The velvet seamstress

The velvet seamstress

Lilian’s workshop was located on the second floor of an old building in Madrid, between the constant smell of wool and sandalwood. The lights were always warm, never fluorescent, and the thick linen curtains prevented the cold of winter from entering too soon. At nine o’clock in the night, the city had already folded on itself and only lights remained on the balconies. Inside, Lilian finished ironing an ivory lace when the workshop bell repainted discreetly.

Claudia came in. She wore a long coat of black cashmere and her hair gathered in a low, very tight bow. She did not say hello or smile immediately; she only stopped at the cutting table and left on the wood a thick paper envelope. Lilian read the direction in the inclined calligraphy: her own name, handwritten with black ink.

"I brought the last sketch," said Claudia at last. "And the list.

Lilian nodded, closed the plate and dried his hands on a cotton cloth. He did not open the envelope yet. He approached the coat rack where the clothes were hanging in progress and separated two fingers of green velvet bottle he had cut in the morning.

"Would you like to try the base before talking about the list?" he asked quietly.

Claudia took off her coat. Below she was wearing a simple set of wool and silk, nothing eye-catching. Lilian invited her to the dressing room, a space bounded by canvas screens. The client undressed without haste; each garment bent over the clear wooden stool. When she was in organic cotton underwear, Lilian approached her the velvet piece.

The tissue weighed on her hands. Lilian extended it and placed it on Claudia’s shoulders, adjusting it with pearl-headed pins. The contact of the silk lining against her skin caused a slight chill that ran through the client’s arms. Lilian observed the movement of that skin and the way Claudia kept her breathing slow, as if counting every inspiration.

"Too cold?" he asked.

"No," replied Claudia. "I only notice the contrast.

Lilian smiled barely. She kept placing pins: first on the waist, then on the armpit. Whenever the tip rubbed the skin, Claudia closed her eyes for an instant. Lilian noticed it and slowed down her gestures, turning the process into something deliberate.

When the first setting was finished, Lilian invited Claudia to sit on the wing chair next to the window. There, the light from the table lamp fell on the envelope that was still closed. Claudia took it and spread it over the skirt of the velvet still lit.

"Before I open it," he said, "I want to confirm that you still want this assignment.

"I still want to," replied Claudia. "Every point we put on the list remains valid.

Lilian opened the envelope. Inside there were three sheets written by hand. The first described measures and times; the second, the garments Lilian would make; the third, the sequence of acts Claudia wanted. Lilian read quietly:

— Arrived at the workshop at 21:00. Delivery of the list. Proof of the base. Silk sell. Light immobilization with satin tape. Exploration of textures. Then, care and collection.

Claudia bowed her head, waiting.

"Everything remains the same," said Lilian. "Do we repeat the security code?"

"Yellow to pause, red to stop at all," replied Claudia.

• Perfect.

Lilian folded the leaves and left them on the side table. Then he went to the tape drawer and selected a silky wine that was five centimeters wide. He slipped it between his fingers so Claudia could see the softness.

"Are you ready to begin the ceremony?" he asked.

"Yes," said Claudia, and added, "Please.

Lilian placed herself behind the couch. With slow movements, she placed the blindfold over Claudia’s eyes and she clung it on the back of her neck, leaving a soft but firm bow. The client’s breathing became more audible. Lilian placed her hands on her shoulders, feeling the tension and the way she was slowly letting go.

"Breath with me," he asked. "Three seconds in, four seconds out.

Claudia obeyed. Lilian noticed how the pulse in the neck slowed down. When she considered that the rhythm was right, she took the satin tape and wrapped Claudia’s wrists, one on top of the other, ahead of the body. The knot was decorative, easy to release with one pull. The tape left a soft glow on the skin.

Lilian knelt in front of the chair. The wooden floor creaked slightly. He took a black velvet tail that he kept for tests and slipped it down Claudia’s collarbone, then going down to the hole between the breasts. The tissue was dense; it held the heat of his hand and transmitted it slowly. Claudia issued a low, almost inaudible sound. Lilian repeated the gesture in the opposite direction, letting the velvet rub the nipples through the thin fabric of the bra.

"How do you feel?" he asked.

"Heavy," Claudia replied. "As if the cloth had memory of my skin.

Lilian smiled. He left the retal to one side and took another piece: a lace of Chantilly with floral motifs. He stretched it over Claudia’s thigh, pressing with palms for the tips of the flowers to mark the skin without sticking. Then he removed the lace and passed his fingers through the remaining marks, tracing tiny circles.

Claudia was barely removed on the couch. Lilian joined and bowed to her ear.

"You can talk whenever you want," he whispered. "Say what you feel, ask more or less.

"More pressure on the right thigh," Claudia replied instantly.

Lilian took the lace again and swirled it against the skin, exerting a controlled friction. Then he used the nails, short and careful, to scratch gently upwards, following the relief of the mean that Claudia still wore. The contrast between the softness of the lace and the mild roughness of the nail caused Claudia to tighten her teeth, but she did not issue any complaints.

Lilian continued to explore. He changed the cashmere from Claudia’s coat, which was still hanging from the coat rack. He cut a small piece and moistened it with his breath before placing it over the open belly. Heat and moisture were transmitted together. Claudia arched her back slightly.

"Keep going," he asked.

Lilian passed the cashmere down, brushing the edge of the panties. He did not remove it. He let the tissue act as a filter between his fingers and Claudia’s skin. When he noticed the breathing speeding up, he removed the piece and replaced it with his own hand garnished in fine silk. The glove was pearly grey and had belonged to his grandmother. Lilian used it only on special occasions.

With the back of the glove, she walked through Claudia’s thighs, going up and down without reaching the center. Each pass was slower than the previous one. Claudia began to say loose words: “yes”, “again”, “above”. Lilian respected every indication, adjusting the distance and pressure. She never crossed the line Claudia had not asked for.

When Claudia’s breath became dimmed, Lilian stopped. She left her hand still on her thigh and waited. Claudia pronounced the agreed color:

• Yellow.

Lilian carefully removed the bandage. Claudia blinked several times. Her cheeks were on and her lips were wet. Lilian offered her a glass of water with a slice of lemon that she had already prepared on the table. Claudia drank slowly, holding the glass with both hands still tied by the tape.

"Do you want to continue?" asked Lilian.

"Yes," replied Claudia, "but with another texture.

Lilian untied her wrists and massaged the marks that the tape had left, applying cold calendula cream. Then she went to a small closet and removed a piece of tanned suede skin, soft as dust. She spread it over the cutting table and cut it into strips of two centimeters.

"These I will wear on my ankles," he explained. "Not to immobilize at all, just to remember where your limits are.

Claudia stood up from the armchair and lay on the cutting table, now covered by a clean linen sheet. Lilian placed an suede strap on each ankle, knotting them with a simple bow. Then she helped Claudia sit down and asked her to stretch her arms forward. On the free wrists she placed two velvet bracelets with small press clasps. Each brooch issued a dry snap when closed.

"Now you're going to walk barefoot to the screen," said Lilian. "I want you to tell the steps aloud.

Claudia obeyed. The wood floor was cold; each step sounded sharp. Lilian followed her closely, holding a gauze scarf perfumed with bergamot. Whenever Claudia said a number, Lilian passed the handkerchief through her neck. When she reached number fifteen, Claudia was in front of the screen.

"Turn around," said Lilian with a low but firm voice.

Claudia turned. Lilian placed her hands on her chest and guided her back until the client’s back touched the screen. The canvas gave way slightly. Lilian took the opportunity to slip a silk strip between Claudia’s bars and ankles, creating a loop that prevented her feet from separating more than thirty centimeters. The immobilization was symbolic, but Claudia remained still, breathing through her mouth.

Lilian knelt again. This time he used a bird feather that he kept between the patterns. He passed it through Claudia’s arch of foot, then climbed up the shin, stopping on the forehead strap. Every time the feather rubbed the edge of the skin and tissue, Claudia contained the breath. Lilian prolonged the exercise until Claudia began to tremble slightly.

"Red," said Claudia plainly.

Lilian removed the pen instantly. She untied her ankles and helped Claudia sit on the floor, leaning her back against the screen. She offered her another cup of water and a soft wool blanket she kept in the same closet. Claudia covered her shoulders and closed her eyes.

"Thank you for stopping," Lilian said.

"Thank you for listening," Claudia replied.

The sound of the old heating filled the space. Lilian sat beside her, without touching her, waiting. When Claudia opened her eyes, Lilian asked her:

• Do you want us to stay careful or do you prefer to finish the session here?

"I want to continue," said Claudia. "But without band or ties, only touch and voice.

Lilian nodded. She helped Claudia get up and drove her to the chair again. This time she placed no restraint. She knelt in front of her and asked her permission to remove the underwear she was still wearing. Claudia raised her hips and Lilian slipped the garment slowly, bending it and leaving it on the table.

Now Claudia’s skin was completely exposed from the waist down. Lilian took a jar of almond oil that kept her bath and poured a few drops into the palm of her hand. The oil was warm. Lilian spread it through her thighs, using wide circles and constant pressure. She went up to the English but stopped before the center, as they had agreed.

"You can ask me to play," Lilian said. "Or you can stay like this.

Claudia took a deep breath.

"I want you to touch me," he replied, "as slowly as you have so far.

Lilian applied more oil and slipped two fingers between Claudia’s folds. The heat of the body contrasted with the freshness of the oil. Lilian drew vertical lines, then small circles around the clitoris, without pressing directly. Claudia opened her legs a little more. Lilian interpreted the gesture and increased the gradual pressure, without losing the rhythm.

Claudia started moaning, a serious sound that seemed to come from her chest. Lilian held the other hand on her thigh, anchoring the movement. When she noticed Claudia’s muscles tense, she slowed down and switched to a barely perceptible touch. Claudia protested with a whisper:

• More.

Lilian obeyed, recovering the previous pressure. Claudia reached orgasm with a contained scream, arching her back against the back of the armchair. Lilian did not immediately withdraw her hand; she kept her fingers still, feeling the pulsations that followed. Only when Claudia relaxed at all, she removed her fingers and cleaned her skin with a hot towel that she had prepared.

Claudia remained with her eyes closed for several minutes. Lilian sat next to her on the arm of the armchair and placed the blanket over her legs. When Claudia opened her eyes, Lilian offered her a cup of chamomile tea that she had left infused before starting.

"Drink slowly," he advised.

Claudia took the cup with both hands. She drank quietly. Lilian passed a hand through her hair, untangled the bow without haste. The locks fell on Claudia’s shoulders, who sighed with relief.

"How are you feeling?" asked Lilian.

"Here," replied Claudia, "and grateful.

Lilian smiled.

"There is a part of the ceremony left," he said.

He got up and went to the closet. He took out a soft leather bag and opened it on the table. Inside there was moisturizer, a natural bristles brush and a clean satin tape. He approached Claudia and asked her to lie sideways on the couch. He started by the feet: he applied cream and massaged each finger, then climbed up the calves. Claudia issued sounds of pleasure that no longer had to do with excitement, but with muscle relief.

Lilian continued with her back, applying cream in wide circles. When she reached her shoulders, Claudia joined and turned to look at her.

"I want you to know," he said, "that this has been the first time anyone has respected my list without skipping a single point.

Lilian bowed her head.

"It's the only way I know how to work," he replied.

They finished the ritual with the brushing of their hair. Lilian untangled each lock patiently. Then he added the satin ribbon on a low ponytail, leaving the bow to one side. Claudia looked into the small mirror of the workshop and smiled.

"I look like I'm wearing a uniform," he said.

"It is the uniform of having finished," said Lilian. "Had it reached the end without breaking anything."

They hugged each other then, a long hug and no hurry. Lilian felt Claudia’s heartbeat against her chest. When they separated, Claudia dressed herself with the garments she had brought, folding the wool and silk set with care. Before leaving, she left another one on the table.

"It is the date of the next appointment," he explained. "And the new sketch.

Lilian didn’t open it. She kept it in the drawer of the tapes, next to the measurements and lists above. Claudia put on her coat and went to the door. Before leaving, she turned.

"Thank you for the velvet," he said.

"Thank you for trusting," Lilian replied.

The door closed with a soft snap. Lilian was left alone in the workshop, between the smell of wool and sandalwood. She turned off the table lamp and opened the window a finger to bring in the cold air of the night. Then she picked up the cups, folded the blanket and kept the bag. Before leaving, she passed her hand through the piece of green velvet bottle that still hung from the coat rack. The fabric kept Claudia’s heat.

Lilian smiled to herself and turned off the main light. The workshop was left in dim shadow, with only the street light entering through the open window. Tomorrow there would be another dress to iron, another lace to cut and another list to read calmly. But tonight, the workshop smelled of something more than wool and sandalwood: it smelled of ceremony fulfilled and the promise of another one that was yet to come.