3
Night in the Paradise Club
Lavinia, proposed a devious plan to Candy, enticing her with the promise of a guaranteed return to Japan. "What shall I do?" Candy asked. "You have to take the pictures of them together, I need evidence," Lavinia declared as she handed her a focus camera. Candy felt uncomfortable. "But Lavinia, Serenity is our friend?" she asked. "That is the only way for you to come back here," Lavinia insisted. As Tencho interrupted their conversation with a call for Lavinia's presence, Candy found herself torn between loyalty to Serenity and the desire to secure her own future in Japan. The weight of her decision bore heavy on her. Struggling to focus on her duties amidst the turmoil brewing within her, Candy wrestled with her conscience. The clock ticking down on Serenity's impending departure cast a shadow of urgency over Candy, pushing her towards a pivotal choice that would shape the fate of all involved. It was well past midnight, and the pulsating beats of the nightclub's music began to fade as the club came to a close. Tencho surveyed the scene with a calculating gaze. He was satisfied with the night's profits, as usual. With a knowing grin, he pocketed more than his fair share of the earnings, a secret he kept close to his chest. As the last stragglers stumbled out of the club, Leo moved swiftly to secure the heavy metal door, locking it with a resounding click. His eyes darted around the dimly lit alley, searching for Mel and Alex. "Where are they?" Leo muttered to himself.
Across the street, Alex crouched behind t
he 'bendo' machine, shielding him from the approaching throng of his female co-worker in the club. Meanwhile, the girls who had taken a liking to Alex began to search for him. Their disappointment was palpable. With a collective sigh, they made their way to the waiting van outside, resigned to the fact that Alex had slipped away once more. As the girls left, Alex emerged from his hiding spot, exhaling a sigh of relief. "It's a good thing they're gone. I need to talk to Serenity," he muttered to himself, his eyes scanning the bustling street. And sure enough, there she was – Serenity, walking alone towards their apartment, a pensive look etched on her face. "Serenity!" Alex called out, hurrying to catch up with her. She stopped in her tracks, turning to face him with a mix of surprise and wariness. "Alex, what do you want?" she asked, her tone tinged with sadness.
"Forget about Suyoshi, Serenity," Alex said gently, reaching out to grasp her hand. "He's married. It's a good thing he didn't pursue you." Tears welled up in Serenity's eyes as she spoke, "But it hurts to see him with Lavinia. I thought she was my best friend." Her voice trembled with emotion, betraying the deep sense of betrayal she felt. Alex pulled her into a soft embrace, offering a comforting hug. "Lavinia is not a true friend, Serenity. You can't trust her anymore," he murmured soothingly, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. Unbeknownst to Alex and Serenity, a figure lurked in the shadows, unseen and unnoticed. Candy had been watching their exchange from afar. She raised the camera, snapping a picture of them. Candy retreated into the shadows. She made her way back to their apartment, a mix of conscience and unease swirling in her chest. Meanwhile, as Alex and Serenity bid each other farewell outside their building, the promise of meeting again hanging in the air like a delicate thread, Serenity's curiosity led her to Candy's doorstep. "Hi, Candy. Can't sleep yet?" Serenity's voice floated through the room, catching Candy off guard. Startled, Candy turned to face Serenity, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Oh, I'm just waiting for Lavinia," she replied, her eyes flickering with hidden emotions. "Where's she now?" Serenity inquired, her gaze searching Candy's face for answers. "Lavinia is with her boyfriend, Gino, just like before," Candy explained, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air. Unbeknownst to both of them, Lavinia was not with Gino as Candy had claimed. She was, in fact, with Tencho, Unable to meet Serenity's eyes, Candy sensed the weight of guilt pressing down on her chest like a lead weight. She noticed the sadness lurking behind Serenity's facade, a silent storm brewing in her heart. "I know Suyoshi didn't choose you, opting for Lavinia instead. How are you feeling?" Candy's voice was gentle, filled with empathy. "I'm hurting, but maybe it's for the best. I want to break free from Suyoshi, but seeing him with Lavinia stirs something inside me," she confessed, her words heavy with emotion. Candy nodded in understanding, her gaze softening. "I understand, but Lavinia won't take him seriously. She has a boyfriend already, and her line of work..." Her voice trailed off, leaving unsaid words hanging in the air. As Serenity excused herself to freshen up in the washroom, Candy was left alone with her thoughts, the weight of conscience pressing down on her shoulders, but her determination for a brighter future for herself and her family propelled her forward. With a whispered apology to Serenity, "I'm so sorry Serenity I need to choose my future for my family," Candy slipped out of the apartment and made her way to the quaint coffee shop down the street to meet Lavinia who was waiting there, she just finished a dinner date with one of her customers."Did you capture them?" Lavinia inquired. Candy nodded solemnly and handed over the camera. "Good job, Candy. See you in the club tomorrow," Lavinia commended, already turning to leave. But before she could disappear, Candy's voice halted her in her tracks. "Wait, you promised to tell Tencho to bring me back here,"
Candy reminded her, her plea tinged with a hint of desperation. Lavinia turned back, her expression momentarily softening. "Oh, yes, no worries. A promise is a promise," Lavinia assured, sending a wave of relief washing over Candy. "And where are you off to now?" Candy's voice quivered with curiosity as Lavinia seemed in a rush. Lavinia flashed a quick smile. "I-I'm meeting Gino," she declared, her words masking the truth as she hurried away into the night, but as usual, she is going to tencho. On the next day, Leo, Alex, and Mel stepped into Paradise Club, their usual routine for work. As they approached the club entrance, their eyes widened in surprise as they caught sight of the massive poster being hung by the club staff. The poster showcased Lavinia, labeled as the new beautiful star of Paradise Club, in bold, attention-grabbing letters. Leo furrowed his brows in disapproval, muttering under his breath, "When Serenity is the star, Tencho doesn't even put up a picture of her like that." Mel chimed in, nodding in agreement, "She is not as beautiful as Serenity." Alex, more nonchalant, didn't pay much heed to the poster and simply strolled into the club. Serenity was not surprised when she saw it, she hasn't even talked to Lavinia since she became the star, she is always going out from their apartment. She just took a deep breath before she went inside the club, she felt that she was nobody now. Since Lavinia became the star of Paradise club, things started to take a different turn. Her newfound status made her demanding, and the staff bent over backward to cater to her every whim, knowing she was the most sought-after attraction in the club. Leo and Mel couldn't help but notice the changes in the club's atmosphere since Lavinia's ascent to stardom.Customers lingered longer, even past closing time, and Lavinia allowed them to stay, prolonging the night. "She is very demanding and always bragging," Leo grumbled, feeling the weight of the changes. Mel added, "And we always end up going home late because of her; Tencho doesn't even compensate us for overtime." Despite the growing discontent among them, the club remained bustling, with Lavinia basking in her newfound fame in that club and showered with tips. One particular night, a middle-aged newcomer named Nobu, who appeared slightly disheveled, made his way into the club. Leo greeted him warmly and escorted him to the last available table. "Irashaimase, may I know, sir, who will be your request?" Leo inquired politely. "I want the woman in the picture," Nobu stated, pointing towards Lavinia's poster that was also hung on the wall. Leo nodded, accustomed to such requests ever since Lavinia's image adorned the club's entrance. He quickly informed Tencho, who instructed him to manage Lavinia's time effectively during those hours. Leo approached Lavinia at her table and excused her for a moment to attend to her guest. However, Lavinia's reaction was less than welcoming when she laid eyes on Nobu. "Oh no, I don't want to sit with him," she demanded haughtily. Leo tried to reason, "But he is also a customer." Lavinia retorted, "I don't like him; he looks like he has no money, look, he is very untidy." Leo proposed that Nobu choose another woman if Lavinia refused to oblige.
A warning that his request would shift to someone else. Realizing that turning down Nobu could mean losing out on potential earnings, Lavinia reluctantly agreed to sit with him, albeit briefly. Leo, with little choice in the matter, introduced Lavinia to Nobu. As soon as Nobu laid eyes on Lavinia, he latched onto her, much to her displeasure. Feeling uncomfortable with his advances, Lavinia warned Nobu to behave, threatening to have another woman sit with him instead. As Lavinia rose to be a star in that club, she began to mimic Serenity's style but in her own way. Serenity was gentle and polite, so the customer respects her, they don't even touch her even if they want to, unlike Lavinia, "I don't want to be touched!" Lavinia declared firmly to her customers, setting a boundary that only seemed to enhance her allure. Despite her stern words, the customer's infatuation with Lavinia only grew stronger. Nobu felt the same, even if Lavinia was being aloof to him, he still wants her. The night was drawing to a close, casting a shadowy veil over the city streets. Amidst the fading echoes of laughter and the gentle murmur of distant cars, Alex found himself walking alone, lost in thought. But his solitude was abruptly interrupted when he spotted Serenity stumbling along the sidewalk, her movements unsteady and her eyes glazed over with the unmistakable haze of drunkenness. Concern etched on his face, Alex hurried over to her side, gently supporting her as she teetered dangerously on the brink of falling. "Serenity, you are drunk," his voice laced with worry and care. "I'm not that drunk okay, I'm just feel uncomfortable," she replied. Let me take you home," Alex offered. But Serenity's response was unexpected. She turned to him, her gaze pleading and vulnerable. "Please, Alex, anywhere but not home. I can't face Lavinia tonight," she implored, her words tinged with a hint of desperation. Caught off guard by her distress, Alex furrowed his brow, a wave of uncertainty washing over him. He knew he couldn't take her to his shared apartment with Leo and Mel – strict rules forbade the presence of female talents there. "Take me to the nearest hotel, Alex. I want to be alone with you, please," Serenity's words were laden with a raw intensity, her request hanging in the air like a delicate thread. Feeling torn and with no clear path in sight, Alex made a decision. He hailed a cab, guiding Serenity into its safety. Serenity asked the driver to take them to Dai-ichi hotel, one of the finest hotels in Tokyo. The neon lights of the city flickered past, painting the night in hues of red and gold as they arrived at the hotel. Stepping into the cool embrace of the lobby, Serenity handed Alex a gift check of that hotel. "Tencho gave it to me the first time I became the star of paradise club, a token of appreciation, I have never used it yet, so this is the time?" she told him. Alex smiled, "As they made their way to the room, Serenity's actions took Alex by surprise. She leaned in, her lips brushing against his in a tender caress, the heat of her body searing through him. A question lingered unspoken between them, the unspoken tension thickening the air. "Why are you doing this, Serenity? Is it because of Suyoshi?"
Alex's voice was laced with a hint of confusion, a yearning for clarity. But Serenity's response was a revelation. "No, Alex. I love you. That is the real truth. Do you love me too?" She uttered, heavy with emotion, her vulnerability laid bare before him. In that moment, amidst the shadows of the night and the flickering glow of the bedside lamp, Alex found his heart laid bare. "Yes, Serenity. I love you so much. If only you knew the depth of my love for you," he confessed softly, his words a whispered promise in the stillness of the night. As the night waned, a new chapter unfolded between them, filling the room with the hushed whispers of unspoken desires and the gentle embrace of new love. And in that moment, Alex and Serenity found solace in each other's arms. "It's like I'm dreaming," he whispered softly, his heart fluttering with excitement. But Serenity's worry crept in like a shadow, casting doubts on their forbidden love. "What if Tencho finds out? Our love is forbidden," Serenity confessed, her voice tinged with fear. Alex, pondered the consequences of their budding romance being exposed. If they were caught, Tencho would withhold their salaries for the entire month. Serenity, being far from her homeland in the Philippines, faced the risk of being sent back without finishing her contract. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Alex's mind as he proposed a daring escape plan. "We have to run away before he catches us. Let's wait until we get our salary and then disappear," he suggested, his eyes filled with determination. Serenity, torn between love and duty, hesitated. "No, Alex, I can't abandon my contract. I have three months left, and Tencho promised I could return," she replied with a hint of sadness. Alex, consumed with worry for Serenity's safety, questioned her decision. "Are you sure Tencho will allow you to come back?" he asked, his voice laden with concern. Serenity's faith in Tencho's words reassured her, "Yes, he assured me I could return." With their future uncertain, Serenity and Alex made a pact to keep their love hidden from prying eyes. They vowed to be cautious, ensuring that their secret affair remained just between them. "Please, don't tell anyone," Alex pleaded, his heart filled with a mixture of love and fear. Serenity, with a soft smile on her lips, reassured him, "Our love affair is our secret for now." As they embraced each other, a sense of calmness washed over them. Serenity and Alex had fallen into a peaceful slumber as the world outside their cozy hotel was hushed in the late hours of the night. The soft glow of the moon sneaked in through the curtains, casting a gentle light on their entwined figures. It was in this serene moment that Serenity's phone pierced the tranquility with its shrill ring. Groggy and a bit disoriented, at 4:00 AM, Serenity fumbled for her phone, squinting at the small screen as she answered the call. Lavinia's voice sounded urgent, a hint of distress seeping through the receiver. "Hello Serenity, where are you?" she asked. "I-I'm still here in the library cafe, reading a book," opening her eyes wider, Serenity went in the bathroom to make sure that Alex won't wake up, knowing that he is very tired from work. "What's up?" she replied, still half-dreaming, but managed to be awake so that Lavinia would not be suspicious.
She was inside the phone booth. "Hello Serenity, please help," she said, her voice like she has a big problem. "What is your problem, Lavinia?" Serenity's tone held a mix of worry and curiosity. With a forced calm, Lavinia replied, "Tencho's clutch bag was with me, and I need to give it to him now." Her words flowed easily, hiding the tangled web of lies she was weaving. Serenity's brow furrowed in confusion. "So, what is your problem?" she probed further, needing to understand why Tencho's bag had landed in Lavinia's possession. "He asked me to take it with me and give it to him in an Almond coffee shop. I have a feeling that he's just making a move to meet me and go for a date, like in a hotel," Lavinia spun her tale of deceit, each word thick with hidden intent. "I can't say no, I'm scared," Lavinia added. Concern etched deep lines on Serenity's face as she contemplated the situation at hand. "So, do you want me to accompany you?" she asked, her voice laced with genuine care. "Yes, if you were here with me, he would not continue his motif, please come," Lavinia pleaded. "But you could tell the owner. Tencho's actions are forbidden," Serenity suggested, a glimmer of doubt clouding her thoughts. "How can I? I don't even know where to reach the owner," Lavinia persisted. In a moment, Serenity feels her, "Wait for me there; I'll be there soon, but I won't be long," she stated without hesitation. As Lavinia put down the phone, a smile danced on her lips, her deceitful plans unfurling behind the mask of innocence. Meanwhile, Alex lay peacefully asleep, unaware of the conversation between Lavinia and Serenity. She gently kissed him, "I'll be back soon." she whispered and she slipped out into the night. Serenity's heart raced with anxiety as she impatiently tapped her foot at the Almond coffee shop, waiting for Lavinia. Her mind kept drifting back to Alex, who was still asleep at the hotel. She couldn't shake off the worry that he would wake up and realize she wasn't there. Finally, Lavinia arrived, her expression troubled as she clutched a bag close to her chest. Serenity wasted no time and asked, "Lavinia, where is Tencho?" "He's on his way, but there's another problem," Lavinia replied urgently. Serenity rolled her eyes, already feeling irritated. "What now, Lavinia?" she asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice. Lavinia hesitated before whispering, "Gino is outside, waiting for me. I'm afraid he'll see me with Tencho. He might hurt me." Serenity sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and concern. "How can I help you now?" she asked, her annoyance growing. "Just give this to Tencho and go home," Lavinia said, thrusting the clutch bag into Serenity's hands. "But what am I supposed to tell him? He'll look for you," Serenity asked, so confused. "Just say I'm on my period and I couldn't make it out," Lavinia rushed out the explanation before darting away without even thanking Serenity. Left with no choice, Serenity sat down in a corner of the coffee shop, waiting for tencho. As minutes ticked by, Serenity's irritation turned into worry. Her thoughts drifted back to Alex. Before she could dwell on it further, a woman burst into the coffee shop with fury blazing in her eyes. She scanned the room and locked her gaze on Serenity, who was innocently holding tencho's bag.