Naked Maids Inc.

5. RIKA: I'm His Naked Plus-One at a Fancy Dinner Party

The following day dawned bright and sunny, a stark contrast to the emotional rollercoaster of the previous afternoon. Luke offered to make breakfast. As they sat at the kitchen counter, a comfortable silence settled between them, punctuated only by the clinking of forks and the soft murmur of the morning news.

Later that morning, while Rika was tidying up the living room, Luke entered, a hesitant smile playing on his lips. "Hey Rika," he began, scratching the back of his neck, "there's something I wanted to ask you."

Rika looked up, a playful glint in her eyes. "Shoot," she said, wiping her hands on a dishtowel.

"So, there's this company dinner tonight at The Grand Wilshire," Luke continued, his voice getting quieter with each word. "It's kind of a big deal, and I was wondering... well, I was hoping..."

He trailed off, his cheeks flushing a light pink. Rika couldn't help but smile at his flustered state.

"Hoping I'd do what, Luke?" she teased gently.

Taking a deep breath, he blurted out, "Would you... would you consider coming with me as my plus one?"

Excitement bubbled in Rika's chest as Luke's words sank in. "A company dinner? At the Grand Wilshire? As your plus one?"

He grinned, a hint of nervousness flickering in his eyes. "Yeah, it's a big deal. My boss is giving a presentation, and all the top executives will be there. They expect me to bring a date."

Rika's smile faltered slightly. Accompanying clients to events was explicitly mentioned in her contract with NakedMaids Inc. It was part of the "comprehensive stress relief experience," a phrase that took on a whole new meaning in the face of a black-tie gala.

"But Luke," she began, her voice hesitant, "wouldn't a... regular date be more appropriate?"

Luke shook his head. "Not really. Plus, you'd be amazing. You're smart, funny, and..." he trailed off, his gaze lingering on her for a beat too long, "well, you're undeniably beautiful."

A blush crept up Rika's cheeks. Despite the unusual nature of their arrangement, his words sent a flutter through her heart.

"But there's just one thing," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

"What's that?"

Rika took a deep breath. "The, uh, no clothes part. How exactly will that work at a fancy dinner?"

Luke's smile faltered for a second, then understanding dawned on his face. "Right," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I know it's crazy, but maybe we can find a loophole. Like, some kind of... strategically placed body art or something?"

Rika couldn't help but laugh. "Body art at a corporate event? I don't think that'll fly, Luke."

Despite the predicament, a thrill of anticipation danced in her stomach. This wasn't a typical client request, and a part of her, the part that craved excitement, found it oddly exhilarating.

"Alright," she said, a determined glint in her eyes. "Challenge accepted!" 

"We'll figure something out. But first, let's get you ready for the non-naked part."

The next day was a whirlwind of activity. Rika spent the afternoon with an eccentric but classy hairstylist and makeup artist that Luke called, she emerged with her hair styled in a sleek, sophisticated updo and her face expertly made up to accentuate her natural beauty.

She slipped on a pair of sparkling diamond earrings and a pair of stiletto heels that clicked rhythmically against the hardwood floor. Looking down at her reflection in the mirror, a shiver of self-consciousness ran through her.

Standing before the full-length mirror, Rika took a deep breath. She was a paradox – naked yet poised, vulnerable yet strong. She felt both exposed and strangely empowered.