"Where are we going?"

"I told you it was a surprise," Catalina winked as they climbed out of the Uber. 

Mira sighed as she followed her out into a dark street, in a neighborhood she didn't really know. 

"You said we were going for dinner," Mira said. "Did you mean at someone's house?"

"No," Catalina said, in a singsong way that told Mira she had a secret.

Catalina took Mira's hand and lead her down the sidewalk, before she veered down a dimly lit path towards a smoke-colored house. It was two-stories high, dark ivy climbing the periphery of the walls. Two scarlet red lights hung by the door. Feint music drifted from behind the door. Something crawled in Mira's belly as they approached. 

"Catalina, where are we?"

"You'll see," she smirked excitedly. They reached the door and she knocked twice. 

A slider pulled away and two dark eyes peered out at them. "Password?" asked a deep voice.

"Dipped in caramel," she said. Mira's eyebrows shot up.

The door swung open.

Catalina took Mira's arm and lead her in. Soft jazz and the smell of leather enveloped her. Mira saw the restaurant then: it was cloaked in a fine layer of smoke, dimly lit; waiters strolled around in feathered masquerade masks, handing out flutes of champagne with tiny strawberries in them, red lipstick kisses on the glasses. 

"Oh shit," Mira turned to her friend, "this is Kiss Kiss, isn't it?"

Catalina broke into a wide smile. "Yes it is!"

"How did you even get a table here? It takes months of being on a waiting list."

The man closed the door behind them."Take any seat you choose," he said, "for the price of a kiss."

Mira's face flushed. 

Catalina leaned forward without hesitation and planted a kiss on his cheek, leaving a plum purple smudge of lipstick. She leaned back and winked before turning, and strolling towards the tables.

"You're sleeping with him, aren't you?" Mira laughed. 

"I have a connection that got us a table," she whispered. "And perhaps we have shared some intimacy but hey!" she gestured around. "Worth it, no?"

Mira laughed and rolled her eyes. "Catalina, you and your wiles."

A young lady stepped before them with a tray of champagne flutes. "A drink?" she asked. 

"Yes," Catalina swept two glasses from the tray and handed one to Mira.

"We would recommend biting into one of the strawberries while sipping," she smiled, stepping aside.

Catalina lifted the glass to her friend. "Well," she said with a smile, "cheers." They clinked glasses. Mira brought the fizzing honey-colored liquid to her lips and sipped some, a tiny strawberry swirling into her mouth. The sparkling wine had a zing of bitterness to it, but then Mira bit into the strawberry and it's sweet flavor mixed with the tart fizz.

Catalina's eyes popped as she did the same. "Oh my gosh, this is good. Are there drugs in this or something?" The gulped the rest and grabbed another glass before strolling towards the tables. 

The restaurant was small, and gave Mira the impression of a small stage with tables upon it. Fourteen square tables perched around the dark wooden floor, each set to accommodate two to four people. Each was set with a back tablecloth, shining silver cutlery and red napkins. 

Most of the tables were already occupied, people pinching champagne glasses between their fingers, talking softly while watching the waiters slink around the tables in their risque attire, then peering at each other. 

Catalina choose a table near the center of the room. 

"I wish you'd told me we were coming here," Mira muttered, patting awkwardly at her clothing. "I would have dressed for the occasion."

Catalina laughed, "what does that even mean? You're dressed for dinner."

"Sure, but everyone here is dressed for Kiss Kiss," Mira murmured. 

Even Catalina was adorned with black fish-nets, a small black dress that plunged down her neckline. The lady at the table besides them wore a red lace shirt, through which a bright red bra was clearly visible. She peered at Mira, her eyes slipping down Mira's simple outfit: a shirt and jeans, with sneakers. A small frown appeared between her eyebrows, and she looked away. Mira sighed and she sat down, hoping her outfit would be less obvious when half-obscured by the silt black tablecloth.

"Everyone here is all seduction and I look like a frump," Mira sighed. 

"Nonsense," Catalina said, "you are pretty no matter what you wear."

She peered over Mira's shoulder at the man standing at the door and waved with her fingers, winking. 

The music changed: soft jazz morphed into slow R&B as the lights dimmed and waiters entered from multiple different doors, carrying trays of food. A young man who wore a masquerade mask of royal blue placed a small plate before her, flashing Mira his crisp blue eyes with a smile. 

A deep voice sounded in the room. "Your starter, ladies and gentlemen."