Chapter 10: Fantasy

Willow

     “It’s just hanging out with Felix! If you are going to be like that, just come with me!” I shout before pulling my boots on and tying them up. 

      Kyle’s back is to me, and he is playing his game. Whenever he isn’t delivering Pizzas, this is what he does; play video games, read books or comic books, watch action movies and make a mess that he expects me to clean.

     “I’m not going out and neither should you,” he huffs.

    I’m feeling bold so I reply, “Suit yourself, but I am going to visit my friend.”

    I walk out the door and heave a deep sigh. I didn’t want him to come and I know Felix isn’t the only one who I am meeting up with. Aiden is coming to the reading. 

   The reading is good. I wish there was more original work, seeing as the first poet just recited Poe’s work. I am feeling comfortable with Felix and Aiden and happily watch Aiden’s beer while he goes to the restroom. He must speed pee and have the ability to obfuscate, because I nearly jump out of my skin when he returns so quickly, so quietly and so close with those yellow cat eye contacts and his fangs that complete the spooky look. A shiver runs down my spine. How am I both scared and turned on by him at the same time?

    We laugh and enjoy the second poet whose original work follows the same macabre theme as Poe’s, yet feels fresh.

    After the reading, Adrian asks me out again. He tries telling me I don’t have to break up with Kyle until I see how much better it could be with him. I am beyond tempted, but I just can’t risk being alone.

    Kyle is in bed when I get home and oddly quiet. He doesn’t ask me for sex like he usually does, which is a relief. The dreams I have been having leave me frustrated, but feeling desire and feeling like someone wants me for me, not to stoke their own ego.

    Tonight’s dreams are no exception. A large man with dreadlocks joins the hot Japanese person in one of my visions of them, but I never see his face. Aiden is always prevalent in my dreams. The two of them together with me would be a delightful fantasy.

    I awaken early with an ache between my legs and masterbate in the shower before getting ready and walking to work.

*******

    Rook cracks one of his usual flirty jokes before he leaves. That man is like clockwork. He stops in every day at the same time and comes back in the afternoon as well. 

    I look up from the counter that I am wiping down and see familiar black eyes looking at me.

    “I would like a large French roast coffee, black and a double chocolate muffin, then I am going to ask you about painting a mural for my club. Felix says you are an artist like him and that you are very talented and I am two weeks away from opening and wanting a mural,” Aiden says.

    “I can get you the coffee and muffin, but I need to know more before I can promise anything about a mural,” I reply.

    “I will give you the address, stop by after work. I will introduce you to my bartender. He was supposed to start next week, but I’ve called him in early to keep you company because I will travel for business next week. He can make you one of his famous artisanal cocktails while we discuss the work you will do. I can also call one of my DJ’s in if you desire.”  

    “I’ll come by after work and we can discuss it. Here is your coffee and muffin, Aiden,” I say and he hands me a $10 bill and walks away leaving me $5 and change for a tip.

    “He left a big tip the last time he stopped in,” Lee says.

    “He has been in before?” I ask her.

    “Yeah, he was in a week ago, but you were in the back room and two days ago, but you worked a later shift that day,” Lee says with a shrug.

    “He’s hot and looking at you like he wants you to do more than paint a mural for him,” Casey teases.

    “It’s not like that. He’s a friend,” I say.

    It is like that but I can’t trust my perception to not be clouded by my desires.

    I look at the address and see that it’s on Lansdowne Street. That is easy enough to get to. 

********

     I stand outside of the building and look up. It looks like most of the other buildings on the street, except for the dark aura that matches Aiden’s. Buildings rarely give off auras but I guess it reflects Aiden’s. I don’t fear his dark aura, though some people would say I should. A dark aura isn’t evil, it denotes a foul mood or a powerful being. A black aura is another story and Aiden’s is dark, but like the night sky isn’t truly black, in fact his aura looks like the night sky. It’s beautiful.

    I step into the swirling midnight blue and deep purple swirling aura of the building and see a buzzer next to the door.

   Aiden throws the door open within seconds and ushers me inside. I blink in the darkened club. It’s a contrast to the sunny day outside.

   “I can turn the lights up, but I wanted you to get a feel for the way the club will be lit most of the time,” Aiden says close to my ear.

   His breath fans my cheek and I get a shiver up my spine, again frightening me while turning me on. His voice and proximity hold such dark promises.

   He shows me the wall he wants me to paint the mural on and then walks away to raise the light level some and returns with a smile on his lips. If someone else smiled at me like that, I would be scared. It has a cat who caught the mouse quality, but I find myself mesmerized. 

   He takes my hand and leads me to the bar, where I gasp to see my old friend Raff. Raff looks up from the drink he’s mixing and I launch myself at him. I always had a secret crush on Raff.