Chapter II. Stereotypes that Leave Their Mark, Part 1:

Hanna.

When we arrived at the Grand Hotel Miller Continental, Madame was no longer waiting for us in the room where we were supposed to change and put on our makeup. She was also there in case of any accidents, which happened more often than you might think. Whenever we attended an event like this, especially if there were several of us, the person who hired us—in this case, the hotel—always assigned us a room so that the guests would have a place to rest and get ready.

Our mission had changed. We weren't going to see a specific client; rather, we were going to embellish the event that was about to take place, like another ornament. Many people think that an escort is the same as a prostitute, but nothing could be further from the truth. In the company I work for, we serve as companions and adornments. We help clients who are extremely shy or have difficulty relating to others. We even accompany wives or husbands when their partner is doing business at the same hotel. You'd be surprised how many prominent figures in science, technology, medicine, and mathematics hire us to accompany them to social events they're not accustomed to attending.

Among my regular clients, I usually have up to three married couples, such as the Miyamotos. Mr. Miyamoto speaks English very well, but he is married in the traditional Japanese way, meaning his wife doesn't speak any language other than her own. That is why I am usually chosen for this couple, and we have developed a great friendship.

I learned Japanese thanks to my secret: I'm a manga geek. Since my teens, I have loved Japanese culture, especially its literature and music. I am a manga and anime fanatic.

I had my otaku periods when my parents were alive. I used to go to conventions dressed up as my favorite manga characters, but that was when I was a teenager. I keep those days hidden as a secret. I'm not ashamed, but I don't flaunt it, especially now that Mia is in my care. As I've said before, I was a privileged child until my parents died. I never wanted for anything.

Even so, I enjoy new animated series and manga in my free time, although less frequently due to lack of time, when they are released on my favorite platforms. Of course, at least once a month, I take a break from work, school, and my other obligations. I put on the kimono that the Miyamoto family gave me. I style my hair in a Japanese updo adorned with flowers and hairpins that the couple also gave me. I buy all my favorite Japanese sweets. Then, I spend the day watching all the anime series I can or reading as much manga as possible, naturally in the original Japanese. Any self-respecting manga fan would tell you that this is the only way to do it.

I just want to show you that the misinterpretations that have always been made about escorts, at least in my experience, are rarely accurate. We're more like public relations or decorations for our clients than the stereotypes suggest.

That doesn't mean there aren't escorts who receive bonuses for sex, especially in companies of dubious legality. Many work freelance.

As I mentioned, as soon as we arrived at the assigned room, the madam was waiting for us and gave us instructions about the changes to the new contract. None of us had been assigned a specific guest. In fact, the hotel itself had hired us to balance the greater number of men. This made it clear that we were like the vases, candlesticks, paintings, and mirrors in the room.

That's why the agency selected the six best female escorts and four male escorts. We were generally asked to interact with all the guests, making them feel comfortable and helping those who seemed shy or out of place.

Our client was keen to ensure that these hospitality events were successful, and that the participants or guests had the necessary skills for this type of gathering.

After our preliminary meeting, we touched up our makeup with the help of our personal stylist, Beatriz Walker, and headed to the event, which was about to begin.

I soon slipped into my role as a rich girl and attractive heiress, a role I was always assigned. I smiled a lot, took an interest in the topics they were talking about, and, at the same time, kept an eye on the outcasts, who were standing in a corner by themselves.

One guest was doing just that: looking from one side to the other with his drink in hand, not knowing what to do. After almost two years of doing this, I had learned to identify people who felt out of place.

"I can see that these kinds of gatherings aren't your thing," I said as I approached him. He had his back to me, looking out the window of the large hall as if he wanted to escape through it. I started the conversation by smiling and saying, "I can see that these kinds of gatherings aren't your thing."

As he turned toward me, I noticed his eyes and mouth widen. I'm not the typical woman who tries to hide the impression she makes on men when they see her. I've been quite fortunate genetically, as I am very diverse: I have a German father, an English mother, and Spanish roots.

But, honestly, although I prefer to wear my surgeon's gown, cap, and mask, what I was wearing at that moment was more like a sexy Little Red Riding Hood made of mischievous wood who had escaped from the story to offer herself to all the hungry wolves she could find.

Bea's choice of outfit didn't cross the line into indecency because it covered the right places with a few extra inches of fabric, but with a little imagination, those inches quickly disappeared. "I'm Hanna. Nice to meet you," I said, extending my hand in greeting in response to his lack of communication and astonishment.

A company rule is to only say your name. You can change it with different clients if you want, but I don't usually do that. The important thing is to make the client feel comfortable.

"Walter Patel," he said, half choking.