Opportunities: The Belt (Chapter 1/6)

Opportunities: A tale crafted for Oxana. By Selfbondage, exhibitionism, outdoors Chapter 1 of 6: The Belt Sunday morning. Sleeping in. This is life at its best. As good as it feels to stay in bed, it’s time to get up and into the shower. Later, we will be gathering at the De Foyer for bunch. I wanted to leave a bit early to do some window shopping before meeting the gang. Just around the corner from the Bourla theatre are some of my favourite little shops. I can’t really afford much from them, but I do have a few select pieces. I am planning to wear one of them today; a black bustier with burgundy stitching. I’ll wear it with my black high waist slacks and heels. I topped off the outfit with a very short shoulder jacket to cover my neck and back but still show off my bustier. The bus was near empty as I made my way across town. I got off in front of the Bourla, but instead of walking in, I headed one block north to the shops. Sonia Rykiel, Devernois, hmm, the shops’ displays made me tingle a bit. Across the street, Weill, BCBG Max Azria, I was beginning to feel tense. I was approaching my favourite shop, Burberrry. The other stores were just foreplay. I glanced down the street in anticipation, and noticed a gentleman standing in front of the window, standing perfectly still, looking at something as though he was contemplating a work of art. He was standing back, at the edge of the sidewalk to admire whatever was in the window. He was well dressed, and fit; short grey hair with a trimmed beard. Pants were pressed, and shoes shined. I normally like to do my window shopping alone, but he seemed harmless enough. I continued looking at the store displays as I made my way closer, occasionally glancing over. He didn’t move once. He stood as a statue. I casually made my way to the window and looked in. It was breath taking. On the mannequin, was a corset, and around the corset was a stainless steel corset belt. It must have been 25 centimetres wide and was hour-glassed shaped to fit perfectly to the corseted waist. In the middle of the belt was a key hole and a thin chain that looped from the bottom over the side where a small key hung from a tiny hook. It was elegant and fragile, yet strong and overpowering at the same time. I was experiencing tunnel vision for a few moments before I finally focused on my own reflection and noticed my mouth gapped open. Embarrassed, I looked over at the reflection of the gentleman only to see him looking at me with a bit of a smirk as I clasped my jaw shut. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” He asked in a confident voice. I took a moment to take a breath and calm down before trying to answer as confidently as he. “Yes, it is very nice. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.” Speaking as though he knew me, he continued. “I like to buy it for a friend, but at over €5000, I’d appreciate having a woman’s opinion first. Please, come in and try it on for me.” He opened the door and gestured for me to enter. Normally, I’d never get the opportunity to wear, let alone own, such an item. I check my watch to see how much time I had. “I have to meet my friends in 30 minutes.” With a warm smile, he replied “Good. That gives us plenty of time. After you my dear.” I entered the store and waited near the front desk while the man talked quietly with the sales clerk. The clerk motioned for me to follow her into the back room. That seemed odd. Once behind a curtain, another lady asked for my jacket and purse and assured me they would be kept safe. Another slipped a tape measure around my waist and took a quick measurement. The two women then went quickly to work resizing one of the metal corset belts. In the back of the belt were several columns of links like that of a metal watch band. Columns could be added or removed to change the size of the belt. The links could only be removed by accessing them with special tool from the inside of the belt. This meant that once locked on, the key was the only way to remove it. The clerks worked quietly and resized the belt. Then, one clerk brought the belt from in behind me while the other knelt in front of me. The belt was wrapped around my waist and the clerk in front guided a series of clasps in place. “Ok, take in a deep breath…” I did. “Now let it out all the way.” As I did, she pressed the belt together and I heard several clasps all clip in place. It fit like a glove. It was impossible to describe the psychological impact on me. It made me look fantastic. I felt, held, owned, prized. Standing up, the clerk gestured for me to go model the item. “Take a few steps around the store with it and don’t forget to breathe; shallow constant breaths. It takes some time to get used to.” I pulled back the curtain and entered the store. The gentleman smiled broadly as I walked back in. “You look fantastic. It looks like it was made just for you.” I was flattered. He approached to examine the belt and placed his fingers on the side. “Please be honest with me. It’s important.” He had my attention. In a lower voice, he asked “How does it make you feel?” Timidly, I responded: “It makes me feel special.” He started to make his way around me while tracing the belt with his finger tips. “Does it make you feel …excited? I cast my eyes down. “A little.” He pressed further. “Does it make you feel ….anxious, even a little frightened? Eyes still cast down. “Yes.” From behind me, he leaned in close to my ear and asked: “Do you like it?” The question was purposely ambiguous. Do I like the belt, or do I like feeling this way? Perhaps he was making it easy for me to open up about it. I looked up into a store mirror and looked into his through the reflection. “Yes. Yes, I like it.” He smiled, stepped back, and then turned his attention to the clerk. “Good. I’ll take it.” He turned away from me as though completely through with me. He walked to the front cash and took out a thin billfold. He removed a calling card and placed the billfold on the counter. “I will take it as is. Please have it delivered to this address.” While he finished the transaction, the clerk led me back to the dressing area and proceeded to remove the belt. She inserted a key and asked me again to take in a breath and let it out. As I exhaled, she turned the key and the belt released its grip on me. I was handed my purse and jacket and lead back into the store. I looked around, but the store was empty. He left, without saying goodbye. I was a bit hurt, but as I approached the cash register, I spotted his bill fold. I figured it was rude of him to leave without saying goodbye. I wanted to know a bit more about him. I had only one chance. I needed that billfold. I place my bag on the billfold, and proceeded to put my jacket back on. “Thank you very much, it was fun to try on the belt.” The clerk barely acknowledged my presence. I seemed hardly worthy of her attention. Obviously, this gentleman was important to them. I scooped up my bag, and swiped the billfold at the same time. Opportunities continues in chapter 2 and 3