I'm Just Curious Too: Reconciliation

Chapter 6

A week later and the work schedules had lulled in to the slow paced operation of business. Dean had seen less of his co- worker and decided to reclaim their time by going to the old dilapidated mansion of Witbrough. On arrival, the air was heavy with sweet smelling smoke and throbbing music. The light was one orange haze for the evening and the crowd was packed wall to wall. Dean opted to go to VIP, a separation Shaun welcomed from the bodies that melded together on the dance floor.

Witbrough was a club and one that no one questioned. It was clearly violating many health codes as well as running a place for sexual hook ups. However, the booze was affordable and the staff were the type that made you feel at home so everyone had a mutual understanding that keeping this old place afloat was worth more than the scrutiny of society.

The change from one room to the other was abrupt. VIP had less people than the other room, the cost to get in here obviously discouraging many. Dean, however, turned out to be a regular so was let in without any visible payment happening while I was dragged by him. I made it a point to stick closer to Dean throughout this outing. The music in here was mellower, having smooth old school RnB playing loud as we made our way through the people to the bar. Dean barked an order for the both of us and I took a seat on the stool by the corner of the bar. Truth be told I wanted to sleep as soon as work ended, but Dean had persuaded me to be here with him. I still had Saturday to sleep in to so I gathered the strength I could find in me. I say that but it was the fact that he offered to pay for everything that won me over.

A quick scan of the room and it was clear to see that the cliques were well in to their evenings with glasses strewn over the tables, women hanging on to the fat cats and staff carting to and fro for orders and assistance. Dean and I stuck out like sore thumbs with our work suits on, the jackets left in the car but the wear still formal with tie in place. My vision was filled with a glass before I turned to face Dean and nod in appreciation. He leaned in to me and spoke in my ear, my focus strained by the music.

"Seems like it's peak hours. The place is packed," he commented, taking a sip as his full stop.

I took a sip too and nodded, leaning in to him for my response.

"Guess you've got plenty of chances to wind down."

I gestured to the room with my open palm, showcasing the variety of people I knew this Casanova was going to charm by the end of the night but I froze when a familiar face came in to my vision. My head snapped right and locked eyes with a blonde woman who clearly squeezed in to her emerald jumpsuit that night. She was scowling at me and it took a moment to register her face before the man next to her turned around to face me. Mandy and Fabien. They were with a group of people that I did not recognize, but the two of them were now stuck on me as I was on them. A hand lifted to wave in my peripheral vision and I turned to see Dean about to take a step towards Fabien. I grabbed his arm and pulled his attention to me.

I looked back and saw Mandy holding Fabien too, both looking like they were bickering while a third blue haired man was shaking his head at Mandy.

"Hey, isn't that the guy we're working with? Fabien? Why don't we say hello?" Dean spoke in my ear as he patted my arm.

"I'd rather not. We see each other at work. Isn't it too much eating in to his time here?" I rationalized. Truth was I had not mentally prepared to see Fabien and Mandy being there was definitely asking for drama.

"Oh come on I'm sure he'll welcome us-"

"Hello, hello," interrupted our talk and had Dean and I separate.