Club Zion

We finally arrived at the club after Sarina went through my entire closet. She was determined to make a scene and wouldn't stop until she put together the best outfit for me. It reminded me of our college days. She was always a fashionista even before she became a YouTube sensation.

All eyes were on us as we entered the club. Sarina turned on that megawatt smile that made men melt. I spotted Sam and Richard sitting at a booth in a corner. Richard looked stunned as he watched us approach. I could imagine his heart pounding out of his chest.

"Hi guys," Sarina said as she slid into the booth next to Sam.

"Hey Sarina," Sam said before looking at me. "You're late man."

"Someone rummaged through my entire closet," I said with a shrug. "I don't know who it could've been."

"I'm betting that it was someone with excellent fashion sense," Sarina said with a smile.

We all laughed. I ordered a round of drinks as the server came by. Richard took several glances at Sarina while he was looking for an opening. Seems like he was ready when the server returned with our drinks.

"You look stunning in that dress," Richard said.

"Thank you, Richie. I'm glad that someone appreciates my efforts."

"I appreciate your efforts. I just wish you wouldn't decimate my closet every time that we hang out," I said with a laugh.

"You know that you have to look good for our selfies," Sarina said as she pulled out her phone.

She took several pictures in a row. The first was me and her. Then she took one with Sam. Then she took one with her sitting between me and Sam. Richard smiled halfheartedly as he nursed his drink.

"What's up everyone? I'm out with my guys tonight and we look fabulous," Sarina said as she made a video to post on her social media.

"Hey don't put me in that video. I still have a stalker from the last time."

"It's not my fault that you drove that woman wild," Sarina said.

"Wait. What," Richard asked.

"You don't know," Sam asked as he burst into laughter.

"No," Rich said as he looked at me. "But I'm dying to hear it."

"Um... Hello," Velena said as she sheepishly approached the table.

"Hi. Ms. Jackson it's nice to see you."

"Hey Velena. You made it," Sam said with a smile.

"Hi Velena. It's good to see you outside of work," Rich said.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Richard," Velena said.

"I don't usually have time to relax or enjoy the company of friends, but I couldn't pass this opportunity up. By the way, have you met Sarina?"

"No I haven't," Velena responded.

"Allow me. Velena Jackson, this is Sarina Singh. Velena is the Project Coordinator at Grayson Industries. Sarina was my best friend in college and is one of the hottest YouTube fashion vloggers."

"I've seen her videos. I'm a fan." Velena looked at me again and smiled. "Now I know why you looked so familiar earlier. You would always pop up on her videos and social media."

"Yep. That's me. Sarina's favorite plus one and bodyguard," I joked.

"The two of you seem like a good couple and your outfits always go together," Velena said.

"That's because someone won't let me leave home without outfit approval. She treats me like a lifesize Ken doll."

"I can't make fashion videos with my sidekick looking bad," Sarina said.

"Sidekick?"

Everyone burst into laughter as Sarina just shrugged. I rolled my eyes. Rich playfully punched me in the shoulder. Sam clutched his side. Sarina batted her eyes like she was innocent.

"I've always wondered. Are the two of you a couple," Velena asked.

"Only when it comes to protecting the other from unwanted attention," I replied.

"John is great. He's very intimidating when he wants to be. Although, he doesn't feel the same way about me."

"Really," Rich chimed in.

"Yeah," Sam piped up. "That's because of the stalker."

"The stalker," Velena asked.

"I've been waiting to hear this story," Rich said.

I sighed. "Go ahead. Tell them about that disaster."

"John suggested that I try out speed dating since I don't have much time for regular dates. I agreed to the idea as long as he participated too since we were both single. I thought that it went okay."

"It didn't," I said as I looked at Sarina.

"Is this about the woman in that red dress," Velena asked.

"You know about that?"

"She just looked a little off in the video."

"Thank you," I said as I gestured towards Velena.

"Yeah. She seemed... 'interesting'. I've never seen anyone make John uncomfortable like that. Then she kept staring at him after their date. She made a cut throat gesture towards a few of his later dates," Sam said.

"Wait! How do you know so much about it," Rich asked.

"Sarina asked me to film some of the dates for her video."

"She talked to my wonderful best friend and convinced her that we were soulmates. We totally belonged together. Her horoscope said that she would meet the love of her life. It was destiny's plan," I said in my Valley girl accent.

"In my defense, I didn't know about her negative energy and aggressive tendencies." Sarina shrugged. "So, I set up a double date with them. I knew that I'd made a mistake when she confronted me in the restroom. She thought that I was too friendly with John because I laughed at some of our inside jokes. She threatened to gut me like a fish."

"Sarina texted me and asked me to call her with an emergency," Sam said.

"Sam called and said that my Aunt Sarah had died. I told everyone the excuse and our date was supposed to be done. John was going to drop me off at home, but his date had other ideas."

"What did she do," Velena asked.

"I'll tell you what Cray Cray did next. She decided to tail us. I tried to give her the slip, but she was locked on to us like a pitbull. I did some barely legal evasive driving while heading towards Sam's place. I managed to drop Sarina off before I was spotted. She rear ended me in front of a convenience store."

"Damn! That was crazy," Rich said.

"Actually, that was the smartest thing she did," Sarina said before taking a sip of her drink.

I nodded before continuing. "By causing an accident, she was able to get my information. She started popping up and leaving random gifts for me. When I asked her to stop, then she shifted gears. She started hiding in the bushes."

"She jumped out to attack me," Sarina interjected.

"There's got to be more to this story. She went from zero to 100 real quick," Velena said.

"Apparently, John had too much to drink one night when we went out," Sam said before taking a swig of his beer. "Seems like she caught him trying to get into his apartment building and he put the naughty on her."

Rich burst into laughter. Sam had a smug look on his face. Sarina rolled her eyes. Velena seemed to be struggling to hold in her laughter.

"What is the naughty," Velena asked with an innocent look on her face.

"Bow chicka wow wow," Sam said with a chuckle.

Everyone broke down. Tears started to run down Rich's face as he laughed. Sarina's eyes started watering. Sam slapped the table while laughing. Velena couldn't contain her laughter anymore and joined the rest of us.

"So... I slipped up once. Sarina was almost attacked. Sam stopped hanging out with me. I couldn't go on any dates. My car got torched. Fun times for everyone," I said as I twirled a finger in the air.

"Wait a minute! I remember you mentioning that your car burned up. That's what happened," Rich asked.

I nodded. Rich let out a low whistle. We finished our drinks and ordered another round.

"Hey John. Let's dance," Sarina said with a smile.

I bowed my head and took her hand. We headed to the dance floor. I spun her around a couple of times as we neared the other dancing couples. We found a spot and began ro move to the rhythm.

"I think Velena likes Sam," Sarina said as she leaned close to me.

"Me too. That's why I suggested that he invite her."

"Look at you. You should've told me earlier. You know that I love to play cupid," Sarina smiled.

"Well Cupid, he's gonna need a push to make a move."

"I got this."

I smiled as I shook my head. I knew that she was determined to make something happen. I shrugged and she grabbed my hand leading me back to the table.

Rich looked happy to see us. When we got to the table I began to understand. Sam and Velena were having a very technical conversation. They seemed to be oblivious to the world.

"Sarina, can I have the next dance," Rich asked as he stood up.

"Sure. How could I turn down such a handsome and well- mannered gentleman like yourself," Sarina fluttered her eyelashes and smiled.

I stepped aside. I was about to sit down when I saw a familiar face at the bar. I excused myself as I made my approach.

"Pardon me. Can I buy you a drink?"

The young Asian woman placed her phone down. She turned and looked me up and down. That's when I noticed that she had penetrating brown eyes. I took a step back.

"Sure. You can buy me a drink," she said with a playful smile. "I'll take a mojito."

I smiled and ordered the drink. I had made a pleasant mistake, but I decided to roll with it. From across the room I could've sworn that she was Kimiko.

"What's your name," she asked.

"My name is John. What's your name?"

"My name is Kiyoko." She paused and her eyes smiled. "Do you often buy strange women drinks? How do you know I'm not a stalker or a vampire?"

"No. I thought that you were someone else, but I'm glad that I came over."

"You're good, just as long as you don't mistake me for someone else again. But you didn't answer my last question."

"I'm not afraid of vampires and I can deal with stalkers."

"Sounds like you might be my type," Kiyoko said before taking a sip of her drink.

"I'm here with some friends. Would you like to join us?"

"Introducing me to the friends already. Are you trying to lock me down before we have a proper date?"

"I wouldn't dream of it," I replied while laughing at her honeyed sarcasm.

She put her arm within the crook of my arm. I led her back towards our table. Rich and Sarina were back with Sam and Velena. Rich laughed and put his hand over his face. Sam and Velena looked at Kiyoko, then at each other.

"Your luck is amazing," Rich said to me while shaking his head. "Hi Kiyoko."

"Hey Richie Rich," she responded.

"You two know each other?"

"Of course we do. I'm surprised that you hadn't figured it out yet. She's Kimiko's twin sister," Rich said as he pointed finger guns at me.