Josh Bruno was my late uncle's college roommate. They'd been friends for over 40 years. That's how I came to work for him at his insurance firm. Uncle Lonnie convinced him to take me on after my knee injury caused me to eventually lose my hoops scholarship.
I started off as an office assistant, running errands, fixing copy machines and maintaining client files. Eventually I became the office manager, and now, almost six years later, I'm the insurance adjuster.
Josh is a good guy and a great boss. Yes - I had dreams of landing in the NBA one day. But short of that, I've got no regrets. Josh has more than taken care of me and the other 12 employees at the firm - he's especially generous around bonus time.
Last year, in additional to my usual cash bonus, Josh had something "extra" for me. He called me into his office at the end of the day.
"Great job as usual, Bobby..." he grinned handing me a black, plastic card.
I thought it was a credit card at first, until I realized there was no chip or magnetic strip. My initial and last name (R. ELLIS) were stamped in silver at the bottom, with a larger, ornate "SC" engraved across the top.
"Thanks...?" I said looking at him and the card curiously.
"Trust me..." he smirked, patting me on the shoulder, "you'll REALLY thank me later!"
He then gave me a business card embossed with the ornate SC and a downtown address. A time (8:00PM) was written on the bottom corner in his handwriting. He refused to give me any details (or even tell me what "SC" meant), but told me not to be late.
Knowing Josh, I thought I might have a few hints as to what this might involve.
He and my uncle were unabashed "ladies men". My first guess was that he was sending me to some kind of high-end escort service (they'd done this for my 21st birthday.)
Close - but not quite.
I took an Uber to the location, arriving 10 minutes early. It was a downtown office building. I presented the black card to the late-shift security guard in the lobby and he directed me to a door behind his desk. Beyond the door was a "secret", carpeted lobby with a waiting private elevator. I stepped in and immediately noticed there were only three floors to choose: Garage, Lobby and the 14th floor.
On 14, I stepped into the dimly lit waiting area of the sole occupant. An enlarged "SC" was engraved on black tinted glass above the reception desk against a floor to ceiling deep-red drape.
"Welcome to the Shadow Club..." the receptionist smiled at me. She was a young, very attractive blonde.
I returned the smile and presented my card. She picked up the phone and announced my arrival to the person on the other end.
"Good to finally meet you, Mr. Ellis." She smiled again, "I see this is your inaugural visit with us, and Mr. Bruno has enrolled you as a legacy member on behalf of your late uncle." She stood, came around the desk and reached for my hand.
"I'll gladly take you to where you need to go..." she said sweetly.
After the initial surprise wore off, I let her take my hand and lead me down a brief, narrow hall. The scarlet tube-dress she wore was very short and form fitting. Firm cheeks were exposed with each step as she walked.
We arrived at an entryway covered with a red-velvet curtain. Red seemed to be the "company color".
"My name is Kristie, by the way. I do hope you enjoy yourself tonight," she said pulling the curtain aside, "don't hesitate to let me know if I can do anything to guarantee that you do..."
She intentionally maneuvered herself in such a way that her breasts brushed against my arm as I passed.
We made eye contact and smiled at each other. "Not too subtle." I thought to myself as I stepped past her.
I was greeted by another extremely attractive woman on the other side of the curtain - she was Asian and very tall; I guessed her to be around my age (27). She had waist-length black hair and wore a scarlet, silk robe that stopped about mid-thigh. Her feet were bare.
"Welcome, Mr. Ellis, my name is Da-eun. I'll be your personal hostess for this evening." She gave me a warm smile, took both my hands in hers and then pulled me in to a firm, intimate hug.
Her arms were strong, her breasts were firm and she smelled incredible - I felt an instant twitch in my shorts.
"Bobby," I corrected her after the hug - why be so formal, I figured.
"Alright, Bobby," - my name sounded sexy when she said it. "Let me help you get more comfortable."
We were in a small, sparsely furnished room - the walls and ceiling were deep scarlet, with a few dimly lit sconces. Waiting for me in the corner, were a white, silk robe, and a fresh pair of cotton slippers, like those you'd wear in a high-end spa. She eagerly assisted me in removing my sports coat and remaining clothes, leaving only my boxers. My clothes were neatly placed in a storage box in a hidden closet.
I felt a little embarrassed by the obvious bulge, but Da-eun only smiled as she helped me don the robe and slippers. When done she took my hand and led me over to a black-velvet love-seat. There was a bottle of champagne and a flute on a small table to my right. She poured and offered me the glass.
"So, what do you know about the Shadow Club?" she began, settling in next to me as I sipped.
"Absolutely nothing." I told her.
She laughed and laid it all out for me.
In short, Shadow Club was an ultra-exclusive, private swinger's society. Membership was granted only on recommendation or approval by current members. Josh (and my late uncle) were among the 6 founders and members of the Board of Directors. I was inheriting my uncle's membership.
"Why aren't I surprised...?" I laughed inwardly. This is EXACTLY the kind of thing Josh and my uncle would be a part of.
Da-eun went on to explain that Shadow Club had been in existence for 25 years. It had been in residence at the current location for almost 5; the previous address had been in the warehouse district.
"How'd you become a hostess?" I smiled at her. Da-eun seemed genuinely surprised that I was asking about her.
"My aunt was the first Shadow Club receptionist. She recommended me to take her place when they moved to this location. Your uncle and Josh then made her a Board member."
Very progressive of them, I thought.
"I've been a hostess, and member, for two years now." She continued. "Like you, I am also a legacy."
