Layer mask in Illustrator

In Photoshop this is quite easy:
In the bottom layer I draw the left square. On the next layer I draw the areas indicated by the green bits in the center image. That second layer becomes a 'layer mask'. So the result is the right image are the rectangle is  masked in such a way that the green areas mask the segments of the rectangle.
Now in Illustrator... I can't draw the green areas in a top layer, choose 'compound path' and next 'clipping path'. As this makes the segments of the rectangle beneath the green areas visible. So the opposite of what I want: make the areas below the green shapes invisible.
Also I can't add to the mask.  So I can't add more green shapes to mask the rectangle with. Unlike in Photoshop where I just can use my brush to add to the areas in the layer mask so more is being masked.
Is there any way to make it possible what I want? Or am I forced to do the exact opposite: draw over the areas I want to have visible and use that as a clipping path so everything beneath that becomes visible and the rest is 'masked'?

jiggy,
You have two ways:
A) Clipping Mask:
1) Create a path at least covering the rounded square,
2) Select the green bits and the path from 1) and Object>Compound Path Make,
3) Select 2) and the rounded square and Object>Clipping Mask>Make.
B) Opacity Mask:
1) Change the green bits black and Group them or turn them into a Compound Path (either works),
2) Select 1) and the rounded square and in the Transparency palette flyout click Make Opacity Mask with Clip and Invert Mask unticked.

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