The envelope had been delivered under the door. An ugly manila envelope contained a letter, a plane ticket and a set of instructions. Inside the manila envelope was a smaller envelope with red writing in a strong masculine scrawl, DO NOT OPEN UNTIL FURTHER INSTRUCTED. Nira had studied the envelope and letter for hours in her little apartment in San Francisco.
Nira, I know your innermost thoughts. Don't deny them. I have watched you and admired you. I wish to help you release your true desires. Allow me to be your teacher, and your master. Please, my dear, follow the instructions I have sent you. Eric
Eric? Where had she heard that name? She knew no one by that name. Except...oh, except the man who had visited the shop once or twice. She remembered him because he was quite eccentric. Eric something. He was from Europe, lived in England but had a touch of French to his voice. A wealthy businessman had visited the shop, a tiny women's boutique in Mission district. He had bought a gift for a lady friend. Could this be him? These instructions were so strange, but so exciting. She could not believe she wanted to do this. To go to England and meet a total stranger and...sex? What was she thinking?
3 days later It was raining Hell bent when the plane touched down at Heathrow. She followed instructions to the last detail. The letter had said to not bring anything with her but the clothing she had on. She wore navy blue slacks and a white sweater; her hair tucked up under a hat. Now she was to find a man in a black tuxedo, easy to notice at an airport. He would be holding a sign with her name on it. His name was Jack. She found him. She was not to speak to him, and he was not to speak to her. He made a gesture with his hand for her to follow, and he led her to a gold toned Mercedes. The drive was long, frightening and nervous. Nira was wishing she had not come here. She must be crazy. She was looking out the window as Jack drove up a long narrow driveway to a massive estate with lavish gardens. This was just outside London. This was it. She took a deep breath. The car stopped and Jack opened the door for her. He smiled to her and then drove away, leaving her in the rain on the doorstep. Her heart pounded and her thoughts strayed to the danger of what she was doing. Timidly, she knocked on the door three times. The instructions had said to knock only three times, no more, no less. She was to meet Clara, the maid, and do as Clara said.
Clara opened the door. Clara was a tall blonde woman of about 30, with classic features and long legs, a perfect contrast to Nira's dark, exotic beauty of Indian lineage. "I'm Clara. Follow me." Was all that was said. Nira followed the woman into a Victorian sitting parlor and was startled as the blonde woman handed her another envelope of instructions. Clara left the room.
Slowly, Nira opened the envelope and read the instructions.
REMOVE YOUR CLOTHING. PLACE EACH PIECE OF CLOTHING IN THE FIREPLACE. IN THE CEDAR CHEST NEAR YOU, YOU WILL FIND NEW CLOTHING. DRESS YOURSELF CAREFULLY AND CORRECTLY. IN THE CHEST YOU WILL ALSO FIND A BLINDFOLD. WEAR IT. WAIT FOR ME, STANDING. DO NOT SIT.
Something stirred inside her. She felt a mix of fear and arousal as she began to undress. She cried as she placed her clothing in the fire and heard the crisp sound of the flames eating away the fabric. The cedar chest indeed held new clothes for her. She lifted up the first garment and bit her lip. In her hand, she held an emerald green satin corset with black laces. In the cedar chest was matching panties, black garter belts and stockings, and long black satin evening gloves. Beneath all of it was a delicate blindfold. With hesitation, she slipped on the panties and stockings, attached the garters and then laced herself into the corset, it's restricting boning making it difficult to breathe correctly. Last was the blindfold. She stood in place in the parlor, her fear eating her away.