21

The pain in Ana’s head pulsed hard against her forehead and brought a flush of sweat to her cheeks and brow. She opened her eyes gradually, blinking in the additional pain inflicted on her sensitive constitution by a bright shaft of sunlight illuminating the bedroom and shining on the satin sheets that covered her legs and the mattress beneath her. Where was she? What was this strange bed?

Suddenly aghast, she remembered details of the night before and her lovemaking with Bezaffa. How could she? How could Binta ever forgive her? How had she allowed herself to be so led? It must have been the alcohol. She looked around the room. It was empty, but from a room further down the corridor she could hear the sound of a man talking on the radio and the relentless hum and roar of a washing machine. How much had she had to drink? This unpleasant nauseous feeling in her head and noxious sharp taste in her mouth must be what was known as a hangover.

The nausea rose inside her chest, making her belch in a revolting way that brought small fragments of digested food to the back of her mouth. She placed a hand on her chest to restrain herself, but it got no better. Indeed, a sharp pain focused itself between her eyes, sweat burst out on her forehead and her stomach burst into an unpleasant life of its own. She realised with horror that this was a prelude to being sick. God! Where was the toilet? She must get there before she soiled the sheets. She jumped out of the bed, covering her mouth with her hand and dashed naked into the corridor. She looked up and down its length, and saw a door marked by a small floral plaque which she somehow remembered as Bezaffa’s toilet. She ran in, knelt down in front of the latrine and spent several uncomfortable minutes relieving herself of surprisingly little vomit. She coughed and spluttered, the small foul-tasting solids she’d brought up refusing to be dislodged from her mouth.

She eventually felt able to leave the bathroom and gingerly eased the door open to see Bezaffa, in a voluminous silk dressing gown, standing by the kitchen where the sounds of the radio and washing machine came from.

“Are you all right, love?” she asked with a tone of concern.

Ana nodded, covered as much of her breasts and crotch as she could with her hands and ran back into the bedroom to look for her clothes. They weren’t there. Not on the floor. Not on the chair. Ah! They must still be in the living room, she thought, hurriedly dashing out of the bedroom to come straight up against Bezaffa who had wandered down the corridor towards her bedroom.

“My clothes...” she explained embarrassedly, vainly trying to disguise her immodesty.

“They’re in the wash, dearest.”

“The wash?”

Bezaffa smiled. “You probably don’t remember, you poor little child. You were terribly sick last night. All over your clothes! So, I’ve put them in the washing machine...”

“But what do I wear? I can’t stay like this!”

“Nonsense, Ana. There are no secrets between us anymore. You don’t have to hide your pretty assets from me!”

Ana wasn’t at all convinced. “I must put something on.”

Bezaffa took Ana by the shoulders and pulled her close to her breasts. She gently kissed Ana on the cheeks and lips, while firmly pushing Ana’s arms down.

“Don’t be such a silly! You can’t put on your clothes until they’re clean, can you? And anyway, how is your current nudity any different to that which I got to know so very intimately last night? Don’t trouble your pretty head about them. Do you want some breakfast?”

Ana shook her head. “I don’t think I could. I’m sure I’d just be sick again.”

“You might be right,” remarked Bezaffa thoughtfully. “How about some coffee and orange juice? That’ll make you feel better. I’ll get some paracetamol as well. Your head must be really splitting. You really aren’t used to alcohol are you, cherry?”

Ana had no spirit to argue, so she allowed Bezaffa to lead her to the living room and sat naked in the sofa while her hostess disappeared into the kitchen again. Out of sight from her hostess, she was more able to relax and concentrated her miserable thoughts on how she had betrayed her trust to Binta. She must never know! It had been such a ghastly mistake. It was all the fault of the whisky. She would never have succumbed otherwise. All she wanted to do was collect her clothes and return home. She bent her head down to examine her sore and powdery crotch. She would run the bath water, and just lie in it until the water was cold and every last vestige of her transgression washed away.

Bezaffa returned to the living room carrying a tray with several glasses and cups on it. She placed it down on the coffee table, her dressing gown parting slightly to reveal her own nakedness underneath. Ana blushed at the thought of the close intimacy with it she had so recently enjoyed. She was no better than a slut, she reflected with self-hatred. Bezaffa handed Ana a glass of water and two powdery tablets, which were gratefully taken and swallowed with almost the whole of the glass of water in a series of very rapid gulps. She wasn’t sure whether it was the water or the tablets which began to relieve her nausea and the dryness in her mouth.

She smiled gratefully at Bezaffa and picked up the glass of fruit juice, holding it in two hands, her body crouched forward.

“Feeling better, dear?”

Ana nodded, and was about to reply, but was abruptly halted by the sound of the doorbell which rang through her weakened frame in agonising spasms of dread. Who could this be? Bezaffa silently got up and wandered into the hallway at the end of the corridor, while Ana relaxed slightly. It must be the postman or someone like that, she reasoned. She needn’t feel so alarmed by just a doorbell.

However, her fears seemed well-justified when she overheard the sound of women’s voices of which one was clearly Bezaffa’s, and the other she wasn’t at all sure. Perhaps just a friend of Bezaffa’s. Surely she wouldn’t let this woman into the living room. She became aware however that this was exactly what Bezaffa was going to do.

“She’s a little worse for wear!” Bezaffa remarked with a chuckle. “And her clothes got into a frightful state. She just couldn’t hold her drink at all!”

“And she’s in here, is she?” the other woman replied.

Ana’s heart leaped violently into her throat. She grasped the largest cushion on the sofa she could find and huddled it against her chest in the hope that it would afford her some modesty. It was Khedra! What was she doing here?

Khedra strode into the room, wearing what must have been her casual clothes, but still very smart for that. A silk blouse and tight trousers which came short of her calves. Her hair was tied back in a green bow.

“Hello, Ana dear. Bezaffa told me you might be here. And goodness me! Not a stitch on you! Indeed, just like your friend, Binta.”

Ana nodded slightly, her cheeks red and a fresh flush of nausea rushing to the back of her eyes. “I’m terribly sorry. This must be very embarrassing!”

“Not at all!” replied Khedra with a broad grin. “I’ve often wondered what you might look like underneath your office uniform. And I must tell you, I’m not at all disappointed. You’re a very pretty young girl. You may even be an Alpha Minus. Undeniably a Beta Plus.”

“I’m neither of those things!” Ana retorted bitterly. “I’m a secretary. Those grades don’t mean anything to me.”

Khedra twisted her lips into a crooked smile and without a word lowered herself into the sofa opposite Ana. She had a briefcase and a robust plastic carrier bag overflowing with bulky items which she placed on the cushions beside her.

“An Alpha Minus for appearance definitely,” remarked Bezaffa amiably to Khedra. “And if her performance is as good for more normal activity as it is for the more exotic variants, I’d say a Beta Plus there at least.”

Ana’s eyes opened wide. What was Bezaffa saying? Wasn’t she confessing to Khedra what they’d been doing? Why was she doing that? She looked up at Bezaffa with alarm, who nonetheless smiled at her amiably. “Drink your coffee, dear. It’ll make you feel much better. It’ll certainly wake you up.” She grinned conspiratorially at Khedra. “Ana really didn’t get that much sleep last night, you know!”

“What an active girl!” Khedra remarked approvingly. “That’s what we like in our girls. Stamina! Technique comes with practise, but stamina is rarely improved on. Have you got any coffee for me, Bezaffa sweetheart?”

“Why, of course,” said Bezaffa, rushing off to the kitchen abandoning Ana to Khedra, who leaned back in the sofa, smiling contentedly and with amusement at Ana’s obvious plight.

“You really mustn’t think I’m bothered about your modesty, Ana. I see working girls every day in all states of undress and quite often in activities far more immodest than nudity in itself could ever be. If your clothes are in the washing machine, that’s quite sufficient to me. I would never construe your nudity as an invitation of any kind.” Khedra scratched the back of her head. “And anyway, I don’t share your predilections, dearest. The law is quite wasted on me.”

Ana looked down at her bare feet on the carpet. If only Khedra would leave. If only she could leave. She was so embarrassed. Perhaps if she looked away from Khedra long enough, this humiliation could end.

“And you still won’t consider part-time work in the Brothel, dear?” Khedra wondered, taking no notice of Ana’s attempts to ignore her. “Or perhaps our delightful hostess has convinced you otherwise. Surely, she’s told you of the very many advantages of it. Has she, Ana? Tell me. Don’t pretend you can’t hear me!” Ana raised her head and glared at Khedra. Go away! Her thoughts commanded. “Goodness! Such a mean stare! You don’t like me talking to you about these things, do you? Did you like it more when Bezaffa spoke to you about it? Answer me. Did she speak to you?”

Ana nodded.

“And have you changed your mind?”

Ana shook her head.

“Well!” sighed Khedra. “You are a stubborn girl, aren’t you? Quite willing to break the law when it suits you, but not willing to gain honest extra employment!”

The doorbell rang again. It echoed through Ana’s numbed skull and jolted a spasm from her throat which again threatened to introduce undigested matter into her mouth. She swallowed hard, and looked anxiously towards the door. She was horrified to hear the sound of a man’s voice when Bezaffa opened the front door. Her horror was further exacerbated when she recognised the voice as belonging to her boss, Mr Madir. What was he doing here?

Bezaffa escorted him into the living room, carrying another tray holding three cups of coffee. Ana realised with another shock that both the Director and Khedra had been expected. Why was that? Had it anything to do with her being there?

“Well, m’dear!” remarked the Director, bareheaded but wearing a suit, carrying with him the sweet smell of cigarette smoke. “Fancy meeting you here! And so delightfully turned out, don’t you think, Bezaffa? I told you I thought she’d have a good pair of tits on her. Not as truly magnificent as yours, but good all the same. If you like them small and pert that is!”

Ana hid her breasts as well as she could, and felt utterly humiliated. She was imprisoned behind the cushion she grasped to her chest, and quite incapable of standing up and leaving the room.

“What are you doing here?” was the only response she could muster.

“Is that the best way in which you can greet me? I must say, Ana m’dear, you haven’t learnt the respect that a man of such a position as I has come to expect. Perhaps your dykish tendencies have also perverted your sense of respect and good manners. And take that silly cushion off your lap. If you think, m’dear, that you’ve got something to hide I’ve never seen before you are most sorely mistaken.”

“Don’t be so hard on the girl,” remarked Khedra amiably. “She’s not used to meeting men in the buff...”

“Doesn’t stop her hanging around with Binta or Ketaba, does it?” sneered the Director. He sat on the sofa next to Khedra and took a cup of coffee from the tray. He took three or four teaspoonfuls of sugar from a sugar bowl, and stirred them vigorously in his cup. “So, Ana m’dear, here we all are! Such a delightful gathering don’t you think? And you so well turned out, if you don’t mind me saying so. Couldn’t find your knickers, then?”

“They’re in the wash,” Bezaffa explained. “She was very sick last night.”

“Too much booze, eh? Honestly, m’dear, if you’re going to break yet another law of this land, you really should ensure you’ve got the stomach for it.” He stubbed his cigarette out in an ash tray that Bezaffa placed in front of him. “So, m’dear, I dare say you’re wondering why we’re here?”

Ana stared at her boss. What was the reason? She couldn’t find enough of her voice to confirm his conjecture. She nodded her head.

“I like a challenge, m’dear. That’s the truth of it. I don’t like things to be too easy. It doesn’t give me enough pleasure. It’s better to climb a mountain than a hill, as they say. When I’m confronted with a challenge, I’ll persevere. I won’t give up. Inta, your predecessor, was a challenge at first, but in the end she succumbed all too easily. Much more easily than you, m’dear, I’ll give you that.” The Director took his silver cigarette case out of his waistcoat pocket and carefully inserted a cigarette into his cigarette holder. He lit it with his petrol lighter and asked Bezaffa, while puffing out a fresh cloud of grey smoke: “And was our little prude a challenge for you last night?”

“Not at all!” Bezaffa chuckled, glancing at Ana with a smile lacking the friendliness she’d previously associated with her hostess. “A couple of drinks. That’s all it took!”

“A real dyke slut!” sniffed the Director contemptuously. “Keeps her legs crossed for the men, but opens them wide to a pretty woman! Well, Bezaffa m’dear, you certainly won that wager, eh? No flies on you, eh? And what do you reckon of our little piece of dyke fluff. Good performance rating?”

“Not bad!” Bezaffa confirmed. “Not bad at all! Good appearance, too!”

“I can see that! Well, almost see it. How long are you going to keep that cushion on your lap, m’dear? Do you really think it makes the blindest bit of difference to me whether I see your furry mound or little titties? I’d abandon it if I were you.”

The cushion was the only friend Ana had in the room and she was loath to lose what little protection it afforded her. She shook her head vehemently.

“Anyway, m’dear, I like a challenge. I’d like to see you participate more fully in the work of the Brothel. And now that you have demonstrated to darling Bezaffa that you aren’t at all the tight-arsed virgin you pretend to be, I really don’t see now why you shouldn’t do so. Khedra has quite kindly brought along with her literature and other material that might persuade you to do your bit and work part-time in more active service in the Brothel’s interest. Isn’t that so, Khedra m’dear?”

“Indeed it is!” announced Khedra, placing the briefcase onto her lap and decisively snapping open its locks. The briefcase opened to reveal glossy brochures and booklets. “I have here the training manuals and information we supply to all our recruits, with particular emphasis on what the Brothel offers to part-timers and what in return the Brothel expects from them. I think you’ll agree it’s a very attractive offer. One that you really would be a fool not to accept.”

She pulled out the literature and laid it carefully on the table. Ana looked at the remarkably coy covers. They showed photographs of prostitutes, some of whom she recognised, in their work clothes, greeting clients and chatting amiably among themselves. Khedra picked one up and handed it to Ana who took it in her hands and resting the cushion against her tummy flicked through the pages. This one was rather more informative than any literature she’d seen before on the subject, showing women with rather more of their bodies on display than she’d ever before in her life seen in print. The chapters had headings like: Greeting the Client, Anticipating a Client’s Wishes and Personal Health and Hygiene. She flicked through the pages feeling alternate flushes of heat and shivers as she imagined herself in such positions.

“I couldn’t possibly!” she remarked. “Never. Never.”

“Come on, m’dear,” continued the Director. “It’s not as bad as you seem to think. If it were, then nobody would ever do it. It’s just a job. Wouldn’t you agree, Bezaffa?”

“It is. And a good one at that! You really ought to think more seriously about it, Ana. It’d do you no harm at all. And the money’s very good.”

“Have you seen the rates, Ana?” asked the Director.

Ana nodded.

Khedra elaborated: “I’ve been through all that with her. She knows how attractive it is.”

“And she knows that in addition she can easily more than double her income with gratuities from grateful clients. You could be rich, m’dear. You could very soon be able to afford a house nearly as nice as Bezaffa’s. You’re young. You’re pretty. A bit of hard work and you’ll soon see the benefits. You could have foreign holidays, buy a car, go to the opera - you’ll have more money than you’ll know how to spend. What do you think, m’dear? Would you like to take the opportunity that’s laid out in front of you?”

Ana bowed her head down and pinched her forehead which had started aching again. The painkillers’ effect seemed to have totally evaporated. All she wanted was to get away. “I don’t want to. I just won’t.”

“You get excellent backup service,” Khedra recommended. “Frequent checkups. Sick leave. Maternity leave. A crèche if you wanted it...”

“She won’t need that!” snorted Mr Madir. “Dykes don’t have babies. They’re frigid. It’s scientific fact.”

“Maybe,” responded Khedra sceptically. “Anyway, Ana, sweetheart, there is really nothing to worry about. Frequent counselling. Training to improve your performance rating. Advice to maximise the quality of your appearance. And these in turn will maximise your earning potential. And for someone like you that could be quite significant.” She turned to face Bezaffa. “Would you say she’s technically intact?”

Bezaffa nodded. “Pure as the driven snow. Technically.”

“We can of course confirm that in the standard medical. That in itself is an asset of quite inestimable value, Ana m’dear. Your first takings could set you up very nicely. There is a large demand, wholly impossible to fully satisfy, for the right species of inexperience, Ana. You have done well if you have indeed maintained your internal intactness, for which there is a considerable bonus and, no doubt, quite a sizeable gratuity from any client who enjoys your première performance.”

“And the gratuities are tax free, m’dear. The Brothel has an unofficial policy of passing a blind eye on any such extra income. It is believed that it adds extra stimulus to the quality of service provided and improves staff morale...”

“...And much of it gets returned in the form of purchases from the staff shop,” added Khedra. “The goods on offer being very much in demand in the service of the client.”

“So, Ana m’dear, what do you say?”

“No. No. Absolutely not!” Ana spluttered, a fresh rush of nausea rushing to her head. She pushed back her head in the hope that it would subside, but instead her stomach began to heave with a mind of its own. Her eyes flooded with tears as she reflected on her humiliation and helplessness. A salty trail trickled down her cheeks.

“I think the poor girl’s going to be sick,” remarked Bezaffa. “I’ll take her to the bathroom.” She leaned over and put a comforting soft arm around Ana’s shoulders. “Come along, Ana dear. It’s alright. Don’t you worry!”

Ana gazed up at Bezaffa with pitiful gratitude. She leaned against her hostess’s large soft body as she raised herself, the cushion clutched tightly to her breasts, and allowed herself to be led to the bathroom, averting her eyes from Mr Madir’s leering lecherous gaze. As soon as she was in the bathroom, she threw aside the cushion and flung herself onto the floor in front of the toilet bowl, leaned her elbows on the edge and coughed frantically to relieve herself of the vomit she felt must be waiting to emerge. She was quite disappointed to find none appear. Her sickness was more psychological than physical.

As she knelt there, Bezaffa tenderly stroked her bare back. “There there!” She said reassuringly. “It’s nothing, see. Nothing at all. It’s just a hangover. People have them all the time in countries where alcohol is legal. Perhaps you can see now why President Marmeluke’s government has proscribed such poisonous substances in Alif.”

Ana stood up, certain now that there was nothing to be gained from her endeavours. “Why? Why?” she pleaded.

“Why what, sweetest?”

“Why am I being treated like this? What have I done? Why are Khedra and the Director tormenting me?” She wrapped her arms around Bezaffa, feeling again the warmth and softness of the body which had tempted her so fatefully the night before. A fresh gush of tears, partly stimulated by her efforts over the toilet bowl, released themselves onto her cheeks. She sniffed miserably.

“Oh, Ana. You’re getting it all wrong! Mr Madir and Khedra are not tormenting you. The idea of it! They’re simply explaining to you the advantages of part-time extra work in the Brothel. It’s really not that big a deal! And surely you must admit that there are plenty of good reasons why you should take the offer. It could truly make you quite rich.”

“Why can’t they understand I’m just not going to? I just couldn’t. Why don’t they leave me alone?”

“Well, there’s quite a premium commission for recruiting an attractive girl like you. Particularly one who’s still intact. I daresay the Director and Khedra wouldn’t mind sharing it between them...”

“And you too!” accused Ana bitterly. “Is it just for money then?”

“Well no, it isn’t! And you are most unfair to suggest that I comforted you last night simply to share the commission. I really find that most offensive. Although I make love with men every day, it really is not often that I am tempted by the attractions of my own sex.”

“Is that so?” sniffed Ana. Perhaps she hadn’t just been used. Perhaps there was still some love and tenderness left in her world.

Bezaffa smiled indulgently. “Of course, Ana. You are a truly attractive young lady. I almost envy Binta. She’s succeeded in winning your love where many men have presumably tried and failed.”

“What do you know about Binta and me?” Ana sharply demanded.

Bezaffa looked a little put out by Ana’s direct accusation. “Nothing. Nothing. It’s just what I surmised, cherry. Nothing more. Come here, sweetest! You’re amongst friends.” She pulled Ana’s naked body to her chest and her pale blue eyes explored her face. Ana melted under Bezaffa’s gaze, as she smiled broadly and allowed her to take her mouth in hers and to once again sink her tongue inside. Bezaffa’s chubby dimpled hands caressed Ana’s smooth slim naked back and gently squeezed her buttocks. A warmness crept inside Ana’s chest, thoughts of fidelity to Binta forgotten in contemplation of the humiliation still waiting for her in the living room.

“Come come,” said Bezaffa softly. “We can’t possibly indulge here. Not with our bosses waiting for us in the living room!”

“I don’t want to go back in there!” Ana announced. “I don’t ever want to go back. Can’t I just leave now! Go home without facing them again!”

“Really, cherry! With no clothes! You’ll be arrested within minutes. Indecent exposure is a crime you know. You’ll just have to wait until your clothes are washed and dried.”

“Couldn’t I borrow some of your clothes?” pleaded Ana. “Then I’d be decent and I’d be able to escape.” That was all she wanted to do. Flee and return to her Jadid flat. She wanted her life to simply return to what it was. Her infidelity forgotten and she back snuggled in Binta’s arms.

“That really isn’t possible!” Bezaffa exclaimed with a dismissive chuckle. “My clothes are far too large for you. They would just drop off. You’re just a flimsy skinny rake in comparison to me.” She stood back, her arms outstretched and her hands still gripping Ana’s shoulders. “Look at me, sweetheart! Nobody could ever accuse me of being thin. I’m definitely not the delicate slender reed that you are! The idea of it!”

She pulled herself back onto Ana and caressed her face again with her tongue and lips. “But I’m naked!” Ana exclaimed.

“As I said, you’re amongst friends here. And anyway, cherry, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Your body is so beautiful and desirable. I could just eat you up!”

“I want to go home. I don’t like being seen like this!”

“Nonsense, dearest. Absolute nonsense. And anyway shouldn’t you at least listen to what Khedra has to say. After all she’s gone to an awful lot of trouble to come here and explain to you the advantages of part-time employment. Surely it’s only courtesy to listen.”

“I don’t want to. I’ve already made my mind up. And I’ve said so many many times before. Never never never!”

“You are a stubborn thing, aren’t you?” chuckled Bezaffa. “I can’t help but think that you’ve really just misrepresented things. There’s no plot to humiliate you or force you to do things you don’t want to do. You’re perfectly within your rights just to listen and continue in your obstinacy. No harm will come to you, I’m certain. You surely can’t blame Mr Madir and Khedra for trying to persuade you to do something which is so indubitably to your advantage.”

“But I don’t like them to see me naked!” Ana persisted.

“Oh well! Is that all!” sighed Bezaffa. She picked up the large white towel that hung from the electric towel rack and had been pleasantly warmed by it. “Do you want to cover yourself with this, then?”

Ana nodded. That would be better than nothing. Ana gratefully wrapped the towel around her breasts and held it in place with a large knot. It was not clothing, and Ana still felt very vulnerable, but it was so much better than nothing at all.

Bezaffa smiled amiably: her pale blue eyes shining seductively. “So now, cherry, you have no excuse for not coming into the living room and listening to what Khedra has to say.”