We eventually located the front counter of the nightclub but were promptly ignored by the staff. While we were there, we heard a patron making enquiries if there were girls available to spend the night with. The staff member merely handed him a card. It was all rather cloak-and-dagger.
Rather naively, I whispered to Hannah, “What’s that?”
Hannah explained, “It’s a card with a number on it. It’s the same in other bars or clubs. Due to the wide variety of characters that flow through sordid places like these, the nightclub caters to a similarly wide range of demands. That guy we just saw at the front counter should have been a new patron. He may have come from overseas, been here on business, or was simply here to try something new. There was a phone number on the card. I’m guessing that there’s a woman waiting upstairs for the customer to call the number on her card. I suppose it’s pretty much self-service from then on.”
I didn’t understand. “What do you mean? What will he do upstairs?”
Hannah said patiently, “The units above this nightclub are all apartments occupied by women. The staff at the nightclub connect these women with their clientele. Plainly put, it’s a brothel.”
I frowned. “Surely Rebecca can’t be in such pressing need for money, can she?”
Hannah shrugged listlessly. “I wouldn’t have thought so, but after what we just witnessed outside, it’s hard to say for sure. One thing we can be certain about is that she’s no longer in contact with Mr. Quinn. He’s getting married to a K City socialite named Jordyn Bloom. I heard that she’s a sophisticated woman who just returned from studying in Granatano. She’s only in her early twenties and is a young and pretty lady. It’s a pity that her parents pushed her to marry so quickly. Who knows how it’ll turn out!”
“Joe?” I asked doubtfully. “Is he really engaged to a socialite?”
Perceiving my skepticism, Hannah replied, “It happened a few months ago. You were occupied with taking care of Summer, so I didn’t want to bother you with this frivolous gossip. Apparently, after Jordyn found out about Joe’s playboy ways, she made a fuss and wanted to terminate the engagement. Jordyn only went ahead with it begrudgingly because her parents pressured her into it.”
All sorts of conflicting emotions stirred uneasily within me. I’d been jealous of Rebecca ever since I came to know Ashton. I could not deny that I’d been incredibly anxious about which one of us Ashton would choose, Rebecca or me. Even though I had defeated her, I could not find it in me to rejoice after seeing Rebecca’s predicament. Perhaps I had also never really believed that Ashton would leave me for Rebecca. Besides, my identity as a member of the Moore family had already cemented my superiority to her.
It was peculiar how one’s family background could make such a vital difference to one’s bearing and attitude towards life. Anyone who possessed any sort of self-confidence or boldness usually had the backing of a strong heritage and family status.
Hannah looked determined to continue hunting down Rebecca. Unwilling, I tugged at her, saying, “Let’s go back! There’s nothing much for us to look at here. No matter what caused such desperate straits to befall her, it’s none of our business either. Let’s leave this place quickly!”
Hannah frowned, then egged me on, “Aren’t you curious at all to see how Rebecca’s faring?”
I shook my head firmly. “Nope. There’s no point in doing that anyway.”
What was the point in witnessing Rebecca’s debasement? What would I gain from gloating over it? No matter what Rebecca was doing now, wasn’t my business with her already entirely relegated to the past?
Seeing my obstinate expression, Hannah decided not to pursue the matter. “Fine. It doesn’t matter anyway. Let’s go, then!”
There was a small alley just behind the nightclub. Hannah seemed to be in a particularly daring mood today. She was usually rather meek and timid, but today she was exhibiting a wildly uncharacteristic side of her. She was spontaneous and seemed to be especially seeking out a challenge.
I wondered if it had anything to do with Chandler. Now that Hannah knew there would always be someone supporting her unconditionally, she felt absolutely liberated to act without fear of the consequence.
I, however, hung back slightly and trod rather fearfully behind her a little way, Noticing that the last dregs of daylight were fast fading, I shimmied closer to Hannah, urging, “Hannah, shouldn’t we be turning back already?”
Hannah turned to me with a mischievous grin on her face. “Chandler’s still out of town, and Xavier’s staying with Uncle Louis. I’m so bored staying home all alone. Let’s just take a stroll together! I’m going to get married in a few days’ time and will be under Chandler’s thumb for the rest of my life. He won’t let me out to play, I’m sure! The thought of it is dull enough.”
Hannah’s pout belied the warmth in her tone. I smiled at her obvious happiness. Romance was a truly lovely thing. It could utterly rejuvenate and transform anyone.
Unable to resist Hannah’s cheerful enthusiasm, I thus continued down the gloomy alley with her. Nervously, I joked, “Why are we taking a stroll here? Wouldn’t a mall be more suitable?”
Hannah turned to me and pressed a finger to her lips. As if she were sharing a delightful secret, Hannah whispered, “I’ve been hearing about this place for the longest time. Apparently it’s a gathering place for all sorts of characters at night. I wanted to take a look to satisfy my curiosity.”
I gaped at Hannah, aghast. “What are you so curious about nothing for? All we’ll meet are probably hardened criminals! Shouldn’t we be fleeing instead of charging straight into their den?”
Hannah sniggered. Gleefully, she declared, “I wrote a book recently and was considering adding some scenes set in the city’s underworld. All the true crimes I’ve ever heard were paltry drug sellers earning a few quick bucks, though. I’ve never seen the real deal, you know? K City is rife with all sorts of shady characters. I really wanted to come here after all I’d heard about it and see for myself, hoping to gain some material for my writing.”
