THE VALENTINE NIGHT

“Mora, stop” an old tired woman called out to her, she paused briefly, and turned towards the old lady, who was revealing her frustration.

It was valentine's night, pretty lights, and melodious songs could be seen and heard in lover's park.

The woman sat in a chair beside a flower, in the corners of the garden, lovers are lurking in the dark, having a romantic time.

Mora returned and met the woman who has settled on a chair, she looked tired and worn out from the continuous walking.

“Mother, you don't have to accompany me, you can go home, I need to make more money so that I can release my first album,”

“Look over there, there are many people there I will perform for and get paid, and I also have to buy your medicine” she reasoned with the old woman.

the old woman nodded “alright, alright, you can go, but please stay, safe, I will return home right away” Mora beamed and helped the woman up from the chair she sat in.

Mora turned around carrying her guitar, on her way, she met Philip, the steward of Lycan, the mayor of Z district.

"Mora, my master is over there, you will make a lot of money, there are noblemen, and they are wealthy people there too, hurry, come over” he held Mora's hand and dragged her along, without waiting for a response.

The big hall filled with people, drinking and making merry, Philip led Mora to the podium and made her stand there.

The men making merry, stopped and turned towards the direction of the podium, “Mayor Lycan, drink more” she heard a voice coaxing a handsome young man, she looked away and saw more drunk men, also in the same state.

“Sing, Mora” Philip urged her, hiding away behind the curtail.

She coughed lightly, and held the mic, she started singing.

“Love in the street”

“At home, and faraway”

Her melodious voice attracted everyone, they turned to listen to her sing.

Minutes later, Mora was crowded with many men, who gifted her with so much money.

A male waiter walked past the crowd gathered around her, and a man took the glass from the tray, held by the server.

“Sir is-”

The man who took the glass filled with liquor shot him an angry look, “who are you to question me?” the man reposted.

“I am sorry sir-” the waiter apologized and retreated, the man gave the glass filled with liquor to Mora.

“Drink” he urged her, she shook her head, “I don't drink alcohol” she retorted.

But the crowd chanted in the favor of the man who gave her alcohol, Mora had no choice.

“I will drink just this one,” she said and reached out to the glass filled with liquor, she gulped it.

“I have to go home-” she said, the men protested, but finally let her go.

At a corner, Mayor Lycan was mumbling incoherently, he staggered, as his steward Philip took him away, supporting him with his body.

“I will take you to where you will rest, sir”

“You don't have to hold me, I can walk on my own” Mayor Lycan attempted to protest, but Philip held on, guiding him through walls, and eventually brought him to a room, and guided him to the bed.

“Sir, you should rest here, I will get the car so that I can take you to the old mansion,” he said and quickly exited the room.

The waiter earlier, that was reprimanded for not allowing a VIP to take the drink from him, sneaked out of the party hall, and went to meet a man in the corner of the courtyard.

“Have you done it?” the man asked coldly, his face enmeshed in the shadow of darkness, his black coat and hat gave him an aura of a villain.

The waiter swatted the beads of sweat forming on his forehead away “No, sir, before I could reach him, someone snatched the drink from me, I-”

“Enough, you can go now” the man retorted.

The waiter's body trembled, he didn't say any word further, he nodded and turned to leave, he barely stepped twenty feet away from the man.

When his face turned pale, and his body froze, he suddenly slumped to the ground, eyes wide open in shock, and the stench of gunpowder reeked in the air.

“Take him away”

“yes, Boss”

A response came from behind, two men emerged from the dark, and carried the body away.

Mora held her guitar to herself while walking through walls, she wasn't able to get the exact way she came in from.

She met a waiter coming towards the hallway, “Sir, can you tell me where to meet Philip, the steward of the mayor?”

The waiter pointed towards a door, she thanked him, and walked towards the door, she felt unusual.

Mora shook her head, her eyes shut briefly, she felt uncomfortable in her clothes.

“It is so hot here” she mumbled, and opened the door, when she stepped in, she looked around the room.

Suddenly, a strong arm grabbed her and pinned her to the wall, Mora's eyes widened in shock, and her body froze when she saw that it was Mayor Lycan.

"M- a-y” she stuttered, Mayor Lycan pressed his lips to hers hungry, the fire burning within Mora, made her throw caution to the wind, and the both of them stumbled to the bed.

Philip returned and opened the door without knocking, his eyes landed on the bed, and he saw Philip beneath the sheet, entangled with a lady.

The lady's face was concealed by her scattered hair, he stepped forward and looked closely, the moment he recognized the lady, his heart sank.

“Mora-” he mumbled in disbelief, his eyes teared up, and his phone started ringing, he quickly stepped out of the room and locked the door.

He picked up the call, “Where are you Philip and why is my son not back home?” a voice came from the speaker.

“Madam, there is a problem” he responded.

“Come home and report to me in person, Philip” the caller snapped, and ended the call.