Chapter 19 Steven's PoV

  "Hi, Jef!" Steven greeted the bouncer. He took the st breath of the night city's air before entering 'The Enchantress'.

  It was a popur nightclub. Its location was remote but not far from the city’s centre. It was not expensive, security was strict, and the pce had plenty of room for all who came.

  But above all, the biggest reason for the nightclub's popurity was the different fragrances released in the air on rotation. Some even cimed there was no same fragrance used twice. As the name hinted, those who came here once would almost always return.

  It was a very nice nightclub, at least better than the st one his friend had frequented before. At least here, smokers had a separate room, and security took care of any hot-headed idiots who had drunk too much. He also had not seen any dealers of the heavier stuff.

  It made Steven's job much easier. Then again, it was only temporary. He was sure that Benjamin would get tired of this pce soon enough.

  After going through the hallway, he entered the hall. For now, the pce had a strong strawberry aroma in the air. It made for a refreshing atmosphere, inviting everyone inside.

  Steven was dressed in simple jeans, a hoodie and sneakers. Not long ago, he had hidden his face to keep his anonymity. But that ship had sailed. He was a well-known friend of Ben - people had quickly figured out who he was.

  It was only a question of time before Mika learned about it… And then there would be trouble. But that was not now, so he threw the stray thought at the back of his mind.

  “I wish he would always choose pces like these.” Steven thought to himself as he drew in the scent lingering in the air. He knew it to be a wish that would never be granted. His friend was too adventurous for his own good.

  Ben was a politician's son. His father had an influential seat at the city’s hall. Steven had not bothered to crify what exactly was what Ben's father was doing.

  Whatever it was, it allowed Ben to have a substantial amount of pocket money and free reign at most pces they visited.

  And regretfully, ‘most’ pces were not Ben's favourite ones to visit. And that was where Steven entered the picture. He was keeping Ben safe, and Ben was ‘sharing’ his hefty allowance with him for that.

  At first, Steven had wanted to refuse the money. Ben was his friend, after all. But after some afterthought, he accepted it. He hoped to save up enough to at least be able to afford to rent his own pce. It wasn’t like Ben was hurting for money, either.

  And… The ability to occasionally spoil his siblings was too precious to pass up. Their father would never do that for them as he had not done it for Steven either.

  “And speaking of Ben...” Steven noticed him at the back of the hall, next to the doors leading deeper into the building.

  Steven’s friend was currently trying to chat up a girl who was almost desperately scanning the room. Steven knew this look. The girl was looking for an escape route.

  Benjamin was one of the rare friends Steven had. While Mika was his number one, Ben was his number two.

  The man was a good deal shorter than Steven and even shorter than Silva, only reaching about 1.62, and had a horrible hairstyle. He had semi-long hair, which would be fine. But he also had his hair bleached. Half of his face was covered by them. He wore a gaudy white suit, which would have looked fine on any other person. Butt somehow, Benjamin made it look unsuitable for the atmosphere in the nightclub.

  Deciding to give the poor girl an out, Steven approached Ben, greeting him. He used the chance to move between them, gncing at the girl.

  “Hi, Ben!” While they shook their hands, the girl took the hint and was gone in a fsh.

  “Hey, ah, damn! She was about to give me her number!” Benjamin almost shouted when he noticed that his target was gone. “Ah, whatever! How are you doing, Steven?”

  “Not great. Yesterday, I got reminded of how weak I actually am.” Steven honestly replied as he recalled the giant wolf and that Esha guy. “And now I find my idiot friend without supervision getting into trouble.”

  “Someone even you can't beat? Must be some kind of a monster then.” Ben was surprised and ignored the verbal barb. While he did not know the extent of Steven's strength, he relied on it frequently.

  “Yeah, a real one.” Steven nodded. “I thought I told you to pick me up before coming to this pce.”

  “No worries, I can handle myself. Besides, this pce is too tame anyway. I think it is about the time we find something more fun.” Ben started to count on his fingers the bars, nightclubs and underground pces he had heard about from his wide net of connections.

  While Ben was terrible at speaking with girls, the same problem did not extend to the opposite gender. He had a reputation for not divulging secrets and had an influential father. He had money. It opened many otherwise closed doors.

  Steven listened to his friend rambling for a while before interrupting when he started to mention strip clubs. “Ben, where is she? She is still here, right?”

  “Okay, okay. Business first, then. After that, we can grab some drinks.” Ben started to lead him deeper into the building. He proceeded to go through one of the hallways leading away from the main hall. These corridors led to a more secluded part of the pce.

  Steven noticed a fresh citrus smell wafting out behind them until it was cut off by the closing doors. They were now in the deeper parts of the nightclub, where people who did not want to spend all of their energy dancing and preferred a more subdued atmosphere gathered.

  The aroma in the air was also different. Now Steven could feel a light peppermint taste on the tip of his tongue.

  He still considered Ben’s offer, “I assume it will be your treat then?” Steven felt like he could use some stronger cocktails to soothe his mind. Not that the alcohol worked on him, but the atmosphere while drinking was still good and worked well at calming him.

  “Yes, yes! When has it not been my treat? I know better than to ask you to pay for anything.” Ben waved Steven's concerns away.

  Benjamin was clear on Steven’s situation. His learning about his friend’s citation had led to the offer of a job. “Why do you need to meet that girl anyway? You can definitely do better. Actually, I have seen you do better.”

  “I have a few questions I want to ask her about Silva.” Steven sighed. He did not look forward to the conversation with the girl.

  “And that is all? If Mika finds out, won't there be hell to pay?” Ben wondered.

  “That is why it is so annoying,” Steven grumbled.

  “Well, suit it yourself. I will reserve you a nice pce in a graveyard where Mika can bury you.”

  Steven knew Ben was only joking around, but he still shuddered. He could imagine how Mika would react if she were to find out that he was investigating Silva’s past.

  “I can't help it. The way Silva met us was unusual and made me curious, and I just want to be sure she has no dark past.” Steven said that he did not really hope to achieve much.

  Despite that, he wanted to make sure that she would not break Mika’s heart. If Silva had a past love life, the girl he was about to meet should know about it. And if Silva did have an ex-boyfriend, he could at least try to clue Mika about it. “And I already consider her my friend.”

  “That's surprising. Till now, it was only Mika that you have managed to befriend from the fairer gender. Maybe I should meet her. Is she sexy?” They passed several other passages until they saw a man standing by one of them. “Here!” Benjamin motioned as they greeted the man while passing him.

  Steven knew the man was someone Ben had gotten to look after his target while waiting for him.

  There seemed to be countless henchmen at Ben’s disposal. They did listen to his friend's words, but… He suspected they were part of Ben’s dad’s workforce.

  But for now, Steven considered Silva's looks for a moment. “I would say she is pretty pin, personally. But I got punched the st time I said that. So what do I know?” He decided not to eborate more.

  Knowing Ben’s personality, he would lose interest as soon as Steven described Silva’s looks as pin.

  The interest in Ben's eyes vaned immediately, proving him right. “Never mind then. Pin and violent is not in my taste. You still should introduce me to one of your hot acquaintances instead.”

  Steven did not correct Ben's error on who the violent friend was. “And I will remind you that I don’t want anywhere near Mika. This now also extends to Silva.”

  Ben visibly grimaced. “Hey, you are speaking as if I am some kind of disease. I only want to meet my best friend's best friend. How is that wrong? What have I ever done to warrant such a cold attitude from you.” Ben managed to look offended.

  For a second, and it made Steven snort. “How about when you broke into the school to answer for the next test, got stuck in the cssroom and had me get you out. And when I finally managed to sneak in and break the cssroom door, I was caught while you were nowhere to be found.” He reminded Ben.

  “Well, the window was open, so…”

  “Or the time when you drank a bottle of that vodka. How old were you, sixteen? And then you flirted with that old hag. Man, was she ugly...” But before Steven could continue, he was stopped by now-pale Ben.

  “Okay, you can stop! I get it. And thanks again for stopping me back then. The thought that I could have lost my virginity to that monstrosity still haunts me to this day.”

  “She looked really fttered by your attention, though.”

  “Please stop,” Ben begged. “I don't want to remember. Let this matter rest.”

  “It is a small wonder you remember anything at all from that night.” Steven shook his head. They have had a fair share of misguided ventures around the city for a few years already.

  With Ben’s glib tongue and his father's name, rarely doors remained closed - even back when they were only fifteen years old.

  They exited the hallway and found themselves in a rge room. The music was calm and rexing. There was no dance floor here.

  Instead, the room was filled with many scattered tables and a bar at the far end of the hall. The aroma in the air was much lighter as well, reminding Steven of a spring.

  “How did you find her?” Steven finally asked as he overlooked the hall, looking for his target.

  “I have my ways.”

  “She walked into the club, and you happened to see her?”

  “Don't be so inquisitive.” Ben chided. “I even told you which school she was attending. Why did you not go there to meet her?”

  Steven spotted his target seated with two other girls chatting with some drinks on the table. He did not mention that the school name Ben had given him was the same as the one Silva attended.

  “Had other things to do. For example, actually studying. You should try it sometime. May turn out useful in life.”

  “Eh… I already have all of the test answers in here.” Ben patted his pocket where, as Steven knew, was Ben’s phone. “What now?”

  “Now we go get some drinks and then go to them and chat.” Steven paused. “And please don’t try to flirt with them. At least until I give you a sign, don’t. We came here for a reason.”

  He noted that the girl did have a nice smile and a delicate face. Her friends were also nice to look at, though not as good-looking as his target was, which only made Steven dread the moment Ben would open his mouth.

  The girls noticed them both closing in, and a shower of giggles met them before they finally stopped at the table.

  Steven put on his best smile as he greeted them. “Good evening! I noticed there are a couple of free spots at the table. Do you mind if I and my friend join?”

  Another shower of giggles, an affirmative answer and short introductions ter, they were happily chatting with the trio of friends.

  As per Steven’s instructions, Ben wore a sickeningly sweet smile, staying out of the conversation, letting Steven do the most talking only now and then adding an out-of-pce phrase or two.

  Half an hour and several drinks ter, Steven was getting tired of the constant signs from his target - Mandy. She wished to go somewhere quieter.

  Steven had no interest in her, and he had already learned everything he had wanted to. Which, as he had expected, was almost nothing.

  The girl affirmed that Silva did go to the same school as her, though now they were not sharing csses.

  When Steven inquired about Silva, Mandy only shrugged. She expined Silva was avoiding her after she had tried to talk to her.

  As for the past, she remembered that Silva never really talked to anyone. Neither had there been any bad rumours about her. That was as far as the girl’s knowledge went.

  While chatting, Steven also snuck in questions Mika would like to know answers to. After all, he had to get some kind of a bargaining chip if he got caught.

  But once again, there was nothing. It was admirable how Silva managed to go through school with nothing sticking to her, if a bit sad because of the ck of interaction with others.

  Seeing that there was nothing more to be gained from the conversation, Steven kicked his friend's leg, giving him a sign.

  Benjamin did not need to be reminded twice. His smile became even more blinding. His white teeth shone in brilliant light as he opened his mouth. “Eva, Rita, I think it is time we left these two lovebirds alone? How about spending the rest of the evening with me?” Ben proceeded to wink in a manner which he undoubtedly thought was attractive.

  Steven was left speechless. He should have known better. He knew better. So, how could he make such a huge mistake?

  Ben, somewhere along the line, had totally forgotten why they had come here. He immediately scrambled to stop his friend. He opened his mouth to speak, but it was already too te as Ben continued his speech.

  “Did you know there are actually really cosy beds upstairs?” Ben almost innocently asked.

  Steven almost grunted in pain that suddenly overcame his heart. While Mandy looked at Ben with her mouth agape, her friends, Steven could tell, were getting angry very quickly. He wagered that on Mika’s scale, they were fast approaching ‘Throwing sharp objects at the offender’ point.

  Ben once again opened his mouth, “Or we could go to my-” He suddenly slumped over the table with Steven’s hand in a chopping motion hovering behind Ben.

  “Ahaha, sorry, my friend is so tired! No! Actually, he drank too much and fell asleep. Let me help him get to a cab so I can send him home.”

  Under the bewildered looks of the three girls, Steven hoisted Ben’s limp body over his shoulder and bolted to the closest exit.

  Despite everything, Ben did his job and gave Steven a reason to leave the table. Even if the reason would give him an earful of compints a bit ter tonight as Ben would tell him of his grievances over the drink at a different pce.

  Enkiari