[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: QUEIT ~ NOGA EREZ
Lights... lots of lights of different colors inside the clubhouse flashed vigorously, almost blinding the green-eyed girl who had never stepped inside a world like this before. It was indeed another world, one Lily was not familiar with. She was glad she didn't come in with her eyeglasses because the constant pushing and nudging from different people would have broken her eyeglasses by now.
"Lily!! Let's go over there!!!!" Lily didn't know if her eardrum would crumble because of the loud music or Victoria's unnecessary shouting, well, which was because of the loud music.
Lily pushed her way through the crowd, following Victoria tail to tail because any blink, they would be separated. Lily couldn't help but wonder why people were shouting and jumping as someone stood on the stage raising his hands and moving the disc in front of him. It reminded Lily of the one time she went to a church to pray for her mother's return; this was exactly how the preacher lifted his hands, and the crowd kept on shouting.
"Lily!! What drink would you like?" Victoria shouted again, grinning ear to ear. This was indeed the type of environment she thrives best. Her mood was elated, akin to a fish thrown back into the sea after being caught by fishermen.
Lily checked the drinks that were behind the bartender; she tried to read their names and maybe find something she was familiar with, but everything looked strange.
Lily finally pointed at the blue drink. If it's innocently blue, then it wouldn't harm her, right? She nodded. "Tori, that one," she said.
Victoria rolled her eyes, "Lily baby, don't worry. Let the bartender fix us his best cocktail." The ginger-curled girl winked at the bartender, retrieving cash from her bosom.
The bartender bowed with a sweet smile on his face, a smile Lily was very familiar with. She always gave it to her customers when she wanted them to buy something that was not usually sold or very expensive.
The young bartender started mixing out drinks in smaller cups. When he was done, he pushed the two drinks to the beautiful girls and said,
"For two beautiful ladies that sparkle like the sun, I bring to you Sparkling Citrus Kiss, mixed inside is fresh orange juice, fresh grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, club soda, freshly squeezed lime juice, a splash of orange blossom water, and lastly, lime slices and fresh mint sprigs for garnish."
Victoria clapped her hands excitedly, picking one of the drinks; she took a sip, "This is amazing, try it Lily."
Lily was amazed by the dutifulness of the bartender and the way he put into details every part of the drink. So it means he was doing this for every customer every day. She was wowed. Lily stretched her hands to pick up the drink, "It tastes nice."
The bartender smiled, "Enjoy your evening." He moved over to the next customers.
Lily and Victoria left the bar with their drinks, going to stand at a very dark corner. Lily wondered what they were doing because she thought it was time for them to join others in screaming on top of their voices.
"Tori, why are we here?" Lily asked in a small voice. "Shouldn't we be dancing over there?" She asked further, her hands clutching her drink close to her chest.
Victoria pushed away her baby hair, which was falling on her face, "You thought I acted all posh to jump around with our drinks? Relax girl; we need someone to pay for our drinks." The girl picked up the grape that was on her drink and nibbled on it.
Lily furrowed her brows in confusion; she clearly saw Victoria pull out money and handed it over to the bartender. If that wasn't payment for the drink, then what was? Lily was confused, "But you..." She pointed at the place they just left.
"Lil baby, you thought that chump change would pay for our drink? No! Baby, it was a tip, while we wait for the big fish that would sponsor our tonight!" Victoria sipped her drink elegantly, winking at the men who just entered the party room.
Lily gulped, "Tori, you should have told me." She tapped her feet on the ground nervously. So they had to wait for strangers to pay for their drinks? Victoria would really be the end of her; Lily cried in distress.
"Here they come!! Your two o'clock, lil baby remember your MO" Victoria pushed her bosom up, getting ready for the men that were now approaching them.
Lily, who didn't understand what was happening, was confused; this really felt like she was sent out to war unarmed. Just like Victoria predicted, some men came to stand in front of them.
"Are you ladies looking for company tonight?," the leader of the group asked with a coy smile on his lips.
Lily turned to look at Victoria for answers; if this was the battlefield, then Victoria was her general. Lily's safety was in the hands of her careless best friend.
Victoria looked at the men, gauging them properly before she said, "We'll pass. We came with someone already." The girl replied.
The men took a good look at the girls one more time, disappointed that they weren't picked before they walked away from there looking for their next prey.
"Now listen Lil baby; you might be wondering why I signed those men off." Victoria said, and Lily nodded in reply; she really wanted to know the reason.
Victoria positioned like a teacher ready to enlighten her student, "Firstly, their shoes, second their drink, and lastly, their wristwatch. It's obvious either they're students or they're jobless. They come to the club to search for a naive girl like you to hit on, and at the end of the day, you end up paying for their drinks and worst, being pregnant, not knowing who the child's father is," Victoria explained like the experienced queen of the night she was.
Lily nodded; this was all new to her. She was glad she had Victoria with her, else she would be lost in this kind of environment.
"Thank you, Tori, you know a lot." Lily muttered.
"I know I know, I get that a lot, now take this, fix your foundation up a little, turn to that side." Victoria fished out her makeup pack, giving it to Lily; she collected her drink to hold it for her.
Lily turned to face the wall, unsure if she was getting it right. She dabbed the small fluffy foam on her face.
"Good evening damsel; if you don't mind, I would love to sit with you over there at the VIP" Lily heard a male voice speaking to her friend.
"Sure, let me get my friend if that's not a problem."
"That would be great; let's go."
Victoria tugged Lily, "We just hit the jackpot; we are going to VIP!" The girl screamed in a low excited voice.
Lily, who didn't know the difference, dipped back the makeup pack inside Victoria's bag while following her to where the VIP was located.
As soon as they stepped inside, Lily realized why it was called VIP; it was different and cozier. The music was light, and the atmosphere was dreamy; she was already loving the place.
"Lily?"
Lily raised her face; sitting in the VIP was none other person than her boss, the owner of Twig and Petal.
"Mr. Adolf?..."