Maya found such success with Claudine's techniques and assistance that she booked her for nightly an insane amount of time! How will this pan out...?
Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.
Chapter 4. The End Of An Appointment
"Two months?!"
Both Mahiru and Kaoruko shriek the words. Claudine had texted them to meet up at a local non-cuddle cafe so she could update them about last night's appointment. She told them how it went successfully enough for Maya to book her again for the next sixty days.
The shock of the reveal has Kaoruko choking on her tea, and Mahiru has to give her a few good slaps on the back.
"You can't- seriously be thinking of accepting-!" Kaoruko coughs.
"I already did."
"What-?! Ghak!"
"K-Kaoruko-chan, calm down!" Mahiru frets. "W-W-Wait! Kuro-chan, did you really-?"
"Oui. She really needs my help. And besides, it's the best money I'll ever make right now."
"Be that as it may…" Kaoruko gasps. "Even if she didn't do anything sketchy to you last night, two months is plenty of time for her to get nasty ideas into her head."
"You don't need to worry about that. She's not that kind of person."
"Haaah? How can you say that about a person you've only known for one night?"
Little did her concerned friends know, Claudine has known this client for much longer than that. She obviously can't reveal Maya's true identity to them just like that, but she knows for a fact that Maya has never had any kind of unsavory track record in all her life, so there was no need to be concerned about that.
"I can just tell," Claudine says a bit lamely.
"Is she dating anyone?" Mahiru asks. "If she is, maybe she won't come after you-"
"Or she'll try to make you join in!"
"K-Kaoruko-chan!"
Claudine can't help but laugh outright at the thought. She knows they're both genuinely worried for her safety though, so perhaps it would be best to just come clean.
"Can you keep a secret, Kaoruko?"
"Course I can. Hey, wait! How come you didn't ask Mahiru-han if she could keep one?"
"Because I know she can."
"Offended!"
Mahiru chuckles as she tries to soothe Kaoruko's ruffled feathers. Claudine leans forward over the table and whispers to them.
"My client… is Tendo Maya."
"Ten-! Mmph!" Kaoruko nearly blurts the name out in a shriek before Mahiru quickly covers her mouth.
"See?!" Claudine hisses. "This is why I doubted if you could keep it a secret!"
"N-N-No way!" Mahiru gasps. "It's really her?"
Claudine nods.
"Oui. Which makes sense as to how she can afford such a lengthy term."
Kaoruko finally breaks free.
"That's insane! Kuro-han, you're sleeping with a celebrity!"
"Don't say it like that!"
"Well, it's true, isn't it?"
"Yes, but not like that, you pervert!"
Once they've all calmed and quieted down a bit, they come to terms with Claudine's upcoming assignment.
"Two months, huh…?" Kaoruko mumbles. "Two months straight of full 12-hour off-site night shifts… I don't think any cafe has ever had that before."
"Your regulars are gonna be jealous," Mahiru teases.
"They'll have to understand I made a commitment," Claudine reasons. "I really want to help this girl."
Mahiru smiles.
"Kuro-chan, you have such a good heart. But don't push yourself, okay? Take a night or two off if you need to."
"Don't worry. The client and I have already discussed and made those things clear. I'm a student first and a cuddler second."
"Mmmn… I'm still not sure if I trust her," Kaoruko mumbles. "You'll still have to text us each time! At least when you get there and the next morning so we know you're okay."
"Deal."
The three girls finish up their lunch date, then prepare to go their separate ways.
"Just be careful," Mahiru says, pulling Claudine into a hug, which Kaoruko quickly joins.
"Yes, call us anytime if you need anything."
"I will." Claudine kisses them each on the cheek. "I'll text you both tonight and again tomorrow morning."
They part ways, at which point Claudine returns to campus to her dorm. Even though she won't be sleeping here anymore for the next two months, she still has to pay for it, so she might as well keep up with the chores and do her assignments here.
She does her laundry and her remaining schoolwork for the weekend, then naps again before dinner...
And then, just like that, she finds herself back outside room 1118.
She gives a knock, and then finds herself face-to-face with Tendo Maya once more.
The second their eyes meet again, Maya's face lights up.
"Saijou-san!"
Claudine gives her a puzzled look.
"Why do you sound so surprised to see me? Don't you remember you hired me to be here?"
"Well, yes," Maya says, stepping aside to let her in. "But somehow… a part of me didn't expect you to actually show up again."
"Even though I told you I accepted the job?" Claudine scoffs. "You're such a strange woman."
Claudine follows Maya inside, and once she's back in the apartment, it sort of feels like she never left. As Claudine puts down her bag, Maya shuffles back toward the kitchen area.
"Would you care for some tea?" Since Claudine had gone and made it last night, Maya must have prepared it in advance tonight in order to be a good host.
"Very well," Claudine answers.
So as Maya prepares the tea, Claudine lights the candles she'd brought and left yesterday, filling the apartment with subtle, calming aromas. She turns on the TV, plays some background music, and sets up the couch like she had before.
If I'm going to be doing this for two months straight, I should probably set up some sort of routine…
While Claudine gets right to work with unfolding Maya's thick, plush blanket and making a comfortable spot for her on the couch, Maya prepares the tea.
When it's ready, she brings it in and offers Claudine her cup. Claudine accepts and takes a sip, allowing the warm liquid to settle her stomach, which had been quite excited all day long. But she doesn't let herself get too comfortable, because she's still here to work.
"Merci," she says. "Have a seat here. We'll do what we did last night and have you start by just winding down."
Maya nods and sits down beside Claudine on the couch, taking a few sips of her tea before putting the cup down on the table. Claudine locates Maya's brush from yesterday and offers to tend to her hair again, to which Maya blushes slightly and accepts.
As Claudine gets to work carefully brushing Maya's hair in soothing strokes, she can already feel Maya slumping back toward her in relaxation. But to avoid a potentially-awkward silence, she decides to get her client talking.
"So? What does a typical weekend look like for the infamous Tendo Maya? What did you do today?"
Maya seems almost a bit surprised to be asked such a domestic question, but she responds nonetheless.
"Well… I did some stretching and practicing, of course. I even felt well enough to work out at the gym for a bit this morning after you left." It sounds so strange to hear to say that, but it really only had been about half a day since Claudine had last been here with her. "When I returned, I showered and took care of the chores. That was about all."
"I see. So would you say that a day like today was less stressful than your typical workdays with the troupe?"
"Yes, I believe so."
"That's good. Then hopefully you'll be able to calm down enough to sleep a bit more."
She says as much, but she knows the dread and stress a person feels in knowing their days off are ending and they must go back to work soon can often reduce their odds of sleeping efficiently that night. So in order to prevent Maya from experiencing such stress, Claudine keeps her tone and her motions slow and gentle as she continues brushing her hair.
"Let's try to have you get into bed a bit earlier tonight," she suggests. "Even if you do wake up multiple times, your body should still be able to get some rest if you're laying down for a longer period of time."
"Very well." Maya dips her head. "May I ask… what you did today, Saijou-san…?"
"Me?" Claudine huffs, brushing down the length of her hair again. "This isn't really about me, you know."
"Perhaps not. But having a two-way conversation would help things feel more natural, don't you think?"
Claudine almost blushes a little when Tendo Maya gives her a suggestion of how to do her job.
"Fine then. I met up with some friends from the cafe and told them about this ridiculous two-month request of yours. Then I went back to campus and handled my chores and schoolwork."
Maya's shoulders actually shake with a small chuckle.
"Oh my. I wonder what your friends must think of me as a client, asking something so outrageous of you."
"You're paying, aren't you?"
"Of course."
"Then nothing else matters."
Claudine says this with enough of a joking tone that Maya understands she isn't really just here for the paycheck, and she chuckles again.
Claudine continues brushing Maya's hair as they chat for a while, occasionally taking sips at their teacups. When that's finished, Claudine holds up the blanket to her client.
"Get comfortable," she says. "Lounge around and lay however you'd like."
Maya shyly nudges herself into the fabric as Claudine drapes it around her shoulders, bundling her up snugly. She ponders for a moment about how she'd like to position herself.
"As much as I enjoyed what we tried last night," she says. "May I try something else?"
"Go right ahead," Claudine says. "I'm working for you, so I'll do whatever you ask of me. Within reason."
"Of course, of course," she chuckles.
Claudine stays still as she waits for Maya to figure out how she wants to position herself. What Claudine hadn't been expecting, however, was for Maya to unfurl half the blanket from herself and drape it around Claudine's shoulders instead.
Claudine completely refuses to acknowledge how her heart sort of skips a beat at the unexpected gesture. But for the sake of her client's comfort and preference, she stays still.
Maya quickly presses herself against Claudine's side, clinging to her in a cozy hug. She leans her head on Claudine's shoulder and deflates, letting out a long sigh.
"I hope this sort of position is permissible…?"
Claudine quickly clears her throat and gathers her bearings, trying to still be professional.
"Of course. I do this sort of thing with clients all the time."
Just never before alone with them in their house for the entire night…
But either way, it wasn't something she couldn't handle.
Claudine gets right into playing her part, putting her arm around Maya's back to pull her in closer. Maya cuddles up, pulling her legs up onto the couch in a ball. For Maya's sake, Claudine allows herself to slouch back against the couch and get comfortable as well.
They watch TV for a time, talking or commenting every now and then. But even when they don't speak, the atmosphere is quite pleasant and casual.
It's about an hour later when Claudine realizes Maya has fallen asleep at her side.
So she doesn't have to be laying down, or be in her bed, she notes. That makes sense. She's got such a high-stress career that I'm sure she could fall asleep anywhere if she was comfortable enough.
Even if it means Claudine will have to sleep sitting up like this all night and be a bit sore going to classes tomorrow, she'll gladly accept it if it means her client could rest properly.
But again, Claudine doesn't anticipate things being that simple on just their second night.
Sure enough, Maya wakes from a start not too long after, but as soon as she realizes that Claudine is still there with her to hug her and keep her warm, she relaxes. Maya excuses herself to the restroom to wash off her face, and Claudine takes a turn afterward before they ultimately move to the bedroom.
It would make sense to do what had worked best last night. So even though it makes her blush feverishly, Claudine offers her chest to Maya.
Maya swallows, a bit more awake and self-conscious than she'd been the night before. But she's as determined to fight this insomnia as Claudine is determined to help her. So she inches closer and carefully lays her head down sideways on Claudine's collar. Maya almost whimpers from how warm and soft she is, and how soothing the sound of her heartbeat is. She closes her eyes and hugs Claudine, letting out a long, heavy sigh.
Claudine carefully folds the blankets over Maya's back and hugs her in return, stroking through her hair and rubbing her back and her sides for her.
It isn't long before Maya nods off once again. Claudine keeps her thoughts to herself.
This girl… All she really needs is someone to sleep next to. That's all.
And for the next two months, Claudine was going to be that person.
She could live with that.
Maya wakes up several more times throughout the night, and each time Claudine wakes with her and is able to calm her down and help her get comfortable again.
Then, the next thing she knows, the sound of her 8AM alarm is chiming from her phone on the bedside table. Claudine stirs, opening her eyes slowly to the dim sunlight filling the room with pale light.
Unlike yesterday morning, they can't sleep in, because Claudine has classes and Maya has work. But as she lays there, letting reality come back to her, Claudine recounts last night's events.
She woke up about the same amount of times as she did the first night, but she was able to fall back asleep much more effectively each time. I think we've already found out which position works best for her…
And now, as Maya groggily lifts up her head and blinks herself awake, Claudine feels a dull soreness across her chest from having the weight of Maya's head rest there all night, but it isn't terrible. Maya pushes herself up slowly, blinking down at her as Claudine smiles up.
"Bonjour. How did you sleep, Tendo Maya?"
The second Maya remembers who is with her, she smiles too.
"Quite well," she replies. "I must admit… this is the most refreshed I've felt on a Monday morning in a long time. I truly feel as though I can face my work today with much more energy and passion. It's wonderful."
"I'm glad to hear that," Claudine says. "But don't push yourself. It's only been two nights. Your body is going to need a lot more time to recover and be at its full potential after so many sleepless nights."
"You're right," Maya nods. "I shouldn't get ahead of myself too quickly. But I do believe this is working." Still smiling, she runs her gaze across Claudine beneath her. "Are you all right, Saijou-san? I apologize for laying on you all night. Does your chest hurt?" Maya reaches out to help Claudine sit up. Claudine takes in a good breath to let her lungs function fully again, but nods.
"Oui. All fine on my end."
"When is your first class? May I treat you to breakfast?"
"9:30. I should have time."
"Splendid."
Maya climbs out of bed, again with much more vigor than Claudine could imagine she must've moved with before they'd met and started these slumber parties.
Like yesterday, Maya makes breakfast, and the two girls sit and eat together before Claudine must take her leave. She still has to shower and change clothes before her classes start this morning, and Maya needs to head out soon as well to join the trope. As Maya sees her off at the door, she thanks her again.
"I truly do mean it, Saijou-san. You've already done so much to assist me. I know that, with your help, I'll be cured in no time at all."
"Don't get too ahead of yourself," Claudine warns her. "But I'm glad. I hope I really can help you conquer this. Then myself and the next generations of performers will be able to see you shine even more brilliantly onstage."
"Surely you flatter me," Maya blushes, smiling. "Well then, I shall see you again tonight, Saijou-san."
"Right. See you tonight."
And not unlike a married couple seeing each other off for work, the two girls part ways once again for the morning, with the promise of being reunited again later that day.
And so, Claudine's and Maya's routine continues as such for several weeks.
After Claudine leaves Maya's apartment on weekdays, she goes to class in the mornings, then spends her afternoons either doing homework, going to the cafe for an on-site appointment, or handling chores around her dorm room. But no matter what she does throughout the day, she always manages to find time to meet up with Mahiru and Kaoruko to update them on things.
In the evenings, she would nap and eat dinner at her dorm before heading to Maya's, and going through the nightly routine.
Maya woke each morning feeling better and better as the weeks went on. She would have even more energy than usual to pour into her acting, singing, and dancing. Her colleagues notice the change in her, and are relieved to see the prodigal Tendo Maya back to her old self. She performs in several plays around the area without a hitch, and actually ends up sleeping better on those nights with Claudine at her side.
At times, Maya would request that Claudine be her dance partner to practice a scene or performance, and Claudine always readily agreed.
Together, the two of them figure out a routine that works best for Maya.
It begins with spending time together on the couch, watching TV, chatting, and telling each other about their days while Claudine pampers her. Then they'll eventually move into the bedroom to lie down, where Maya would cuddle up, relax, and recharge with some much-needed warm hugs.
On weekends, they would sleep in together, though Claudine always tried to leave as on-time as possible as to not overstay her welcome and go beyond her allotted hours. But Maya never minded having her stay late to join her for breakfast, and sometimes even lunch as well.
And as the weeks progressed, they began spending more and more time together past Claudine's 12-hour contracted shifts, until there were some days she stayed the whole 24 hours or longer.
One time, Claudine ended up so busy between her classes, assignments, and overnight shifts with Maya that she didn't have time to eat dinner at her dorm, therefore Maya readily treated her to a home-cooked meal.
Another time, she neglected to bring a change of clothes, therefore Maya lent her a set of sweatpants and a sweatshirt for her to spend the night in. Before long, Claudine began leaving her clothes at Maya's apartment, or wearing Maya's clothes to class instead of her own. She would sometimes shower there on top of eating one or two meals a day there, and Maya even bought Claudine her own toothbrush to keep at her place.
Maya felt that showing Claudine as much hospitality as possible was the least she could do for the improvements she was seeing in herself, thanks to Claudine's help.
Progressively, Maya went from waking close to 20 times a night due to her insomnia, to waking only about 12 times, and she was able to fall back asleep much more quickly and comfortably. And by the time they were 6 out of their 8 weeks in, Maya had reduced the number of times she woke at night into the single digits.
And throughout this time together, each girl gradually came to certain realizations of her own.
Maya knew it wasn't because just anyone was there sleeping beside her at night. She was convinced it was because it was Saijou Claudine and no one else that she felt so comfortable and blissful.
Similarly, Claudine recognized that she wasn't just coming back here every night or staying all day simply for a paycheck. There was something else there. Something warm and sweet and gentle, just like the hugs they shared each night…
This morning, Maya wakes feeling pleasantly warm and well-rested. Claudine's sweet scent fills her lungs, and her steady heartbeat fills her head.
It's a Sunday, so she and Claudine will likely be sleeping in, eating late, and then spending the afternoon together either at the apartment or out grocery shopping in town before coming back here for the night. This had become an established sort of routine for them, one they didn't question anymore.
The only thing that was different about today was that…tonight marked the final night of their 2-month contract.
Maya had admittedly lost a bit of sleep last night over her worries thinking about that. But many things over the past eight weeks had proven that Claudine felt the same way about Maya as Maya did about her. Maya doesn't believe Claudine would simply have her quit cold-turkey like this after spending every single night with her.
Her plan is to simply book Claudine for another month or two.
Or maybe… perhaps Claudine would offer to stay and keep seeing her of her own accord…
An airy, sleepy sigh alerts Maya to her sleeping partner now as Claudine rouses herself. Pushing herself up off of her, Maya gently rubs Claudine's collar where her head had been lying all night; more intimate gestures such as this had become commonplace between them over the weeks.
"Good morning, Saijou-san," Maya purrs, gingerly massaging the slight soreness out of Claudine's collar. "Did you sleep well?"
Claudine lets out a cute yawn and blinks up at her, voice still croaky.
"Idiot… I should be the one asking you that." Though by this point, they both knew her concern was genuine, and not simply that of a worker asking their client if they'd done a good job.
"I slept wonderfully with you by my side, as always." Maya leans down to nuzzle Claudine's nose lightly with her own, then kindly helps her sit up. Claudine sneezes, sending her thick curly locks all over the place. Maya laughs, tucking as many strands as she can back into place. Claudine reciprocates by messing up Maya's hair more.
"Shall I make us breakfast?" Maya offers.
"Sure."
As Maya goes to the kitchen, Claudine makes the bed and does some laundry; more tasks that have become second-nature to her since she mostly lived here now.
After washing her face, she joins Maya in the kitchen to eat. They take their time, doing all that they normally do on a Sunday morning. Part of Maya even wonders if Claudine will remember that their 2-month contract ends tonight, and if she'll come back to Maya the following evening on instinct alone.
She really hopes Claudine will offer to see her again regardless of whether or not Maya books her company.
By the time they both finish eating, Maya has started to get a worried flutter in her chest. Claudine takes the dishes to the sink to start washing them, at which point Maya makes a casual offer.
"Would you care to accompany me to the store today? I've got a few things I need to buy."
"Bien sûr," Claudine agrees. "I have a few things I need to grab as well."
And so Maya tries to put her worries aside, enjoying the day with Claudine, who once again decides to wear some of Maya's clothes out into town. They shop for what they need, and Claudine puts all of her groceries in Maya's fridge to take back to school tomorrow.
Maya asks her to be her dance partner for a few numbers, and they practice together. They take their turns in the shower, and Claudine sings during hers while Maya prepares dinner.
After their evening teatime is spent snuggled up watching TV on the couch, they retreat to bed. Maya curls into her usual spot on Claudine's chest, and Claudine hugs her warmly.
But Maya can't settle down tonight. She can't bear it any longer and has to ask.
"Saijou-san…?" Her own voice sounds so small and quiet in the darkness of the room.
Claudine gives her a cozy squeeze.
"Hm? Does the spoiled Tendo Maya need a lullaby sung to her tonight as well?"
Maya blushes; that was another thing she would sometimes ask Claudine to do for her. But tonight, she shakes her head.
"Not necessarily… I was just thinking…"
Claudine must sense the tension in her tone. Maya had been doing so well lately in falling asleep and staying that way. She goes on alert now at the slightest sound of worry from her.
"What is it?" she inquires. "If something's troubling you, Tendo Maya, just speak your mind. I'm here to help you, remember?"
Maya bites her lip, keeping her face turned away from Claudine for the moment.
"It's just that… tonight marks the end of our 2-month contract, does it not…?"
For a brief second, the only sound in the room is the faint beat of Claudine's pulse.
"Yeah…"
There's another beat of silence. Maya shuffles her feet beneath the blankets, too nervous to turn her face to glimpse Claudine's expression.
"I… I have seen tremendous progress in my sleep schedule and my work performance since I have elected to request your assistance. I know it would be greatly beneficial for myself and my career if I were to… perhaps hire you for a bit longer…?" Maya holds onto a sliver of hope.
But she can already hear the disappointment in Claudine's breath even before she speaks.
"I'm sorry... I've got exams coming up soon, so I'll need to use my evenings and nights to study. I accepted the 2-month job because the times aligned perfectly. But I don't think I'll be able to accept any more overnight jobs for the time being."
In spite of the fact that Maya herself had told Claudine that she should put herself and her studies first, and had actively encouraged her multiple times to cancel or take some time off if she needed to, a pit of dread still opens up in her stomach now.
"Ah. I see… Of course. As a diligent student, your education must come first." Still, she refuses to turn and look her in the eyes. Claudine hugs her a little tighter.
"Don't sound so sad, Tendo Maya. You'll still have me for tonight. And my exams won't last forever. Only for this week." The implications are suggestive enough - that Maya can hire her again after that - but Maya is too distracted and deflated to make sense of that.
"Yes… you're absolutely right..."
Claudine can't help but feel a bit guilty, but she really does need to study and do well on her exams. She squeezes Maya tighter, and Maya squeezes back.
"Get some sleep," she murmurs. "Everything will be fine, Tendo Maya. Just wait and see."
Maya lets out a long sigh and closes her eyes. Claudine hums her a lullaby tonight, for the last time in a while.
Maya does her best to enjoy the lovely notes of her song and the calming beat of her heart. She sleeps, but restlessly, hating the thought of waking up alone, with her bed cold and lonely…
She wakes at some point in the morning and clings to Claudine's sleeping form, dreading the sound of the final alarm that will split them apart. Maya just keeps expecting the peaceful silence to be shattered every minute, for what must be hours. She presses closer against Claudine, committing the sound of her heartbeat to memory, hoping she'll be able to remember it and replay it in her mind for the nights to come when Maya will have to fall asleep without her…
The alarm sounds. Maya moans like a child, refusing to let Claudine go.
Claudine stirs and silences her phone. She hugs Maya for a long moment, without saying a word. Then, she sits up, having Maya get up with her. Claudine flashes her a sleepy smile.
"Come on. Let's get going."
As Maya dejectedly prepares breakfast, Claudine goes around the apartment, gathering her things. She takes her groceries, her spare clothes, her toothbrush…
But she leaves the candles and oils she'd often bring over, giving them to Maya as a gift to help her calm down in the evenings.
They eat together one last time, and then Maya has to see her off.
Both girls linger in the doorway, Claudine with all of her things, and Maya with nothing at all.
"Saijou-san… I truly can't thank you enough. You have helped me immensely with my insomnia. My productivity has gone up, as has my energy and positivity."
She has so much more she wants to say. So much more. But the words don't come due to a lump forming in her throat.
Claudine smiles at her.
"I'm very glad to hear that, Tendo Maya. I'm so happy I could help you." She pauses, flashing her gaze to the floor shyly, then meets Maya's eyes again. "It… wasn't just for the money, you know…"
The words don't really register to Maya right now. She simply hums, dejected, shoulder slumped. Then, she holds up a finger and hurries back into her bedroom. She pulls out a sweater she had lent to Claudine many times, then brings it back to her.
"Please take this with you."
Claudine raises an eyebrow.
"Are you sure? I'll have exams for at least a week and-"
"I insist."
Claudine smiles and accepts the sweater, folding it and putting it away into her clothing bag.
"And you keep those candles. Light a different one every evening when you have your tea."
Maya offers a wobbly smile.
"I shall."
There's a beat of silence. Claudine puts down her bags and opens her arms invitingly. Maya quickly hugs her, tightly and warmly.
"I wish you the best of luck on your exams, Saijou-san."
"Merci. Will you be alright without me, Tendo Maya?"
"Of course," Maya says, trying to sound confident. "I will manage somehow. I appreciate your concern."
"Alright." Claudine squeezes her one last time, then releases her. "Good luck, Tendo Maya."
Maya dips her head.
"To you as well, Saijou Claudine."
With this, Maya steps back and lets her go.
Claudine gathers up her things, Maya's sweater included, and takes her leave. The door closes behind her, and then she's gone.
Maya is left alone in her apartment, which she'd recently learned was far too big for one person. It was better suited for two. But she doesn't want to let all of Claudine's care and hard work over the past 2 months go to waste.
I must do my best. During practice, onstage, and in whatever else the stage and troupe demand of me.
She's determined not to regress. Allowing that to happen would feel like she'd be betraying Claudine somehow.
So Maya showers and gets ready for the day ahead, ready to charge forward. She ventures out of the building to meet and train with her colleagues, performing to the best of her abilities as always.
But she can't push away that nagging in the back of her mind, constantly reminding her that she'll be sleeping alone tonight…
She doesn't want that. She can't let herself relapse after Claudine helped her find so much success. There's only one thing Maya can think to do in order to save herself.
Therefore, during her lunch break, Maya picks up her phone. She draws in a deep breath, then opens up her account for the Cuddle Cafe.
A/N: Oh no, is there trouble brewing in paradise with these two who can't understand/admit their own feelings...?
Please review!
