Ni-Na giggled at the stunned expression on Eun-sunâs face and her freakishly widened eyes that were almost as big as saucers. She looked like she had just heard the most frightening news of her life.
She amusedly watched as her gaze darted towards the door and the burly men diligently guarding it and assessing everyone who sought entrance into the club, before settling it back on her.
âIs this where you had in mind all along?â Eun-Sun curiously inquired, suspicion lingering in her voice even though she was without doubt that that was the case all along.
She peered at Ni-Na with incredulity when she affirmatively nodded her head. Her lips motioned in an attempt to say something, but she clamped it shut, utterly at a loss for words. She was utterly astonished.
How foolish of her to discard her instinct when she felt Ni-Na was going to put her into trouble.
Ni-Na chuckled at the varied expressions that flickered through Eun-sunâs face. âRelax, itâs just a club. Nothingâs going to happen.â She confidently declared, but Eun-Sunâs face was contorted with a frown. How convenient for her to say so.
âRelax?â She cocked a brow at Ni-Na, who willfully bobbed her head and Eun-sunâs frown deepened further. There was nothing âjustâ about this idea, and there was no way she could let herself relax.
.....
Firstly, she hasnât been to a club before except for that quick stroll she had made through one during Ji-Sangâs send-forth party, if only that counted. Secondly, Dan-Han would demand her head on a platter if she as much as step a foot through those doors.
Thinking about Dan-Han and how heâd treat her for ignoring his instructions, she instantly made a resolve in her mind. âForget it, letâs go back to the room.â She pulled Ni-Na by the arm and made an effort to pull her towards the elevator, but the girl didnât budge.
If this was Ni-Naâs idea of fun then sheâd happily sit it out. Sheâd rather put herself through boring hours of watching soap operas in the room while she waited for Dan-Han.
Ni-Na deeply sighed when she observed Eun-sunâs worry, and she could guess why.
âIf youâre worried about my brother, then I can assure you donât have to.â She said and Eun-sun attentively furrowed her brows as her eyes lifted up to her.
âDo you really think weâd make it this far without receiving a call from my brother if he wanted us to stay in our rooms?â She asked Eun-Sun who was yet to understand what she was hinting at.
Ni-Na warily sighed when Eun-sun kept looking at her oddly.
âLook, Iâm sure my brother has someone on our tail and whoever who it is must be hiding somewhere. Since your incident my brother has been at high alert. My dad believes your incident was targeted to ruffle Dan-Han and show his vulnerability. So believe me when I say heâs letting this happen, else weâd already be hauled back to our room five minutes ago.â She told her, silently hoping she believed her as she also believed the same.
Eun-sun brows furrowed deeper as she pondered on Ni-Naâs words. She looked across the hallway in search of any inconspicuous character that might look like Dan-Hanâs people.
Ni-Na shook her head when she noticed what Eun-sun was doing. âCome on, weâre already here. You really canât turn back now. Thereâs a club and weâre dressed to kill, and do you really want to waste all those hours of makeup and hair stretching by going back to the room? Even if you want to, what about me? I want to have fun, or do you want to be a spoilsport? What if my Mr right is there?â Ni-Na hoped the emotional approach would work.
She tightened her hold around Eun-Sunâs arm.
âMy friends said this is a nice place and since I donât know when Iâll ever get the opportunity of coming here again, letâs just utilize this opportunity, okay? Please!!â She cutely pouted her lips as she earnestly pleaded, her lashes batting with feigned innocence.
Eun-sun inwardly struggled with herself as she gazed at Ni-Na and then at the door. She observed a few people going in and she also caught sight of the place. It was swarming with people and that ticked her.
If Dan-Han was being careful with them, shouldnât they be playing their own role by ensuring their safety? They could do that by staying off places like this. She reasoned.
âNi-Na, Iâm not sure this is safe. We shouldnât give Dan-Han much things to worry about.â She told her, but Ni-Na wasnât listening to her.
âWeâll be fine. This is his turf, you donât have to worry.â Ni-Na assured her. âCome on, letâs go now.â She urged, gently tugging on her arm. Eun-sun warily sighed as she closed her eyes.
Maybe Ni-Na was right. Dan-Han would never leave them without keeping an eye on them. She hesitated a few more seconds before nodding her head.
Ni-Na squealed excitedly as she quickly led Eun-Sun towards the door before she could change her mind. Ni-Na whipped out her phone from her purse and showed it to one of bouncers who quickly bowed and granted them entrance.
Eun-sun suspiciously looked at her. âWhat did you just show to him?â She curiously asked, but Ni-Na closed her eyes and playfully shook her head.
âItâs a secret, sis.â
Secret? What secret?
Eun-sun was about to press further when the loud music and drunken chatter with non-choroegraphed steps of people sliding and grounding on the dance floor caught her off track. Hers eyes widened as it scanned round the room which was filled to the brim with people, rubbing their sweats and flesh against one another.
She looked at Ni-Na who was gazing around with equal interest, her eyes glistening with excitement and awe. âThis is going to be fun.â She shrieked, as her body started vibing to the song blasting across the room.
âDrinks! Letâs go get a drink at the bar.â She gingerly said, her fingers pointing to the bar at their right.
Ni-Na was yet to give her response when she felt her body already been geared towards the bar. Ni-Na carefully helped Eun-sun weave through the crowd of people on the dance floor till they safely arrived the bar.
Eun-sun turned around and her eyes carefully took in the look of the place while Ni-Na made their order.
âTwo shots of negroniâ She said and Eun-sun snapped her head towards her. She didnât know what that was, but it sounded dangerous especially with the ease at which it rolled from Ni-Naâs mouth.
Ni-Na giggled at her reaction. âRelax, i donât think itâs going to kill us. It came highly recommended and I promised myself I was going to try it whenever I come to a club, and thank God I get to try with you.â She winked at her.
Eun-sun didnât miss the mischievous glint Ni-Na was trying to put off from her eyes. âBut it contains alcohol.â Eun-sun wasnât asking, she was sure of it.
Ni-Na gave a non-committal shrug. âWe can nurse a glass of Pina colada after this, okay?â She playfully smiled at Eun-sun who sighed helplessly. She didnât know what to do, but they had come this far havenât they?n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
She had a feeling Ni-Na was using her to get to do the things Dan-Han would never let her do. What a manipulative little girl! She chuckled in her mind.
Other than using her for her own selfish reasons which she wasnât complaining about, she believed Ni-Na took great liken to her just as she did her. And being like this with her gave a feeling of having a capricious little sister who she would have spoilt had she gotten the privilege of having one. The age gap between her and Ni-Na wasnât much, but she felt like a little sister to her, as well as a friend.
Eun-sun shrugged as she climbed one of the high stools. She might as well have the fun since she was already here. Her eyes scanned through the place one more time as she got a better view from where she sat.
Ni-Na passed her the glass after the bartender served their order. âTo having fun.â She cheered and Eun-sun indulged her and clinked glasses.
Being in a place like this reminded her of Ji-Sangâs send off party. She had consumed a lot of rummy-gummies with Hei-Ran and they had both gotten high. She remembered waking up to Dan-Han nursing her as she had fallen sick after drinking on an empty stomach. That was the first and last party she had been to, thanks to him warning her. The man was indeed too highhanded.
âYouâve never been to a club, have you?â Ni-Na asked as they both gulped down their drink.
Eun-sun grunted and contorted her face at the burning feeling of the alcohol down her throat. She looked at Ni-Na who also had a similar look on her face.
She shook her head. âNo.â
âMe neither.â Ni-Na told her. They both glanced at each other and suddenly rupt out in laughter.
âYouâre a terrible influence, Lee Ni-Na.â Eun-sun said with a shake of her head.
âAnd youâre going to be my best friend.â Ni-Na inched closer and threw an arm around her.
They made another order, but it was for a less alcoholic drink. One shot of their previous drink was enough to heat up their system. They were silently seeping on their drink when wiry man sauntered over with a salacious grin on his face.
âHi, beauties.â He smiled as his eyes trailed down their thighs before settling on their faces. He winked at Ni-Na before settling his gaze on Eun-sun.
âTwo beauties shouldnât be seated without male companies. Why donât you join I and my friends over there.â He pointed at a table where they noticed some men staring at them. âI promise you guys will have a nice time.â He said.