15 comments/  19179 views/  37 favorites

The Dark Side of Chocolate

By: stubborn_dreamer



Prelude: The Box of Assorted Chocolates:

There are reasons women never get what they want. Hey...hey don't give me that look. If anyone has the right to lecture you, it's me. Trust me when I say that its nature's way of protecting us from ourselves. (And yes, male audience, I'm sure you're loving this.) Nature is seeking to preserve us, the progenitors of humanity, even at the cost of a chocolate covered depression. 

In the end, we're supposed to ended up with something better, safer, and less lethal than our misguided desires. There are a lot of things I wish I had gotten over. I'm taller than I want, curvier than I want. I was naïve. I thought I could rule the world because I'd made the "don't talk to me," look a higher art form, and a buttery smooth talker. And a pretty quick runner. 

I survived complete calamity for 24 years. I survived my college loans. Best day of my life hands down. I got too confident. I think the I-told-you-so types will call it, "hubris." The universe saw I had tipped the balance, and rectified its mistake by allowing me to stumble into the ultimate boo boo. That's why I'm currently dressed in a red, diamond encrusted dress, in a place I haven't even heard of. 

That's why I'm pretending, quite successfully, to be calm, letting this expensive and wickedly delicious wine breathe. 

Hi, I'm Audrey Rose, and I'm sitting here, waiting to die. 

Across from me sits a pair of dark eyes. They belong to a gorgeous, marble-made man who is ninja code honor bound to fulfill my final request. Then, I'm going to willingly go to my death. That reminds me.

Peeking up from my flute, I see that he's still staring at me. I don't think it was because he thought I might escape. I had already tried that. He wasn't uncomfortable. I severely doubted that any woman, or man for that matter, could make him uncomfortable. It was something much deeper, sinister. He was studying me, trying to pry apart my secrets before he destroyed them forever. He was taking me in, sucking out what he would remember about me. I took a long sip.

Right, well you must be confused. You're probably wondering, how a sweet girl like me ended up across from a killer. Well I'll tell you. It was all that damn Marco's fault. 

Chapter One: Milk Chocolate

"Hey baby you tryin ta kill somebody this morning?" 

A woman dressed in pants and a blazer spied the obnoxious hobo to her right and kept walking. I was early and she wanted to stab most of the sound around her. She wasn't a morning person. If a stray bird started to sing to her at 5 am outside her window, she wanted it to die. Still there was no reason to automatically get irritated. In fact it was vain. There was no need to assume he was talking to...

"Hey! ....Milk chocolate!" Oh damn it was her. 

Audrey ran down into the mouth of the subway, swiping her metro card in one smooth motion as she slid though the turnstile. Seven am, February 1st, and her month was officially off to a rough start.

Audrey Rose was not what anyone could call a thrill seeker. She had gone to school, finished, and now worked as an editor at the What'd You Say news magazine. WYS was for the lovechild of NBC news and People Magazine. It had a borderline religious idolatry to the celebrity gossip, but their work contained facts and insider scoops other papers couldn't get. 

The WYS prided themselves on reporting, "the truth." A celebrity could rest assured knowing they were being portrayed in their tRuth wholesome light, unless of course, they were really a bastard. Then the whole world would know. Audrey didn't know how the magazine profited, but someone was getting paid to pay her. She was an editor in the entertainment column, mostly writing about club scenes. WYS wasn't her first choice.

She had been politely refused from The New Yorker, Esquire, and The New York Post. SHe applied to WYS out of desperation. It might have been her last option, but it was the only option that called her back. They hired her on the same day of her interview. 

The last question had been, "What do you like to do for fun?" She's answered truthfully. "Write."

She had learned later from her coworker Marco, that they had chosen her because a studious pretty girl was likely to get into the club quicker, but actually take notes and write the article. 

"So I got the job...because I'm boring."

"Yup. Pretty much, girl." 

Marco, her cubicle neighbor and steady friend of three years was a well-dressed bar of dark chocolate with a country twang. He was a head taller than her 5'7, tone with natural muscle, and a perfect gentlemen. Too bad he was gay. 

His brown eyes sparkled when he gossiped and as a result his eyes were a constant firework show. His column the "What Not to Dos" detailed the awful moments people, celebrities and Everyday Joes, found themselves caught in. He had framed his favorite article, a picture of a man who had gotten his hand stuck in his ex-girlfriend's mail slot. 

"The story pretty much makes itself at that point," he chuckled, straightening it proudly.

"What happened to reporting "the truth," Marco?" 

He rolled his eyes. "Come on Audrey, don't be naïve."

Marco was a sadist if she ever knew one, which was why he was obsessed with people's lives, and her life. 

To torture it. 

Audrey typed furiously at her computer. She was finishing up an article about this club called "Lights Out," when a dark shadow covered her. 

Well, that wasn't ironic.

Looking up she saw Marco grinning at her from over his cubicle wall. 

"Hey, how you doing?" 

She shrugged. "Fine, tired as always." 

His lips flattened as he gave her a knowing nod. 

"I feel you. You wanna talk about it?" 

"Sure, you want to do lunch?" 

"We need to." 

Glancing at the clock, she saw he caught her at the right time. She needed to take her break; otherwise she would work through it...again. 

"LaCienega! Audrey and I are going to get lunch!" 

"Okay! I'm on my way!" 

Audrey huffed. Marco laughed at. "Girl you two need to get along. She can help you." 

"With what? Alternate forms of birth control?"

"Oh...that's cold."

"I don't need help," Audrey spat grabbing her purse and blazer. 

"You're going to wear your work blazer to lunch?" 

Marco's face was mortified. 

Audrey's brow furrowed. "...is that wrong?"

LaCienega rounded the corner, inserting herself seamlessly into the conversation. 

"I mean, it's cute and all but really girl? Its spring chica, you need to start showing some skin."

Seeing her tight pencil skirt and low cut red blouse, Audrey could see that at least she wasn't a hypocrite. 

"Someone needs to tell her Lala." Marco shook his head as dramatically linked arms with them, escorting his ladies out the office. Lala laughed. 

Audrey didn't think it was funny. As she looked at the giggling Lala, she thought that "Lala" was an appropriate nickname. She was sure that every time she spoke, LaCienega heard singing in her cavernous head. 

Marco opened the office door for them and Lala giggled again, butchering a curtsey before strutting through. 

She gave Marco a pointed look. "Please."

"Audrey, you need friends. The world is too cold to be an icy bitch." 

Audrey sighed, shaking her shoulder-length black hair around her like a propeller. 

"Sure. Every girl deserves a meddling gay and a sprightly hoe." 

He laughed putting his arm around her. 

"You really need to work on highlighting your redeemable qualities. No one would ever know you cried after watching Home Alone."

"It was sad! He had abusive parents and it was Christmas!" 

Marco put a finger to his lips, indicating she should shush as Lala came in view, waving at the open elevator like she had discovered life. 

Oh yeah, Marco was a sadist.

As they walked down the street, Lala's easy smile, Marco's flirty looks, and Audrey's perpetual scowl making them an awkward trio. 

When they settled into the diner, Audrey had 45 minutes left. It was an attractive place with big homey booths and tons of appetizers. 

She let the others order the food, and got an orange juice. As she sipped it slowly, it drastically improved her mood. Oh Orange Juice, the power of the sun compels you to make my world sunny.

"So, how was the Light's Out premiere?" Lala asked as she sipped on her coffee. 

Why, why must you take it away? 

"It was good," she responded, above her glass. 

"Yeah? Did you get any numbers chica?" She sung the last part like it was a popular pop song. 

Didja get any numbahs chica?

"Yeah one," Audrey responded, absentmindedly bobbing to the imaginary beat. 

"Hold up! You! And you didn't tell me? Girl..." 

Marco may have been threatening her with her gender, but she could see he was legitimately upset. She sighed.

"It's not what you—" 

"From who?" Lala said inching towards her. 

"What's the name?" 

"...Club Lights Out. I needed the number for my article." 

They looked at each other and fell back in exasperation. 

"False alarm," Marco snapped, his voice filled with disapproval. "Did you at least hook up with the bartender?" 

Audrey frowned thinking it over. "No...I really should have interviewed him about the drink menu..." 

"Nooo," Marco said knocking on her head. "Hello? Is anybody in there? Earth to Audrey." 

She covered herself with her arms and yelped at him to stop. Lala put what was supposed to be a comforting hand on her shoulder. 

"Honey, you need to loosen up. Do you want to die a virgin?" 

"Not so loud!" 

Lala laughed and looked on to what appeared to be their order. 

"All I'm saying is that you need to look more nice. You know, available if you want guys to talk to you. Valentine's is right around the corner." 

The waiter came over and Lala bowled him over with a smile as he set down the trays. 

"Gracias niño," she said in a cute lovable voice. The waiter nodded, giving a quick glance at her breasts. She gave him a wink and he walked off, leaving with Audrey's appetite. 

"Why are you wearing a sweater?" Marco suddenly asked. "You know that it's getting hot outside right? Or are you in Audrey world where OJ is lunch?" 

"Firstly, it's still mild outside. Secondly, I was trying to be courteous, but I see my efforts were wasted." 

"That's another problem," Marco said frowning as he grabbed a mozzarella stick. "You're too courteous. Don't you know that guys like a bitch?" 

"I thought I was a bitch."

"No, you can be a bitch, but a bad bitch. You need to be a good bitch. Or, if you're in the market for some Beyonce-Janet Jackson action, a bad bitch."

"You don't make any sense!"

"People like bitches!"

"I know," Audrey snapped, giving Lala a not so nice look. 

Lala laughed and took a sip of her raspberry lemonade. "That's more like it. So...what's your next assignment?" 

Audrey racked her brain for a moment before shrugging. "I don't remember. I'm supposed to check out this spot called the Black Spoon or Knife or something..." 

"You mean the Black Blade?" 

Lala dropped whatever she had in hand. Audrey watched as Marco's eyes grew wide.

"Well?" 

"Um, yeah. I think that's it." 

"Do you even know how exclusive that club is?" 

Lala shrieked. "It takes a year for a non-celebrity to see the coat check out. And I bet that's probably fabulous!" 

Audrey sighed heavily taking the last swig of her OJ, as the two party animals across from her gushed. 

"So who's your guest?" They looked at her intently and she blinked in confusion.

"What?" 

"With every reservation to Black Blade you get to take a plus 1. Usually you'll both pitch in for drinks." 

"I'm not going to drink, I'm going to work," Audrey stated dryly. 

Marco took her hands holding them firmly in his own. "Virgin Mary please. For once in your life can you not be you?" 

"Only if you won't drop dead Marco," she replied with a fake smile. 

"When do you have to go?" Lala interjected still thirsty for details. 

"This Friday." 

"Damn!" Marco exclaimed hitting the table. "Me and Stephon are supposed to go out." 

"Ha ha! I win!" Lala giggled happily. 

"Win what?" Audrey asked confused. 

Marco glanced up at her with a pout. "What we're saying is that you should take Lala with you. She can help you have a good time." 

Audrey looked at them incredulously. "Are you both on the same drugs? Because if you are you can help each other quit. I'm not going to this club for a good time. I am going for work, do you two idiots understand me?" 

Marco raised an eyebrow. 

"So...you're taking Lala. Right?"

"Right chica?"

"Right?"

"?" 

"You know what?" Audrey shouted, snapping under the peer pressure. "Fine! Come Lala, but I swear I'll flip if you interfere with my work. I'm warning you." 

"Muchas muchas gracías amiga!" Lala gushed clasping her hand. "You won't regret it." 

Oh I will, Audrey thought. I just don't know how yet. 

"It's settled," Marco said, recovering from his depression. 

"Now what will you wear?" 

Audrey drew a blank, the thought having never 

crossed her mind. 

"Clothes? What I usually wear. I dress nice." 

Marco and Lala looked at each other and grabbed her phone. 

"It has a password you jerks!" 

"Mm hm," Marco said taping on her phone. 

She panicked when she heard it unlock. "Hey!" 

"1234 just like I thought," he stated rolling his eyes. "That's just pathetic girl."

"It's supposed to be ironic...you know."

"Yeah, real ironic. I am-about-to-get-my-shit-stolen --ronic."

Scrolling around, he found her planner and turned to Lala. "She's free this Wednesday. I can do the morning, you?" 

"No Papi, I have a dance class. What about her Thursday?" 

Marco shook his head. "Nope I have an assignment all day." 

"Guys! How about you include me in my life?" 

"Chica it's for your own good. They won't let you in looking normal even if you have a Press pass. You have to dress like you're going to a slutty junior prom." 

"Sounds classy." 

"How about today?"Marco asked, giving Audrey a smirk. "You have nothing after work today and I think me and Lala are free." 

"Today it is," Lala agreed polishing off the rest of the mozzarella sticks. 

"Honey? Check please!" 

The waiter gave her a shy smile and Audrey banged her head against the table. 

Of all the rotten luck.

As promised, at the end of the day Marco and Lala showed up to her cubicle like parole guards. She gave them dirty looks before grabbing her purse. 

"I'm not spending more than a hundred." 

They looked at her like she had said she wanted a dress made of pretzels. 

"Then why don't we just wrap you up in a paper bag?" Marco snapped impatiently. 

"Maybe I'd like it!"

"Well at least it'd be avante- garde!"

"Last time I checked I was the one being forced to shop and take along Miss Lala. So if I decide to wear a paper bag dress I'm inclined!" 

Marco and Audrey stared each other down until Marco snapped his fingers. 

"Fine, you're right. Lala, you're a free loader. You'll pay the difference." 

"What?" 

"Oh stop," Marco waved heading towards the door. "Black Blade door costs would've cost you three hot dresses." 

Considering it, Lala nodded. "Okay fine. But I have to like the dress. We're gonna show off your curves whether you like it or not." 

Audrey sighed again, wondering why she was being punished.

"You're going to wear red!" 

"The day I wear red is the end of the world."

------------------------------------------------ 

The dress she ended up with was not her normal style by any means, but she liked it. It was ankle length, a long, black, sleeveless dress with a heart-shaped front. The skirt was cut in a diagonal so the left was shorter than the right. A sewn in slit gave the illusion that she was wearing a skirt underneath, and along her waist, about a rib down on both sides, was a sexy crisscrossing slit that ended right above her waist. 

"I love the dominatrix look on you, sweetie. You should come over sometime to spank me and Stephon." 

"You are joking, right?"

"Only if you are."

It bothered her that she wasn't quite sure if he was joking. Sex was a touchy subject, both figuratively and literally. Audrey didn't know why she wasn't in a relationship. It wasn't that anything was wrong with her, she was just...normal. 

Maybe too normal. Nowadays women had to be these outgoing, super confident ultra divas. The girl next door was secretly a sex addict; the schoolroom teacher was actually an international spy. 

Audrey was just Audrey, and it wasn't fair that people treated her like something was wrong with her because of that. 

"So, shoes now?" Lala asked, licking her plump red lips. "I might need to upgrade too. When are you free?" 

"Lala, it is 12 pm and we have work tomorrow. My wallet is closed." 

"Marco! Talk to her!"

"I really like that dress. I'm gay and I was aroused by it." 

Lala laughed. "Yeah, our little Puritan Mary is gonna need to repent big time." 

Audrey laughed. "Keep it up. You're both going to hell."

"In a handbasket?"

"Woven by God himself." 

They laughed and linked arms. Audrey smiled. 

Maybe Friday wouldn't be so bad.

--------------------------------------------------

Chapter Two: Coconut Chews

Friday came faster than Audrey was comfortable with. Lala had gotten her number from Marco and was texting her like crazy. 

What shoes should I wear? What are you wearing? When do we meet? Give me your soul! Blah blah blah! 

Audrey was an inch from pitching herself off the roof. 

Sitting on her bed, Audrey looked at her unused black leather boots. They remained in the box, the heel modest considering what her mom had previously tried to push at her. She had a decent parent relationship. Her older sister Aubrey was closer to home, settled down with a hubby and 3 kids. Unfortunately, or fortunately, Michael worked a lot. Their parents were busy helping Aubrey. 

Hearing a telltale knock at the door she checked the time. 

It was 9:12, that blasted girl had come 18 minutes early. Sighing, she opened the door and watched as Lala ran in with two large shopping bags. 

"Aw! It's so tiny! Like a matchbox for a poco little mouse." She spun in a circle. "I love it!" 

"Thanks." Audrey said drily. The girl's brain had to be made of nuts if she considered her words a compliment. 

"So, where do I set up?" 

"In there I guess," Audrey said, pointing her to her bedroom. "You know this isn't prom right?"

"It's slutty junior prom. For a wealthy socialite."

"Right..." 

Audrey heard silence before Lala asked, "Where's your vanity?" 

"With you I'm sure." 

"What?"

"I don't have one. Hold on."

Getting a chair from the kitchenette, she dragged it into her room and placed it in front of her big closet mirror. 

"Enjoy."

"Oh no sweetie. Sit down."

"Why?"

"And put on this bathrobe." 

She sat down and Lala began filing her short fingernails into round talons. It was going to be a long night. 

By the time they were done sprucing up, Audrey had gotten a face mask, a manicure, a painful lip waxing, and a full assortment of makeup applied to her face. 

"Wow...you look amazing. It's my best work yet. Who knew you were so pretty Audrey?" 

"Lala, I really can't tell if you're complimenting me."

Looking into the mirror behind her she was shocked that Lala was right. Her eyes were always her best feature, but outlined by the black liner and a gray smoky eye it looked like she could see into someone's soul. And wanted to do dark naughty things to it. Lala had covered her lips with a dark pink lip gloss. Her hair had been curled over into a 1920's flare. It was Audrey, but Audrey Noir, the femme fatale she had always dreamed she'd be in another life. liked. 


The Dark Side of Chocolate



"Wow LaCienega, you really know your stuff." 

She was shocked when Lala enveloped her in a hug. 

"I am so glad you like it!" 

Lala pulled back from her to give her a serious look. 

"Audrey, I know you don't like me, but I really admire you. You always seem so poised and sophisticated. I know I laugh at you but...sometimes I want that." 

Audrey raised an eyebrow. "Lala if I had your smile and sex appeal I would never pay for another thing again." 

Lala laughed.

No bitch, I'm serious.

"Look," Audrey said, "I know we got off to a rough start and all but, maybe we could...I dunno get some coffee or som..."

Lala crushed her against her, "Yes! Yes! I love it Audrey!" 

"Lala will you please stop sounding like you're having sex all the time! My neighbors are 

Baptist!" Audrey snapped. 

"Oh sorry."

Audrey shook her head. New start or not, Lala was still going to be a handful.

"Now, what color nail polish do you want?" 

-----------------------------------------------

"Tell me where he'll be."

"I dunno man, I swear—Argh! Sweet Jes—"

Another bone cracking grunt sounded in the darkness, and a splatter of wetness fell to the ground. He looked at the man who he had just stabbed and pulled the knife out of him.

Emotionlessly, he pointed it to his throat. 

"You're probably going to die from that stomach wound," he said a matter-of-factly. "Tell me where he'll be, or you most definitely will." 

The sniveling man in front of him trembled with fear and pain, his hand pressing his neck into the concrete wall. His patience wore thin.

"Three..."

"Wait man, you don't understand. He'll...the boss will—"

"Two..."

"Alright-alright-alright! I'll tell you! Please!"

"One."

"BLACK BLADE!"

The man gasped when he stabbed him in the heart. His wide eyes stared into the darkness at the man he could not see, would never see again, as his life was claimed by his merciless hand. 

"You said..."

"You did not die from a stomach wound."

He pulled back and let the man drop and adjusted his black gloves. He walked a block before pocketing them in a zip lock baggie and pulling out his phone. He dialed and heard the person pick up.

"I have it. It's the club. Meet me there."

He hung up the phone and walked to his car.

-----------------------------------------------

Lala donned a light red dress that was tight, backless, and likely to cause a car crash if she bent over. Audrey had painted Lala's fingers and toes red for her as a testament of their new try at friendship, and did her long brown hair in a French braid. Truth be told they both looked pretty good. 

When Stephon and Marco pulled up in Steph's silver Nissan, they both gave them a long whistle. 

"Wow Audrey you really clean up like a diva! And Lala, looking good girl!" 

Stephon chuckled at his boyfriend. "You both look nice girls."

Stephon was prettier than most women, his long blonde hair flowing out over light wispy eyelashes and pink lips. He was also a cross dresser. She watched as his green eyes greedily took in her dress. 

"Audrey I will give you 250 dollars in cash for that dress." 

"You are not having sex in my dress Steph!" She glared at him as she climbed into the backseat. 

"Plus, it'll never fit you right. You're taller and flatter than me." 

"Nothing a pair a drapes and a cushion can't fix." 

"Marco, take me to the damn club."

They drove quickly, Steph eager to head to their swanky dinner in the village. Audrey did a last minute check through her thin little black purse. Cellphone, notepad and pens, and wallet, she was good to go. 

They heard the place before they got there. Limousines lined up letting people out the VIP line while flashily dressed people watched in envy, waiting behind a long winding red rope. 

"Oh my gosh Audrey, I'm nervous." 

Audrey turned to the outspoken LaCienega and raised an eyebrow. 

"Just act like you're too good for the place. It usually makes people want to please you because they think you're somebody. Or that you think you're somebody and will go bankrupt to prove it." 

"Bring out the fierceness," Marco purred. 

"That too. Bye babies."

With that, Audrey bid her boys bye and cracked open the door. She slinked out, her black dress curtaining behind her. She flicked her hair to the side as she offered a hand to Lala. It was a masculine move, but Lala took her hand, emerging from the car like its sleek panther. She closed the door behind them and walked up the carpet, her eyes aimed at the bouncer. 

"Sorry maam, you'll have to..." 

"I don't have to anything." 

She pulled her VIP press pass out her purse and showed it to him narrowing her piercing eyes. She noticed he was studying her and not the ticket. Without giving it a glance, he opened the rope. 

"Thank you." 

"You know you get free drinks if you flirt with 

the bouncer, right?" 

Audrey smirked. "You couldn't afford what I drink." 

With that, she and Lala strutted past him. Audrey beamed at her proudly. 

"Well you didn't mess up so far Lala, and I guess I have to thank you. I severely underestimated this place."

"Oh, we make a great team." 

"Let's...not call it a team, we're two people. Two people teams go down in a blaze of gunfire." 

"Really?"

"Yeah. It's scientifically proven."

The steps of the club winded down and led to an elevator. Once inside, they were ushered into an elevator, an employee inside who pulled a level for each floor. She showed him her pass and he smiled. Quietly he pulled the lever to one.

Lala and Audrey could hear the music, the closer as they rose. Audrey quickly wrote "soundproofed floors" on her notepad. Lala rolled her eyes.

As the door opened they were shocked by the sheer amount of people. People underneath the dazzling flashing lights, people in dark corners, people in...was that a cube? 

"Level One. Pleasure Suite," the elevator boy finally said, speaking with an Italian accent. 

"How many Levels are there?" Lala asked giving him a smile. "You stick around..." he gave them both a naughty look. "You'll find out." With that he closed the elevator. 

Audrey glared at the door. "Well that was fucking ominous!"

"It's called flirting, Audrey." 

"It's called, this is a fucking cult."

"Your thong must be riding up."

"Somebody to rough you up...Somebody to make it tough..." 

A sexy sensual techno song lulled above them, the beat pumping through their bones.

"Somebody to bait you...Somebody to love. But wait...is it still love you want?

"Damn this place is hot," Lala breathed. Audrey studied her. 

She looked like she was already in the throes of pleasure. Audrey had to admit that for once she wasn't far behind. The whole atmosphere reeked of sexuality. Beautiful people undulated with one another, on and over, the over-packed dance floor. They were just nice to look at. The sight of them, hypnotic and erotic, made you tingle.

Audrey coughed, regaining her composure. 

"The bar!" she shouted over the music. "Come on!" 

It was the first place she always went to. Bars always faced out toward the action and made a great perch for people watching. The only downside was that you also were watched. Audrey could feel eyes crawling over her as she walked to the bar, and hoisted herself onto a stool. She sat on the edge, almost near the pitch black part of the bar. She didn't want a part of whatever shady events happened there. Facing outward she crossed her legs. 

"Damn. I've never seen this side of you," Lala whispered as she jumped onto a stool as well. 

"It's kind of hot."

"Lala don't hit on me. We just became friends 

remember?"

"Uh...Let's be friends with benefits."

"Uh...Let's not."

"I was only joking."

Like Marco and the dress?

"What can I get you ladies?" 

Looking over her shoulder Audrey saw the requisite hot bartender cleaning a glass beside her. Lala turned her attention fully towards him, giving him a blinding red lipped smile. 

"You to start," she purred. 

He laughed good-naturedly, probably having heard that line a hundred times. 

"Well I might not do for an appetizer but maybe if you're still hungry later we can talk."

"Oh I'm always ravenous," she cooed pushing up her breasts. "But you can start me off with a sex on the rocks." 

Audrey was impressed when he nodded maintaining eye contact, before turning to her, also looking in her eyes. 

Lala's overly ambition advances ignored? So this is what winning felt like. 

"What's in the orange creamsicle?" 

Oh right, they were friends now. Poor Lala.

He smiled at her setting the glass down. "Well it's got orange juice, vanilla and orange sherbet, and two shots of vodka." 

"Okay, can I have that without the ice cream and vodka?" 

He looked in the air for a moment calculating, then back at her. "You mean just the orange juice?" 

"Ooh. Sounds appetizing." 

He burst into a loud good natured laughing fit and Lala whined in her ear. 

"Audrey...you promised to loosen up" 

"I didn't promise to drink. I have a thing, remember? Don't you want to drink? I'm the designated however the hell we're getting home." 

"We have a free car service for our VIP members," the bartender added wiping a tear from his eye. "I'm sure I can arrange something for my most interesting customers of the evening." 

Lala gave him a smile. "My hero! Well Audrey, aren't you going to jazz it up?" 

Audrey smirked. "But of course. Add an orange wedge bartender! Oh and three ice cubes, not two. I'm feeling dangerous." 

He cracked up again, walking near the center of the bar. "Coming right up." 

Lala sighed. "You're a lost cause. I can't make you listen to me."

Audrey put a hand on her shoulder. "And now my child, you have completed your training. Welcome to reality." She opened up her phone and began to work.

"...I love this beat! You wanna dance? Wait, what are you doing?" 

"Taking notes. Hot staff, dark moody atmosphere 

best described as, "living sex," elevator service with a Disney Tower of Terror smile. How's that for cliff notes?" 

"Can't you remember these details tomorrow?" 

"Will you?" 

Lala shrugged, thanking the bartender as he dropped off her drink. 

"Probably not. So take some notes on this chica." 

Lala leaning her back against the bar and looked out on the floor with an inviting smile. She crossed and uncrossed her legs twice. A moment later a man asked her to dance. 

Blowing Audrey a kiss, she disappearing into the swarm of bodies. 

Audrey picked up her phone. 

At 11:48, LaCienega reverted to her slutty ways. 

A few ladies came up after she was alone to ask her where she had gotten her dress. She told them all about Damsel or Dame and refused a kind after party invite. Then she leaned back, sighing as she observed the décor. 

Dark round booths with tables in the back, dance floor in the middle, bar on the side. It was a classic set up in terms of clubs, but she did notice that there were glow in the dark couches that changed color inside a glass enclosure. The people inside were all in either black or white. Must be the VIP VIP. As she stared a man wearing all white turned his head to her. He mouthed something, a woman on either side of him. 

Hesitantly she waved at him and he smiled.

Well, that was kind of nice. Not everyone in the club was a jerk.

She typed that into her phone as well, until she heard something peculiar to the side of her. It was jumbled, but if she didn't know better, the people beside her were speaking in Korean. Using the reflection of Lala's glass, she saw a broad shouldered guy with dark rumpled hair to the side of her. His back was to her and he wore a black neatly tailored suit. The man across, also in a suit, had a Mohawk, tastefully done with the sides of his head shaved. 

Audrey used to study languages, Korean being one of the few she spent the longest on. Then when she realized foreign journalism wasn't for her, she opted out and forgot her lessons. 

Turning to the bar she pretended to be interested in the bartender's mixing while she listened in to the hushed conversation. Okay deadline...I want a...she didn't know that word. Tonight...something good...or was that bad? 

Either way something was coming. A baby? Was it a baby? 

She listened in trying to pinpoint the word baby or pregnant when they suddenly stopped talking. Feeling the presence of eyes, she focused more intently on the bar contents. 

Oh, what a lovely bottle of clear zesty fluid right there. It clearly looked...quality. Or something. Audrey didn't drink. When was her orange juice going to arrive again? It took her less than a second to make it at home. 

"Enjoying our conversation?" 

The man next to her hadn't turned but she knew he was talking, in perfect English, to her. 

She was silent, contemplating whether she should pretend she didn't know he was talking to her. 

There was a silent stand still which he broke when he turned to face her. Now she couldn't pretend she didn't notice that. 

Glancing up she felt her eyes widened. Staring straight at her was the darkest, most concentrated gaze, she had ever seen. The man had long sensual lips, and his silky black bedhead hair, framed his chiseled features. Realizing she was staring, she spared a look at the handsome but less devastating friend and smirked. 

"I'm sorry, but I don't speak Mandarin. I just liked the way it sounded." 

"It wasn't Mandarin," his friend interrupted a slightly miffed tone to his voice. 

"Oh?" she asked raising an eyebrow. "Was it Taiwanese?" 

"No." 

"Korean?" 

"No." 

He had lied, so she acted dumb. 

"See? I didn't even pick up Japanese," she said shrugging. Looking to her side she saw the bartender heading over with her drink. 

"Do we look Japanese?" the man in front of her asked. He had a soft voice, but it was low and sensual, each word was given individual care as it slipped out of his mouth. He was a dangerous one alright. She couldn't read him. He hadn't even tried to peek at her body, and he exuded pure masculinity. 

"What do I know? I'm an American," she replied absentmindedly. 

She turned in her seat and took her drink with a smile. 

"Thanks," she said reaching into her purse. "How much do I..." 

"It's on the house," he said shaking his hand. 

"It'll be my easiest drink all night, and you'll more than make up for it with all the drinks they bought you two." 

"What?" 

The bartender came back over with eight drinks on a tray, each a different size and color. 

"This is why I took so long. You better call your friend back here." 

Audrey simply looked at the tray in horror before getting her phone and rapidly typing in it. Sex appeal equals mountain of substance abuse. Drunk hoe's mecca. 

Before she could finish a long fingered hand snatched her phone away from her. 

"Hey!" she protested turning back at the dark eyed man. "Give it back!" 

He read her notes in silence, while Audrey resisted the urge to climb over him and take her phone back. And maybe stay on him, just for like, a minute or two.

"You're a reporter? Or is this what you do at bars?" 

She snatched her phone back glaring at him, looking away from his long fingers and broad hands. Mm...the things he probably could—No! Audrey Rose was not a drooling, crazed idiot. She was not going to let some guy run her just 

because he was pushing all her buttons. 

"No I am not a reporter and yes this is what I do. Not that it's any of your business." 

Mm...buttons. The G-button.

"So you take notes for leisure?" he asked in a flat, disbelieving tone. 

What do you do for leisure?

"We live in a world where people collect stamps."

"You aren't collecting stamps. You're collecting secrets." 

She saw the bartender raise an eyebrow, obviously the eyes and ears of his section. 

"I am not!"

Immediately, she crouched forward. "Are you trying to get me thrown out?" she hissed. "I'm like a reporter okay? So keep it zipped before I get unrealistic special treatment, and end up with a shitty, inaccurate article!" 

"Fair enough." He leaned back, seeming to relax. His friend did as well. 

"So, what part of our conversation did you find interesting?" 

She felt a strand of tension in his question, though he appeared completely relaxed. So he knew she had lied about the Korean thing. She considered walking away, but his eyes pinned her to the stool. 

"Well I only understood the part about the baby coming, but I wasn't sure if you were happy or sad." 

The mohawk man leaned forward. "Is that all you understood?"

"Hey. It's been a while."

The man in front looked at her for a moment 

longer, before the man behind him dissolved into laughter. 

"Your Korean is awful!" he roared. 

"It's...it's not that bad."

"Yes it is!"

"Was I close?"

"Oh God. I'm gonna pee!"

Lala reappeared looking disheveled, like she had been pulled at and squeezed. 

"Hey, looks like you're having fun. Who are they?" 

Her gaze lingered a little on the first guy but her gaze stayed on the second one. 

"Oh yes, how rude of me," Audrey declared. 

"Lala, allow me to introduce you to Stranger 1 and Stranger 2." 

"You didn't even ask their names?" Lala gushed with Oscar winning panic. 

"They didn't ask for mine."

"Audrey! How could you?"

Lala always did this when hot guys were around. 

Forty points of her IQ, poof, just gone. 

Audrey took a large gulp of orange juice, biting back her vicious comments. 

We're friends now. We're friends now. We're—

"Well, I'm Lala and she's..." 

"Ruth." 

Lala paused, but covered her hesitation with a smile. 

"Yes, Ruth. And you are?" 

"You can't pronounce our names," the man behind the other said with a grin. He was definitely feeling Lala. 

"But my American name is Stanley." 

Audrey looked at the one next to her and noticed his eyes had never left her. He looked to the right slowly then said, "Thomas." 

"Tom and Stan," Audrey repeated. "Well now, that's a believable conversion." 

Stan laughed in response. Lala noticed the drinks and was now grinning from ear to ear. She took her original drink down in one pass before fingering some limey concoction. 

Audrey watched as Stan got out of his seat and raised a hand out to Lala. 

"Would you care to dance?" 

She puckered her lips, putting a hand to her chest like a movie star, before giving it to him bashfully, allowing him to sweep her daintily onto the dance floor. Before Stan disappearing, he shouted a flurry of Korean at Tom. 

You. No. Blanket. Pillow. Kimichi.

Okay, maybe she did need to work on her Korean.

It was suddenly awkward when their companions left. Were they now obligated to talk? They faced out towards the floor like two undesirable friends, that had been set up on a pity riddled blind date.

"I don't dance," she said suddenly. It was a lie, but she didn't want to move. 

"That makes you a great authority on club reporting." 

She glared at him, his gaze forward.

He then gave her an amused side glance. "Trying to kill me with that look?"

Audrey smirked. "I could if I wanted to."

"Really? Then go ahead."

"Eh. You're not worth the jail time. " 

Tom let her get in the last word, instead intent on study her. She felt warm under his gaze. 

"Want a drink?" she asked pointing to the platter. He leaned over her, studying each individually. She felt a rush when his jacket brushed against her bare shoulder. 

"No." 

"No?"

"They are all crap." 

"What? Even the red one?" 

She looked at the colorful appealing drinks and wanted very much to test that theory. To bad she didn't drink.




The Dark Side of Chocolate



"What do you think isn't?" 

He stared at her for a moment before calling the bartender over. 

"Can I get two..." 

"Oh no I don't drink." 

He raised an eyebrow at her and she added, "Plus I wouldn't want one anyway." 

"Just one, then," he changed. He pointed to an item on the menu. "This one." 

The bartender walked off giving her a wink. 

She reached for the menu. "Which one?"

He pulled it back with a grin. "Awfully curious about something you don't partake in."

She frowned. "It's not a sin to look."

"You can try some of mine." He stirred the glass with one of the other liquor strays. She wondered why what looked like brandy or scotch, needed stirring. 

"No, thank you." 

He said nothing, simply raising the glass to her. 

"Try it." 

His eyes lidded sleepily as he waited for her, tempting her into the first sip, the one bite that would lead to her fall. She wondered how many people forsake their philosophies for a pair of dark eyes. The right words, the right attraction, and she was ready to not only drink from this stranger's glass, but straddle his lap. Shocked that he roused some submissive part of her, she took the glass from him. It wasn't safe in his hands. 

Audrey looked at it, and then looked at him with confused almost wide eyes. She had watched the bartender prepare it. That made it safe, right?

He said nothing, simply watched her like a lion toying with a mouse. Audrey swallowed down her growing anxiety. It was just a drink right? Was she over thinking this? Or was it impertinent that she trust her instincts? 

"I..."

"Yes?"

"Excuse me?"

They both turned to the voice that had cut through their exchange. Looking up she was surprised to see one of the men whom had been in the glass lounge facing her. He was in all white, black shades on his face. She noticed Tom stiffen beside her. 

"Yes?" he asked. His voice and face were calm, but his eyes held a hint of vicious irritation. 

"I was speaking to the lady," he declared, turning specifically to Audrey. 

She scrunched her nose in confusion.

"Yes?"

"You have been invited by Maxwell Harrison to join his party in the glass suite."

"Really?"

She looked behind him and saw the man staring at her. He raised his glass in a cheer to her. 

Wow, this was a great turn of fortune. She could get a bird's eye view of that glass bubble for herself. How many club reporters would get that without revealing themselves? Shoot, that might not even be enough. 

Then Audrey remembered she was not alone.

"Could I be to bring a guest?" she asked gesturing towards Tom.

His normally passive face briefly showed shock.

"Unfortunately...no." the man lulled. "Though...I could ask. I...suppose."

"No thank you," Tom stated in a clipped tone. 

"Though you're very...generous." 

He leaned over to her and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. She shivered.

"Go. You should, right?"

"Yeah," she mumbled, glad he could not see her flush. "But hey, you could always come rescue me if it gets boring!"

"Sure."

Oh gosh Audrey, that was so lame. Add something to make it less awkward.

"Right on soul brother."

AUDREY! NO!

"Miss?"

"I'm coming."

She slipped off of the bench and the man started to reach for her liquor tray.

"No leave it," she uttered dismissively. She tossed Tom a flirtatious glance. "Apparently it's all crap."

The man laughed and gestured ahead of him. 

Trailing behind him she automatically began regretting her actions. What was she thinking? 

Glancing back she saw her seat taken by a hot redhead with large tits. 

Opportunist whore! 

"I hope he takes your number and never calls."

"Did you say something, Miss?"

"Haha, me? Not at all."

"Here we are."

She blinked as the wall to the side of the floor slid open. The people on the dance floor didn't even seem to notice. Inside the dimly lit passage were two bouncers that nodded to the man. Wow, this really was exclusive. 

They walked along the dark hall until he opened a door she couldn't see. It opened straight into the glass suite, much like the wall had. So that was why the cube looked seamless. Her fingers itched to write that down but she restrained herself. She didn't have that bad of a memory. 

The door closed and saw the man was not there behind her. 

What was this, the mafia?

"Come in. Make yourself comfortable."

The man in question had a lovely woman on the side of. She was just a pretty by anyone's standards, a classic slice of Americana. Her hair was blonde with wavy curls and she wore bright red lipstick. Her clothes were simple, a plain white dress that was probably silk, worth more than her apartment. 

Audrey stalked slowly into the room and wondered what had happened to the other woman she had seen beside him. On other side of the glass suite were guests in black, who regarded her curiously. 

"Maybe I'm on the wrong side," she said, awkwardly chuckling.

"Nonsense. You are right where you are meant to be."

The man was wearing a white suit with gold lapels. He had a chiseled face and cropped blond hair, but his five o clock shadow was light brown. Despite that the man was handsome, if not a bit older than Audrey went for. How old was he? He had one of those tanned, shiny faces that could range anywhere between 30 and 100. 

Audrey set herself in chair opposite the pair, not wishing to be so close to a stranger. He only smirked at her behavior and the woman beside him giggled girlishly. 

"I've been watching you," he rasped with an exotic accent. "Just as you've been watching me."

What was that Russian? French? I really forgot everything didn't I? 

"Are you so sure I've been watching you?" Audrey asked crossing her legs. His gaze flashed down at them, then back at her face. 

"Oh yes," he rumbled. "Otherwise you wouldn't have come here. Care for a drink?"

"I don't drink but thank you." She gestured around her. "Mind if I have a look around?"

The man raised his hand with flourish. "Go ahead."

Audrey automatically went to the front of the glass and looked out on the dance floor. Despite how cool it seemed from the outside, inside felt a bit like an airtight prison. People didn't want to hear that. She needed to put a better spin on it. Maybe later, all she could think of was "glass enclosure" and "Prison Break." 

Her eyes drifted off to the bar and saw Tom was looking at her. His piercing eyes cut through the glass prison. Her fingers pressed against the cool surface and her breath fogged it up. He was so...feral and elegant, a mixture of royalty and something violent, barbarian. He was probably a Prince in the streets, Freak in the sheets. 

How could she have stood a chance? No matter her airs and morals, her prudish ways and doubts, she knew she wanted him.

To feel his heated gaze coursing through her while he ravaged her on his bed. She needed to get back to him. 

Get some Intel for work, and then get...laid? Is that what the kids called it these days?

"So why did you invite me here?" 

She pulled away from the wall with a private smile, thinking on her designs.

"Why you look like you've discovered the loveliest secret," the woman exclaimed. "My name is Shadra."

"Ruth," Audrey said. "And you didn't answer my question."

"We are people of art," the man answered. "And from our vantage point you seemed to be the missing piece."

"Are you sure I won't clash?" she asked snickering. 

The man looked down at his white garb and laughed good-naturedly. "No, I feel you...complete us." 

"I see, so just out of curiosity. How does one acquire such a box?" 

The man's jovial look turned critical, and he pulled his arm away from the back of the woman. He leaned forward clasping his hands.

"Are you thinking of getting one yourself?"

"I doubt I could afford it," Audrey admitted. "I just wanted to know how exclusive "exclusive" was."

The smile came back like a contagion. "Well yes my darling, it is very exclusive. You either have to know someone or be someone worth knowing."

"And which one got you here?"

Shadra purred and put a hand on the man's knee.

"Mr. Harrison is a man whom few have the pleasure of knowing. Especially in the way...I have."

To Audrey's shock the woman moved her hand to the man's crotch and began rubbing. She held his groin and looked at Audrey suggestively before pulling down his zipper and pulling his cock out. Audrey's jaw dropped as she began working the cock in front of her, jerking it to hardness. Harrison's eyes never left hers. 

And no one is either the club or cubes seemed to notice. 

"Well..." Audrey squeaked, her voice struggling to sound casual. "You two are very lucky to have each other." 

"There's no need to be jealous," Mr. Harrison said grinning at her like a long lost friend. 

"We wouldn't have invited you if we didn't intend on letting you enjoy the benefits of, our...suite." 

Suite? Good choice of word. Going in the article.

"So you're swingers?" 

"Mr. Harrison and I aren't married!" Shadra laughed, as though the very notion was ridiculous.

Audrey raised an eyebrow, ignoring dark cock jutting out towards her. "Really? How do you feel about that Shadra?"

"This isn't the time for philosophy," Harrison growled. She watched his façade crumble as his lust made him revealed himself. 

"Well then."

"I don't wish to sound rude..." he said attempting to regain his mask, "but when I saw you I could see the wheels turning in your head. The desire in your eyes. You know what you want..." 

He gave her a coy lecherous smile. "So why don't you take it?"

She looked back towards the bar. Tom was gone. Audrey's heart sank at his empty seat. He left her for that redhead.

She...had at least wanted to get his number. He could have had the decency to crush her hopes and dreams over coffee and a buttery Danish.

"You're right," she grumbled. "I'm grateful to you for making it so clear."

"I'm glad you understand."

Shadra dropped to her knees and began sucking Harrison's cock in front of her. 

"Now, come here."

She frowned. Mr. Harrison had stopped looking at her face and was now staring at her breasts. His hand wandered between Shadra's legs and she wondered why no one seemed to notice. The woman whined like a dog, but Audrey knew she was being too loud for it to be real. Honestly she felt bad for Shadra. She could pretend to be one with this man's pleasure seeking lifestyle, but she wasn't. She just wanted to keep him and this was the only way she knew how.

Audrey put a hand on her shoulder and she flinched. Then she smiled, Harrison's cock smeared with red. 

"You are worth so much more," Audrey said firmly. "Find someone who'll marry you for sucking dick." 

She took the woman's puzzled look in stride as she headed for the door.

Now how the hell do I open this?

"Hey!" 

She pulled at the door. It didn't budge. No way was she locked in. She jiggled it again with added force. She was. 

Oh...this was so wrong.

"Where do you think you're going?" Harrison stood up like an angry erect bear. 

"I'm taking your advice," Audrey said calmly. 

"What I want can't be found here. I'm leaving."

"Do you know what you're doing?" 

His voice was rose in pitch. He took a step forward and wondered if he really thought he could harm her in here. 

"Do you know what you're walking away from?" he snapped. "You should feel honored that I even considered you! You think you can walk away?"

Audrey pounded on the door. "Let me out!" With no answer she turned back to the advancing Harrison. 

"This is a glass cube! People will see! Touch me and you'll go straight to jail!"

"No one is watching," he growled. "If anything they'd think it's a performance. You think there are camera's here? Security? This is my Garden. And you are a flower I decided to pick."

The closer he got the more apparent it became to her that Harrison was going to rape her. 

"Help!" she screamed. "Somebody help me!"

"They can't hear you darling. It's soundproof."

"You keep your stubby dick away from me!"

"What did you say to me you ignorant whore?" 

He reached for her and she grabbed the closest item, throwing it at him. The neon vase shattered at his feet and he looked up at her enraged.

She grabbed the other vase. "Not another step," she warned. "I swear this one goes over your head."

"You crazy bitch! Are you crazy?"

"Crazy bitch implies that."

Their standoff was interrupted by three hard knocks. Looking for the source she saw Tom standing beside the glass window. Harrison quickly tucked himself into his pants. Staring into the cube, Tom lifted a hand and gestured for her to come to him.

"I can't," she shouted. "Help!" She pointed to the door.

Despite the darkness he seemed to understand her. She watched as he turned to Harrison and gave him an icy glare. He pounded on the glass once and headed towards the wall. Audrey could feel the evident threat. So could Harrison.

"You came with someone?" 

She didn't grace him with a reply. Her eyes tracked Tom as he opened the wall and stepped inside. She was not privy to how the bouncers took his arrival, but she didn't have to wait long to learn of his success. The door opened and he was standing there, looking as refined and cool as usual. 

"Ruth, are you hurt?"

"No. Please let's go." He put a hand on her waist and guided her in front of him. 

"Stupid cunt," Harrison swore after her. 

Tom didn't react. Instead he led her to a darker more secluded part of the bar. They settled on a black couch and Audrey tried to process what just happened.

"Are you alright?" Tom asked again.

"How much did you see?"

"Enough."

"I should call the police."

"Don't bother. He'll be gone before they arrive."

Audrey sighed heavily. 

"You know, when I said you could come rescue me, I actually expect that I'd need it."

"Are you disappointed with my rescue?"

"Gosh no. Anymore of his perverted dick dangling ape-shit and I might have just keeled over and died."

He laughed, a nice low rumble. It made her smile, but she was too through emotionally.

"I think I'm going to find my friend and get out of here."

"Understandable," he said. "But, we never had our drink, and I think, you could use one."

He raised a hand and a waiter came over. 

"Two sir?" 

"Yes two."

"Two what?" 

He tilted his head to the side. "If I tell you, is it likely are you going to try it?" 

She knew the answer was no.

"Yes."

He smirked at her. "You've lied to me."

Audrey wrinkled her nose. "It's only a little white lie."

"Like your name?"

She froze. Her breath caught when he touched her wrist. His curled his fingers around her hand, his and warm gentle touch reigniting her feelings. 

"You don't take risks do you? Ruth?" 

He pierced her with those eyes again. What did they see? What were they looking for?

"No. Never," she whispered. 

She needed to find Lala and leave. They had been there over 3 hours at least. She had had enough of this club.

"You haven't ever wanted to take a risk?"

Audrey frowned in response as dirty images started to flood her mind. She pulled her hand back and began twiddling fingers, hoping that the statement was innocent and not what she secretly dreamed.

"Well?"

Her fingers moved quicker, she glanced at his. 

With fingers like those, she could weave a basket.

"Not really," she mumbled.

A sex basket.

"Well you look thirsty," he responded. "Would you like a taste of something else?"

"Like what?"

"Like...me." 

Audrey gaped like a fish. 

"I...I-I beg your pardon?"

Did he just call her thirsty?

His leaned in, his hand cupping the back of her neck. Warm fingers curled into the ends of her hair, lightly securing her, preventing her escape. 

"Wait-wait what are you..."

"Stop me if you want."

His lips pressed against hers. The full bodied force of his kiss sent her reeling. Her toes curled in her shoes and she made a sound that was neither protest nor acceptance. Whatever it was he swallowed it and he drew his body closer, draping over her like a shawl. Tom's soft, warm lips wove a pattern that scalded her senses. 

She folded like a bad hand. Audrey knew he sensed her surrender, she could feel him smirk against her mouth. A second later he pulled away, leaving her senses devastated. 

Audrey stood up, her heart beat accelerating in time with the techno song that had begun to play. If she had any sense she would leave right then and there. He was no different than Harrison. He was more attractive, more sophisticated, but at his core wasn't he just after her? It was unfair of her to think so base of him, but Audrey knew she wanted him. That was why she had to judge him harshly. She scanned the room.

Where the hell was Lala?

Tom simply observed her, his long elegant fingers resting on his thigh. What was once an innocent observation began to twist into wickedness, as she imagined those fingers caressing her. The fingers drew her to the bunching fabric between his thighs and she unintentionally stared at his groin. Her eyes flicked up to his and he chuckled, seeing her mortified expression. 

"Do I scare you?" 

Lie Audrey. 

"Yes." 

AUDREY!

"I like that you're honest. Most of the time." 

He smiled then. It was charming, too charming. It made him look innocent when he was in fact, borderline evil.

"Why?" 

"I have a good feeling about you," he mused crossing a leg over his thigh. "You're scared but you stay. Why is that?"

"I've just been traumatized. I'm emotionally unstable."

"Are you?"

"It wouldn't necessarily come as a shock." 

"So you're not, attracted to me?" He had barely posed it as a question. 

She scoffed. "Uh, well are you attracted to me?"

"Yes."

Damn. She thought she would have bought some time with a contrived routine of "I asked you first," and "I asked you second." 

He was so strange. Why was it always the crazy ones that caught her eye?

His eyes seemed to dig at hers when he checked his watch. Solemnly he stood. 

"Let's dance."

"But I— "

He took her by the wrist and little difficulty towards the center of the dance floor. When they arrived he placed her in front of him and released her.

"Dance," he exclaimed. Blue and red lights 

glinted off of his midnight hair. A string of silver fell over her chest.

"Go on." 

"Who the hell do you think you're talking to?" 

She was livid. All her arousal ran out of the door when he began to act like a sociopath. 

"Just because you rescued me does not mean you can order me around!"

She turned to leave but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his chest. She gasped when he held her waist trailed his hand down to her butt.

Audrey swallowed heavily, and then with all her might slapped his face. His head rocked to the side but he didn't release her. Fear gripped her as she expected an angry backlash, but when he faced her he only looked amused.

"Let me go," she demanded. 

"Is that what you want?"

Before she could answer he backed her up into a dancing body. She tripped and fell with nothing but his hand holding her up. He strode forward, using her momentum against her until she was backed up against the wall. Jumping people encircled them, oblivious to everything but their own good time.

"Ruth." 

Her eyes widened as he pressed his arms on either side of her head. 

"I can read your body language." He tilted his head to her right. "Look over there."

Reluctantly she turned. It was a mirror. She stared at the picture of the tall muscular shadow looming like the grim reaper. Between his arms was a creature that looked delicate and saintly by comparison. For all her airs and sharp intelligence Audrey resembled a confused deer blinded by headlights. Her face was flushed, her eyes hazed with unrecognized passion. She was befuddled, but most of all, she looked wanton, longing, needy. 




The Dark Side of Chocolate



Audrey looked like she needed him. 

"Do you see what I see?" His hot air tickled her ear. "I read you, loud and clear."

Her lips parted as a familiar but rare heat grew in her stomach.

"...oh..."

Her cry was as good as an affirmation to him. He kissed her again, this time more forceful, more demanding. Her head fell back against the wall and her fingers settled on the shoulders of his jacket. He nipped at her lips, begging for entrance into her mouth which she gave him. Tom's hot, wet tongue swept in, tasting sweet and spicy. The tip of his tongue traced along the roof of her mouth and she moaned, digging fingernails into his jacket. Somehow, he had maneuvered himself between her legs and he lifted her up the wall, holding her against it with his body. It felt good, so good she had forgotten they were in public. An arm flailed at her from her peripheral vision. Glancing over she saw Lala waving to her and blowing kisses. 

Oh damn. She'd never live this...oh. 

He was kissing her neck now. 

Behind him were the glass suites. She hoped Harrison was in there blowing a gasket. He had two girls in there again. Shadra was filling his wine glass. 

So, he had found someone to take her place? The girl wore a short navy blue dress and sat on his lap. She rocked back and forward. He held her waist. Fucking in public, what vulgar acts the masses...

"Oh my God!"

Tom seemed to notice her attention had slipped. 

He reached under her dress and began stroking her pussy. She struggled, writhing like a butterfly on a pin. 

"No! Not here," she moaned loudly. "I won't!"

"Of course not." 

He gently placed her down. She bit her lip and trailed a finger down his neck. She felt him shiver. 

"But you better stop that," he growled. His eyes were alight with hunger. She felt weak in the knees.

"Fine. I'll find Lala a cab. Then let's go." 

"Not yet," he said shaking his head. 

Audrey scoffed. "You're a whorish tease!"

He laughed, shaking his head. "You go to the bar and buy yourself a drink under my tab. When you finish it I'll be ready."

What the hell was wrong with this guy? She was taking a chance here!

Audrey shook her head in annoyance. "If you don't want to be with me..."

"You misunderstand," he said sharply. "I don't intend to leave here without you."

"Uh..."

Now don't mess it—

"Well, that's whazz up..." She playfully punched his shoulder. "Homie..."

He gave her an odd look and she pivoted towards the bar.

"Stupid, stupid Audrey! Why can't you do anything right?"

Audrey sighed and threw herself on the bar. 

"With comebacks like that I deserve to die." 

"Chica!"

Lala returned to the bar with her lipstick smudged and a huge smile on her face.

"Having fun with Stan?" Audrey teased.

"Miss Audrey..." Lala sung, grabbing her arm and pulling her closer.

"Did I just see you pressed up against the wall with a certain man between your legs?"

Audrey blushed. "Well, let's just say that this is the wildest club I've ever been to. Oh and Lala?"

"Yes?"

"You're going to have to call a cab." 

"Does that mean we're going home separately?" Lala whispered naughtily.

"Not if Stan and Tom are roommates."

Lala dissolved into a peel of high pitched giggles and Audrey plugged her ears.

"God, how do I deactivate you?"

"Oh girl!" Lala gushed hugging her. "Thank you for inviting me! This is the first of so many more nights!"

"I never said that."

"Don't ruin this Audrey."

She rolled her eyes, about to speak when the glass suite caught her eye again. Harrison was bent over, one woman rubbing his back while another was on her knees. 

Those sick bastards. 

Looking on longer she realized it wasn't sex. He was sick. Too much alcohol and too much stirring Audrey guessed. Oh well he could shake it o...

Harrison held his throat and keeled over. Without warning, he began to violently convulse. 

"Oh my God," Audrey exclaimed. 

"What? What?" 

Harrison's hands were around his throat and she couldn't hear him, but she knew he was screaming. Looking back at Lala in terror she stood up. 

"Hey, there's something wrong with that man in the glass suite!" Audrey shouted to the bartender. He didn't seem to hear her. 

She was about to shout again when she looked to the wall and saw Tom. He was calmly watching the man flail. He had a hard expression, his arms crossed over his chest. Harrison gave one violent jerk and then, stopped moving. 

One of the women grabbed her head and ran out of the door. Tom checked his watch and then pushed off the wall. He was headed back towards the bar.

"Oh my God." 

Audrey grabbed LaCienega and ran to the elevator.

"What are you doing?" Lala shrieked.

She had no time to explain. Using her free hand Audrey pounded the elevator button over and over frantically chanting, "Come on, come on!" 

A scream rose over the music. 

"HELP! HE'S DEAD! HE'S DEAD!" 

It was as though the glass suite had lifted its invisible curtains. Everyone could now see the dead man lying on its plush VIP floor. The club stilled, and then, imploded with hysteria. The music cut off as people rushed to and from the scene. 

The elevator opened unmanned and Lala fell in, pulling Audrey down with her. People began stampeding towards them, but Audrey jumped up and pulled the lever all the way down. Before they could get to it, it closed. On the floor through the slit of the elevator door, Audrey could swear she saw him again. He was standing by the bar, looking gravelly at her. 

A different kind of chill run down her spine, and the elevator jerked into motion. 

"LaCienega...do you have your purse?" 

Mute for the first time in her life, Lala nodded. Good, she had hers too. They stood up and stepped quickly into the lobby. 

"How did..." Lala began but Audrey shook her head.

"When we're alone," she whispered.

They got their coats and walked out. They got into a complimentary cab, and sat in silence. Audrey could still feel the fierce beating of the club shaking in her. 

She had no proof for what she felt. It was probably a decadent overdose of drugs or alcohol. There was no evidence of foul play. 

So, why did she know it was murder? And why was she sure that "Tom" as he had named himself, was involved? 

Audrey took Lala's hand and squeezed.

Well Audrey, that's because he was. 

------------------------------------------------

Chapter Three: Oreo Bon bons

It had been a rough night for both of them. After hailing a cab they had opted to head to LaCienega's house since it was closest. Looking around, Audrey understood why Lala had called her apartment a matchbox. Lala had a flat, studio style, with a large expansive window looking out on the New York skyline. 

"What's your job again?"

"What just happened?" 

Audrey frowned, peeling off her boots. "I don't know. I just know I felt like it was time to go." 

"How did you know?" 

"Bitch, I'm psychic."

Lala looked at her in silence. 

Should she tell Lala the truth? 

"Girl...why didn't you tell me?"

Wait, what?

"I watched a documentary about people with ESP. I know the signs."

"Look, it's not that deep," Audrey said. "I saw the guy fall down and I figured if he was badly hurt they'd need to evacuate us. I didn't want us to get stuck in an over packed elevator getting interrogated by police and manhandled by bouncers." 

"Well chica, I'm glad all the people watching you do paid off. Though I still think you have ESP." 

"I have ESPN and it gives me all the playoff games." 

Audrey shrugged off her dress. Lala was already in her underwear and slipping on a T-shirt. She tossed Audrey a blue one with a pair of shorts. 

"It is a shame we had to leave those hot guys," Lala grumbled. "That one next to you was fine, but he seemed a little serious. Now his friend..."

Audrey drowned her out. She needed to crash.

"I'm wiped."

Lala smiled and ushered her to join her on her big circular bed. "We'll talk all about it tomorrow." 

"Sure." 

With that, Audrey passed out. 

------------------------------------------------

He scanned the empty club looking on what would have been the crime scene. The girl who had shouted of Harrison's death hadn't checked his pulse properly. 

No, Harrison hadn't died in the club. He would die in the hospital bed with nothing in his autopsy but a very high alcohol liver count. It would show that he died of alcohol poisoning, and knowing his reputation, it would be unquestioned. 

Checking his watch he looked out past the windows near the lounge of the bar. With all those bodies it had been impossible to even see it. Lights poured in from skyscrapers, slicing the room into thirds. He saw Kai pull up in a black car. Kai flashed his lights once before pulling into the parking lot. 

He boarded the elevator, exited the club, and entered the car. Kai's mohawk rubbed against the car roof. 

"Is it clean?" 

"Yes," he replied leaning back. "Harrison should die by 3:15 am." 

"Good." 

Kai drove around some back streets before he finally glanced up at his occasional partner. 

"Now, what about the girls?" 

"Girl," he corrected. "The one you were with didn't seem to know anything. If we don't hear any press tomorrow about murder, I doubt the other one told her or anyone." 

"Fair enough," Kai said turning left. "Did you ID them?"

"No."

"That could be a problem."

"Not really."

"Good, cause I liked mine." 

Before Kai had left with Lala, he had told him to make the girl beside him his alibi. 

"I've got my alibi, you get yours," he had shouted. It wasn't hard to get women to come home with him. This one has struggled. There was something about her that he found...interesting. 

He had noticed her come in and sit beside him as though no one in the world existed but her. She had been cool and collected; the opposite of her eccentric friend. Yet, he noticed her stoic demeanor disappear when she thought she wasn't being watched. Why the mask? Did she have reasons, like him? 

"So do you think she knows?" 

He frowned. She had looked at him and out of the club with her friend on her arm. 

"I know she doesn't fully understand. But, she was smart."

"Smart enough to piece bits together?" 

"Smart enough to heard your bit about the hit deadline and think it was a baby." 

Kai turned down another path before parking right in a junk yard. 

"Should we be concerned?" 

"I'll take care of her." 

She was a little brown deer. "Ruth" had sensed the danger and run off. It fascinated him.

They got out of the car, the chalky white outline of its designated spot lining perfectly with Kai's driving. They scuffed out the thin line with their shoes. Then they walked off. He heard the sound of heavy machinery activate before a giant crane arm smashed their car down into the ground. After a few more collisions, the debris was lifted and put on a scrap conveyor belt. 

Kai held up a hand in acknowledgement to whoever trashed the car before slipping on his black sunglasses. 

"You heading to a hotel?" 

Kai took out a cigarette and lit it in a fluid motion. 

"No," he said slipping on his own glasses. "I'm going to look up Ms. Ruth." 

"You know that's not her real name." 

"Obviously." 

They walked off, the sky beginning to lighten behind them.

----------------------------------------------

"Stories report that 45-year old CEO Maxwell Harrison died last night in a hospital, after attending the exclusive Black Blade VIP event last night. Evidence suggests that Harrison died of liver failure due to overconsumption of alcohol. We have Donna on scene covering the story...Hi I'm Donna Hunter. I'm standing at St. Janet hospital where at 3:08 am this morning, wealthy businessman Maxwell Harrison..." 

Audrey shut off the television.

So he didn't die in the club, he died in a hospital. Either it was a normal freak accident, or the perfect cover up. It just didn't feel right. 

She couldn't ignore the way that man had looked at her, or the lack of reaction he had they proclaimed Harrison was dead. 

Looking up from the couch she saw Lala was still tangled in her bed cover. 

Audrey laid back. What did that mean for her? Was she in danger? 

The questions buzzing around in her head gave her a headache. She couldn't help but feel that she should lie low for a week or so. What did he have to go on? He had that she was sort of a reporter for clubs and her name was Ruth. 

She checked the time. It was 7:50, her boss might be in. 

Her boss answered the phone drowsily. 

"WYS, Ranger speaking." 

"Hi, Ms. Ranger? This is me, Audrey." 

"Oh Audrey, I saw the news. Are you okay? How did your assignment go?" 

Oh thanks for devoting so much time to my well being boss-lady.

"We got out before things got crazy." 

"We?" 

"I took LaCienega in accordance with the club's plus one invite." 

"I see..." 

She could practically see the wheels of disbelief turning on her head. 

"So...what's up?" 

"I was wondering if we could publish my current and future articles under an alias."

"Any special reason?" 

"Just that I was hoping to be as discreet as possible in the future." 

Her boss paused for a moment too long and she added, "And I'm a bit freaked about the death of that man at the club I was at." 

That won her over.

"Okay fine. What'll it be?" 

"Dancing Queen." 

"Copyrighted and Irrelevant." 

"Club Bunny?" 

"Lame." 

"Dolores." 

"Works for me." 

With that they bid goodbyes. Still a bit tired 

she laid back down on Lala's couch. The girl probably wouldn't rise until noon. Well, at least she felt a bit better. 

----------------------------------------------

The next week Audrey had done exactly what she had planned. That weekend she had gone home and stayed home, trying to work around her problem. She didn't necessarily have a tangible problem, but she felt like ignoring her senses would be a dumb idea. 

It was true she was probably a paranoid bitch, but she'd rather be an alive paranoid bitch than a dead one. 

When she went in and showed her boss the article she had written before the incident, she explained it would be unwise to release it right now. She argued that every other magazine and news station would be reporting on it, and it'd be tragedy. For all she knew, the club might get closed down. Ranger agreed, having thought about pulling the article anyway. 

Having felt that she covered her tracks well enough, she decided to avoid future sightings. Tom had been at Black Blade without a press pass. That meant that he was rich. With enough spread to treat the Black Blade like Starbucks, he probably visited a lot of high profile clubs. It might be good to go to a bunch of normal people clubs. She'd fit in a lot easier. Audrey looked up about three and showed her boss that she could put them all in one exposé. 

"I'll call it hopping with a budget. Give it trade name like riding the bunny. Get it? Cause bunnies hop?" 

"I really like your initiative Audrey," Ranger said, giving her a tense smile. "Run the article. Clip the name. It's graphic." 

"Thank you maam." 

Graphic...of course! Why did she have to use "riding?" 

The week passed by in relative solace and Audrey's confidence grew. So far she was doing well. She had stayed relatively close to home and of course, had been purged of details by Marco. He was furious she ran off without letting Tom have his way with her, but he gave her a C for effort.

"Isn't that an A for effort?"

"Bitch, you get a C. As in: See, I should have secured that cock."

Valentine's Day was coming up, which meant that the clubs would have to be for singles who wanted to mingle. Couples didn't go to clubs on Valentine's Day, not unless they were fresh. She was currently at home, doing some research in between bites of Chinese food. Marco was harassing her over the phone. In fact her phone was ringing now. Speak of the devil.

"Hello?"

"Bitch aren't you lonely?"

"Hello Marco."

"This weekend is your last chance to get in my good graces. If you don't lose your virginity soon I'm going to have to do it myself." 

"Yes I'm fine. Thank you for asking."

"You are not fine!" Marco protested. "Lala told 

me you had a hot jacked man between your legs. And you let a little murder stop you from tapping that?"

"Uh yeah. It's kind of a mood killer. Hehe. Mood killer." 

"Princess Punny please. Control yourself."

After that, the conversation became normal in terms of Marco. He and Steph were planning another dinner for Valentine's Day, but they were thinking about inviting a few couples to go along. 

"So if you want to come you need to bring a man."

"Why can't I bring a woman?"

"Bring anyone you plan to sleep with."

"So..."

"Do the nasty Audrey. Not a sleepover. Why don't you put your hammer down, Wordsmith?"

"You know I'm a keeper babe," she snickered.

"Yeah. A real tight keeper too. Might have to get a damn treasure hunter to discover that..." 

"Marco just face it, I'm going to die alone surrounded by my wealth and my two cats with 

rhyming names."

"Ookie and Pookie?"

"More like Tiggs and Mr. Biggs."

"Oh please. You're exaggerating."

"What's wrong with Mr. Biggs?"

No, I meant about the wealth and cats."

"...I guess."

"I know. You'll be poor like the rest of us."

"You're a class act Marco."

"Audrey you are pretty. You need to believe that. Now go get a man." 

"Yes mama."

"Damn right I'm your momma! Momma says go put on that white sundress I bought you last year and march your butt down the street, walking real slow."

"But...it's cold outside."

"Audrey! Don't make me put my foot up—"

"I've got work. Bye!"

"Audr—"

Audrey hung up. Now, what was she doing?

---------------------------------------------

The woman had eluded him for a week, 7 days and he was no closer to finding her than he had that night. It was inexcusable to be unable to find a pedestrian with a general location, and an occupation. 

Black Blade had no camera surveillance past the 3rd level, patron privacy rules. Finding her DNA could take months in what was essentially a human Petri dish. 

Usually he didn't find any fault in that, but at the moment with no picture of her, and the image already distorted by the club's darkness, it didn't serve him. Still, he'd be able to identify her if she was close. Her eyes were unique enough that he could never picture them on another face. The problem was searching. 

Like he predicted she had kept her mouth shut. He originally searched for any new articles on Black Blade written by African American women in the New York area, but found none. He thought about extending his search to Jersey, but she seemed like a local, so decided not to. With the bad press on Black Blade he could understand why the article could have been withheld. So instead he checked for journalists who wrote about clubs. He found everyone from a woman named Martha who gave instruction on how to sneak weed into a club, to Josephine who found clubs to be hideous in the sight of God. Narrowing had taken time, but by the time he had sifted through the crap, he had about 20 businesses. 

Those had been the few that had no pictures. Two of the names were Ruth, just for argument's sake. He frowned looking down the long list of names. This bothered him. Usually he was a patient man, but as of late his patience was wearing thin. He had even added in a name with 11% probability. A woman or effeminate man under the name Dolores. It had stuck out as very odd among the others. 

He ran a hand through his hair. He needed a new tactic, a faster one. He needed to draw her out. 




The Dark Side of Chocolate



Who owed him favors? 

A plan struck him, and he dialed. 

"Hello! Thank you for calling Chingu. My name is Ashley, how may I help you?" 

"Tell Chun Hei that he has roses," he said in Korean. 

The girl agreed, putting him on hold. A second later a gruff, nervous voice answered. 

"What do you want?" 

"Is this line secure?" 

He heard shuffling before the man replied, 

"Yes." 

"Good. I'm calling it Chun Hei." 

"Please, I'm just..." 

"It's not a big," he interrupted. He hated whining. "I want you to leak that your bar has a secret menu. Make it confrontational like you only offer it to Asians or something." 

"Why would I do that?" the man asked frantically. "Business is finally great! You want me to make a menu that..." 

"I said leak. Pretend there is a menu."

"But—!" 

"You're making me mad." 

Chun Hei went silent. He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose in frustration. 

"Are you making me bait?" Chun Hei finally asked. 

"I'll call you in 17 hours. I want it done. By tomorrow." 

He hung up. Sighing, he rolled his shoulders. He pulled his shirt over his head and yawned. Actually that could be said with men as well. The thought of her roaming around set him on edge. She could be passing right by him, mocking him in plain sight. 

Turning on the shower to a decent heat he stepped in, leaning his head into the shower's beating. It soothed his ever growing headache. When he closed his eyes he could feel her, her warmth, her softness, her wetness, when he had tested her with his fingers. 

She could run all she wanted, but he would fine her. 

He would find her. 

-------------------------------------------------

Chapter Four: Cherry Cordials

"Audrey come in right now! We have a major scoop!" 

Audrey groaned. She looked at the clock. 6:31 am. 

She had just spent last night working on her three club article until 3:00 am. 

"Ms. Ranger please..." she begged. "Today is my day off. I desperately need to..." 

"Audrey baby, sleep in the subway, but get your efficient little tail to my office right now! Something big has happened. Big!" 

Rolling over she cursed her fate. What had she done to deserve this?

Crawling on her hands and knees to the shower, she accidentally set it to cold. The first jolts of spray hit her and she panicked, turning it to hot right away. 

Somewhat coherent, she dressed and maneuvered to her kitchen, gulping down some juice, and grabbing a muffin from the top of her fridge. 

She wished she could have a strong cup of coffee, but since going clean off it, she found her body couldn't stand it anymore. Drowsily, she nearly did fall asleep in the subway and was grateful when Lala appeared out of thin air, rushing in to pull her out before she missed her stop. 

"LaCienega?" she asked opening her heavy eyes. "Did I summon you?"

"Sí. ESP chica." 

"And?"

"And Marco told me to get you." 

"Bless you both." 

"You hold on to that blessing chica, you need it right now." 

Audrey laughed as Lala helped her up the stairs like a drunken person. 

Were the stairs always like this? 

When she arrived, the whole office was in a panic. 

"Audrey! Good, there you are." Ms. Ranger had her hands full with papers. 

"Here, look at this." Audrey slowly took the paper and saw that it had many words. 

"It's got words on it."

Looking up, she saw what she imagined was pity on the face of Ms. Ranger, and Ranger snatched the paper back. 

"Well Audrey in a nutshell, WYS, including 19 other journalism establishments have received an anonymous tip this morning that this club...bar...restaurant. Whatever. Has this secret menu."

"Yeah?" Audrey was annoyed by the triviality of the matter. "So does McDonalds. No one goes cuckoo for the dollar menu." 

Ms. Ranger coughed. "I'll excuse your attitude only because you look like you've been dragged off a sunken ship."

"Why, thank you."

"The "big deal" is that the menu is only offered to attractive females, and only during the second week of the month. Guess what week this is?" 

"The second?" 

"Exactly. And the day falls on the 13th, right before Valentine's Day. So we need to prep you to get that scoop. Fast." 

"Isn't this bigger than a clubbing article?" 

Audrey asked frowning. 

"You're right," Ranger said with a grin. "This is about sexism, violations of the equal rights act, exclusivist mentality, the whole lot of it. You can bet those small time fries on the list will expose the story right off, but we're going to uncover not only the truth, but the contents of that secret menu! What items are deemed exclusive? Are they taboo? Expensive? Who chooses..." 

Audrey saw her boss had gone off into a world that had nothing to do with her...still. 

"So why am I involved?" 

"We need you to go undercover," she answered plainly.

"You have the most experience in exploring a club/bar atmosphere. You also have a way with words. Usually. I know we can't just go in and ask what's on the secret menu. We have to ask without asking." 

"Okay," Audrey said stifling another yawn. An intern rushed past her, jamming her with his knobby elbows. She stuck out her foot to trip him. 

Lala gasped. "Audrey!"

"So why do I need to here now?" 

"You're going to collaborate with a few other employees to prepare you for Friday. They'll plant a live wire on you so we can webcast the whole thing. This is big for us. The tipper put us all in competition. You need to crack this kid. Get to it!" 

With a firm handshake, Ranger walked off. 

Audrey stood there, imagining her fingers around Ms. Ranger's her neck. 

"I can't do this right now," she moaned exhausted. 

"We know." 

Marco had finally showed up. He put a hand on her head and grinned. 

"Aww...you look so pathetic. Like a muddy kitten." 

"Shut. Up." 

He laughed before leading her by her head into his cubicle where he threw his huge blue jacket over her head. "You have an hour and a ½. Try not to snore." 

Audrey could have cried in gratitude, but instead she slept, falling asleep almost instantaneously under the jacket that smelt like mint leaves. 

------------------------------------------------

"You had to put a spin on it, didn't you?" 

"Hey, I can't lose business," Chun Hei cackled. 

Chances were, he'd gain business now. With a string of females spilling in to see if they were hot enough to deserve receiving some special menu, the men would follow knowing they'd be there. Why not line up for a chance to finally settle that age old best friend rivalry over who's really hotter? Why not buy a few drinks to see that? 

"Just play it close," he said, kind of amused at Chun Hei's ability for self-preservation. "Make sure to keep your surveillance on. Alert me if any girls in my description ask about the menu. I'll be there on Friday, but if you get a match before then I want a picture." 

"You've got it boss." The man actually sounded happy. 

He frowned, wondering if he had accidentally done him a favor. Cities always thrived on conflict. Chun Hei was probably getting press he couldn't have ever paid for. While he openly denied the existence of any such menu, the masses were not hearing it. 

Sighing he thought about the easiest and calmest way to end all of this. By now he was almost certain she knew. She had taken steps to conceal herself from him, something an unaware person wouldn't do. So, he had to plan.

------------------------------------------------

The time went by too quick for her. Audrey felt like her eyes had just shut before Marco made her open them up again. 

"Rise and shine Ms. Panda face! Get into the bathroom to get some of that dark circle out. We can't have Ranger looking abusive, or she'll get real abusive." 

Audrey went off obediently, knowing they had done her a favor. Looking in the mirror she cringed. Damn, she really did look awful. After countless minutes of dabbing ice cold water on her eyes, she emerged imperfect, but at least human looking. Stifling yet another yawn she rounded the corner to the group huddled together that had to be her group. Some of the Tech people waved at her smiling, while a few others looked at her like she'd strike at them. 

One guy was clearly imagining her naked. 

Ugh,I'll call you Creepy Dennis.

She snapped he fingers in front of his face and he acted like he had been shot. 

"So one thing before I start," she said, sitting down in the circle. 

Of course they had to make a circle. 

"What's the name of this place?" 

A woman raised her hand like she was in class before catching herself. 

"Chingu, it's a fusion bar turned club on the weekends." 

"I see." 

For some reason the word sounded familiar to her. Did she know someone named Chingu? 

"Is it a woman that owns it?" she asked hoping to clarify the name. 

"No, an old man," Daniel, the head of the tech team answered. She knew this because he was wearing a name tag that said "Daniel, head of the tech team." 

And he was the only one. 

"Okay well, continue."

They spun around and began talking to each while she sat and watched. 

When lunch came they decided to work through it and order in. 

"What do you want Audrey?" 

I want to go home. 

"What's the food?" 

"Chinese." 

No...I want pizza!

"Beef and Broccoli." 

Later, they asked her one more question she didn't like. 

"What will you wear?"

"What do you mean?" Why did everyone felt like she couldn't dress herself? She could..couldn't she? 

I mean, Danny boy was actually wearing shorts and suspenders. In a non-ironic way. 

"Well," Daniel started, in his better-

than-youhigh IQ voice. 

"Since we do know he's targeting attractive women, you should probably wear something that accents your physical attributes." 

She realized then that there were only three women including herself. 

"Maybe we should all together come up with some outfit choices that would really..." 

"Wet T-Shirt," Creepy Dennis rasped. "A white wet T-shirt."

"No!"

"Well maybe we can take the "concept" of the white wet T-shirt, and apply it to a—"

"No," she interrupted. "I'm a big girl. I can dress myself." 

Daniel looked a bit taken back by her tone and adjusted his glassed. "Audrey, it's not that we don't think you're capable, it's just that we are all trying to do this together. Since you're going in..." 

"Yes. I am going in," she agreed giving him a tight grin. "And since I'm going in, I'm going to wear what I feel like going in with. If I don't get access to the secret menu because I'm not shoving my breasts in his face, we don't need it. This is a bar report people. Not mission freaking impossible." 

There was an awkward silence, but Audrey didn't care. She was not ending up in a sequined thong, nip tassels, and go- go boots. 

Not on her day off. 

They disbanded the meeting shortly after, saying they could finish the rest tomorrow. She wanted to point out that they could finish it the day after that too, since it was Tuesday ,but kept it zipped. 

Feeling the last bit of energy seep out of her she dragged herself to her boss's office. 

"Come in." 

"Ms. Ranger?" 

"Yes?" 

"I'm not coming into work tomorrow. I just can't. I know I'll be useless to you. I need tomorrow. " 

Ms Ranger gave her a measured look before nodding. "Fine, but only because I love your exposé." 

"Thank you."

"But I'm changing the name."

"Why change the name?"

"Audrey."

"Alright! Fine...change the name."

No one truly appreciated her comedic genius. 

After arriving at her place Audrey collapsed in bed. The next day, she emerged around 12:00pm. She took a hot bath, sorted out her hair and then made herself some eggs for breakfast. Happy, she ate her brunch while watching a Spanish novella. She didn't know what they were saying, but everyone was so expressive. 

"Obviously these two are together...but she was cheating on him with his evil twin brother, who had seduced her on the night of her wedding rehearsal. That's some brill writing." 

Speaking of writing, what was with her article on Chingu? That name kept popping up in her mind. Frowning she went to her laptop and typed it in the search engine. 

"Ch...in...gu."

Okay, so far she had found a girl named Lai Lan Chingu, a recipe for chicken, and one dirty website. 

Frowning, she thought about looking up a dictionary translation. It came back negative asking her, "do you mean the word Chinese?" 

"No Google, I don't...but good idea."

She got a Chinese language translator. 

Nope, the word was not Chinese. Frowning she changed it to Japanese. Also a no. A chill went down her spine. She changed the setting to 

Korean. 

Friend. 

The word meant "friend" in Korean. It was informal, but it was very much a Korean word, one she had long ago forgotten. 

How convenient was it that her company, out of 20 companies, had been one of the few tipped about a Korean bar's secret menu? 

She wasn't crazy. It wasn't all in her head. 

This guy was actually looking for her. Maybe he had already found her. 

Maybe he was narrowing his search. Either way, she knew a set up when she saw one. What she didn't know was how she was going to avoid it without losing her job. 

Or more importantly her life.

-------------------------------------------------

Chapter Five: Caramel Truffles

"Please! I'm serious I really can't do this!" 

"It's just nerves kid I can't have you cracking on me now. I just can't."

"Ms. Ranger—"

"You'll have to grow some lady balls, and make it happen." 

Audrey was screwed. No amount of pleading, begging, threatening, or hysteria had changed Ms. Ranger's mind. Ranger didn't listen. 

Why would she, when Audrey had no actual proof of her "actual" danger? She hadn't explained anything in detail. 

She had only explained that she could not go into the club, at all. 

With the slightest inkling that she was being stalked, Ranger would have her filling a police report. A paper trail was just what a murderer would need to find her. 

She had hoped that after three years of capable work, Ranger would trust her. Ranger did, she trusted her to deliver a good article, no matter the conditions.

Audrey was never so pissed to be reliable in her life. 

She had even gone as far as telling her that she wasn't ready to go to a really congested club scene again. That she was having nightmares about the Black Blade. 

The cruel bitch had put Sleepytime Tea and a Therapist's business card on her desk. 

Before Audrey she could blink, it was Thursday night. By then she knew she could do nothing but prepare. Everything was going so fast. She decided how to do this. She would show up at Chingu 9:00pm, and wouldn't be there a minute after 10:30. 

Fuck the other members of her team. Her hands shaking she called Marco. 

"Hey Audrey what's up?" 

"Marco I need to ask you a favor." 

"Shoot baby." 

"I need to borrow your taser." 

She could sense him shift to seriousness. 

"Audrey, is someone threatening you?" 

Not in a way I can prove. 

"No Marco it's just...after the Black Blade business, I don't feel all that safe. Plus I'm going by myself and I just want some security." 

"I'll go with..." 

"No!...no, I need to get back in the swing of handling things myself. But, I need a crutch. Can I borrow yours?" 

Wait, that didn't come out right.

He was silent for a moment longer, but finally said, "Okay Audrey fine. But if someone's bothering you, you better tell me okay?" 

"You'll be the first to know." She smiled, her heart warming. "You know I really love you." 

"You better bitch." She gave him an audible kiss and hung up. 

Okay, she had a taser. Now her look. She would need a wig, something unlike her. She needed to be beyond recognition. She'd wear color, maybe purple no, yellow. And she'd have that wire on anyways. They would hear and see everything. Thinking about that she had she felt a ton better. Maybe with a good enough shot, she could get him on attempted manslaughter charges. She'd put him away long enough for her to finish out her small career in NY. Then she'd move to LA, get rich, and then back to NY again to retire in her success. 

After that, she still couldn't shake that stupid feeling. So, she called her family. She really did need to talk to them.

"Hi Mom? It's Audrey...love you too. Haha...no, I'm not dating...Mom!"

-------------------------------------------------

So far he had five misses. Some girls had full out asked about the secret menu, and had worn nothing special to get it. One had gone on a full out tirade against female oppression before storming off. 

Chun Hei was really enjoying himself. 

He, was not. 

He was getting angsty every time he thought he had found her. It made him angry that his mind and emotions had no reconciled her being a mark. He still had a good feeling about her, despite the fact he would be her murderer. It was making him very angry. 

And he was such a sunflower, naturally.

He just wanted to find her, and finish this. For some reason he kept thinking about her eyes, how they sparked innocently with life, always searching for something that never seemed in the room. She had looked, pierced right through him. She probably knew all about him the moment she had looked into his eyes. 

The thought of making those eyes close forever made him feel sick and nauseous, feelings he hadn't felt in years. Years that replayed as nightmares when he dreamed, and left him unsettled days after. 

He never liked killing women, even if they were assassins. This one was a civilian. 

But, she was a problem, a liability. So far Kai hadn't sent him anything about police reports matching the Black Blade night or any local authorities filing supposedly anonymous complaints. He almost wished she had talked. It would have made his job easier. It would have solidified in his mind that she needed to be silenced. Wherever she was she was keeping it zipped tight. Could he count on her silence? No, professionals didn't take chances. 

Tomorrow was Friday. 

He had a feeling he would see her. It filled him with metallic tasting dread. 

------------------------------------------------

Chapter Six: Raspberry Fudge

Audrey had long, flame-red hair, a tight purple shirt, tighter blue skinny jeans, and black boots. 

Creepy Dennis said it was understated, but somehow no one else supported him on that.

Daniel loved the wig idea. He asked if she would call him "Q" and act like she was 007. Daniel was only half-kidding. After that he kept calling her role the "mission." 

It was Friday. She was at the office, letting them mike her up and do test runs. The camera came in the form of nonprescription glasses, while her mike was tucked behind her ear. Audrey definitely didn't look like herself. She looked approachable, cute. She figured it could be a good way to lower an old man's guard. 

"Are you ready?" Daniel asked as the team finished setting up. 

"As ready as I'll ever be." 

"Good. Amber, drive her to the bar." 

She followed Amber, a chorus of good lucks echoing behind her. Amber gave her a bright smile, ushering her into a beat up Sedan. She turned the radio to an indie station and they drove. 

The city at night was always gorgeous. Daylight exposed what neon lights hid. New York was a dirty city, a beautiful city, where buildings were really tall mirrors, streets were magic carpets, and subways were always amusement parks. 

Why did she feel like she was seeing it for the last time? 

Audrey fingered the taser that lay tucked in the back of her jeans. Her shirt hid it well. After an intense hour of instruction from Marco, she knew she could use it. She felt better touching it. It made her feel in control, reassured.