Chapter 3 Not In The Mood

"Class will start in three days" Josh mumbled after taking a sip of his drink.

"Benny will have more options for his daily dose of girls" Kit teased, glancing at Bienley who was quietly eating his dinner.

"University is far different from highschool, Benny. University girls, particularly older ones, would be more forthright. You must be careful when dealing with them." Josh scowled at him, knowing full well that Bienley attracts older girls, and that only meant one thing. Trouble.

"I know, Josh. Don't worry" he heaved a sigh.

They have been having the same conversation multiple times, and it is starting to tick him off each time the subject is brought up. But he could not blame his friends for being overly concerned.

He had been in trouble countless times due of his unusual pastime of playing with girls, and his two best friends had stood by his side, protecting him.

"And please, Benny, never mess with engineering girls. Even with girls who are in relationships with engineering guys" Josh begged, earning the two boys' full attention.

Josh met his friends' questioning look. In their group, Bienley is the most carefree, with Josh being the most serious, while Kit is a combination of the two.

"Engineering Department rules the entire KD University" Josh softly said after glancing around.

"What do you mean?" With his brows furrowed, Bienley asked.

"A notorious gang leader was enrolled in the engineering department. His gang recruits about half of the university's population, including all engineering students" Josh turned his gaze on Bienley, who had one brow arched.

"You made it sound like a scary place. It could be mere rumors and hyped by students" Bienley snorted, refusing to believe.

"Everyone knows about the gang leader's dominance over the university. None of what I said were hearsays. According to my friend, even school officials are scared of him" Josh insisted.

"That's nonsense, Josh. A mere student has no power as what everyone tries to project onto him. It only happens in fictional stories" Bienley playfully argued.

"His family has the supremacy in this country that no one else has," Josh impatiently retorted while glaring at him.

"Whether that is true or not, you have to be careful. We cannot afford to have an entire gang chasing our asses. If you mess with that gangster, Benny, our lives at KD University will surely be miserable," Kit said, lecturing Bienley in his customary no-nonsense tone.

"Fine, next time I will include the specifics on their program of studies in my screening," Bienley conceded, winking with his naturally cheeky smile.

"You have to take this seriously, Benny" annoyed by Bienley's friskiness, Josh snapped angrily.

"I am," Bienley chuckled, infuriating Josh even more, while Kit rolled his eyes at his stubbornness.

They continue to eat in silence, which allows Josh and Kit to calm down.

"It's late" Kit turned to check his watch.

"Yeah, let us go back to the dorm" Josh did the same.

However, something made them both look at Bienley with suspicion.

"Why are you still here, Benny?" Kit inquired, his brow furrowed in surprise.

"We ate dinner together, right?" Bienley exclaimed, glaring at him. He looked at Kit as if the latter had lost his wits.

"I know. But you would usually be in a hurry to leave to meet your another 'dinner'. So, why are you still here?" Kit glared back at him as he and Josh waited for a reply.

"I am not in the mood tonight" Bienley casually shrugged and mumbled. He reclined back in his chair, finishing his drink.

Kit and Josh exchanged gazes before the former leaned towards him.

"What are you doing?" He was taken aback when Kit stroked his forehead, ostensibly checking his body temperature with the back of his palm.

"Checking if you have a fever. Has rashes appeared in your body? When did you notice you have been unwell?" Kit was mumbling while checking Bienley's neck and chest after he managed to unbutton his shirt.

"Do we need to bring you to the hospital?" Josh seriously asked while reaching for Bienley's arm.

"Get your hands off me!" Bienley smacked their hands away, annoyed at what they were doing.

"You could be sick, Benny," Josh insisted, unfazed by his irritation.

"Have you had your regular medical examination? Are you not positive for any sexually transmitted diseases?" Kit leaned closer to him and whispered.

"Fuck you, two" his dark scowl made his two friends laugh rather than be scared.

"This is the third day you have not taken someone out. We were concerned because that was unusual for you." Kit chuckled as he straightened himself in his chair.

"As you have said earlier, university is far different from high school. I am just focused with getting ready for the start of school," he explained, looking away from his friends' earnest looks.

Even though what he stated rang true, the two remained dubious.

"Something happened, Benny?" Kit inquired suspiciously, his eyes narrowing as he waited for Bienley to look at him.

"This only happens when you are unwell. You seemed fine, so did something happen that we do not know about?" Josh persisted.

He looked at his friends, unsure what to say. How can he tell them about a guy he met three days ago who has been bothering his peace?

He refused to admit even to himself that his mind was so preoccupied with his presence that he did not recognize how it was already altering his routine.

"I had not realized how concerned I am about the start of my new life at university until today. It is been affecting my mood recently," he casually shrugged, telling half the truth about what he is going through.

Josh and Kit exchanged glances before heaving sighs. Bienley is not telling them the whole truth, but they allowed it to slip.

They had grown accustomed to Bienley's restrained demeanor, despite his exuberant personality as a famed Casanova.

However, more than anyone else, they recognize that it is Bienley's only means to fill the void in his relatively empty existence.

Bienley, who had been orphaned at an early age, grew up being exceedingly wary of everything around him. He prefers to play to avoid bringing people too near to him. Except for his two childhood friends.

Even though they grew up together, there are times when they have no idea what is going through Bienley's head. All they understand is to not overwhelm him with their presence. They have to know when to be forthright and when to retreat.

"Well, I guess it is still early to return to the dorm," Bienley said, arching his brow as he looked at his watch.

"I might grab some late night 'snack' somewhere else" Bienley winked and stood up, beaming with his innate charisma.

Josh and Kit watched Bienley's back as he walked towards the exit.

"He seemed off these past days" Kit softly mumbled after finishing his drink.

"He will tell us when he is ready," Josh sighed and shifted his gaze away from the door, through which Bienley had already disappeared.

While his two friends are pondering at his peculiar behavior, Bienley walked away with no clear direction. He merely let his feet lead him to wherever they will take him. Until he arrived at a famous yet private club.

With its prime location, they often passed by it and he has been curious to have a visit since then. However, they do not have access.

According to Josh, the club is solely open to elite members and their guests. Despite his family's social standing, Josh was never able to obtain a membership.

Two fierce-looking and muscled security guards stood at the entrance, making him hesitate even to pass by them. However, his curiosity was piqued.

Before he realized what he was doing, his feet took a step towards the two men.

"Welcome, sir"

To his surprise, the men moved aside to make way for him. Stunned, he stared at the men but got no response as they are both staring straight ahead.

"Welcome to Club Inferno, Sir"

His surprise grew when someone from inside came out to greet him.

"We have prepared a lounge for you tonight" graciously smiling, the man added with clasped hands.

"Ahm, you may have mistaken me for someone else, Sir. I am not a member here." Despite his desire to be inside, he does not want to cause confusion.

The man stared at him for a moment, seemingly contemplating on what to say. His incomprehensible expression almost intimidated Bienley.

"You are a guest of one of our VVIP clients" the man earnestly muttered without averting his gaze away from him.

"A guest of a VVIP? Me? Bienley Cullen?" His brow furrowed in concern as he pointed to himself to ensure the man was not mistaken.

"Yes, Sir. Please, this way" the man motioned for him to enter, which he reluctantly followed.

Aside from Josh, he knows no other wealthy person in the city. More so a VVIP client of Club Inferno.

As expected, the dimly lighted place is a haven for the wealthy. Even though there was a trace of cigarette smoke in the air, the place exuded grandeur, befitting for the filthy rich.

The music is upbeat, creating a lively atmosphere inside.The place was packed, and despite the dim lighting, he could feel eyes following him.

"This way please" the usher directed him to one of the empty lounges.

"Drinks are already prepared for you, Sir. But if you have a different preference, you can order using this device" the man placed a tablet on the table before leaving him alone.

Bienley, preoccupied with his bewilderment, simply stared at the pricey drinks on the table rather than indulging himself. He was at a loss to have the opportunity to enter the place he had only dreamed about.

The lounge he was in was significantly elevated than the other ones and he can see the whole area clearly from there.

"This place is awesome" he whispered to himself as he watched the frivolousness around him.

"So this is the world of high society," he said in amazement.

"What am I doing here?" Facepalming himself, he whispered.

"Would you mind if I join you, handsome?"

A soft, sweet voice drew him out of his introspection. He turned to its direction and he was no longer surprised to see that the charming voice was complemented by a pretty face and a stunning figure.

Looking at the gorgeous lady in front of him, he wonders if she is the VVIP client mentioned by the usher earlier.

"Have we met somewhere?" He inquired, watching her pretty face as she took a sip of the drink she was carrying. He had been thinking that he had previously hooked up with her and simply forgot.

"I will never miss you from the crowd if we had, so, I don't think so" with a sultry smile, she ran her index finger along the rim of her glass.

"Well, that is a relief since I don't do second time" he said, leaning back and enjoying the coziness of the couch.

"Interesting" a seductive smile carved her lips as they locked their sultry gazes on each other.

Bienley was relieved to feel sexual tension toward a female, which he had feared he had lost after his encounter with a certain person three days ago.

The two were too caught up in flirting with each other to notice the tension created by the arrival of an imposing entourage.

"Aside from my guest, I never allowed anyone in my lounge"

A dangerously grim voice drew their attention, and only by then they noticed the presence of a group of seriously looking guys.

Terrified mutterings came not only from the lady Bienley was speaking with, but also from other guests who cowered away from the scene.

Bienley is in significantly worse predicament than the horrified expression on the lady's face.

Standing pompously astride with both hands inside his pockets, is the guy from the hotel three days ago. The person who gave him erratic thoughts and sleepless nights.

***TBC***