The Art of the Corset

Chapter Fifteen- A New Woman

Evelyn spent time allowing Marth the chance to know her favorites, and what she loathed. Spending each moment they could gathering and sharing information of one another. Each night, they would share a sweet kiss before Eve would pray he would never discover her past. When her lessons began with Joseph, she would make excuses of "lady duties" before leaving his company but agreeing a time and place for later.

This went on for weeks which quickly turned to months. Eve could eventually look herself in the mirror and see someone worth loving. Not just someone to pay to get off. She felt clean and not like a dirty rat.

As she went to go meet with Marth, she was summoned by Addams. He was sitting on his bed in a robe which she found odd before he patted the bed beside him. She hesitated before he got up and shut the door before standing before her.

"Since I met your acquaintance, I kept telling myself that maybe my mind had been tricking me. Maybe the alcohol or my dreams conjured you. Then it clicked. I knew you...I wasn't sure how at first but after calculating where I had been, I remembered."

"You must have me mistaken-I'm not from-"

"Miss Belladoux's. Her best employee."

She froze where she sat. "No." She decided public denial was her best shot. "You must have me-"

"I see you and my cousin, Marth have become fairly close...how would he like to know the woman of his affections used to be just a common street whore?"

Tears swelled in her eyes.

"Please don't. I'm begging you."

"Then you are going to do something for me..."

He brought his hands down to his robe before dropping it before her. She casted her gaze to the ground before he grabbed her chin hard and forced her eyes onto him.

"If you want to keep your old life a secret, I suggest you start performing on me."

"Why?" She asked as she began shaking.

"Because my fiance has eyes on Joseph and I have needs. I can pay you handsomely-more than any of your clients before. If you deny however, I will have no choice but to tell him."

"It is your choice-"

"Nonsense. You rise a certain feeling in me. You do in each man. But with me, I have the cunning wit and resources to make it possible. You see, I have contemplated many deals with many women, so I understand what they desire. Do not fret, I won't let anyone know of our deal. As long as you keep the deal going. Whenever I want, however."

"I'm begging you-I'm trying to change."

"And I want to feel pleasure. So begin."

"I prefer if you sit." She said as tears poured down her cheeks. She went on her knees before him before placing one hand on each of his legs and beginning. His head jerked back as she began the action she was known for. Crying as she did it, he finished rather fast in which she was glad. She rose to leave before he stopped her.

"I did not say you could leave."

"Please, I don't wish to stay...I did what you asked."

"Fine. Only for tonight. I want you back here after lunch tomorrow. Wearing your corset only."

She nodded before returning to her room. She washed her mouth out with the most effective bottle of alcohol she could find before crying profusely. As she suddenly realized she missed her meeting with Marth. As she went to meet up, she found a message on her mirror. Pulling the piece of paper from the angle, she read it with a sigh. It explained how he forgave her for not showing up and thanked her for her times previous the ones she missed. She closed her eyes before dreading the days to come. She knew too much was on the line to lose...and her circumstances were now forever changed...