Kaori: Day 2 (Masquerade)

You wake to the clink of a spoon against a mug and the smell of coffee. Rebekah is already dressed, hair pulled back, a legal pad open on the table as if she intends to interview you herself. She looks at you with expectation written on her face.

“So tell me,” she says. “No mystery pitch. What are you actually planning for Kaori?”

Her eagerness makes you grin, but for a moment you refuse to answer. You take a seat at the table and say, “A coffee might get the wheels lubricated…”

Rebekah slaps you across the arm for teasing her but still pours a coffee for you - thick and dark, just as you like it. You take a sip and then explain.

“Kaori’s a drama major,” you say, setting your mug down. “So I want to make this a full production. It’s gonna be in the auditorium. Claire will be on keys playing the Phantom of the Opera score live. I’m in a half-mask and cape—hiding behind the curtain. When she arrives I step in beside her and we run a light BDSM scene that feels like theater: controlled, choreographed, beautiful.”

Rebekah licks her lips. “Now we’re talking. But you’re gonna need help with this one, who are you reaching out to?”

“People I’ve worked with before. Claire Kowalski on her keyboard or piano, like I said. Kailani Mahelona to make sure things are set up right and keep things safe—she’ll rig an A-frame with quick-release cuffs, check everything, watch for any problems. I’ll need staff buy in to make sure the room is secured. I’ve already worked with Dr. Aragon. Hopefully she can pull some strings.”

Rebekah nods. “That could work, and I remember how she loved domming you. She’ll be into this. If you need more though, I did some work for Dr. Sinclair, dean of Humanities, recently. I can probably get her to help.”

“Thanks,” you said, glad once again to have a dedicated manager like Rebekah.

“What about consent?” she asks. “If you’re going to run this as a surprise, you need to make sure she has a way to back out.”

“I messaged her last night and we set up safewords.” you answer. “I won’t be using gags or having her do oral. It’ll all be about me tying her, teasing her and taking her. So she’ll always be able to speak. I’ll check in with a reminder soon as I put my arms around her. Besides, Claire and Kailani will be there to watch things and, honestly, I half expect the professor to insist on watching too.”

“How you gonna record this?”

“I’ll put the tablet on a tripod on the edge of the stage show’s record,” you say. “We don’t need close-ups. This is about the scene, not about the penetration.”

Rebekah nods slowly, then looks for seams. “What if she balks when she sees the frame?”

“Then we stop,” you say. “You know me, Rebekah. I’ll fail the challenge before I’ll risk hurting her.”

She sits back, thinking it through, then taps the table once. “It’s theatrical. It’s safe. She’s gonna fucking love it. This is good. Set it up.”

“I will,” you say. “I don’t think I’d even have thought of something like this if it hadn’t been for you showing me how **** you like to go.”

Rebekah smiles for real now. “Then go make it sing.”

Her phone suddenly sings out the title line from “Everyone’s A Winner.”

“Milo,” she says, glancing at her text message. “He’s coming by tomorrow at lunch.”

You speak before your brain catches up. “I’ll be here.”

It comes out too fast, a little too firm. You feel the heat rise under your collar—territorial, stupid, immediate—and try not to show it.

Rebekah lifts one eyebrow. “You want to be around while another guy fucks your girlfriend?”

The thought lands harder than you expect. You feel yourself flush. “We should, uh… book the auditorium,” you say, reaching for your tablet like it’s a life preserver. “Claire’s schedule, Kailani’s call time. I should put the requests in now if we want Sunday.”

She watches you for a moment and chuckles. “Someone feeling a bit jealous?” she teases. “Fine, you can be there. Now, get your show setup. Make sure everything’s in place.”

You scroll to the contacts you need, the screen a welcome excuse to breathe. Tomorrow can be tomorrow. Today, you have a scene to build.