Standing in the rain, under the black umbrella to go with her all-black ensemble. Nami lays a white rose on the casket of her late mother Belle-mère who tragically passed away from a heart attack last week. Her sister Nojiko follows suit, her bottom lip quivering as she does so. The two sisters didn't have any other family, but themselves. As the casket lowered into the ground, the sweet melodies sung by some attending guests tug at Nami's heart.
She sobs softly as the casket goes lower into the ground. All of the memories she has of her mother now flooding her mind. She wasn't her biological mother, nor was Nojiko her biological sister, but they were still family. She was the daughter of Belle-mère, owner of Graced By Belle. One of the top clothing brands in America.
After the funeral, Nami stares out one of her many penthouse windows, staring into the city below. It had been several hours after the wake had taken place at the company's headquarters. She and Nojiko talked with a few businessmen, other CEOs, company workers, and family friends. She was heir to obtaining the company now, her sister had rejected the offer and decided to work from the shadows. She had only assisted her mother and worked alongside her in running the company, now that it belongs to her…..she felt like she forgot everything she'd learned.
In her expensive silk white robe, her long polished fingernail traces the rim of her glass of alcohol she'd been sipping on occasionally. She didn't dare turn the television on, only news of her mother's passing would be broadcast. Cons of being a wealthy well-known figure. The lights in her penthouse were all off, the only light that shone in her apartment came from the busy street down below. She takes another sip of her half a million wine.
The doorbell to her penthouse chimed throughout the empty penthouse. Nami looks over her shoulder, her wavy shoulder-length hair tied into a messy bun, face stained with tears when she cried aggressively once she arrived home. She looked down at her golden diamond watch searching for the time, it was almost eleven. Who could that be? Nami thought carefully before heading towards the door.
She looks at her smart doorbell to see the face of her dear loving sister. Without hesitation, Nami opens the door. Her sister smiles at her with a name-brand bag in her hand.
"I thought you could use some company." Nojiko smiles at her sister. Nami steps aside and lets her sister into her million-dollar penthouse.
"Geez, you even turned the lights off?" Nojiko takes her shoes off at the door. "Hey, Alice? Turn the kitchen and foyer lights on."
"Now turning lights on." The smart house obeyed the commands told and turned the specific lights on.
"I brought you some wine," Nojiko sets the expensive name-brand shopping bag on the costly marbled kitchen island, "You wanna pop open this bad boy? I taste-tested it myself and I know we have similar taste."
Nami sighs and sits down at the kitchen island while Nojiko goes through her cabinets to find wine glasses.
"I'm already sipping on some, but thank you for the gift."
"So...you're not gonna get drunk with me?" Nojiko gives her sister the puppy dog eyes.
"No….not tonight." Nami walks over into the dark open plan living room to attend to her half-drunk wine glass.
"You know," Nojiko stops her search and walks over to her sister, she didn't say anything, she was mesmerized by the gorgeous view, "mom would've wanted us to move on and be happy. She always smiled in her darkest times. Always telling us to be strong."
Nami didn't say anything, "and...I know this whole running the company thing is gonna be hard on you, but I'm here for you. I'm always here for you." Nojiko gives her sister a back hug, resting her chin on her shoulder.
A single tear trickled down Nami's face and onto her lavish silk robe. She and Nojiko always had each other's back, elementary, middle school, high school, and even through college. The two sisters are now in their early thirties and late twenties, one already starting a family, while the other is an eligible bachelorette.
"If you don't want to drink with me...you wanna hit up the club? Dance our sorrow away?" Nojiko suggested, looking over her sister's shoulder for her reaction.
"We're too old for the club these days. You're already thirty and I'm right there."
"Who said thirty-year-olds can't have fun? Plus the club has no age limit." Nojiko squeezes Nami's shoulders.
"Don't you have to watch over Belle?"
"If I did, I wouldn't be over here so late, besides, Ace is watching her tonight. He told me to spend the night with you, make sure you're okay."
Nami takes another sip of her wine before Nojiko takes the glass from her and drinks the rest. "Hey!" Nami raises her voice in surprise.
"Come on, you know you love me, now get dressed. I'll call a driver to pick us up and get us to the hottest club tonight." Nojiko pushes Nami towards her bedroom chamber. "Hey, Alice? Turn on all lights please." Nojiko commands.
"On it."
Nami sat in front of her all glass vanity, her bum resting on the seat decorated with white fur, the diamond straps of her heels wrapped around her long legs stopping below her knees and tied at the back, the short white designer dress she wore sparkles under the lights, hugging her curvaceous hips, she wore her neck bare but decorated her ears with drop diamond earrings. Nami looks at her reflection, her face still naked. Her wavy hair falling on her shoulders framed her face perfectly. She takes her rich red lipstick and colors her lips. Nami wasn't a woman who needed much makeup, she was already flawless with perfect skin, long lashes, voluminous hair, and a gorgeous figure.
She spritzed her favorite vanilla melted fragrance on her collarbone and lathered her hands in moisturizing lotion. She finally got up from her vanity at the sound of a faint knock at her door. She takes her priceless fur shawl from the coat rack by her door and steps out of her chambers.
"Not bad, a bit overdressed, but not bad." Nojiko comments. "That's normal for you though, can't go anywhere and not look your best right?"
"If you want to borrow something from my closet-" Nami began, she was interrupted by her sister swiftly moving past her and into her room.
A few minutes later Nojiko steps out of Nami's room, her long purple hair falling down her back. She also overdressed for the occasion, but that's standard for daughters of a high-end fashion designer.
"Oh," Nojiko looks down at her phone, "our ride is here," she informs.
Driving in their personal limousine, the two sisters made themselves drinks in the minibar on the way.
"A toast to us two, may we live to carry on our mother's name to the stars and beyond." Nojiko clinks her glass with Nami's.
The limousine pulls up to the front of a club called Punk Hazard. The line outside the club turned their attention to the white polished limousine. "Don't forget your glasses." Nami reminds her sister. They both took out their designer shades to hide their eyes from the public.
The limousine driver gets out and opens the car door on Nojiko's side and helps her out of the car, then Nami. The two sisters heard gasp and excitement from the crowd outside. Nami links her arms with her sister and walks into the club, the bouncer already opening the doors for them. The door to the club closes and the outside crowd groans.
"No fair! We've been in line for about two hours now." A tall lean built man leans his back against the brick wall.
"Yeah, cause they're celebrities." the green-haired man beside him answers him. "You're the one who wanted to come here. I don't see why we just don't go to G Five across the street."
"No Zoro, G Five is so lame, Punk Hazard just opened last week, we've been on the waiting list ever since. I'm not giving up my spot." The black-haired man answers.
The line moves up with a few persons entering the club.
"We're almost there." The black-haired man balls his fist in excitement.
"Luffy, you're literally turning thirty soon, don't you think you're getting a bit old for clubbing?"
"Um...no?" Luffy looks back in line to see younger faces in the crowd, he turns back to face Zoro. "This'll be my last club." he grins, flashing his signature smile. The guys finally reached the front of the line.
"Names?" The bouncer with burgundy hair asks.
"Monkey D. Luffy."
"Zoro."
The bouncer checks their names off the list, "Go on in." he opens the rope for them.
Inside the club seemed like an entirely different world, there were two sides of the room, the red lights shone on one side and the blue lights shone on the other side of the club, there was a V.I.P area where purple lights shone only. Sectioning the important figures away from the regulars. Luffy gawked at how packed the club was. He and Zoro slowly made their way to the bar.
"I need to loosen up first, want anything?" Luffy asks.
"Actually, I need to take a piss, I've been holding it for too long."
"Okay, I'll be at the bar when you're back."
Zoro disappears into the crowd, searching for the bathrooms. Luffy scopes out the crowd searching for a spot on the dance floor while patiently waiting to order his drink. He smiles at the energy created in the room, everyone was buzzed and having the time of their lives. He truly wished he didn't say this was his last night in the club, but if it were to be. He'd need to have the time of his life.
"Here you go sir." the bartender slides Luffy his drink. Luffy thanks him and pays for his drink. Luffy down his drink and let the alcohol run through him. He was a lightweight but only got really drunk after his third glass.
Once Zoro got back, Luffy and Zoro went over to dance, the DJ was killer tonight, playing all of the top hits old school and new school mix, Zoro left Luffy on the dance floor to get drunk over at the bar. As Luffy was dancing something or rather someone caught his attention.
Nami left the V.I.P area after chatting with the club's owner, Ceasar. To get some drinks by the bar, she struts on the dancefloor and makes her way by the bar. She took her shades off and the bartender immediately came to her service.
"Anything you'd like? It's on the house for V.I.P." the bartender asks. Giving Nami the menu. She places her order and waits for her drink, she looks over and sees a green-haired man passed out at the end of the bar. Nami takes her lipstick and compact out to refresh her lipstick while she waits for her drink.
She grew tense feeling like someone was watching her. Nami turns to see two tall men watching her.
"What're you two doing here?" She scowls.
"Arlong told us to keep an eye on you, he doesn't want the women he's merging companies with causing any scandals." the taller gentleman with blonde hair answers her.
"Kiss my ass, as if I'd merge with him." Nami scoffs and turns back around to wait for her drink.
"Well, it's what your mother would've surely wanted right?" The black-haired man smirks.
Nami turns back around her brows furrow at the mention of her mother. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh, you didn't know?" The blonde scoffs, "You're mommy signed a contract before her sudden pass. Grace by Belle is merging with Arlong's and there's even an arranged marriage set for the two CEOs."
Nami suddenly spaced out, she remembered seeing her mother meet with Arlong a few times but thought nothing of it. Nami didn't say anything, furrowing her brows at the two men, she got out of her seat and walked back to the V.I.P area to talk with her sister, but, a hand grabbed her wrist stopping her.
The black-haired held her wrist, she tried to yank her hand away but failed due to his superior strength. "Let go you asshole!"
Another person pops into the picture, a tall lean guy standing in front of Nami. "she said let go, man, you don't wanna cause a scene." A tipsy Luffy threatens. The man lets go of Nami's wrist.
"Oh yeah? What're you gonna do about it?" The blonde teases Luffy.
The crowd in the club quiets down and their attention is drawn on the three men. "I'm just trying let-" Luffy got interrupted by a punch to the face.
The crowd gasps and Nami covers her mouth in shock. "Hey!" The green-haired guy she saw at the bar punches the blonde bimbo. A fight broke out in the club, Luffy and Zoro and Arlong's two bimbos of henchmen.
"Nami!" Nojiko quickly walks over in her heels pulling her sister away from the violent altercation.
"Call our driver." Nami orders Nojiko. Nami goes back to the bar to take a few abandoned drinks and throws it on Arlong's henchmen. The bouncers that were in the back of the club came and broke up the fight. Ceasar demanded all of the men be thrown out of the club.
Nami goes outside the club to make sure the guy who helped her was okay. The line that was once outside was no more, because of everyone inside. "Are you okay?" Nami asks Luffy. His cheek was starting to swell and a few cuts on his face started to trickle blood. "I'll get you to a hospital."
"You're not going anywhere." The black-haired henchman grabs a hold of Nami's wrist again. Nami turns around and knees him in the family jewels. "Back off! You asshole!" She slaps him in the face when he goes to hold his jewels.
Nojiko frantically comes out of the club looking for her sister. "Are you okay?!" she asks looking at her sister's face for any scratches.
"Miss, Nojiko, it's a pleasure to see you again." The blonde smirks at her with his beaten face.
"What're you two doing here?" she asks, obviously annoyed.
"I'll explain later." Nami holds her sister's arm, tugging her away from them. Their limousine came right in time, Nami helped both Luffy and Zoro into the limo and got in after them with Nojiko behind her. They drove off and the two henchmen watched as the limousine disappeared around the corner.
In the limousine, Nami orders the driver to take them to a hospital, but Luffy objects. Zoro also objected and asked to be dropped off at his house. Saying his girlfriend must be worried about his whereabouts.
"Are you sure you guys don't need a hospital?" Nami asks concerningly.
"Yeah, we'll be fine. I got a first aid kit back at my place." Luffy reassures her.
Once Zoro was dropped off, Nami also suggested for Nojiko to head home to her kid. Assuring her she'll be fine. Both Luffy and Nami were left in the back of the limousine, heading to Luffy's apartment.
Nami helped Luffy inside his apartment after stating his side was starting to hurt inside the limousine. The area of the apartment wasn't exactly to Nami's liking. She ordered the limousine driver to come back for her when she calls, not wanting to risk the limousine being stolen while she's attending to Luffy's wounds.
His apartment was much smaller than hers, her penthouse could house one to six persons. Luffy only had a one-bedroom which was enough for only himself.
"Um...where do you keep your first aid?" Nami asks helping him on the couch after leaving her shoes at the door.
"I dunno...maybe the bathroom?" he answers her sarcastically.
Nami makes a face at first then decides to let it go, it was her fault she asked the dumb question. "It's through that door." Luffy directs her.
She goes to get the first aid out of the bathroom, looking through his bathroom cabinet. "Bingo," she says to herself. Nami walks out of the bathroom and back to the couch resting the first aid on the coffee table.
"Hey, I appreciate the help, but I'm trying to cut back on my light bill." Luffy groans as he reaches over for the first aid kit.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. Hey Alice?" Nami calls out. Nobody answers. Luffy looks at her strangely. Her face turns red with embarrassment and goes to the bathroom to turn the lights off manually.
She comes back from the bathroom to see a half-naked Luffy on the couch. She stumbles a bit due to her being slightly drunk and taken back by his insanely toned and muscular body. "Woah," she comes closer sitting next to him, she eyes the purple bruise that appeared on his side.
"How bad is it?" He asks.
"Looks pretty good to me." she got distracted by his back muscles.
"So it's not bad? It sure hurts like crazy." Luffy winces.
"Oh, no, I mean, It is b-bad, but, it looks so toned." Nami stammers, Luffy looks at her confusingly, "It's bad…." she looks at him.
"Shit," Luffy says getting up, Nami gets up with him and places a hand on his chest.
She quickly takes her hand back, "s-sorry, I'm h-here to help you. Let me tend to the wounds on your face"
Luffy sits back on the couch, Nami takes her attention off of his body and pays attention to his face. He was a handsome man, dark eyes, black hair, stubble on his face, and a scar under his eye. He gave off a manly aura which she liked. He was definitely her type. She cleans the cuts on his face and bandages them gently. His hair pushed back messily, she held back from running her hand through his hair, her drunk mind was not about to let her do something with this man while she's in his house.
His dark eyes study her as she dresses the wounds on his face, how did he get so lucky? It all happened so fast, he was just partying on the dancefloor and now one of the V.I.P's from the club was in his house tending to his wounds. It seems like something that only happens in movies or books, but this was very much real. She was cute, he'll admit, he wondered who she was, they drove here in a limousine and her attire is expensive-looking.
"There." she half-smiles at him once she was done. She stands back to view his face….and body.
"Thanks, can you uh, get this one on the side as well?" He asks her.
"S-sure." Nami sits back on the couch next to him. She goes for the ointment in the first aid kit to apply to his bruising. Her cold hands rub the side of his warm body sending chills up Luffy's spine. He trembles under her touch.
"What's the matter? Are my hands cold?" she asks, taking her hands off of him.
"Yeah, a bit. Don't worry, just keep going."
Nami takes some more ointment and rubs it along his bruise gently, "You know, I'm really thankful you stepped in, but you didn't have to get hurt for me."
"I kind of have a sixth sense for danger." he simpered.
Nami almost melted seeing him smile at her, how could he make himself even more attractive with those bandages on his face?! She mentally asks. Nami's hand unconsciously runs along his chest, her face fixed on his smile that starts to disappear. Her drunken mind was starting to overlap her sober thoughts.
Tipsy Luffy got confused as to why she was suddenly rubbing his chest, he didn't have any bruises on his chest. He couldn't tell if she was in her right mind anymore, she seemed like she was sober before, but now, the air was different. It got hotter in a matter of seconds. She leans over and whispers in his ear, "Is it getting hotter in here? Or is it just me?" Luffy looks at her and she kisses him softly on the lips.
She leaned back looking for his reaction. She didn't know if he felt the tension between them, but making a move was the only way she'd find out. She bites her lip waiting for any reaction in his dark eyes. He didn't seem to kiss back or anything, it was mad embarrassing for her. Kissing strangers in their homes, she was down bad.
She hadn't gotten laid since her college days which was years ago. Does she still have that effect on others? Was she no longer in her prime? "I'm sorry, this must be so awkward for you….I'm drunk out of my mind and-"
Luffy leans over and cuts her off with a kiss. She kisses him back and Luffy puts his weight on her forcing her to lay on her back. She opens her mouth slightly to let her tongue sneak out, his mouth invites her tongue in to dance with his. The two drunkards start making out on the couch, Luffy finds his way to the back of her dress tugging at the zipper on her dress.
"Wait," Nami stops and puts her hands on his chest, "Let's take this elsewhere." She gets up from the couch and Luffy smirks at her knowing exactly what she meant.
The morning came and Nami rolled over in what felt like cheap covers, she opened her eyes slowly to see a sleeping Luffy next to her half-naked like yesterday. She felt a cool breeze and looked down to see herself naked. She gathers the covers to hide and realizes she took the covers away from Luffy who was still asleep. A huge blush grew on her face when she saw his privates and threw the blanket on him, getting up to search for her phone. Finally finding her phone, she phoned her driver to pick her up immediately. She looked at Luffy sleeping peacefully and turned her back to get out of bed, her legs wobbling a little from last night's session, she picks her clothes off the floor to get dressed in the bathroom.
Leaving Luffy's apartment, she heads back to Mary Geoise where her penthouse resides. The apartment complex hosts the wealthiest of all America. She texts Nojiko to let her know she was okay and that she was heading back home. A feeling of guilt washes over her. She wasn't one who'd normally do one-night stands, the reason why she did it, was because she'd never want to see him again.