we shouldn't-"
I dangle the bracelet in front of the bridge of his nose. "As long as I wear this, you are equally my turtle as I am your star. If you think I am backing out now because I'm afraid of a little physical contact you are wrong. I benefit from this arrangement as much as you do. Don't forget, I will hold you accountable to hold my end of the bargain. Understood tortuga?"
I thought this would make him smile, but instead, he froze with disbelief. Guess there is a first time for everything. I have caught Leonardo Vasquez by surprise. "Got it?"
"Got it." He blinks and returns to his normal stature. "You let me know and I will back off. I'll do my due diligence and provide you with all that you need."
"Good," The microwave alarm goes off, and take out my cup from it and start scrambling past him to reach my instant coffee mix and sugar. I open the lid to both of the containers and grab a spoon to dunk it into my cup. "Want one? You might need it."
He chuckles, flashing his pearly symmetrical teeth completely. I hand him a cup, and from there was the start of our newly unorthodox contract.