Queen of Love

Chapter 25

Throbbingbassbeatsreminded Aya of what it was like to be in a nightclub populated by a city’s rich and bored. This was a double-duty reminder when she got past the check-in desk and found a front room illuminated with nothing but dull, red lights and a string of winter bulbs around the perimeter. The main bar was backlit with rotating violets, blues, and pinks, both male bartenders on duty wearing black outfits with sparkling masks. The young hostess who greeted Genevieve with due deference also bowed at the waist at Aya, who barely registered her presence as she gawked at the other patrons in the club already loudly talking over the bass beats and chucking back drinks like they were still twenty.

“I get why I’m wearing a tube top now.” Outside, the evening weather had been cool enough to make her self-conscious about her stomach hanging out. In here, though, she had already forgotten everyone could see her belly button. “I’m still woefully overdressed.”

“Genevieve!” A shrill, ecstatic voice shot across the front room. Genevieve, who had conferred with the hostess about something, was immediately attracted to the girl in a pink slip dress that highlighted every curve of her body. Including the two nipples that were not protected by anything but a thin layer of pink fabric.

Aya was introduced to someone whose name she forgot. She was too distracted by the men in three-piece suits with their mesh-covered boyfriends, women in bunny masks and tails, and the occasional young person – male or female – who let everything hang out.

The blend of languages yelled into the air had nothing on an international airport. Aya was even shocked to hear a straight couple heatedly arguing in Japanese – about their taxes, no less. Yet two minutes later, they were making out against the wall, the woman’s purse crashing to the floor while her husband pulled up her dress and made her moan.

“That’s impressive,” Aya said to her girlfriend, who was finally freed from the hostess and manager on duty. “I think I like Taipei.”

“Oh, those are the Nagaos,” Genevieve said with a sigh. “Don’t mind them. They’re roleplaying. They do this every other week.”

“What? Pretend to fight and then go at it like rabbits?”

“You got it.”

“Right in front of God and everything.”

“Oh, that’s not allowed up here. They’ll go in the back for that.” Genevieve looked over at the married couple again. “I hope. I don’t want my manager to have to talk to them. They like to push the envelope. It’s what happens when half of your main clientele are exhibitionists.” She put a hand on Aya’s shoulder. “I hope you’re not too overwhelmed. You said you’ve never been to a BDSM club before.”

“I’m more fascinated than frightened, for what it’s worth.”

“I hope you’re not frightened at all!”

“Maybe a bit. Guarantee I will be over it by the end of the night.”

“There will be a show in the back bar in about an hour,” Genevieve said with a hearty sigh. “A gay one, no less. I’d love it if you stuck around to watch with me.”

“Ooh. Together?”

“Hai.” Genevieve pecked her girlfriend’s lips. “Issho-ni.”

“Your accent is impeccable, I have to give you that.” Aya was soon distracted by the Japanese couple grunting like animals. “I think you need to go have a talk with the Nagaos. You could even do it in Japanese. Really freak them out.”

Genevieve laughed. She summoned her manager, a mild-mannered man who turned on the no bullshit when he had to tell some patrons to calm down. Genevieve explained that to stay on the good side of the local authorities, it was pertinent all hanky-panky only happen in designated areas. “Don’t get the idea that none of the politicians around here are members, though,” Genevieve said as they walked down the main hall connecting the front part of the club to the back. “I haven’t seen any here tonight, but they’re around.”

“People like to party,” Aya speculated.

They entered the back room. Another bar was set up in the corner, this one lined with pink neon lights that must have made the bartender melt on hot summer nights.

That was the only corner with proper lighting. Unlike the front room, this one put emphasis on the stage currently blocked off from the patrons as people dressed in all black set up for the show in another hour. Guests sat at small tables and couches arranged around the room. The most happening place, however, was near the bar, where a group of women gathered to order drinks and be mesmerized by the mixology skills of the bartender on duty.

”Ms. Liu!” The hostess appeared, her jewelry jingling against her neck and arms. “We have a situation up front. The manager is addressing it, but…”

Genevieve offered her girlfriend an apologetic look. “Be right back. I’m sorry.”

“No worries. I’ll get a drink. Do you want anything?”

“Make sure you tell her it’s my tab! I’ve got this great… nevermind. I’ll be right back!”

Genevieve followed the hostess out of the room. Left to her own devices, Aya meandered up to the bar and claimed herself a spot between the group of hyper ladies yelling in Hokkien and a woman sitting at the far end, her dark pants and red long-sleeved blouse drawing more attention than the pink neon lights.

The bartender called something over her shoulder. Aya assumed it was some Mandarin version of be right with you, since the short woman with a pinstripe vest and blue hair was busy making two drinks at once.

She looked vaguely familiar. Blue hair? Could she have been the same woman at Genevieve’s party in Singapore? Really? One of her bartenders?