Monarchy of Roses

Chapter 9

"Now, you are going to really let your hair down", teased Clara once they finished dinner.

"Just don't film it and put in YouTube", said Nika warily.

"Of course not, you're my best friend. But seriously, you need to let loose a bit and have some fun. Karaoke bars have all sorts of music, including American and British. You'll find something", said Clara.

Josh pulled out their chairs and helped Nika get up and then put an arm lightly around her waist. The contact was very light and not all at heavy but she couldn't help the light pink flush forming on her cheeks. Josh just chuckled and gently squeezed her hip, causing her to let out a little squeak. "You squeak like a mouse, it's cute", he teased.

"It was so sudden", she mumbled.

"It's cute, it's different. I like you, Nika Sophia Lacroix. I like you a lot", he blurted out.

Nika's eyes widened like saucers, then a giggle erupted from the depths of her throat as the flush on her cheeks turned a pretty shade of rose pink. "I like you too, Josh. You're the first guy I've liked, I've been busy with college", she giggled nervously.

Josh beamed and sighed in relief as he pulled her closer and kissed her cheek. "You're cute when you blush, it's been a long time since I saw girl blush pink like that. I was concerned John would kick my ass, pardon my language", he added.

"I wish Dad would find a girlfriend, it's been him and I and the cats for so long", said Nika.

"Come on guys, you can be all mushy and lovey-dovey when we get back to the hotel", teased Clara as they both blushed.

She led them inside a modest four-story glass-fronted building with an illuminated sign in bright neon pink and green Korean letters. The lady at the front desk with fuchsia hair wearing a bright green schoolgirl outfit immediately ushered them to an elevator and pressed a button to go up. After arriving on the fourth floor, the fuchsia-haired woman opened a door and then left. "This is a private karaoke room, the phone is to order drinks and snacks. You select songs from the tablet and it comes through the speakers", explained Clara.

"And the lyrics are on the screen", added Josh.

Clara picked up the phone and within five minutes a water appeared with two bottles of soju, three shot glasses and a bowl of nuts and dried fruit as she tipped him. "One is plain soju and the other is citrus, just in case the plain is too strong", she explained.

"I've had the plain, it's like vodka but burns going down", said Josh as he poured them each a shot.

Nika took the shot glass and nodded in thanks, the clear liquid resting inoffensively in the glass. She took a deep breath and cautiously took a sip. The strong taste was evident even with the little sip as she grimaced. "The trick is to do the shot in one gulp, otherwise it'll take forever to drink it", suggested Josh.

She took his advice and knocked back the shot in one gulp. Nika grimaced and felt as though she had swallowed butane as it went down her throat in a quick burn. "It is strong, maybe you would like the citrus better", said Clara.

Meanwhile Josh was scrolling through the list of songs on the tablet. "Hah, might as well get some practice", he laughed when he saw Under the Bridge.

"Nah, wait until later when we're in the right headspace for ballads. I'll try out the machine", said Clara.

Josh stepped aside to let her scroll through the selections before she settled on her choice. Clara got up on the tiny stage and the speakers played California Gurls by Katy Perry as she began to sing. Josh laughed and Nika shook her head as Clara sang along to the words on the screen, attempting to do the dance from the video. During the bridge and Snoop Dogg's rap, she danced in place performing the moves from the video as her friends cracked up, her long red hair flopping about.