Thread: The Manor (Mr. Quixotic & Malicious Lullaby)

Teaching job? Landed. Apartment? Landed. Money? She had no idea how it all went away so fast. Harper Collins was an elementary school teacher, fresh out of college and one of the best already to be hired immediately given the only experience she had was from her practicum during her final semester. But her desire was here in Seattle, Washington. It was expensive to live here but the schools were wonderful and she had always wanted to come here. She grew up in a small town and always wanted to leave. There was nothing for her there. So she went to the university in the larger part of the state and then got a job here in her dream place. It was perfect. What made it even more perfect was that for the first time in her entire life, since she used to be a bit chubbier, since she never had a date and since she lost about seventy-five pounds, she had been asked out on a date. It was the first day she started teaching. During recess, she met eyes with a really handsome P.E. coach for the older kids it helped that he was fit and so was she. He was sweet and they always conversed. A week later, he asked her out and now they were dating, exclusively. She couldn't believe it, she was exclusive. With a guy. A really cute guy. Only one problem she had no money. Her roommate Stephanie had offered for her to make an easy few grand one night. All shed have to do was dress up really nice and simply be eye candy for a bunch of men. When she first said that, Harpers eyes nearly popped out of her skull. Then Stephanie told her it wasnt like that and all she would have to do was simply be charming, talkative and make the men want her. Once more, Harper was about to instantly decline and then Stephanie finally said she wouldnt be sleeping with anyone. Unless she wanted to. Obviously, Harper didn't want to sleep with any other men. It had taken her long enough to actually sleep with her boyfriend and she did but Harper was a one-man kind of woman. Sex held actual meaning for her and she liked him too much to want to do that. And when she realized she was thinking about this too hard, she knew she wouldn't do it at all. But all she could think about was making a few grand in one night and all she had to do was just stand somewhere and look pretty doing nothing. Stephanie promised. Oh hell, what was she even thinking? That was about a week ago. Steph told her she had two weeks to give her an answer. It was the second week and she was sitting in their apartment, nursing a cup of tea when Stephanie walked in, settled in and then sat before her. Well? Harper sighed deeply. Hi to you too roomie. She teased. Stephanie giggled. You know what I mean. Do I? She narrowed her eyes playfully. I need an answer Harper. I have to let my boss know so she can make the arrangements. And dont worry about costs. I told her Id take care of you. Steph, I cant ask that of you. Does that mean youre saying yes? Harper sighed and she looked at her, giving her a small nod. Splendid! Come on, we have to go shopping! She paused and put her hands on her hips. And I promise I won't tell Mr. Delicious P.E. Coach. That got a rise out of Harper because she actually forgot about him in her entire decision making process. The entire time they went shopping, Stephanie was reassuring Harper that this would not constitute as cheating and that if she were to sleep with someone, only then would that count as cheating. It was by the end of all the shopping did she finally get a solid commitment for this shindig out of her roommate and a plan was set in motion. The night came where she was going to abandon her life as a school teacher and the girlfriend of a really delectable P.E. coach for one night and become a woman that every man should want. That was how it worked. That day they both went to every kind of salon possible to get what was needed. Harper stood before her mirror now clad in a beautiful black floor-length ball gown with a lace overlay, strapless and really accentuated her curves. It was corseted at the top and flared out into this sort of form fitting dress to the waist before it flowed out in a gorgeous full skirt with layers of tulle and shed need at least four inch heels to be able to walk in it. Harper had been plucked, pampered and primped all day long. Her skin looked cleaner than it did in ages, her hair shone in a way she had never seen it and the hazel green color popped out of her eyes in the glow of the light because of the smoky eye make up she was given. She almost didnt recognize herself after Stephanie helped her into the dress. With her heels on now, cute little black loubatins, she gained four inches and would only slightly have to pick up her skirt to walk. Harper never dressed like this she had always been a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal. Growing up, shed always been chubby and could never pull off something like this. It made her feel self conscious, even now after all these years. This certainly was not the woman that her boyfriend had seen or would think was beautiful. Or if he did, he was a cheeky liar but also only human and a man. She couldnt blame him. Because even if she did feel a little uncomfortable at how well the dress pushed up her breasts, accentuated her curves and made her look like this irresistible siren who was about to break many hearts that night, she also couldnt believe this was really her staring back at her in the mirror. Maybe she wasnt so horrendous after all. A knock came to her door and it opened and she saw Stephanie in her dark red number. The woman looked impeccable and came carrying two masks. Masks? Its a masquerade ball. She smiled, a suggestive twinkle in her eyes. Harper had to refrain from rolling her eyes as her friend put the mask on her. You look like a babe. I feel like one of those terrible women who are beautiful on the outside and ugly on the inside. Harper... Stephanie laughed. Just because you dress up does not mean you have to feel guilty. When have you ever dressed up like this? Prom, but I still felt like an unbearable cow. Well you're not a cow. Stephanie moved to stand beside her and slid her hands around Harper's slender waist, slowly sliding down to her curvy hips. You're gorgeous, you're curvy and you're healthy. Own it. Love it. And don't feel guilty about it one bit. She kissed her cheek. And if you want to leave early, take the limo, go see your man and let him do wonders to you when he sees you dressed like this. When they were both ready, they got into the limo that came for them and set destination to the party. It always felt so weird when Stephanie would do and say things like that. But considering her choice of profession, it wasn't entirely weird. Just different and something she wasn't used to. Harper knew how to be a teacher. She didn't know how to own her sexuality. Where are we going again? Youll see. Come on, tell me. If I tell you, you wont be surprised. Im a great actress. And then she pouted. Stephanie rolled her eyes before speaking, The Manor.