Darling Vile

~Chapter 2~

~Nellie~ 

We walked down a short, dark hallway that opened up to another lounge area, bathed in the warm glow of dim lighting. The U-shaped bar, finished in rich red mahogany, stood as the centerpiece of the room, flanked by black leather seating. The pleasant aroma of cigars hung in the air, mingling with the easy music playing. 

We barely made it into the room when we were approached by a woman in a clean, form-fitting suit with blonde hair that was pulled back into a tight bun at the top of her head. "Henry, hello. You're here early tonight. What's the occasion?" Her gaze slipped over me briefly, and I tried not to react. I think it's just an excuse for men to flaunt their wives and mistresses...not the case here. 

Henry didn't seem to put much thought into her words or silent accusation, he just leaned down and brushed a kiss over her cheeks. "Suze...you look amazing, as always. Carmen is expecting me. I spoke with her a little while ago." 

Suze frowned a little and you had to really be looking to see it. Then it all just fell away. "Of course, I think she mentioned it. Right this way."

The carpeted floor muffled our footsteps as we made our way through the posh space, passing private booths. Only a few were occupied by patrons and their hushed conversations. They barely looked in our direction. Ashtrays adorned the tables, inviting members to indulge if smoking was their vice. 

We approached a small stage at the far end of the lounge, backdropped by a display of finely crafted cigars showcased behind glass. There was no one on the stage at the moment. Only a mic and instruments occupied it. 

There was another door off to the side of the stage-just like the padded one we had entered through earlier. The hallway was almost identical, except it was longer and wider and there were doors. When Suze stopped at one, so did we. She knocked but didn't wait to open it. The office was as just as intimate and charming as the rest of the place. 

A desk filled the space. Along with filing cabinets, boxes, and a round table with chairs I could only imagine was used for meetings. Behind the desk, a tall, striking woman with shoulder-length black hair was on the phone and whoever she was speaking with was getting an earful. My only language was English so I didn't have any idea what she was saying. 

"Fucking morons!" Well...that I did understand. 

"Mr. Bryant is here to see you." The blonde said after the phone was slammed down into its cradle. "I trust you can find your way back. I'll have the bartender get your bottle ready," she then told Henry. My uncle thanked her and she was slipping back out of the room. 

"Working as always, I see." He pointed out. 

Carmen-I assumed-came around the desk, shaking her head. "My God...how often can one mess up a simple wine order?" Her accent was thick and intoxicating. Beautiful. "This place will be the death of me," she predicted as she reached us and Henry brushed a kiss over her cheek like he had done with Suze. 

"This place would die without you," he countered. 

"You are always so flattering, Henry." Carmen turned to me then and I was surprised that her expression didn't change as Suze's had. If anything at all, her smile widened. "Who do we have here?" 

"This is Eleanor. My niece." 

"Nellie is fine," I insisted as I offered my hand. She didn't take it, she leaned in and kissed both sides of my cheeks. 

"Nellie...I like that. You are absolutely beautiful, Darling. You were right, Henry." The compliment had my cheeks warming. Had I ever been called beautiful by anyone other than family or Charlie? I didn't think of myself as beautiful...didn't even know if I ever had-no matter the couple of times in my life someone had said it.