Chapter 14 Not So Soon

• Chelsea was once again left bewildered. “The client might not agree to it? Why not? Do they all want babies to play with?”
• “I don't know what your client might think. But we've had one client who was very weird. He didn't let his Femme go on pills, nor did he let her leave Femme Fatale. However, when she got pregnant, he beat her up until she miscarried. So, to answer your question, I suppose they all have different reasons for wanting babies.”
• “What the f*ck? That's madness!”
• “There are all kinds of men. You can only blame it on your luck if you run into a psychopath like that.”
• Panic flared in Chelsea's eyes as thoughts started to race through her mind. “What about me? What kind of man is my client? I don't want to get pregnant and give birth!”
• “From what I can tell, your client has a good upbringing, so you have nothing to fear. What I meant was that as long as you're in Femme Fatale, you'd have to ask your client for permission to take the pills. But when you're not here, you can do whatever you like. Do you understand?”
• Chelsea finally understood and heaved a sigh of relief. Instead of asking her client, she decided to wait till she left Femme Fatale to get the pills. “Ms. Hayes, is it day or night now? I can't tell from the clock. And the curtains are so tightly drawn that I can't see anything outside.”
• Amanda turned off the tap and started wiping Chelsea's hair with a towel. “Our clocks don't display the date so that our clients are oblivious to the time. That's how we keep them here longer and have them spend more. It's past one in the morning now, which is also our peak hour. You can head out later and see for yourself.”
• Dressed in the golden robe, Chelsea followed Amanda out and finally saw what Femme Fatale looked like at its busiest. Filled with music, alcohol, and scores of people, the entire place was bustling with activity. Other than the masked men, women in nightgowns, waiters, and attendants, there were scantily-clad performers, who were chatting and acting coquettishly with the clients in order to solicit business.
• There were no closed doors, and Chelsea saw all manners of brazen acts on display.
• Feeling a hint of embarrassment, Chelsea stuck close to Amanda as they made their way through the crowd. Just then, another Femme who walked past them smiled and commented, “Wow, this must be my lucky day. It's not every day that one gets to see a Golden Femme.”
• Not understanding what she meant, Chelsea looked down at herself before looking back up at the other Femmes. They were all dressed in white nightgowns while she was the only one in a golden nightgown.
• When Chelsea tugged at her sleeve, Amanda immediately explained, “The ones in white are ordinary Femmes, and clients are free to pick whomever they like. Those femmes don't have to stick to any one client either. They can switch from one client to another or even serve a few at the same time. Golden Femmes, however, are tied to one client. Even if other clients are interested in them, they can only admire from a distance, and they're strictly not allowed to make those Femmes drink or sleep with them.”
• “What if they force the Femmes?”
• “If they do, Femme Fatale will terminate their contracts and beat them up mercilessly. There will only be two outcomes for them—either die or be paralyzed.”
• Chelsea stared at her wide-eyed. “That severe?”
• “It's only necessary! If there aren't such rules, this place would be chaotic!” Amanda exclaimed.
• “If I'm Femme 009, where are the other Golden Femmes before me?”
• “Clients come here to seek only excitement and fun. No one would spend too much time and money on the same woman. One of the Golden Femmes was in such bad shape after being beaten that she had to leave Femme Fatale. The other seven are idling at home because their clients have gotten bored and haven't asked for them. They'll have to wait till their contracts are up. As such, you're now the only working Golden Femme here.”
• Instead of beaming with pride, Chelsea had other worries on her mind. “What if my client gets tired of me? Wouldn't that mean...”
• “You'd better not think about that. Besides, from my years of experience, I can tell that your client has a strong interest in you.”
• Chelsea stared at her in confusion.
• “It's quite obvious that he likes you a lot. He didn't scold you for being late and even got the best red wine for you. When you fell unconscious, he was the one who wiped you down and applied the medication for you. He even personally changed the sheets too. I've been working here for almost ten years, and it's the first time I've ever met this kind of client. So I'm sure he won't get bored with you that easily. Who knows, he might even extend the contract.”
• “What?”
• “All right, that's enough questions for now. We've reached the dining room. Remember to give your client your best service. Not every Femme has the fortune to meet such a good one...”