Chapter 4: La Fiet

Asher's POV

Staring up at the large casino like building before him Asher steadied his heartbeat as he exited a taxi. 

Lights lit its 20 story walls, flashing from different shades of red, blue, and green.  The words 'La Fiet' glowed golden above the double door entrance where a man clad in all black stood checking ID'S of patrons.  The place seemed as grandiose as he had heard and immediately all he could think was, what am I even doing here?

The only thing he had ever truly heard about this specific club was that it was one where drug lords, gangsters, and some of the most powerful people in the city enjoyed congregating.  It wasn't a place someone like himself should even be stepping foot in.

"Ready to go in?" David asked stepping from behind Asher and giving a long whistle. 

Nodding Asher and David made their way to the waiting bouncer and presented their ID'S.  Satisfied that they were the real deal the bouncer stepped aside and motioned for the two men to enter.

Upon entering Asher's senses were assaulted by too loud club music, flashing disco lights, and the smell of stale beer and sweat. 

Again he found himself wondering why Michael had asked to meet at a place like this.

"He said to take the elevator to the 15th floor!" David shouted over the blaring club track that had just switched over.

Walking through the crowds of drunk and high dancers grinding against each other,  having to avoid the occasional person who reached out to try to dance with them, they made their way to the far end of the first floor where the elevator waited for them. 

Entering David hit the button for the 15th floor and stepped back as the elevator jerked to life.  The music outside its two sliding doors grew quieter as they rose higher and higher, until it disappeared entirely leaving the lift with an eerie silence.

A ding indicated they had arrived at their destination followed by the elevators doors sliding open. Exiting Asher and David made their way to room 1510 where Michael said he would be waiting for them. 

Asher admired how this floor seemed like a completely different world from the club down below. 

The Golden walls around them sported fancy faux oil lamps that gave the hall a calming glow.  The carpets below their feet were blood red with golden accents and the doors to either of their sides were simple wood with golden overlay and gold metal plates displaying room numbers.  

Anyone with eyes could easily understand the higher the floors the more important the people were.

Room 1510 appeared just to Ashers right.  Taking a deep breath he motioned for David to knock, feeling it would be rude to just enter.  Nodding David balled his fist and connected it with the door.

"Enter." Came Michael's deep voice after one knock. 

Obliging David entered first followed closely by Asher, who couldn't quite help but widen his eyes a bit at the scene before him. 

Their private room sported a small dance floor with a poll positioned directly in the middle.  A woman in nothing but bra and underwear twirled around it maneuvering herself to the ground, then she began to crawl towards the dance floors edge all the while moving her gaze to each and every man in the room.  On the other side of the room was a personal bar with a bartender busy making drinks behind it.  In the center of the room were plush red chairs where three men including Michael sat chatting.  

It took Asher a minute to process everything before his eyes finally landed on the person he had wanted to see the most.  She sat on Michael's lap once again as he held her waist with a protective arm. 

She seemed to stiffen as Michael held his drink up for her to take a sip.  Scrunching her nose she obliged taking a dainty sip.  Whatever was in the cup caused her eyes to water and her cheeks to flush.  Keeping a smile on her face she tried her best to hide her dislike of whatever she was being made to drink. 

Feeling his anger building Asher looked to Michael's face trying to determine if he even cared about how uncomfortable Summer was.  Everything about her disposition screamed she didn't want to be there. 

"Welcome." Michael boomed, "Come and sit, have some drinks."

"Don't mind if we do." David said happily heading to the bar first.

"Mr. Roth come have a drink and relax.  Your expression screams I am uncomfortable."  Michael chuckled motioning to the bar.

"I'm ok for now."  Asher insisted as he headed for a seat instead.

Michael's eyes zoned in on Asher as he made his way to an empty chair and slowly lowered his body into it.  Only when he was seated did Michael smile and snap his fingers.   At the sound the woman who had been dancing for them made her way over happily.

"Sheila," Michael began.  "I want you to go grab a friend and bring her here to help you entertain my guests."

"Yes sir." Sheila purred before turning around and exiting the room. 

Frowning Asher looked to Michael. "You really don't need to do that."

"I insist." Michael countered.

His tone held an air of finality as he spoke the words meaning 'don't argue with me'.  Taking the hint Asher sat back and looked to where David was talking animatedly with the bar tender. 

"Sweetheart." Michael said now pinching Summer's hip. "Why don't you greet our guest and see what he will have to drink."

An emotion Asher couldn't quite place his finger on appeared in Michael's eyes as he spoke the words.

Plastering a smile on her face Summer turned her attention to Asher.  "Good to see you again Mr. Roth."

Asher nodded, "Likewise."  

As much as he had wanted to speak openly with her, Asher knew that he had to remain acting like a stranger with Summer at this moment.   

Putting on a hostess' smile Summer lifted herself from Michael's lap. 

"What'll it be Mr. Roth?"

"Water." Asher responded.

Eyes widening for a fraction of a moment Summer looked to be mulling over something in her head before turning and heading to the bar.

As Asher turned his eyes to Michael he saw a look of curiosity on his face as the man watched him.  

"You aren't a fan of drinking are you Mr. Roth?"  He asked accent deepening as his expression changed from curiousity to something darker.

"Something like that." Asher responded slowly.

It wasn't that he didn't like drinking, it was the fact Summer was also in this very room.  Out of respect for her he just couldn't bring himself to touch a drop of the stuff in her presence.  Especially while knowing how much pain and suffering alcohol had caused her.

Michael searched Asher's face, for what though Asher didn't know.   Furrowing his thick brows ever so slightly he slouched back in his seat even more before motioning to the two men at his sides.

"I almost forgot," he exclaimed.  "These are two of my associates."

Asher studied the men on either side of Michael.  The one sitting directly to his right was a very large bald man with crystal clear eyes that held a sense of foreboding.  His arms and what Asher could see of his chest from his half undone shirt sported some intricate tattoo.  Michael introduced him as Gustavo.

Next came the man to the left who was much smaller, but just as stocky as Gustavo.  His raven black hair was shaved at the sides and the long hair left at the top was tied in a ponytail.  His eyes were black as night, devoid of all emotions as he glared at Asher.  His mouth which turned down in a frown had a nasty scar right above his top lip.  Also like Gustavo, this man sported tattoos all along his arms and up around his neck as well.  Michael deemed him to be Stefen.

Neither man spoke as they took Asher in.  Their eyes held no signs of interest or warmth as they examined him.  Under their scrutinizing gazes Asher could feel himself wanting to shrink back. 

Just as he felt himself fighting the urge to flee Summer returned and the men's eyes turned to her sizing her up hungrily as she sat Asher's cup of water in front of him.

"Thanks." 

The words weren't so much for the water Summer had brought him, instead they were for the fact she had come just in time to free him from the uncomfortable stares of Gustavo and Stefen.

Summer who had already turned and was making her way back to Michael didn't bother responding. 

Asher's heart tugged at her blatant cold shoulder towards him. 

As she reached her destination she once again sat in Michael's lap and even smiled sweetly as he wrapped his arm back around her once more.   This time instead of looking stiff she seemed to relax into his embrace placing her head comfortably on his chest right where his heart was located.

The scene sent waves of anger and jealousy rolling through Asher making it more difficult for him to keep his mask of composure and nonchalance in place. 

Just when he felt he would snap David finally arrived having finished his conversation with the bartender.

"Fancy place you got here Mr.Andrews." he said lowering himself into a chair beside Asher.

Eyes widening Asher looked to Michael who was smirking.

He owned this place? 

"You caught me." Michael chuckled.  "I didn't think either of you would realize I invited you to one of my clubs."

"One?" David didn't hide his look of shock.

Michael nodded while he kissed the top of Summer's head, a motion that almost sent Asher into a frenzy. 

"So, you also dabbled in the nightlife industry?" David pushed.

"It is just a side hobby of mine.  Ever since taking over Summer's fathers business I haven't had much time to expand any further."  Michael revealed.

"That's a bummer." Sipping his drink David had a look of sympathy.   "It is always hard to push aside things that we are passionate about."

"Too true Mr. Johnson."

Just as David opened his mouth to say something more the door to their room opened and Sheila sauntered in with another woman following close behind her.  Unlike Sheila, who was in nothing but bra and thong, this woman had on a skin tight minidress that accentuated her much too large to be real curves.  

They stopped long enough to whisper something between themselves before heading to the bar where each grabbed a bottle of La Fiet's best wine.  Wine in hand they headed to where everyone sat.  

"This is my coworker Darlene."  Sheila introduced.  "She is one of the best La Fiet has to offer."

Smiling Darlene turned her hungry eyes to Asher before she headed over and plopped herself onto his lap. 

Since Asher had already been claimed Sheila made her way to David.

Their actions vaguely reminded Asher of something a woman in a brothel would do.  This thought had him on edge as Darlene began rubbing a hand up and down his chest stopping every now and then to play with one of the buttons of his shirt. 

"Um, Darlene, was it?" Asher spoke as he grabbed the woman's wrist.  "I'm sure you mean well but..."

"Don't hurt her feelings now."  Michael who had been watching the scene intervened.  "You're here to relax and enjoy yourself after all Mr. Roth."

Acting along Darlene put a pout on her face.  "You don't like me Mr. Roth?"

Torn Asher slowly shook his head.  "It isn't that."

"Then this much is ok, right?" Darlene pushed.

Defeated Asher leaned back more and let out a long breath. 

"It's fine."  He responded.

"That's the spirit." Michael clapped while letting out a chuckle.  "Barkeep, a round of drinks here please."  The bartender nodded and began busying himself with mixing alcohols. "Now let us get down to business gentlemen."

"Lets." Asher agreed while stopping Darlenes hand that was now trying to undo the top button of his shirt.

"I invited both of you here tonight so you could meet Stefen and Gustavo before we signed our contract Monday.  These two are my most trusted confidantes.   They will be the ones overseeing most of the cooporation since I will be too busy with other work matters." 

Michael stopped speaking as the bartender handed him a drink.  He chugged it in one fell swoop before continuing.   "While my men are under your wing they will be on their utmost behavior and will go along with anything you say."

As if to show their sincerity the men nodded simultaneously.  How the motion was almost synchronized and mechanical put a bad taste in Asher's mouth. 

"Gustavo is the tech genius."  Michael beamed proudly.  "Stefen will work as the go between for you and I."

"Summer here."  Michael said now patting Summer's head.  "She will be the one you can bring any concerns to that Gustavo or Stefen can't help with."

Hope immediately blossomed in Asher's chest at the prospect.  He could find a reason to meet her now under the guise of needing assistance.   When that happened he would finally get the answers he longed to have.

"Keep in mind."  Michael said breaking Asher from his quickly drifting thoughts.  "Although she will be available for assistance she won't be openly available.  We are in the process of preparing for our wedding so she will be busy with that as well."

Planning their wedding. 

The words sliced into Asher's heart like angry daggers, each one more painful than the next.

"When's the big day?" David asked once again oblivious to his friends suffering. 

"Next month." Summer answered.  "I have three weeks left to finish preparations."

"If it was left up to me it would happen tomorrow."  Michael added.  "However, Summer's father won't be released from the hospital for another week.  So, we had to plan around that.  Of course my baby needs to be walked down the aisle by her father."

"Of course."  David agreed chuckling.

A loud knock sounded, drawing everyone's attention from talk of Michael and Summer's wedding. 

Seeming slightly annoyed Michael tapped Summer's shoulder indicating for her to go and see who was at the door. 

Disengaging herself from Michael Summer strolled over to the exit and disappeared outside.  When she returned her face looked pale and she made an immediate beeline for Michael.  After whispering something in his ear the man shot up.

"Sorry again for having to leave early gentleman, but it seems I need to handle some important business."

All pretense of calm was gone from Michael's face and in it's place was a sinister look that he was trying hard to conceal.

Gustavo and Stefen made to get up and follow Michael who was already halfway out the door Summer in tow, only to be stopped by an upheld hand by Michael.  Understanding crossed their faces as they sat back down turning their attention back to Asher and David.

Confusion and curiosity welling over what had caused Summer and Michael both to react like that Asher watched as the couple quickly disappeared from view as the door shut with an audible click.  The finality of it putting Asher even more on edge as he was left to wonder what exactly was going on.