CODE ZULU

Loud music filled the club as the smell of alcohol filled whatever space was left. The chugging sounds of glasses, the reverberating voices and the staggering footsteps of people who were already far beyond their threshold screamed only one thing for Selena. What was she doing there? Selena stared across her table at her merry friends. It was the week after they graduated from college and a night that might mark the last time they ever got to see each other. Those were the words that Alice; Selena’s roommate used to persuade her to come to the bar to celebrate with some drinks. But Selena merely stared at what remained of her drunken friends. She never got drunk for as long as she remembered, so she stayed away from alcohol altogether. She could never get into the fun they shared nor understand why they enjoyed it. But at least, for the first time, it served a good purpose. A group of drunken girls would always attract the wrong crowd and Selena tasked herself with the duty of shooing them away. Her mean stare, or at least her attempt at making one was sufficient. She fondled with her long silver hair at the slightest chance. If anything, her hair might have been doing more of the ‘attracting’ than her drunk friends. “How are you beautiful ladies doing?” a man slurred, barely able to stand straight. Selena’s attempt to ward him away with her gaze had proven futile and the girls seemed a little too drunk to answer reasonably. “We’re beautiful young ladies!” Alice cheered as she stood on the table attracting more trouble. “Alice, get down,” Selena scorned. “Come on Selena! Join me!” Alice beckoned much to Selena’s worry. “Let the young lady have some fun!” another man beckoned, and more people seemed to gather. The lights shone a little too brightly for Alice and she lost her footing. She chuckled as she landed in the arms of one of the men who had been eyeing her for a while. While Selena was grateful that he cushioned her fall, he was too touchy for her liking. “And that’s enough for today,” Alice said as he found her way out of his grasp. Luckily, she still had some of her senses left. “Come on, missy. Let’s have some fun, shall we?” the man said, pulling her back into his grasp. “Hey. Let her go,” Selena said, her voice barely making it over the loud music. The man chuckled as he pulled Alice with him, jostling into the crowd. Selena was caught between two minds. She couldn’t leave the girls alone neither could she let the man take Alice. Why are things spiralling out of control! A firm hand on her shoulder sent shivers down her spine as a tall man with luscious dark hair walked past her. “Stay here I’ll get your friend back,” he said. Somehow, Selena believed him. Or at least she wanted to. She couldn’t make out his face, but his broad back was enticing. He wasn’t fairly built and something about his presence was comforting. Selena couldn’t believe that she was thinking about such things at a time like that, but it wasn’t something she could help either. The man walked towards Alice and as the drunk man sighted him, he immediately let go of Alice without a word. The man stretched his hand out to Alice as he attempted to guide her back. “May I?” he said. Alice jumped into his arms without a second thought and he brought her back to Selena. This time, she could see his face clearly. “A sight to behold,” she thought. His blue eyes glimmered despite the low lighting in the club and his lips drew her closer than anything she had encountered. “Thank you,” she said. “You’re welcome, miss?” he said. “Selena,” she replied with an outstretched hand. What was she doing? “Adam,” he replied as he shook her hand. “You should call a cab. It’ll only get worse if you stay,” Adam added. “You’re right. Thank you.” “My pleasure,” he said, as he left. Somehow, amidst the troubles and commotion, Selena was glad she came. *** Selena woke up with a light headache to what was supposed to be an important morning for her. Alice lay beside her, showing no signs that she would be getting up any time soon. Worse still, she might still be unaware that she was home. It was quite the ordeal taking care of five girls. The only solution Selena could think of was bringing them all to her house. They would figure out the rest when they woke up. As she ran through all the things the girls would need to do, her eyes met the clock in what was a shocker for her. “What the hell?” she screamed as she only had thirty minutes left. It was her first day at her new job! She ran to the bathroom for what could probably pass for the world’s fastest bath and she dashed off before any of her friends woke. It was quite a surprise that they were still asleep despite all the noise she made, but that was a testament to how far gone the girls were. Selena ran into her new workplace in a manner that she would have sworn could never have been her. She cursed under her breath as waited for the elevators. It certainly wasn’t the way she wanted to start her new job. She had been fortunate enough to get the job shortly before she graduated. As the elevator door opened, a face she could have sworn she would never meet after the previous night stood before her. It was Adam! He looked even more dashing in his black suit and well-combed hair. He gave off a slightly different aura than she remembered. “Hello,” was all she could manage, as she stood at the other corner embarrassed. “Well, isn’t this a surprise,” he chuckled. “How are your friends holding up?” he asked. “Well, they are not dead,” Selena blurted. Instant regret seeped into her bones as she cursed herself. What kind of response was that? They’re not dead? Really? But Adam chuckled. “You’re quite the funny one. I didn’t know you worked here.” “It’s my first day. What about you? How long have you been working here?” “Quite some time actually. So I’m sure you wouldn’t mind me showing you the ropes,” Adam smirked. “I’d be glad,” Selena sighed. At least one good thing was going for her. But she could not have been prepared for what came next. As they stepped out of the elevator for what felt like forever, someone came to help him with his suitcase and another opened the door for him. Who exactly was he?