A Stranger in the Night
Chapter 10

"What are two gorgeous things such as yourselves doing in a place like this?". Jess and I looked at each other before losing it and breaking out in hysterical laughter. "That's gotta be the most pathetic line I've heard in a while!". Jess laughs again, slapping me on the shoulder. "Oh, I beg your pardon. I was just complimenting two beautiful women. Is that such a bad thing... Jess.". I turned to Jess and see the smirk begin to creep across her face. "What the? Who are you?" I sternly asked. Jess nudged me. "Remember the guy I was telling you I met. This is him.". I eyed him up, curious about the man that my closest friend was so smitten with. He was tall, with dark sandy blond hair, that was flicked over to one side. He had a very well kept short beard and looked very muscular and broad across the shoulders like a body builder would. He had deep, dark brown eyes, the kind that you could get lost in and was wearing a black pin stripe suit, complimented by a white button up shirt and black dress shoes. Again, another man who dressed very well and much better than the other men in the club. "You must be Luna. I have heard so much about you.". He reached his hand out towards me, causing me to pull back. Jess intervened, "Sorry, she doesn't like people touching her.". The expression on his face seemed confused. "Germs". I said bluntly at him. He let out a small chuckle. "OK fair enough, I understand. So how is your night going ladies? Having a good time? Bit surprised to see you in the VIP section. This part of the club is very exclusive.". I could see Jess trying to restrain herself but there was no way she could. "Hmmm....so why did they let you in?". I could see by his reaction that he wasn't quite sure how to take her. "Jess! Leave the poor guy alone.". She nudged me again. "OK, ok. I was only mucking around. Won't you join us Draven?". Jess gesturing to him and inviting him to sit next to her on the velvet lounge.

I continued to lean on the edge of the rail, before turning around and viewing the dance floor from above. There were alot more people here than last time but this upper level of the club only had us plus 2 other small groups, with enough space between the groups that we didn't intermingle. Having table service in the VIP section was a massive bonus for me, in that I didn't have to push past people to get drinks. I noticed that there were alot of people that were on the dance floor were wearing masks tonight and some that weren't. No one seems to notice or react. "Hey Jess....is there any particular reason those people are wearing masks and why we aren't?". Jess and Draven came to the rail and looked over. Jess simply shrugged, whilst Draven smirked. "It's for the celebrations tonight. It's what we have done every year, for as long as I can remember.". Draven then pointed down to a gentleman with a mask crossing through the crowded dance floor. He was also wearing a white mask that was covering half of his face, only allowing his mouth and facial hair to be visible. The same as all the others wearing masks. He was wearing a silver suit, with a black shirt. He had long, dark hair, pushed back by his mask. "That's one of the owners. He's the main reason this club exists. If it wasn't for him, I don't believe that this place would be as great....or as fun as it is now. Mind you, we've seen some pretty hard times here.". My mind began growing more curious about the workings of the club, what was this celebration for the owners every year? What's with the masks? "So all the ones wearing masks are owners?". Draven shook his head. "No. There are only 5 of them. They are all brothers. All very different, but the eldest, well he's the one you gotta worry about. He's the biggest pain in the ass you've ever met. Where as the youngest, well, he's the most handsome one you would ever meet. Women just fall over his feet.". "Ssshh! Stop it!". Jess nudged him back, giggling and whispering into his ear. It was nice to see her laughing and smiling. She actually looked happy and I don't think I've ever seen her like this before. The 3 of us sat together in our VIP section, chatting and drinking. Draven tried to get Jess to drink some of his red wine, but she kept refusing. It's so not like her to turn down wine of any kind. Draven was telling us about his job and how he pretty much is an errand boy for the company he works for. Jess kept giving him grief about having a lame job, which he gave right back to her about being a receptionist.

Watching the two of them laughing and mucking around, made me think of Alex. Of the fun we had together and how much I enjoyed his company. The beat of the music had me swaying and I didn't want to sit around watching these two flirt any more. "I'm going to dance...". Jess jerked her head and stared at me like I had just turned into a zombie. "Did you say you're going to dance Luna! You never dance! What the hell is wrong with you?". Oh my God, really. In the last 20 minutes she's literally been sitting in Draven's lap and not saying a word to me. "Nothing but I don't wanna sit here and listen to you two carry on all night".

I began to head down the stairs towards the dance floor. Finding more and more people with masks on. I push past them and find a spot in the middle of the dance floor. The music has me swaying from side to side. I closed my eyes and allow my body to flow and move to the beat of the music. When all of a sudden, I began to feel all my nerves tingle and the hairs on the back of my next stand on end. Something was wrong. I looked around and although everyone on the dance floor was dancing and cheering, all the ones with masks on were staring at me. It felt like they were getting closer to me. I began to feel very overwhelmed and try to make my way to the edge of the dance floor. I want to get away from these masks, from the eyes that are following me. I want to go back to Jess, but the crowd is now overwhelming and I am struggling to find my way through. My heart begins to race, I feel like I am suffocating and it feels like hands are beginning to touch me. It becomes too much for me and the room starts to spin.

I begin to stumble and its then that I make out a figure, wearing a silver suit and wearing a white mask approaching me quickly. They grab my arms and hold me up, pulling me close into their chest and escorting me away from the dance floor. The further away we get, the better I begin to feel. I am still tucked under his arm and feeling my heart beginning to relax, my breaths slowly calming and the anxiety inside me beginning to fade. I look up at him, trying to get a glimpse past the mask but am unsuccessful. We reach the steps to gain access to the upper levels and push myself up each step, slowly feeling better.

"What the hell happened to her!". Jess pounces to her feet and flies to my side. She wraps her arms around me and helps me to the velvet lounge. Draven jumps up, immediately standing to attention infront of the masked man. "Wow, what a lovely surprise! What do we owe the pleasure of this visit? It's not often that one such as yourself, mingles with us on the lower levels of life. Surely your lordship hath much better musings to deal with than us". Draven bowing sarcastically at the man in the white suit. "You truly are a piece of work Draven. Your sarcasm and disrespect never cease to amaze me.". Draven smiled in response. "I'm glad to see I don't live up to your expectations.". Letting out a loud, deep laugh. "Remember your place Draven.". Draven simply nodded back, "I certainly do. Its right here, on the couch, with these two gorgeous ladies. One who looks half dead after a run in with you.". The man with the mask looked directly at me. Although felt better than I did before and even more so now, after Jess got me a glass of water, I just wanted to go home. "Draven, this girl needs to go home now. I expect you to take care of her friend and see fit that she gets home safely as well. I shall make the arrangements for this one immediately.". Draven looked at Jess mischievously. "She will get home....eventually.". Jess blushed and giggled like a little school girl. Me on the other hand, was being helped up by the man in white suit and being led out the club's entrance. As we exited, a sleek, black sedan pulled up in front of us, as if timed perfectly to be there at that exact moment. The driver exits the car and opens the door. I expected him just to leave but the man in the white suit holds my hand and assists me into the car, before sliding in after me. The door slams shut by the driver and in what felt like a millisecond we are off. Oh my gosh, I can't believe I have gotten in the car with a stranger and abandoned Jess. Not that she looked upset about it and I'm sure she would find plenty of company in Draven.

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As we continue to drive, not sure where we are going, I reach into my phone and shoot a quick message to Alex.

I think I may need help. I am in some car, with a man in a white suit and wearing a mask. He helped me at the club. What do I do?

- Luna

DING! DING! I looked at the man in white as he pulled his phone out of his inner jacket pocket. A soft chuckle escapes his mouth, and he begins to take his mask off, running his fingers through his dark brown hair. "It's ok Luna. You don't need to do anything. I am here. I told you I will always be there when you need me.". My heart almost jumped out of my throat. Alex! The whole time! He knew it was me but didn't act on it! Did he know I was there? He didn't even mention to Draven and Jess that he knew me! "I didn't need to. I have ensured that any time you go to the club, that you have access to the VIP area and that I am informed immediately of your arrival. I knew you were safe and my guards were supervising you. Perks of being one of the owners I guess you can say. But when I saw you out on the dance floor, and all the other eyes watching you, I knew you needed help. I wanted to be the one there to help you". He pulled me closer to him and wrapped his arm around me. Gently kissing me on the head. It felt good to be in his arms again, to be close to him. "Where are we going?". Alex began to look out the window to the road ahead. "To the house.".

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