What Rino initially planned to be a short nap turned into a deep slumber. He only realized this when he groggily opened his eyes and turned his head to look at the Atmos wall clock.
7:10 P.M.?
"Shit."
He clamped his head in disappointment as he bolted up from bed and dashed to his wardrobe.
Hope I'm not doing this for a girl.
He thought as he grabbed the first decent shirt his hands could get on.
Yh, I'm doing this because she mentioned something about it being the billionaires' club.
"Bath first."
He collected the shirt he had taken from his wardrobe, together with a pair of dark jeans, and hung them on his couch before undressing himself for the bath.
Not long after he took his bath, he dashed out of the bathroom to the couch where he had hung the clothes he prepared to wear that night.
Avoiding to contemplate style or bother whether the clothes were ironed—there was no time for either of those.
After all, he had chosen the best outfit.
The shirt he wore was a custom-fitted white Kiton made of cotton material and his leather-patched Amiri black Jeans.
If there was something rich eyes need not be told, he was already putting on clothes worth thousands of dollars, so, who cared if they were—
No, he needed to check. He hated being too tattered.
He went over to the dressing mirror by his wardrobe and accessed himself.
The clothes were well-pressed already, and he thought he was cutely dressed, except for his hair.
He made for the comb and straightened his hair after which he went for his Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch, which he tightened around his wrist.
In less than 3 minutes, he was all set with his Berluti Leather Sneakers on, and his Balmain Jacket accentuating blend with his shirt.
"Now, I look like a real dude," he muttered and dashed out of his room, careful enough not to be in a rush.
Sooner than later, Rino was already traveling the road, across the street headlights that sliced through the dusk.
He tried to calm himself of his haste by connecting his phone to the car's stereo and putting on a soft jazz tune to fill the silence.
🎶 Kitchen Stove by Pozer 🎵
He focused his mind on the song, a genre of song he was obsessed with trying not to let his mind slip into any form of thoughts as to his lateness.
Not long after, he pulled up to the gate of Purple House Estate, and Zaria already stood there like she had waited forever with arms folded and an unbothered look on her face.
Rino stepped out to open the passenger door for Zaria, as she approached, he couldn't help but admire her attire.
She was elegantly and confidently dressed to glow her alluring look.
Taking in on her observation closely, Rino only noticed her long, flowing black hair that cascaded over her shoulder as she walked, blending with her fair complexion.
Though Rino looked not too close, he felt her eyes were sharp and expressive in such a way that added to her beauty.
Her attire...? She knew the rules of fashion.
She was on a glossy black dress that fitted to accentuate her figure, paired with a sleek silver blazer that added a stylish contrast to her dress. Gracing her neck, was a silver necklace whirled into a teardrop pendant.
Only seeing her closely enough now, Rino couldn't but get lost in the moment.
Overall, Zaria was astonishingly stunning.
Whichever way to put it, she was just—
"You are so beautiful," Rino complimented her as she got into the car without a word.
She must have been angry about his late coming, but Rino wasn't even bothered to apologize.
He wasn't known for an apology as Rino Carter, so, well, he knew it was only going to be a matter of time until the girl thought less of this night.
"This way."
"Keep it straight."
"Now, left at that turn."
Zaria kept her description precise as they reached an obscure location surrounded by tall walls and minimal light.
Rino hurled his car to park in one of the empty slots and followed Zaria as they walked toward a building that looked more like it had become an abandoned warehouse.
"Just as I have expected," Rino murmured, taking in the sight.
Zaria only smiled at him, and led him into the building, down a spiral stairwell that got darker at each descent.
Rino wanted to ask where she took him but decided to keep his mute.
After all, she was a woman, while he was a man. If anything should happen, he was going to overpower her.
Finally, they came to a halt in from of a small metallic door tucked beneath a curve in the wall.
Above the door was an inscription in red that buzzed faintly. "Red Tann."
Rino couldn't differentiate his expression at the moment. He didn't know if he should be shocked, or rather, surprised.
"Is this where the club is?" Rino asked with an eyebrow raised.
Zaria gave him an approving smirk.
This was not what he expected.
He thought they were heading to somewhere that looked somewhat like a mansion, meant for clubbing alone.
At least, that was the sense that came into him when he heard "the billionaire's club" from Zaria's mouth.
Wait, billionaire club? If she's right, does it mean she's a—
Rino's thoughts were disturbed by the grave voice that came from inside whatever the door concealed.
A narrow slot slid open on the door, revealing a pair of bloodshot eyes. Rino didn't get to see what the owner of these eyes looked like, but the voice he heard told him it was a man's.
"Entrance tag?" the man's grave voice demanded.
Rino blinked, putting his hands into his pocket before he turned to Zaria.
"Does he need money?"
He asked with a hush tone, but instinctively raised his voice when he mentioned money.
"Correct," the man said to Rino's surprise, letting the door creak open.
Rino looked at Zaria for an explanation, and she gave it to him in a simple, precise response.
"The entrance tag is 'Money'."
***
Inside, the red lighting was suffocating, turning the hall atmosphere into a hellish glow. The air reeked of smoke, alcohol, and predominantly, lust.
Rino looked behind him to find that the man who opened the door for them had been enjoying himself, with a naked girl, sucking at his dick.
In front, was a dance floor engulfed in red fog with barely dressed women twisting and gyrating their bodies around silver poles.
"Damn."
Turning his eyes, they met a young woman, of no more than 21 years old if he guessed right, dressed in red lace approaching him with a sultry smile.
Wait... Wait.
His mind was distorted. He turned to the other direction to escape the approaching lady, only to meet a half-naked woman with only a g-string pant and a thin bra staring at him with ferocious eyes.
"Handsome, need help with the huge thing you got down there?" she purred, her fingers already brushing his belt.
He tried to focus.
"No," he found himself responding but she didn't seem to care.
As if planned, the lady that had been approaching him clung to his arm.
"We can loosen you up, you know? Both ways." her soft voice betrayed her current action.
Rino's eyes widened.
He was yet to take three steps into this damned place and he already felt like the prey.
Thanks to Zaria, she returned at the right time.
Looping her arm around Rino's neck, she pulled herself closer, staring at Rino for a while then turned to the girls.
"Leave my man."
Her voice wasn't loud enough, but they got her.
The girls hissed and pouted, but took the right decision by backing off the instant.
"Hmph," Rino gulped.
Zaria took his arm after the girls had left, and led him away from the chaotic hall, down a narrow alley that branched from the main floor.
Rino's eyes scanned the red walls and the flickering lights they came across as they tolled this path.
Then with a half-laugh and half-sigh, he muttered to himself.
"Welcome to Red Tann."