The Man Who Owned The Town

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 while her younger brother Garry shoveled cereal across from her.

"Idiot," she muttered.

Garry's head snapped up. "Hey. Stop it."

She grinned and ruffled his hair. He slapped her hand away.

Their mom swept into the kitchen in heels and panic, 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. For half a second Lovely felt guilty.

Then her phone buzzed.

Lovely: Hey girl. Club tonight?

Joy: YAAAS. I need a drink before I lose my mind from boredom.

The day dragged. Pool. Music. Getting ready.

By evening, Joy showed up 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 on the bed. "I can't wait to have fun tonight."

"Mom and Dad are on a business trip," Lovely said, tossing a dress over her shoulder. "No one's gonna nag us."

Joy sat up. "Bro. At least your parents are rich. My mom keeps asking about my 'future plans.' I have zero."

Lovely snorted. "Same."

Joy vanished into the walk-in and came back with 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.

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 — MW CLUB — 11:52 PM.

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."