WIP: Harem House Chapter 29 - Part 4

They turned into the foyer and removed their shoes again before ascending the stairs to a hallway that was more like a second foyer. There were doors everywhere, and Debrah pointed to them as she described them. 

“Bedrooms one, two, three, and four.” She said. “Bathroom one and bathroom two.” She pointed to two doors opposite each other, sandwiched between the bedrooms. “And of course, the Master Suite.” She said, pointing to the door at the end of the hall to the right of the stairs. 

“Where Arthur and Kelly will be staying.” Lynn supplied. “For at least a little while, right? Or did you still want to pretend you'd keep your own bedroom for Deb's sake?” 

Kelly’s eyes narrowed, but Deb was pushing forward with the tour, opening one of the bedrooms to show the spacious area with a ceiling fan light fixture in the middle, a nightstand, dresser, closet, and built-in bookshelves on the exterior wall. Its windows looked out over the backyard, and there were trees for as far as Mindy could see. 

“Dibs.” Kat said, eyeing the built-in bookshelves. 

“I like it.” Katelyn agreed. “But I’m bottom bunk if we get bunk beds.” 

“But you’re so tall, it’d be easier for you to get on the top bunk.” Kat protested. 

“Not with this.” Katelyn gestured to her sling. “I want the bottom.” 

“But–” Kat started to protest. 

“You’re both bottoms.” Rani said flatly, ignoring the look Kelly gave her. Lynn raised an eyebrow. “Just get two beds. You already have beds, right? Just move them here. Problem solved.” 

Kat shook her head, and Katelyn laughed. 

“Forgive Rani.” Kelly said to Deb. “Again, she has no filter. I promise you’ll get used to it.” 

“Or you don’t.” Rani said, shrugging. “But if it’s a problem, just let me know. I’ll do my best not to piss off the hottest MILF I’ve met in a while.” 

Everyone turned to stare at Rani. Mindy’s eyes widened, and she giggled when Rani winked at Deb. 

“You get used to Rani.” Mindy said, assuring Deb.

“Thank you… I think.” Deb said, laughing at the compliment. “That’s definitely the first time anyone’s called me that.” 

“To your face, maybe.” Rani said, shrugging. 

Mindy took it upon herself to push Rani out into the hallway to look at the next bedroom, but not before Rani raised her hand to her face in a ‘call me’ gesture at Deb. Mindy giggled the whole way. 

Rani wasn’t wrong. Deb was an attractive woman, even for an older woman. Arthur’s parents had his looks but with more years behind them and less exercise. She could see Arthur in both their faces. He seemed to take what they gave him and sharpened his body to its greatest potential. 

Deb had a pretty face and a slender build with breasts that reminded Mindy of Beth. Still, Deb couldn't touch Arthur or Kelly’s level of fitness. In college, she might have been as hot or hotter than Kelly. She’d aged well, but no one would mistake her for a college student in their group photo. 

Deb laughed, following the others out to show them the other rooms. 

The other bedrooms were identical to the first but arranged in mirrored versions. They weren’t as furnished as the first, and what had obviously been a craft room had boxes piled, packed, and ready to go. Otherwise, the rooms seemed almost eerie in their emptiness. Due to their lack of life, they rang hollow and invited imagination.

Not that Mindy could fault Deb for that. No one was living in them yet, so they lacked any personality. That would change once the girls moved in. No doubt Mindy’s posters and Rani’s photos would spruce up their room in no time if Rani wanted to room with her. 

The bathrooms were standard. A strip of tile in the center divided the room into two parts. On the right a linen closet, a sink, and a toilet. On the left, a tub shower with a plain white shower curtain. There was room enough for two people to shower comfortably, like at Arthur’s apartment. Mindy smiled at the thought. 

“And then there’s the Master Suite.” Deb said, walking across the upstairs hall and opening the double doors. 

“Oh, we don’t have to if you and George are still–” Kelly started to say. 

“Oh, no. Our personal effects are at the apartment.” Deb assured them, leading them into the room. 

The room’s burgundy carpet was softer than the beige carpet in the others. The king bed with dark oak headboard was huge but looked small compared to the rest of the room. The oversized television on the wall by the door was perfect for viewing in bed. The hutch beneath the TV, however, grabbed Mindy’s attention. The dark wood counter rested on four drawers across its underside. Below the drawers, slotted wooden poles fenced in an open storage space, giving it the appearance of a wooden cage with two doors on either side. 

Mindy and Selene stared at the piece of furniture, then smiled at each other. 

“Oh, don’t worry, we didn’t get a dog.” Deb said, seeing them looking at the piece of furniture. 

“What?” Selene asked. 

Deb gestured to the hutch. “The barred space under the hutch was designed for dog beds.” Deb explained. “But we didn’t end up getting a dog. Still, I liked the piece, so we kept it. The drawers are very convenient, and it makes a good countertop for a DVD player.” 

“Oh, I see.” Selene said, nodding. 

“It’s a gorgeous piece.” Mindy added. “Did you keep a jewelry box on it?” 

“No, there’s a built-in jewelry cabinet in here.” Deb said, gesturing to a door on the far left side of the room and walking through it. 

The walk-in closet was the size of another bedroom split into his and her spaces, and Mindy felt like she could get lost in it. If Arthur didn’t fill the conjoined closets, maybe they could be the playroom? She imagined rope, costumes, paddles, whips, and gags hanging from the rods running along the walls instead of clothes. 

The Master Bath, on the same left wall, stole the show. It was the most gorgeous bathroom Mindy had ever seen. His and her sinks were deep and wide. The countertop was dark gray compared to the swirl of light gray tiles below. The shower was a room in itself, with a rectangular rain head that hung an inch below the ceiling and two hand-held shower heads hung on opposite walls to the right and left. 

Beyond the shower, on the same right-side wall, was a rectangular tub with jets and control settings that Rani would likely know better than Mindy how to operate. 

“Oh my god.” Mindy said, walking through the room as if seeing Christmas decorations for the first time. “This is… I can’t wait to…” Doing some mental math, Mindy tried to imagine if all of them could fit inside the shower. It’d be a tight fit, but possible. 

Lynn laughed. “Can’t wait to, what? Sneak in here while Arthur is busy? This is all his. We won’t get to use it. That walk-in closet is wasted on a man.” 

Mindy laughed. The others joined her, but their laughter was more subdued than hers. She turned to Lynn and shook her head. “You’re so stupid.” 

Lynn looked surprised. Mindy's tone didn’t match her words. Her bright and cheery voice contradicted the accusatory, insulting statement. 

“What?” Lynn asked. 

“You.” Mindy giggled. “You’re stupid.” 

“I think maybe we should head downstairs.” Deb said, interceding with a polite tone. “My drink is empty.” 

“No, hold on.” Lynn said, raising her index finger to Deb and turning to Mindy. 

The taller, bigger, older girl had hit her limit for taking shit, especially from the younger, more petite, cuter girl. Mindy was the least intimidating of the assembled women, but Rani and Kelly looked ready to haul Lynn away by force as Mindy spotted them over Lynn’s shoulder. Their proximity and readiness lent her some boldness. 

“Why do you think I’m stupid?” Lynn asked. 

“Because we’ve told you we’re dating Arthur, we’ve told Missus Clarke, and we’ve been very open about our relationship with him, and you’re still acting like Arthur isn’t our boyfriend.” Mindy said. “It’s like you’re willfully ignorant, dumb, and blind.” 

“Oh?” Lynn asked, her voice nearly a purr. “Is that what you think? That I’m dumb and blind?” 

“And deaf!” Mindy added, laughing. “You don’t listen very well when other people talk. Maybe that’s why you’re so dumb.” 

Rani snickered, not bothering to hide her laughter. Everyone but Lynn and Mindy looked at her, but she didn’t care. Mindy always admired her for that. 

Selene and Kelly returned their attention to Lynn like hawks ready to strike. Deb, Kat, and Katelyn looked between everyone, sensing the tension and unsure of how to de-escalate the situation, much less resolve the issue. Kat gripped Selene’s arm above the elbow, holding her in place. 

“You think I’m dumb, blind, and deaf.” Lynn repeated. Her tone sounded tense, coiled, and about to strike. 

“Yes.” Mindy said, not caring a wit for Lynn’s wrath. 

“Well, at least I’m not some naive schoolgirl who thinks she has a shot with a guy who’s stringing her along.” Lynn huffed, crossing her arms. “If you think you’re special because Arthur’s cheating on Kelly with you, then I have some news for you. You’re not special, and I would bet money you can’t afford; it’ll fall apart soon. Whatever you and Arthur have? He’ll grow tired of that giggly little schoolgirl routine by the time the semester’s over. He’ll change out his side bitch for a grown-ass woman by the end of next semester either way. Besides, if he’s flirting with you at all, he should be thrown in jail; you’re practically jailbait.”

Mindy stopped laughing. “I’m not his side bitch, I’m his girlfriend.” 

Lynn looked at Kelly, but Kelly did not react, as if she already knew this. Mindy could see the gears turning in Lynn’s head, but once more, she jumped to the wrong conclusion, forcing reality to fit in with what she believed possible. 

“What did I miss at that party last night?” Lynn asked, laughing. “Did Arty get drunk and sleep with the freshman instead of Little Miss Anger Issues?” 

The others looked confused, looking at Kelly, who merely rolled her eyes and took a deep breath. She pinched the bridge of her nose. 

“Did he break your heart?” Lynn asked Kelly. “You don’t seem broken up about it. Did you beat him up? Is that why he’s not here? He’s off somewhere licking his wounds like the dog he is?” 

“Lynn.” Deb said, breaking everyone’s attention for a moment. “That’s enough. I promised myself I’d try not to get involved in this drama, but I’d hoped we’d all be on our best behavior.” She gestured to the girls. “They’re polyamorous. Arthur is dating each of them at the same time, with everyone's full knowledge and consent.” 

Lynn looked surprised. “What?” She asked. She searched Deb’s face, and Lynn’s expression shifted to one of faint fear. “What are you talking about? That’s… that’s not a real thing.” 

“Lynn.” Deb said, her voice far more patient than the others expected. “Their love is different than you might expect with your upbringing, but that doesn’t make it less valid. Girls, can you be straight with Lynn for a moment? I mean, not straight like… oh, you know what I mean. Just cut the teasing? You are all dating my son, correct?”

The girls nodded. Their stances shifted to straighten and declare themselves, surrounding Lynn. 

“You’re…” Lynn looked as if her forehead was imploding as the lines of her forehead frowned for her. “You’re all dating Arthur together? He has six girlfriends?” 

“Five.” Katelyn said, speaking up from the doorway. “Technically. For now.” 

“But you were at the party last night.” Lynn said, pointing to Katelyn. “And you’ve all fucked him? Is that what last night was, too? An orgy?” 

The girls glanced at Deb, unsure if they should admit the truth in front of their boyfriend’s mom. Rani was the only one who looked unashamed. 

“Oh, okay.” Lynn said, straightening and taking a different tactic. “So it’s casual between all of you. He doesn’t actually care about you. He’s just in it for the sex.” 

“Excuse me?” Kelly asked. 

“There’s no way anyone can really love that many partners.” Lynn said, explaining as if Kelly were the dumb one. “He doesn’t love any of you. He can’t. It’s too many people, so he’ll leave the group of you eventually for his one true love.” 

“You think you’re his one true love?” Rani asked, incredulous. 

“Why don’t you ask him?” Lynn asked. “See if he can honestly tell you he has no feelings for me, that he wouldn’t want to be with me if I wasn’t so mean to him in high school.” 

“Okay.” Deb said, her tone sharp. “That’s enough.” 

Lynn smirked as if waiting for Deb to agree with her. 

“Lynn, what they do together and who they do it with is their business, not ours.” Deb said. “And who my son loves is up to him, and how he loves them is up to him, too. I can’t speak for him, but I’d be shocked if he still had feelings for you. You blew those chances and that ship has sailed.” 

“Truth.” Rani said. 

“I know things are pretty serious between Selene and Arthur, right?” Deb asked, looking at Selene. 

Selene’s angry expression directed at Lynn vanished, and she looked like she wanted to hide behind Kat, who held her in place. 

“Uh…” Selene said, glancing around at the others. “Yeah.” 

“You love my son, and you two say ‘I love you’ to each other?” Deb asked. 

“Yes, ma’am.” Selene said quietly.

“You don’t have to call me ma’am.” Deb said, smiling. “Just Deb.” 

“So it wasn’t an orgy last night?” Lynn asked, surprised. 

Rani sighed, throwing her hands in the air in frustration. “Yeah, it was an orgy and a pretty kinky one at that! We all fuck him and care about him and shit!” 

Kelly smacked Rani’s arm. 

Rani winked at Kelly and glared at Lynn, tilting her chin in challenge. “So what?” 

Lynn looked as if she might riot or get sick. She glared at Rani, then Kelly. “I feel sick. I need a minute.” 

“By all means, get the fuck out.” Rani said, bowing and holding her hand toward the door. 

Lynn fled the room. On her way out, she bumped into Kelly, but Kelly saw it coming and braced for the impact. She wasn’t jostled by the bump. Lynn rubbed her arm on her way through the master bedroom. 

“Okay, can we all agree that Lynn is the dumbest person we’ve ever met?” Rani asked, high-fiving Mindy. “Like… we’ve told her we’re all dating Arthur multiple times.” 

“That’s not very nice.” Deb said, glancing at Rani. “She needs some time to adjust to the idea, but she’s very progressive. She isn’t going to give you any issues over your sexuality.” 

“She doesn’t like us already because of her beef with Arthur, and the feeling’s mutual. She can fuck right off.” Rani said, shrugging. 

Katelyn looked confused. “Why is this girl even living here if she has beef with Arthur?” 

Deb smiled softly. “Lynn and Arthur were friends through childhood, but Lynn had some bad influences in high school and became a bit of a mean girl.” Deb explained. “She was mean to Arthur, bullying and picking on him with her friends. I always thought Lynn liked him too much and didn’t know how to express it. She couldn’t admit she liked Arthur to her friends because they were in different cliques, you see? But that doesn’t excuse her.” Mindy couldn’t tell if Deb added that last part because of Kelly’s furious expression, but Deb wasn’t finished. 

“Arthur doesn’t want anything to do with her. I don’t know all of his reasons, but I trust him, and from what I’ve heard from Lynn’s mother, she definitely needs to change.” Deb said. “She needs positive influences, like I said.” 

“She traumatized Arthur.” Kelly said. “She more than teased him, and it wasn’t just him. He doesn’t want anything to do with her. He’s ordered us to steer clear of her as well, and yeah. She tried to come to the party last night, and Selene sent her packing.” 

“In spectacular fashion.” Rani added, high-fiving Selene. 

“And she’s gonna live in the basement?” Katelyn asked. 

Deb sighed. “Yeah.” 

“We want her to move out.” Kat said. “But Arthur doesn’t want us messing with her to make it happen.” 

“And you won’t disobey him.” Katelyn said. “Because he’s your Master.” 

“Because he’s right.” Selene said. “And also, yes, because he’s our Master.” 

Deb lifted her head from the hand she’d placed on her forehead. “I’m sorry, what?” 

None of the girls answered her, and none met her inquiring gaze. 

“We’ve all agreed to follow his lead.” Rani said, explaining things in remarkably vanilla language. “Like Selene said, he’s got a good head on his shoulders. We respect him, and he cares about us. So in our relationship dynamic, if we’re a team–” She gestured to the group of them. “–then Arthur’s the coach. Kelly’s team captain.”  

Deb hesitated. “That made more sense than I expected.” 

“Well…” Katelyn said, hesitating. “I’m not officially dating him, right? Last night was a one-night test trial. So, do I have to follow his rules?” 

Rani laughed. “Loophole, ladies!” 

Kelly shook her head. “Don’t do anything. We’ve all agreed to follow Arthur on this, and I think we should. That girl is a monster; provoking her will only lead to trouble.” 

“If you say so.” Katelyn said. “But I don’t like her either, and that’s just going off meeting her today.” 

“Like I said, she needs help.” Deb said. 

“Professional help.” Rani said, laughing. “I’d pay good money to see her in a straight jacket.” 

“We just have to trust that Arthur knows what he’s doing.” Kat said. “I’m partial to giving her a wide berth if possible.” 

“We trust Arthur.” Selene said. “Right?” 

“Right.” The girls nodded, agreeing with each other. 

Mindy frowned but followed the others out of the bathroom with one last look toward the fancy tub. She and Arthur would soak in that one day. Lynn could go to hell. 

“Well, I’m sorry this has been way more combative than expected.” Deb said. 

“The house is awesome, though.” Mindy said, looking on the bright side. 

“It’s okay.” Rani shrugged. 

The others looked at her. 

“I’ve seen bigger.” Rani said with a laugh. 

The girls laughed with her. 

“You always say that.” Mindy said. “You should get that on a t-shirt.” 

Rani nodded. “I’d wear the hell out of that shirt.” 

The girls laughed as they descended the stairs two at a time. Deb beelined to the kitchen and refilled her drink. 

“Top off your drinks, girls.” Deb said, raising her glass. 

Mindy refilled her orange juice, and the others topped off their drinks, with Deb pouring the alcohol. 

“The house is amazing.” Mindy said to Deb. 

“Good!” Deb said with a smile. “You’re all planning on moving in then?” 

The girls looked at each other and nodded. 

“Even with Lynn in the basement?” Deb asked. 

The girls nodded. 

“Honest question, would you move in here if Arthur wasn’t also living here?” Deb asked. 

The girls looked at each other and then at Kelly. She mulled over the question before answering. “I think so.” Kelly said. “Honestly, it’s a great house at a great price, and with the right housemates, it’ll be a blast.” 

“Truth.” Rani said, raising her glass in a toast. 

The other girls joined her in a toast, knocking back their drinks. 

“Good.” Deb said, smiling. “I’m happy to hear that.” 

“But Arthur is going to live here, right?” Mindy asked, the blade of panic cutting into her voice. 

“Of course!” Deb said. “I just wanted to be sure you were renting for the right reasons.” 

“Oh, good.” Mindy said, taking a deep breath. “I love the house, of course, but I think we all like Arthur more.” She said, looking at the others. 

Deb smiled. “How long have you been dating my son, exactly? The same amount of time for each of you, or was this a staggered poly-whatever relationship?” 

“Kelly was his first date after Lori left.” Selene said, smiling awkwardly when Deb looked at her. “But they wanted to keep things casual, and I wanted to be friends with–more than friends. So, I was the first to suggest polyamory.”

“Then Selene dragged me into… a casual relationship with him.” Kat said, not wanting to say ‘fuck buddies’ in front of her fuck buddy and Dom’s mom. 

“Is it casual?” Deb asked. “Is it serious with Selene and Kelly but casual for the rest of you?” 

“It depends on who.” Kat said, looking around at the others for support. 

“We’re all equally his girlfriends.” Rani said. “But some of us know him better or longer. Still, even those who started as fuck buddies have become more than fuck buddies in a pretty short time. And we’re only slightly open now.” 

“Slightly open?” Deb asked. 

“We’re exclusive to ourselves but can invite temporary partners in with everyone’s consent.” Rani said, explaining the compromise Arthur reached in simpler terms. “So if you wanted to fuck me, I’d have to ask his permission first.” Rani winked. 

Kelly smacked Rani’s arm. Rani rubbed her arm on the spot where Kelly struck. 

Deb laughed. “I’m afraid I’m not as free as you young people are with your love these days. George and I are, what did you call it? Exclusive.” 

Rani shrugged. “I’d be down for that threesome.” 

Deb nearly spit out her Mimosa, again. 

Kelly laughed, trying to abate the awkwardness. “Please forgive Rani. I swear, she says insane things to get a reaction sometimes.” She glared at Rani to knock it off. 

Rani shrugged, laughing as she turned away. “I don't lie, though.” She took another piece of kimchi toast and ate it. 

Deb wiped her face with a napkin. “You just took me by surprise.” Deb explained. “But you’re hilarious.” She said, laughing off the offer Mindy suspected was genuine. 

“Do you think Lynn understands? She seemed a bit thick about it.” Mindy asked. 

Deb smiled softly. “I didn’t know how else to explain it to her, so I’ll leave that to you.” She said, looking at Kelly. 

“She’s probably googling for her life right now.” Rani said, shaking her head. 

They didn’t have time to respond before Lynn appeared in the doorway with a box. 

The girls stared at her as she stepped in and set the large parcel on the counter. 

“Okay, bitches.” Lynn said with a soft smile. “Before I start with this, I just wanted to say I’m sorry.” She looked at Mindy as she said it. “You triggered me a little with that dumb thing, and I overreacted. I’ve got a Latin temper. You get used to it.” 

Kelly’s eyes narrowed. Mindy was cautious. Lynn seemed able to change from friendly to bitchy on a dime, and that apology wasn’t a very good one.  

“And Selene - I wanted to assure you we’re okay after last night.” Lynn said. “And obviously, I'm sorry for what I said in the sitting room. You can just forget that now that I know Kelly consented to Arthur's cheating.”

Deb raised an eyebrow. 

“She blocked me from joining their party last night, tricked me, and stole my clothes.” Lynn explained. “But there’s no hard feelings, especially now that I know it wasn’t a real party. To be honest, I would have been uncomfortable at a naked party, anyway. I can’t go braless like some people.” 

Selene rolled her eyes and looked confused as Lynn reached into the box and produced a small, adorable teddy bear. 

“A little housewarming present.” Lynn said. “I didn’t know who I’d share the house with, but everybody loves teddy bears.” She chuckled. “I have one for each of you.” 

“Aw, thanks bitch!” Rani said as she took hers. Then she looked at Deb and glanced at the patio. “I think I saw a fire pit out there?”

Mindy giggled as she accepted her bear. The fuzzy stuffed bears were the same bear in four varying shades of beige, brown, white, and black. They sat in the same pose, arms outstretched, bearing t-shirts that bore a picture of the house and said ‘Clarke House Buddies’ beneath. Mindy was surprised by the forethought. Clearly, she'd bought these long before yesterday. 

“So soft!” Mindy said though she realized she was the only one enjoying the gift. 

“They’re the best.” Lynn said. “And I have one too, there’s one for Arthur still in the box, and here’s one for you!” She handed Katelyn one before closing the box. 

“They are kinda cute.” Katelyn said, looking at Kelly, whose frown seemed etched in stone. 

“Yeah…” Selene said. Mindy understood her hesitation. Accepting the gift felt like somehow betraying Arthur. “Thanks.” 

“If you don’t want to take them home, I'm sure you can leave them here.” Lynn said. “They can go into your new rooms!” She looked at Deb. “If that’s okay.” 

“Oh, good idea.” Deb said, nodding. 

Lynn looked like she was about to say something, but Deb cut her off. 

“Why don’t you all put them upstairs? They’ll be here when you move in and will be waiting for you.” Deb said. “I’ll get the leases while you do that.” 

Mindy jogged out of the room, following Selene upstairs and leaving their drinks on the counter. 

“Can you believe that bitch?” Selene scoffed, tossing the bear onto a bed beside Kelly’s in one of the rooms. 

Kelly sighed. “I know.” 

“Arthur won’t let us keep these.” Kat said, a note of warning in her voice from the entryway. She stepped in after throwing her bear into the other room. 

Mindy frowned. “Why not? They’re cute!” 

Katelyn held hers before her as if it were speaking instead of her. “I’m just a bear in need of love and a place to sleep!” 

Rani shrugged. “Brat’s right. As soon as Arthur hears these came from Lynn, he’ll throw them in the garbage. I say we toss them into that fire pit and light them on fire!” 

“They’re just teddy bears.” Mindy said. “I thought it was a sweet gesture.” 

“Don’t be naive.” Kelly said, her tone more condescending than Mindy could endure. 

Mindy frowned. “I might be young, but–” 

“I’m sorry.” Kelly cut her off. “I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant that she’s evil incarnate. If the Fire Lord gave you a teddy bear, would you keep it?” 

Mindy considered the absurdity but had to admit there was a point behind it. 

“She is kind of an Azula.” Katelyn said. 

“How dare you sully Azula’s name. Azula was smart.” Mindy scoffed. “She’s no Azula.” 

“She’s up to something. I don’t know if it’s just being nice in front of Deb, trying to make up for what she said, but these…” Kelly gestured to the bears. “I don’t even know.” 

“She must have ordered these as soon as she knew she was moving in. These are custom T-shirts on these bears.” Rani said. “She couldn’t have ordered these with us in mind or knowing how any of this was going to go down. It’s an impersonal gift, but it makes her seem like she’s trying.” 

“Do they explode?” Katelyn asked, shaking hers. She squished its tummy, proving it was only fluff. 

“Let’s just leave them and start the paperwork.” Kelly said. “We can tell Arthur about them and throw them away later.” 

The girls agreed and descended the stairs again to find Deb waiting for them in the kitchen. Lynn sat on one of the stools by the island, drinking another screwdriver.