Chapter 1: Lovely And Joy
Lovely and Joy’s day started like any other.
Boring.
Early that morning, Lovely sat at the kitchen table, lazily pushing an apple around her plate. Across from her, her younger brother Garry shoveled cereal into his mouth like he hadn’t eaten in days.
“i***t,” she muttered.
Garry’s head snapped up. “Hey. Stop it.”
She grinned and ruffled his hair. He slapped her hand away.
Karen swept into the kitchen in heels, already digging through her handbag.
“Lovely, I don’t have time. I’m rushing to the office.”
“Can I get a lift?” Garry asked.
Lovely mimicked him in a baby voice. “Caaaan I get a liiift?”
Their mom sighed. “Lovely. Stop. And feed the puppy. Let’s go, Garry.”
The door shut behind them.
A moment later, Joy walked in, hair messy, half asleep. She’d been living with them for three years, ever since her mother died from cancer.
“Any plans for today?” Joy asked, yawning.
“Good morning to you too, Joy.” Lovely smirked. “And yes, we’re going to that VELVET Club everyone’s been talking about.”
“Sounds great.” Joy rubbed her eyes. “I was tired of The Best Club. It’s crowded and stinky.”
Lovely laughed.
“I have class to attend,” Joy added.
Lovely rolled her eyes with a grin. “Yeah. Whatever.”
The day dragged on. Pool. Music. Getting ready.
By evening, Joy walked into the living room and found Garry and his friend Calvin mid–boss fight on the couch.
Joy grinned. “Move, nerd. Is Lovely ready?”
“Says the girl stuck on level one,” Garry shot back without looking up.
Joy rolled her eyes and disappeared into Lovely’s room.
Lovely was half-buried in her closet, clothes everywhere.
Joy flopped onto the bed. “I can’t wait to have fun tonight.”
“Karen and Dad are caught up with work,” Lovely said, tossing a dress over her shoulder. “No one’s gonna nag us.”
Joy sat up. “Bro. I have nothing to wear.”
Lovely snorted. “Same. At least you have college.”
“The applications are still available, you know?” Joy said.
“Let me enjoy this night, then we can talk about college.”
Joy vanished into the walk-in and came back holding a short black dress. “Can I wear this?”
“Yeah. What’s mine is yours.”
“Through thick and thin.”
“Till handsome men do us part,” they said together, laughing.
Ten minutes later: Lovely in red, Joy in black. Matching energy. Dangerous smiles.
Lovely checked her purse. Money. Lipstick. Phone. Uber requested.
A horn beeped outside.
They slid into the Uber.
As the car pulled away, Lovely leaned back and exhaled.
“Tonight’s gonna be unforgettable,” Joy said.
Lovely smiled. She had no idea how right Joy was.
---
Across town. VELVET CLUB. Michael’s Office.
Red lights. Bass shaking the floor.
Michael didn’t look up when his phone rang.
“Talk.”
Hart’s voice on the other end was tight. “It didn’t come. Freddy never showed. No bag.”
A beat of silence.
Michael finally looked up.
“Find him.”
