The man in the room

The man in the room
The movie shoot was gradually coming to an end, and even saying that out loud felt surreal. It’s been almost six months, six whole months in this little indie town, and yet it felt like I had arrived only yesterday. Time has moved in strange ways here sometimes fast, sometimes painfully slow, but always fulfilling. It was a perfect mix of work, new people, and strange emotions I didn’t always know how to process.

It had been all shades of fun. Some days were hectic, some were unbearably busy, the kind of long hours that made your bones ache, but I enjoyed every bit of it. I really did. The idea of a “small indie town movie project” hadn’t been small at all. The truth was, this project had attracted a lot of big names in the industry. Producers, directors, investors, some of the most successful people in Hollywood.

They wanted a refreshing backdrop, a quiet town to build something artistic, and also a chance to scout new talents. But at the same time, they wanted a familiar face to balance it out. A face that wasn’t small, a face like mine. The perfect blend of professional and creative, they said.

Today’s shoot ended early, and the moment the cameras wrapped up, Macy clapped her hands like she had just won the lottery.

“You know what? Since we’ve basically been living inside that studio for months, tonight we are hitting the club,” she declared dramatically.

I laughed, because I had been excited too. So excited that it’s been on my mind all day. Back in LA, between work, reputation management, and… everything else, I never really got the time to attend parties. Red carpet events? Yes. Galas? Yes. Premiere parties? Definitely. But an actual club night-out? Almost never.

So the moment the opportunity presented itself, I knew I had to make the best of it. 

“Aiden, come on you’re going to be late!” Macy yelled from behind the door.

I jogged over and opened it. She paused mid-step, her eyes widening like I’d just stepped out wearing a wedding tux.

“Oh my gosh, Aiden, what are you wearing? You look ridiculous.” she blurted, placing a bag on the couch.

I looked down at myself and shrugged. “Well technically, Macy, it’s not my fault. I’ve never been to a club before and I don’t exactly know what people wear to the club so,  this was my best guess.” I gestured to my obviously overdressed outfit.

She laughed and shook her head like she expected this. “Yeah, well, I had a feeling that would be the case. Luckily for you, I came prepared.” She handed me the bag. “Now go and change into this.”

“Thanks Macy. You’re a lifesaver,” I told her honestly, rushing into the room.

When I came out, she let out a dramatic gasp. “Oh my gosh, Aiden. You look breathtaking. You see? I’ve got good eyes. I knew this would look amazing on you the moment I saw it, and I was right. Well done, Macy,” she said proudly, patting her own shoulder.

I shook my head and laughed. “Always dramatic. Come on, let’s get going. Ken will have our heads if we’re even one minute late.”

“Honestly? I’ve never seen anyone as time conscious as Ken. It’s unbelievably crazy,” she said as we walked down the hall and headed downstairs.

We weren’t the only ones going, several crew members were also tagging along so the SUV was packed. The moment we got in, everyone cheered like we’d just won an award. Someone handed me champagne, and we all clinked glasses, screaming and laughing like love-sick, drunk teenagers.

By the time we had reached the club, I already felt lighter, freer than I had in months. Inside, everything was different loud music shaking the walls, lights flashing, bodies dancing and rubbing together like they were made out of pure energy. Macy grabbed my wrist and dragged me straight to the bar.

She squealed when she saw the bartender. A friend of hers, apparently.

She ordered drinks, raised hers in a toast, and swallowed it in one gulp. I tried to do the exact same, to prove I wasn’t a complete newbie, but the moment the liquor burned down my throat, my chest tightened so hard I thought I’d choke.

She burst into laughter. “Oh my God, Aiden, look at your face! You are such an amateur.”

Before I could reply, Ken appeared between us, wrapping an arm around each of our shoulders.

“Why are you two sitting over here like party poopers?” he demanded. “Just incase you don’t know—he said, as he turned to me—it’s a crime to come to a club and not dance.”

“No way, Ken,” I protested quickly. “I don’t know how to dance, and I don’t want to make a fool of myself out there. Why not just take Macy instead.”

“Absolutely not.” He shook his head firmly. “I’m not going to hear any of that. You are here to have fun, and that’s what we’re going to do. End of discussion.”

Then he turned to the bartender. “Armando, be a darling and give us another round of shots!” Armando gently nodded, as he started filling out glasses. 

We each took the shots, and that’s when Ken spoke again, “You can’t hit the dance floor if you’re sober. That’s offense number one.”

Before I could process anything, he screamed, “Let’s go parttttyyy!” and dragged me away, leaving Macy laughing at my helplessness.

We got to the dance floor, and I was a mess. Ken laughed as he realized it instantly.

“Okay Romeo. How about you just follow my lead, and not embarrass me,” he teased, moving his legs, his hips and his entire body.

I trued, and soon I was dancing like nothing else mattered in the world. Then some ridiculously handsome guy, who looks like a Greek god approached Ken and whisked him away, leaving me alone to my dilemma.

After a while, I got tired and decided to head back to the bar. But a hand caught my wrist.

“Why are you in such a hurry to leave,” a deep voice said behind me, “when you haven’t danced with me yet?”

I turned around and froze, as I came to face with the figure behind the voice. He was breathtaking. Tall, dark hair, sharp jawline, the kind of face that pulls words out of your mouth before you’re even ready to say them. My lips parted slightly, and he laughed softly.

“Easy there sweetheart,” he teased in a British accent. “Am I so handsome that it’s made you speechless?”

I blinked rapidly, and laughed. “Uh—no. I mean—I’m sorry. I’m just a bit tired. Plus the noise, and the alcohol seems to be making me dizzy all of a sudden.”

He smirked and guided me gently toward the bar. “If that’s the case, then sit. You shouldn’t be walking around like that.”

We sat down, and he got me water.

“So,” he said, leaning forward, his fingers brushing mine lightly, “are you new here? I’m pretty sure I haven’t seen you here before. And trust me, I know everyone who comes in here.”

I laughed quietly. “Now you’re just exaggerating. It’s not possible for you to actually know everyone who frequents this club.”

“Actually,” he smirked, “I do. Incase you haven’t noticed, this town isn’t exactly the biggest, and the club isn’t exactly a place a lot of locals frequents. So yes, I do know the regulars, who come in here everyday.”

He tilted his head, staring deeply in my eyes. “So what about you? What’s your story?”

“Uh…i don’t think I have a story though,” I said with a shrug. “But yeah. I’m obviously new here. I came for a movie shoot almost six months ago and it’s gradually coming to and end, so we thought we’d celebrate. A lot of them picked the club, so here I am.”

“Aha,” he said. “I knew you looked familiar.” He leaned in slightly, his voice now quieter. “Your name is Aiden, right?”

I nodded. “Yeah I’m Aiden. What about you?”

“I’m Salvatore.” He extended his hand, formal and smooth. “It’s nice to meet you, Aiden.”

We talked a little more. I admired the way his eyes were blue, striking, and intense. His long dark wavy hair, the confidence in his voice. He was the kind of man anyone would notice instantly.

Eventually he stood up. “I have something to take care of, but hopefully, we’ll see each other again soon.” He placed a sleek card on the table, leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I smiled, picked it up, and slid it into my pocket.

And that’s when I saw him, sitting two stools away, staring at me like he wanted to tear me into pieces.