SEXY SCANDAL

TWO

I stared at my screen, who could it be? It was a private number so I couldn’t reply to it and couldn’t call it either. Threshold Club… a place where most powerful people gathered, those who craved influence. I looked at the chart hanging on the wall again. My dad died while he was still investigating the case of Courtney Murray, the sister to an eligible bachelor, the multi-billionaire, Ellis Murray.

I’ve seen him in the news a couple of times and sometimes heard him on the phone with my dad when he was still alive. I had already given up on finding the killer two years ago. The killer could be some competition with some businessmen if I was right; there was no way I could find out without getting closer… maybe way too close.

I looked at my phone again; maybe I could get answers if I went to the club. Maybe the killer could be there, or someone connected. I plugged my phone into the bedside table and then shut my eyes to sleep. The next evening, I kept checking my phone, counting down the minutes. It was fifteen minutes to six. I hurriedly finished cleaning and took the quickest route home.

I got home, showered, and dressed in a black off-the-shoulder dress with long sheer sleeves and a flared skirt. The dress had a fitted bodice with a lace-up detail at the back. The sleeves were gathered at the shoulders and wrists. The skirts were tiered and had a scalloped hem. It was a dress Josh had gotten me for my previous birthday, my 25th birthday. At least I can put it to good use today. I wore a pair of flat black shoes.

I looked at myself in the mirror; if I was going to a club for people of influence then I should look something like it. I applied some makeup, curled the ends of my hair, then slung a handbag over my shoulder, and left the house locking the door behind me. I knew I should tell Josh about this, but I didn’t want him to worry about me. He’d probably disapprove of me going to a place where high and dangerous men and women gathered.

But I had to take the risk. It was worth taking. I took a cab, constantly staring out of the window. The cab finally dropped me in front of the building; I stepped out of the cab and looked up. This is it, I said looking at the neon plate that read, ‘Threshold Club’.

I took in a few deep breaths and then stepped into the club.

The club exuded an air of luxury; its polished floors reflected the soft glow of the chandeliers overhead. As I stepped inside, the scent of aged whiskey and leather mingled in the air. The walls were adorned with dark wood and pieces of art that looked like they were worth more than my entire house. The place was full with rich businessmen and women, people laughing and drinking exchanging business ideas or having regular conversations.

They were female exotic dancers around; some dancing on tables, some on poles and some on the lap of some businessmen, the waitresses were dressed in thin scraps of clothing that left little to the imagination. I looked around surveying the environment, everything screamed luxury. Who could have sent me that text? I walked over to the bar and sat on one of the barstools. I looked at the bartender who gave me a flirty smirk. I just smiled casually,

“Hey there gorgeous…” he said leaning over the counter, “…Never seen you here before, I see you’re new” I nodded looking around the club still admiring the interiors. “Yeah, I am” I flashed him a sweet smile; he was mixing some cocktails and staring at me. “So. Anything for the lady?”

“What’s on the menu?” He smiled and passed me the tablet. My eyes scrolled down the tablet, Petrus…AU$ 2500. I felt like my eyes were burning. How could wine be so expensive, I looked again, Louis Roederer, AU$ 1500? I looked at him briefly, and then my eyes settled on the expensive bottles on the shelf behind him, Penfold Koonunga Vineyard, AU$ 500. That was surely going to have a huge impact on my bank account.

I took a deep breath then smiled at the bartender, “I’ll have this one”. He leaned in to look at the menu and then smirked; “Alright, I’ll mix that” I kept looking around the club. His eyes lingered on me, a playful glint in them as he tilted his head slightly, as if sizing me up. “So… I never got your name though.” He then winked and I chuckled softly, “It’s Dian…”