Chicago Nights

Chapter 22

The entire ride back was dead silent. So many thoughts were racing through my head after sitting down with Daisy. Michael, too, looked in deep thought as we swerved out of the countryside and back into the lively city. The sky was dimming and night was about to come alive. For a moment, I put my worrisome thoughts aside and thought back on the times where I'd stare out of the windows of the asylum endlessly, grasping onto a sliver of hope that I might find myself out of there. I remember the twinkling lights of Chicago lighting up the sky as the busy streets echoed through the emptiness of my room. To say I missed those times, was far from the truth.

"What do you say to a night out, hm?" Michael softly spoke amongst the silence.

"In the midst of all that is going on?" My voice rose in worry that this man may have just lost his mind,

"What's life without a little risk, eh?"

He made a fair point. I shrugged my shoulders as I glanced down at his hand that drew nearer to mine,

"Touché." I grinned from ear to ear as the car rolled closer and closer to the compound.

...

I ran my hands over the satin material that embraced my curves. After dressing myself, it was safe to say that Michael had good taste. The black dress hugged my curves down to the hips, before expanding into a floor-length bottom. The dress, though quite revealing for my taste, left an open back, exposing me down to my lower back, leaving just enough material to cover more of my chest. I decided to roll my hair, letting it dangle past my shoulders. I remained in place as I adjusted myself in front of the full-length mirror,

"Heavenly, are you ready?" Michael's soft voice cooed from the other side of the door,

"Coming!"

I grabbed my black satin gloves and clutch before leaving the room. Michael's back was faced towards me, but the sight was one to make me weak in the knees. It wasn't until he turned around when goosebumps flooded the surface of my skin,

"You're breathtaking," Michael whispered in disbelief, loud enough for me to hear.

"I should say the same about you."

I took a moment to let my eyes drift over his being, just as he took the time to do the same. He was covered in black from head to toe, minus the red button up that covered his tone chest. He decided to leave his hair down for once, but not without his black fedora complimenting his velvety curls.

"I think we both got the memo about black,"

Michael commented as his teeth grazed his bottom lip before allowing them to sink into his soft flesh, almost to tempt me with desire.

"I'd say so," I fixed the gloves along my arms as I pulled them past my elbow, letting the ends rest along my biceps.

"Shall we?"

Michael extended his arm for me to take as we left the living room, making way towards the door. Robert and James treaded lightly behind us, giving us enough room to ourselves without feeling overcrowded. We walked in silence as we weaved through the practically empty hallways.

"I never got to ask you, but how are you after today?"

The feelings that I pushed aside had flooded my body once again, leaving the chilling feeling of fear lingering amongst my skin,

"It was a lot to take in. I just find it irritating that everything we say or do is monitored. It feels like I'm in a prison." My voice was heavy with emotion as I let Michael hear out my feelings,

"I know it does, but the one thing we can't do is let it get to us. We're preparing ourselves for the worst and we just have to take the steps necessary for that reason. That is why you are training as often as you are. It is all for preparation."