CLEANER: Chapter Five - Part Five

MELISSA

I almost couldn't believe it when Dahlia came out to see me carrying a drink.

I'd been enjoying myself so much I'd lost track of any passing of time. I'd forgotten myself and my environment. With our previous exchanges under my belt, I'd allowed myself to really relax this time. It was wonderful to lounge out here in the constant warmth, reading the magazine that Dahlia had discarded the day before, exactly as if I'd been the one to discard it.

When I caught sight of Dahlia I actually started for a moment, not recognising her. With the dark hair and glasses and in those clothes, she really looked like an entirely different person. There even seemed  to be a difference in her posture. I almost thought I'd been caught in the act. But no. She had actually brought me a drink! Like she was my slave or something! It really was too rich! I had to be dreaming!

"I thought you might like a drink." Even her voice seemed different, more timid, less in control.

I took it gladly, taking a sip. It was gloriously nice; made even better by the mode of delivery.

I wondered if she was going to go on to say something else - offer some further service - but after a moment's hesitation she simply withdrew. I watched her go, wondering what would happen if I instructed her to fetch me something else but afraid to risk it. I was desperate not to burst the bubble on this ride, but I had no idea what her personal limits were so it was a tricky business.

Then she looked back at me suddenly and said, "Will that be all Dahlia?" and I gaped in wonder.

Could she have really said that? Was it possible? I couldn't have misheard it. She'd called me by her name.

I didn't know how to reply. No. I knew exactly how to reply. I was just too scared to.

But then I thought of going down on my hands and knees, scrubbing the floor in the classroom the other day and I found myself saying, "Thank you Melissa. Nothing right now."