Lu adjusted his collar as the three of them walked down the alley toward the entrance of the Neon Nest. The night club loomed ahead, its glowing, fluorescent sign casting vibrant pinks and blues against the cracked pavement. The building's exterior was a mix of modern sleekness and urban decay—concrete walls covered in graffiti and neon lights flickering in sync with the distant bass thumping from within. The line to get inside was long, stretching down the block, filled with impatient partygoers eager to get a taste of the night.
Delilah walked between him and Tony, her laughter echoing in the narrow alley, her shimmering dress catching the neon glow like a magnet for attention. Lu couldn't help but glance at her every few seconds, her carefree spirit somehow pulling him in and pushing him away all at once. On her other side, Tony swaggered confidently, his arm brushing hers just a bit too often for Lu's comfort. Tony's grin was wide, his eyes glinting with something that made Lu's stomach churn.
As they approached the club doors, a bouncer blocked the entrance with his massive size. Lu wondered if there were any bouncers that weren't the size of trucks.
Tony stepped in front of Lu and Delilah with his hands stopping them both.
"Wait here," he said, flashing a look at Lu, the kind of look that simply pissed him off. Tony strolled up to the bouncer, the giant man in black, his arms crossed in front of him like a human gate. They exchanged a few words, and with a brief nod, the bouncer waved them through. No waiting in line, no questions asked.
Tony sauntered back, smirking. "People like me just won't have to worry about lines."
As the trio stepped away from the bouncer and into the narrow hallway leading further into the club, the contrast between the chaotic exterior and the interior struck Lu immediately. The corridor was bathed in a dim, neon rainbow glow, soft purples, greens, and reds blending together in a strange, hypnotic wash that gave everything an otherworldly sheen. The floor beneath them glistened faintly, and the distant thrum of music from the main room echoed off the walls, muted but persistent. The lights flickered with each step they took, making the hallway feel endless.
Delilah turned to Tony, a curious smile playing on her lips as they walked side by side. "You know the bouncer or something?" she asked, her tone light but genuinely interested. "How often do you come here?"
Tony smirked, glancing down at her as if the answer was obvious. "I've got connections here," he said, running a hand through his hair, the neon hues catching the silver ring on his finger. "Bouncer's name is Rico. We go way back—did some gigs together a while ago when he was still trying to make it as a DJ."
Delilah raised an eyebrow. "A DJ?"
Tony shrugged, the corners of his mouth curling into a cocky smile. "Yeah, didn't really stick for him, though. He had some talent, but the nightlife scene's brutal, you know? He switched to security at these clubs, and now he's one of the guys they call when they need someone to keep things in line."
"Must be nice to have those kinds of connections," Delilah said, nudging him playfully. "I keep learning new things about you, Tony."
Lu trailed behind, his stomach twisting as he watched the easy rapport between them. Tony always seemed to have an answer for everything, always knew how to make Delilah laugh, how to keep her intrigued. The way they walked together, side by side, brushing shoulders in the dim neon light, it made Lu feel like a shadow—present, but unseen.
Tony laughed, his voice low and confident. "What can I say? I'm just that special of a person."
Delilah giggled, the sound soft and musical in the quiet hallway. She tucked a strand of her dark hair behind her ear, her eyes sparkling under the neon lights. "You'll have to show me more sometime."
