Monarchy of Roses

Chapter 8

Nika looked at her reflection in the mirror as Clara beamed in delight. "See, you look amazing. You look very boho chic, but glam at the same time", said her redhaired friend enthusiastically.

"I do feel different, but I suppose it's because I've never been to Seoul before. New city, new experiences", she mused aloud.

"Yeah, I know you have relatives in Japan. Is any of them a cute guy?", she teased.

"I guess, Cousin Mollie's kids. She's half-Japanese and half-English, her Dad is my Great-Uncle Jack and her mother is his first wife, Minako. Great-Aunt Tessa is his second wife, their daughter is my cousin Alexandra. She lives in England but Mollie lives in Japan, her husband is Japanese so my younger cousins are three-quarters Japanese and one-quarter English", she explained.

"Cool, Japanese guys are hot. Are they coming to the show?", asked Clara.

"You've always been boy-crazy, Clara. Yeah, Great Uncle Jack has always been young at heart compared to Pepere. He's actually acted as a sort of guide to bands coming to Japan since the 70's, bands get a kick out this cool old British guy. Him and Pepere have been having the same debate since the 50's about who is better, Charlie Parker or Coltrane. Both are huge jazz lovers", said Nika with a shake of her head.

"Then Dad would love to hang with him, he used to drive me crazy listening to Coltrane as a kid", said Clara.

"Both Great Uncle Jack and Great Aunt Tessa are huge Coltrane fans, they saw him in concert at Chicago during their honeymoon", said Nika.

"Maybe you can introduce us when we go to Japan, maybe Dad met him in the 90s", said Clara.

Nika took a final look in the mirror and smiled at her reflection. Her curly dark hair had been pulled up in a French twist with a few loose waves around her shoulders exposed by the halter top of her dress. The top half was a deep royal purple and the skirt went down to mid-calf and was in a vivid purple, turquoise and amber Paisley design which complimented her fair skin and brought out a healthy pink flush. The outfit was completed by her tiny purple glitter clutch purse and by her black suede ankle boots which added two inches to her height of 5'9, along with her new makeup.

"Have fun, girls. I'm too old to go out on the town, we're going for dinner", said John, giving each woman a hug.

Josh was waiting for them outside his room, his warm brown eyes lighting when he saw Nika. He wore black cargo pants and Jimi Hendrix t-shirt and his brown hair was hidden under a black beanie. "You look amazing, Nika", he said, reaching for her hand and giving it a squeeze.

"Thank you", she mumbled.

"Nika has never gotten compliments from cute guys before", teased Clara as Nika turned an even brighter shade of red.

Josh just laughed good-naturedly. "Hmm, I think Mom has ever called me cute. But seriously, you look great, Nika. Purple looks great on you", he said.

Clara gave her a thumbs up as Josh offered Nika his arm. "We'll get some dinner first and then we go do karaoke. Karaoke in East Asia is much better than in LA", said Clara.

Nika tried to control the butterflies dancing in her stomach as Josh led her out of the hotel. He held her hand as he led them out of the lobby and outside to the dusk of Seoul. in contrast to the stillness of Seoul during the day, the city was starting to come alive as the skyscrapers downtown lit up and people began to leave work and head out on the town. There was a real buzz of excitement in the air as young people in trendy outfits headed to restaurants and bars, businesspeople in their somber dark suits heading towards the bars before going home.