Silk And Leather

Silk

Is love, obsession and lust. the same thing and of not can I feel them all at once? And if so what of fetish. Where is the line?
I'm not sure but I feel all these things at once.
Chapter 1
Rio!" The sharp call slices through the haze, jerking me back to reality. Suddenly, the Laundromat bursts into focus—the rhythmic thud of dryers, the rush of water as it fills the washing machines, the pervasive scent of disinfectant mingled with the overpowering aroma of laundry soap. It all snaps into place, grounding me in the here and now. Yeah, man." I force my attention onto Mike's eyes, the Laundromat's owner who entrusted me with attending the mat while he's away. "Can you refill the vending machines and empty the lint traps tonight?"
"Can do," I reply, my mind already drifting.
He starts to leave, then hesitates, pivoting back. "Are you okay?"
I run my hand over my face, pondering his question. Am I okay? I'm fine. Just didn't get enough sleep.
"Alright, let me know if you need anything," he offers.
"Sure thing," I say, though I know deep down I won't.
Because people don't actually care; they ask out of habit, but they don't truly want to know because they have their own lives to live. And I'm fine with that because I'm not one to listen to someone bitch to me about their problems. Unless it's someone I'm involved with intimately, then I'll pretend. Hey, I never said I was a good guy.

I sweep, restock the vending machines, and I can't, for the life of me, remember what else Mike wanted me to do. I rack my brain, trying to remember Mike's instructions. Was it the windows? No, I did that yesterday. The bathrooms? Nope, already took care of those earlier. As I stand there, lost in thought, I hear a ping from my phone.

I fish it out of my back pocket and check my notifications. Sliding my screen up, I'm straight into the text without a lock on my screen.

It's from Mark: "Riooo bro, there are some fine chicks at this restaurant. Swing by, I'm with Sav & Treston."

The temptation hangs in the air, pulling me away from the dull routine of this place. I stand there, staring at my phone. Should I go? I haven't seen much of my friends lately, and I sure haven't been getting laid much either. But that's because of... no, don't go there.

Maybe I should go. I should get out and get laid. So, before I can talk myself out of it, I text Mark back with a "This restaurant? Where, bro?"

A few seconds later, he responds with a laughing emoji. "Sake."

"The chicks must not be that hot if you're texting me," I reply.

Mark sends back a flip-off emoji. I can't help but smile slightly to myself. Well, if the girls aren't my type...Let's face it, if you haven't found her yet at 27, then she probably isn't out there. At least I can enjoy my favorite food—sushi. I grab my keys and head to the door, flipping the light switch off but leaving every other light on for security. I lock up the Laundromat and jog across the parking lot to my Bronco.

Swinging the door open, I slide inside and plug my phone into the aux. Sonny Wern's "Dance for Me" blares out of my speakers as I start the Bronco and drive out of the parking lot. It's time to see what this night has in store.
Finding parking by and around Sake sucks. The downside to having an amazing restaurant is dealing with awful parking. I was circling the block for the second time when my phone goes off, and a black lifted truck starts to pull out of a space right in front.

I wait for the guy and what I assume is his date to pull out. As we drive past, he gives me the two-finger salute, and I return it. I pull into the space and check my phone. Sav: "Rio, where are you?"

I step out of the cab, and as I'm walking, I text back, "Here." A couple walks out, slightly tipsy, giggling at each other. I catch the door before it has time to shut and stride inside. Immediately, warm air envelops me, along with the tantalizing aroma of cooking hibachi that hits my face, making my stomach growl. I didn't realize how hungry I was.