Lina's POV
I woke up feeling rejuvenated from my much-needed break. As I prepared for my dinner appointment with Coco, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. She had been so kind to lend me her clothes at our first meeting, though I couldn't help but think she didn't have much choice. Despite that, she left a lasting impression on me. I've always believed that inner beauty is more important than outer appearance, but I can't deny that Wolfsville is filled with attractive people and Coco is no exception. She could easily pass as a model with her tall, slim figure accentuated by curves in all the right places. Her hair, a dark blond with natural-looking highlights, compliments her eyebrows perfectly. And her face...her pouty lips and sharp eyes give her an alluring but smart edge, without needing any enhancement.
Here I go again, fawning over another stunning woman in my life. Growing up with limited funds from my parents, I was always working to support them. This made me shy and struggling to make friends or keep up with the latest trends to fit in and become popular. Instead, I focused on my studies and excelled there, but I always observed the popular girls and wished for a group of friends like them. When I met Sarah and Joy upon arriving in Wolfsville, we quickly became friends and I ended up moving in with them and their friend Melissa. While I enjoy their company, it's sometimes difficult to relate to their experiences due to their wealth and popularity. That's why having a "normal" friend like Coco, who works as a secretary, would be refreshing.
Rather than dwelling on the disappointment of not being able to have another private meeting with Mr. Lowell like yesterday, I decided to make the best of the situation. Excitedly, I got ready for my dinner with Coco, wondering where she would take us tonight. It's been a while since I went out with the girls, especially during the week. As I struggled to decide on an outfit, I finally settled on a flattering black dress with a dark blue bolero and black peep-toe wedges. I add some silver earrings and a long layered necklace for accessories and opt for a neutral makeup look with a hint of nude pink lipstick. My hair is styled in soft waves, completing my look.
As I took one last glance at my reflection in the mirror by the door, I was filled with excitement. Grabbing both my bag and the bag with Coco's clothes she lent me after our coffee incident, I headed out to meet her in front of the museum as per her email instructions.
As usual, I arrived at our designated meeting spot promptly and patiently waited for five minutes before receiving a text from Coco. "I'm running late. Had to do some last-minute overtime at the office. I'll explain later. See you in 10, max. Wait for me in front of Wolfsville Best." I read the message and followed her instructions, finding myself outside the popular restaurant. It's a cool evening, and I'm grateful that I chose to wear my cute bolero to keep me warm. Despite the chill, the streets were bustling with activity. I can't help but giggle as I think about what happened between Mr. Lowell and me yesterday; his face keeps popping up in my mind.
Lost in thoughts, I barely noticed when a sleek black car pulled up beside me, its familiar appearance catching my attention. The window rolled down, revealing Coco with a bright smile and an apologetic look on her face. "Sorry for being so late! Hop on in!" she exclaims.
"No worries, it hasn't been long," I replied with a smile, though I was taken aback by her choice of transportation. "I almost thought we were heading to Wolfsville Best."
Coco laughs, shaking her head. "Oh no, not in a million years would I willingly go there in my free time. That madman Dubois just can't take no for an answer. Sometimes, I could swear Mr.Lowell sends me there just to punish me or get on my nerves."
As we drove towards the city's outskirts, Coco's phone buzzed nonstop with calls and messages. Curious about the reason for her delay and the urgency of these messages, I asked her about her busy day."Just business as usual," she shrugged casually, turning off her phone's display.
We continued driving for another twenty-five minutes until we reached an old factory building on the city's outskirts, opposite Lake Lowell. Despite its unassuming exterior, the building was bustling with activity - cars filling up the cramped parking lot and music pulsing from within. As we approached the entrance, I noticed more and more people arriving, all dressed in their finest attire.
I'm glad I decided to dress up a little, too, though I can't help but wonder about Coco's true intentions for our evening. Were we really just going out for dinner? But before I could ask for clarification, I decided to go with the flow and see where the night takes us.
As we made our way inside the building, I was struck by the grandeur and exclusivity of the place. The dimly lit club was filled with stylishly dressed individuals, and the atmosphere was alive with excitement and energy. Though my stomach growled in hunger, I pushed Mr. Lowell out of my mind and focused on enjoying the evening with Coco.
We were stopped at the massive doors by a burly bouncer checking entry tickets. As he approached us, I felt a twinge of anxiety, but my worries dissipated as he greeted Coco with a friendly smile and gestured to go inside. "Coco, long time no see. What have you been up to?" "Work as always, Jay. But today, I'm here to party. And you?" Coco replied with a slight frown and a smirk on her face. "I've been preparing for the party at the Lowell's; I guess you are also busy planning. And who is the beautiful lady to your right?" he smirked as he glanced back and forth between her and me. I can't help getting flustered. All I could do was stare at Coco, hoping she understood my plead for help. Coco burst
out laughing and stuttered. "There, there, cowboy. Don't fight me for my company; you know you would stand no chance". He laughed back as I stood there, dumbfounded and clueless. I wished I was as comfortable in situations outside of work as at work. Still, there is nothing I can do since I've always been more introverted. "So, I have no choice but to let you enter, but I won't give up so easily," he threw a last glance at me as he led us past the people in the queue. "See you at the party!" Coco responded in a challenging tone as we passed him and approached the door.
Standing at the door frame, I took in the club and its atmosphere; never would I have guessed that a run-down factory building could be turned into this. It was dark, the laser lights were flashing, and the base pierced my ears. It's actually too loud for me, and I don't understand this kind of music either since I was always a radio type of girl. The picture in front of me could be straight out of a music video with pretty people talking, drinking, dancing, and some almost getting it on. My impression was short-lived since I could only look around briefly as Coco led the way to the stairs on the right side near the entrance. A security guy also winked at Coco as we made our way up. We reached the next floor, where there was only a door with a small window where I saw lights flashing, so it was part of the club. Coco climbed the next stair. Now we reach once the top floor, which also has a door, and I notice that the music sounds much quieter from up here. There is another security guy in front of this door, but this one looks even more buff than the ones we've seen until now. I wonder why. Is this an underground fight club? I can only hope it isn't. The security guy opens the heavy and thick door, and the ambiance here differs from downstairs. The light is dimmed, the music is more laid back but still rhythmical, and even though there is a dance floor, there are many lounges. It is a mix of industrial style with jungle ambiance due to the many plant arrangements highlighted by lights. The lounges are brown leather and go well with the vibe. There is a bar, but waiters also tend to the people sitting on the lounges. This floor is much more to my liking, and if the people on previous floors already looked good, the people here look drop-dead-gorgeous, so Coco blends in perfectly. To my surprise, we walk past the fancy-looking lounges and the bar and reach ANOTHER STAIR.
As exhaustion and hunger hit me simultaneously, I can't help but blurt out, "This place is huge…" Coco chuckles in response. "I was wondering why you were so quiet. At first, I thought it was just overwhelming, but now I see that you're just exhausted." She looks effortlessly refreshed, making me feel even more tired in comparison. She reminds me of my flatmates, always full of energy and life. "We're almost there. Hang on," she reassures me as we make our way through the building. As soon as she opens the door, a rush of cold breeze greets us, invigorating but also slightly uncomfortable in my tired state. We emerge onto the rooftop of the building, and it takes my breath away. The first thing that catches my eye is a magnificent wolf fountain in the center of the roof, reminiscent of the one at the Lowell company building but slightly smaller. As we slowly approach the table, I take in the surroundings - lush plants, comfortable lounges, a dancefloor, and elegant dining tables. The decor and furnishings match those on the lower floors, with waist-high pillars adorned with flickering flames scattered around the rooftop for added ambiance. But what stands out the most is the incredible view of the night sky stretching out above us. It's an enchanting sight to behold. "It's mesmerizing, isn't it?" Coco whispers softly beside me, almost sighing. "Yes," I reply, still gazing at the stars above but also finding myself reminiscing about my hometown, where I often observed a similar sky. "We're quite far from the city here, and since we're surrounded by industrial buildings, there are hardly any lights to obstruct the view," she explains, bringing me back to reality. Just then, my stomach growls loudly, and I feel my face flush with embarrassment. I glance over at Coco and see that she's also trying to suppress a laugh. We share a brief moment of laughter before continuing to take in the breathtaking view around us.