Chapter One; The Dark Star
Stopping just inside the main door way I smile as I survey my kingdom, my domain.
"You own this?" says the petite blonde in the silver dress and high heels to my left. Her eyes are wide, her mouth falls silently open as she takes in all that she's sees.
I'd met her only that morning in the coffee shop 2 streets over. Ordering my usual Black Americano, I'd watched her sat at the corner booth typing away studiously on a Laptop. Completely oblivious of her surroundings. Just as she was oblivious to her natural beauty. Her name was Chloe, a psychiatry student at the local university. She'd been fretting over finishing an assignment due to be submitted that day.
I'd almost felt bad for interrupting as I walked over and picked up the silver pen I spotted, but she hadn't, that had rolled off the table at which she sat. 20 minutes later having engaged in pleasant conversation I'd walked out sipping on my now tepid coffee with a boyish grin on my face and the promise of a meet up later in the evening. We could of gone for a meal, could've headed to a quite bar, but this place was in my veins literally already it felt at times.
I look to my left at her, "Ever been anywhere like it before?"
The Dark Star is alive; it's barely Ten Thirty and already the dance floor spills out on to the narrow space between it and the bar. The whole place seems to be alive with a mass of entwined gyrating bodies. Guys dance pressed up against girls, girls with girls and guys with guys. A sweaty pulsating mass of desire and liberation from the shackles of conformity. The liberal approach coupled with the clubs open policies has spread reputation by word of mouth within weeks and encouraged more through the doors than any cheap drinks promotion ever could hope to achieve.
It had taken time, too much money and back breaking effort to get this place to what it was today. To get my life to the place that it was in today alongside of the Club. My marriage had been sacrificed, although in the spirit of fairness getting caught sleeping with a Trainee Teacher from my Sons School apparently isn't good form. Several relationships had failed, been let to slip as my commitment to physically renovating the building then building the brand and reputation had been unwavering. Sure, there were still money worries in the background but nights like tonight, a busy debauched typical Friday night made everything worthwhile. Saturday would be no different there was sure to be a fiscal break even point which afforded me time to appreciate and enjoy what I had around me.
I watch as the hostesses I employ mingle amongst the throng offering discerningly services to males and females alike. All for a price.
Under the nose of Errol my head of security I watch as Leigh one of my hostesses passes a small clear bag of cocaine a little too obviously to a customer in exchange for cash. Mentally noting not so much what she's done but how she's done it I promise myself to address her lack of discretion. Of course, I'm aware of the drug dealing throughout the club; I control it as a healthy immoral boost to revenue alongside the traditional door charges and bar tariffs. And while there's a risk associated with controlling the flow; flooding my own market keeps the unsavoury elements out of the club. Recently the costs from the Albanian supplier I'd a less than kosher agreement with were spiraling. I sensed he didn't like my policy and deliberately made transactions expensive if not difficult. I was determined to stick to my corrupt principals on the matter though, I felt empowered. I felt alive.
My focus back on Chloe as I snap my attention to the beautiful 21 year old stood there still wide eyed to my left as she takes in the sights, the sounds, even the smell of the place.
"What's your poison?" I say into her ear over the cacophony of heavy dance music that spews from the DJ booth.
She looked up at me still a little startled, "Oh um...Vodka...Vodka and Tonic please."
Squeezing to the front of the bar one of my new barmaids Emily spots me and serves us immediately.
"She's a pretty girl," she pouts with a hurt look that I struggle to interpret as genuine or not while she passes me a brandy over a single ice cube, my drink of choice, and a very generous vodka and tonic.
I lean over the bar and speak innocuously into Emily's ear "Probably won't be as good a fuck as you...but she hasn't got a boyfriend keeping her from me"
Emily tilts her head with a devilish grin "I should've mentioned...We split up."
I nod knowingly with a raised eyebrow but say nothing else my mind thinking back to the energetic night spent after closing two weeks ago in Emily's company as I turn away from the bar without another word. Handing Chloe her drink she takes an immediate sip through a clear straw and shivers a little at the strength of the drink, "Wow that's strong."
"We don't do half measures here," I quip.
"Anybody would think you were trying to get me drunk," the petite blonde teases.
Adopting a fake look of hurt I put my hand to my chest, "Whatever are you accusing me of Chloe?"
Chloe giggles softly a soft infectious little laugh with a devilish lick to it. She reaches out and gently touches the back of my arm. As she does a tall Italian looking gentleman squeezes past her; pressing a little unnecessarily close to her and she steps out his way, yet his hands linger on her hips a fraction too long. I pull her closer to me and slip my arm around her waist to which she doesn't protest. I note his face, something about him, his arrogance doesn't sit well with me. Although I could think that of nearly every one of the male clientele, were I to eject everyone on the basis of I didn't like their attitude I'd probably see a considerable drop in takings.
"I reserved us a private room" I say looking down into Chloe's mesmerising blue green eyes "Thought it would give us a chance to get to know one another better"
"Sounds good" Chloe says with a gentle nod of her head and a sweet smile that precedes another long sip of her drink.
Just to our left I spot an oriental girl in a short black dress straddling a heavy set guy in a booth. As she bucks and writhes on top of him it's abundantly clear what's happening. Chloe's gaze around the room is caught by the same sight just as dark-haired girl leans over to kiss a blonde girl sat to the left-hand side of the entwined couple, "Jesus... are they... are they?"
Chloe's stuttering innocence amuses me, "We've a very liberal approach to such things I smirk... anything goes." I continue with a knowing grin. "To be fair such behavior is unusual before the live sex shows starts... afterwards well..."
I leave my sentence unfinished as I shake my head and offer a subtle wink to the little blonde who despite her innocence seems genuinely captivated, enthralled by the short sharp immersion to the what many might consider the seedy debauched world of the club.
"What have you brought me to?" she states but her demeanor doesn't alter, her expression doesn't waiver.
I take her right hand in my left hand and head towards the direction of the private rooms where I plan to get to know the beautiful young, and perhaps not so innocent blonde much better.
I turn back as she seductively bites her lip while being led through the club willingly; I flash a grin as I say loud enough to be heard.