Zhi and Howin hopped in a taxi after eating such a delicious meal. Howin directed the driver to take them to Grand hotel, which was actually pretty close to the strip. Howin made reservations earlier in the day so they didn't have to worry about catching the train later when they were ready to leave the club. The two girls were quick to get dressed and were out of the door in thirty minutes. They caught another cab and soon made it to a thriving night club. The streets were littered with people waiting to get in. Everyone was dressed to impress. Zhi couldn't help but get excited. Looking out of taxi window towards the busy building Zhi could see the name of the club as clear as day. "Howin the nightclub says Kopocabana, not Hakkacabana. Did we go to the wrong night club?"
"Oh is that what it says?" Howin smiled mischievously.
"I'm sure it's fine. We will still have fun," Zhi tried to cover up Howins mistake.
The taxi slowed down in front of the club but Howin hastily ordered the driver to keep going until it reached the back side of the building. Once there Howin ordered the driver to go through a carport that was marked for employs only.
Zhi didn't want to annoy Howin but the sign clearly said employs only. "Didn't you see the sign?"
"I did."
"Then should we really be driving in there?"
Even the taxi driver looked back to better hear Howins answer.
"Yes. Didn't you know i work here? Please keep driving sir." Howin gave a look to Zhi as if saying don't question me any further.
Zhi understood and shut up.
The taxi driver drove through the carport that seemed to be going down. Zhi didn't question it though.
Finally, after a couple of minutes, Howin called for the diver to stop. Howin paid the diver and the taxi sped off getting smaller as it went. Zhi Ruo and Howin stood in front of a rusty maroon door with the words 'Security only' written on it.
"Howin..."Zhi muttered.
"Well, come on Zhi now that the diver is out of sight we can head in."
"Head in where? The entrance to the club is all they back there." Zhi tried reminding her.
"Zhi I am your manager, now with that in mind, there are going to be a lot of things you don't understand that I will ask you to do but I will never hurt you. It's very important that you have trust in me or this partnership will never work."
"I understand," Zhi whispered.
"And no, I don't really work here but that taxi diver definitely can't know about a place like this. That would be silly." With that being said Howin started to make her way to the random entrance.
There were no people around. It felt more like a deserted building then the back side of a very famous nightclub. The cars parked in the carport were all of the exceptional quality though.
"Well come on," Howin ordered.
Zhi focused and quickly followed her. The carport was scary at night and Zhi was nervous to be entering a random building through an old rusty door. Zhi was even more confused when she watched Howin knock on the random door."What are you doing Howin?"
"Don't ask stupid questions. I clearly knocked on a door." Howin replied.
Zhi felt stupid. Well, of course, she's knocking. but why?
The rusty maroon door opened and a large bulky man that resembled many of the villains in Zhi's collection of anime stood there glaring at them.
Who the hell is that guy? Alarm bells started to go off in Zhi's mind. There was a strong smell of stale smoke in the air that made its way to Zhis nose. Is Howin the friend i thought she was. Am I being kidnapped? Zhi started to shiver. The large man allowed them to walk inside and they both hurried in. They then followed a long hallway until it reached another door. Without an ounce of fear, Howin opened the second door that apparently led to a cigar lounge.
"Well that explains the smell, " Zhi thought.
The cigar lounge had an absolutely stunning interior, reminiscent of a classic London gentleman's parlor. There were Customers reclined in gorgeous leather chairs, enjoying fine cigars and excellent cocktails.
Howin whispered to zhi, this cigar lounge is often full of wealthy-up-and-comers willing to part with serious money for the very best cigars, wines, and spirits. This is the best cigar lounge in the region. It's called, The Cigar Box"
Zhi looked around, the decor had an interesting combination of unabashed classical luxury with quirky modern aspects. The men and women inside ignored them with true arrogance in their faces while Howin made her way to the bartender. "Hand me your coat now Zhi."
Zhi obliged and took her coat off and handed to her. Howin took hers off as well and handed them both to the bartender. She then spoke a few words that were hard for Zhi to hear.
"What an odd thing to do, giving a bartender your coat, " Zhi wondered what Howin could be saying to him.
The bartender excepted the coats and gave Howin a slip of paper. "Ok, come this way Zhi," Howin finally called out. "This cigar lounge isn't exclusively a cigar lounge. It's also an entrance to an underground nightclub." Howin whispered to Zhi.
As Howin whispered a door suddenly opened beside the bar and the faint sound of music could be heard.
They followed the music until they reached one more door. This door was sparkling gold. The name Hakkacabana was written in bold black print. "Are you ready Zhi?"
"I'm ready!"