Layla: "Dang, that was close." I said, getting into the passenger seat.
Takanori: "Actually, not really. You're really fast," he said, starting the engine.
Layla: "I used to run track." I said, remembering my school days.
Takanori: "I could tell. Jeez, you were dragging me for a minute there." he said, reversing the car from the parking spot.
Layla: "Sorry." I chuckled. "It's a good thing we hid between the cars. We'd probably be still running if we didn't." I said, strapping on my seat belt.
Takanori: "Yeah, it's a good thing." he said blankly.
"I kinda wish we were still there," he whispered under his breath, but I still heard him.
Layla: "Uhm?" I questioned, wondering if he would repeat himself.
Takanori: "Nothing, don't worry." he said, then he put the car into gear before driving off.
We drove for about 15 minutes before pulling up to a building with a long line of people wrapped around it.
Layla: "I think the party is going to be over by the time we get inside." I said, guesstimating how long it would take for us to get into the club by how long the line was.
Takanori chuckled.
Takanori: "No, it won't." he said, pulling right up to the entrance of the club.
In no time, Takanori grabbed a pair of shades from the visor, got out of the car, made his way to my side, then tossed the keys to a valet driver.
Takanori: "Ya coming, beautiful?" he asked after opening the door. He then put his hand out to help me out of the car.
I was never much of a party girl. I have only gone clubbing twice in my life, and that's because of a whole lot of peer pressure from my friends. The experiences were, to say the least, very underwhelming. I just ended up being a babysitter for my completely plastered friends, both times. It was a night filled with fighting off weirdos, perverts, the occasional 'playboy' and constantly wrangling together my drunk friends like cattle while dodging projectile vomit like I was apart of the matrix. Basically, the moral of this story is 'CLUB'S SUCK,' I promised myself I'd never go into a club again, but here I am, in Japan, about to stand in a deathly long line to go to a party for a guy I don't know.
What is it with Japan? The most peculiar things have happened to me since I landed here. There must be something in the water.
I thanked Takanori for helping me out of the car then turn to make my way to the end of the line when I felt a hand tug me back.
Takanori: "Layla, where are you going?" Takanori looked at me, confused by my actions.
Layla: To the back of the line. I pointed to the line of people that disappeared behind the building.
Takanori scoffed then shook his head in dismay.
Takanori: "Woman, it's like you're trying to insult me. He said before he interlaced my fingers with his. "My dear, I'm famous, we walk in," he said, then proceeded to walk past the crowd and the bouncers.
The bouncers didn't even flinch or bat an eye at us. I was amazed. 'Damn, this is cool.' I thought as we passed everyone.
'Wow...This place is sick.' I thought as we entered the club, bass bumping and all. With the expert guidance of Takanori, we easily sashayed through the club to the VIP section.
Takanori: "WHERE'S THE BIRTHDAY BOY! I GOT A BIG KISS FOR HIM!" Takanori yelled over a small crowd of people.
"You kiss me, and I'll punch you in the throat."A well-dressed man said, coming up to greet us.
Takanori: "Awww c' mon. Just a little tongue," he said after they hugged.
The man just shook his head, laughing off what Takanori said.
"Who invited you?" The man questioned.
Takanori: "Naoto." Takanori answered.
"Ah, I figured." The man nodded.
Takanori: "I think he's trying to lock us in a room, so we have no choice but to get along. You think it'll work?" Takanori asked.
They both paused for a bit.
Both: "NAH!" They shook their heads.
I just stood silently behind Takanori until the man he was speaking to noticed me.
"Well, what do we have here?" The man said, looking over Takanori's shoulder. "Is this my real birthday present?" he asked.
Takanori: "Nope. All I brought was a kiss, and you rejected it so..."
"Bummer, I thought you were finally making up for sleeping with my sister." The man said, looking at Takanori
Takanori: "I told you I was sorry." Takanori said, exasperated." "Plus, that was four years ago. You said you forgave me."
"Yeah, well....." The man said.
They were like an old married couple. I couldn't help but chuckle at the back and forth banter.
"Wow, what a lovely chuckle. "The man said, smiling. Takanori, are you planning on taking the whole year, or are you going to introduce us?" The man asked.
Takanori: "Katsuhiro, this is Layla. Layla, this is Katsuhiro." Takanori said, gesturing between myself and the gentleman.
Katsuhiro: "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." The man said, clasping my hand between his hands as he shook it.
Layla: "Yes, it's nice to meet you too." I smiled and slightly bowed.
Katsuhiro was an older gentleman. I could tell by the way he carried himself that he wasn't in his 20's. I figured he might have been in his early 30's, but the subtle grey in his hair made me question myself. He was well-spoken, well dressed, and quite handsome. He wore his hair shoulder length, and his facial hair was well kept. He wore a tailored navy blue suit with a silk maroon dress shirt, unbuttoned at the collar. Seeing him made me feel underdressed.
Katsuhiro: "Come on, Layla. Let me introduce you to the rest of the crew." he said, guiding me through the party.
After being Katsuhiro and Takanori's little show and tell, we sat on a couch that lined the back of the VIP section.
Takanori: "Where's Naoto? I thought he would be here by now?" Takanori asked.
Katsuhiro: "Yeah, you're right. Should I call him? You think he's okay? He isn't usually late." Katsuhiro said, reaching for his phone.
Takanori: "Don't worry about him. The old guy must have gotten lost. " Takanori said. "That's what happens when you become a senior citizen." He joked, leaning over to me. "I'm sure he's fine."
Katsuhiro: "If you think he's old, what do you think of me?" Katsuhiro asked.
Takanori: "Oh, you're a fossil but a very well kept fossil. I must say you look great for a dinosaur." Takanori said with his usual mixture of seriousness, funny and sarcastic humour.
Katsuhiro: "Why did I invite you again?" Katsuhiro said, shaking his head with a slight smile on his face.
Takanori: "You didn't." Takanori answered.
Katsuhiro: "Layla darling, blink twice if this man has you near him against your will. You can tell me this is a safe space." Katsuhiro said jokingly.
I laughed.
Takanori: "Oh, that's mean." Takanori said, faking hurt feelings.
Katsuhiro: "I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to Layla. Shouldn't you be dancing or something?" Katsuhiro said, trying to dismiss Takanori.
Takanori: "Oh, Yessss! Thank you for reminding me. JAZZ LEGS!" Takanori said, referring to me. "Let's go blow these guys out of the water with your mad moves," he said, gesturing to the dance floor.
Katsuhiro: "Oh, you dance, as well?" Katsuhiro asked.
Takanori: "Who? Jazz legs here. Yes, she is like a firecracker when she dances." he said, flailing his arms around as he walked to the railing to look over onto the dance floor.
I rolled my eyes.
'He really thinks I can't dance.' I thought.
Katsuhiro: "Don't feel bad, my dear. I'm not much of a dancer myself." he said, leaning over to me.
I smiled politely at him for attempting to console me from Takanori's constant teasing. 'You bust a running man once or twice, and then all of a sudden your a bad dancer. I'll show him.' I thought.
Layla: "Hey, do you want to see me make Takanori eat his words." I asked Katsuhiro.
Katsuhiro: "I would pay anything, my dear." Katsuhiro answered.
Layla: "Stay tuned then," I said, giving Katsuhiro a wink before I got up, grabbed Takanori's hand, and led him down to the floor to dance.
The club's songs varied in language and tempo, but I could feel the underline vibe of the DJ's selection was r&b/hip-hop/pop. As we made our way through the people, we both began to integrate seamlessly with the sway of the crowd. I bobbed to the beat for a bit until the DJ spun a track I couldn't help but go all out on. Maybe this will finally silence him.
'Madonna-Bitch, I'm Madonna ft Nicki Minaj' was playing. Before I began to dance, I looked over to Katsuhiro, who was leaning over the balcony of the VIP section watching us. He smiled before he mouthed something to me. "KICK HIS ASS"
His words kicked my adrenaline into overdrive.
(The choreography and the essence of the movements of the lady of in the yellow shirt capture Layla dance style.)
After blowing a kiss to the crowd, I walked towards Takanori, who stood frozen with his mouth open.
Layla: "You plan on standing there with your jaw on the ground, or do you plan on dancing with me." I teased.
He scoffed then shook off his shock before he began to dance with me. After dancing two songs, I started to get tired, so I excused myself from the dancefloor and headed back up to the VIP section, where Katsuhiro greeted me with applauds.
Katsuhiro: "My love, you were to die for." He said, still clapping.
Layla: "Was I?" I smiled. "I told you to stay tuned," I said, sitting on the couch.
Katsuhiro: "You deserve a drink." He said, handing me a drink, then he took a sip of his.
Layla: "Thanks."
Before I could take a sip, Takanori took the small shot glass from my hand and shot it back.
Takanori: "No drinking for you."
Katsuhiro: "Oh my Takanori, I didn't realize you had a child?" he said, referring to how Takanori was treating me.
Layla: "Neither did I?" I said, slightly ticked off. "Last time I checked, I could handle myself," I said, unable to hide the irritation in my voice.
Takanori: "Trust me, this isn't the type of liquor you should mess with." he said, putting the shot glass on the table near me.
I wanted to go off on Takanori, but then I remembered he had always tried to protect me ever since we met, so I let this incident slide.
After a few shots Takanori when outside for some air.
Katsuhiro: "So, what's going on between you and Takanori. Are you both dating?" Katsuhiro asked curiously.
Layla: "Dating?" I choked on my sprite. "No, not at all," I said, shaking my head.
Katsuhiro: "Oh my bad, I just assumed. So, are you dating anyone?" he asked.
Layla: "Um, it's complicated."
Katsuhiro:" Complicated? I have time." he said, getting comfortable.
I seriously considered talking to Katsuhiro about Zach when I was interrupted by a phone call.
My heart dropped when I read the screen. Without warning, I bolted off the couch to find somewhere quiet to answer the call.
I answered.