I moved in to room 205. It was tough moving. I have never lived on my own, never lived in an apartment. From childhood to college, I stayed at my big family home in Illinois. Moving to New York was a big step. My apartment was not too large yet comfortable.
The only friends that I made in a week were from work and all of them lived quite far away, so it was quite exciting when I saw the woman who lived across the hallway in apartment 204. She was really pretty. I would not say she was sexy as a porn star but she was very attractive in her own way. She was a little pale and plump. She had those curves all right. Her breasts were pretty big and full. Her blond hair was beautiful. She didn't wear any make up. I liked her. She was a realistic woman.
Her name was Chanel. She was a very frank and an easy talker. She was quite confident and funny. She had gotten my shy self out of my walls within minutes.
The only problem was I would return home very late at night and hardly got to see her anytime. Anytime I did see her, we would just shake hands, share a fake laugh and leave.
One Friday night after returning a bit early from work, I met her at the hallway. We had a little chat as usual and I headed into my apartment to finish a work that was due the next day. I grabbed a beer and began concentrating on my work.
The strange thing was every 30 minutes I would be interrupted by the sound of a slamming door. Unable to take it anymore I peeped through the door lens. An old man was leaving and a well built man was chatting with Chanel. Then they both went in and the door slammed.
Exactly after 30 minutes, I saw the well built man leave with a smile on his face and an African American waiting next.
"My god, Is she a slut?" I asked myself.
At 11 pm, I decided to confront her. As soon as the person inside left, I opened the door.
"Hi," Chanel said.
"Hi Chanel, I see you have some boyfriends over. Listen, can you please tell them to shut the door a little more softly. I just can't work. Ok? Please, will you tell them that?" I asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I will tell them that. By the way they aren't my boyfriends dude, they are clients," she explained.
"I don't follow," I said.
"I usually don't let anyone know but you will see a lot more of this so here goes. I do a part time work."
"Still don't follow," I said.
"Why don't you come over?" she offered
Five minutes later I was sitting on her sofa sipping a glass of wine. Her apartment was magnificent. Beautiful and posh decorations filled the place.
"See how do you afford all this?" I asked.
"Dave, have you heard the word BDSM anywhere?" she asked.
"Yes," I replied hesitantly.
"See, that makes things easier to say. Clients come over for services, I provide it to them, and they pay me" she explained.
"Hmm," I said.
I was not sure if I let out a hint of a smile.
"No not sexual. It's just some role play. We call my role a dominatrix."
I just sat there frozen. A million thoughts ran through my mind. Should I tell her, would it be inappropriate. Finally after much thinking I spoke up.
"I kind of know that," I confessed in a low voice.
"Whoa, you are into this too?" she asked.
"I am a man, so naturally you don't go around saying this," I replied.
I was not quite sure whether I was dreaming but telling her just felt so right. I could finally tell someone who understood.
"It's okay Dave. Hey, what is the problem of being different? You see how many walked through that door didn't you?" she asked.
"Yes."
"How long have you held these secrets within you? Don't you want to do something about it?" she asked.
"Yes," I replied.
This answer changed my whole life in a matter of hours. We first talked about it a lot. She convinced me to let out my feelings and fulfill my fantasies.
******
Any was I stood outside an adult store the very next day. I nervously paced outside. Finally I mustered enough courage to walk into the store.
"May I help you sir?" the girl behind the counter asked.
"Yes. Please make this quick as possible. Do you have the.. Um.. kink toys?" I hesitated.
"Yes sir. We do have a big collection which will help you take control of your partner," she explained.