The cool air rose goosebumps over my skin. I longed for a wrap or better yet a blanket to burrow myself in. The dress cling to my figure creating a rustling sound as I stood beside my husband.
Husband.
He is more of a stranger today than the day we got married. What is going through his mind? Why did he brought me here? Is he really that mad at me for what he thought I did? When will he realise that it was an honest mistake?
I cupped my elbows as a gust of wind passed by me. I might have looked pathetic as the man who came with us- the other handsome hulk who is a cross between Chris Hemsworth and Jason Momoa, said in a brisk voice, "shall I inform them about your arrival sir?"
Probably, the question has more than one meaning as my husband stiffened where he stood. His hands clenched and unclenched as if he is trying not to strangle something or someone.
A curt "no" dropped between us like an icicle over a damp skin.
My shiver this time has nothing to do with the cold weather but more to do with the aloofness in his tone.
Without any preamble, Vitali took my hand and walked towards the door.
My surprise couldn't be hidden even if I wanted to. Till then I didn't realise what he was saying. What he was bombarding me with again and again. Why the word 'mafia' is etched so deep into his skin!
But as I scan my surroundings with an awe laced with fear something sunk in my stomach. This is dangerous. Whatever he has in mind is dangerous.
The inside of the room through which we entered looked like an entrance to a throne room. Once we passed that as well while the guards stationed there gave a curt nod to my husband and ignored me, we stepped foot on what could only be called as a club.
But it's like no other club I have seen or heard. Half-naked women serve drinks to the customers. And when I say half-naked- it means literally. Either they wore just some small, black boy shorts or a tight corset that barely hides their nipples. But not both.
I felt like someone racked their nails over my spine. My heart ratcheted triple it's speed. What is he planning? My confidence which I didn't know I posses till now started to abandon me on that cold, dark floor.
The faces of those customers- I blinked trying to clear my vision but it still remained true. They are not just any ordinary people. They are the most influential people of NewYork. People whom media would kill to get in one room and they are loitering here as if raunchy teenagers groping the waitresses as they pass by.
It doesn't stop there. Even as I took in, there are couples who are openly having sex over the tables; sometimes with more than one woman.
What is this place? Debauchery is too simple a word for this.
I could feel my innocence peeling away from my skin. My hands clammed. The heat I feel inside the room is completely contrast to the air conditioning.
There are naked woman dancing in cages while dangling many feet above the floor. Not just women, but men.
The hair on the back of my neck stood straight. Something is happening here or about to happen. I couldn't pinpoint what it is.
Fluids transferred, hands seek flesh, the sounds of skin against skin... my frantic eyes seek the one man who would help me make some sense.
Instead, he is not watching me. He is looking straight. I followed his line of vision, fear and a small measure of curiosity mingling within me.
It is a room with a glass wall. The room can be seen from any angle of the club hall. And within the room is a couple who are in the middle of some noisy sex. Or so it seems as we can only see them but not hear.
My heart stilled. My eyes widened.
Tell me Mrs. Salvatore, do you like mirrors?
His innocent question doesn't seem innocent anymore. What was he implying before? Where do I fit into this... this debauchery? What is he trying to prove?
More than half of the customers have succumbed to the spell that was cast by the couple on the other side of the mirror. But still there are some who are gazing at the spectacle with morbid fascination.
Suddenly, his hands clasped around my wrist like a shackle. Involuntarily, I struggled to free it without making a sound.
Attention.
It is the last thing I want upon me. Especially at a place like this. If possible I would prefer to be invisible. There are hardly any women who are either naked or in the process of getting naked.
I don't want to be one of them. Nor do I want to stay there another minute. But before I could protest, Vitali moved towards the side corridor, his hand never leaving my skin.
A cold clamp surrounded my heart. What is he doing? Where is he taking me?
My question is answered when he entered a room without knocking. What little breath I held in my lungs left my body in a whoosh. It's the mirror room; the place where the couple are going at it.
It seemed like a regular practice as the couple didn't even lift from the weird positions they were in and continued their pounding.
"Leave."
One word.
And the couple stood as if they are some artists in a theatre giving some performance for the enjoyment of the crowd.
The man's stiff erection must be uncomfortable to walk with yet he didn't complain. Neither did the woman as they left leaving only HIM and me in the room.
The mirror is not two-ways. I could only see the reflection from this side but I know... I know without any doubt that they are looking at us. At me. I could feel their eyes over my skin.
I feel naked.
My hands started trembling.
I couldn't voice out my question even if I want to. It's like someone shoved their hand down my throat and snatched my ability to speak. My mouth dried.
"No questions?" His calm voice only increased my fear.
"I heard that you like mirrors Mrs. Salvatore. Wouldn't you give us a demo of how much?"
His voice tickled my ear as he stood behind me, his hands on my naked shoulders as he turned me to face the mirror.
I could feel their suspended breath, their anticipation as if this new turn of events has excited them somehow.
"W-w-why?"
My mouth parted, my voice shook.
His hand came front, slowly grasping my jaw as he turned it up making me look at him upside-down and in a low voice like a sweet caress he replied, " because of you."
What does he mean?
He then dropped his hand and took a step back. My heart pounded hardly inside my chest. Is he going to abandon me here? Is he going to f*ck me here? It will only be f*ck and nothing else.
I don't want to lose my virginity like this. With an audience. I'm not ready for this.
I'm scared he will leave me alone here. I'm terrified he will stay with me here. My eyes blurred. I pinched my palm hard to keep my tears at Bay.
He could see my struggle. But for once, he didn't mock me. Neither did he challenge me. His face is a bank mask that I'm starting to loath.
"What are you going to do to me?" I asked, squaring my shoulders while cowering inside with fear.