Chapter 161 - Sunny Daze (7): The Club

Darkness curtained the entire city. It was way past midnight and there was not a single sign of life on the streets. Other than the patrolling of a night guard or an on-duty policeman, the city was mostly empty as the citizens have returned home after a long day. The alleys were secluded, no doubt a hub for nighttime criminals. The eerie silence of the night deafened anyone who would passy by on the roads.

In the midst of the darkness, one place lit up like a bright star. Colorful lights emitted from it and groups of people were desperately trying to enter it. The Sunny Daze club was an enigma lighting up the otherwise dull night. Soft beats of music came out from it; the soundproof walls blocking away most of the sound as if not to disturb the slumber of the city.

Inside the club, the silence of the night was broken. The thunderous music boomed throughout the building as people gyrated to the tunes. It was a place for them to forget their daily lives and adopt completely different avatars. The people in there were no longer ordinary, office going workers; they were hard core party lovers. 

Ditching their usual attire, they don the latest trends and let themselves loose. Young girls were cozying up with older men, being physically intimidating with them without shame. Men were leering at other girls, mixing drugs in unattended drinks to solicit a night of pleasure for themselves. By day, these were respectable and honorable job holders or college goers. By night, they were insatiable beasts.

"These people sure know how to pretend," Mirae commented. She was already at the surveillance room with Riggs and Heroine. They were all wearing face masks, watching the monitor. Three security guards were tied up in a corner, unconscious.

"They won't die, will they?" Somi asked. She had distracted them by pretending to be lost, enabling Mirae and Riggs to subdue them.

"Relax," Mirae assured her. "I've given them a strong sedative. They won't be able to wake up for the next few hours. And Riggs has already positioned our men throughout the building under the guise of security guards. Tonight, Abyss is taking care of this place."  

This did nothing to assuage Somi's apprehension. She turned her attention back to the screen. "So which one is this Teppei?" she asked.

"He's not here yet," Mirae said. "I've seen him during the transaction he carried out with Madam Lim. I'd recognize him easily."

"I think I'll go down there and try to overhear some conversations," Somi suggested. "He was supposed to be here around eleven o'clock and he's still not here.What if he decided to change his meeting location?"

"Alright," Mirae agreed. "Keep your mask on. No one here will suspect masked people since many try to hide their identities here."

"Gotcha!"

Somi strode out of the room.

"What if he had changed locations?" Riggs asked. "That will make our efforts go to vain."

"I'm sure he won't change," Mirae said. 

She kept her eyes glued to the screen. Please don't change the location, she prayed. 

….

KJ pulled up in front of Sunny Daze. Ash was beside him. They got out of the car, and headed for the entrance.

"We have a schedule here today," Ash said out loud. They were playing their parts as per Mirae's instructions. The guards at the doorway were not surprised to see two of the nation's most famous idols heading towards the club. Many famous celebrities visited the club.

"Seems like it," KJ played along. "Where are we supposed to meet the director?"

"I think on the third floor," Ash replied. They were chattering about the shooting and walked in casually. The guards did not check their ID's. After all, who did not know EXOTIC?

Unbeknownst to them, a small, ginger creature was at the back of KJ's car. Jade had snuck inside the car after KJ. Unaware of the sudden intruder, KJ had driven himself and Ash to the club.

The cat was napping at the back of the car when suddenly a sharp pain ran through its heart. Writhing in pain, the cat began to mew loudly. He felt as if his chest would explode as the agony would not go away.

It began to cough up large chunks of fur ball until it was knocked out. Seconds later, the cat opened his eyes.

"Huh?" Jade spoke up as he slowly tried to register his surroundings. "Where am I?"

He peered around. The place looked like KJ's car. "How did I get here?" he asked. He got up on the back seat and placed a paw on the lock. Unlocking the door, Jade slid out of the car.

"This doesn't look like our house," he frowned at the colorful building before him. "Where is KJ?"

He saw bunch of people heading towards the entry. Slipping through their feet, Jade entered the club, keeping an eye out for KJ.

….

KJ and Ash entered the club. The whole place was bursting with people. Majority were on the dance floor and the music was so loud that it was impossible to hear anything. 

"You go ahead," Ash said loudly over the music.

"What?" KJ asked, unable to hear anything.

"I said, you go ahead," Ash yelled. "I'll meet you back on the third floor!"

"Alright!"

KJ made his way towards the stairs. Many people gasped as he passed by. A few girls even tried to corner him to get his autograph.

"Oppa!" a few called out. Their enthusiasm reminded KJ of Psycho. He shuddered at the thought.

"No autographs right now!" KJ exclaimed. "I have to meet someone!"

But the fans were insistent, so he obliged them with some signatures and pictures. It took longer than he thought since there were many fans who gathered around.

"Oppa, just one picture," some of them requested. Without waiting for a reply, they circled him and forced him to pose for the cameras.

"Oppa smile!"

Having no choice, KJ had to oblige.

"Please no more!" he finally objected. "I have to go."

"Oppa please stay!"

"Oppa dance with us!"

"Oppa!"

"Oppa!"

But KJ was not having any of it. He pushed through the crowd and headed straight for the stairs. They tried to follow but thankfully, the guards stopped the masses by citing only the VIP could go upstairs.

KJ let out a sigh of relief as he reached the third floor. As per their plan, KJ had to lure Teppei towards a room in the east wing of the building. Ash was already in there, ready to take action when Teppei reaches the room after KJ. All KJ had to do was to wait.

….

"There he is!" Mirae exclaimed.

Entering the club was a tall, blonde man in his forties. He had a few other men with him. Whispering something into one of their ears, he led them towards the third floor of the building.

"KJ better be prepared," Mirae whispered. If anything goes wrong tonight…

Even the possibility of it made her shudder. Riggs noticed her predicament.

"Nothing will go wrong, CEO," he assured her. "We'll catch Teppei tonight."

"Yeah…" Mirae said absentmindedly. Everything must go alright, she thought. 

However, she could not help but feel that something was about to happen. Something big and dangerous.

Please be safe everyone, she prayed inwardly. She put all her faith in her friends. They must return to her, unscathed. 

Otherwise, she will destroy everything and everyone who will come in her way.