Frowning, I looked over my newest design on the virtual mannequin. Noticing my expression, Yaru held his hand out. I passed him the device.

"You're getting better," he said.

I smiled and clutched the seat, the bubble car tilting to pass another. Yaru didn't even react.

"Keep practising." He gave me back the crystal. "But you'll have to use the two designs you already have and extra bits until your unveiling."

"Should we use one of the new designs for the unveiling ceremony?" I asked, already considering which of my newer designs I'd like to display most.

"No. Everyone at the unveiling will already be more than happy to part with their credits. They won't need the extra enticement."

"They will already be pleased they're finally getting to screw me?"

"Precisely."

We lapsed into silence, but I couldn't quite bring myself to draw any more right now. I had other thoughts on my mind. I knew how big my debt had been the moment Daniel had signed me into his care. I didn't know how much it had grown, or the amount I'd need to earn at my unveiling.

"What's the most anyone has ever earned at an unveiling ceremony?" I asked.

"I wondered when you would ask me that. Just over a hundred thousand credits."

My mouth fell open. The most I'd ever noticed Bernice earn for spending time with a companion was eighty credits. This was so much more.

"You're going to need the bid for your very first screwing to go a good way over five figures," Yaru added, almost grinning.

"How likely is that?"

"It's been done before. Keaton has the money and the inclination, currently. You'll have to work to ensure his head isn't turned and he doesn't bore of you before then, however."

"What of the others?"

"You have Tomichii for sure, yes?"

"I believe so. Maybe Kioshi. James for sure. And I've been messaging a businessman called Spencer."

"I understand from Daniel that Aiden, his banker, would very much like an invite, even after the stunt he pulled. I also think it wouldn't take much encouragement from Benton to get him to come."

I frowned, instantly disliking both those suggestions.

"You may pull a face, Auralia, but you're only a week out as a courtesan. Do you have any idea how many courtesans would be thrilled to be in your position? That's four definite men to invite and another three that would be highly likely to say yes."

"But I've got two weeks to find even better companions," I replied. Yaru let out a sigh and tilted his head. I raised my eyebrows questioningly.

"There needs to be a delicate balance from now on. The companions will be talking to each other. They'll know if you're trying to encourage others. They'll know if you make it too obvious, if you're spending too much time looking for new companions to charm. You'd run the risk of all of them worrying you're less interested than you appear."

"And none of them coming," Edward said, finishing the thought Yaru didn't.

I glanced towards him. He sat at the back of our car, eyes scanning the road and cars around us, his arms folded across his chest. It was the first thing he'd said all morning. If he was agreeing with Yaru, then there might be more to it than I was thinking, but no part of me wanted the banker at my unveiling. Nor, really, did it want Benton.

As I thought about the banker and the events of the previous day, I shuddered. I'd never been so scared, although the night at the club with Keaton had made me feel similarly powerless.

"Yaru?" I said, speaking before I thought too much about it and didn't dare. "Why was Daniel so angry about Aiden's behaviour, as if it was shameful, but not what Keaton does?"

"Because Keaton has proven that although he likes to touch, he respects the process and goes no further. And because Keaton does so in public, where anyone could see if you allowed it or he forced it on you. Aiden could have claimed you asked for it. Wanted it. You can't afford anyone to doubt your desire to remain a virgin."

I nodded. When he put it like that, it made sense. Not that I liked it much. I sighed, and pushed the memories from my mind, grateful today was a day I could spend with Tomichii and Kioshi. They were by far two of my favourite companions. They treated me with respect, neither doing more than giving me hugs and letting me lean on their arm.

As soon as we arrived Tomichii appeared, smiling, evidently more than a little pleased to see me. I returned the gesture.

"Did you enjoy your day of rest?" he asked.

"I did, but I missed coming here and enjoying your company," I replied, feeling more than seeing Yaru and Edward slink back to follow at a distance. If Tomichii thought the extra presence of a guard strange, he didn't say anything, although I saw him look briefly towards my new bodyguard and chaperone.

Tomichii led me to one of the labs within the building. There we found Kioshi, a technician with him, looking over something under a microscope.

"It's progress," Kioshi was saying, "but unless we can predict it completely accurately we aren't going to make enough of a difference."

The technician nodded. "I thought you'd say that. I've already got half the team working on it."

"Good. I'll come back tomorrow."

As the technician walked away, Kioshi noticed us.

"You work entirely too hard. They will find a way to implement your changes," Tomichii said, holding my arm out for him to take. "Come, enjoy a morning off."

Despite smiling at me, Kioshi didn't take either of us up on the offer.

"Every day longer is another day some poor people aren't healed."

"True, friend, but they're frozen. Time doesn't pass for them as it does for us."

Kioshi seemed to deflate, the point evidently hitting home.

"I sometimes find that taking a small break can help me focus all the better afterwards," I said. "And I'd love your company taking a stroll in your garden."

After bowing, Kioshi finally nodded, but he still didn't take me from his friend.

"If that is the case. I'm sure all three of us can take a walk," Kioshi countered. Tomichii laughed and, before I knew it, I had one of them supporting each arm, taking me to my favourite place in the entire city.

Even after my fears of the previous day, I found myself relaxing, safe with two gentle giants in this crazy new world.

Almost two hours later, I sat between them on a bench, the remains of dinner laid out on a picnic blanket before us. I had a champagne glass in one hand and Tomichii was feeding me strawberries.

"This is a bizarre ritual," Kioshi said. "Did they really spend time like this before you were frozen?"

"It's not a ritual so much as a well-respected part of having a picnic," I replied, not sure that saying I'd seen it in my favourite movie would be as appealing. "A bit like the different tea ceremonies, only less formal."

"I like it," Tomichii said, smiling at me as he took a strawberry for himself. "It's a wonderful way to spend an evening."

"I could get used to it." Kioshi gave me a nod. I returned the gesture, knowing it was his way of expressing his approval, my heart fluttering in my chest as our eyes met. He wasn't the most handsome of men, and stress and serious work had given him many lines around his eyes and across his forehead, but the more time I spent with him, the more his face seemed perfect just the way it was.

For the first time since I'd woken up my heart felt light. Yaru and Edward were far enough away I didn't feel monitored by them, and Tomichii and Kioshi were fast becoming two of my favourite people. I couldn't be entirely open with them, but it was a start.

"I think, Kioshi, you're very much in danger of charming your first courtesan," Tomichii said, his eyes sparkling as he teased his friend. I blushed and looked away, no clue how to handle such a statement when it revealed my thoughts so completely.

"We both know courtesans are more your diversion than mine," Kioshi replied. "You charmed her on the very first day. We are just colleagues trying to help others."

"Oh, no... Well... I mean... yes, but..." I trailed off, my mind in a spin. I looked between them both, biting my lip as I tried to find the right words to say. How do I let two very different men know I like them both? Without sounding like any other courtesan who needed many clients.

"Yes, Tomichii, right from the beginning I did find myself drawn to you." I reached my hand out and placed it on his. "You made me feel at ease when I was so frightened, and you've made me feel welcome, cared for, and all sorts of other emotions since. I couldn't have dreamed of a more amazing companion to welcome me as a courtesan."

With my other hand I reached out to Kioshi before looking into his eyes. I didn't speak until he placed his other hand on top.

"And at first, Kioshi, I just wanted you to know how grateful I was you and your team provided the technology to heal me. I wanted to help you help others, but it soon became more than that. Your pure heart shone through. To me, you are far more than a colleague."

He frowned, and I could see him growing more uncomfortable. I paused for a moment, still searching for all the words I needed.

"I know you don't agree with the courtesan model, so please don't think I'd ever pressure you to become a companion. But you've been more than I'd ever dared to hope from one. And I hope you know, if you ever did decide..." Tears pricked my eyes as I trailed off. I wanted to put it delicately, but I didn't know how.

"Thank you, Auralia," he said quietly, his voice also a little uneven. For a moment none of us spoke, all of us recovering from our emotions. Then, Tomichii lifted his champagne glass.

"To finding more than we'd hoped for," he said, grinning, his eyes full of warmth as he looked between us. Delight rippled through me. Both Kioshi and I raised our glasses and repeated the toast.

Clinking our glasses together seemed to break the sombre air to the mood, and before long we were talking of far less serious subjects and laughing once more.

"Tomichii, there you are," Katrina's voice broke into our picnic conversation. I looked up to see Bernice, and Anastasia with her. All three of them were arm in arm and coming directly towards us. "We must insist you come to the relaxation floor. We've barely seen you in days, and we're starting to think we don't please you any longer."

Katrina mock-pouted, and Anastasia reached out a hand for him, but at first he didn't accept it.

"Come, Tomichii, let us provide you with some of our charms. We know you must be starved for good unveiled companionship," Bernice said, her eyes lingering on me and making it very clear she was declaring me unfit to amuse Tomichii. "Surely between your work and duty, you must wish to relax a little. Let us cheer you up."

"Quite the contrary," Kioshi said, his voice deep, booming, cutting through all the noise. Every head turned to him, including Yaru and Edward, Kioshi's words clear enough for them to make out as well. "Tomichii and I were both thinking how grateful and honoured we are that our work led to the healing of such a remarkable courtesan."

"Hear, hear," Tomichi said, but he got to his feet as he did. "Auralia is living proof of how important our work is. Her sweetness makes every ounce of difficulty we had to push through and every credit it cost us worth it, and we hope to find two invites to a certain unveiling ceremony in a couple of weeks, don't we, Kioshi?"

I looked to Kioshi, barely able to keep my mouth from falling open. Yaru and Tomichii had made it incredibly clear Kioshi wouldn't be likely to want to attend, but he didn't deny the request. Even the three women stood silent for a moment, no one knowing what to say. It grew more awkward until Kioshi rose to his feet as well.

"Until next time, Auralia. I must return to the lab."

I scrambled to my feet to bow at him, but he was already walking away.

"Perhaps I was a little too bold," Tomichii whispered in my ear as he handed me his champagne glass. "But invite him anyway."

I gave him a quick nod, more than a little grateful for his reassurance. Without another word, Tomichii let Katrina and Anastasia lead him away. As they went, I noticed Bernice glance back over her shoulder, the dark look in her eyes enough to make me shudder.

"Well done," Yaru said, bringing me back to the present. "You've become quite the cat among the pigeons."

"And all without using those claws," Edward added, winking at me.

"Yes. That does take some flair."

I smiled, finally beginning to get over my shock. Yes, I had managed to get what I wanted. And all by being nice. Just thinking about having Tomichii and Kioshi at my unveiling made heat grow deep inside me. I squeezed my thighs together. I was attracted to both of them. Maybe having so many men in one night wouldn't be so bad after all.

"What now?" I asked, desperate to move my thoughts on before my arousal grew and became obvious.

"Take a break for ten minutes. Have a little walk around the garden. The exercise will make those cheeks a little rosier. Then we should head to the relaxation room as well."

I didn't argue, grateful for Yaru's understanding. Time to process and calm a little would be useful.

But ten minutes passed far quicker, my thoughts full of the words Kioshi and Tomichii had said before leaving. They liked me, and more than once I felt my heart swell. Was I falling in love?

Edward led the way back to the relaxation room, giving me no time to wonder further. But before I could go inside, Tomichii reappeared.

I smiled at him, instinctively holding out my arm for him to take, but his eyes blazed as he marched over to me.

"How could you lie like that?" he demanded, his voice quiet but firm.

I blinked, too surprised by the question to know what to say. What lie?

"I understand being a courtesan with your debt must create great pressure. And I have enough faith in other honourable courtesans that I will recover from such a breach of my trust, but how could you do that to Kioshi?"

"I don't—"

Tomichii put his hand up, cutting me off. My body went cold, everything around me becoming blank, only Timochii's angry face before me. I didn't understand.

"Your words mean nothing."

I gaped, looking to Yaru as he came hurrying to my side.

"Edward, take Auralia to my car and wait for me there. It's clear Tomichii is very upset." Yaru tried to turn me away, his eyes on Tomichii.

"But, I—"

"Auralia, go." Yaru walked towards Tomichii and I felt Edward's hands wrap around me, drawing me away.

Unable to help it, I cried as Edward pulled me into a lift and slammed the button to close the doors.