Thanks for those who reviewed my story. Here's chapter 3. Enjoy!

Chapter 3

Sei

"I think I'm gonna be sick." said Eriko as she got out of the car. I grinned at her and she narrowed her eyes on me.

The front exterior reveals that the place is high-class. Above the entrance door; there is a big sign with blue and red neon lights that says "Les Feux de Rampe". As we walked towards the entrance; there is a long queue ahead of us waiting to enter the club.

"Are we going to get through this crowd?" Eriko asked.

"Don't worry. Just follow me." We followed Youko through the entrance and we are greeted by two bulky bouncers in black tuxedo. Youko approached them and opened her clutch bag. I looked at Eriko and we just shrugged. She pulled out a gold card and presented it to the bouncer who checked the card thoroughly. Once it is confirmed, he opened the red door for us.

"Come on." Youko waved her hand at us and we walked inside with her leading us.

Once we got in, a man, who I assume a waiter, welcomed us, "Good evening, I'll be your waiter for the night. Please follow me" We followed him inside. The place is posh looking and lively with blue and purple neon lights. I can hear the loud and dynamic music that makes my chest pump.

"This is so cool." I muttered while examining the place.

"This is your friend's right?" Eriko asked Youko, like me she also seemed fascinated.

"Yes, you'll meet him later."

As we got through the hallway, I didn't expected that there aren't much people as I expected it to be. Still, it looked much more sophisticated, with blue lights. The walls are decorated with large and trendy silver ornaments, and the ceiling is rather high for a two-storey bar. There are high tables and chairs located around the dance floor where the crowd gathered.

"This way please." We went past the mob, dancing outrageously and enjoying the music. The waiter guided us to a less rowdy area. I observed that there is a red rope railing that prevented anyone to enter the area, and the seating is far more different than the other tables. This one has a u-shaped white leather sofa with a coffee table at the center and the place is much more illuminated. I suppose that this is a VIP lounge. The waiter undid the rope railing to let us in.

"Can I get you drinks, ladies?" asked the courteous waiter.

Eriko looked at the menu next to her, "I'll have the Tropical Rock with less alcohol."

"Long Island Iced Tea for me." I declared.

"Mine's Double Berry Mix." requested Youko.

"I'll be back shortly with your orders. Excuse me". The waiter said and left us.

Eriko is seated next to Youko, and I sat opposite to them for a reason. In that way, I can take a good look at Youko better.

I can't believe what I said to her a while ago at the restaurant. I just blurted it out all of a sudden. Even I was taken aback. Good thing Eriko changed the subject, or else I wouldn't know what to say. But really, she's stunning on that red strapless puff skirt mini dress that goes inches above her knee, revealing her long and slender legs. The dress hugged her body and emphasizes her curves. Just the thought of it… I shook my head violently to keep myself from thinking such dirty thoughts.

"Are you okay?" asked Eriko, noticing what I did.

"Hmm? Oh. I was just thinking how wild it was out there." I lied and gestured on the dance floor, "I didn't expect you to come to this kind of place." I grinned at Youko, knowing that she's not fond of boisterous places.

"As I said, my friend just invited me." she defended.

"So, where's your friend?" Eriko asked with her chin rested on the back of her hand.

"I can't find him. I already sent a message telling him where we are." Youko looked around searching for someone, and then faced us.

"Wait, you ordered an alcoholic drink?" I remembered that she almost got sick when the three of us went out drinking the night after our graduation. After drinking two glasses of flavored vodka, her face was so flushed. We had to make up an excuse to her parents when we brought her home.

"No, I ordered a mocktail." She beamed at me.

"Youko, how's law school by the way?" Eriko asked me.

"Very hectic. If only my parents haven't chosen a career for me, I would have gone to a liberal arts college like you." Her voice was weary.

"Is that so?"

Youko had wanted to attend to a liberal arts college since high school. Given that both her parents are world renowned lawyers, they want their only daughter to pursue similar career. She ruefully said that, since they're the ones who are paying her tuition fee, she agreed to their decision.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Here are your drinks." The waiter set down our drinks.

The waiter left us after Youko thanked him.

Then, Eriko asked a question that I don't want to hear, "How about your love life? I bet you have tons of admirers."

As Youko opened her mouth, I interrupted just to avoid the subject, "Eh. Eriko, do you have many admirers too? Tell us about them. Don't tell me that you're cheating on Yamanobe-sensei."

"Don't put me in the hot seat, Sei. I'm asking Youko."

"Oh, so you are cheating on him then?"

"No, I'm not and cut it off already. What's wrong with you?" she ticked off. Both of them looked at me, bewildered.

"Stop arguing you two." scolded Youko.

"Okay, okay." I held up my hands in defeat.

"So?" she turned to Youko, ignoring me. I braced myself, and if only they can't see me, I'll cover my ears. My fists are clenched tightly, preventing violence.

"There are guys who confessed," she sighed.

Wait. Did she just blush? It was an unnoticeable blush, but when you look closely, you'll see it. After years of friendship, I haven't seen her like this. If only not for that stupid question, I would have enjoyed looking at her in such state. But I admit, it's unusually cute, and this is Youko we are talking about, the refined and composed Miss Lillian.

"Do you like any of them? I suppose you do because I saw my brother's friends from law school, they are all dashing. Well, not all, almost maybe." I'm so furious at Eriko right now.

"Yes, they're smart and mostly good-looking. But I'm not interested in any of them." She raised her hands and using her fingers, she quoted on the word mostly.

Hearing those words, I sighed in relief.

"Why? Did you at least try to date one of them?"

I'm not comfortable hearing her interrogations. I just drank my iced tea and sat in silence.

"I dated a guy once because he's really persistent and dashing," she let out a deep sigh. "but I didn't like him. He's a total chatterbox. Thanks to him, I gained knowledge about flowers." She narrated and took a sip on her drink.

"What? Flowers?"

"Yes, flowers. He's fond of flowers. No, let me rephrase it, he has a flower fetish."

Eriko and I burst into laughter. "You've got yourself a girl date. What did you do?" she asked.

Youko paused for a moment then continued, "Nothing, I just sat there trying to look astounded by his knowledge in flower reproduction. Until I got bored to death, so I excused myself to a phone call. I felt guilty afterwards."

I suppressed my laughter trying not to spew out what I'm drinking, while Eriko, she just laughed like there's no tomorrow.

"I… I can't believe…you did that! And…about that…flower reproduction thing, that…was…hilar…ious!" she blurt out in between chortles.

"Poor guy!" I joked. I also can't believe that she would actually do such things but it's so darn funny how I imagined her doing those things to someone, it seems so bizarre.

Then, I recalled something, "Hey, was that the time you called me and you were talking about something I didn't understand."

"Yes. Sorry 'bout that." she apologized while giggling.

"Looks like you're having fun here." We didn't notice that someone came.

O-hoho! Who's intrigued about the person who suddenly spoke?

Chapter 4 is next. XD