Chapter 6

About a week had passed since the lake house party incident. According to Grace, Oliver had become quite popular around the school with several students applauding his bravery.

"It's a mess," Grace texted me over the phone, "You know how many people have been shipping us together?"

"What's shipping?"

"Nothing…. Just troublesome stuff this time of year."

Honestly, sometimes it feels like she's speaking a foreign language. By this time of year, however, the late January to early February days, I could only imagine she referred to one thing.

-30 minutes later-

"Blind date option?" I said to a male customer.

"Yes, please! I'd feel like such a loser otherwise"

Yep, that's right!

"Mmmm… February 14th huh?"

The one and only…

"That's quite a high-demand day you know."

"Please! I'll pay extra for that day!"

Scam lonely virgins out of their money season!

"Mmm… okay," I said to him, "How about $250 then?"

Or err… I mean love season or whatever. Doesn't matter what you call it. The point is profits are off the charts during this time of year. I even created a special menu for customers. Not only do they have the option to buy various heart and cupid charms that I bought in bulk online, but also the option of buying fake flowers, custom cards, and of course stolen store candy!

In addition, the blind date prices are inflated and we even offer a special dinner reservation option for an extra $50. Honestly what an amazing time of year! Who could possibly be sad?

--15 minutes later--

"She's… she's not talking to me!" Oliver cried.

Oh yeah, except I guess the moping employee with his head down on my desk as I counted my money.

"What did I do wrong? What did I do wrong!?!?!"

"Beats me," I replied," Maybe she's just on her period."

"Can't you do something about this master?"

Oliver grabbed onto my arm this time and began crying on my shoulder.

"Hey, what are you… whatever, this is better than my legs at least. Alright, I'll text her about it."

I took out my smartphone.

"Yo bitch, do something about Oliver," I texted.

"No, the rumors are too strong. I don't want people to get the wrong idea. Just tell him I can't right now."

"Fine, whatever,"

"By the way, can you sell something online for me?"

"For 50% commissions sure."

"20"

"30"

"Fine"

"What's she saying?" Oliver asked.

"She's apologizing and says she'll make it up to you."

"Re… really?"

"Yeah hold on let me see how."

I looked down at my phone to see Grace had sent me a photo.

"A maid dress?" I texted.

"Yeah, I wore this for a convention last week."

"What's she saying?" Oliver asked again.

"Uhh… she's still thinking about what to do. By the way, you know what cosplay is?"

"Cosplay? Cosplay!?!?!"

His eyes began lighting up.

"Why cosplay is simply the most sophisticated art form out there. It emphasizes individualistic beauty while…"

I nodded my head tuning Oliver out as he continued his rant and looked back down at my phone.

"So how much do you want me to sell it for?" I texted.

"Mmm… $100. No wait, but include this cute picture of me wearing it and sell it used for $150. Perverts will snap it up!"

"I'm pretty sure that'll decrease the value."

I continued texting Grace for a bit when I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in," I shouted walking to the door. On the other side were a few girls I recognized.

"Oh Suzy, Tricia, what's up."

"Hey, Debra!"

As they walked in Oliver was still ranting.

"And then there's Comiket in Japan which has like the best cosplayers and…"

"Oh my god, are you talking about Comiket?" Suzy asked as she walked up to Oliver, "I've like always wanted to go!"

'Yeah I've heard it's pretty amazing," Oliver replied, "Except apparently they only sell BL Doujinshi's at the merch stalls."

"Yeah, but that's like, the best part!" Tricia added.

"Yeah, I guess if you're a fan of that stuff it is, personally I just want to go to see the cool cosplays."

Huh, that's weird. It appeared Oliver had gotten over his fear of talking to women.

"Yeah but we're like total Fujioshi trash," Suzy said, "So... huh where'd he go?"

I looked down to see Oliver had taken cover under my desk. I sat down next to him and patted his head trying to calm him down. Small steps I guess.

"Ehehhehheh sorry he's a bit shy."

"Ahhh bummer, he's kind of cute, to be honest," Tricia said.

"Yeah and totally sweet! We heard what happened at the lake house,"

"You hear that Oliver? They think you're sweet," I said to Oliver who just gave me a meek thumbs up as he continued covering his head.

"Anyways, what brings you girls here today? Anything in particular?"

"Yeah, what chocolates do you have?"

"Nooooo" Suzy said, "that's not good for your skin Tricia. Let's just get some charms for good luck."

"Say Oliver has nice skin doesn't he?"

"Yeah you're right. So smooth and silky."

"Yeah, feminine almost! He'd totally be a bottom in a BL novel."

"Tricia that's rude! But yeah you're right; I wish my skin was smooth like that."

I raised my eyebrow looking at them then back down at Oliver. Smooth, silky, feminine skin huh? That gave me an idea.

-The next day-

"Are you sure I can have this?" Oliver asked. He held in his hand the maid outfit and wig I was supposed to sell for Grace.

"Of course! Think of it as a thank you from Grace and an apology.

"She didn't have to," Oliver said hugging the outfit tightly and smelling it, "this is truly a treasure I shall frame and keep forever!"

"Oh, Grace did say she had one request for you though."

"Anything for the princess."

"Right… so basically…"

-30 minutes later-

"Are… are you sure she wants to see me like this?! I feel like such a pervert."

"Nonsense, you look great! Honestly, Grace will find you more attractive like this."

I wasn't even lying when I said that seeing Oliver's face in the mirror. His silky skin and shy demeanor really complimented the maid outfit and red wig he had put on. I took a picture and sent it to Grace.

"What the hell, is that my outfit?" She texted back.

"Yes."

"You were supposed to sell that."

"Are you complaining?"

"No…"

"She'll be here to see you at the end of the day!" I told Oliver.

"Oh alright… wait end of the day!?!?!"

"Yes."

"What? Can I take this off until then or…"

"Oh no no no, she's a bit inconsistent, she might come earlier."

"What do I do then?"

"Hmmm… well since you already have that on and looking good, do you mind holding this outside?"

I gave him a poster that I made last night that read, "Debra's service shop,"

"Outside? But…"

"Come on now, this is for Grace, she could be here at any moment!"

I dragged him up and pushed him all the way out to my apartment door.

"Wait but…"

"Alright, good luck!" I yelled locking the door behind him.

"Wait what!?!?! Master! Master!"

He began banging on the door.

"I'll pay you extra and send you exclusive pictures of Grace for this!"

"But…"

"You want those or not?"

"… fine, I do feel kind of pretty."

"That's the spirit! Just knock when you hear a customer."

"Okay!"

Perfect, now to set up all the date reque…

"Woah, hey cutie, nice outfit,"

I heard a male voice from outside the apartment.

"Ummm… master I think there's a…"

"Woah, did you just say master?"

**Bam**

I heard a loud slap on my brick shop wall.

"Who's your master cutie? How about you call me that instead?"

I opened the door to see a tall well-built high schooler with his hand slammed into the wall leaning close to Oliver who had his back against the wall cowering coyly. He looked over quickly at me and ran back into my office holding onto my back and hiding behind me.

"Master I need an adult."

"Ehehheh don't mind hi… the maid," I said to the potential customer, "Welcome to my service shop, would you like a menu of what we can provide?"

"Huh? Service shop? What kinda service you selling?"

"Why don't you come in and find out?"

"Eh sure, I'm here anyways."

I led him into the office.

"Oliver, could you stand outside with the sign again?"

"No way, what the hell that was way too scary."

"Grace said she'll be here in 5, you want to greet her don't you?"

At the comment, Oliver immediately ran out the door.

"Did you just call her Oliver?" the customer asked looking at me suspiciously as the door closed behind him.

"What? No no, Olivia Olivia you misheard. Please sit down and make yourself acquainted. Here's a menu of our services."

Overall, more customers than usual came in that day. Not only was Oliver attracting guys but girls as well though most of them came in asking what sort of make-up and skin care products Oliver used. He didn't use any of course and I had no knowledge of such things so I outsourced that knowledge to Grace… which I then sold to those girls for profit.

"Is she really coming, master?"

It was nearing closing time now as I began dusting the office floors.

"Yeah yeah, anytime now."

"You've been saying that for the past…"

"Oh my god, he looks even cuter in person!"

A hand suddenly touched Oliver's shoulder.

"Oh hey," I said waving to greet my sister, "What took ya?"

"Gra… Grace!"

Oliver immediately hid behind me grabbing my back sleeve again.

"Yeah sorry, was doing homework at the library."

"Liar, I can smell the kush."

"What? Nahhhh, okay maybe a few bowl hits on the way here."

She looked over my shoulder and grinned looking down at Oliver.

"Oh my god, he's sooooo cute!"

She grabbed Oliver pulling him in for a tight hug and rubbing his tomato-red cheeks against her own.

"He's so adorable! Stay like this forever Oliver!"

"Huma uma umhama."

Oliver was way too flustered to make out words. Well, good for him I guess. I stepped out the door to change the sign to close the shop. That's when suddenly a final customer walked by.

"Excuse me; is this Debra's service shop?"

"Yep, that's right! We're closing soon so if you want…"

My mouth dropped. The woman that walked by was wearing the most expensive-looking dress I had ever seen. It was all black and must have been made of fine silk. Her hair was tied into a bow and she carried with her a Louis Vuitton Purse. Her entire outfit must have cost thousands.

"Co… come in," I said. She followed me inside.

"Oh, shit Joy, what's up."

"Hello, Grace," the customer said. At the sight of another girl, Oliver quickly ran out of the room and hid under the desk in my office again.

"Ple… please have a seat," I said as we walked with the girl apparently named Joy into my office. She sat on the customer seat while Grace stood next to me.

"Do… do you know her?" I whispered to Grace.

"Yeah that's…"

"The name's Joy-Ann Mary Ann of the Mary Ann clothing line and future heir to the company."

"Why does she talk like that?"

"I think her whole family talks like that."

"I say, where was that fair maiden just now?"

"Huh? Oh you mean Olive… Olivia? Uh well she's…"

I looked down at Oliver who waved me off.

"She left through the back door, had errands to run."

"Oh, that's too bad."

She looked up at me with an intense gaze.

"So… I heard you sell blind date services here?"

"Oh uh yeah sure do! What sort of guys are you into?"

She looked at me with disgust.

"Ewwwww… no not guys. Men are such vile disgusting creatures. I would like a maiden."

"Oh uh… you want a girl?"

"Yeah, you got a problem with that?"

"No! No no of course not. It's just that's not a common request so I can't guarantee we'll have someone available."

I put my arm around Grace to whisper something to her.

"You interested?"

"Nah she's not my type."

"But…"

"Nope."

"Urghh…" Joy sighed, "But alas I understand if you have no matches for me. That shy maiden before would have been perfect. But she's probably into guys is she not?"

"Uh well actually…"

"I would pay a considerable amount of money for a date with such a lady."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Grace said, " 'She' is actually a…"

I put a hand over Grace's mouth.

"How much?"

"Oh… not an absurd amount of money but definitely what such an experience is worth."

She reached into her purse and took out 10 $100 bills.