The Military Couple

14: Checking In To Red Secret Hotel

Joyle ; this is Lianari. This is my friend. Slash businessman. Rico.

Lianari: nice to meet you.

Rico ; how can I do business with the General's wife today ?

Lianari: you're in an exclusive club ? It has a special flower logo ?

Joyle ; she means the Red Secrets Club.

Rico : oh. Yes.

Lianari: how do you become a member ?

Rico : oh. That's what you're interested in. I have this medical patch in stock. It's very good. Price is a bit expensive so that's why I think no army wants to buy it. But I promise , it's effect is the best in the market.

Lianari: fine . One batch for trial.

Rico : 10,000 boxes ?

Lianari: 5,000

Rico : 7,000 . It's our first transaction. Take it as a gift from you to me. Make a friend.

Lianari: a friend ? Are you sure you want to be my friend ?

Rico ; ... Of course.

She smiled back a bit deviously " deal. " She shakes his hands " I'll pay out of my own pocket. Those gold the emperor give me now has a use. " She sits back in her chair " those who are my friends all say I take more than I should. "

Rico ; eh ?

Lianari: well. So how do I join the club ? Friend ~

Rico ; firstly , you know what this club does ?

Joyle : not really. That's why she's here to find out.

Rico ; they do the things people don't want known. Under the table things. And also it's a club for one to enjoy. Prostitutes, gambling , five star concert hall, disco dancing. Well any entertainment you can name , they have it.

Lianari : wow. Almost like paradise on earth.

Rico ; almost. It's all a cover for their more important business which I already said.

Lianari: shouldn't paradise on earth be available to anyone then ?

Rico ; the establishment is called Red Secret Hotel. Anyone can check in. But not anyone can enter the basement to check in a case.

Lianari: you have to be a member.

Rico; that's correct. And to be a member... You have to be accepted. Simply check in an invite into the case.

________________________________

Lianari enters into the Red Secret Hotel to the lobby. It was truly luxurious just by entering the front.

Marbled floors , high white ceilings. Big white Victorian pillars. Wooden carved handrails for stairs. Big red carpets lined the floors on both sides setting a marble floor aisle in the middle. The red carpets atop sat a set of couch and sofas for its guests .

As she walked across the big lobby,  she was stopped by one of the staff carrying a case around its neck. It's open case carried cigars.

" Ma'am . A cigar ? "

Lianari: I don't do these.

" How about a smoking pipe ? You seem the type that take more of their time with that. "

Lianari: .... I'm here on more important business

" Everyone is. Yours is more important than others ?"

Lianari: they all think that way don't they ?

The female staff smiled and takes a black wood smoke pipe " they say a puff can make your worries go away. I hope this helps. "

Lianari takes it " thank you. " And she reaches the black marbled table reception.

Huge lacquered wooden cupboard then lined against the wall from top to bottom like how traditional check ins are like. Each room had its own numbered box, but there was no key hung in each box.  

" Checking into a room today ?"

Lianari: checking in a case.

" Unfortunately this privilege is only for a member. "

Lianari: checking in an invite into a case.

" I see. " The staff goes to the back and brings out her supervisor.

" I'm Rea. The manager for this reception. You want to check in an invite ? Lianari Reis ? Or Lio ?"

Lianari: ..... Erm... Either is fine. Lio. Lianari Lio.

" Understood.We'll get back to you on your request. Lianari Lio. We've checked you in on Room B1"
________________________________

Joyle ; so ?

Lianari: as Rico said. Will have to wait on their answer.

Joyle : either it's a trial or it's something from you they'll want you to trade.

Lianari: um...

Joyle : hehe.

Lianari: exciting. That's what you feel isn't it ?