THE TURNING OF EMILY: PART 2
BOUND TO PLEASE
After paying the cab driver Emily turned to look up at the rundown tenement block that loomed imposingly above her in the yellow streetlights. Swallowing hard to dispel her growing apprehension she realised it was too late to change her mind anyway as the cab sped away. Remembering her instructions Emily tottered towards the building on her six-inch heels fishing in the pocket of her heavy long coat she withdrew a small crimson suede purse. From the purse she selected the key with the green fob and climbing the wide steps she anxiously approached the door. Drawing a deep breath she inserted the key, it turned and the door swung open on well-oiled hinges. Once inside the dimly lit hallway she nervously closed the main door behind her, the air was clean and fresh with a sharp unusual tang to it. Once she got her bearings Emily recalled her instructions, she began to climb the stairs exchanging the green fobbed key for the only other in the purse, a bright red fobbed one. At each landing she checked the different coloured apartment doors to find one that matched the colour of the key fob. Her quest took her up to the fifth and final floor, here there was only one door, and it was painted scarlet. Emily checked the fob against the door, a definite match. Having plenty time before her appointment she stopped to get her breath nervously gripping the key tightly in her well manicured fingers. Her mind took the chance to ponder what exactly had transpired to lead her to this place and the commitment she had chosen to make.
One of those poor unfortunate women who never had to worry about money or any of the other worldly matters that plagued the less well off Emily had become bored with her opulent lifestyle. Married to a much older highly successful business orientated man who pampered her every whim she felt stifled and yearned for change. Following a strange development in a torrid affair she was having with a manipulative lover involving light bondage and a third female party she had discovered another wilder exciting but frighteningly disturbing side to her psyche. A few days later a casual comment Emily made while at lunch with Monica who was an old school girlfriend she had been quite intimate with when younger brought her here this evening. Monica had given her the chance to spice up her life a little without her husband knowing, she had given her an introductory card to "The Circle"
The card had laid in her purse for several days before Emily finally called the number printed on it, after the brief call she did as asked and sent her details and several photos to a PO box number and awaited the reply. It only took three days, returning from a shopping spree she found an unstamped crimson envelope in her mailbox, it had been hand delivered. Instinctively she knew who it was from, she dumped her bags and took the envelope into the lounge where she sat holding it for some time before finally opening it. Inside was a single small square of vellum edged in gold, on it was written a short note, basically it said someone would call to see her if she was still interested, she was given a mobile phone number to call. She resisted calling until the next morning when the temptation became unbearable, her fingers trembled as she punched in the numbers.
"The Circle," came a prompt reply after only one ring, "my name is Mao Lin, how may I help you?"
"Err, hello," Emily stammered, "My name is Emily, I wish to..."
"Ahh, Emily say no more, I've been awaiting your call," came the pleasant well-spoken oriental voice over the phone.
"Yes I wanted to ring yesterday but felt a little apprehensive."
"That's Okay Emily," the woman sounded very reassuring, "these things shouldn't be entered into lightly. Now my dear would you like me to call around to assess your needs?"
"What?" Emily was shocked, "you would come here?"
"Don't worry this is only a one on one chat to identify your needs," soothed Mao, "to eliminate any mistakes or warn you of any pitfalls; you may rest assured it will be done with the utmost confidence."
"No don't get me wrong, I don't object I'm a novice at this kind of thing!" she cried.
"It's not a problem Emily," reassured Mao, "we can make other arrangements."
"No, here is fine, honestly," replied Emily, "when?"
The woman had shown up dead on time, true to her word she made everything to easy and pleasant. She was so expert at dealing with clients Emily was readily convinced and lured easily into the trap. She answered truthfully all Mao Lin's questions and related quite readily about her recent experiences with Mickey and his whore as she now called her.
Mao Lin had listened interestedly taking notes on her laptop as Emily talked. When asked what exactly she was looking for Emily laughed nervously and blushing admitted she wasn't really sure. Smiling reassuringly Mao Lin had told her she was sure they could put together a little something for her and asked her to choose a tutor from a selection on her laptop. Even as the laptop was passed to her one caught her eye immediately, a fiery attractive redhead called Gwendolyn. Mao Lin expressed some concern saying Gwen may be a bit too much for a new girl like herself but Emily insisted and Mao Lin said all right but she had been warned. She was asked as seeing as she was not sure what she required would she mind any surprises or instructive additions, She agreed despite being unsure what the woman meant. In moments Mao Lin had her credit card details Emily was a little taken aback by the cost but the woman had assured her it would be worth every penny.
When they came the instructions were quite specific even down to telling her what to wear and where to buy it, they came with disclaimers and other legal bumf that she had to sign and return. Given the choice of three dates Emily chose one that fell coincided with the start of one of her husband's business trips. Tonight she was stepping into unexplored territory and was apprehensive but determined to go ahead, she moved to stand before the door.
Her hand shook as she inserted the key into the lock, frantic butterflies of excitement whirled in her belly as she turned it and the door swung open. Leaving the key in the lock as instructed she stepped into the apartment searching for the light switch The apartment was in darkness beyond the weak glow of the hallway light and she did not want to close the door till she could see. Finding the switch some distance from the door she flicked the lights on before closing the door and tentatively began exploring the apartment, apart from the bathroom all bar one of the doors were locked. Emily entered the softly lit room and looked about her. Her pulse quickened when she saw the two glittering chromed chains hanging down about three feet apart in the middle of the room, on each of the chains hung a weighty bag. She followed their length; they ran up through pulleys that were bolted to the high ceiling then down to two large hooks secured on the purple over black rag painted wall close to the doorway of the room. Here and there on the ceiling were dotted unlit spotlights though she searched she could not locate a switch anywhere in the room.
The furnishings in the room were quite sparse really. Against the wall with the door in that she had entered by stood a black wrought metal framed couch affair with dark brown velour upholstery on which lay two imitation leopard skin and black velvet cushions. A single chair stood nearby, it looked to be cast from aluminium, it had no cushioning and the seat was covered in black vinyl. An age worn tall thin dark wood cupboard stood alone in the far corner and huge full-length black velvet curtains covered the full length of the other three walls apart from a gap of four feet in the centre of the opposite wall. Through this gap Emily could see herself clearly in a full-length mirror. The floor was highly polished dark wood over which a crimson and cream patterned carpet was laid, this too had seen better days. Being naturally inquisitive she had to go over and try the cupboard door; it was of course locked. She looked around again; on the couch half hidden amongst the cushions lay a large leather briefcase, she moved over to examine it. She noticed on top of the briefcase lay a glossy black A3 card. On the card in inch high gold hand written letters it said, "Welcome Emily. Remove your coat then please turn over the card." Emily began undoing her long coat; beneath the coat she wore only a leather brassiere and the briefest leather thong as she had been instructed. All though she was alone she felt very self-conscious dressed so provocatively. Avoiding looking at herself in the mirror she turned to examine the case after casting her coat to the floor beside the couch.
It was quite cold in the room and Emily shivered as she turned the card over and started to read the next message "Open the case and please put on the contents as instructed, each item is marked alphabetically as to where and how it should be worn." Despite the chilly air her palms were sweating as she unfastened the clasps and looked into the case. Inside lay three sets of cuffs and a collar made from thick black leather, a little note on each bearing an A, B, C and D respectively and precise details of how each was to be worn down to where the buckles should be, several chains of varying lengths, a dog leash and a small pile of unfastened padlocks.
