The Dusk Room

The Dusk Room chapter 31

Standing outside the address that Lyla had stuffed inside my back jeans pocket, written down on the scrappiest bit of paper that she could actually find; I'm finally here. Although a little exhausted, I'm too excited to give in to it.

"You okay?" My fresh-faced donor asks, glancing at the incredibly busy New York City street that we're currently standing beside.

Looking at her with eyes so lit up with excitement, I answer as I'm eagerly walking towards the club. "I'm better than okay. Follow me." With determination, I'm already holding the heavy door open for her. New York can wait, I can't.

We both enter a room full of organised chaos. Workmen are coming and going. Deliveries being dropped off. Cleaners doing their best to do what they can and staff trying to familiarise themselves with each other and the club itself. I scan the room for Fane whilst admiring what's been done with the place so far. He's obviously going for the same vibe that The Dusk Room has. Sleek and contemporary seating. Low ceilings and the impressively long bar that's the glowing focal point of the club, and I've even spotted where I think the VIP area will be. Liking what I see, I'm smiling.

"Hey, interviews are being held right through there." A flustered looking brunette comes right up to us with an overly toothy grin and an overly fabulous American accent. She's pointing at where I'd just been looking, the highly probable VIP room.

"I...I'm actually—" I try to explain, but her mobile phone that's now loudly ringing soon grabs her exasperated attention.

"Hello?" She frowns, waiting for whoever it is to answer her. "Oh, hey John! Thanks for getting back to me so promptly. We have a plumbing problem. If you don't get here to fix it, the shit will literally be hitting the fan." She laughs loudly at her own joke, noticing that I'm still beside her. With her brows raised, looking over to the small corridor that will take you into another room, she points again. "Like I said, honey...interviews are being held over there." Then with a brief and slightly irritated smile, she resumes her call by turning her back on me.

Lisa, my donor, is rolling her blue eyes with a knowing smirk. I acknowledge her smirk with one of my very own and decide to try and find Fane myself. That's if he's even here. I hadn't even considered that he might be off doing something else. Undeterred, I'm happy to look around the place and wait for him if he isn't here. I get the odd glance here and there, but everyone seems far too preoccupied with what they are doing to ask me whether I need any help. With steady strides, I walk through the small corridor and enter the other room with Lisa following behind. I've literally only stepped inside for a second, but I already know that Fane is somewhere within it. A magnetism exists between us, invisibly drawing us in closer together. With impatience pumping through my veins, I search the room for him. It's much the same chaotic scene in here; furniture being moved, signs being put up, lightbulbs being put in, glasses being put behind the bar and staff busily laughing and joking with each other. My eyes are pulled to the far end of the room, where a group of people seem to be waiting for someone. With Lisa still beside me, we walk together where the interviewees all seem to be. As I get closer, I notice the office door and begin to feel my excitement rushing through me. It's now only that inconvenient door that separates me from the man I love so very deeply.

"What you waiting for?" Lisa asks, frowning with inquisitiveness.

"He's interviewing people. I can't just gatecrash, now can I?" I've come all this bloody way for my stupid nerves to take over now. Pull your stupid shit together, Darla Johnson! My far more confident and sensible inner self give my thoughts a stern and stroppy telling off.

"Just knock on the door." Lisa gestures with her blue eyes towards the imposing steel door, smiling.

Returning her smile; albeit a nervous one, I prepare to knock on the door. With all the interviewees eyes now firmly on me, I'm just about to, when the door suddenly opens. Quickly stepping out of the way, I watch Fane emerging from the room with a young guy just in front of him. "Thanks for coming, Jeff...I'll let you know by the end of the—" Fane's voice trails right off, he's only just noticed me. With a beaming smile and perky raised brows, I do a girly little wave at him. "Darla? What are you doing here?" He blinks with pleased uncertainty, his confused but natural smile growing more by the second.