Until Noon

She thumbed through her clothes, trying to figure out what would work, and what to leave behind. She had always been sensible, and indulgences like this had rarely been allowed, yet she had some nicer lingerie and a rather beautiful cocktail dress that she had gotten for a Christmas party with her old job. Those had to be packed down, it was what she had that would give her an air of class and elegance.The lingerie set she had gotten before the first serious date with her then-boyfriend. She let her fingers run over the fabric, feeling the lace and stitches under her fingertips. It had cost her a week?s pay, but it had been worth every penny back then. The memories of their first night together were still clear in her mind, fumbling, disappointing in some ways, yet feeling so right. Alas, their lives had parted ways.Now? The future she had imagined was gone. The big house, the rich husband, the maids at her beck and call?gone. It would still be manageable, it would still be a comfortable life for her and her family, but she wanted more. And now? Now was the time to see if she had it in her to succeed.Good girls never thought of these things. They found one man, and let him provide for them, or they got a job on their own at a store, as a nurse, or something else fitting for a woman.To her family, she said that she was taking a month away to think, to find herself after the break, and to just rest. As one can imagine, they were not pleased about this, but in the end understood that they had to let her go.The hotel was easier to find than she had thought, and the clerk was friendly enough when he heard her story. Normally, he would not allow single women to live at his lodging, whispering, he could get a reputation of housing those kinds of women you know, but he had heard of the fire. Of course, she could stay for a while until she got her bearings.Meticulously she put on her clothes and her makeup. A tiny vial of perfume, her lipstick, and the powder compact that she somehow had cracked the mirror in. Everything had to be perfect, at least on the outside. She had found a bar close to the hotel, connected to a casino, and it seemed like a place that would be fitting for this. Rich men, with far too much time and money on their hands, and away from their wives.She took a moment before she entered the door, it felt like if she did go inside, there would be no turning back. But there would? Right? She could always change her mind, even after she was inside the bar. At least that was what she told herself, as she walked inside.Her eyes scanned the bar, looking at the leather-clad couches trying to figure out how one of those men might look, and how she should approach them if so. Or was she supposed to wait for them to approach her? None of the magazines she had read had prepared her for this, at all. It was all in hushed tones, cloaked in shame and scandals, about how the fallen women preyed on good men, or how terrible men were preying on starving women that had to sell themselves to feed their families.Lost in her own thoughts, the stench of cigarettes and beer hit her, and a hand on her shoulder.?You are here alone? Mind if I sit down?? a slurred voice in her ear as she could hear the chair beside her being pulled back.Turning around she was met by the look of a man that could be somewhere in his late fifties, scruffy but in expensive clothes, and with a wedding ring that had been worn for so long that it had left marks on his skin.?Waiting for someone??Thoughts raced through her mind. Was this how it would go? Some drunken family man, old enough to be her dad, sweating on top of her, trying to fumble himself inside şişli escort her?Slowly she looked up at him and smiled softly, caressing her glass of wine with her fingertips.?You, maybe??The grin over his face made her immediately regret everything. There was something foul in his eyes, like a cat toying with a mouse. He reached over the table, grabbed her wrist and leaned towards her.?Let me get you something stronger, wine is nothing for an evening like this.?Snapping his fingers at the waitress, he raised his glass and put three fingers in the air.?One for me, and two for you.?Her stomach was turning into a knot. Being drunk with him? And him being even more drunk than he was now? Every fibre in her body was screaming to her to get up and get away, but good girls do not make a scene, do they? And good girls do not get themselves in situations like this, do they? She froze, waiting for his next move.Three thuds as the waitress set the drinks in front of them and asked if there was anything else they wanted. A glimmer of disgust, mixed with pity as their eyes met, before she shook her head and left.?Well, what are you waiting for? Drink with me.?His eyes had become clearer and more focused, and he pushed one of the glasses towards her, gesturing to her to take a sip, as he lit another cigarette. She raised the glass to her lips, taking the tiniest little taste she thought she could get away with, yet the sharpness made her cough. She had never had anything stronger than wine before, and even if she felt she would need it, she was reluctant.?First time??Laughing at her, he took out his wallet, making sure she saw the stack of bills he had tucked into it.?Tell you what. If you drink it all, in one go, I will give you 100 dollars right now?That was far more money than she would normally earn in a month. Just for one drink?He placed the money on the table in front of her, sipping at his own drink and looking at her.?Well, what is it going to be??She took a deep breath to brace herself, and reached for the glass. The smell hit her nose as she raised it to her lips again, trying to not breathe or think. In one quick gulp, she swallowed it down, feeling how it burned her tongue, and down her throat. He looked at her, waiting. She could feel how the warmth spread in her body, and how her mind started to get cloudy, yet her heart started to race.?Well done. That was one.?He pushed the second glass towards her, together with another $100.?Two.?The effect of the first drink was starting to grow on her, and she was already feeling somewhat dizzy, but it was still manageable. What would a second drink do to her? It could not be that bad, could it? And after all, they were still in public, what could he do?In the corner of her eye, she spotted a woman looking at her. Tall, well-dressed, flawless hair and makeup. It was impossible to make out the expression on her face, if it was amusement, or concern.She pulled herself away from the woman?s gaze, and focused on the drink in front of her. One more, what would be the harm? She reached out for the glass, first clumsily pushing it away, before she managed to grab it.Quickly he grabbed her wrist, poured his own drink into hers, and placed another 100 dollars on the table.?Enjoy.?She paused, not knowing what to do. One was one thing, but two more? When she was already feeling dizzy? Yet, how could she say no without making a scene?The bartender came up to them.?Excuse me, sir, there is a phone call for you from the office.?A look of annoyance crossed his face before he caught himself, and stood up, reaching over to her and letting a finger run over her face. The mecidiyeköy escort sheer sensation was enough to make her recoil, and it took everything she had to not pull back from his touch.?I will be right back, sweetheart, you just sit here and finish your drink. I will bring you another one when I get back.?She started to look around, this was her time to escape if there was ever one. Could she just leave? Or at least pour out the drinks somewhere?Too late. He was up at the bar and picked up the phone, turning back and looking at her. The grin across his face as he raised his glass in a mocking toast towards her gave her chills through her body.Suddenly, his eyes widened in what could only be described as rage, as he looked at something behind her.A hand was placed on her shoulder and the scent of a perfume that she could never afford herself hit her.?You are new. He is not. Come with me.?Fear washed over her, could she trust this woman? All she knew was that she could not trust him, at all. Still, she hesitated. A warm hand under her chin, tilting her face upwards, forcing her to look straight into her eyes.?He started to get you drunk, didn?t he? Of course, he always does.?Pulling away, and looking down at her glass, she whispered a yes.A low laugh came from the woman, as she stared at the man in the bar. He was becoming more and more agitated, while he tried to keep up what seemed to be a rather long conversation about nothing.?He does not want his father-in-law to know about his life. You are safe from him as long as you are near me. Get up, I have a table waiting over there. The kitchen is closed, but I can get them to bring us something light while we talk. It will give you some time to get your bearings back and sober up.?The rage from him was nearly radiating over at them, and she wanted nothing but to sink into the ground.?Get up. Take your purse, steady yourself, and get up. Leave the money, and the drink. Now.?Her voice was firm, and as the woman moved in front of her, blocking the view of him, she finally managed to gather herself enough to stand up.She led her to a table, sheltered in a corner, with a view over the park. It felt surreal, restaurants would always have people talking and eating around, but now it was just empty tables surrounding them.The waitress came over to them with some food and coffee, sitting it in front of them. The knot in her stomach was growing, as she realized what danger she had been in.?Drink your water first, and just relax. Nothing here happens for now, other than two ladies having a late lunch.??Thank you. I don?t know what came over me.??Nothing. He is very, very good at this kind of game, and he knows you are new. We all do.?Her face flushed, was it that clear what she was trying to do, and that she was bad at it??We all have to learn in life. What brought you to this? Need, or desire???I don?t know. I mean, we are not poor. I just want more in life than what I can see in front of me.??Many do. And you certainly have the looks for it. Life has treated you well, so far.?They sat in silence for a while, picking at their food, and looking at the people coming and going. She could feel how the effect of the alcohol started to wear off, and she started to calm down.?I tell you what. I am bored, and there is something about you. What did you plan to charge him???What?? The question had snapped her out of her daydreams with no warning.?How much do you take for the night???But you are a woman!??Yes? I know this.??Are you one of? those women??It had already become clear that she was not only one of the more pleasurable ladies of the bar, but hedonistic in her own right.The woman took her hand, letting her fingers run over her skin, tracing patterns in her palm, and up towards her wrist. It felt almost electric, making her skin pulsate like it was a separate being.?What if I am? It does not mean that you have to be one of them. After all, you can not expect to be attracted to anyone that pays you. You just have to keep yourself safe, and play the role that they give you.?A thousand thoughts ran through her mind. She had heard of women like that, and men for that matter, but never thought of what it actually meant. It was scary, in a completely different way than knowing what a man would do to her, even if he was a drunken old swine.?You can leave, at any moment. Now, in an hour, or later. I will not stop you, make a scene, or trick you. But I want you.Looking out of the window, the woman suddenly started to laugh.?If nothing else, imagine the look on his face if he sees us leaving here together. His prey escaped him, together with another woman.?For the first time that evening, she could feel a genuine smile forming on her lips.?Ok. $50.??$50? For a night? You are a luxury, price yourself as one.??$100???That?s better.?She took up her purse, and took out $200.?Until noon. Ok???Yes. Until noon.?They got up, and started to walk through the bar. She dreaded going out there again, in case he was still there, but the confidence that she could feel radiating from the woman at her side started to become contagious.?Focus on me. I just told you one of the best jokes you have heard this year. Smile, giggle, and we are out in the fresh air in a minute.?The air outside was wonderful, refreshing, and cleared up the last lingering effects she had of the drink.?Thank you for the help.?She reached into her purse, taking out the money.?You are cancelling our deal already???I can not possibly accept this.??Why would I give you a sum like that, if I did not want you, and your body? You are not a charity. You are, I hope, my entertainment for the evening. Keep it for now, and think while we walk. It is only a short stroll. If you still have changed your mind, I will get you a cab so you get safely back to your own place.?They walked past some of the most expensive stores she had seen in the city so far, stopping at the windows and discussing what looked pretty, and what were outright silly fashions. Everything felt just so normal for a while, that it was easy to forget that this woman had offered her money to spend the night with her.?We are here. Cab, or will you follow me indoors??A moment's pause, reconsidering it, knowing that if she were ever to do something like this, this was the moment.?I will stay until noon.?There, it was said.They walked indoors, and up the stairs. She could not help admiring the tapestry on the walls, she had seen it before in a magazine, but never known anyone that would take their time and money to replace it with the most recent fashions.?The bathroom is here, freshen up a bit, and take off your clothes.?Her daydreams were interrupted, and she snapped back to reality, determined to do as she was told. She stepped into the room, and stood before the sink, looking at herself in the mirror. She was still flustered from the walk, and blushing from the awareness of what she was expected to do. What would a woman even do to her? How did it all work?Letting her wait seemed like a bad idea, so she took a deep breath and relieved herself, before washing as thoroughly as she could with a washcloth. She could feel her skin reddening as she scrubbed, wanting to make sure that she was up to whatever standards she was expected to live up to.Undressed. Did that mean fully, or just the dress? She decided to leave the underwear on, feeling a bit more confident in herself that way, letting the fabric hide her flaws, and accentuate her parts.