**
"You don't know where we'll find him?" I asked Dara.

She was worried about me but I could tell her mind was occupied with something else. "I really don't. Are you fine?"

I shook my head. "If I see Josh, I'll be fine."

She gave my hand a gentle squeeze and her face was sad. "I came to tell you I'm leaving."

My eyes dilated. "Why? Where?"

"I was transferred after your trial. I've got a new client. She's 12."

I swallowed. "But we can talk on phone?"

"Yes. I'll leave now."

She stood up and started to walk away as if I had some deadly contagious disease. I stood up to stop her for at least a hug but she was already out of sight.

Kath walked in looking triumphant. "I finally figured out an address. Where's Dara?" She looked around.

"She left. She won't be back. So how do we find Josh?"

I was glad she didn't ask anymore questions about Dara. "Ehn ehn mom and dad called, they won't be back till after Christmas and that's good news. I've really not figured an address but I know how we can."

"How?" I was impatient. I tried to convince myself that it's because of the plan but deep down, I knew it's because I missed him so much.

"We'll have to go the... somewhere this night. I've called my driver."

"Where's somewhere?"

She laughed. "You look so scared. I'm your sister, you're safe."

I managed to smile back at her but these days, I don't even trust me.

**
It was exactly nine o'clock when Kathy told me it was time to dress up. I sluggishly walked to my room, still wondering where we were going this late. I opened my wardrobe and kept on looking for a nice dress.

After minutes of indecision, I picked a pink top and knee-length black skirt. I was almost slipping my legs into my slippers when Kathy walked in.

"We aren't going for choir rehearsals, Karleen. Ahn ahn," she said, checking me out.

I checked her out too. She was dressed like a one stand girl. She wore a black net crop top that revealed her half bra and wore black fitted Jean that stopped many inches above her knees. Her face was heavy with make up too.

"C'mon, you should look hot for Josh...ua."

I've noticed the way she called Joshua. I shrugged. "I don't have anything hot..."

"You do."

We ended up dressing me in a fitted short black gown because according to Kathy black is hot. She made my face up too. I stared at myself in the mirror and I smiled.

"You like you?"

I jerked her and blushed. "I can't wait to see Josh."

We wore red matching heels and walked to the gate where her driver was already waiting in a black Audi.

"Take us to Joli's."

***
Joli's, like I imagined was a club house. Music blared everywhere that it was impossible for me to focus or listen. Kathy dragged me into the club and we met a man dressed in security uniform. I saw him search people earlier but as he saw Kathy, he smiled at her and opened the glass door.

Kathy tilted to the left to plant a kiss on his cheek and grinned before screaming. "Where. Is. Joli???"

He screamed back. "Top floor!"

She nodded and pulled my hand. Different colours swirled and twirled, there were so much people grinding and dancing and drinking.

We walked past the bar and on to a dark staircase. The staircase stopped in front of a large mahogany door guarded by hefty bouncers dressed in black.

I could barely hear the music and whispered. "Will Joli know where he is?"

She whispered back with a confident smile. "There's nothing on earth Joli doesn't know."

"Hey, is Joli in there?" Kathy asked.

The guy nodded. "Yes but he's busy."

Kathy frowned and turned to the next guy. "Blackie?"

Blackie slid an ID into the door and it opened. "You can go in."

We entered through the door. The room was very large, neat, empty and smoky. I sniffed, I could perceive smoke and drugs and alcohol. I coughed and rested on the wall, watching as Kathy walked into the room like it was home. She motioned for me to follow her and I sluggishly did.

There was a thick white curtain that separated where we were and the other part of the room. Kathy pulled the curtain and smiled.

"Joli, I brought her."

I shouted, recognizing the face. "Joshua?"

Joshua didn't recognize me at first and when he did, he gulped a cup full of alcohol. He stood up immediately. "What the fuck, Kath. You brought her here for?"

I looked from him to the girls that surrounded him. They were six and almost naked, save the string panties they had on.

I felt hurt, dizzy, sick and angry at the same time. I looked back at Kathy who was sensing tension already. "You really wanted me to see this?"

Kathy didn't look remorseful and it angered me more. She smiled disgustingly. "Eva, Eve, Vera, Red, Deep throat and Sly... go out. Now."

The girls grumbled and didn't move an inch.

Josh or Joli... whichever, threw a bottle on the wall. "You heard her! Out!"

It didn't take them a minute to run out, forgetting their clothes that were scattered on the floor.

Josh closed his eyes and came close to Kath. "What's she doing here?"

Kathy eyed him. "Aren't you both tired of lies and fake identities? If you want to stop this, you should do two things. No lies. Accept that you're in...love," she swallowed, "Blackie won't open the door till midnight, I'll instruct him. You can stare at yourselves till then or please, just swallow your pride."

She didn't wait for us to say anything before she walked out hurriedly and closed the door behind her.

I stared at Josh. Josh stared at me. Fuck Kathy for this stupid stunt. Josh sighed heavily and sat on the bed, taking me in. I became body conscious in the revealing cloth I was forced to wear.

"Don't worry. I'll beg Blackie to open the door," I said, walking away.

I felt his hand pull me and turn me around. He looked into my eyes. "I'm sorry, Karleen. I'm terribly sorry. Please don't walk away. Let's make this work."

I didn't look away. "You'll tell me everything, then. No lies?"

"Yes, baby. No lies."

"So, Joshua or Joli?"

"Josh."

He hugged me tight and I didn't move, not until I felt a drop of fluid on my bare shoulders. I tried to break free but he didn't let me.

"Please, Karleen. Just stay still and let me cry. I need to..." His voice trailed away.

My heart broke for him and I let myself cry too. We didn't move. We just cried and felt the connection.

***
😁