6. Cora
Chapter six
Cora
“ I ’m super pumped for tonight! I’m so glad you decided to come back. I just know we’re going to be BFFs.” Hailee loops her arm through mine, practically vibrating with energy as she pulls me into the marble foyer of Eden.
Unlike last night, she’s a whirlwind of chatter, ready to talk my ear off. There’s a warmth about her, a friendliness that instantly puts me at ease. As an introvert and single mom, I’ve found making new friends as an adult tough, but I like Hailee’s vibe. She’s easy to be around, and I can see us getting close.
“I can guarantee, one night and you’ll be hooked!” she declares with a grin.
That’s what I’m afraid of.
I hand her my paperwork, and we make a quick stop at the front desk, where I’m introduced to Rob, the head of security. He’s tall, with a no-nonsense demeanor, but the flash of his smile tells me he’s not as hard-ass as he appears. I hand over my phone, feeling a strange sense of surrender as it leaves my hand, and follow Hailee into the heart of Eden.
She leads me through an imposing door into a large room buzzing with chaos and excitement. The air smells faintly of hairspray and expensive perfume, accompanied by the soft, constant hum of hairdryers. Some women are in various stages of undress, while others sit in front of brightly lit mirrors, makeup artists hovering around them. It’s what I imagine being backstage at a Victoria’s Secret fashion show would be like, minus the feathers, wings, and glitter. The women here are incredibly beautiful in their own unique ways. They’re all different shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common: a kind of effortless glamour.
“Welcome to the dressing room!” Hailee exclaims, with jazz hands. “Not that we end up wearing much,” she adds with a laugh.
At the back of the room is the wardrobe department, where racks of the same black gown Hailee wore last night stand beside a basket of black ribbon collars, and rows of costumes and fetish gear. I linger for a moment, eyes drawn to the more elaborate costumes, but Hailee is quick to reassure me.
“Don’t worry. It’s actually fun dressing up, and Edward, our resident stylist, will make you feel like a queen no matter what you’re wearing.”
Somehow, I doubt that.
She points to the back wall near the wardrobe. “The lockers are over there. You can leave your clothes and belongings inside.”
Hailee leads me to the hair and makeup station, and we settle into the remaining empty chairs. Two brunettes, one with long, perfectly styled hair and the other with a sharp bob, are deeply engrossed in conversation.
“… he will never leave his wife for you, Sarah,” the woman with the bob is saying, shaking her head.
Hailee interrupts, “Ladies, this is Cora. She’s one of our new goddesses, and tonight is her first night, so please make her feel welcome. Cora, this is Sarah, who’s in love with one of the clients. Let’s just hope he doesn’t notice you tonight. She’s like a bear with a sore paw whenever he turns his attention to a new goddess.” Hailee gives an exaggerated eye roll.
“Bullshit! He only does that when I’m shitty at him. He knows it makes me crazy jealous,” Sarah protests. She turns to me with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Just stay away from him and we’ll be fine.”
Great, staying away from this bitch, then.
“God, give it a rest, Sarah,” groans the woman with the short bob.
“And this is Jess,” Hailee says, introducing her to me.
Jess leans over to offer her hand, which I promptly shake. “Nice to meet you, Cora. Don’t mind Sarah; she’s just a bitch. Every workplace has one.”
“Fuck off, Jess.” Sarah sticks her tongue out.
“Nice to meet you both,” I reply with a smile, doing my best to look sincere.
The stylists finish with Sarah and Jess, and as they walk away, Jess glances over her shoulder.
“Good luck tonight, Cora. I really hope Sarah’s man picks you to serve him.” She bursts into laughter, dodging an elbow from Sarah as they exit the room.
I shake my head at their antics and settle back in my chair, letting the hairstylist and makeup artist work their magic. While they transform my look, I work up the courage to ask Hailee a few questions, curious to know more about this world I’m stepping into.
“So… how long have you worked for Madame Sophia?” I ask, glancing at Hailee in the mirror.
“Hmm, about three years now, I think?” she replies, her expression thoughtful. “It was just supposed to be a temporary gig while I finished my accounting degree. But once I started, the money was too good to pass up, and I got hooked on the lifestyle.” She shrugs. “After I graduated, I started working here full-time. I handle admin during the day and serve drinks most nights. I only do Le Jardin every now and then.”
“Do you like working for Madame Sophia? You think you’ll ever go back to accounting?” I ask.
“I love it. She’s wonderful to work for.” Her lips curve into a smile. “To be honest… I’m not sure if I’ll go back. The money is just too good.”
Before I have a chance to ask another question, the stylists proclaim they’re done. The woman staring back at me in the mirror is nearly unrecognizable. I look sexy as hell. My hair falls around my face in big Hollywood curls, and my makeup is flawless—eyeliner sharp enough to cut glass and lashes that could bat someone to death. Soft pink lips and rosy cheeks perfectly complement my pale skin.
Butterflies flutter in my stomach as I turn to Hailee. “So, what happens now?”
“It’s showtime!” she says with a beaming smile.
***
Eight hours later, I slide my key into the front door and give it a hard shove. The wood groans against the frame before finally giving way with a loud creak, and I stumble. The porch dips awkwardly, forcing me to take a large step over the threshold. You’d think I’d be used to it by now, considering I’ve lived here all my life. There are so many things wrong with this house, it’s practically falling apart. Unfortunately, repairs aren’t exactly high on the priority list right now.
I exhale loudly as the door closes behind me. Tonight, I made a thousand dollars. That should feel like a relief, but it won’t last two seconds in my account. It’s just enough to cover the back log of electricity bills. I’ve been lucky that Leo’s kindergarten hasn’t pressed for the voluntary contribution payments—one small relief.
My body sags, overwhelmed by sheer exhaustion. My feet are killing me, my muscles are sore, and my eyes burn from the combination of thick makeup and lack of sleep. I’m definitely more of a sit-behind-a-desk kind of girl than one for manual labor. But honestly, what a rush. What a night.
It was exhilarating to watch the power dynamics play out in that room. I could’ve easily sat at the bar for hours, just watching the night unfold. The men were all respectful to the goddesses, and it was essentially simple waitressing, just as Madame Sophia had promised—but kinky. And I loved every minute of it.
The entire club reeked of sex, and it was impossible not to be affected by it. The way the air seemed to crackle with lust left me on a high I haven’t felt in a long time. Even now with my muscles aching, the excitement remains. I’m more alive than I have been in years. Deep down, I know I’m already hooked.
The flickering light from the TV casts a glow down the hallway. When I step into the living room, I find Dad reclined in his armchair, watching a rerun of a game show.
“You’re still up? It’s two in the morning,” I say, surprised to find him awake.
“Couldn’t sleep.” He lets out a long yawn, stretching his jaw wide.
“You in any pain?” I frown.
“I’m fine,” he reassures me with a small smile. “Woke up about an hour ago and couldn’t get back to sleep. How’d it go tonight?”
“It went well. I’m going to take the job.” I stifle a yawn of my own. Dad knows I’m doing bar work at a club called Eden, but I’ve kept the specifics under wraps. That would be an awkward conversation, to say the least. “Leo went to bed okay?”
“Yep, he’s fine. He’s such a funny little bunny,” Dad says with a chuckle.
“Why? What’d he do this time?”
“He was on the toilet and looked down between his legs to watch it drop, but he wasn’t ready for the splashback.” He laughs quietly. “It got him right between the eyes.”
“Oh, geez, Dad, that’s gross.” I wince, rubbing my tired eyes. Still, I can’t help but laugh along with him. I often wonder what these two get up to when I’m not around.
“Well, on that lovely note, I’m heading to bed. You staying up?”
“Yeah, for a little while.” His attention drifts back to the TV. “When’s your next shift?”
“This Saturday night. Are you okay to watch Leo again?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.” I give his shoulder a gentle squeeze as I pass. “Night.”
Each step feels like an effort as I haul my aching legs toward my room. Once inside, I close the door behind me and lean against it for a moment, letting the events of the night play through my mind. It feels surreal, like slipping into an alternate reality—a place where power, control, and pleasure exchange hands as effortlessly as currency.
Despite the thrill, a part of me is hesitant. I’ve agreed to become a goddess, signing up for the next Le Jardin. Honestly, I’ve got nothing to lose. We’re in desperate need of a cash injection, and this is the fastest solution. But doubt lingers at the edges of my mind. What if I can’t handle it? What if I’m chosen by someone who makes my skin crawl? What if…?
No . I shake my head, pushing those thoughts aside. I’ve made up my mind. What’s the worst that could happen? If I don’t like it, I’ll just stick to serving drinks. No big deal—problem solved.
It’s not all that different to hooking up with someone from a dating app for a one-night fling, except this time, I’m getting paid.
I slip out of my clothes, change into a comfortable pair of pajamas and climb into bed. Exhaustion catches up with me, but even as I drift off to sleep, one thought remains in the back of my mind.
I’ve got this. Easy.