Page 137 of Their Courtesan
Typical. Typical naïve brat who was probably too immature to be working at a place like this. “You didn’t. The moment that guy put a hand like that on you, his time here was over. Nobody hits you. Do you understand me? It’s not acceptable!”
“Says the woman who has the richest men around lining up to be her patron. Do you know how long I’ve had to wait for you to finish your fucking game so I can get a patron? I’m making the least amount of money here because of it! A girl does what she has to!”
I’ve heard that a million times, coming from my own mouth.Time for some real talk.
“I’m sorry you’re not making as much money as you want, but you won’t be making any money at all if that shit happens. You’ve been given a panic button for a reason. You’re lucky I saw that happen on the cameras.”
“Nothing gives me job security like knowing you’re watching me blow and ride.”
“Shut the fuck up. Even if it wasn’t my job to keep an eye out for that shit, I would do it anyway. I won’t stand for those types of clients coming around here. It is not allowed. Full stop.”
Holly pouted, hand on cheek.What do I say beyond that?They weren’t friends. They barely got along for work and were good at faking a mutual sexual attraction for the right paying clients. That was part of being a professional. Something Holly still had troubles getting a grip on from time to time.
Before Judith could find a new way to reprimand her again, Holly slapped her hand over her eyes, refusing to cry.
Ah, fuck.All Judith could do was sit on the edge of the young woman’s bed and pat her on the back. No sense saying anything. What could she say? Whatever bothered Holly was deeply personal. Like no two employees of the Château had the same experience or relationship with sex as another, no two could know how to console each other about it. Yet part of Judith’s job as second-in-command and courtesan liaison was to interpret what was happening behind the scenes and do something about it, if applicable.
“I don’t know what it was like for you before you came here,” Judith said, “but you need to know that this is a place where your safety is the most important thing. No one has the right to even pay you to treat you like that.”
“Has anyone done that to you?”
“Many times. Not in a long,longtime, though.”
“Why do you keep doing this? Don’t you get tired of it?”
Here we go.Everyone wanted to know why Judith hadn’t retired by thirty. The ongoing story was that this kind of gig lasted for the prime of a woman’s youth, and then she moved on, either to marry, to start her own business, or to use her savings to start a new life doing something else entirely different. Even Monica, who was older than Judith, didn’t have this kind of background when she opened her pleasure house. While Judith was far from the oldest courtesan around, let alone the most experienced, her reputation often preceded her wherever she went… tabloid pictures notwithstanding.
“I do it because I love it. It’s not my job. It’s my career. It’s okay if you think it’s a job and that you will move on when the time is right. Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s not okay to enjoy what you do here. Likewise, it’s okay to have a bad day, or to realize that it’s not always going to be great. We’re in a unique situation, because most people treat what we do with disrespect and disdain. Most of what we do here is unregulated and illegal. Monica and I work every day to make sureyou’resafe and that we all don’t get arrested. This is one of the best places you could work to be happyandmake money.”
“I guess.”
Oh, the young. That was as close to “I guess you’re right” that Judith was going to get from Holly. “I simply want to make sure you understand that this was not acceptable, no matter what. We can’t have those types of clients coming around, let alone spreading the word that we allow that shit. It’s not just your safety. It’s our reputation. Our reputation means the best, well-paying and respectful clients.”
“They’re not all respectful.”
“This is true. Unfortunately, it’s the nature of our business.” Judith put a sturdy hand on Holly’s shoulder. “We okay here? You can take the night off if you want.”
“No way. I’ve got appointments to keep. Some of those guys could become my patron.”
“This is true. I’m sure Monica is going to focus on you as soon as my business is settled. Don’t worry. We won’t expand what we’re doing until you’re secured here.”
“Good. I’m tired of being the new girl. Hire some more so I can have my peace.”
Judith left Holly in her room, but made sure the bedroom door was ajar so she could hear the life beyond her room. If Holly really wanted it closed, she could get up and do it herself.
“Everything all right?” Monica asked at the top of the grand staircase. “That man won’t be coming back here again. I’m glad you kept an eye on it.”
“She’s fine.”Probably.“You should talk to her later, though. Give her some space now.”
“I don’t doubt it. She reminds me a lot of you.”
Judith was taken aback. “How so?”
Monica smiled. “Do I have to tell you? She’s ambitious and knows how to play her game. She’s going to make us a lot of money here as soon as she matures a bit. I’ve already got regular clients of hers asking about patronage.”
“She’ll be glad to hear that.”
“I’m sure, but like you, she’s also stubborn.”
