"From that guy." Jay pointed towards a man who now seemed to be kissing his black card as if it were a treasure that had just fallen from the sky, after previously selling his car to Jay.
Henry followed the direction Jay pointed and found the man looking so happy after getting the card from his friend.
"Are you serious about buying this car just like that?" Henry frowned, looking at the car from a few years ago that was now in front of them.
Jay shrugged casually. "Of course. Rather than going out in our own car and being immediately found out, it's better to use this."
Vincent chuckled. "Classic move, Jay. But I like it. Okay, let's go before anyone gets suspicious."
Without asking many more questions, they immediately got into the car. The engine started, and in a matter of seconds, the vehicle sped away from the penthouse area, taking the six young men on their adventure today. For the first time in a long time, Azka felt truly free.
"So this is what freedom feels like, huh?" he murmured, watching the city scenery through the window.
"Let's make tonight a night Azka will never forget!" Henry exclaimed enthusiastically. Followed by cheers from Jay, Vincent, William, and Ben.
Azka tilted his head, feeling confused by his friend's words. However, he didn't dwell on it and chose to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles streets that he had only been able to see from behind the penthouse window.
Time continued to pass along with Azka's unrestrained laughter. For the first time, he truly felt limitless freedom. From just taking a leisurely walk at first, they started acting mischievous.
Azka, who was usually so calm and controlled, now turned into someone full of enthusiasm. They annoyed a little kid until he cried and ran away, pranked an old man on the train by pretending to see a ghost behind him, and even disturbed some office workers for no apparent reason.
Not only that, his friends also bought Azka a new phone and helped him register a new number, which they immediately saved in their respective contacts.
At the peak, they even thwarted a couple who were about to make out in a narrow alley. Spontaneously, Azka shouted, "There's a big rat!" which immediately made the couple run away in fear.
Ben shook his head, looking at Azka who seemed so satisfied with all his pranks. While sipping the coffee he paid half price for thanks to his sly trick, he commented, "Once he's freed, he turns out like this."
"True," Jay chimed in, still giggling. "Okay, let's go somewhere else. The day is still long to have fun!"
In a quiet afternoon without the city's hustle and bustle, Azka and his five friends sat on the bridge's railing, enjoying snacks and drinks they had bought at a minimarket some time ago. The sunset's glow blended with the silhouettes of tall buildings, creating a calming view and completing the moment of freedom Azka felt with his friends.
While enjoying the atmosphere, they chatted casually, discussing various things, from the silly events of the day to their respective childhood memories. Laughter occasionally broke out among them, warming the afternoon atmosphere that was slowly turning into night.
Occasionally, Azka expressed his grievances and how happy he was to finally be able to travel and do whatever he wanted without the limitations that had been holding him back all this time.
Without realizing it, the night wind began to blow coolly, gently caressing his face. For the first time, Azka felt like a regular adult, without having to worry about protocols or strict supervision from his mother.
After feeling relaxed enough, Vincent suddenly stood up and stretched his body. "Okay, enough with the nostalgia. Now we're going to a more exciting place. Something that will stick in Azka's memory forever!"
"This time, let me drive," he added, grabbing the car keys from Jay.
Ben raised an eyebrow. "Where are we going?"
Vincent only grinned mysteriously. "It's a secret. But I guarantee you'll love it."
William, Ben, Jay, and Azka glanced at each other for a moment, before finally deciding to go without asking many questions. Quickly, they all got back into the car, ready for their next adventure.
A moment later, they arrived in front of a building with glittering neon lights. Music thrummed faintly from inside, giving a different lively impression from the city's other atmosphere.
Jay gaped. "We're really going to a nightclub?"
Vincent, who had just arrived after parking the car, turned around casually. "You said you wanted to feel freedom? What's wrong? Come on, let's go in before it gets crowded and feels cramped inside. At least, we have to get a seat first."
"Besides, we're only going to be there for a while," he added.
"Oh my gosh, relax, Jay." Henry patted his shoulder. "Anyway, it's only tonight that Azka feels freedom before he gets scolded by his mother again tomorrow."
Without hesitation, Vincent handed the car keys to Jay, then stepped into the club with Henry who looked enthusiastic.
Ben sighed and turned to Azka who was still standing still. "Is this okay? Taking someone's kid who just came out of a cave to a nightclub? What if he gets kidnapped by old ladies?"
William chuckled. "With his looks, he'll probably be made a kept boy instead."
"Or at least kidnapped and then sold on the black market. The money would be good if his parents redeemed him," he added jokingly.
Jay looked at them with a blank expression. "Your words are so cruel."
Ben shrugged. "Well, we're just being realistic."
Jay sighed before finally saying, "Come on, let's go in. Besides, Vincent said we'd only be there for a while."
Azka was still hesitant, but seeing his friends had already walked ahead, he finally followed them into the club.
As soon as they entered, the thumping music filled the room. Colorful lights flickered among the crowd of people dancing freely. The aroma of alcohol and perfume mixed into one.
Vincent, who had sat on a red sofa earlier and ordered several kinds of drinks, immediately handed a glass to Azka. "This is for you, as a celebration of your first night as a free person."
Azka stared at the glass for a moment before finally taking it. With a little hesitation, he sipped the drink. Instantly, his face changed. "Ugh, it tastes weird!"
The others laughed. "Just relax, you'll get used to it eventually," Ben said, patting his back.
That night, they truly enjoyed freedom. Music echoed, laughter filled the air, and for the first time in his life, Azka felt like a part of a world that had always felt so far from him.
Azka drank two to three glasses of alcohol, from the lightest to the medium level. Now, in front of him, there was a small glass of high-alcohol drink that was burned on top. His friends said that this would give a different sensation.
"You blow it first, then drink it in one gulp," Henry said with a grin.
Azka stared at the drink hesitantly, even more hesitant than before. Slowly, he took the glass, blew out the fire on top, then gulped it down in one breath.
A moment later, his body felt like it was burning from the inside. The heat spread to his throat to his stomach. His face turned red, and before he could control himself, his stomach rebelled.
"Whoa, Azka! Don't vomit here!" Jay exclaimed in panic.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, raindrops fell, wetting the city sidewalk. A beautiful woman stood under an umbrella, showing off her beautiful curves in sexy clothes. Her blue eyes stared longingly at a mother who was carrying her little daughter.
The silence of the night made her mind wander. The world kept showing the warmth she had never felt.
Unlike her life so far, which had always been in the dark, shackled in suffering and regret due to wrong choices.
Memories of her former family slowly emerged. The past trauma from her family's destruction still lingered in her heart. In the depths of her gentle soul, she sometimes hoped to be a good parent if she had children one day.
"I wish I could ...." she whispered softly, stepping her feet under the pouring rain.
She flicked her blonde hair, then rummaged through her bag to take out the red lipstick that she immediately applied to her lips.
A thin smile was etched on her face. "Alright, it's time to seduce rich men and drain their money."