I stared at the disco bar that stood in front of me, the sounds of music from inside is audible outside.
Alright, here we go.
Making my way inside, I didn't notice the gaze of the bouncer that stood at the left of the door, but he didn't do anything other than stare so I think that's okay.
Once I'm inside, I was then immediately greeted with a large crowd of people inside and the loud music of the disco, there were people dancing and drinking everywhere.
Walking deeper in the building, I began to observe my surroundings, the colorful lights coming from the large disco ball at the ceiling also caught my attention.
Not only that, there were various booths on each sides, with long round couches surrounding a single table on the middle.
Some has people on it, some has vacant.
At that, I suddenly heard a whistle coming from my left.
Turning my head towards the direction, I saw Kevin, with another person on one of these booths, drinking and smoking.
Walking towards them, I can finally get a good look at the person besides Kevin.
He was a short young man, probably 4 foot high, judging from his face, he seems to be on his early twenty's, he was wearing a green jacket and track pants, he looks at me as I get closer, seemingly eyeing me up and down.
"Yo, this my friend here, Albert Greene." Kevin said happily, pointing at me.
"Hello there." the man greeted me.
"Hey, nice to meet you?... uhh" he suddenly cuts me off.
"Andrew" he introduced himself.
"Nice to meet you Andrew." I greeted, extending my hand for a handshake to which he took it.
Sitting besides Kevin, Andrew hands me a drink.
I stared at the glass of liquor in front of me, before staring right back up at Kevin, then to Andrew.
"I don't drink." I said.
"You prefer tea in some fancy table eh?" Andrew gave me a dissappointing look.
"No need to be so harsh Andrew, Albert's still a green boy." Kevin shrugged it off.
Did I gave a bad impression or something?
I immediately grabbed the glass of liquor and gulped down the whole thing in one go.
Ah f*ck, this shit is too strong!
I didn't noticed the funny face I just had after I drank the liquor.
I stared at the two person before me who looked at me with amusement.
"Nice" Andrew said before chuckling.
"W-What the hell did I just drink?" I said curiously.
"Bull Rushy 1998, why?" Andrew responded with a smile.
I then immediately felt the heat in my body quickly growing, and the bitter taste in my mouth slowly growing.
Aside from it, I also felt.... what is this sensation?
I felt relaxed and... carefree.
"Alright, let's get down to business." Andrew suddenly spoke, getting my attention.
"As you know, my friend here Kevin has told me that a potential customer has suddenly appeared." Andrew turned his head at me, and so does Kevin.
"So what do you want?" Andrew asked.
What do I want?
I want.... to protect my family.
I want... vengeance.
I want power.
"Life's been tough, getting money from honest work is hard... I want to earn money, lot's of money... in an easy way." Kevin raised his brows at this, but said nothing, while Andrew placed his hands below his chin, seemingly thinking of something.
"Moreno's gang has been needing lots of muscle lately so-" I cut him off.
"I'm not going to be some labor worker or some shit, I want to start my foundation, slowly build my business from scratch." I explained.
"Oh, I understand you pal, alright I have the perfect thing just for you." Andrew smiled at me.
"This guy I know, T-Rock from Hill avenue, has been desperate to sell his products."
"What products?" I asked him curiously.
He then looks left and right from his seat, before finally settling his eyes on me.
"A Mexican smuggler had managed to smuggle a few kilos of Cracks here in New Arbor and sold it to different kinds of people, one of them is T-Rock, a petty thug who only knows how to steal a purse from an old lady."
He paused, before speaking again.
"You see, T-Rock regretted his decision and wanted to keep his hands and records clean."
"I see that's why, so where can I find him?" I asked.
Andrew moved his hand towards his jacket and brought out a small parchment of paper, he handed it to me to which I took it.
"Address" he said.
"Thanks" I said as I pocketed the money in my pants.
"Alright, payment." Andrew said as he handed out his hand to me, seemingly expecting to receive something from me.
Payment?
What the hell is with this?!
"He's an information merchant, the information he just gave you is so valuable it can cost him a few years or possibly life sentences behind bars if he's caught." Kevin explained to me.
Ah, I now understand.
"How much?" I asked.
"Since you're still new to the system, how about a 50 percent discount?" Andrew said to which I happily nodded.
"30 dollars."
I don't know if 30 to 60 dollars is now considered a large amount of money in the eyes of us people, or just a cent in the eyes of business owners and CEOs, either way I don't really care.
"Alright, take it." I said as I handed him the money I just borrowed from my sister, now I only have thirteen dollars left.
"It's been nice doing business with you." He said as he got up from his sofa and began to make his way towards the exit, leaving me and Kevin alone.
Once Andrew got outside, Kevin suddenly spoke.
"Can't believe you got scammed there." he said
"WHAT?!" I stood up, glaring hate at him.
"Calm down, just a f*cking joke." Kevin raised his hands in defence.
I began to calm down and sat at the couch again.
"Why the f*ck did you do that for?"
"Nothing for"
Kevin laughed as he reached out for his cigarettes hidden behind his coat.
Placing a single one on his mouth, he lighted it with his lighter, before taking a puff.
"You want?" Kevin asked as he raised the pack of cigarettes in front of my face.
"I don't smoke."
"I'll get you some Pockey sticks, alright."
Why the f*ck's everyone messing with me? I don't understand.
"Just a single puff." I suddenly said, making him smile.
"sure" he said as he brought a cigarette on my lips before lighting it.
*cough* *cough* I accidentally dropped the cigarette on the ground.
He laughed as I throw a series of coughs.
Damn, I inhaled too much.
I grasped my throat for air, just what the shit is that?
I stared at Kevin who is still in the middle of laughing at me.
Damn this bastard!
"You should try smoking frequently, it's good for your health"
"Fuck you" I gave him the sign.
"You just have to inhale a little, bring it in your lungs for the sensation and after a few moments of holding it in, just blow the smoke out, either out of your mouth or the nose." Kevin explained.
"Ew, why the nose?"
Kevin laughed at this before speaking.
"So you can savor the flavor." he smiled.
"I see"
"Still, I can't imagine the soft and overfriendly Albert is getting into things most people wouldn't now." Kevin gave me a serious look suddenly.
"Not your business"
"There's no going back in this you know?" he had a worried expression on his face.
Staring slightly at him for a moment, I sighed before finally speaking at him again.
"Look bud, you don't have to worry about me, first you have to worry about cleaning your debts first before worrying about someone else."
"Hey!" he looked at me with an annoyed expression.
"Anyway, how's Anna doing?" he asked, trying to change the subject.
At this, my face immediately darkens which didn't go unnoticed.
"W-What happened?"
"She's fine" I said, forcing a smile.
"I-I see" he responded, still looking at me suspiciously.
"Don't give me that look, I said she's fine." I smiled again, this time my expression slowly returning back to normal.
"Alright, do you want another one?" he asked, bringing the pack of cigarettes into my face, obviously trying to change the subject again.
"Fine" I played along, also not wanting to remember what happened the other day.
Lighting the cigarette in my mouth, I did what he told me earlier and managed to successfully take a puff, although it was followed by a few coughs, in the end, it was still a success nonetheless.
I did another second puff as we talked about various things.
And then a third one.
And a fourth one.
It was until the cigarette is already a pile of ashes that I had fully learned how to smoke a cigarette.
"My sister's probably worried about me now, I got to go." I said at Kevin.
"Sure, see ya man, and take care of yourself." He waved his hands as I walked away from him.
"You too." I waved back.
.
.
CHAPTER DONE!