Chapter 2
C assia
A week later
His stuff was everywhere. It didn’t matter how many times I’d asked him to stop doing this; his dirty socks and t-shirts constantly littered the floor. He thought because I stayed home all day that I had nothing better to do than tidy up the house like I was some sort of hired help.
He needed a maid. Or perhaps to move back in with his mother. I didn’t care which one, I just knew I was done picking up after him. I’d leave his crap where he dropped it, but who wanted to step on dirty underwear all day?
After I slammed the clothes hamper shut, I returned to my laptop computer. My final draft was almost finished, and Rodeo Restaurant would either say their logo was perfect or send it back for more fine-tuning.
As a kid, I loved drawing fantasy landscapes. Unicorns, trolls, elves, and Fae dancing beneath flowering trees and a purple sky. Sometimes I drew darker scenes, my own immature depictions of worlds filled with monsters and fire that only existed in my imagination.
The problem was that type of art wasn’t my talent. Apparently, my gift had been meant for blocky, chunky, restaurant and retail brand logos as well as posters for fast food meal deals. But that was okay; I still got to draw and play with color palettes. At least, that’s what I told myself.
Working as a graphic designer hadn’t stopped me from doodling and just having fun.
Our living room had one framed picture of my best work that hung prominently above the sofa.
The oil painting displaying a dark sky and fluffy red blooms beneath twinkling stars didn't match the rest of the decor, but even Bryan had said it “wasn’t bad.”
The fact he’d said that meant the world to me. He mostly ignored my hobbies—just like he ignored his dirty clothes.
As a matter of fact, lately he’d been acting like I didn’t exist, so when he announced we’d be going out on a date, I was thrilled. It’d been months since we left the house as a unified couple.
He worked constantly, so that probably had a lot to do with his recent distance. I tried all the normal things people did to salvage a relationship. Talking to him, being extra attentive, suggesting extra spicy things in the bedroom, and even making his favorite meals.
When none of that accomplished a thing, I switched to unconventional, questionable methods. But neither his laptop nor his cell phone gave me any insight when I searched them. Either he was super careful, or he was just as uninterested as he seemed to be.
I couldn’t say I was super attached to him anymore, at this point.
In the beginning—yeah, sure. But it wasn’t one of those relationships you dream about where you’re both madly in love and always thinking of the other.
No, it was more of a mild relationship. Comfy. Familiar. Like throw pillows on a sofa.
We enjoyed the same movies, had some mutual friends, and were both attracted to each other just enough to make it work. Or so, I thought.
My phone buzzed and I picked it up. There was a text from Bryan that said, “Hey get an Uber to the club, I’m tied up with work” scrolling across the screen.
I replied “okay,” and set the device back down.
I almost picked it up again, remembering that I hadn’t downloaded all the apps I normally used.
The one for car service was there, and a couple others.
My old phone had gone missing, somehow. But I didn’t have time to update everything. I had to get ready.
Living in New York City, it was easy enough to get a car service; I’d just thought we’d be going together on our date.
An hour later, I was ready, my dark green cocktail dress and matching clutch screaming “romantic evening.” I’d put in extra effort, pinning my hair to the side and painting on smoky eyes.
My reflection told me I looked good, and I felt confident Bryan would be impressed. Maybe even a little affectionate?
With one last look at the trail of undergarments strewn across the bedroom floor, I shut the door behind me. While I’d straightened up the living room, cleaning up after the man where he slept was pushing it too far. Definitely not my problem if he ran out of fresh clothes.
What was my problem was trying to figure out how to separate from the guy. For one thing, both of our names were on the apartment lease. Would we be able to break it? Who would stay and who would move out? Bryan’s parents were still alive, and he could easily live with them.
My own situation was different. My parents died in an accident when I was younger, I had no siblings, and I didn’t want to impose on my friends. I had a couple close ones from childhood, but working from home prohibited making more friends because I never met anyone new.
Not that I felt I needed them, I was satisfied with my friend group, but they were all coupled-up or married. Essentially, I had nowhere to go unless I completely drained my meager bank account.
Deciding that was a tomorrow problem, I made my way outside to wait for the car.
The app showed my ride would be here in a few minutes.
The cool evening air whispered across my forehead as I pulled my lightweight coat a little tighter, while I kept an eye out for my ride.
Summer was near, but we still had chilly evenings occasionally.
I almost wished I’d thought of grabbing a scarf.
A glance over my shoulder at the towering building Bryan and I called home told me I didn’t have nearly enough time. The elevator wasn’t fast enough to take me to the twentieth floor and back down in seven minutes.
The air turned cooler still, and an eerie silence descended. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end, and I turned in a circle. It felt as if I were being watched. Everything within me switched from anticipatory annoyance over the evening to being aware of mortal danger.
I half expected a bloodthirsty lion to come prowling through the alleyway across the street and as I eyed the narrow shaft, the shadows stirred. My heart thudded in my chest while I told myself to calm down. Nobody was going to bother me out here.
And yet, there was no one around. The normally crowded street was empty; there wasn’t a single vehicle in sight. A gasp left me when I turned another circle again. At this time of night, the asphalt and concrete should have been vibrating with life.
When I glanced back at the road, my ride was here.
For a brief moment, I’d had the strangest feeling that whoever was watching knew exactly who I was.
* * *
The building I was deposited in front of was non-descript other than a pair of ornate wooden doors, but such was the way of many of Manhattan's exclusive clubs. Hidden in plain sight. Bryan’s job as a financial advisor granted us the much-coveted entry for the evening.
He was always schmoozing somebody, and whoever his new target was, the man was thrilled he’d charmed them and gotten us an invite.
I’d had to listen to him brag to his college buddies for over a week about how he’d been invited to this special club. If no one vouched for you, if you didn’t bring home well over multiple seven figures—you wouldn’t get inside. His income was decidedly below the threshold.
“Miss Chamberlain, welcome,” a gloved and uniformed man swung open the door, greeting me. Stumbling, I nodded to him and ducked inside. How did he know who I was? I would’ve given it more thought, but I was immediately wrapped in a dark and rich environment that took my breath away.
Everything was shiny black, spotlessly clean, and dripping with crystals.
The atmosphere was otherworldly; it felt like I’d been transported to another dimension, one full of mystery and intrigue, shadowy figures.
Goosebumps trickled down my arms as excitement filled me.
Bryan, who? If I never saw him again, that was okay, I would have gotten to be a part of this.
It felt as if anything could happen and like anything would.
Glamorous couples sat in curved, plush leather booths; the tables filled with glittering candles.
Waiters and waitresses soundlessly and gracefully moved between the tables, bearing shiny golden trays full of crystal glasses and domed dishes.
Clusters of exquisitely dressed people mingled together near the bar and in an alcove.
The entire scene was the epitome of class and extreme beauty.
After taking it all in, I scanned the room searching for Bryan. He was nowhere in sight, which didn’t surprise me. My mood shifted slightly. I’d foolishly hoped he’d be waiting for me as soon as I arrived.
There were no new notifications on my phone, so I tapped a quick message, asking where he was. The device sat in my hand while I crossed the room to stand by the bar and order a glass of wine.
After letting the bartender know what I wanted, I checked one more time and then decided to explore, my stomach sinking.
They wouldn’t have let me in if he wasn’t here since I’d been listed as his plus-one.
He was probably wrapped up in deep conversation with his buddies, making deals. That was all it was.
Wandering the room, I eyed each table and every cluster of people until I found myself at the entrance to a short hallway.
The difference between the area that faced me and the one behind me was minimal, but just as impressive.
Everything was still black and dim, save for the lights beaming back and forth across the floor.
This had to be where my boyfriend was, somewhere back here. But it’d be a miracle if I could find him.
Heads appeared and disappeared as the lights highlighted mingling bodies for a fraction of a second in turn. Soon, my eyes adjusted enough to discern a long, gleaming bar and several small tables, a dance floor.
A moment of insecurity prickled through me when the reality of my solitude sank in. Everyone had someone with them, be it friend or partner.