MIKA
THE CONSTANT CLEANER
CHAPTER 10
Saturday
Morning
First person narrative - Mika
I felt her hands cupping my breasts and her body pushing on me from behind as I was standing in front of the sink doing the dishes.
“We suppose to go shopping today. Have you forgotten missy?” Linda whispered in my ear as she playfully moved her tongue around sending a wave of shivers in my body.
“I’m finishing here Madame and then I’ll go and change to my street clothes.” I replied with excitement in my voice.
“I want you in pants today Mika, I’ll prepare an outfit for you. Come in my bedroom when you finish here.” She said summarily and left, making me feeling totally puzzled looking down at my rubber gloved hands and wet apron front.
Pants? What she meant by that? Does she want Mike back? I haven’t worn pants since I became Mika on a full-time basis months ago. I got so much used in exposing my legs either naked or covered in stockings or tights that the whole idea sounded utterly absurd.
I finished my chores as quickly as possible removed my wet apron and literally run upstairs to the master bedroom.
Madame Linda was arranging some clothes on top of the bed and turning to me, a Cheshire cat grin on her face said, “Here is your outfit, black girly pants with a side zip, pale blue blouse with a low neckline and puffy short sleeves and two-inch black pumps.”
“But why
pants Madame? I never had pants on since I became Mika full time. I’ll feel
more vulnerable and probably more detectable as a male.” I asked in a puzzled
voice.
“This is going to be the ultimate test for you my dear. If you can go out wearing pants and pass successfully as a female, then your confidence will go up to a new level.” She replied adding immediately, “And I bought for you a panty girdle from a ‘special’ shop for girls like you. It is very controlling and padded in the back!”
I looked more carefully this time at the items in display on top of the bed. Yes, I could see this particular garment that had been a dream for all cross dressers over the years. It was cream colored and looked quite formidable.
As usually Madame Linda picked my thoughts and said mischievously, “The girdle will help you to tuck, pushing your balls gently back. Then you will have a girly crotch and no one could tell. Also, you need a panty liner inside for hygienic reasons. I left a pack for you in your bathroom.”
“Wow, thank you Madame, another first for me,” I answered excitedly, “I better go to my room and change.”
“Yes, do that and I’ll meet you downstairs in say 15 minutes? And please discreet makeup, I don’t want a slutty appearance. You are my domestic today and I’ll take you to the uniform shop for proper working clothes, so you must look the part.”
“Yes, Madame,” I answered with a small curtsey blushing as usually and feeling the familiar tickling in my stomach.
I was very self-conscious as we were walking in the middle of the pedestrianized ‘High Street’ heading for my preferred ‘Workwear Solutions’ shop that Madame Linda had never visit before.
I had now been endless times out in the streets as Mika, wearing a dress or a skirt and I had learnt to be comfortable about that. But today it was different. I felt different wearing pants portraying as a female. I started wiggling my considerably rounder bum thanks to the padded girdle, and walking in smaller steps. I was so different that my Madame had noticed it.
“Well, I must admit Mika that I never saw you before displaying so many feminine traits and what is more important, displaying them in such a natural manner without any exaggeration, you seem very natural, I should have made you wear female pants long ago.”
“It is very reassuring what you say to me Madame, you make me feel more comfortable in my pants,” I whispered back “But we have to turn right here, the uniform shop is at the end of this small street.”
“Ok Mika, I haven’t been to that shop before, you usually go on your own to get your uniforms but this time, let me do the talking, I feel like acting as a proper employer to you.”
“Ok Ms. Caraway,” I answered with excitement shivers, “You are my employer anyway, I just want to remind you that Ms. Erika, wants me to get a black conservative dress and a white functionable apron.”
“I’m aware of that, thank you Mika,” she answered back in a haughty manner.
CHAPTER 11
Saturday
morning,
First
person narrative – Linda
It was amazing as I watched Mika walking next to me. Her movements were so naturally feminine. Her rounded enhanced bum, thanks to the padded girdle, was swaying and her bra straps were visible as her blouse was sliding over her shoulders. And the most unbelievable of all, she was taking small mincing steps as if an invisible narrow skirt was restricting her movements. I loved it!
And here I was walking totally relaxed next to her in a business pants suit taking my maid to be fitted in proper working clothes. The feeling of power and control I had over Mika was intoxicating at that moment and I loved it!
The uniform shop was much bigger than I thought. It had several sections like medical, protective garments, catering and hospitality-domestic. Of course Mika has been before in this shop and knew her way around. She pointed at the far end where I could read a large sign ‘hospitality and domestic’.
We walked there as a youngish woman, clearly a sales person, approached us.
She quickly assessed both of us and addressed me, “How can I be of assistance Madam?” she asked.
“I need working outfits for my maid here; I need the more traditional and formal black dress for serving and something less formal for day wear and heavy housework.” I said as I looked sideways to Mika who was already blushing but with eyes full of sparkling excitement.
“Of course Madam, I’ll bring some dresses for you to see, I think medium might be the correct size for her,” she said giving an appraisal look at Mika who was still blushing. She was embarrassed but excited as well, I could read her like an open book.
She was back shortly carrying an armful of clothes. I picked a black dress and passed it on to Mika, “Hold it please in front of you, let’s see how it looks.”
The sales lady helped her and I looked at the dress touching the material at the same time. It was a front zipped shirtwaist dress with white collar and white cuffs at the elbow long sleeves. The length was a couple on inches below the knee. It looked modest and elegant at the same time.
“Do you think this is what Frau Erika had in mind Mika?” I asked her.
“Yes Madame, I think it is. She wanted something formal but functionable at the same time. And the length looks ok, she definitely asked me to get a dress with a below the knee length.” Mika replied the blushing being more or less permanent on her face.
“And it is a 100% cotton and easy to maintain. It dries quickly and needs no ironing. And we have a white apron to go with it, either half or full with a bib.” The sales lady added.
“Frau Erika
is one of Mika’s other employers; she cleans for her once a week.” I said
looking at the sales lady and I think she asked for a full white apron to go
with the dress. Isn’t that right Mika?” I added looking at my maid.
“Good, that’s what I thought,” I I’ll get two dresses please in medium size. And two white aprons, one full with a bib and the other half just for decoration when my maid waits on the table.” I smiled at the sales lady who smiled back at me seeing a large order on its way.
Mika looked
at me slightly puzzled as she realized that I was getting a second black dress.
I winked at her as the sales person passed me another dress.
I took the
dress and as I started examine it as I heard Mika exclaiming in a husky almost
masculine voice, “I love it Madame!”
I pretended to ignore her exclamation and simply passed on the dress to her. “Keep it front of you please, let me see how it looks on you. Probably the kind lady here could help you,” I calmly said as the sales person helped her to hold it in front of her.
The moment I saw the dress properly displayed I realized why she instantly fell in love with it. It was a button front A line dress falling just below her knees. The collar and the edge of the two front pockets and short sleeves were made of checked material of the same color.
I saw her eyes sparkling and, on an impulse, I said to her. “Go to the fitting room and try it on Mika, I want to see it properly on you.
“Yes Madame,” she eagerly answered and went towards the fitting room pointed by the sales person.
She came back in a few minutes. The dress fitted well and she looked adorable as she was blushing all over again.
“There is a small half apron that goes with it, it is checked and has a fine frill all around. Here it is.” The sales person said as she handed the apron to Mika.
“Come on, put it on,” I said to her as she already started fasten it around her waist.
She did a
symmetrical bow in the back and went to look at herself in the mirror.
“I like it Madame, it’s a nice and practical dress, very comfortable for housework.” She said with dreamy eyes. I could tell she adored the dress.
“Yes Mika, it looks good on you. We’ll take it as well,” I said looking at the sales person.
“Thank you Madame, I better go and change to my street clothes.”
And then I had this sudden thought, she should keep the dress on, she could wear it out. That would be humiliating for her but also exciting. It would be exciting for me anyway; I liked that idea, having Mika walking next to me in a maid’s dress.
“Keep the dress on Mika, it suits you so much. You can wear it out, just remove the apron.” I said in my non nonsense voice.
She looked at me incredulously, “Are you sure Madame? It is a uniform dress after all.” She hesitantly asked.
“So what. You’ve seen maids before walking the streets with or without their Mistress. Get used to it because I’ll send you out shopping in your uniform dress from now on. It is not a shame to be a domestic, it is a job like many others. You see nurses or shopping girls going to work with their uniform on.”
“Yes Madame,” she answered as she lowered her eyes in a sign of agreement.
“Right, pick up the bags that the nice lady prepared and wait for me by the entrance.”
She moved towards the entrance still mincing and still swaying her bum, not in such a pronounced way, the dress being more moderate than the tight pants she was wearing before.
As I was paying, the sales lady asked matter of factly, “It’s probably impertinent for me to ask, but she is more than a maid to you, isn’t she?”
“Yes, she is more than a maid to me,” I replied in an even voice, “She is my sissy partner but she actually loves to work as a maid and cleaner. She goes out and clean other people houses three times a week.”
“I thought that much. I saw her reaction when she laid eyes on the teal green dress, I detected the male on her then.” She said smiling and then added, “Mind you, you are not the only one who brings a sissy partner or husband here to be fitted in a uniform. Over the years I saw quite a few cases like yours.”
“Anyway,
thank you for your help, I better go and rescue her, she seems uncomfortable
waiting by the door. Bye for now.”
CHAPTER 12
Saturday
morning
First
person narrative - Mika
I kept
looking at my brand-new uniform dress as I was waiting by the shop entrance for
my Madame to join me. I was touching it, feeling the hem caressing my legs,
feeling my enhanced bum through the dress material. I was aroused but the
tucking was preventing any inconveniences. I loved the slightly flared skirt
and the nice contradiction of the checked material used for the collar and the
edging of pockets and short sleeves. And my imminent exposure to the large
public as a ‘uniformed maid’ was sending erotic shivers through my body.
“Which venture, where?” I asked impertinently.
“Don’t forget your place girl; you don’t wear this dress that you seem to love anyway, for nothing. Some respect please to your Madame that paid for all those goodies she just bought for you.” She said half-jokingly.
“I’m sorry Madame, you are right,” I replied equally jokingly executing at the same time a rather comical small curtsey. With the side of my eye I saw the sales persons, standing a few meters away, giving me thumbs up.
“That’s better Mika,” my Madame said with a smile, winking at the same time towards the direction of the sales girl and added, “What I meant by next venture is going to the super market for the weekly shopping. I believe you have a list in your bag. That way we can cement to the public eye our Mistress and maid relation.”
I was really surprised now because I knew how much Linda hates super markets. All those months that we were living together she never joined me to ‘that mundane task’ as she was calling it. She was clearly inspired by my outfit this time. Out with the maid for the weekly shopping.
“How did you feel being in public in uniform Mika?” She asked me when we arrived back home nearly two hours later.
“It was a weird feeling Madame; I could feel people looking at me but I never got the impression that they could detect who I really and truly was, they were simply looking at another domestic doing shopping with her Mistress.”
“And did you enjoy that feeling? People looking down at you because you were just ‘another domestic’ as you put it?” My Madame persisted.
“Yes Madame, I did,” I answered blushing, “You know me. The fact that I can feel on my skin that those people look at me and think ‘there she is, another maid going around shopping with her Mistress’, gives me… satisfaction, if I can use that word.”
“It is more than satisfaction dear,” my Madame chuckled, “I would call it a syndrome, a ‘maid’s syndrome’. I’m not a strong believer of past life or reincarnation but in your case I start believing that you must have been in your past life either a female servant or slave!”
“I agree!”
I chuckled back, “I thought of that on several occasions and my question is
where and in what historical period I was a slave or servant; in Ancient Greece
or
“That’s interesting. You should probably tell me about those dreams at one point.” Then she looked at the shopping bags on the kitchen floor and said in an urgent manner, “But to come back on the mundane, you better put away all that shopping, in particular the perishable ones. Chop, chop Mika, put your new apron on, the one that matches your dress, and be a good maid again.”
“Yes Madame,” I smiled with a small curtsey, as I went to pick my new apron from one of the bags.”
CHAPTER 13
Saturday
night
First
person narrative - Linda
“Tell me about your dreams Mika dear,” I whispered in her ear as we were cuddling together after a long and exciting day for both of us.
“Ah my dreams!” Mika replied in a dreamy voice, “Well, my dreams are another whole world for me. They often are powerful and I keep a record in a small personal diary for the strongest of them.”
“Yes, you mentioned that this afternoon and you said that sometimes you dream about being a slave back in historical times.”
“Nothing ever is very clear but I always am a female slave and I always am in some sort of servant’s role.” Mika kept whispering to me as I was softly caressing her body through her light cotton nightie material. “There are some scary moments in the dream like when I am pushed in a dark dungeon, chained in the wall and then I wake up in a panic mode. I had that dream more than once. Probably I never mentioned that to you but I’m claustrophobic and being confined in a dark place is very scary for me.”
“True, you never mentioned that, but it is fascinating how you dream about past times in such a strong way. My dreams are always contemporary like running at an airport to catch a plane already being late and not able to find my passport. That’s the scariest for me.” I silently said chuckling.
“I have contemporary dreams as well, but during the past few months they all have to do with Mika and her endeavours. I never dream of Mike and his male life.” Mika kept whispering.
“That’s interesting too,” I mused over, “You are such a unique case Mika dear, you are getting deeper and deeper into your female persona, even in your dreams. But tell me more. Can you define what you are wearing during those ‘slave dreams’?”
“It’s hard to tell again, it’s blurry but I can tell that much; its simple clothes, like long dresses or a blouse and long skirt. The material must be coarse because I think in my dream that it irritates my skin. Unbelievable isn’t it? And yes, something else,” Mika continued in a louder voice now, “I wear a long half apron to protect the skirt and often I feel that there is a kerchief on my head.”
“It definitely looks like a female servant’s outfit, but it appears to be an 18th-19th century outfit rather than one that goes centuries back in time. Aprons were not common then. They appear in middle ages if I remember well.” I said
“Yes, you
are right Madame, that’s why I thought that I could have been a slave in the
American South just before the American civil war in the mid-19th century. The
kerchief goes with that servant/slave look in the plantations of the
“Yes, it does. But are you getting the feeling in your dreams that you could have been a black woman?”
“No, I don’t, I never have a feeling of race but I recently had done a little google search and I was fascinated to find out that they were many white looking women that were slaves because they had a small percentage of black ancestry on them. They were called octoroons, like they were one-eighth or less black by descent. Some of them were blond with blue eyes. Amazing isn’t it?”
“Amazing indeed my dear and you keep to amaze me with your dreams and discoveries. You are one of a kind Mika dear!” I said chuckling again.
“Thank you Madame, but it is because of you and your loving tolerance that I was able to turn into reality my longstanding dreams and proclivities. It is you that you allowed me to become what I am today, a constant maid and cleaner!”
“And eventually my constant slave dear,” I murmured excitedly, “But don’t worry, I’m not going to lock you in a dark dungeon, or chain you to a wall. I’m a tolerant Mistress as you said and I don’t want my slave to suffer for no reason.”
“I do belong to you Madame and you know that,” Mika said with conviction in her voice. “So that, literally speaking makes me your slave,” she emotionally added.
“Yes
darling Mika, and I can see how aroused you are by simply saying that you
belong to me. And I am equally aroused because I like thinking of you as my
slave and maid.” I whispered as I started to lift her nightie, it was time to
explore its other’s body.
CHAPTER 14
Sunday
midday
First
person narrative - Mika
“I’m organizing a small dinner party on Friday, a dinner party with guests three ladies that you happen to know and you’re going to serve.” Linda said casually as we were eating a light lunch together.
“Oh, that sounds scary,” I said but with excitement in my voice, “Are they the ladies I suspect? My three employers?” I asked innocently with a smile as I was sitting opposite her and for a change without a uniform on. I was simply her wife and partner today; usually that was the case on a Sunday.
“Yes dear, Jennifer Blackman, Tania Gonzalez and of course the formidable Frau Erika Klompe. They are looking forward to meet you on serving duty.”
“I thought they were not aware that we live together. I remember you telling me that the other day.”
“You are right in that dear Mika, initially they didn’t know but they know now. I thought it would be easier and more honest to tell them the truth and what our relation really is.”
“And what you had actually told them?” I asked full of curiosity.
“Well, I’ve told them very much the truth. That we are partners but you love housework and you love take up the role of a cleaner-maid and I am not the one to stop you. So, they now know that you are not a transitioning TG but a crossdresser with sissy tendencies as Frau Klompe predicted from the very beginning.”
“I guess this is true but now that they know we are partners, I’ll be very embarrassed to be a maid and serve you all at that dinner party on Friday.” I anxiously said.
“Well, I think we reached the point that we should try and clear certain aspects on our relationship. It would help if we could put some parameters to where we stand with each other dear Mika. Don’t you think so?” Linda said not maliciously but with a slight trace of irony in her voice.
“That worries me Madame,” I cautiously replied calling her ‘Madame’ again. I realised and not for the first time, that she was holding all the cards and she could say things that would potentially endanger our relationship. “What sort of parameters you are talking about?”
“We could get married for instance. That would be the most serious parameter,” she chuckled mischievously.
I was totally taken by surprise. Did she really mean that or was she playing some sort of game?
“Do you really mean that Linda?” I asked with incredulity.
“Why you appear so surprised dear Mika? We live together, you act as my partner, wife or maid depending on the day and our whims and commitments and we love each other or at least I believe we do. So why not?”
“You know very well that I adore you and I would love to be your wife formally,” I said with conviction blushing all over.
“And you can wear a nice wedding dress if you wish,” Linda chuckled happily.
“Oh Linda, you make me so happy and excited!” I said as I stood and approached her for a hug.
“Now, now, don’t get over excited dear, we have to plan it carefully and it is not something that will happen tomorrow, but at least we both agree to it.”
“Yes, yes Linda,” I replied and, on an impulse, I got down on my knees picked her hands and started kissing them, “Thank you for proposing me, I’ll be a good wife and maid and always there to assist you in your career.”
“I’m glad to hear that darling and speaking of your particular roles and personas I would like to set some rules that will make our lives simpler and less confusing in particular in the presence of other people.”
“Please tell me what you have in mind Madame,” I said becoming formal again.
“You see what I mean?” she exclaimed, “Since we started this conversation you called me sometimes Linda, sometimes Madame and quite often nothing at all. So, rule one is how you are going to address me from now on since I am many things to you as you are many things to me.”
“I see what you mean,” I murmured avoiding addressing her this time.
“So, when you are in a maid’s uniform, I’m always Madame or Ms. Caraway for you and all other people present you call them accordingly as any maid would. Is that clear so far?”
“Yes,” I simply replied with a cunning smile looking at my housedress and apron. I wasn’t in a maid’s uniform anyway.
She silently laughed, “Yes I can see you are not in a uniform but you still have an apron on, so you still are in an inferior position in our house pecking order, so I’m still Madame for you Missy,” she added in a semi-jokey manner.
“Yes Madame,” I answered also semi-jokingly giving a small curtsey at the same time as I was standing by her now.
“No curtseys please. You curtsey only when in uniform. Ok?”
I nodded as she continued, “But when you are not in uniform and you don't have your apron on you are Mika my beloved partner and soon to be wife and I am Linda your other half and occasional employer.”
In a quick movement I untied my apron and threw it on a chair and said with a beaming smile, “There you are Linda, your Mika is here and you can hug her.”
She got up and gave me a tight hug and a long kiss and then whispered to me, “Yes, my Mika you are here in all your personas and capacities so put your apron back on please so that your Madame can explain to you how this dinner party is going to be organised next Friday and what she demands from you.”
I felt a jolt of excitement as I hastily tied my apron back. My Madame was back in action and ‘she demands from me’. Our moment of equality lasted for a few seconds!
“Well, first things first. You do have to go to work on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, your employers expect their apartment to be thoroughly cleaned, so Wednesday is a semi-free day so to speak and I’m booking you to the beauty salon for a mini makeover; nothing dramatic, just have your hair done, a facial, a manicure-pedicure and a touching up of your semi-permanent makeup. You must look your best when you serve on Friday.”
“Yes Madame, thank you for that,” I answered in a coquettish manner removing some loose hair from my forehead, a move that made her smirk, “I need to do something with my hair it gets on my eyes all the time and disturbs me when I work and my hands are dirty. I hate to touch my face then.”
“You could use a hairpin then, lots of working girls do that,” she said smirking again. “But, let me explain to you the most serious part, let me explain what happens on Friday.”
“Yes
Madame,” I said nearly curtseying again.
As I heard her talking, I realised that I was still standing playing with the edge of my apron. It never occurred to me to sit down and she never asked me to. A perfect picture of an employer and her ‘hired help’.
“On Friday you have all day,” she continued lecturing me, “So you concentrate on cleaning and preparing the living-dining areas. You thorough clean also the guests’ WC, and of course the kitchen should be spick and span. Then you set the table for four in the dining room. By five o’clock you should be ready, dressed in your black uniform dress and the white half apron. I’ll be coming back at about six and about this time the caterers will bring the food with instructions how to prepare it and keep it hot. Our guests will arrive any time after seven and you will welcome them with a chilled glass of prosecco upon arrival. A small curtsey is advisable. Is it clear so far?”
“Yes Madame but I have a couple of practical questions,” I replied in an excited voice, “How our guests are going to be served and what will be my role?”
“Yes, it’s simpler to have a buffet and our guests will serve themselves but you will be in attendance all the time to assist to anything required. Make sure that the wine glasses are always full, remove used plates, anything else that is needed. You will have to use your common sense; you are a clever enough girl and of course I’ll be watching you and ask you to do things as well. It will be a new experience for you my dear.”
“It will be indeed; another experience to add on my CV as a domestic Madame,” I added mischievously.
“Yes dear, you are certainly going to widen your experience in that sense. Serving and table attendance are essential parts for any qualified servant,” my Madame added in an equally mischievous tone of voice.
“You can remove again your apron and come and sit on my lap,” she cunningly smiled touching her knee. “We are both sexually charged and I want my Mika close to me and you can hug and kiss your Linda.”
“Yes of course, I’d love that!” I said as I hastily untied my apron throwing it on the back of a chair, “I do want to kiss and hug my Linda and probably we can continue our encounters on your nice king size bed upstairs.”
CHAPTER 15
Friday
evening – dinner party
First
person narrative - Linda
I checked the car clock as I was parking in our garage; it was 5.45 in the afternoon. I was more than certain that Mika must have been aware of my arrival so I decided to ring the front door bell. I was dying to see her in the formal black and white maid’s uniform answering the door.
And indeed in a few seconds the door opened and a blushing maid dressed in the traditional black and white welcomed me in.
“Welcome home Madame,” she said in a higher than usual pitch trying to sound more feminine.
I looked carefully at her as she let me in. She was impeccably dressed and made up; nothing extreme or slutty, just the right amount of everything for her position. The dress was modest, it’s hemline a few inches below the knee, the small half apron with its delicate broderie anglaise trim was perfectly ironed and white, the fine denier black pantyhose was sheer and the black court shoes had moderate two-inch block heels.
“You look great Mika; this uniform certainly suits you. You seem very comfortable and relaxed as if you belong to it.” I said appraisingly.
“Thank you Madame, I appreciate your positive comments. It is true, I feel very natural wearing that uniform, it makes me feel that I belong to it as you just mentioned,” she replied with a small curtsey her eyes having this unusual strong shine. I could tell she was high in her own controlled way.
“Right, I’ll have a quick inspection before I go upstairs to change and freshen up.” I announced as I started walking around the living and dining room. I checked the WC carefully and then moved to the kitchen. Mika was following behind ready to explain if asked. But everything seemed perfectly clean and properly arranged so I simply turned and added, “Just perfect, you did a great job, see you in a few minutes and if the bell rings it will be the caterers, so please let them in and I’ll be down by then.”
“Thank you
Madame,” she replied, but I was already climbing the stairs fast. I had only a
few minutes to get ready.
I knew their head chef Mark who was one of the three people delivering.
I started talking to him as Mika was standing discreetly behind me, “I’m glad you were able to come today Mark, you are the best to explain how to handle and prepare the serving. Mika behind me is my maid and she is doing the serving tonight.”
“Hello Miss Linda, glad to see you again and glad to meet you Mika,” Mark said casually and started explaining how to handle the food they were bringing in.
Within half an hour everything was in position. They were very professional and Mark’s explanations were to the point.
They left after six thirty and I sent Mika to the kitchen to prepare the glasses and pour the chilled prosecco.
At 7.05 the front door bell rung, the first guest was here. I motioned to Mika who rushed to the door to open. With German punctuality, Frau Klompe was standing by the door.
“Good evening Frau Klompe, please come in,” Mika said and moved backwards to let her in.
“Good evening to you Mika, you look very proper tonight, the perfect ‘dienstmädchen. Your dress is similar to the one you wear at my house, have you got two?”
“Yes Frau Klompe, I bought them the same day; Miss Linda liked it so much that she asked me to get one for this house as well.” Mika replied with a small curtsey.
“Good evening Erika, I’m glad you approve of my maid’s dress and of course I’m delighted that you were able to come. Please join me to the living room; would you like a glass of chilled prosecco?” I warmly welcomed her.
“Yes, that
would be lovely, thank you,” she said as I made a sign to Mika to bring two
glasses of prosecco.
“Thank you Mika,” we both said in unison and then turned and started happily chatting ignoring her. At this moment I understood how she felt, the invisible maid who is there just to serve, and I had a feeling that she immensely enjoyed that role; I could see it in her gleaming eyes.
Within the next few minutes, the other two ladies, Jennifer Blackman and Tania Gonzalez have arrived and we all settled in the living room chatting amicably.
Mika served them drinks as well and was standing by the corner hands in front of her apron waiting for further orders. I could tell that her ears were ‘extended’, she was trying to catch parts of the conversation but I didn’t give her that chance.
“That will be all Mika, I’ll call you when we are ready to move to the dining room. Make sure that the food stays warm and fresh. And also keep the plates warm.”
“Yes Madame,” she answered politely with a hint of a smile and a quick curtsey. Then she turned and disappeared inside the kitchen.
I could see all eyes were at her as she gingerly walked back. And I could sense of course that they were dying to talk about her.
I raised my glass and toasted them with a smile, “I’m so glad you were all able to come. I must say that if it wasn’t for Mika, we wouldn’t be here tonight but this is a great chance for all of us to get acquainted, we all work at the same company after all.”
Erika Klompe was the first to engage in the conversation I just started by saying in no uncertain terms in her ‘brutal’ Germanic way, “I knew from the very first moment I set eyes on Mika that she is a ‘Schürzen Syndrom’ case.”
“I’m afraid, you lost us here Erika,” I said looking meaningfully at the other two. “It’s all too German for us.”
“I’m sorry, I tend to be too pedantic at times,” she replied apologetically, “It means, ‘Apron Syndrome’ and it is something that I came across when I did my first degree in Germany in social anthropology. I came across cases of young boys fascinated by their mother’s or maid’s apron. The result was that they were often identifying themselves with the mother or the maid and everything that goes with their daily life like housework, cooking, ironing and every other aspect of what is still known as a ‘woman’s work’.”
“It is the most scientific approach I ever heard for someone I would call a submissive cross-dresser, I call it a ‘maid’s syndrome’ myself,” I replied in an equally brutal manner; I had nothing to hide from those women.
“I’m a bit disappointed that Mika is not a transgender person, not yet anyway,” Tania spoke for the first time. “I have a soft point for TGs, I’ve already mentioned to Mika that I have a TG cousin who went all the way and is a proud woman now. But on the other hand, I totally respect her choices in life; she is an adult who can freely decide which way to go.”
“Indeed she is,” I emphatically said, “What you see in Mika and how she acts and behaves is of her own making. Somehow, we managed to find a balance in our relationship, a balance that is acceptable by both of us.”
At that
point Jennifer Blackman spoke for the first time, “It is fascinating what you
all say about Mika and her behaviour but for me she is just what she appears to
be, just a maid-cleaning lady. If she enjoys doing it, so much the better
because she is doing her job with diligence and commitment. Probably she had already
mentioned to you Linda that I started calling her
“Yes, she
mentioned that and she was very intrigued. In fact, she liked to be called
Erika who clearly liked to deepen into psychological matters added, “You can say that Linda dear, we all have our particularities and peculiarities real or imaginative, hidden or out in the open.”
“You are absolutely right Erika, human nature had always been a big enigma, but to move to more mundane matters, you ladies must be getting hungry,” I said looking at the clock in the opposite wall. “We probably could move to the dining room. There is an open buffet and you can help yourselves. Mika is ready to take care of us.”
CHAPTER 16
Dinner
party
First
person narrative – Mika
I moved fast from the kitchen door where I was standing hidden, trying to catch parts of the conversation. Isn’t that what maids do? I was thinking amused, when I heard the ladies standing and Linda guiding them towards the dining room.
Then I heard her voice, “Mika come and stand by the buffet, we are about to be served.”
“Yes Madame,” I answered and rushed towards the dining room. The ladies were going to serve themselves and I would be responsible for the wine.
As I was standing in attendance at the nearest to the buffet corner with my hands folded in front of my apron I was secretly smiling because one of the few things I’ve managed to hear was what Erika Klompe said with her booming voice about my so called ‘apron syndrome’. Wasn’t that an exaggeration? Ok, I loved my aprons and yes, they were very much a part of my ‘Mika persona’, but a syndrome?
“Wine please Mika,” I heard my Madame’s voice as the ladies were taking their seats around the table.
Holding two bottles of wine, a red merlot and a white sauvignon blanc wrapped in a white damask serviette I started moving around the table feeling like a proper waitress. My major concern was not to spill any wine and I managed quite well because all of them praised me for my skills.
“Thank you Mika, you seem to be a very competent waitress, I didn’t know that you had such skills. Have you done some waitressing before?” my Madame asked genuinely surprised.
“Yes Madame, before I met you, I did some waitressing when I was in college for pocket money. I had to follow a course at the time. Learning to pour wine was the hardest as I recall.” I said gingerly remembering that I was a young guy called Mike at the time.
“Many secret talents your Mika has,” Erika Klompe added and the merlot tastes superb.”
“So is the sauvignon; and the food is superb, the other two added. Those caterers are excellent. Did you just mention Linda that our company uses them?”
“Yes, their chef Mark is very talented; I had a chat with him earlier when they brought the food.” Linda replied.
Nearly an hour later I started clearing the table removing the plates. I was quite hungry by then watching them all eating with gusto and Linda must had sensed it because she said, “Get a plate and have something to eat Mika you must be starving by now. After finishing eating you can serve the dessert. That will give us time to digest our meal.”
“Yes Madame,” I eagerly answered, “You are right, I’m a bit hungry by now.”
I filled a plate from the buffet and took myself to the kitchen where I ate sitting in the kitchen table, feeling more than ever my maid’s position. The ladies in the dining room digesting and the maid in the kitchen eating the leftovers. I smiled as I realised that the leftovers in my occasion were very sufficient and extremely tasty.
It took them another hour to finish the dessert as I kept filling their glasses with wine. I could tell that they all had a good time and they all looked tipsy, I could tell from their shrieks and slightly distorted voices.
I made some coffee that I served it in the living room where they all adjourned. I could see how badly they needed that coffee.
As I was about to return to my corner waiting for further instructions my Madame turning to me said, “Why don’t you join us Mika with a cup of coffee, I’m sure that the ladies would love to chat with you person to person outside the formalities of your position.”
Before I had the chance to answer she added chuckling, “I’ll tell you what Mika, remove your apron and cap before you join us with your coffee and then our agreement is valid. Remember it? When out of apron, we are equal partners.”
I could see the surprise on their faces when they heard Linda’s request but I could also sense a certain amount of intrigue.
I felt somehow awkward as I joined them with a hot mug of coffee in my hands. I sat at the edge of a chair facing them all and I smiled without really knowing what to say.
Erika Klompe was the first one to speak, “Your black dress looks very smart on you dear Mika. If it wasn’t for the white collar and piping around the sleeves it could easily be the ‘LBD’ that every woman should have in her wardrobe.”
“And with the addition of a simple pearl necklace you would look quite elegant,” Jennifer Blackman added.
“Thank you both, you are very kind,” I said slightly blushing.
“So, how this works?” Tania asked this time looking at Linda and me, “I mean, we know that you are partners soon to be married, but isn’t it a bit theatrical this on and off apron business? One moment the ‘Yes Madame,’ and the next ‘Linda darling’?” she continued with a certain sarcasm in her voice.
Linda looked meaningfully at me, “Do you want to answer this Mika darling?”
That was a very much to the point and hard to answer question. I thought that the least I could do was to be myself and as honest as possible. Nothing to hide from those ladies anymore. I felt like I was in the middle of a psychodrama therapy session.
“What can I say,” I started with a slightly resigned tone of voice, “I love my skirts and dresses and I love housework and everything that goes with what used to be called ‘woman’s work’. If you put them together you have what you see in front of you. You see Mika the maid or Mika the housewife or Mika the partner to Linda. For as long as Linda accepts me in those roles, I’m happy and ready to continue to that road however mundane might seem to you.”
“I guess it is a matter of balance the give and take in a relationship,” Linda continued picking the conversation from where I left it, “My Mika is happy in the roles as she described them and I enjoy our FLR relationship.”
She stopped and looked first at me and then at the three ladies who were very focused in what appeared to be a ‘public confession’ from both Linda and me.
“I don’t know how you ladies feel,” she continued, her clever eyes sparkling, “but I must add here that I’m tremendously relieved that I’m in a relationship with a very special man and not with a typical macho Alpha male who constantly needs a boost of his ego. My Mika is the exact opposite; she keeps her ego, because all humans have one after all, well covered under her dresses and aprons.”
“You are both very candid describing your way of living. I’m fascinated hearing all this.” Erika Klompe said in her distinctive accented voice.
“I am a
feminist myself and I hate to see women being physically or emotionally abused but,
in your case, I admire you both for your purely concessional relationship.
I’m still surprised that Mika is not a committed TG person but who am I to tell her what to do and how she feels.” Tania Gonzalez said and then added with a chuckle, looking at me, “for as long as you come once a week to clean my house and take care of my cat, I’m quite happy Mika.”
“Of course, I’ll continue coming and I quite like your snow white, she is a gentle animal though she does leave a lot of fur around.” I said smiling.
“I love to hear all that and I admire both of you for your honesty but in my case, I see Mika as my cleaner and nothing more,” Jennifer Blackman said looking at me rather disapprovingly as if I shouldn’t be there conversing with the ladies.
“So, as Tania just mentioned I am happy to continue having you Mika as my cleaner and maid and keep calling you Rosa, if you don’t mind” she added with a chuckle.
We all
laughed at that and I simply said, “Of course Miss Jennifer, I have no problem
being
“It’s amazing,” Erika interfered again, “Our approaches on Mika are so different and yet they all appear to be valid. Tania sees a potential TG, Jennifer her old maid Rosa and I simply see a sissy effeminate boy-girl who loves her dresses and aprons and adores being a maid and cleaner.”
Linda still laughing decided that it was time to conclude the ‘Mika conversation’, “I love your thoughts and ideas dear ladies but I think that we shouldn’t keep Mika any longer, plenty for her to do in the kitchen, after all she is a real life maid and not a fantasy one, and she has to deal with a monstrous washing up.”
Then turning to me said in a semi-strict voice, “Ok dear, back to the kitchen, apron on and continue with your maid’s duties.”
“Yes Madame,” I said smiling mischievously as I stood and curtseyed in a slightly comical manner.
As I was walking back to the kitchen, ears extended, I heard Erika’s laughing voice, “Your Mika is quite a character Linda, I wish I had a partner like her.
“And if you
ask my opinion, I agree more with you dear Erika on my Mika. She certainly has
an ‘apron syndrome’ and she is not, until now that is, a TG person.”
And I had to agree with my Madame; I had no desire to go down the TG road but I had a desire, getting stronger by the day, to continue living the life of a female and a humble one for that matter.
Those were my thoughts as I tied my apron, put my rubber gloves on and started to organise the dirty pots and pans in the sink.
CHAPTER 17
First person narrative – Mika
“Have you ever heard of a retro boutique hotel called ‘THE TREE OF LIFE’?” Linda asked me as we were sitting around the kitchen table spending ‘quality time’ together.
“No, I don’t think so, the name though rings a bell, was it in the news lately?” I replied intrigued. I knew Linda by now, she wouldn’t bring a topic up unless there was a good reason.
“You are right; it won an environmental award recently, as an energy sufficient small building. It is within the city’s limits; probably 20 min drive from here.” She continued meaningfully.
“But why you tell me all this Linda? Is there a hidden agenda behind it?” I asked mischievously.
“It is, it is my clever Mika,” she smugly replied, “Remember the sales lady who was serving us the other day in the uniform shop where we bought your latest dresses and aprons?”
“Of course I do, she was very helpful and now that you mention it I remember her saying that the old fashioned looking green teal dress, the one I adored and thank you for buying it for me, was very popular among some retro boutique hotels. What about her though?”
“Well,” Linda continued excited, “That lady, Adele is her name, called me
to say that ‘THE TREE OF LIFE’ is looking for a part time weekend chambermaid,
a girl that could work 4 hours on Saturday and 4 on Sunday, between 10am and
2pm and she thought you would be perfect for that position. You see, she still
remembers how much you loved the old-fashioned uniform. Are you interested?”
“Wow, this sound awesome,” I exclaimed as my excitement lights started flickering, “Of course I’m interested, but that means that we won’t be able to be together during the weekend.”
“It’s not exactly like that; you will be away for 5 hours on Saturday and Sunday including the driving there and back, We’ll be doing things together in the afternoon on both days. Being a hotel maid can be a demanding job so I’ll have to pamper you when you will be back.”
“I’m fascinated by the work the hotel maids are doing, I’ve being watching them whenever I had the chance but I’m not at all experienced in that sort of work, I would need some coaching.”
“Adele already mentioned that to me; a new maid is working during the first two shifts next to an experienced one,” Linda said casually, “And knowing you and your enthusiasm about any kind of cleaning, you will learn very fast,” she added.
And then she continued as if she remembered something truly important, “And of course you will be able to wear the old-fashioned uniform you love. The hotel will provide one for you!”
“How can I refuse such an offer,” I replied excited, adding with a smug look on my face, “especially if it sponsored by you, my prime employer.”
“Go for it then!” Linda exclaimed with excitement in her voice, “I’ll call Adele to ask her what sort of paper work is needed and whom you should contact. Of course, you will be employed as a TG person in transition so you will have nothing to hide.”
“I’m so much a TG in transition those days that I’ll believe it at the end,” I said half-jokingly.”
“It makes it easier for everybody concerned and it will reflect positively for the hotel. It is so politically correct those days to support minority groups at work environment and either you want it or not you belong to a minority group my Mika.” Linda said with a chuckle.
“I guess I do,” I replied sceptically as I looked down at my modest jean skirt.
CHAPTER 18 - EPILOGUE
First
person narrative – Mika
“I can see you love your uniform Mika; you always check your appearance in a mirror whenever you have a chance,” my new colleague Marta said to me as we were pushing together the housekeeping cart in the hotel corridor. “I can’t say that for myself though, it’s a nice old-fashioned dress but I’d rather be in my jeans and A T-shirt. I find the uniform demeaning if you understand what I mean.”
“Yes, I understand how you feel,” I replied to my Latina colleague, “But I still love it, it’s very 50s and I love the clothes of that period.”
“Plus, you are a TG person and it is still a novelty for you to try and be as feminine as possible. Personally, I would prefer to have been born a male. Where I come from females are very much second-class citizens.” She added with a chuckle.
Then she looked at her cheap wrist watch and said, “But we better concentrate on our work now, we have ten rooms to prepare in less than two hours, about ten to twelve minutes per room. So be careful and watch me as we work together. Next weekend you will be on your own.”
“Yes Marta, I’ll be watching you very carefully,” I eagerly replied, “I rely on you to learn how the job is done. I know now how to make a bed and prepare the room but I still have to learn how to properly clean and sanitize the bathroom.”
She was right of course; everything was a novelty to me. Not only the uniform but all the tasks I had to learn and all the interaction I was obliged to have with the staff and the hotel guests. I was on constant ‘alert mode’.
I was exhausted when I was back home several hours later. Linda noticed that immediately and she did pamper me. She even offered to make dinner that Sunday evening. I’ve forgotten how well she could cook if she felt like it.
It was my first weekend working as chambermaid at the ‘TREELINE BOUTIQUE HOTEL’ so Linda was full of questions.
I told her about my Latina ‘trainer’ Marta who was very good at her work but not at all happy having to wear a housekeeping uniform and about the friendly manager, Mr Freddie as we should call him us maids.
“They are aware of course that you are a TG,” Linda asked casually.
“Yes, all the staff is informed and Mr. Freddie has been particularly understanding making it clear that they all should be kind to me.”
“I’m not surprised, that’s the hotel policy towards the minority groups, it is the ‘politically correct way’ at the moment.” Linda chuckled.
“I’m glad for that, it makes my life a lot easier though I must tell you that Marta found amusing the fact that I was so keen to wear the vintage hotel uniform. She said that she would prefer something more practical like pants and a top, some sort of unisex outfit.”
“And I’m certain you found that totally appalling,” Linda said laughing.
“Of course I did, you know me well enough to say that. But apart from that Marta is an excellent ‘housekeeping coach’; she pointed out to me methods of work that I would never think of using when cleaning houses.”
“I’m glad you are learning new cleaning practices, you can add that to your professional CV,” she remarked ironically. “Next time I’ll probably hire you as an office cleaner in our firm. No vintage uniform there I’m afraid, just a plain and cheap polycotton dress covered by a work tabard with a large front pocket. That will add another star in your CV,” she teasingly added.
Another exciting prospect I thought, an office cleaner? Linda is so good; she knows how to tease me by pressing the right buttons.
We soon finished eating and we both were a bit tipsy since we managed to polish nearly two bottles of wine.
I started getting up in order to collect the dishes but she stopped me with her hand.
“Sit down Mika, let’s finish that bottle of wine and let’s chat a bit more.” She nearly ordered me.
“Yes Madame,” I answered remembering my subordinate role.
“Are you prepared to marry me Mika? Are you ready to be my lawfully wedded wife?” Linda asked suddenly her eyes sparkling with excitement.
I was taken aback by her sudden question. We’ve talked about getting married before but I wasn’t expecting it so soon. And to be ‘the lawfully wedded wife?’
“Wow! You never stop to amaze me Linda, my Madame Linda to be more precise,” I managed to answer in a cracked voice. “You know that this is my ultimate dream, to be your lawfully wedded wife. I certainly accept it and I’m grateful to you for proposing me.”
“Come and kneel here in front of me please,” she asked in a soft voice.
I instantly obeyed. As I stood up from my chair, I automatically straightened the skirt of my 50s house frock and then I kneeled and looked expectantly at her.
She caressed my hair and said softly, “Next Wednesday we’ll go to a special shop and order your wedding dress. You want to wear one don’t you Mika?” She teasingly asked.
“Of course I do Linda, you know that,” I eagerly replied, “But how about you? Are we both going to be dressed as brides?”
“Indeed we are! We’ll be both looking gorgeous in our white dresses and veils. It will be so cool when we lift our veils in order to kiss each other.”
“And who is the priest who would accept that?” I impertinently asked.
“Don’t worry about that Mika, I have a good contact in the LGBTQ community. He will organise everything. We might not be, strictly speaking, L, G, B or T but we certainly are Q which stands for Queer or Questioning. We are still both searching for our sexual orientation and questioning lots of things, especially now that old fashioned stereotypes are collapsing around us.”
“And the good thing is that we’re searching happily together my sweet Madame,” I said looking at her with eyes full of devotion.
She gave another pat on the head, “You can clear the table now and you can do the dishes, time to put your apron back on Mika dear.” She said as I started getting up.
I nearly gave a curtsey but I stopped as I remembered that this could happen only when in uniform. So, I simply said a ‘yes Madame’ as I started to collect the dishes.
A few minutes later as I was doing the dishes in front of the sink with my rubber gloves and work apron on I couldn’t stop thinking that the path that I chose to follow with Linda’s warm encouragement brought back in memory the film based on the John Le Carré novel ‘The Constant Gardener’. At that moment I very strongly felt like ‘MIKA, THE CONSTANT CLEANER’!
THE END
Wow! Got to get back to this one later, as I have a Zoom meeting (sign of the times) in a few minutes.....
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