Devoid [Bruno Mars]

Chapter five

Chapter five

I was looking at myself in the mirror. The scary thing was I didn't know the person staring back at me, who was standing in a red dress with dark make-up lining her eyes and hair that was a bit on the messy side. I decided, as I flicked off the light, that I didn't have to know who I was at this moment, but that I felt nice, dressed like this.

Outside on the pavements, we three became completely in sync with each other, our steps a symphonic rhythm. “I feel. . . ” Brook stopped herself.

“Powerfully infinite,” I finished for her.

“Yeah.” She smiled. “Exactly.”

“You know what I feel? The need to get laid.” I whipped my head to Michelle, who just got off the phone with her father. Brook laughed. “Really?” I asked, my breath a little uneven from trying to keep up with their long strides. They were both fairly tall. “That's your goal for tonight?”

“College boys can't handle what I give them,” Michelle responded. Brook high-fived her. Brook must have seen my face, because she said, “They would know they couldn't handle you either Adrian, if you gave them a chance. Especially if they saw you in that dress.”

Michelle brushed the hair from her eyes, peering at me. “I'd have to agree.”

We were headed southbound, just the next street from where the hotel was located. Michelle was right, walking was much better than driving. You get to be more in tune with your surroundings. Like you see everything, and everything sees you.

*

The charity event was held in a small space with round tables and tiny stage that had charts and graphs calculating money donations. My eyes were on a tall, mid-twenties, good-looking man. He was constantly departing the event to attend the nightclub Martis located directly across the street. Back and forth he went. The event was boring as hell, filled with elderly philanthropists. That man was somehow affiliated with Martis and I was determined to find out. When I was about to stand to ask him, Brook reached out and touched my hand. “He's coming.”

“Really?” I didn't look back to see if what she said was true, just sat back down, but by the movement of her and Michelle's eyes behind me, I could tell they were watching him approach our table. A few seconds later, a deep voice was behind me. “Evening,” he greeted. “Please, do inform me why beautiful young women like you, are doing here and not across the street?”

Brook pouted her red lips, her voice turning sultry. “It looks utmost fun to be across the street, but my friends and I are here to help support the charity.”

I couldn't see the man's face. He was behind me. But I could tell he was enjoying this. “Why don't you ladies take a break? I own this space, and the club—pretty much managing both at the moment. Making sure all is going well.”

“That would be badass,” Michelle said, her eyes alight.

“Would it now?” The man laughed. “Just promise me. . .” His rough hands touched my bare shoulders, my neck. “to save me a dance.”

I jerked back, whirling around to face him. “Don't touch me.” His eyebrows rose in surprise. He looked at all three of us, then turned his back on us. All hope of getting in that club, lost. Until he shot a glance over his shoulder. “Follow me, girls.”

We all cracked smiles and covered our faces with charity brochures, hiding from Mr. and Ms. Hosein. Soon, we were so close to the club the music reverberated through my chest. The guy whispered a few words to a heavily built bodyguard. The bodyguard stepped aside and let us in.