By Any Other Name

Chapter 2: Pretty Little Liar

Shakky held the door open as Hongo carried you inside the club. The quiet of the alleyway was replaced by the soft thumping bass from whatever music was being played. You were carried through two more doors before you came into the club proper, and the music, which was by no means soft, wasn't so loud that you needed to shout to be heard.

The rhythmic thump of the bass was just strong enough to lure your muscles into movement, the music just loud enough to shroud each conversation into something private. Sheer curtains separated certain areas, deep wood booths, with walls that went from floor to ceiling separated other areas with more force. Doors lined one wall, a series of private rooms maybe, an ultimate offer of privacy in an otherwise open space.

Hongo made his way past the booths, walking by a bar and heading back down the other side of the row of booths. There were less people on this side, and the few you noticed were enjoying the tail end of evening meals. The thump of the music was a little more forceful on this side, but not by much.

Hongo set you down in a booth and then pointed toward a heavy curtain.

"On the other side of that is the reception desk and the main entrance." He explains, taking a step back once he's sure you're not going to tip over.

"Are you telling me to get lost?"

"Nope. Just making sure you know how to leave if you want to." The smile on his face is genuine. "My preference would be for you to stay put though, I'll be back with Law in a moment."

You nod, a little numbly. You're not sure what to make of things yet, but bolting now isn't going to solve any of your problems. "Yeah, I'll be here."

Hongo leaves you in the booth and you take a better look around. You knew of The Club as it was often referred to, and how it had Hosts during the daytime and Escorts at night, but you'd never bothered to take a look inside. Aside from the fact that it was called By Any Other Name, which was hilarious to you that people called it by another name on the regular, you knew little else about it.

Well, that wasn't exactly true. It was above board and had a solid reputation.

No one ever seemed to speak ill of the place, unless they'd been barred from it. And at that point, what worth was their opinion on it anyway.

Classy was certainly the word for it. The booth you were in was leather, and while you weren't sure what the wood of the table was, it was beautifully stained and sealed. Even in the dim light you could see the care put into the place.

There was a stage across from where you were sitting, with a small collection of large couches and luxury seats. The way they were placed allowed people to focus on one another in small groups, and the stage itself. It was surprisingly private for something without dividers. There was a pop card on the stage stating what the show for the night was, but it was too far away for you to make it out right now. It must just be the start of the evening, if all the events weren't in full swing.

It was certainly much larger than you had expected. Something about the dimensions felt off, but you weren't going to go looking for false walls or secret passages right now, so you didn't let it needle your thoughts.

True to his word, Hongo returned with someone else in tow. The younger man behind him looked pissed off, but his movements were relaxed otherwise, so it might just be a case of resting bitch face.

Boots, low-waisted ripped skinny jeans, and a sleeveless turtlenecked crop top. The outfit showed off an impressive number of tattoos and an equally impressive physique. Silver rings on his fingers drew your attention enough you could see letters inked into his skin, but it was impossible to know what they said in the club's dim light.