AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I pull out a pair of black lace panties from the closet and a matching bra. I slather scented lotion over my skin, slide the sexy lingerie on, and slip on my sleeveless black dress.
It fits and actually hugs my body. It also pairs well with the black circles around my eyes.
I make an effort in that direction, masterfully hiding them with a dab of concealer.
With a bit of red on my cheeks, smoky eyeliner on my lids, and black mascara on my lashes, I look vampy, sexy, mysterious, and dangerous.
This is not the look I’m going for. I just want to go out. No more partying, meeting new people, and any of that crap.
I won’t go to a coffee shop, a restaurant––it’s too early for that––shopping––I don’t have much cash on hand––or to the beach.
The sun is not my friend right now.
I put my phone, wallet, lipstick, key card, and a few more nothings into my bag.
I feel good when I glance in the mirror. You wouldn’t say I hadn’t slept last night. And that yesterday wasn’t much better either.
It all started on Friday night. Spending time at Kai. Going to Manhattan. Flying over here. Overall, I’ve only had a few hours of sleep these past forty-eight hours.
Too little to survive on. No wonder I can’t unwind.
No wonder I look like a vampire.
I wish I could laugh, but my lips are stitched together with a thread of tension.
I run my fingers through my hair, brush it all back, and glance at my reflection one last time.
This feels like an inflection point in my life, and things could go in different directions. That’s why I need to choose carefully.
I don’t know what to choose exactly, and I won’t waste my time trying to find out.
Moments later, I walk out of the room and make a beeline for the lobby.
I ask the man at the reception desk to get me a ride. He points to the limousine outside.
I tell him I’d rather use a taxi.
Without the slightest comment, he finds me one in the area, and minutes later, I slide into the back seat, just as Robert Walker, Ted Sloane, and two women walk in front of the hotel and wait for their ride to arrive.
Hopefully, they didn’t see me.
I can’t wait to pull away from everybody and clear my head.
The driver gives me a tour of the city at my request before suggesting several destinations. I don’t have the energy to check them out. Instead, I ask him to take me to the club I visited last night.
He knows the place. Of course he does. It’s open 24/7.
There aren’t that many people in the morning, he says. I tell him I’m fine.
I’m more than fine.
I’m not looking for people. I want a large, impersonal space with only a few strangers.
I can only take people in small doses. But I need some right now. And I also need to be left alone.
Minutes later, he deposits me in front of the club.
It’s so strange to find myself in front of it again. Less than twenty-four hours ago, I was hiding in this establishment, trying to make a point. I’d made my point before Kai had made his point.
