Release Me

Part 26

The morning of the art show rippled with a hum of anticipation that permeated the air, subtly tinged with a whisper of unease. The rich, intoxicating aroma of coffee, a relic from the overnight invasion of my sanctum, flirted with my senses, coaxed a silent groan from my lips.

If fortune continued its course, the infiltrator might still linger behind the door. Not wanting to face anyone, I proceeded to get ready. Once my routine was complete, I selected a dark red pantsuit, pairing it with a light silk chemise that nestled smoothly under my jacket.

To complete the ensemble, I chose black Louboutin pumps, their unexpected splash of red on the soles cleverly echoing the main color of my outfit.

I glanced in the mirror one last time, satisfied with my appearance, and stepped out into the large open room of the studio above the offices next to the club. Without looking around, I headed straight to the coffee machine.

"Damn," Samantha said from across the room, and for the first time since my eyes opened, I relaxed a little. With all the unexpected visitors of the last couple days, there was no telling who I'd find in my space.

"Thanks. I wasn't expecting you here until later today," I said, letting the heavenly aroma of coffee weave its caffeinated spell as I filled a large mug. "I thought Parker set the exhibits call for three this afternoon."

"Yeah, I know, but I couldn't sleep. I mean, isn't this exciting? Being part of an art exhibit? Not sure what I think about the concept of some stranger touching me without being able to see them, but Parker assured me everything was safe and no harm would come to me, though I probably will." The smirk on her face as she glanced over her coffee mug made me shake my head and roll my eyes. "I've done some insane things in my life. Jumped out of an airplane, swam with sharks on that one spring break trip and fucked under the bleachers in high school during a football game, but those things are so tame compared to what we're going to do tonight. Is this what it was always like for you when you were with Dominick?"

His name made me freeze in place. I could almost feel his fist in my hair. My heart raced and my breath came in shallow pants. Leaning against the counter to steady myself, I took a sip of coffee and blinked the image from my thoughts.

"Dominick's world is a paradox of duality, a captivating ballet of power and vulnerability. The ebb and flow of control shift and twist in countless, unexpected ways. The knowledge of secrets because you were in the room where something happened or overheard a discussion because they forget you exist. Where you are stripped bare and left vulnerable, opened to anyone who might happen by, yet protected because someone is always watching over you. There is a comfort in being both exposed emotionally while you are stripped physically to suffer before them mentally." I stared into the inky steaming liquid as I spoke about things I'd only ever expressed in a journal. With each utterance, the stab of my loss pushed deeper into my soul and I swallowed hard, pushing the emotions back into the inner steel box in which I'd housed them since the day I walked out of Dominick's home.

"It sounds beautiful."

"Well, it's not all bubble gum and rainbow unicorn farts, but it is perfect for some people." I forced a smile and walked over to the conversation area where Samantha was curled up on the couch in an oversized knitted blanket. "How did you get in here, anyway?"

Samantha giggled, her laughter echoing in the quiet room. She yanked the blanket closer, a reminiscent sight of a child caught amidst mischief.

"Tanner let me up. He was the one who answered the call box at the gate."

"Dare I ask what time you got here?" I quirked an eyebrow, and she shrugged.

"Um... six-thirty-ish? I was restless, and you said I could crash on your couch."

"True. How about we go out and get breakfast before this strange day gets started?" I said, glancing at my watch and noting it was almost a quarter to eight. "I hear the chef brought in some fresh fruit and pastries for some of the desserts tonight. They won't miss a couple."

"Atlas, you're a thief," Samantha accused playfully, her feigned shock morphing into laughter as she discarded the blanket.

"I run the club. It's not possible to steal from myself."

"No, Alexandra runs the club though she doesn't own it, so both of you are thieves. It's like you're in cahoots." Her conspiratorial tone caught me off-guard and I couldn't help but fall into her scenario as she talked about me in the third person.

"Oh, Samantha, I do declare it's not stealing if you ask nicely and they hand it over without a fuss," I said in a deep southern drawl. Samantha stared at me and paused mid-movement.

"Shit." The words were almost a whisper, and she sat back down on the couch.

"What?" I asked in confusion, without changing my accent.

"That is Alexandra." She stared at me, her jaw falling open. "You look like Atlas, but everything about you shifted. The way you hold yourself, the tilt of your head. It's like you, but not you. With bolder make up and a wig, I'm not even sure I'd guess it was you. Especially if Alexandra dresses up in all those clothes Mr. Enigmatic provides."

"You're insane, funny, but..."

"Maybe it's because I've never seen you with a client or something. It's all so natural."

I nodded and tried to understand what was so different when all I'd done was change the way I'd answered her, but something in it shook her to the core.

"It's okay darlin'. We'll figure this mess out. Now, about that breakfast we were discussing."

"Pastries. You mentioned pastries."

"Yes, I did. They should have arrived from a local bakery about fifteen minutes ago."

Samantha jumped up from the couch like it was on fire.

"Then what are we doing still sitting here? I'm starving."

As Samantha's words echoed behind me, I navigated the sparse, skeletal interior of the office space, descending out into the covered passage that bridged the two buildings. While I was thrilled at Samantha's excitement, a shadow of nervous anticipation loomed within me. I was acutely aware of my worlds on the precipice of a collision - the outcome of this evening could set my course for years to come.