As Nero and Avollo left the campus, Elly, who had been pulled away by her new friends, had arrived at the campus entrance. She stood, awaiting her ride as usual while listening to their discussion.
"Everyone, it's finally Friday, so let's go and have fun at the Paradise Palace before going home!" One quirky girl with a cheerful spirit.
Clair's eyes beamed, but she showed a trace of hesitancy as she spoke, "The Paradise Palace, I've always wanted to go there, but isn't that a place for you know... adults..."
The girl who spoke before giggled as she answered, "Hehe, Clair, you're too innocent, you should know anyone can go anywhere, it only depends on how much you are willing to spend."
Clair's eyes flashed when she heard this, showing a look of understanding. The girl then looked at Elly and Kara noticing that they were silent, she asked, "Kara? Elly? Are you coming too?"
Kara looked at her small thatched up purse with loose threads, she thought for a bit before saying, "Who's going to be paying?"
The girl shook her head and spoke, "Me, of course! Now hurry and make up your mind!"
Kara, hearing this no longer had any thoughts to reject it, she smiled and spoke, "Yay, then I shall graciously accept it."
The girl looked at Elly, but Elly hesitated a bit as she spoke, "Guys, I... my family..."
Clair didn't want to miss this chance, she grabbed Elly's arm and spoke, "Elly, you can't always keep to yourself, it's a Friday! No different from the weekends, I say we do it now instead of tomorrow. We must hang out at least once!"
Elly bit her lips and thought for a bit, but looking at the hopeful looks of Clair and the others, she sighed while thinking, 'I guess since they asked, maybe I can try it once, besides I want to know them a bit better. Maybe… maybe I can also make real friends this time around…'
Having arranged her thoughts, Elly then spoke, "Okay, fine, but we can't stay any later than 6 PM."
"Yay!" Clair and the other girls cheered out loud as they promptly pulled Elly by her arms, deciding to walk towards the Paradise Palace.
Kara, who walked a little slowly behind them, hesitated a bit before texting a number and closing her phone. Soon, the figures of the girls vanished from the compound. However, right as this happened, Elly's driver had walked out from a corner, a smile on his face as he spoke as if speaking to someone over a phone.
"The young missus has finally found a few friends, should I still take her home by force, Madam?" The middle-aged man said while tapping an earpiece, his curly mustache giving in a refined edge.
"..." The person along the other line remained silent before they spoke in a soft and elegant tone, "No need, Screwgelman, please follow them and make sure she's safe."
"Understood!" Screwgelman replied as he ended the call, his look then turned sharp as he glanced at the side and commanded as if speaking to the air, "Drive the car the Paradise Palace, I will follow behind the young miss."
"Yes, sir!" A voice said as a flurried set of footsteps were heard, Screwgelman then walked in Elly's direction, his figure fading away as if he blended with the surroundings.
As if by some domino effect, another individual appeared from a longer route. Kara looked at the text on her phone as her face turned ruthless as she giggled menacingly, she hurried to get into the luxury car that waited on her before it drove off the campus.
Yet, following her, Benson, who took the same route frowned as he thought, 'If I recall he worked at that place, I'll speak with him there if I can...'
This strange series of connected fates, hinting towards a long afternoon and even more unusual night, come.
***
The time was now 2:09 PM, and Avollo and Nero had just pulled up in the Paradise Palace's compound. Nero then opened the door and spoke while leaving, "Thanks for the lift, take care."
As Nero was leaving, however, Avollo promptly exited the car and shouted, "What the hell are you saying? I'm coming too!'
Nero made a puzzled look at this, but didn't say anything, he made it early today, and since he would be quitting, he wanted to make the best of his hours to earn what he can.
Nero waved his hand as if saying, 'do as you wish,' while he hurriedly walked into the building. Avollo shook his head at this and walked towards the building's entrance.
However, the door opened behind him and the driver Ian, stepped out and spoke, "Young Master Avollo, I do not think that entering such an establishment is suitable for your current standing, what would you do if your parents were to find out?"
Avollo chuckled and replied, "Uncle Ian, I've been very bored as of late, and you know better than I, what I do when I'm bored, I'm entering today no matter what!"
As Avollo said this, he didn't even wait for a reply hurrying into the building. Uncle Ian shook his head as he saw this; he knew that deep down, Avollo was still a spoiled brat and only showed his mischievous side to him.
'Oh heck fine, so what, I'll just hide it from them this time...' Uncle Ian said as he closed the doors and followed along, but as he was moving he couldn't help but notice a blond Asian youth who was playing a pinball game on his phone, the teen didn't even spare him a glance as he cut him and entered the building rudely.
'Rotten little brat, no manners at all!' Uncle Ian cursed in his mind as he gritted his teeth, but as if he felt his blood pressure rising, he calmed down and proceeded along.
The scene with the Paradise Pub was rather crammed today, as many different individuals had already arrived and were being tended to by both handsome men and sexy young women.
Others, however, were doing karaoke as a few others were playing games in the gaming quarters. Naturally, each of these sections was cut off by noise-canceling glass walls, all except for the Hook-Up Lounge, a pinkish-red wall with an alluring woman and sturdy man's silhouette capable of stirring one's passionate senses.
The usually lively bartender seemed to be in high spirits as he flirted with many girls around the counters, ignoring Nero as he walked by him and clocked in for his daily hours.
'It's packed today; I might be able to get tips if I'm lucky, and since I'm quitting later, I might as well spend an extra hour,' Nero thought as he went to the dressing room, after preparing, he quickly began to work. Yet, as he came out, he couldn't help but notice a few familiar faces.
There, in the same corner as the last, the strange men that wore hats hiding most of their face sat down in silence, giving off a suspicious vibe.
Nero even notices that other than them, were a few other usual individuals, each seeming to have some hidden agenda as they weren't even playing girls, nor accepting orders.
In fact, a familiar-looking middle-aged inspector and young beauty associate were also in the pub; they sat staring at the documents as if nothing else was necessary.
'Hmph! I don't care who any of you are, you better not get in my way!' Nero said in his mind as he no longer paid them any mind and went about to do his job.
Still, though Nero said this, one mustn't forget he was still but a youth, feeling a bit nervous Nero heart rate sped up by a bit as he tried to focus on his job.
Adult Nero watched his in silence, he knew what was going on and didn't say anything, this was Nero's life to live now, he must learn to face his problems and mature by himself.
While Nero worked, Avollo sat in a corner, laughing as his arms were wrapped around young girls waist, the girl giggled while staring at and playing with his dreads as she spoke, "Oh my, such beautiful hair you have, so long and hard, I wonder... is 'young master' also like this?"
Avollo, hearing this girl's suggestive whisper, smirked as he was about to say something, but he noticed that Uncle Ian was disapproving of his behavior.
Avollo sighed, but he soon got an idea, he snapped his finger at a distant waitress who came over. He then whispered something to him and send her off.
Not bothering to pay him any mind, Avollo then began to chat with the beauty by his side. Uncle Ian snorted, feeling out of place, but soon, his eyes widened as a thick mature lady, filled with curves at the right places, walked over from somewhere.
"Mister, you look tired, do you need some advice?" The woman asked in a gentle tone as if like a harbor beckoning the sailor's lonely spirit at sea.
Uncle Ian glanced at Avollo who was staring at him vaguely as he gave him a thumbs-up, Uncle Ian then made a similar action as he thought, 'All shall be forgotten...'
The scene here continued to grow more exciting as more and more individuals gathered, preparing for the activities of the later hours.