Purple streaks of light dance along the walls in criss-crossing patterns, reminding me of luminescent snakes. The theme for this club must be purple because the plush sofas are a deep violet, the floors a purple so dark it could be black. 

Everything else is black marble, the floors and tables so shiny, they look like they've been polished a thousand times over. Loud beats echo from the dj's console, an elevated platform overlooking the sprawling dance floor around us.

Hovering right next to it is the VIP lounge, a small box like encasing with sheer walls that give it's occupants a view of the entire club below. My heart thumps in my chest as I glance up at the winding staircase that will most likely lead me to Taejun or Jungseok, maybe even Loona.

Despite the sky-high prices, the club is slowly filling up with guests. I find myself being pushed to the back wall, it's soft velvet making me feel like I'm lying on a bed. Hyeon's right next to me, his arm brushing against mine as we watch a crowd forming on the dance floor. 

Within minutes the tables are all occupied and some girls in sequin clad mini dresses have started to dance. I look up at the VIP room then turn to Hyeon. 

"Time for plan B?" I have to shout in his ear because the music is so loud. 

Hyeon nods and we head to the bathrooms where our party outfits have been kept. The bathroom is empty and I walk into the second stall, thankful that the night has just started and no one has started throwing up yet. 

I lift the cistern's lid and grab the plastic parcel taped to the bottom of it. I rip through it and pull out my dress. Outside we had to be QBS staff to be able to get in but now it's time to play the part of celebrity guest. 

I put on the short silk lavender dress that shows off most of my legs, then slip on the stiletto heels that go perfectly with the outfit. Outside, I line my eyes with kohl, dab on some blush and highlighter before fluffing up my hair. 

It isn't the fully made up look Loona and Maria had when they made their grand entrance but this will have to do. 

To be honest Hyeon and I don't really have a plan beyong lingering around, waiting for an opportunity to present itself.

Now all we have to do is wait around and pray that one of them slips up in some way. The fact that Loona is here poses a bit of a problem. I'd been hoping to lie my way into the VIP lounge but Loona would definitely recognise me, hence the problem. 

I walk outside, my new heels digging painfully into my feet and stop to see Hyeon leaning by the wall. He's wearing a sleek black button down with jeans, simple but he somehow makes it look classy. He straightens up when he sees me and my cheeks heat when his eyes rake my body from head to toe. 

He shakes his head and quickly walks up to me, handing me the clutch bag I couldn't fit into that toilet cistern. 

"Umm, this is yours," He stutters and then looks up at the ceiling, studying the criss-crossed lighting above us. 

He's acting so awkwardly, it makes me laugh. "You're acting like you've never seen a girl in a dress." 

'No," He quickly reiterates. "I mean yes. You look beautiful, that's all." 

I remain silent, unsure of what to say but thankfully he changes the topic. 

"Come on, let's head to the bar and pray that Taejun or Jungseok decides to make an appearance." Hyeon doesn't wait for me to respond as he leads the way to the main area. 

We weave through numerous gyrating bodies, me towering over most of the girls with my heels earning me a few looks. I'm not wearing my mask anymore and it's clear there are some people who recognise me because they've begun to lean into each other and whisper. 

I feel numerous eyes on me as we settle into a nook by the back of the bar.

A young bartender with black cropped hair and a very friendly smile attends to us, slipping two menus our way. 

I study the small white lettering, my eyes glazing over the words. The prices are too high, there's no way I can afford anything here. I shift from side to side, easing the pressure from right foot to the left. 

There's a gnawing feeling at the back of my neck, like ants are burrowing into it. I feel someone watching me. I turn to the side subtly studying the clubs occupants. Most of the people have started dancing with each other again, only some with roving eyes as they sit in their seats and sip their liquor. 

There's no one staring at me blatantly but then I look up at the black encasing that surrounds the VIP room. I can't see them but they can see me. 

"Kang Jina. Thank you for coming." My head whips up at the mention of my name and I see the bartender smiling at me brightly, his white teeth almost glowing in the dark. He slips me a glass of dark coloured liquid, most likely whisky. "On the house. I'm looking forward to your debut." 

My fingers close around the smooth cut crystal glass, feeling the chill from my drink. "Thank you." The words barely escape my lips before he winks and rushes off to take someones order. 

"Wow, you should have asked for two," Hyeon teases, digging around for his wallet. "See Jina, there are people who already like your performances even though you don't believe in them yourself." 

"I haven't even performed yet," I trill, my voice coming out shaky. 

"Everything in front of a camera is a performance. You started performing the moment you stepped out of that  car and walked into the Asan Medical Centre." 

I consider his words as he takes the moment to order the same drink as mine. In a way he's right, my company gave me directions on how to act, how to behave when I attended Dalia's funeral and wake. Which means I can act, I can express myself enough to be remembered for it. 

I turn to Hyeon, studying the sharp curve of his slender nose. Everything about him is so angular, so sharp, even his observations. "You noticed me at her funeral?" 

Hyeon's shoulder's stiffen ever so slightly. It's so dark here I could have imagined it. He takes a swig of his drink before turning to face me fully. 

"I'd heard about you in the news by then but it was the first time I ever saw you." His lips purse and he looks hesitant to say more. 

"Were you there?" There were countless of news networks there that day outside the medical centre and the crowd stretched on to the roads. Was he one of the camera crew? Snapping pictures of us behind the safety of his camera lens? Or was he in the crowd, a doting fan wanting to bid his favourite idol farewell. 

He face remains impassive as he replies. "No, I saw you on tv." 

My lips purse as I take a sip of my drink and I wonder if he is lying but then a tall tanned skin man clad in all black approaches us. His arms are huge, he could probably crush me with just the weight of them.

"Excuse me, Ms Kang Jina?" He asks tentatively. 

My eyes widen and a surge of panic shoots up my spine. Am I going to be kicked out of here or something?

Hyeon leans forward and answers for me because I'm taking too long to answer. "Yes, she is."

"You with her?" The tall bald man asks brusquely and Hyeon nods, completely unfazed by how intimidating this man looks. "You both have been invited to the VIP room."

The mirroring shock on our faces must be comical but this guy - who most likely is a bouncer here - remains stone faced. He must be great in poker. 

He doesn't wait for us to answer, instead he holds out an arm, gesturing to the winding staircase that has been blocked off from the rest of the room. 

I look at Hyeon and he shrugs, leading the way to it. A drunk girl nearly knocks me over but the bouncer is quick to move her out of the way. He walks close behind, his aftershave so strong it feels like he's all around me. 

"What if Jungseok recognises you?" I whisper into Hyeon's ear worriedly. 

"I highly doubt it. He only saw the side of my face and it was barely a second," Hyeon answers confidently. 

A tall modelesque girl in simple make up and a short black dress greets us at the bottom of the stairs. She unfastens the rope blocking off our entrance and nods for us to head up stairs. My nerves are on edge and I have to hold on to the smooth metal railing so that I don't trip over. 

My calves are burning by the time we reach the tinted doors to the VIP room. It glides open, letting out a soft whoosh of air that brushes my hair off my shoulders. I wait for Hyeon to walk inside first before taking a deep breath and going in. 

The door closes behind us, making me feel like a bird in a cage. The room here is small, there are about four long sofas that line the walls and the music here is different, a deep booming that reverberates through skin, flesh and muscle, all the way to my heart. 

The air here is smoky and there's a waft of something, some smell I can't quite catch and the walls are glossy black, the same criss-crossed lights dancing from the walls to the clear ceiling above us. I look up to see the night sky staring right back at me. 

"There she is, our Dalia's favourite Kang Jina." I see Loona seated right across from me, her hair now platinum blonde. Under this lighting it has turned a ghostly purple. 

The music slows just then, as if the dj here caters personally to its guests. I watch him glance furtively at Loona, one hand on the console, the other on his headset. 

There aren't that many people in the room. I see Jungseok seated on another sofa, far away from Loona and Maria who is standing by a corner. Taejun is next to her, a glass in hand. There are a few other older men whom I don't recognise but all of them are staring at me. 

I gulp softly and take a step forward, unsure of where to sit. 

"Who's your companion?" Loona asks curiously and I notice everyone study Hyeon who is standing next to me. "You sure are brave going out with a guy before debuting. Isn't dating banned in most companies? It definitely was during my time." 

Loona holds her chest dramatically and looks at Maria for confirmation. I resist the urge to look at Jungseok who she's been rumoured to date since she debuted herself. 

"My names Oh Nam Suk and I'm her manager," Hyeon answers professionally. "You can call me Oh." 

She studies him with narrowed eyes but then quickly loses interest, turning back to me quickly. "Come have a drink with us." 

This seems to relax everyone. Jungseok returns to talking to the two older men, Maria whispers something to Taejun and Loona pours us both a drink. I sit down hesitantly and try not to react to Taejun who has been staring at me the entire time. 

Almost like he wants to approach me and talk.

Loona picks up her drink and smiles at me poisonously. "To Dalia." 

Hyeon has backed up to a corner, giving us space as he monitors the rest. The atmosphere here is so terse, despite this room being the most coveted in the club. 

My gaze is unwavering as I clink my glass against hers. "To Dalia."