Chapter 59
By the time I’m done dressing, my phone is already buzzing on the bed.
Claire’s name lights up the screen, yes I saved it this time after the call.
“I’m outside,” she says when I answer. “Hurry before I lose my parking spot p>
“I’m coming,” I say, tugging my heel on. “Give me two seconds.” Still wondering how she knows the location of this house, I don’t let the thoughts fester though.
I hang up and grab my bag, checking myself out once more in the mirror. Since I didn’t know where Claire was taking me to I decided to go for something simple, a black backless short dress, that barely covered my thigh with simple makeup and let my hair loose instead of putting it up in a ponytail.
I grab my phone and bag then head out.
Claire’s leaning against her car when I step outside, scrolling on her phone. She looks up and smiles wide when she sees me.
“There she is p>
“You’re early, for the first time since I’ve known you.” I say, sliding into the passenger seat.
“Miracles happen,” she replies, pulling away from the curb. “You ready”
“For what,” I ask.
She flashes a wicked grin. “You’ll see p>
The drive is short but quiet. City lights blurring past the windows. I keep thinking she’s going to turn toward somewhere familiar, but she doesn’t. She heads deeper into a part of town I don’t know well.
When she finally parks, I understand why.
The building looks nothing like what I was expecting. No sign, no line. Just a tall black door and two men in dark suits standing on either side like statues.
Claire cuts the engine and looks at me. “You good p>
I hesitate. Just a fraction. “Yeah p>
She reaches into the console and hands me something soft and cool.
A mask. It’s black and satin.
“Why?,” I ask.
“You wear it inside,” she says casually. “Everyone does p>
“Everyone,” I repeat.
She shrugs. “It’s part of the appeal p>
We step out of the car. The air feels fresher here. Claire hands her phone to one of the men, who checks it for whatever reason, he looks at it and nods. Another man opens the door asking us to put our masks on before entering. We do just that then step in.
Music spills out immediately. Slow and tempting
Inside, the lighting is low and red. There’s people everywhere, not dancing like a regular club. They are standing close, touching each other. Kissing and holyyyyyy fuck, there’s people fucking in here. Right here in public, now that I’m in I can hear all the moans from different directions. Yeah now I get why the masks are necessary.
Some are kissing openly, some are pressed together in corners. Not hidden or shy. I turn and make eye contact with a lady she’s naked from the waist up, and she is riding a man laying down, the movement has her boobs dangling in all directions. I think I must have stared too much because she enthusiastically waves me over to join them, I quickly shake my head and turn the other way. Mortified to near death.
I walk in a bit more then my steps slow.
Claire notices and leans close. “If it’s too much, we can leave p>
I shake my head. “No. I just… wasn’t expecting this p>
She laughs quietly. “No one ever does p>
We make our way to the bar, the bartender doesn’t ask questions. Just slides menus across the counter.
Claire orders for both of us.
I glance around while we wait for our drinks.
There’s Couples making out everywhere, some in groups. People watching other people. Some sitting together, talking like they’re at a dinner party. Others clearly not here to talk at all.
It’s strange how normal it feels once the initial shock fades.
My phone vibrates in my bag.
I don’t want to look, but I do.
Zane: Where are you.
My shoulders tense immediately where and how the hell did he get my number.
Claire notices. “Everything alright p>
“Yeah,” I say, even though it’s not. “Just work stuff p>
She grimaces. “Oof p>
I type back quickly.
Elaine: Out with a friend. I’ll be back later.
The reply comes before I can put the phone away.
Zane: Be home by nine.
I stare at the screen myjaw tightening, who the fuck does he think he is to give me a freaking curfew like I’m some teenager.
I lock the phone and drop it back into my bag, not bothering to respond to him.
Claire raises an eyebrow. “Let me guess your boss is giving you a hard time p>
“Something like that p>
She slides our drinks toward us. “Ignore it. You’re here now, let’s be in the moment p>
I take a sip, the alcohol burns just enough to ground me.
“This place is… a lot,” I say.
“Give it twenty minutes,” she replies. “It always is at first p>
She introduces me to a few people after that, other friends of hers, very friendly people
.They talk like this is normal because, for them, it is.
I listen more than I speak.
Everywhere I look, there’s something new to take in. A woman being chocked by a belt while the man pounds into her from behind. A man kneeling before another with his mouth wrapped around his length. There was a whole orgy happening in the corner.
I realize I’m staring when Claire nudges me lightly.
“Careful,” she says. “They might want to invite you over if you’re caught staring intently p>
I laugh under my breath and force my gaze away.
Then it happens anyway.
I look up and meet someone’s eyes.
A man across the room. Blond hair, he’s short as hell. His mask pushed slightly too low, like he doesn’t care if people recognize him. He’s already looking at me, and he doesn’t look away when I catch him looking.
My stomach tightens with fear, as recognition takes place.
I break eye contact first, trying not to hyperventilate or go back into that dark place in my head, he can’t know it’s me.
Claire leans in. “You okay”
“Yeah,” I say, a little too quickly.
When I glance back, he’s still there.
This time, he starts walking towards me.
My pulse picks up, fear and anger over ridding any other emotion.
I don’t move, hoping he will change directions and not come for me.