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“At least until … after the holidays.”

Just in time for him to offer to sponsor the summer camp again.

“If you are amenable.”

Amenable. Like this is him borrowing a blender. This is dangerous. This is stupid. “And what else, boss? I mean, sex, obviously. But what else?”

Mr. Ito clasps his hands nervously, then corrects his posture and sips his tea. “I’d like to have you wear the things I buy you… To travel with you. I’d like to show you Japan.”

Fucker. I knew he wasn’t from ‘Frisco. “Are you talking costumes? Cause, like I’ve said, role play is fine, but pet-play just doesn’t do it for me. It’s too humiliating and I—”

“Christ!” He puts his head into his hand, sliding the mask up. “I didn’t mean it in a weird way. I just wanted … I meant nice things. Suits and bathrobes. Nothing weird.”

It’s the most American thing he’s ever done. For a moment, his accent slips, as if he’s fallen out of character or gone off-script.

I’m reminded that I have no clue how old he is. I met him at the charity ball. Mostly old men, but in the tech field … he could be my age. Or younger. Christ, I wish I’d paid him more attention.

Mr. Ito recovers quickly. “As I’ve always said, I’m not interested in hurting you. Or your pride. I just … I’d like to have you here when I want you. This place is…”

Mr. Ito does not finish. He doesn’t need to.

The place is beautiful, shiny, luxurious. But it’s empty. Lifeless. Lonely. He wants a … lively piece of art to brighten his home.

I’ve been objectified for less and by less pleasant people. “Sounds like a deal to me, boss.”

He nods, but he does not smile. “Then, there’s one more thing.”

I brace myself. What the hell else could he want?

“I…” He takes a long breath. Overthinking. Reconsidering. Settling for. “You spend too much time around Carlos.”

“Carlos? Like Carlos the techie?” I’m shocked he even knows Carlos. I mean, yeah, Mr. Ito has clearly stalked me online. He knows too much personal information. But Carlos…

Carlos Mendez is a shadow. A non-person. So shy and timid—I think I even have his last name wrong. He might be Ramirez. I could understand banishing Van from my life. Mercy or Faizz with their beautiful voices and sensual manners. Christ, my next-door-neighbor ought to rank higher than Carlos.

“Yes. Carlos the techie,” Mr. Ito answers.

“Boss, I’m not sure I can pull that off.” I’m honest because I’ve been caught off guard. “I mean, I’ve got nothing for or against the guy, but he’s kinda integral to the show. I’ve got to work awful close to him.”

“I’m aware.”

Just how aware is this man of my life? I’ve had a crush on Carlos since I first met him. But I determined around the same time, he was off the table. I don’t mess around with techies. They’re notoriously straight. And Carlos was … he was really talented and really hard-working and really shy. A romantic failure with Carlos wasn’t worth it. I kept him safety in the realm of not-available and treated him with as much distance as I did the ladies.

So how did Mr. Ito notice?

“Mr. Ito, he’s just shy and needs people to be nice to him.”

“No.”

This is a deal-breaker for him, and suddenly, I want this deal. An hour ago, I didn’t need a penthouse view or a nice shower or even a billionaire patron for the summer camp, but it had been offered, and now I want it. And Carlos…

“Carlos is sweet. I don’t know if I’m mean enough to hurt him.”

The mask makes his gaze harsher.

I’ll see his face again soon. If he wants me to live with him. If he wants me to wear nice things, to show me off, he’d have to be seen as well. Surely it was worth being a little unkind to a friend. Carlos might not even notice. And even if he did, the show would go on…

But what about the next one? Who would Mr. Ito cut out next?