“You’re stressed, see? You need a night out.”
“I know what you are trying to do.”
“Taking my friend out for a drink, hoping he’ll get some distraction from work before he implodes?”
“We could go to any other club.”
“But I want to go to that club, and I know that deep down you want it too.”
“Why don’t you take Vanessa there?”
“Because she is out with her friends.”
“That’s why all this insistence. You’re alone tonight.”
“What’s the harm in wanting some company?”
“A backup company. You really are an arsehole, you know that?”
“Is that a yes?”
“It’s a go fuck yourself.”
“Not before having at least one drink, maybe watching a show…”
“I thought it was just for a drink.”
“While we’re there…”
I shake my head several times, aware that Paul always wins in court and life. He is one of those guys who always gets everything he wants with his dick face and his ability to wear people out.
Especially yours truly.
“A drink and a show,” I warn him, a finger pointing in his direction. “That’s all I’m willing to give you.”
“Deal.”
BY THE TIME we reach Night 101, the night is already in full swing. The place is crowded, noisy, and hot, with flashing lights making it hard to find my client.
“Wow!” Paul shouts in my ear. “This place is wonderful!”
Paul loves lively places, chaos, and people. He is an extrovert who is sometimes too sociable. People become friends with him instantly and like him, though sometimes this is out of sheer exhaustion.
Just as it happened to me.
“Why didn’t we come earlier?” He shouts again.
I shrug.
“Have you spotted our friend yet? Or at the very least, a free table…” Paul looks around for a place to sit.
“Maybe we can try the bar,” I suggest, where I hope to find Seth. From what he told me, that’s his job.
Paul nods before preceding me towards the bar, making his way through the crowd with difficulty. When he reaches the bar, he squeezes between two people, resting an elbow on the wood, thus gaining space for us both.
“I doubt we will find seats.”
“Maybe we should…” I start, but a figure that has become all too quickly familiar to me catches my attention as he moves swiftly behind the counter. I choke down the air, shoving that restless feeling deep inside. Seth casually walks up to us, half-naked, all sweaty, hair tied back, glitter everywhere, flashing a smile that could warm anyone’s heart. I had to grip the counter tight with both hands to stop myself from getting weak after this crazy surge of excitement.
