The Red Lotus Lounge (2)

Erik stood on the sidewalk across from the Red Lotus Lounge, scanning the area with keen eyes. He kept a safe distance, blending into the crowd of pedestrians passing by on the busy street while keeping a vigilant lookout for any sign of Achim.

The imposing bouncers, who diligently checked IDs, guarded the club's entrance and allowed only those on the guest list or with the right connections to enter. Erik knew that trying to get in through the front entrance would be risky, as he was not on the guest list and wanted to avoid drawing attention to himself. There was a backdoor behind the building, but that was even more guarded, and to enter, he had to fight his way in without the possibility of winning.

He observed the people coming in and out of the club, hoping to catch a glimpse of Achim or his girlfriend. He scanned the faces, looking for familiar features, and listened attentively to any conversations or mentions of names that might give him a clue.