Page 1 of Twins for the Bratva

Chapter 1 - Dahlia

Tying the knot of my boot, I walked to the mirror in my closet door. Opening the door, I turned, admiring the new look. I had not been out into the world as much as I had hoped. Between my studies and side jobs, my time was quite focused. But tonight, I was letting my hair down. I was cutting loose.

The dress was a loaner from one of my friends. It wasn’t something I would wear. But they insisted that if I went out with them, I should at least look the part. Anucha assisted me with my make-up and hair earlier.

Recalling my chat with my cousin from overseas during the day, I was intent on making him proud. I wanted to show him he didn’t waste his time and money assisting me with my college tuition. Or the extra money he sent to tie me over until I got a permanent job.

He even went so far as to get me my current part-time job. I didn’t know how I would have coped without the extra income. I was fortunate enough not to have to work from the office all the time. I had only been in a couple of times, but most of my work I could do online from anywhere.

This gave me ample time to work and study, for which I was grateful. But now that I had graduated, it was time to find something permanent. I had always been good with numbers and had keen analytical skills. I would most likely look for work in those fields now that I have my bachelor’s in finance and business analytics.

Smiling, I took another turn, watching as the skirt flared up and settled back against my thighs. Pushing my thoughts aside, I focused on my evening. All I want tonight is to unwind. Iwant to drink with my friends and have fun for a change. Staring at the stranger in the mirror, I felt my stomach churning.

Shaking my head and grinning at the new me, I stomped my boots and headed for the door. The evening breeze was cool but welcoming as I stepped out into the street. Instead of going to the college bar they usually hang out at, Anucha let me know to meet them in town. There was a bar not too far that they had always wanted to try. She said, seeing as this was my first outing with them, it had to be special.

Luckily, it was only about five blocks from my place, so I decided to walk. Heading down the street, I greeted the guy on the corner walking his dog. Even though I had seen him many times before, and always greeted him, I still didn’t know his name. I knew his dog’s name, though. It was an old English Bulldog called Ruff.

Ruff licked my hand as I passed and barked after me. Turning at the next corner, I looked back. Ruff and his owner were still standing on the curb. I wondered if everything was okay but didn’t turn back. Anusha said they would be waiting for me and not to be late.

I arrived at the bar just after eight. To me, this sounded very early, but not according to them. The place seemed decent enough. At least it wasn’t one of those rundown scummy bars. On one side was a pizza place, and on the other side was a chicken joint. It was an older-looking establishment.

On the street were a couple of cars, but not too many. I was sure the place wouldn’t be packed like some other bars I passed. I didn’t like crowded places.

The sign on the wall read, ‘Tomorrow’s Dawn’. It was red with tiny white lights illuminating it. The building had three floors, but the bar was at the bottom. Outside were some tablesand chairs. These were under the wide canopy that extended almost to the full capacity of the curb.

Entering through one of the three archways, I opened the door leading to the bar. Inside, the place looked completely different. The outside spoke of a calm, almost serene atmosphere. Inside was a big dance floor with tables around the sides. To the back was the bar area with more seating.

I noticed Anucha as she stood and waved at me from the bar. She was accompanied by three other girls. Two I knew from class, but the third one I had never seen before.

In the middle was a giant disco ball lighting the dance floor, and to the sides at every table was a different color light shining down on it. It was breathtaking. The bar counter and the chairs appeared to have been made of wine barrels.

The dance floor looked like it was made from dark redwood. There were two stages to the sides of the doors, and on one, a band was playing. Smoke hung in the air, which I would have thought would make the place smell. But the odor was more like cherry and chocolate. Most of the tables were empty except for three.

A bunch of young men filled a table by the stage. They were quite rowdy. I felt sure they had been drinking from early on. To the back were two couples seated at one table, enjoying each other's company. On the opposite side, about in the middle, sat four elderly men in suits. As I walked toward the bar at the back, they looked at me and greeted me.

It seemed like they were playing cards, which was a bit odd. But then again, I hadn’t been to any bars and didn’t really know what was normal. I lifted my hand and waved back. Passing the table with the two couples, they didn’t even seem to notice me.

“Hey,” Anucha exclaimed as she got up and put her arm around me. “We’re so glad you could make it. I almost thought you weren’t going to come.”

“I made it,” I replied as we sat down at a table close to the bar.

“This is my cousin, Alichia. You know Mary and Sophia,” Anucha added as she waved at the waitress. “What would you like to drink,” she asked, looking at me. “I’m buying the first round.”

Her family was wealthy, and she could afford to buy for everyone. At first, I wanted to decline as I wouldn’t be able to buy a full round. “I… I don’t know, I’ll get something in a bit,” I replied hesitantly.

I truly didn’t know what to get. I hadn’t had alcohol before and didn’t know what I would enjoy. I scanned the counter behind the bar, trying to see if anything jumped out at me.

“I’ll have a shot of wine,” I stated hoping to sound more knowledgeable than I felt. I had seen people order shots in movies and most women appeared to enjoy wine. So, I decided I would try it.

The girls burst out laughing. Anucha took my hand as she spoke. “Dear, you have no clue, do you?”. “Tell you what,” Anucha said, leaning toward me. “Let’s get a round of everything, and you test them. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”

Before I could reject the idea, she started rambling at the waitress. “First, I want a round of shots. Make it Tequila. Then, bring us one glass of vodka, one whiskey, one rum, and a brandy. Also, bring us two kinds of beer, a Martini, a Manhattan, and a Cosmopolitan. Make them all single and add the usual mix.”

“That’s way too much,” I protested as the waitress hurried back to the bar.

“Nonsense,” Anucha replied, giggling with the other girls. “You want to let loose, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” I replied, glancing at the others. It felt like my insides were suddenly doing summersaults. They were all smiles. Yet, I couldn’t shake this feeling that something was wrong. Glancing back at the door, I considered running.

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