It was two-thirty and the café was like a beehive swarming with bees. It being a Sunday doesn't surprise me, since a number of people would always come down. Unfortunately, we only have four workers attending the whole café. Crawford, the boss of this place, was at the back sorting paper work, and too busy to help out. Omi and Nagi were two graduates who are living in Shanghai with their maternal grandparents. The last person helping was another local teenager, Xiao Xue.

Omi was with Xiao Xue at the back getting ready the drinks ordered, while Nagi and I dealt with serving. While working I pondered about Ling's words. I do enjoy working, really. Apart from those jerks who keep smacking my ass, I kind of like the surrounding aura that enlightens the place. It is far much better than the place I sleep in. But anyway, who am I to complain? Life has its ups and downs.

I noticed something rather interesting. Few may notice, but in fact, our dark side of life can be avoided. I discovered that if you enjoy yourself too much, you'd actually be returned with something bad. See for yourself. It's like making a deal with a devil. You can have your fun, but that fun is to be paid with sadness or anger which is fun for the devil. You really have to think about it.

I settled the cup of coffee at the table near the window where I spotted Ling under a tree. He had a cigarette in hand, and he was watching me. I told Nagi I'd be off for a minute, and I went outside to meet Ling.

"Same time, same place, I'll be waiting to have dinner with you", he said urgently, as if it were important. I smiled and waved to him as he hurried off to God knows where. I wouldn't have to worry about him. I turned and headed back into the shop when Omi made a loud yelp even I could hear it outside. I rushed back into the café seeing Omi on the group with a slice of cake stuck to his uniform top.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? I ordered for cheese cake, not chocolate!" This man shouted. Omi apologized and I helped him up. "What kind of place is this? And to think that idiot introduced me to this place!" He grumbled. I threw him a hard stare.

"Got a problem sissy boy?" He growled. I bent and picked up the large broken pieces of glass and I felt him touching my exposed lower back. Irritated, I made a sudden turn and a piece of glass cut him across the back of his hand.

"I'm so sorry! I'll get you a bandage!" I said in an apologetic tone. He hisses at the pain as well as at me and I walked into the kitchen. Damn bastard. If I weren't working he'd be hanging form the ceiling. From inside, I peeked through the counter and watched as Nagi purposely swept the man's leg with the broom along with the shattered glass. I smile to myself as I peeled the cloth from its roll. I reentered the café and pretend to wholeheartedly care for the fucking bleeding hand. At the first wrapping of his hand, I intended to pull the cloth so tight it'll squeeze the life out of his hand, but decided not to.

At dusk, the café had lesser people, so I decided to the leave the rest of the day to the three musketeers. I took of my uniform and replaced them with a tight sleeves black top with a jacket and tight-fitting jeans. I walked light-footed out of the café. The colorful lanterns had just come on, and the fluorescent lights of the shops shimmered like shards of gold. I walked along the street, blending with the thousands of people and vehicles shuttling back and forth. The most exciting moment of the city's day had arrived.

-(...1...)-

The Cotton Club is at the corner of Huaihai and Fuxing Roads. This place's customers were regular foreigners, ranging from Englishmen to Japanese. I myself enjoy the food here. Ling and I come so regularly we could be considered VIP.

I pushed open the door, and the hardworking waiter, JJ, led me towards the table where Ling had already settled. I was surprised that next to him seated a fashionably dressed woman, hair the color same which could obviously be seen as dyed, and a halter-top in shiny black. Her faced was powdered with a thin base, an had lipstick on that was coloured blood-red.

"This is Manx, my only good friend in Shanghai at the moment. We were elementary school buddies", Ling said. Then he introduced me to her. "This is Aya, my boyfriend." I nodded a hi and sat on the cushioned seat beside Ling. Manx tossed a grin at Ling who raised an eyebrow in return.

"Ling has been talking a lot of things about you. I didn't even have a chance to speak!" She laughed in a low and husky voice. "He always goes on for hours. He adores you so much it makes me jealous, but no wonder. You are the way he described you."

I stole a glance at Ling who gave Manx the 'ha ha'. He gave me the look as if he did no such thing. "He loves to chat on the phone. He used to drag me so long on the phone my boss gets angry", I added.

"I hear you're a writer", said Manx

"Well, it's been a while since I wrote the last story, but yes, I do write during my free time…I can't really call myself a writer."

Ling interrupted. "Aya's already published a collection of stories. They're real neat. The style of writing can really bring someone to life emotionally." I blushed at what he said.

"I'm working as a waiter now, or a waitress if the boss is in high mood. And you? You look like an actress."

"Didn't Ling tell you?" She looked briefly puzzled "I was a mami, a madam, in Guangzhou, got married, then my old man snuffed it and left me a bundle of money, so I can enjoy myself."

I nodded awkwardly, with a large question mark hanging over my head. Right in front of me was a bona rich widow! We chatted a little longer until the food came. I watched and listened to their talk while eating.

"Come over to my place if you have the time. You'll find all sorts of things at my place. It's even better than a night club 'cause you'll get to sleep overnight for free", she winked.

He mobile rang. She took it out of her bag, flipped the top opened and switched to a grainy, sexy voice. "Where? I bet you're at Wu's mahjong(1) house again. Someday you're going to die at the mahjong table. I'm eating with my friends now. Catch you later", teased Manx. She closed her phone and stuffed it into her handbag.

"That was my beau. He's a crazy painter. I'll introduce you guys the next time we meet. Boys these days sure know how to make an old lady feel young", she laughed. "True or not, it's enough to keep little ol' me happy."

Ling was reading the newspapers and completely ignored her. I nodded, placing down my chopsticks. I caught her watching me and I jumped when she gave a chuckle.

"You're cute. I bet many men went wild looking at you." Manx said, looking straight at me. "You're not only pretty in a delicate way, you've got aloofness too. Too bad I've washed my hands of the business, or I could make you the hottest property around. Even girls would be envious of you."

Before I could say anything, she burst into laughter again. "Sorry, sorry, I was just kidding", she giggled, a hand waving to call off the matter.

"Watch what you say, I'm getting jealous", Ling said, eyes not leaving his papers. Manx looked at me and gave a small shrug.

Smiling faintly, I looked at Manx. "You're very beautiful yourself. I'm sure you could play the leading role actress in a movie."

We parted at the door of Cotton Club, she gave me a hug before she did the same with Ling. "My dear, I've stories I'd love to tell you – as well as you to tell me yours." She turned to Ling. "My good-for-nothing friend, take care of your love. The nights are prowling with those sneaky perverts", she teased.

"You take care of yourself too. You'll be alone tonight, is that right? I'll call you to keep you company."

She blew a kiss, and slipped into a white VW Santana 2000 at the kerb, and sped off.

"She's a crazy woman", Ling said happily. "But she really is something, isn't she? She's the only who would be there for me, to stop me from doing stupid things. If it wasn't for her, you would've never known me. We drink a lot, smoke dope, wander around all high until sunrise."

"Then I met you. It's fate, and I'm glad it existed. You and your drive are what give me a reason to live. Do you believe me?"

"Idiot", I said, elbowing his stomach before walking off.

"You're a crazy person too!" He yelped in pain.

Pressing close together, Ling and I strolled along Huaihai Road back to our place. The lights, tree shadows and gothic roof of the Paris Printemps department store, and the people in autumn garb meandering among them, all drifted peacefully among the night colours. An atmosphere uniquely Shanghai.

It was totally different from Japan. The day and night are like the sky and ground. Japan has a refreshing atmosphere, regardless night or day, while Shanghai is full of colors twenty-four hours. I am forever loving both atmospheres.

(1)mahjong. Chinese game where you use tiles to win.

Urm... sorry... peeps inside are probably OOC. Especially Manx. Don't kill me! Warned you already! I'll get the next one up... but it seems not many peeps like this story. :(