CLUBHOUSE

September 8, 2004.

The flicking rainbow lights, equally sleek men and women danced to thier heart's content as the loud booming music filled the air. The lone woman in the dark corner of the nightclub watched every bit of their movement.

Unlike the lively crowd and seemingly fun groups of people at each table, either catching up with one another, flirting and making out couples at the dark corner, or friends comforting their crying friend because of whatever headache she has.

The lone woman only had her glass of  wine and her sighing friend as get companion.

"This is sad.... I am utterly sad". Peace Cyril's voice cracked. The corner of her eyes formed salty liquid as she chewed her bottom lips, trying to suppress the cry's that were threatening to roll out.

Peace Cyril, a 25 years old lady, CEO and sole owner of JUSTclassic Empire. Which she had established from the very scratch six years ago. Six years of hustling and grinding to become who she was today, A well-respected Lady in the business industry for starting her own company in such a young age.

Impressive.

She was not even from the wealthy family, not even an heiress, was she a spoilt and pampered princess. She started her company from little saving and accumulating incomes years after years , taking multiple part-time jobs, and budgeting her allowance while being a scholarship student.

So, why was a multi-millionair businesswoman with a net worth of five hundred million dollars wa inside this mediocre nightclub of the city?

Not just that, but also holding back her sob under the influence of alcohol?

"See.. I .... Whatever" Across peace Cyril, was Favour Azu, a tall beautiful lady with Rihanna hairstyle. Favour has been her best friend since high school they were classmates.

She let out a heavy sigh before the shook her head, causing the huge black glasses clinging on her small cute nose to slip down.

"Favour, what should I do?" Peace downed the seventh glasses of whiskey she ordered before leveling her eyes towards her best friend sitting opposite her. 

"I am turning 26 next week and then next year I will be 27. How could I have ignored this very important part of my life for years?". She asked.

 Finally the tears that she was holding back fell, staining her naturally contoured cheeks.

"What do you mean by that?".

Now that was one of the hypocritical statement she have heard since today, Another deep exhale escaped her mouth.

"Just go ahead and accept your suitors proposal, get laid, get married and the end", but it was obviously easy said than done. Favour rolled her eyes at her own childish advice.

Sometimes, favour would feel like she was wasting her energy give real and serious advice towards her best friend. 

After all, peace Cyril was the wiredest drama queen she had ever known in her lifetime.

Peace wanted to date, get married and have kids.

However, though peace has gone for lots of date with men of different ages, statues and different interest, she could only last for one date. Three dates at most times.

Reason been that.

Someone like her with great vitals, Large money on her name, and a respectable status, in short, a literal miss independent. She was akin to a magnet that attracts young masters from weathly families and professionals. Hence, it was easy for her to find someone who has interest in her, which lead to the problem.

Peace automatically loses interest whenever a guy showed her a mutual interest.

The lack of challenge was what she usually uses as an excuse. And yet here she was, sobbing as her prime years nearded its end.

"This won't do", wiping her tears, peace shook her head sideways.

"I don't think my future husband would stay at a place like this. Maybe his is an embalmer, I will go check every funeral parlors today and find my romance". She said assisting herself up, wobbling for a bit before she got on her feet.

"An ambalmer ? Really, P?". She was not really surprised at the kind of useless thought that were going on inside her friends head. 

Favour massaged her temples in distress. The main reason why peace frequently visits nightclubs and bars was because she hoped that she would find the man of her dreams there. She changes location every evening, not even the cheapest bars in the town were left out.

And now that it didn't work out, she just hopped into another conclusion. It could never get worst than this.

"Don't worry, this time I will have to go alone". Peace waves her hand off as she magnanimously permitted her friend not to go with her. That actually was not favours main concern right now.

"No, P. Not tonight, you are already drunk". Favour shook her head in disapproval as she attempted to stop her unstoppable friend.

Regardless of the fact that she was only wasting her energy in trying to stop her, because favour knew very well that whenever peace has decided to do something no one can stop her.

"I can manage, don't worry". Peace said smiling at her. Peace placed her palm on her chest and nodded reassuring her friend.

"And also, I can't let me friend go to a place I know she is scared of just because of me. Just pray for my good luck!" She said and held her fist high, like she was trying to cheer up her friend.

With that being said, peace then began to swaying her way out. Her heels trembling, balancing it reckless host not to fall. On the other hand, favour could only watch her friends figure fade into the crowd.

"How can I not worry?". I sigh slipped from her mouth as she murmured.

Afterwards, she took the bills and payed for their drinks before heading home. Well, she would have loved to accompany her friend on her venture to the funeral parlors tonight, but she was too afriad of places like that.

.

.

"I lived the life of  drifter.

Waiting for the day

When I would hold your hand and sing you songs", she was on her way to the parking space. Her voice was toneless, not hitting the songs proper time but still she cared less and continued singing.

"Then maybe you would say...

Come lay with me, love me and I would surely stay". At that point, she had gotten to her car despite her swaying stride and shaking vision.

Peace blinked her eyes as hard has she could attempting to reduce the salty water that had crowded her eyes. It worked slightly as she was able to get back her vision before she hopped into her car.

"Many times I've been a Traveller, I looked for something new ", She  compassed her hand as she continued to sing instead of starting the car's engine.

"In days of  old, when nights were cold, I wandered without you",

She raised her hand towards the front passenger seat, touching it like she was touching her imaginary boyfriend that seem to be sitting there right now. But she had no one to seat there now.

"Now I feel like am growing older, and the songs I sang, echos in distance". Frowning, peace sighed heavily and placed her hand on the seat. Finding a person to be her companion for life was a very hard task.

Upon touching a thick, sticky liquid on the leather seat, peace's brows knitted. Retracting her hand, she moved it closer to her. To see what kind of filth intruded her car.

However, as Soon as she layed her eyes on the crimson red stain on her hand, her eyes widened with fear. Loud alarms rang inside her head. Instantly sobering her up.

Just before she could snap, hands from the back passengers seat covered her mouth while his strong arm went around her, stilling her to the driver's seat.

"Don't shout...." Under the man's breath, she could clearly hear him gasped for air. Regardless of that, his adrenaline rush never faltered.

"Please... Please". he added as peace tried to break free while trying to scream.